The Rock was not My Friend and Other Lessons Learned on the Trail

Last night, I went on a mother/daughter hike with the Young Women in our ward. At seven different points along the 3.6 mile round trip hike, we stopped to hear a brief message about the different Young Women values. The last stop before heading back down was a beautiful waterfall, where there were pictures taken, the girls pledged to be virtuous daughters of God and we had a snack (including a small Hershey's with almonds that tasted heavenly). The hike wasn't a walk in the park. It was tough, just like remaining virtuous in a world full of temptations. 

In addition to faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, integrity and virtue, I learned a few other things.

I learned that my training is paying off and I was no more winded than most people on the hike. I felt pretty healthy and strong.

I learned that even though a rock in the stream bed you're crossing looks stable, it might not be.

I learned that when you're falling and you see the jagged rock your face is going to hit, it's terribly frustrating that you can't do anything to avoid it.

I learned that trying to break your fall with your hands probably prevents a more dangerous impact to your head, but there's a trade-off--your hands get bruised and chewed up pretty good.

I learned that large amounts of blood scare YW leaders and make your daughters cry.

I learned that a shirt pulled up to cover the wound serves two purposes--it spares your daughters from seeing the actual wound and it serves as a compress to help slow the flow of blood.

I learned that a bright red shirt doesn't camouflage blood.

I learned that 1 1/2 miles is a long way to go when your head is in a bandana tourniquet. 

I learned that a surgical nurse (Chanel) and a Young Women's president (Kristin) make a pretty good medical team and that Chanel's living room is a much cozier place to get stitches than Instacare or an emergency room.

I learned that I have lots of wrinkles around my eyes.

I learned that a head wound can bring on a pretty incredible headache.

I learned that the love and concern shown by two fantastic daughters is enough to make a mom's heart melt.

And I learned I'm pretty tough.

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