Smiles for Central America

I have truely come to see that when we serve others we are blessed more in return; so much that it almost does not feel that it is right to call anything "service". I am almost finished my 10 day trip to El Salvador where i was involved with a humanitarian group called "Smiles for Central America". Dentists and doctors come from the United States to do dental work for teens ages 16 to about 25 who are preparing to go on two year to 18 month missions for our church. The dentists saw 800 patients in a period of 7 days.

I was able to be a part of the X-ray team! It was so fun and I got to meet so many people from this beautiful country. We also did other humanitarian visits like going to the women's hospital, children's hospital, orphanage, and home visits. I was able to go on two home visits. We gave them food and talked with them for a little while. We also went to church on Sunday and gave the families a surprise visit with all of the donations given to us from America. Even though we were the ones who traveled from the states to serve these people here in El Salvador, I couldn't help but feel so emensley blessed for all that I have and all that I had gained from this trip. Not only were my eyes opened to how little these people in El Salvador had and how much the Lord has blessed me with, but I was also able to see how spiritually blessed these people are. Each person that I met was so humble and full of light and faith. I have never seen such great faith among so many.

I wanted to share an experience from my trip that really impacted me.

In the dental clinic we were all doing our jobs and suddenly I heard someone yell for a doctor. A girl was having a seizure. It seamed to last forever and I tried to stand back. I felt a feeling of fear come over me. As I felt this fear my eyes turned to the boy sitting in the X-ray chair next to me. His hands clasped together, his eyes closed, and his head bowed. I stared in confusion until he opened his eyes and raised his head. I was so over whelmed when I realised what he was doing. He had stopped to pray. I couldn't help but cry because I realised that that was the last thing that I thought to do. Following his example, I bowed my head and said a little prayer. She was alright in the end. It turned out to be a minor thing but that boy taught me that day that such a minor thing could have been something great and terrible. I truely believe that that was a miracle.

A Little Dash of Color

It is so easy to just spend the day inside and watch a movie. There is nothing wrong with that to me but when Joseph and I talked about it, actually going out and doing things are what create memories. So we went to the Utah color festival this past week. I brought my camera.. not a good idea by the way lol. The chalk got all over it! It was really amazing to be able to experience the hindu culture and faith. My cousin Jess got to spend the day with us and I am sure she enjoyed every chalk butt slap ;)

I couldn't help but think of how there are so many beautiful colors and cultures in this world. We are so blessed to have technology that allows us to know and see other's perspectives. Its also an amazing blessing when one is able to visit other countries and to embrace their culture. I lived in Australia for 18 months as a missionary for my church and I have never met so many people from so many countries in my life. We all might think and act differently but that is what gives this world beauty. If we were all the same, there would be no beauty. 

What a boring world it would be if we could only see one color. 

We made it!

It was an eventful day. Joseph and I decided the night before that we would go on this hike that we had heard of to the Spanish fork hot springs. We heard it was a pretty long hike, about a three hour hike there and back, but we have done worse so we figured it would be a piece of cake! On the drive there we came up to a gate. The road was closed due to the snow. We didn't think it would be much further to the trail head so we decided to walk, as many before us had. There were many cars parked so we figured we would be fine. Well an hour an a half later we finally made it to the trailhead. We were both already starving but we were too stubborn to turn back. Another 2 hours later, slipping up and down the mountain, we made it to the hot springs. We were exhausted! I couldn't feel my feet or my legs. Let's just say it's been a while sense I've worked out lol. The hot springs were beautiful! I have never seen anything like it. The water had so many different colors in it, light blue, gray, light green, and purple. We had our own little spa to ourself. We soaked for about 30 min before it started to get dark. It took another 3 1/2 hours to get back to the car. But we made it! Note to self.. Only go when the gate is open! Here are some pictures from our adventures. 

Our Wedding Day

1.23.16

This was the best day of my life. It started out crazy though. I had a flat tire, we were late to everything, it was freezing, but after we got into the temple I felt calm and happy. There was this warmth that came over me and I felt home. Our sealing room was beautiful! Blue and white. We sat on the most beautiful antique couch as the sealer spoke for a little. Then as we sat across the alter all I could see was him and the beautiful double mirrors that made it look like it was just me and him for eternity. I was so happy and excited I tried so hard to keep back the tears. I almost leaped when the sealer said that we are now husband and wife. My heart just shot out and I almost kissed him before we were supposed to. I am so grateful to have Joseph as my eternal companion. Then of course came the pictures and the reception. The reception hall was amazing. I kept wanting to help set up and help throughout the reception, but of course I was pinned to the corner greeting guests. I finally calmed down and got to talk to everyone. All I wanted to do was hold onto every second. I felt like time was just passing by too quick, like sand falling through my finger tips. I wanted to hold onto every moment for one second longer and take everything in. Every dance I just held on a little longer. I loved my wedding. 

https://vimeo.com/154791153