I've decided if one combines the determination and stupidity of Mormon college students, and promises them even a morsel of food, one will have the best work crew imagined, and quite a force to be reckoned with.
On Saturday this past week, my ward planned a service project at one of the local cemeteries. We were just supposed to clear the creeping grass from the headstone edges, and because a gigantic flood had once devastated this entire valley, and therefore the cemetery, many headstones needed to be raised higher, and some dug up completely. Amazingly, at least fifty students showed up, on a Saturday afternoon, none the less, to help out.
We carpooled the ten-or-so miles to the cemetery, got our instructions, and set to work, the guys cutting sod, the girls pulling it up and throwing it into the truck. We ignored the pitch black clouds to the west and the occasional lightning strike, and focused on the blue skies above us and the task at hand. Not even twenty minutes into the project, it starts to sprinkle, and within seconds, we are being barraged by pouring rain coming at us sideways. Almost everyone immediately ran for cover beside, inside, and beneath cars and trucks. Some (like me) tried to work through it for a few minutes until the hail came, then we ran for cover as well. Then, of course, there's always the handful of boys who prove there manliness by never ceasing through the rain. You just don't get that kind of rain in T-mec. You'd expect us to call it quits at that point, load up the cars, and head back to school, but no. As soon as the weather let up in the slightest, we were back out there working. We were completely soaked, and the rain was still falling, but we wanted to do what was asked of us. For two and a half hours we worked in everything from a drizzle, to pouring rain, to hail. Luckily, the last half hour brought sunshine, and we ended up finishing half of the cemetery. I then rushed home to the comfort of a hot shower and sweats.
What did I learn? As said before, Mormon college students are amazingly determined and kind of stupid. I mean, we worked through the hail. Still though, if a group of kids can do all that, what else could we do? Better yet, how much can an even larger group of adults accomplish? Finally, what better group of people could there be to spread God's word than groups like these?
At school, we're told over and over that we're attending a DTC: a Disciple Training Center. If my little ward is any example, I think the training is working. I feel so blessed to be involved in a group like this one. We have another service project on Tuesday. I'm so excited to see what will happen this time!
On a side note, my Bestie Breezy is back at her school in Provo, but before she left we took this picture, and I just wanted to share it:
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