Chitwan

Our first week of real live volunteering has come to a close! It's officially the sabbath here (Saturday's are the holy day) and it has been an exhausting week. 

We rode a bus from Kathmandu for 5 hours on Monday. As we started our descent on the other side of the mountains that surround Kathmandu, I realized that we were in for one heck of a ride. We were in a big tour bus and the winding mountain road resembled something that I saw on a TV show that had a title something like "world's most dangerous roads". Not only were we a big vehicle but the majority of the vehicles that we passed were big vehicles, too. We passed large semi trucks and other tour buses that were headed toward the Kathmandu Valley and many times, I held my breath as they skimmed passed us inches from the side of our bus. We had brave motorcyclists passing us around corners and we have learned that in Nepal, horns don't just signify annoyance but they use it as a warning, "I'm coming around this giant bus so don't run into me!" It was really an interesting experience but we saw many amazing views along the way. 

We got to meet our wonderful host family once we got here. We're actually about 10km out of Chitwan and closer to a little city called Rampur. We are staying in a rural place with our host family the Dawadi Family. The father works in the orphanage's plant nursery with us. 

In the mornings, we go and work in the nursery/garden that supplies vegetables for the orphanage. We have been weeding and planting and sweating like crazy. It's very hot here! 

Because it is so hot, we only work from 7-10 am and then go back for a "dhal-batt" (rice and lentil soup) break from 10-4:30. At 4:30 we go to the orphanage and spend a few hours with the children. They are so funny!! 

The first day, one of the little girls that sat around Steven said, "you know borokobomo?" He asked what she said and she repeated herself. He asked if that was a place and looked at me to see if I understood and I just shook my head and shrugged. Frustrated, the girl slowly pronounced it again, "Barack Obama!!" Ohhhh! Steven nodded and said that of course he did. The little girl looked at him straight faced and said, "Barack Obama is my grandfatha!" Steven looked at her for a minute and then started laughing and told her she was such a joker. She tried to convince him but when it wasn't doing any good she finally started laughing. 

The kids are always trying to pull one over on us telling us lies to see if we'll fall for it. We help them with homework and just hang out with them. The older boys all love soccer so Steven gets along well with them. Really he gets along with all of them. The kids will sit around him and ask him to do the "guitar! Guitar!" Then, he'll play his air guitar and make noises and a lot of the girls laugh and laugh and tell him that he is "comedy boy" 

We are loving our experiences. We always hope and pray for some cool weather to cool us off and we pray for the rats, insects and giant spiders to leave us alone. (Especially me on that last one. I didn't realize that I was so squeamish!!)

Thanks for all of the love and concern. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers! 

Namaste!!

Namaste!

We have officially arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal! I can't tell you how many mixed emotions I had when we landed. I'm sure my mom could tell you I sounded terrified on the phone as we drove the dark streets to our hostile. Our driver took us the long way to show us some of the destruction from the earthquakes. We saw nine story buildings that were now piles of debris, empty lots housing 1,000+ tents and lean-to's, broken roads, stray dogs and piles and piles of brick and rubble.

We got to talk to our country coordinator during and after breakfast. He told us about what happened when the first earthquake hit and then the second. Another lady sat and talked to us and she told us her story, too. She was on the roof of a building when it hit. She said that she would have just ducked under the table but she watched as the building right next to hers crumbled and so she started running down. It was a good thing she did because later, she found out that the roof had caved in to the kitchens below it. After breakfast we got to go and walk around the local streets. I can already tell the difference between here and China. Since Nepal is such a tourism driven country, most people know at least simple English so it's not hard to get around. Everyone is very happy here. People still stare at us until after we pass and the little kids all love to stop and talk to us in English. Their English is very proper but they don't understand everything we say. Right before we turned back down our little winding alley, we got stopped on a corner by a little group of well dressed people that were gathered around a car covered in flowers. We realized it was a marriage ceremony and stopped to watch. It was right in the corner of a busy street with many cars honking as they passed but they must be used to it. 

After our language study, we went outside because it's cooler outside than it is inside our hostile. Steven took his soccer ball to juggle and of course you can imagine the little crowd of kids that attracted. They all wanted to play monkey in the middle and when the little ones got tired of that they came and sat by me on the blanket. Pretty soon one little girl grabbed my phone and started to play with it. She asked for games and when I told her I didn't have any, she soon found my pictures and videos and then my camera and had a lot of fun with that. They loved to see Steven and I show affection and I am sure it's because their culture doesn't seem to show a lot of affection between man and wife. 

After a while, I went back inside to study Nepalese and Steven came in soon after me. As we were sitting there all of a sudden we felt a shaking. At first I thought it was someone below us that had been pounding on the ceiling but as I heard screams I realized it was another aftershock. We hurried out but the shaking was over before we even got outside. It wasn't bad but everyone is so nervous about aftershocks that everyone was in the streets for quite a while, calling loved ones and nervously laughing at the small quake. 

We don't realize how blessed we are until things are gone. Now that we're in a third world country we notice the smallest things that we take for granted.

We're in for quite the adventure. I know it. It's amazing here. The people are special. The food is good. The view is amazing. We are doing well. 

Love y'all tons. 

The Greatest Adventure

Well, I've been home for over 2 months from what was to date, the biggest adventure of my life. My mission was a wonderful experience! I loved the lessons I learned and the amazing people I got to interact with. Since then, so much has happened in my life. So I just want to tell you about my next adventure. The Greatest Adventure. I'm getting married!

To be honest, this adventure started about 7 years ago. I started running cross country and met a boy, I had a crush on him and he had a crush on me. Unfortunately for some reason, both of us thought the other wasn't interested. So in high school we were friends but we both went our separate ways, dating other people and living our lives.

After I got home in December, Steven and I met up and after a little bit of time, went on a date. It was a great first date. He was easy to talk to, he made me laugh, he listened, he was fun, and I really loved everything about the date. After that night, we were drawn to each other constantly. For the first two and a half weeks, there was only one day that we didn't see each other. We talked a lot and surprisingly, we never ran out of things to talk about. As I saw how naturally our relationship was developing, it scared me. I wasn't sure that I was ready for the commitment. I knew that I had to find out what the Lord wanted me to do, so I started praying every night. As I prayed, before I could even think my question, I heard a firm, "No." I guess I dismissed it until Heavenly Father told me louder. I couldn't ignore it anymore and I had to talk to Steven.  I didn't understand. Everything felt so right, Steven was exactly what I wanted. I didn't know how to say it or what it meant but we sat outside the temple and I bawled as I told him that God was telling me no. I felt that it wasn't a no forever but a "No, not right now. There's something else I need you to do."

I was so torn but Steven, was supportive of my decision. He knew that I needed to follow the Spirit, despite our confusion. As we talked, I suddenly had a distinct impression, it told me, "Abby, maybe you need to be gone this summer. I need you to go help someone." Again, clear as a bell, I heard, "humanitarian trip." I dismissed it until Steven and I finished talking. He told me that he would disappear from my life for a while until I was ready and I begged him not to. I sat outside the temple and continued to cry until my mom came to my rescue. As my mom and I talked, she told me about some personal experiences she had had lately and as we talked, I calmed down and came to grips with the fact that I felt like I was going to leave the country for the summer.

I didn't know know where Steven fit in but my mom and I both felt like he needed to be in my life and an active part of my decision about where to serve my humanitarian trip. I was really overwhelmed because in a matter of a few hours, my whole world was turned upside down. I felt like it was right, but I wanted to confirm it in the temple. So, as Steven and I had agreed, we both went to the temple separately to ask. I had my dad come with me and as I sat in the temple, a few things became clear to me. 1. I was definitely supposed to go on a humanitarian trip. 2. I knew that Steven still needed to be a part of my life. 3. I was almost positive I would be going to Nepal. 4. I knew that I was going to marry Steven. (I didn't share that part with him right away :)) as my dad and I left the temple, my dad turned and asked, "do you think that maybe Steven is supposed to go with you?" I hadn't thought about that but it was a possibility.

As Steven and I talked that night, I told him what I felt in the temple and he told me. Everything that we felt connected to each other's answers so it seemed to complete each other. I told him that I felt like he needed to help me decide where I was supposed to go that summer and after a little discussion, we talked about him going as well.

So we started making plans. We applied and slowly things started falling into place. I knew Steven and I were going to get married but I didn't want to push anything, I wanted him to get that answer for himself. One night, after a long day, Steven and I were talking and he asked me what I was thinking. Out of the blue, I asked him what he thought about us getting married before we went to Nepal.

Long story short, we decided that that was the best idea. We knew we were going to get married, it was just a matter of time before we did. So why wait? We both prayed about it and it felt right. This time the Lord said yes. So, we started making plans.

We picked a date, talked to our families, picked out a ring and last night, Steven popped the question. :) it was perfect. I've always had a hard time making decisions in my life, but this one was a no brainer. I said yes :)

I know that this is the Lord's answer for us right now. It's crazy, right? I'm so excited for this adventure. It's going to be a wonderful journey for eternity. 

Faith In Humanity Restored

Today I was grabbing lunch on campus. I got my rice bowl and was standing in line when I noticed something happening in front of me. The boy two people ahead of me was $1.50 short. I had seen him walk in earlier and could tell that he was a little bit slower. As the cashier told him he didn't have enough money, my heart sunk a little as he felt his pockets to find enough. Before I even thought to help him, the kid in front of me asked how much and handed the cashier $2 and then let the boy keep the change. They both walked away separately and I stood there smiling at the interaction I had seen take place. 

 I paid and went to find a table to sit at and I saw the guy that had given the money. I walked over and thanked him for what he did. He shrugged and said it was no problem. I could tell by his response that he hadn't thought twice about helping that boy. It was almost instinctive how quickly he pulled out the cash.

I wish we could all be like that, myself included because i didn't help the kid. I wish I would have. Not matter what we are going through, we can always reach out to help someone in need. Whether at home or abroad, there are opportunities to serve every single day. Each of us has something special that we can contribute to the lives of others. So, no matter what, HELP. REACH OUT. DO SOMETHING MORE. Show God that you love Him and His children, your brothers and Sisters.

This is something that's been on my mind a lot lately. as per recommendation by Steven, I have read "Are We not all Beggars?" By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. He talks about how even Jesus Christ wa not priviledged in this life. He sat on no throne, he wore no fine clothes, he lived not in a castle, He described himself as homeless. Did Christ let that stop Him from helping others that lacked the pleasures of life? He definitely did not. 

"And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another."

-Mosiah 4:21