Pioneer Trek

This last week I went on Pioneer Trek with the youth from my stake.  You may be wondering why I would bring this up in an entrepreneurial blog.  Well, I oversaw all of the food for the trek.  We were scheduled to feed 250 people and I arranged for all the food in which we transported to a remote location on the west side of Utah lake.  My assistant for the food hurt himself so on Monday he told me he was not going to be able to go.  It was left to my wife and I to head it all up.  I am grateful that she is so patient with me.  I had not planned things out as far as I thought I had.  She went through all my menus and helped me realize we needed to add a side dish to one of the dinners.  This was Tuesday night.  So, Wednesday she woke up early and for the next six hours made Spanish rice.  We ended up not needing that much.

(Lesson Learned, heed the advice of those with whom you counsel with.)

Back to the story.  When I learned about not having enough help I started calling some of my close friends and family.  I first called my dad being in a panic.  He said he could come and help and the more I talked with him the more I realized if I needed to use people from our stake first.  I next called a great friend who had been there for me in the past when I need help processing a deer.  He, being bishop in our stake, had a guy in his ward who expressed interest in going.  But, being so close to when we were leaving he could not go.  My bishop friend said that he was not planning on coming but would love to come help me.  I was so grateful for his help.  He arranged to bring an enclosed trailer and hauled it with most of the food.  Not only that, but he kept working on whatever was needed.  We talked and worked, laughed and worked, and sat and talked when we had a second to take a break.

(Lesson learned, have friends you can rely on at any time.)

To sum up Trek, we had more food than the kids and adults could eat.  I had way more help than I could keep busy, because everyone there was so willing to do anything I asked.  In fact, I spent more time directing than doing the work.  (Entrepreneurship in action.)  I was praised for how well the food went, yet all I did was direct.

One other thought about the help.  The very first meal we had there required the warming of sloppy Joe meat.  We opened and warmed every package of meat.  We had tons left over.  So, when it came to the warming of Taco meat for a different meal the help wanted me to scale back.  I listened, and we scaled back and only cooked about 2/3 of the stuff I had brought.  I should have listened a little more careful and only warmed half as we threw a good portion away.  (Refer to the first lesson learned in this article.)

(Lesson yet to learn, do not fear the unknown.)

In conclusion, Trek taught me that even when it seemed like I would be doing all the cooking for 200 people with only my wife’s help, there is always help around when it is needed.  People were pushed to help and be useful.  Whether it was the Spirit that pushed them or just a sense of brotherhood, they pulled together and made eating, something those walking the Trek looked forward too.  What a great experience for everyone involved to grow.