Thursday, August 30, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Lessons from Trek
It's been a little over two months since we finished the stake Youth Trek. It was a privilege to be apart of it. There are not many days that go by that I don' t think about my experience, the people I worked with and learned to love, and those who started it all. I was asked to serve on the food committee as well as the medical
committee so my days were long and jam-packed. I loved every minutes of
it.
I learned many lessons during those hot, dusty, work-packed days that will stay with me for a lifetime. Several of those lessons were not expected. I think my biggest lesson was on pride. It truly is one of my biggest faults and it rears its ugly head far too frequently it seems. As a member of the medical committee I spent a lot of time reminding everyone to take care of themselves--to eat and drink enough, to not ignore painful feet or other injuries. Everyone followed the advice, except me. I was so busy that I neglected to do what I needed to do to be well. Friday night, after a long day of being in the sun and running (literally) to make sure that I did my jobs, I suddenly became lightheaded and the thought came "...I'd better sit down or I'm going to fall down." So I sat down quickly right were I was. What I didn't anticipate was that four of the male trek leaders were about 10 yards in front of me and saw me go down. I was quickly surrounded, helped up, placed in a chair, and then became the recipient of more attention than I wanted. I was told not to move and that I was done for the evening. I protested but they weren't swayed. So I sat there a bit annoyed, OK a lot annoyed, thinking "I've felt worse than this before and still worked a full day." Dr. Bernhisel came to check on me and told me I had "heat exhaustion" and said I needed an IV. This is were pride jumped up. There was just no way that I was going to be given an IV. I was on the medical team for heaven's sake. I was not going to be the one who was sick enough to get the IV. I refused twice. He just looked at me and then said, "OK, I'll get you some Gatorade." Well, I refused that too since I don't like it, but my refusal was ignored. I ended up drinking two water bottles of the stuff. As I sat in my chair, wrapped in a barn coat and two blankets (thanks to the priesthood brethren's care) I had quite a bit of time to think. I finally admitted that I didn't feel well, the dizziness wasn't going away and I was nauseated and chilled. I really was sick. But the lesson didn't sink in until a week later. I couldn't figure out why I was so exhausted at work--I literally fell asleep at my desk and almost in front of a patient--and irritable. The realization came that if I'd had the IV I wouldn't be suffering these symptoms for a week. I thought about the price I'd paid for being prideful. I didn't like the cost; it was unnecessary, really. I'm still trying to overcome that independent streak. To allow myself to acknowledge a weakness, and to let others (especially my Savior) in to help me over the rough spots. I want to be more like the father in the scriptures who asks Christ "to help thou my unbelief." Pride always moves us away from the Savior and the characteristics He would have us develop.
Another unexpected lesson was that of family. Because I'm single and the experiences I've had in life, I'd placed my desire for a family in the back of the closet, easier to ignore it that way. But being on trek and seeing the amazing youth in this stake, I couldn't ignore that feeling or desire for a family of my own. I don't know if that desire will ever be fulfilled in this life. But I am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who gave me the divine desire for motherhood. I am more aware of the opportunities, nontraditional they may be, for me to "mother" those in my sphere of influence. I am more grateful than words can say to all the amazing women who have mothered me in one way or another. MOM to me stands for My Other Mother.
Lastly, I am so grateful for the sacrifice of the amazing pioneer men and women. As I listened to their stories and felt their spirits in the hallowed coves and on the plains I realized that they sacrificed everything they had so they could come to where a temple was or would be. I have had to re-evaluate my attitude about the temple. What am I willing to sacrifice to go there? What could be of more importance than making, keeping, and reminding myself of those covenants through frequent attendance? The pioneers gave up all--even their lives--to get there. Surely, I can find 2 hours.
I am thankful to my Savior for his atoning sacrifice. I know that it is only through that power that I can go from bad to better to best, sinner to saint. Our Savior lives. His whole purpose is to see that we are provided the way and the help to come back to Him and our Father. He will not fail us; he has promised to never leave us comfortless or alone. What amazing blessing those are.
I am so grateful for the opportunities I've had to serve the women of this stake. You truly are amazing. I love visiting each Relief Society and feeling your spirits. Always remember that you are beloved daughters of God.
Love,
Karri Hoyt
I learned many lessons during those hot, dusty, work-packed days that will stay with me for a lifetime. Several of those lessons were not expected. I think my biggest lesson was on pride. It truly is one of my biggest faults and it rears its ugly head far too frequently it seems. As a member of the medical committee I spent a lot of time reminding everyone to take care of themselves--to eat and drink enough, to not ignore painful feet or other injuries. Everyone followed the advice, except me. I was so busy that I neglected to do what I needed to do to be well. Friday night, after a long day of being in the sun and running (literally) to make sure that I did my jobs, I suddenly became lightheaded and the thought came "...I'd better sit down or I'm going to fall down." So I sat down quickly right were I was. What I didn't anticipate was that four of the male trek leaders were about 10 yards in front of me and saw me go down. I was quickly surrounded, helped up, placed in a chair, and then became the recipient of more attention than I wanted. I was told not to move and that I was done for the evening. I protested but they weren't swayed. So I sat there a bit annoyed, OK a lot annoyed, thinking "I've felt worse than this before and still worked a full day." Dr. Bernhisel came to check on me and told me I had "heat exhaustion" and said I needed an IV. This is were pride jumped up. There was just no way that I was going to be given an IV. I was on the medical team for heaven's sake. I was not going to be the one who was sick enough to get the IV. I refused twice. He just looked at me and then said, "OK, I'll get you some Gatorade." Well, I refused that too since I don't like it, but my refusal was ignored. I ended up drinking two water bottles of the stuff. As I sat in my chair, wrapped in a barn coat and two blankets (thanks to the priesthood brethren's care) I had quite a bit of time to think. I finally admitted that I didn't feel well, the dizziness wasn't going away and I was nauseated and chilled. I really was sick. But the lesson didn't sink in until a week later. I couldn't figure out why I was so exhausted at work--I literally fell asleep at my desk and almost in front of a patient--and irritable. The realization came that if I'd had the IV I wouldn't be suffering these symptoms for a week. I thought about the price I'd paid for being prideful. I didn't like the cost; it was unnecessary, really. I'm still trying to overcome that independent streak. To allow myself to acknowledge a weakness, and to let others (especially my Savior) in to help me over the rough spots. I want to be more like the father in the scriptures who asks Christ "to help thou my unbelief." Pride always moves us away from the Savior and the characteristics He would have us develop.
Another unexpected lesson was that of family. Because I'm single and the experiences I've had in life, I'd placed my desire for a family in the back of the closet, easier to ignore it that way. But being on trek and seeing the amazing youth in this stake, I couldn't ignore that feeling or desire for a family of my own. I don't know if that desire will ever be fulfilled in this life. But I am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who gave me the divine desire for motherhood. I am more aware of the opportunities, nontraditional they may be, for me to "mother" those in my sphere of influence. I am more grateful than words can say to all the amazing women who have mothered me in one way or another. MOM to me stands for My Other Mother.
Lastly, I am so grateful for the sacrifice of the amazing pioneer men and women. As I listened to their stories and felt their spirits in the hallowed coves and on the plains I realized that they sacrificed everything they had so they could come to where a temple was or would be. I have had to re-evaluate my attitude about the temple. What am I willing to sacrifice to go there? What could be of more importance than making, keeping, and reminding myself of those covenants through frequent attendance? The pioneers gave up all--even their lives--to get there. Surely, I can find 2 hours.
I am thankful to my Savior for his atoning sacrifice. I know that it is only through that power that I can go from bad to better to best, sinner to saint. Our Savior lives. His whole purpose is to see that we are provided the way and the help to come back to Him and our Father. He will not fail us; he has promised to never leave us comfortless or alone. What amazing blessing those are.
I am so grateful for the opportunities I've had to serve the women of this stake. You truly are amazing. I love visiting each Relief Society and feeling your spirits. Always remember that you are beloved daughters of God.
Love,
Karri Hoyt
Friday, August 24, 2012
Something Extraordinary….
Please keep the afternoon and evening of
Saturday, September 29th open for
"Something Extraordinary"…
We're looking forward to more details...
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