It's A Wonderful Life

My name was Else Nielson....I came to America with my husband, Jens and our 6 year old son, Niels.  Because we had given all our savings to help others cross the plains to Zion, we hadn't enough money to purchase a wagon for ourselves.  Instead, we chose a handcart and began our Trek to Zion with the Willie Handcart Company.  My Jens was a strong, tall man.....over 6 feet tall and a good 200 pounds.  The handcart wouldn't be to hard for him to pull.  As I was only 5 feet tall and barely 100 pounds, he'd be doing most of the work. The trip began well..... then it began to snow.  In the fury of the storms that raged around us as we climbed Rocky Ridge, we toiled through the frozen snow.  Jens feet became so shapeless and useless with frost that he could no longer walk.  He told me he could go no further.  To leave him by the side of the trail and let him die.  He told me I should go on alone to Zion.  I looked at him, told him how desolate the world would be without him....then I told him, Ride...get in the cart....I can't leave you...I can pull the cart....and I did.   

At the beginning of Trek we were each given a wristband to wear with the name of a pioneer.  Each had a story.  Else was mine.  Thinking of her gave me strength.  She was my example and my motivation.  If she could do it, I could do it. 

About 6 or 7 months ago the Stake Presidency asked Bob and I if we would accept the call to be a Ma and Pa for our Stake Youth Trek. We agreed....then had lots and lots of concerns! But, with faith, we began working hard to get ourselves ready for the journey.  We figured if we did our part, the Lord would help us and do his part. He most certainly did.  We had the experience of a lifetime.  One we'll cherish forever.  One we will never forget.  One that we'd do over again in a heartbeat.

We had no idea who our family would be until we arrived at our destination.  When we first learned who would make up our little family, we were a little concerned.  We were very diverse!  Could this group work together?  Could they get along with one another?  How could you put 10 teenagers together from totally different backgrounds, who knew nothing about each other and turn it into a cohesive family?  It didn't take long.  They were amazing!  Bit by bit, story by story we got to know each other.  We learned to appreciate each other in a way I never dreamed we would.  We grew to love our little Trek family. They were the best. No one whined, everyone did their share and they all got along so well with each other.  It couldn't have been better.  It's what made the whole experience so amazing. 

     

In the end Bob and I were able to do things we never dreamed we'd be able to do.  I learned a big lesson from that.  It's never to late to accomplish something and I have a lot more ability than I give myself credit for.  If you work hard enough, you can do anything....no matter how old you are.  No matter what it is.  I grew to love and appreciate Bob even more.  Because of his horrible feet, this was a huge thing for him to do.  He's a strong man, but his feet are weak.  Yet he walked and walked and walked.  Sometimes slowly, always in pain, but he did it.  He never gave up.  I was so proud of him.

   

'Though we have rightly applauded our ancestors for their spiritual achievements (and do not and must not discount them now), those of us who prevail today will have done no small thing. The special spirits who have been reserved to live in this time of challenges and who overcome will one day be praised for their stamina by those who pulled handcarts.' Neil Maxwell