The Van Aken Family: Pioneer Trek

Last weekend, Nathan and Kylie joined approximately 200 other youth in our Stake for Pioneer Trek. They weren't too excited about going. Wearing a dress for four days did not sound like fun to Kylie, and Nathan wasn't too keen on "playing dress-up" and "pretending to be a pioneer" either. Right up to the minute they got on the busses at 6:45 Wednesday morning, I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing sending them off into the wilderness with nothing but the most basic necessities. I had a prayer in my heart the whole time they were gone that they would have an amazing experience and come home with a greater appreciation for their cushy lives. I didn't know what to expect when I picked them up Saturday night. I was hoping for hugs and not scowls, but I braced myself to hear "I hate you and I'm never speaking to you again!"

I drove into the Stake Center parking lot and everyone was smiling and laughing. Everyone was hugging each other and taking one last picture together. Even my kids! Success! They both had a wonderful experience. Both said it was really, really hard, especially the first day when they trekked until 2:00 in the morning, 11 miles in all, in the near 100 degree heat (until the sun went down, of course). Many changes were made from the original plan, and Nathan said he felt like the changes were truly inspired. He said they had the experience they needed and he felt fortunate to be part of it. He also met a really cute girl, which didn't hurt! Kylie was in a family group with no one she knew, but loved it anyway. Her "Pa" came up to me in the parking lot and told me what an amazing girl she is, so hardworking, eager to help, and a great cook! Of course I all ready knew that.

In the car on the ride home, they were calculating how old they would all be for the next trek. If it's in four years like it should be, Kylie will be 18 and able to go again, and Jillian can go for her first time. Ben will have to wait until the one after that, but they're already making plans for Kylie and Nathan to go with him as "aunt" and "uncle".

My prayers were answered. I love it when my kids have great experiences like this. It's so important for them to learn that they can do hard things and not just survive, but learn, grow, and find joy.

I copied these pictures from the Silverdale 2nd ward's facebook page, since obviously I wasn't there to take pictures! Here they are unloading some of the busses. I think there were 6 busses total.

Handcarts ready and waiting!

Picking "families".

I'm not so sure I liked how they did this. The lined up all the girls on one side (by height) and all the boys on the other. Then the "ma" would run through the line and pick three or four girls, and the "pa" would pick three or four boys. They were supposed to pick kids they didn't know, and who didn't know each other. Too much like picking teams on the playground for my taste! I asked the kids, "Wouldn't that make the kids who were picked last feel bad?" And Kylie said, "Yeah, I was one of the last ones picked." Ouch.