We had the wonderful opportunity to attend the 2012 Youth Conference Pioneer Trek. We were Ma and Pa Hurren which happened to be John's ancestors. We had 10 exceptional youth in our family and man did we have fun despite sleeping on the ground, rain, walking 6 miles a day, and having to pee in the woods half a dozen times (lets just say I became really good at spotting the kind of leaf that makes great toilet paper).
John did a wonderful job getting our youth excited by creating a family cheer which we yelled out lots while trekking. We also won a contest and received a watermelon (which was a huge blessing because the next morning we had it to accompany our gruel breakfast or flour and water).
Our family was victorious in the stick pull (one of our sons won over all the boys and then John wanted to go up against him and of course pa won) we also won the handcart races both in the kids division and the ma and pa. That is a funny story, one in which I almost died. We took off and immediately fell because John's old boots had no traction and the grass was still wet with morning dew. So we get up and I'm thinking we are done because we are so far behind, but John just starts running and I am on the outside of the handcart just running alongside. Well John motions for me to get inside with him and he lifts up the handle to allow me to get under, but he is still running full speed. So when I stand up, I am at the back next to wheel about to get ran over. I yell at him to slow down. I was running as fast as I could and trying to not trip over my skirt but he is of course way faster than me so I can't get up to the front easily. I eventually get up there and I am just hanging on for dear life while John pushes the cart. We pass the other couples and move into first place and win the race. Man was it a sight. I think half the camp was rolling with laughter and the other half were shocked into silence. It was a fun memory!
Each night we had dances which was a blast for both of us. We had fun just cutting a rug along side our kids. We had fun learning how to cook in our dutch oven. We didn't really think too much of it, but apparently there is a science to how many coals to use and how often to rotate the oven. Well we figured this out the 2nd day, but our chocolate cake was kinda burnt the first night.
By far, the best part of the trip was the stories of those who we were reenacting. They sacrificed so much for the gospel. It really hit home with all of us and the youth! The day after the trek, most of the youth in our ward bore their testimony of the experience and how it strengthened their testimony. We were very grateful to participate in such a great adventure!
