Martins Cove

Two weeks ago, I was able to go with the youth of my ward to Martins Cove. It was such an AMAZING experience and I feel so lucky to have had the chance to go. I was a "Ma" for one of our families. It was exciting to have 7 kids for a few days! Seven awesome kids none the less. We are so lucky to have the great youth in our ward. I learned so many life's lessons and felt the spirit so strong in just a few short days. I read a lot of books before we went and it really helped my love for these pioneers to grow. I can't believe their strength.

Here is a pic of my little trek "family" -I am grateful for the love and friendship we all now share. These guys are the best!

I have to say- besides the spirit we felt ,probably one of the best things about this whole adventure was the weather. After the nine hour bus ride we arrived at the Cove about the same time a huge rainstorm came in. I can't believe how hard it poured! We put on our rain ponchos and started trekking. I didn't hear one complaint. I actually heard comments about how lucky we were because we had ponchos, and coats, and shoes. The pioneers didn't have any of these luxuries. Here is a picture from the back of my family. You can see a little of the puddles we had to go thru.

My favorite part of this first day was when they took our men and boys off to join the Mormon Battalion. This gave us all such a better perspective of what it must have been like for the pioneers. Us women were left to pull our handcarts up one large hill alone. The pioneer women were sometimes left for up to five years. I don't know how they did it. We were asked to be silent as each group pulled their cart to the top. The men and boys were at the top watching us. They had been told not to help and you could see in their eyes how hard it was for them to watch. When our family was reunited after we made it to the top, all the boys told us girls how hard that was for them to watch. It was such a great reminder to me how lucky we are to have the men and boys in our lives.


Another great memory of the trek was the reenactment of the crossing of the Sweetwater River. I have always felt a deep love for those boys who carried people across this river. Our boys were lucky because it was a nice day. When the pioneers crossed this river it was November and it was filled with ice and snow. It touched all of our hearts to see these young boys do this, and it was such a testimony to me of service. I don't know if I could have sacrificed so much. What a great experience! (Photo courtesy of Lynsi-I didn't get a good shot of this!)



Loved these statues!

The second day was the day we actually went up into the cove. We had a small meeting with all the other youth in the stake and one of the missionaries there shared some of the stories of the Martins Cove pioneers. My heart was so touched and I felt those pioneers close. The trek up into the cove was beautiful. I didn't take out my camera because it felt so sacred there. I felt as if I was walking in the temple. Walking down out of the cove we saw storms all around us. Shortly after returning to camp, we had one of the largest hailstorms I have ever been in. We were so thankful Heavenly Father had tempered the weather for us earlier in the day. We had beautiful weather just when we needed it. Just more proof to all of us that Heavenly Father does answer prayers! The girls had fun making hail balls after the storm ended.

Check out these beautiful smiles. Even after all they rain they still smiled. Love these girls!!

This is the rainbow after our huge rain and hailstorm. I thought it looked cool how it came over the mountain.

Can I just say I love these ladies! These are three of the women I serve with and they are AMAZING women. I am so glad I got to experience this trek with them! The young men leaders said it wasn't the youth that kept them up at night is was the talking, giggling YW leaders. Oops! Sorry!

This is the sunset on our last night. I wish I would have been able to take my nice camera because it would have been able to capture a little more clear how beautiful this was! Who knew Wyoming could be so beautiful?

All in all my trek experience was great and I feel blessed to have been able to be there. If any of you get the opportunity to go, I would definitely recommend it. It is truly an experience you will always remember.