Jim Trekked

Jim went on the pioneer trek in July with the youth. He was a medical guy last time (five years ago); this time he was Pa to Kathy Shirley's Ma.

He called once toward the end of the trip. When I asked him how it was, he said, "It's great. I love it." He had a wonderful experience and loved his group. He and Kathy had Madison Sorenson, Aurora Pope, and Lizzie Fisher from our ward, along with brothers Arden and Ian from a Carlsbad ward, Garrett Peters (son of Jim's friend Paul, aka Pablo), Garrett's friend, and two other girls. The kids did wonderfully. Kathy told me afterward that she'd been nervous about leading a "family" with someone other than her real-life husband. She wanted to model a good, service-oriented marital relationship while obviously keeping everything proper. She said Jim and my relationship is similar enough to her relationship with Jack that they worked really well together and everything went great.

The weather was unusually cool this time. In fact, it was apparently freezing (figuratively) in the morning and at night. They just roasted during the last trek. I think I'd love to do it if I didn't have to sweat to death.

Someone posted photos on Facebook, and I snagged some. Madison Sorenson, Rachael Goodwin (bonnet head), Makenna Kane, Aurora Pope, Talila Thompson, and Jim:

We met all the trekkers at the church for a BBQ when they returned. They had a testimony meeting and slideshow after the grub fest, but I had to leave early to get Wren to bed. I didn't get the whole recap of the trip until a couple days later because Jim was too tired to do it justice when he first got home. On the trek, they told pioneer stories I had never heard before. The sacrifices made by the early saints, and their strength and faith, astound me. I just can't imagine going through what they did, losing loved ones, etc. Jim said he was crying all the time because the stories were so moving. I cried when he recounted them to me.

Ever is very excited to go on a trek when she's big enough. I'm guessing I'll have an opportunity to go with our kid(s) at some point, too. It sounds like an amazing experience.