Kyler's Baptism and Oscar's Tribute



This week has been a memorable one for us at MHHS.  Kyler and his family were trekking here this week.  They started at the Willie Sixth Crossing site on Thursday, arriving here at the Martin's Cove site Thursday night and then trekking here all day Friday.  They had the full experience, beginning with a touching orientation from Elder Davis and then walking along the trail across Veil Crossing Bridge and up to Martin's Cove.  They experienced a river crossing re-enactment of the Martin handcart companies November 3, 1856 Sweetwater River crossing as they sought shelter in a nearby ravine that would become known as Martin's Cove.  Last was a womans pull where Jared and Kyler hiked on ahead and Becky and Emmalie pulled and pushed the handcart alone up a steep sand covered hill.  They knew they could do hard things if necessary and this was a test of their endurance and strength after two long days of trekking. 

That night they camped at Cherry Creek Campground with trek groups of hundreds of youth who were here to experience this same kind of challenge.  They came seeking understanding of what really happened with the handcart pioneers in 1856. 

The culmination of their trekkking experience came on Saturday as Kyler was baptized in the Sweetwater River here at the Martin's Cove site.  He turned eight in February and has been anxiously waiting for July when the family could have this multi-day event.  It was a wonderful baptismal service, full of love and the Spirit and Kyler's sweet testimony that he could feel special things happened here and in the cove.

An unusual occurance took place that has special meaning to us.  Minutes before the baptism was to take place, while the program was proceeding with several speakers, a large white dog named Oscar came on the scene and went into the river near where Kyler and the guests were seated.  He stayed there a few minutes, and then when Ky and Jared descended down the bank into the river, Oscar came out.  He stood on the bank and watched as the sacred baptismal ordinance was performed, then circled around the group and watched and waited for Kyler to come up the bank and then the steps to join the waiting group of family and friends.

As Ky headed off to change into dry clothing a few minutes later, Oscar approached and stood near him, then walked with him across the grass to the restroom.  Ky leaned over and said "thanks for coming to my baptism Oscar" and put his hand on his head as they walked off together.  It was precious, and classic Oscar. 

Oscar often shows up unexpectedly for young people and trek groups.  We never know where and when he will be here.  He loves to be with the youth and will choose a trek group and stay with them their entire trek experience.  He was at the base of the cove on Friday when Kyler and his family were there.  Ky spent about 10 minutes with him that day.  He sat down beside him and just talked to him and petted him.  He told him he was being baptized on Saturday.  Later that afternoon as he and his family were driving home Kyler expressed that he wasn't surprised Oscar had come, because he was invited. 

The leadership here at the mission expressed that in the four years they've been here they've never seen Oscar come to a baptism, and never seen him do anything like what he did with Kyler at the baptism.   Those of us here who have heard Oscar stories the last 3 months know that he watches out for the youth and families who come here.  He once protected some youth from a rattlesnake that had gotten into their tent.  Another time he stopped a family from leaving in their RV without their little child who's absence had been overlooked.  Just last week he chose a young trekker who was having medical challenges and stayed with her throughout her trek experience.  He's a special visitor here to the site each summer, coming from a ranch some distance away, and showing up each trek season and staying until the last trek group leaves.  We're grateful Oscar added a special element of gentleness and love that made Ky's baptism in the Sweetwater River even more memorable and special.