Ma and Pa

A few weeks ago, Hugh and I were asked to serve as a Ma and Pa for the upcoming stake youth conference in July. It’s a four-day trek, a reenactment of sorts, of the Mormon pioneers going west.  With a number of youth we will form a family pulling a handcart along with a larger company of youth and adults from our stake.

Hugh knew the trek was coming up (it's every four years) and wondered if maybe we'd be asked.  Me, I was totally shocked!  Pushing and pulling a handcart through the Sierras - Really?  Hugh has no knees and I’m twice the size I was when we got married. Not to mention, at this age (we'll both be 59 when we head out) we’re more a Grandma and Grandpa than a Ma and Pa.  Anyway, in spite of all that, we both felt good about it and said, "YES!"

Hugh’s attitude, “I was training for a marathon, but I guess I’ll train for the trek instead.”

Me, “I was trying to lose weight and become more fit. I guess this will help me achieve my goal.”

Certainly our physical strength will be taxed and more, but in enduring trials comes great spiritual strength and blessings.  It’s not going to be easy.  With that said, I'm already in reenactment mode.  No doubt the Saints knew before they left that it wouldn't be easy, but they believed in Christ and moved forward each day with faith in every footstep.

With faith in every footstep,

we follow Christ, the Lord;

And filled with hope

through his pure love,

we sing with one accord.

Words and music by K. Newell Dayley