AMAZING!!!!

I finished my stake's pioneer handcart trek today. It was pretty much one of the most humbling and amazing experiences I've ever had. I was disappointed that our stake didn't have any devotionals for us, but it was still really fun just getting to have those with my family (especially since I was big brother and in charge of them). The best part was getting stuck with seven complete strangers (nine if you count my parents) and two people I knew, and just having to work with them, get to know them, and befriend them, just so you could all survive together. It was amazing how impressive my siblings were, I felt like such a loser next to any of my siblings (except one of my sisters, who was the trial of the trek)and I felt so humble when my parents chose me to be big brother over them. My Pa ensured me before hand that both he and my first Ma (who left when her son had a seizure and was replaced by my second Ma) had felt impressed by the Spirit to choose me as big brother, which really kind of surprised me a little bit, since I wasn't the oldest there, I've always been little brother, and I had none of the skills that were necessary for the job. The only things I had to run on were a love of my siblings (which had to develop quickly since I'd never met them before), an amazing big sister (who was one of my major support groups for the trek) and a want for all of us to get through trek with minimal injuries. The trek wasn't trial free, but we were able to work through our trials (including a stream, a ravine, and an immense hill), and at the end of the day we were able to kneel together in family prayer, and feel the Savior's love for every member of our family. Our family also grew stronger together through the trek from the pioneer stories Pa would tell us during our breaks, and the games Ma would have us play to ensure that we grew together as not only friends, but as a family. My first Ma said it best at our orientation: "I want this family to be a forever family, and that's just what I'm sure it'll be." We grew such good friendships in the the family, even if we did have some issues as well. I'm grateful for the stake leaders and my Heavenly Father who put me in a family that would humble me and strengthen me. Some day I hope I'll be able to have my own family somewhat like the one on Trek (which is much like my real family), where not everyone is perfect or gets along, but where we all pitch in and do what's needed of us to make the trip easier, and we all work together to draw close to each other and God.