Sunday, August 31, 2008
Alexis' Joke
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A Norwegian man wants a job, but the foreman doesn't want to hire him and decides to make the Norwegian pass a "math" test. "Here's your first question, the foreman said. "Without using numbers, represent the number 9.""Without numbers?" the Norwegian says, "Dat is easy." and proceeds to draw three trees."What's this?" the boss asks."Ave you got no brain? Tree and tree and tree make nine," says the Norwegian"Fair enough," says the boss. "Here's your second question. Use the same rules, but this time the number is 99."The Norwegian stares into space for awhile, then picks up the picture that he has just drawn and makes a smudge on each tree. "Ere you go."The boss scratches his head and says, "How on earth do you get that to represent 99?""Each of da trees is dirty now. So, it's dirty tree, and dirty tree, and dirty tree. Dat is 99."The boss is getting worried that he's going to actually have to hire this Norwegian, so he says, "all right, last question. Same rules again, but represent the number 100."The Norwegian stares into space some more, then he picks up the picture again and makes a little mark at the base of each of the three trees and says, "Ere you go. One hundred."The boss looks at the attempt. "You must be nuts if you think that represents a hundred!" (Thought you'd like this one)The Norwegian leans forward and points to the marks at the base of each tree and says, "A little dog come along and crap by each tree. So now you got dirty tree and a turd, dirty tree and a turd, and dirty tree and a turd, which makes one hundred... So, when I start?!"
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Arriving in "Zion"
As we hit the trail for the last 6 miles, the day and a half of rest and recovery had re-energized the youth. We left a little ahead of schedule and within 45 minutes we had gone 2 miles. We needed to take a long break so that we didn't arrive too soon to our destination where the families of the youth would be to greet them and take them home.
At our second rest stop, we had a vignette that was a portrayal of Ephraim Hanks that was done by Bishop Lybbert, who I interpreted to be an ancestor of Bro Hanks. He did a wonderful job, especially since it was last minute! After a lengthy rest, we were ready for the last mile and half or so. As we came into view of the waiting families, we sang the first verse of Come Come Ye Saints and also the first verse of The Spirit of God, alternating back and forth until the entire group of twenty handcarts had circled. The trail boss then told js that the trek was finished and that we were dismissed to be with our families. It is incredible how close you can get to these youth in just three and a half days. We have another family now that we really do care about and hope that they all continue making the best choices in life. We love you kids!
The Sabbath
Sleepy Heads
The Second Day
The night ended with some square dancing and some "talent" along with some modern day music for a dance. It was getting pretty cool and fortunately for those of us who just wanted to go to bed, the speaker system blew out, so cookies and root beer were served and we all went to bed.
Teamwork
Getting Started
Keep on Trekkin'
Ten of the youth from our ward decided to be a part of the Stake Pioneer Reenactment Trek. Here they are pictured waiting patiently to find out whose family they will belong to for the next four days. Brooks and I participated as a Ma & Pa and had a great experience. Both Alexis and Brooks endured the trek very well considering they were both sick...no it wasn't dysentary or cholera, but rather coughs and colds. Bronchitis knocked out Ma Walker from our ward, but Pa Walker came along and served as a Scout. The Finger's were also a Ma and Pa from our ward and Bro. Stewart was a Captain. All in all, our youth did pretty well, though we did have some challenges with upset stomaches, ingrown toe nails, and blisters.