Trek 2010

Andrew works with the young men and so we had the opportunity, in August, to go on trek with the youth of our ward to Martin's Cove. We were dressed up as pioneers the whole time and got to push handcarts. Martin's Cove is an area in WY that the people in the Martin Handcart Company took refuge in when they could go no further in their trek West because of the weather (snow storms) and lack of supplies. The wind there is constant and gets totally insane at times, so I can't imagine how cold it must have been in the winter with snow blowing everywhere. 20% of their company died along the way and many of them died in or near Martin's Cove. Really, I could go on and on about their story. They had such strength and faith and were willing to give everything (and many did) for the gospel. I knew that the place was special and had been dedicated by Pres. Hinckley but skeptical me wasn't totally sure it would be any different than any place else. I was so wrong. It is hallowed ground. There is a spirit there that can't be explained. I knew that the lives of our youth would be touched and changed, but I never expected my own life to be so changed because of this experience. The pioneer ancestor I represented was my great-great-great grandma Martha Jane Knowlton Coray. She and her husband, Howard, made the trek to Utah in 1850. At the time they had 6 children under the age of 8, including an infant. I can hardly take my 2 kids to the store, let alone my 6 kids thousands of miles in a wagon. I gained so much respect for her and her family. It was an amazing experience. One that I wil always be grateful I had.

(Here we are in our pioneer garb)