I've been a Boy Scout all my life, and have been dedicated enough to reach the rank of Eagle Scout. As I reflect on my past experiences of my scouting career, and some of the things that I learned along the way, I'm grateful for my parent's eager support and my leaders dedicated service to helping me along the way. Now what does this have to do with endurance? Well-I'll tell you.
In 2008, I was a Life Scout, and was participating quite well in the Varsity Scout program-a program that focuses on outdoor activities and team building experiences within our group. We had the extreme privilege of going to the Philmont National Scout Ranch in the summer. For those of you who don't know, or who aren't aware-Philmont is one, if not the biggest, scout camp in the country-maybe even in the world. It's located in Cimmaron, New Mexico, and spans a good portion in the middle of the state. Anyway-for a scout-Philmont was that one experience that everyone wished for-and I got to go. I was excited, and nervous at the same time. The trek lasted about 15 days-during which, a group would choose a different "itinerary" to follow for the trek, and then hike on a specific path that would range from 50 to 140 miles across New Mexico.The physical challenge was crystal clear from the beginning, but what about emotionally? At that present time-yes I had been away from my family for short periods, and had experienced trials and challenges, but this was different. 15 days in the middle of New Mexico with just 10-12 people to hike with me-it was a daunting task, but one that looked rewarding and still very fun.
The day came when we embarked on our travel to the state by charter bus. It was a great and challenging day-filled with packing, checking, paperwork, and other things, but also that sweet, tender goodbye to the ones we loved. We departed to go on this physically challenging journey-the departure was difficult, but we all did it, and boarded the bus. After a very long bus ride, we finally arrived at the Philmont Ranch. Now, I won't go into exquisite detail-but I'll tell you a few things, and my experience with the whole trek. The first day was filled with many orientations and paperwork-getting our things put in our tents and any valuables or electronics that we wouldn't be needing, into lockers and safe boxes.
It was a bitter-sweet experience-the arrival "induction" that we attended that night. They welcomed us, did a few awesome shows and things, and gave us some more information about our upcoming journey. The beginning of a journey is always a fluid one-full of mixed emotions, and exciting prospects. We were excited, but the task ahead was long, and we were all aware of that.
To make a long story a little bit shorter-the first few days out on the trail were difficult-very much so. But we grew closer as a scout team, and our experiences activities were once-in-a-lifetime chances. Of course we totally blew the "roof" off of the trek by doing some amazing things-black powder shooting, archery, mountain climbing, drinking homemade root beer, and having a donkey ha-ha :D! The trek was long and hard-many, many miles were had, and our boots and our feet showed it. I think I even had a blister for half the trek, but we always had each other and the Lord to help us in times of hardship, and even got to perform the Sacrament on the trek-a very spiritual and enriching experiencing for young men such as us.
Anyway-during each mile, during each hardship-I always tried to look forward, to look toward hope and rely upon my friends and my God to help me have the strength to endure. I had the privilege of having my birthday during this and-although short and sweet, I was able to read a letter that my parents had previously prepared and sent with me for that day. It was a tender, caring letter filled with love and encouragement for my young mind, which to me-really, really helped.
Do a little time skip here :)!
At the end of all this, and as we were driving home on the bus, I looked out the window, and as I looked back at the Tooth of Time-a mountain formation that is very known at Philmont, I just thought about all my experiences and all my trials I faced during that time. There were many, but I can honestly and with full heart say that I didn't complain or murmur about my circumstances, and even though some days were freezing cold-getting up at 4 in the morning, I tried my best, and I and my fellow team members overcame our 88 mile trek across New Mexico.
"When you feel discouraged, thinking all is lost. Count your many blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!" (Count Your Blessings; hymn 241)
I invite you readers to always trust in the Lord. Now five years later after Philmont-I'm here as a missionary and representative of Jesus Christ. It's had it's hard times, and there are trials to which I'm working toward and through, but I know that I couldn't even do anything without Jesus Christ, and without his spirit blessing me and giving me comfort and love. I testify that he is the Christ and leave you with this thought and invitation.
"Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives"(I know that my Redeemer lives; hymn 135)
My loving friends and readers-family members and fellow missionaries, I know that my Redeemer lives, and I invite you to watch General Conference this weekend and partake of that spiritual dose of truth, and of Christ to help you. Just know that I love all of you-so much, and I hope and pray that I can help you in anyway I can. I hope that I can be comforted and helped myself by Christ so I can do this for him. Thank you!
I wish you a good weekend and General Conference season!
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