Heritage Gateways

Wendy Westergard Journals

July 6, 1997

Location: Green River Crossing, Wyoming - Between Simpson's Hollow and Granger.

Summary: Sunday in jeans.

Journal entry: Yeah today is a rest day. I slept until around 8:30 am. It was a nice sleep in day. I ended up talking to my adopted brother for 2 hours. It was the first time the entire trek that we have sat down and had a decent conversation. It was a bonding moment for us.

After that I looked for Nathan and the Proud's but couldn't find them. I went to visit Heber and Jon. I ended up talking to Heber for a short time. He tried to tickle my feet of course. Then Jon came back to the tent. After we talked for a while we fell asleep. I think I slept for around 2 hours. I was tired. By then it was a round 2 PM.

I went back up to the reenactment camp to find a ride to church that was in Green River. I got to church early. The funny thing was today I was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. I've never gone to church like that before. I think the Lord would have been more offended by the dress I could've worn. It was so dusty and trail worn with soot and grime that I'm glad that I wore the jeans. I didn't have the option of wearing another dress because my dresses were in another town in a RV.

It was a fast and testimony meeting. Bre was there and the first one to bear her testimony. It brought tears to my eyes. She is such a courageous woman. We all watched her struggle to the stand, bear her testimony and then slowly struggle off the stand. Each testimony was very unique and special. Three of them brought tears to my eyes.

There are 2 people who want to be baptized when we reach the valley because of this trek - Turbo and Donna. Turbo got up at the very end of the testimony meeting and bore his budding testimony. He was a little unsure of himself. He told of how he felt of the priesthood power when he was blessed when he was injured by the horses bad. It takes a lot of guts to get up in front of a large congregation and bear what you believe to people whose faith you will be joining in a matter of time.

This trek has been so wonderful. It has helped me to grow in so many different ways. I feel like a big sister to many. It has been a wonderful experience to be the big sister I've always wanted to be. I didn't have the opportunity to have extremely younger siblings. This has given me that opportunity.

I can't believe we only have a little over 2 weeks left. I don't want it to end. This has become my way of life and I love it. We will all be going through withdrawals when we return to normal society. It will be a hard adjustment.

I just want to thank everyone on the train for being my substitute family. I was out here alone and I feel like I have a bigger family. We have a better understanding what Zion is like. Maybe not everyone is perfect, but everyone is doing their best and helping others around them to do their best as well. We bring Zion with us wherever we go.