Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet a sweet young girl named Fortunate.
I met her while my family and I were visiting a family that is from Africa that my brother Ryan helped baptize while he was on his mission in Ireland. She is cousins with this family and they were serving us dinner last night. The whole family was so fun and loving. Fortunate was so cute but kinda shy at first. She is eleven and wants to be a nurse or a hairstylist when she grows up. She spent some of the night braiding my hair and also having races outside. It amazed me to see how strong the family is in the church. Especially today after visiting their branch for church. I bet there were a total of twenty people there.
In church one of the guys mentioned this in his talk
"coincidences are one of Gods simple ways of letting us know he is there"
I can't help but think how fortunate it was for our family to be in Ireland this exact weekend and visiting that specific branch because it just so happens that the little eleven year old girl Fortunate was baptized earlier the day we went over for dinner and she was confirmed during church while we were there. It was just such a sweet testament in my life to see this girl join the church. When she was sitting down i looked up and she flashed a quick bright smile at me and i thought no wonder she has such a bright light to her today... Cause today she joined the church.. Which is what is going to bring her true happiness throughout her life. Also it proved to me the real effects of missionary work because If my brother wouldn't have served and helped baptize the family they wouldn't have been able to share that with their cousin Fortunate now year later.
Also it just so happened that nobody else in the branch could play the piano and so I was able to have the opportunity to play during the hymns... I am grateful for this opportunity and that I have the talent to play the piano and share that with others.
I'm so grateful for these small coincidences in my life that testify to me that God is watching over me and that he is there. I am so fortunate to have the gospel in my life and I'm so fortunate to have met this family in Ireland along with many other members we've met. I'm so fortunate that in the small time i had with them they were able to touch my life, and i only hope that i might have some how touched theirs.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
dinner at a pub
last night
we ate dinner at a pub
and i was thinking
wow
these people have no lives
especially the old guys
they're too old to be hitting on girls
so whats the point in going to the bar
what a waste
of their lives
and money
i can't imagine how much their beers cost
especially since my little coke
was half the price of my whole meal
but oh well
not my problem
some people these days
they just don't get it
Thursday, June 23, 2011
First Impressions of Ireland
well we've been in Ireland for a few days now and I love it! I've been pretty exhausted from traveling and jet lag and not having anytime to rest for the first couple of days, but I think now I'm finally rested...So far we have been to Dublin, Wateford, Kilkenny, Tramore, and now we are in Cork.
So these our my first impressions:
Green--You really don't know the color green unless you've been to Ireland. Ryan always was telling us that you can see every shade of green while you are in Ireland and I believe he was right. All of the hills and trees and everything is just so beautiful.
Driving--wow. driving has been an adventure. To begin with we already had problems with our rental car....my mom ordered a minivan so we would have enough room to put all of our luggage. But minivans are different here....they only have small cars in europe. Honestly unless you get a bus there are no big cars. So we had to shove everything into the car and it barely all fit. Then driving on the left side of the road is weird enough. plus they all drive soooo fast over here and the lanes are super small. Also there are lots of one-way streets and if I had a dollar for everytime i've been on a round-a-bout while i've been here, I would be rich. The streets can be soooo confusing....and thank goodness we went and got a GPS. Ryan has been driving us around (even though its illegal with his age apparently) but he has been doing great, I'm amazed at how well he can drive here even though it is so different.
Rain--Well the weather is pretty bipolar over here. I used to think Utah was bad but we kind of exaggerate a little bit. Because honestly it literally changes every 10 minutes here. But I must say........I LOVE THE RAIN <3 oh my gosh it is amazing over here. When it rains it is kind of like a light mist. You can barely feel it raining on you but you can see it. There are times when it will come down a little harder during more of a downpour. but wow. really i love the rain.
Accent--The irish people have the funniest accent! I love listening to people talk over here...on different parts of the island the accent is a little different but I love listening to all of it. Sometimes it can be kinda hard to understand the people but thats okay. Yesterday we were just sitting in the car while my brother was talking to someone and there were a group of little kids playing outside and they had thee cutest little accents. They were so funny to listen too.
Sites--The sites have been neat. We haven't been to a ton of sites yet, but they are interesting. We went to Kilkenny Castle yesterday and that was really cool. I love going in the old castles and it is so weird to think people actually used to live like that. The first day we went to Trinity College and went into the library where they have really old books and bibles that were translated by irish people...I don't know its kinda hard to explain. But there was a scene in Harry Potter that was filmed there and it was really neat. The ceiling in the library was so tall and there were sooooooo many old old old books there. My favorite place that we've been so far was in Tramore just going to the Ocean. It was so pretty and I know the water was probably really cold but it was just pretty to be along the beach. We also kind of climbed up on some cliffs while we were there and that was a really pretty view.
People--Honestly I think the best part of this trip so far has been meeting the people. I'm so glad that my brother came here on his mission and that he is introducing us to all of the people he met. A lot of his companions have been visiting with their families as well but they have just been siteseeing not seeing people too, and meeting the people has been the best part. The people of Ireland are sooo nice and to add to it they are hilarious. Some of them have been serving us meals and it has all been delicious. A lady we had breakfast with yesterday morning works at the cadbury chocolate factory and gave us two whole bags of chocolate! Yesterday we also met an older lady who seriously is exactly like a leprechaun. She is super short and so hilarious and she has the coolest accent. She even sang us a little song and then gave us some chocolate coins haha. Our first day we also met a lot of other people. One girl gave me a bracelet when we were leaving and I barely even got to talk to her that long and I had just met her. They are all sooo sweet and loving. It amazes me how strong in the church they all are. They talk about making trips to go to temple and I take for granted how close I live to one. It is also so neat to just see how my brother has changed these peoples lives and how they have changed his all because of his mission. I can't wait to meet more people Ireland.
and these are just my first impressions...I still have a little more then a week left here! It has been amazing and I'm so grateful I have the opportunity to come here and experience different cultures.
So these our my first impressions:
Green--You really don't know the color green unless you've been to Ireland. Ryan always was telling us that you can see every shade of green while you are in Ireland and I believe he was right. All of the hills and trees and everything is just so beautiful.
Driving--wow. driving has been an adventure. To begin with we already had problems with our rental car....my mom ordered a minivan so we would have enough room to put all of our luggage. But minivans are different here....they only have small cars in europe. Honestly unless you get a bus there are no big cars. So we had to shove everything into the car and it barely all fit. Then driving on the left side of the road is weird enough. plus they all drive soooo fast over here and the lanes are super small. Also there are lots of one-way streets and if I had a dollar for everytime i've been on a round-a-bout while i've been here, I would be rich. The streets can be soooo confusing....and thank goodness we went and got a GPS. Ryan has been driving us around (even though its illegal with his age apparently) but he has been doing great, I'm amazed at how well he can drive here even though it is so different.
Rain--Well the weather is pretty bipolar over here. I used to think Utah was bad but we kind of exaggerate a little bit. Because honestly it literally changes every 10 minutes here. But I must say........I LOVE THE RAIN <3 oh my gosh it is amazing over here. When it rains it is kind of like a light mist. You can barely feel it raining on you but you can see it. There are times when it will come down a little harder during more of a downpour. but wow. really i love the rain.
Accent--The irish people have the funniest accent! I love listening to people talk over here...on different parts of the island the accent is a little different but I love listening to all of it. Sometimes it can be kinda hard to understand the people but thats okay. Yesterday we were just sitting in the car while my brother was talking to someone and there were a group of little kids playing outside and they had thee cutest little accents. They were so funny to listen too.
Sites--The sites have been neat. We haven't been to a ton of sites yet, but they are interesting. We went to Kilkenny Castle yesterday and that was really cool. I love going in the old castles and it is so weird to think people actually used to live like that. The first day we went to Trinity College and went into the library where they have really old books and bibles that were translated by irish people...I don't know its kinda hard to explain. But there was a scene in Harry Potter that was filmed there and it was really neat. The ceiling in the library was so tall and there were sooooooo many old old old books there. My favorite place that we've been so far was in Tramore just going to the Ocean. It was so pretty and I know the water was probably really cold but it was just pretty to be along the beach. We also kind of climbed up on some cliffs while we were there and that was a really pretty view.
People--Honestly I think the best part of this trip so far has been meeting the people. I'm so glad that my brother came here on his mission and that he is introducing us to all of the people he met. A lot of his companions have been visiting with their families as well but they have just been siteseeing not seeing people too, and meeting the people has been the best part. The people of Ireland are sooo nice and to add to it they are hilarious. Some of them have been serving us meals and it has all been delicious. A lady we had breakfast with yesterday morning works at the cadbury chocolate factory and gave us two whole bags of chocolate! Yesterday we also met an older lady who seriously is exactly like a leprechaun. She is super short and so hilarious and she has the coolest accent. She even sang us a little song and then gave us some chocolate coins haha. Our first day we also met a lot of other people. One girl gave me a bracelet when we were leaving and I barely even got to talk to her that long and I had just met her. They are all sooo sweet and loving. It amazes me how strong in the church they all are. They talk about making trips to go to temple and I take for granted how close I live to one. It is also so neat to just see how my brother has changed these peoples lives and how they have changed his all because of his mission. I can't wait to meet more people Ireland.
and these are just my first impressions...I still have a little more then a week left here! It has been amazing and I'm so grateful I have the opportunity to come here and experience different cultures.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
What I got out of youth conference
I'll admit I didn't have the best attitude about youth conference... And most of the time I just wanted to go home... But there is always SOMETHING you can get out of every situation...
So here is the highlights and what I learned:
•lots of free time
•a nice little walk around springville
•a free snocone
•a ride in a nice truck
•nap time
•always first in line for food - thanks to ladies first and good timing
•s'mores
•high school students don't do well waking up before 7
•brocks morningside - "find the true warrior within you"
•breakfast burritos :)
•more free time
•bathrooms are gross up hobble creek canyon
•picking up sticks off the grass doesn't include the big firewood haha
•more nap time
•fruit snacks can be great entertainment
•ropes course games are easier if you've already done them at girls camp
•getting a little to up close and personal and playing with poles ;)
•it's disappointing when you make it to the top of the rock climbing wall but forget to press the button at the top before you come down
•new caterpillar friend Gerald :)
•learning how to do cute messy bun
•in water fights you always have to sacrifice and get wet a little before you can make an alliance
•watching certain people comfort those after taking a hard fall during water fight
•it's always nice to be prepared with a full change of clothes ;)
•testimony meeting
•dinner and finally going home
So I guess I complained a lot... But I found ways to have fun with friends :)
So here is the highlights and what I learned:
•lots of free time
•a nice little walk around springville
•a free snocone
•a ride in a nice truck
•nap time
•always first in line for food - thanks to ladies first and good timing
•s'mores
•high school students don't do well waking up before 7
•brocks morningside - "find the true warrior within you"
•breakfast burritos :)
•more free time
•bathrooms are gross up hobble creek canyon
•picking up sticks off the grass doesn't include the big firewood haha
•more nap time
•fruit snacks can be great entertainment
•ropes course games are easier if you've already done them at girls camp
•getting a little to up close and personal and playing with poles ;)
•it's disappointing when you make it to the top of the rock climbing wall but forget to press the button at the top before you come down
•new caterpillar friend Gerald :)
•learning how to do cute messy bun
•in water fights you always have to sacrifice and get wet a little before you can make an alliance
•watching certain people comfort those after taking a hard fall during water fight
•it's always nice to be prepared with a full change of clothes ;)
•testimony meeting
•dinner and finally going home
So I guess I complained a lot... But I found ways to have fun with friends :)
Thursday, June 16, 2011
times up!
"Don't count every hour in the day, make every hour in the day count."
So last night I was just laying in bed and I realized that today is pretty much my last free day of summer in Springville :/
I guess i'll have a couple days here and there between vacations when i'll be home...but that doesn't really count cause i'll probably just be unpacking and repacking.
I can't even explain how excited I am for Ireland and Australia and everything...but it makes me kinda sad i'm not gonna be around...
there are SO many people I still want to hang out with and some of them I haven't even seen at all so far this summer.
and I feel like today is my last chance--
~Summer 2011~
JUNE 17th & 18th:
[youth conference]
Not looking forward to it...at all. I should try and have a better attitude..
JUNE 20th-JULY 1st:
{Ireland}
me and my family are off to the green hills and land of the leprechauns ;)
JULY 2nd-4th:
ummm...i'll actually be home. this is when I plan to hang out with people
JULY 5th-8th:
(girls camp)
last year. gonna make it count.
JULY 9th:
in springville.
for one day. partially reserved for hanging out with Michelle Bonham.
JULY 10th-30th:
**australia**
people to people program. probably biggest adventure of my life.
AUGUST:
back home.
but what the heck, once it's august I'm just gonna be getting ready to go back to school :P summer will be over.
so yeah..busy busy summer. and it will be over before I know it.
-
--
---
and you wanna know the saddest part about this being my last free day?
I don't even have any plans for tonight.
:P
Saturday, June 11, 2011
This Is It
This is it.
I'm starting a blog.
We'll see if I actually keep up with it.
I feel like I probably should just write in my journal or something...but realistically I just don't see myself picking up my journal and pouring my thoughts into it..that only happens like every six months or so, and then I just feel like I have to catch up on everything that has happened in my life and I don't get to write my real thoughts :P
I doubt hardly anyone will even read this, and I dont even care. Sometimes I just feel like I need to get things off my mind. You know how on facebook the status bar says "What's on your mind?" well thats ridiculous because there is no way I could actually put everything I am really thinking about in one little status...and even if I could, I wouldn't. Facebook isn't really for spilling your whole life story or your deepest thoughts...so I guess this is what this blog is for. Plus on facebook you can't really look back months ago and see what you posted (well i guess you could if you really wanted to scroll forever through your profile).
So this is it.
This is my blog.
and this is what is really on my mind.
I'm starting a blog.
We'll see if I actually keep up with it.
I feel like I probably should just write in my journal or something...but realistically I just don't see myself picking up my journal and pouring my thoughts into it..that only happens like every six months or so, and then I just feel like I have to catch up on everything that has happened in my life and I don't get to write my real thoughts :P
I doubt hardly anyone will even read this, and I dont even care. Sometimes I just feel like I need to get things off my mind. You know how on facebook the status bar says "What's on your mind?" well thats ridiculous because there is no way I could actually put everything I am really thinking about in one little status...and even if I could, I wouldn't. Facebook isn't really for spilling your whole life story or your deepest thoughts...so I guess this is what this blog is for. Plus on facebook you can't really look back months ago and see what you posted (well i guess you could if you really wanted to scroll forever through your profile).
So this is it.
This is my blog.
and this is what is really on my mind.
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