Pioneer Children, Start Singing!

Just call me, "Ma"

Yup, that's right, I said Ma! As in "Ma and Pa". (Charles is Pa.)

We were just called to be a "Ma and Pa" for the Youth Pioneer Trek, in August 2011. Oh Boy!

As many of you know, I am kind of an "indoor girl". (I get that from my father.) Camping is in a cabin, with lovely beds, running water, and a continental breakfast. :-) Well, beds and running water there will NOT be!

(I was crying during the whole video!)

Here is the low-down:

• We have to be trained, with detailed instruction of our roles
• We have to be physically capable of walking 10 miles in extreme heat (possibly pulling handcarts.)
• We have to wear pioneer clothing (Help! Does anyone sew??)
• We will have 8-10 children assigned to our "family" and we do EVERYTHING as families, including being sent out on our journey as families.
• We are not just along for the ride, we ARE the Ma and Pa. Meaning, we get our kids ready, washed, fed, packed and leaving on time. We are responsible for their spiritual/emotional/physical well-being. We have to keep track of our children at all times and we have to quote, "control our kids".
• There will be a lot of family time. It needs to be structured. We need to have activities planned. We also need scripture/prayer/devotional time.

OH BOY! I am still rather giddy at the moment, a million question are running through my head about every detail. We were told to write down and be seeking out inspiration regarding our roles as Trek Parents. I better get a binder!

• We will be "sorted" into families (Harry Potter style). (I wonder if we get a different last name?? That would be awesome.)
• We have to "gather" our family together many times before the trek for activities and getting-to-know-you time. (Youth are from Stake, not just ward.)
• We attend service projects and square dances before Trek

Right now, it seems daunting. But I know it is only because Christmas is a day away and I have partaken of too many sugary-goodies. The new year will provide opportunity for new goals, including physical goals, and now I have a very worthy event to focus on. I am not too worried about the physical requirement, but it would be nice to do it without breaking a sweat. ;-) Thank goodness I can wear my Asics! Apparently, duct tape for blisters is a must.

Preparation:

Have you ever seen Fiddler on the Roof? Well, Tevye's horse is lame from near the beginning, as a result, he has to pull his own milk cart. He asks God, who would it hurt, "If I were a rich man"? Throughout the movie his horse is lame, he pulls the cart (he gains strength). He asks, "why?" But then at the end, when they are driven from their village, and they must put all their belongings in the cart, and walk far away from their home . . . Tevye had the strength to pull the cart. He had been prepared, by God. And, yes, it would have spoiled some "vast eternal plan" if he had been a wealthy man. :-) God knew what was coming, and what he needed to be prepared for . . .

I mention that because I have spent many days (pushing not pulling) my own "handcart" in all sorts of weather, and sometimes I find myself asking, "why?" When I run, the kids have always been in tow. Just the other day I put all three kids in the double jogger, with William sitting on top of the sun shades, and I ran. It was ridiculous, really. Crazy. But I did it anyway, it was the only way I could run that day. (The kids were too cold to ride scooters next to me.) It was SO heavy (Sammi is 9, Daniel 7, William 3). The stroller was WAY past capacity! But I had to . . . that is just how I am. Needs must, you know. I actually thought of handcarts when I was pushing the monstrosity. Little did I know there was a reason for that thought!

Picture taken 3 years ago . . . :-) Much heavier now!

I am actually excited. I am afraid, naturally -- but excited, too. It will be an adventure preparing for this journey with the Youth (whom I LOVE!) I am excited to get to know more of the rising generation. I love the youth in our ward, so much. I only hope that the youth of the Stake are just as lovely!

A few months ago, I had a blessing. During the blessing I was told, "Soon, your life will be full of people." And so it begins . . . :-)

P.S. I will NEED help . . . sewing, activity planning, ideas, etc. So watch out! Jenny, (yes you Miss Arnold) . . . did you go on the last one? If so, FILL ME IN!!!! Love you!