pioneer day.

This past weekend, Wendy introduced me to the song, "One Who Understands." It's sung by Mindy Gledhill, one of my favorite LDS artists (if you don't already know about her and love her music... you soon will!) Anyhow, this song is on the new CD, "Trek: A Nashville Tribute to the Pioneers." From the first time I listened to it, I was hooked! I haven't been able to get the words or the melody out of my head. Listen and read along below.





Greater love hath no man than this
That he lay down his life for his friends
The way that he holds my broken heart together with his hands
I hope I was right there for him
The way that he's right here for me
With every step that I take and every breath I breathe

He was right there as I walked off the front porch of our house
When I knew we'd never see it again
'Neath the frozen sky that evening on the Mississippi
As we prayed the ice wasn't too thin
He was with me when my husband signed on with the Battalion
And he marched off with five hundred men
When I think no one could know
I know there is one who understands

It's so much more than the wounds in his hands
More than the hole in his side
More than the blood that spilled down beneath olive trees that night

He was with me in the wagon
With the oxen draggin' us over every rock and ravine
My baby's fever wasn't breaking
Little body shaking so helpless I wanted to scream
He was with me on the cold ground where I had just fallen down
Beside the hole where they laid my little man
When I think no one could know
I know there is one who understands

Savior, the world was on your shoulders
For every drop of pain that fell in my name
I'm forever thankful

He was with me in the canyon when I first laid eyes on
The valley he cut with his hands
When I think no one could know
When no one else could know
When I think no one could know
I remember one who understands

This song resonates with me as a member of the church, as a mother, and as a woman who is about to embark upon her own trek to an unfamiliar place. This pioneer day I have felt more connected with those early saints who crossed the plains as I can relate to their anxiety, sadness, and fear. I know my journey won't have as many hardships as the pioneers, but their example of unwavering faith reminds me that there will always be One right there beside me who understands.

Painting: "Covered Wagon" by Minerva Teichert
Music: "One Who Understands" by Mindy Gledhill