Steadfast and Immovable Youth Conference Pioneer Trek 2008

Ma & Pa Spendlove

Our Girls

One of the many Ravines

Our Boys

The Larson Family Banner








Before Steve and I were asked to be a Ma & Pa for this Pioneer Trek, I had always wanted to go. My dad, who was in the Stake Presidency, just took his youth on a trek and kept saying how wonderful it was. So when we got the call I was ecstatic and just hoped that Steve would be just as excited. The Trek for both of us was exactly what we had hoped for and so much more.
We were given a list of things to do in the months before to spiritually prepare ourselves for the responsibilities that lie ahead. And that alone was worth it, but then there was more. We finally decided on a family name, the Larson Family. This is a family that was in the Hodgett Wagon Company and are the Great Grandparents of Tami Bauer, an incredible lady and wife of our bishop. So the Larson family on this trek conisisted of Eric M., Eric F., Andrew, Tuan, Blake, Ali, Britney, Marcela & Lauren. We had an amazing group of teenagers to call our children for 3 days. It was also kind of fun to be called Ma and Pa. They told us we would make great parents of teenagers. We’ll see!
Our family made a goal to not complain. And there was never a complaint. We wore the pioneer clothing, we ate like the pioneers (I think we ate better than most of the pioneers-chicken broth, hard tack, corn meal mush, beef & vegetable stew, homemade bread and ashcakes). We packed 17 lbs or less of our belongings, pulled and pushed a handcart just the like the pioneers and walked through mud, water, dry ground, rocks and many many ravines. We endured "20 minute trials" like an arrow in the arm, a wounded leg and blindness. We had our men and boys join the Mormon Battalion leaving the women to pull and push by themselves. And we even had to bury our babies (rice filled dolls that were given a real pioneer name and story) along the way. Many many opportunities to feel and recognize the spirit were provided. Many, many testimonies of the gospel were strengthened and shared. Many, many hearts were touched by the stories shared of the pioneers faith. And it was wonderful.
One of Steve's favorite moments was listening to the youth singing through the trees one evening as he went back to our tent to get his jacket. And he also enjoyed his time in the Mormon Battalion where he heard a very powerful message shared with them by Bro. VanLeuven. One of my favorite moments or most touching was the burial service of one of the babies in our company. I could write forever about all that was felt, shared and experienced in these three unforgettable days, but I just wanted you to get a feel or have a little glimpse of what we felt while on this trek. It truly was a life changing experience and we both feel like we received much more from this than we ever gave and our so grateful for this experience and for the pioneers!