Trek Kickoff Fireside Talk
JANUARY 20 2017
Trek Fireside 2017 “I’ll Do It for Him”
Wow! Can you feel the energy in the room? How exciting.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE TREK. I can’t believe I would even say that because I DO NOT
LIKE CAMPING!!! I am a Hotel/Condo kind of girl. I truly do not find the Joy in it. But yet,
I can say that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE TREK. How is that even possible?
It’s possible because I KNOW the experiences that I was given during Trek were ones
that changed my life, I could not have experienced them any where else. I have had the
blessing to be able to go on 4 treks so far. Once when I was a youth, and 3 others with
my amazing husband.
I don’t believe Steve and I are experts by any means, and truly don’t feel qualified to be
trail bosses, but THE LORD knows we have a testimony of what Trek can do for you
and I could never deny it. I have seen miracles right before my eyes. I bet you might not
believe this, but Trek actually could possibly be the salvation for some of you.
How CRAZY is that. One decision that you will make tonight….. to Go or Not to Go,
might actually decide your trajectory in life, your path. It may possibly be the difference
between having the successful job that you were meant to have in adult hood or being
on a totally different path without many opportunities. You just might be given the one
experience that you need in your life will help you to accomplish what you were
foreordained to do. DO YOU BELIEVE IT???
I’VE SEEN IT. I’ve seen it with many youth, that because they experienced Trek,
possibly even just ONE thought pricked their heart that caused them to reevaluate their
life and that ONE thing is what has helped determine how their life would go.
I know it’s really hard to see right at this moment in your life that a silly decision to Go
on Trek would make that much of a difference. Parents, if you are thinking the same
thing, that it wouldn’t make that much of a difference if your son or daughter didn’t go. I
am here to Testify, that I KNOW it will make ALL the difference. There are things you
might not have the opportunity to experience or learn if you do not go. I HAVE BEEN
PLEADING WITH MY HEAVENLY FATHER, PRAYING THAT EACH OF YOU WILL
CHOOSE TO COME WITH US.
Recently I put myself on a happiness improvement plan. I was tired of being fearful of
what the next day might bring. What trial was going to be sent my way? It caused me
great anxiety so I decided I needed to focus on the things I was grateful for and not on
what problem will happen that day. After reading my scriptures, I writing down each
morning….what I am grateful for, what would make that day great, and then Daily
affirmations of “I am” statements, like I am Loving or I am worthy. Then at night I jot
down a few things about 3 Amazing things that happened that day and then How could I
have made today even better?
Wow, talk about changing my thoughts from fear and anxiety to Joy and Happiness. It’s
like taking a Miracle Pill of Happiness.
Heavenly Father has also given us a Happiness Improvement Plan. His plan is called
the plan of salvation or the plan of Happiness. Part of Heavenly Father’s plan of
happiness includes Families.
I found this On MORMON.ORG,
“Families are where we connect ourselves in
relationships to past, current, and future
generations.
Our families are where we experience our biggest triumphs and our deepest
vulnerabilities—and they are where we have the greatest potential to do good.
We believe the family is divine in nature and that God designates it as the
fundamental building block of society, both on earth and through eternity. As
such, it becomes the foundation for civilization and a sanctuary for the
individual. It is where we learn the social graces of loyalty, cooperation, and
trust. It is where we learn to love ourselves and each other, to bear one
another’s burdens, to find meaning in our life and to give purpose to others’
lives, and to feel the value of being part of something greater than ourselves.”
Isn’t that awesome! God loved us so much that he put us here on earth with
such a divine structure. Now, I know that not all families are a “perfect family”.
And not everyone has the opportunity to enjoy all of those things mentioned.
But do you think it’s a coincidence that we will all be organized on Trek in
Families?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Think of that definition I just read to you. “Our Families
are where we experience our biggest triumphs and our deepest vulnerabilities
—and you will be where you would have the greatest potential to do good.” In
your Trek Family.
Just like in your family right now here at home, so will it be with your family on
Trek, It is a choice that YOU alone have to make everyday. Are you going to
open yourself up to being vulnerable and feel the value of being part of
something greater than yourself? Or are you going to choose not to engage?
Do you choose to go straight to your room when you get home from school
and stay there all night so you don’t have to talk to your family? Do you
choose to shove your cute little sister away when she tries to hug you and tell
you she loves you? Are you the cause of the pain that our siblings feel? Are you
bullying them or shutting them out?
OR do you embrace Heavenly Father’s plan for happiness by learning to love
ourselves and each other, and bearing one another’s burdens, and finding
meaning in your life and giving purpose to others’ lives, by participating in your
family.
So will it be on Trek. YOU will be the one to make the choice on what
experience you will have.
As a Ma on 2 different treks, I had 2 VERY different experiences. One trek I
had 3 youth that were very diligent and stayed with the family and worked
hard. The other 3 youth would leave and go find their friends. We were
constantly going and gathering them up and trying to get them to bond with all
of us. This was a very difficult situation and I could see that the 3 that always
stayed and worked were put in a strained situation. It was difficult for all of us
to feel love for each other.
The other trek we had a family that stayed together and played games. We
worked hard but we had so much fun together because each of the youth
made a decision to bond and to make it work. I’ll tell you, those youth, now
grown adults, still call Steve and I, Ma and Pa. They are forever my children.
And they will be forever brothers and sisters and have formed AMAZING
friendships for life.
Rex D Pinegar conference April 1990
Heavenly Father has placed us in Families to protect us from physical and spiritual
dangers. "our family is our safety place.
Alma points out IN ALMA 53:9 that whenever the Nephites are not united in
righteousness they become weak and are unable to withstand the attacks of their
enemies. This applies to Families that are not united in righteousness.
Going back to, “Families are where we connect ourselves in
relationships to past, current, and future generations.”
So WHY Trek?
Why do we go out and push handcarts? Why do we put ourselves through this
experience?
President Hinkely said ““It is good to LOOK to the past to gain appreciation for the
present and perspective for the FUTURE. It is good to look upon the VIRTUES of those
who have gone before; to gain STRENGTH for whatever lies ahead. It is good to
REFLECT upon the work of those who labored so hard and gained so little in this
world, but out of whose DREAMS and early pains, so well nurtured, has come a great
gravest of which we are the beneficiaries. Their tremendous EXAMPLE can become a
compelling MOTIVATION for all of us.
As we were pondering and praying about the theme for this year, we studied
several, several websites, books, listen to many many songs and knelt in prayer
over and over again. We kept coming back to the song that my Brother, Troy
Wood in the Farmington Oakridge Stake, wrote last year for his Trek. The song
was given to him by the Spirit in matter of minutes and he scribbled it down
quickly. His wife helped him with final touches and the song “WHY” was born.
I have asked my brother Troy Wood and his daughter Alyssa Wood to come
tonight and sing this song for you. It’s one that touched my heart and gave me
the answers to many “WHY’s” in my life. It’s plain and simple and it is the
theme for our Trek this year, “I’LL DO IT FOR HIM”.
Through many trials in my life and just through regular life’s
experiences I have learned to FULLY TRUST in MY SAVIOR no matter
what. I KNOW that no matter what happens, He is in charge, and I
know WHY I follow my Savior, wherever he may want me to go, and I
TESTIFY that with out a doubt, I KNOW WHY I’LL DO IT FOR HIM. I pray
that each of you will choose to take this journey with us so you can
find out “Why” for your selves.
I KNOW THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST AND HE LIVES!
Trek Fireside 2017 “I’ll Do It for Him”
Wow! Can you feel the energy in the room? How exciting.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE TREK. I can’t believe I would even say that because I DO NOT
LIKE CAMPING!!! I am a Hotel/Condo kind of girl. I truly do not find the Joy in it. But yet,
I can say that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE TREK. How is that even possible?
It’s possible because I KNOW the experiences that I was given during Trek were ones
that changed my life, I could not have experienced them any where else. I have had the
blessing to be able to go on 4 treks so far. Once when I was a youth, and 3 others with
my amazing husband.
I don’t believe Steve and I are experts by any means, and truly don’t feel qualified to be
trail bosses, but THE LORD knows we have a testimony of what Trek can do for you
and I could never deny it. I have seen miracles right before my eyes. I bet you might not
believe this, but Trek actually could possibly be the salvation for some of you.
How CRAZY is that. One decision that you will make tonight….. to Go or Not to Go,
might actually decide your trajectory in life, your path. It may possibly be the difference
between having the successful job that you were meant to have in adult hood or being
on a totally different path without many opportunities. You just might be given the one
experience that you need in your life will help you to accomplish what you were
foreordained to do. DO YOU BELIEVE IT???
I’VE SEEN IT. I’ve seen it with many youth, that because they experienced Trek,
possibly even just ONE thought pricked their heart that caused them to reevaluate their
life and that ONE thing is what has helped determine how their life would go.
I know it’s really hard to see right at this moment in your life that a silly decision to Go
on Trek would make that much of a difference. Parents, if you are thinking the same
thing, that it wouldn’t make that much of a difference if your son or daughter didn’t go. I
am here to Testify, that I KNOW it will make ALL the difference. There are things you
might not have the opportunity to experience or learn if you do not go. I HAVE BEEN
PLEADING WITH MY HEAVENLY FATHER, PRAYING THAT EACH OF YOU WILL
CHOOSE TO COME WITH US.
Recently I put myself on a happiness improvement plan. I was tired of being fearful of
what the next day might bring. What trial was going to be sent my way? It caused me
great anxiety so I decided I needed to focus on the things I was grateful for and not on
what problem will happen that day. After reading my scriptures, I writing down each
morning….what I am grateful for, what would make that day great, and then Daily
affirmations of “I am” statements, like I am Loving or I am worthy. Then at night I jot
down a few things about 3 Amazing things that happened that day and then How could I
have made today even better?
Wow, talk about changing my thoughts from fear and anxiety to Joy and Happiness. It’s
like taking a Miracle Pill of Happiness.
Heavenly Father has also given us a Happiness Improvement Plan. His plan is called
the plan of salvation or the plan of Happiness. Part of Heavenly Father’s plan of
happiness includes Families.
I found this On MORMON.ORG,
“Families are where we connect ourselves in
relationships to past, current, and future
generations.
Our families are where we experience our biggest triumphs and our deepest
vulnerabilities—and they are where we have the greatest potential to do good.
We believe the family is divine in nature and that God designates it as the
fundamental building block of society, both on earth and through eternity. As
such, it becomes the foundation for civilization and a sanctuary for the
individual. It is where we learn the social graces of loyalty, cooperation, and
trust. It is where we learn to love ourselves and each other, to bear one
another’s burdens, to find meaning in our life and to give purpose to others’
lives, and to feel the value of being part of something greater than ourselves.”
Isn’t that awesome! God loved us so much that he put us here on earth with
such a divine structure. Now, I know that not all families are a “perfect family”.
And not everyone has the opportunity to enjoy all of those things mentioned.
But do you think it’s a coincidence that we will all be organized on Trek in
Families?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Think of that definition I just read to you. “Our Families
are where we experience our biggest triumphs and our deepest vulnerabilities
—and you will be where you would have the greatest potential to do good.” In
your Trek Family.
Just like in your family right now here at home, so will it be with your family on
Trek, It is a choice that YOU alone have to make everyday. Are you going to
open yourself up to being vulnerable and feel the value of being part of
something greater than yourself? Or are you going to choose not to engage?
Do you choose to go straight to your room when you get home from school
and stay there all night so you don’t have to talk to your family? Do you
choose to shove your cute little sister away when she tries to hug you and tell
you she loves you? Are you the cause of the pain that our siblings feel? Are you
bullying them or shutting them out?
OR do you embrace Heavenly Father’s plan for happiness by learning to love
ourselves and each other, and bearing one another’s burdens, and finding
meaning in your life and giving purpose to others’ lives, by participating in your
family.
So will it be on Trek. YOU will be the one to make the choice on what
experience you will have.
As a Ma on 2 different treks, I had 2 VERY different experiences. One trek I
had 3 youth that were very diligent and stayed with the family and worked
hard. The other 3 youth would leave and go find their friends. We were
constantly going and gathering them up and trying to get them to bond with all
of us. This was a very difficult situation and I could see that the 3 that always
stayed and worked were put in a strained situation. It was difficult for all of us
to feel love for each other.
The other trek we had a family that stayed together and played games. We
worked hard but we had so much fun together because each of the youth
made a decision to bond and to make it work. I’ll tell you, those youth, now
grown adults, still call Steve and I, Ma and Pa. They are forever my children.
And they will be forever brothers and sisters and have formed AMAZING
friendships for life.
Rex D Pinegar conference April 1990
Heavenly Father has placed us in Families to protect us from physical and spiritual
dangers. "our family is our safety place.
Alma points out IN ALMA 53:9 that whenever the Nephites are not united in
righteousness they become weak and are unable to withstand the attacks of their
enemies. This applies to Families that are not united in righteousness.
Going back to, “Families are where we connect ourselves in
relationships to past, current, and future generations.”
So WHY Trek?
Why do we go out and push handcarts? Why do we put ourselves through this
experience?
President Hinkely said ““It is good to LOOK to the past to gain appreciation for the
present and perspective for the FUTURE. It is good to look upon the VIRTUES of those
who have gone before; to gain STRENGTH for whatever lies ahead. It is good to
REFLECT upon the work of those who labored so hard and gained so little in this
world, but out of whose DREAMS and early pains, so well nurtured, has come a great
gravest of which we are the beneficiaries. Their tremendous EXAMPLE can become a
compelling MOTIVATION for all of us.
As we were pondering and praying about the theme for this year, we studied
several, several websites, books, listen to many many songs and knelt in prayer
over and over again. We kept coming back to the song that my Brother, Troy
Wood in the Farmington Oakridge Stake, wrote last year for his Trek. The song
was given to him by the Spirit in matter of minutes and he scribbled it down
quickly. His wife helped him with final touches and the song “WHY” was born.
I have asked my brother Troy Wood and his daughter Alyssa Wood to come
tonight and sing this song for you. It’s one that touched my heart and gave me
the answers to many “WHY’s” in my life. It’s plain and simple and it is the
theme for our Trek this year, “I’LL DO IT FOR HIM”.
Through many trials in my life and just through regular life’s
experiences I have learned to FULLY TRUST in MY SAVIOR no matter
what. I KNOW that no matter what happens, He is in charge, and I
know WHY I follow my Savior, wherever he may want me to go, and I
TESTIFY that with out a doubt, I KNOW WHY I’LL DO IT FOR HIM. I pray
that each of you will choose to take this journey with us so you can
find out “Why” for your selves.
I KNOW THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST AND HE LIVES!
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