Trek started out pretty rough for me. I’d only gotten a few hours of sleep the previous night, and I was having a hard time dealing with leaving and having no communication with the outside world. Still, the prospect of helping someone else have a good time was all too enticing. So, off I went. I ended up having a fantastic family and I had several opportunities to make trek a bit more memorable for a few people.
The memory I want to share is actually kind of different. On the second day I’d gotten extremely agonizing shin splints. Every step I took was extremely painful. I told my Ma and Pa, and they suggested I ask the nurse. I didn’t really want to because I’m not very good at asking for help. Well, the next day Sister Durtschi approached me and asked about my legs. Apparently my Pa had told her about my soreness. She didn’t know what to do, so she walked away. I figured I was a lost cause. However, she returned with President Butler and he asked me to sit down so that he could take care of my legs. He then had me take off my shoes and started to prod my feet and such, telling me the reason my shins hurt. I was a bit surprised at the help. I’m not used to being taken care of, so to speak. I felt like my own pain was nothing at all. Still, he took the time to tape up both my legs and make sure I was comfortable. I expressed my gratitude and then he left. I almost cried. I felt like a bother. I didn’t feel important enough to have been taken care of like that. I’d always put myself out there for others, but never really let myself be taken care of by them.
Later I realized something. A lot of people feel the same way about the Lord. They don’t feel worthy of his love or attention. Sometimes the smallest of needs seem unimportant, but they are still taken care of by Heavenly Father if only they ask. He loves all of us and wants us all to be happy. Nobody’s grievances are too small. I’m grateful for those little instances of the Lord’s compassion, and I’m very grateful for President Butler’s help.
