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17 Miracles

Tonight for our family home evening, we watched a movie called 17 Miracles.  It told of experiences from the Willie handcart company.  Some of John's ancestors, the Moultons, were part of that company, so watching the movie was especially meaningful. 

A few years ago, John and I (and three of our kids) had the opportunity to participate in a pioneer trek re-enactment, where we pushed and pulled handcarts over the course of a few days.  (Our oldest had participated four years previously, and our youngest will have the opportunity to participate this next summer.)  We loved being Ma and Pa to the teens who were assigned to be our family for the trek.  I also gained a deeper appreciation for those handcart pioneers.  I was only pushing and pulling for a few days, during pleasant weather, with adequate food, and with no worry about the outcome for my family.  The pioneers walked for months, in freezing weather, on very strict rations of meager food, and experienced sickness and even death.  Their faithful examples stand to remind me of how much I have to be thankful for. 

Thankful thought:  Thanks for food, shelter, easy transportation, medical treatments, and those who live with great conviction.

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