Many Examples of Selfless Service in My Life- Happy Father's Day!!!!

We had a lot of fun making this video- a dedication to our dear Fathers. I love you daddio!

While I was in India, I had plenty of time to contemplate- about the people in my life, my family, my future, and about God. I thought of my husband and family who supported my decision and helped me save up the money to be there.

I thought about my dear parents on their mission in Belize- of their devotion and sacrifice to leave their comfortable home and our family for 18 MONTHS to serve and to bring others to Christ. It is an eye opening experience and an adjustment to leave the U.S. and experience another country- especially one with so much poverty and sickness. My parents have devoted 18 months of service because of their selfless attitudes and love for God. They are working with the youth, being good neighbors, preaching of Christ, learning Spanish, and sharing their love. They are incredible examples to me, and they have been my whole life. Perhaps this is why I was able to do what I did in India- because of my parent's wonderful examples. My mom taught me what it truly meant to love because she loves everyone that she comes into contact with. She loves as the Savior does. My dad taught me what hard work really means. My dad and mom are both the most wonderful examples of SERVICE- because this is what their lives exemplify- total and complete service. When I was growing up, I learned from my parents who served neighbors, friends, and family wholeheartedly. My mom took dinner to a lady in need every single month for twenty years! My dad looked after neighbors, lent a helping hand, and visited the lonely. Twice a week for five years, they taught an addiction recovery class to those who struggled overcoming addiction. My dad taught addiction recovery class at the jail and gave hope to many. He really cared for them. Throughout my life as I learned from my parents' countless acts of service, I learned what service was all about. Now, they are on a mission, and I can only hope to love those around me as they would and to serve as they have always served.

This was taken at the Provo MTC last December. They are amazing and two of my favorite people in the world!!!!!!!!

So, this video is just a small way to say thanks- to my dad, to my mom, to my husband who stands by my side and is a great example to me, to my mother-in-law and father-in-law who serve tirelessly, to the girls who served with me in India with smiles on their faces, and to my family and friends.

I am so grateful for my incredible family and to know that God lives. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to attend BYU where I not only learned the art of nursing, but I learned the importance of loving and serving as my Savior would. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and he is aware of our every needs. I have seen how much God is intricately involved in our lives as I met the people of India. He loves His children all over the world. They knew and loved God deeply- even in their deepest and most painful trials. They testified that God IS their strength. This is what our life here on earth is really about.

This is a mural that we were able to create at the Rising Star campus in India. It was inspired by Janeen and based off of Elder Uchtdorf's talk (link below). I pray that as my journey in India ends and I begin real life that I can always remember what is most important.


 https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/you-are-my-hands?lang=eng

Alright and one note that I would like to end on: Service doesn't have to be a huge gesture. It doesn't need to be grand and in the open. In fact, it is usually better left unsaid, the small daily acts that make a difference in others' lives. It's being a mother and getting up each night to care for an infant, it's asking how a neighbor is doing, or stopping to help someone on the side of the road. It's sharing the gospel or telling someone that you love them. This is service, and I'm going to have to practice lots until I can say that I know anything about it :)

Highlights of the Colonies and some Pictures to Tell the Rest

Puthiran Kottai Colony

Visiting the Puthiran Kottai colony was one of the  most humbling experiences that I have had so far on this trip. This colony was somehow different from the others. They hadn't had visitors for medical attention for over a year. The sight of the colony had me choking back tears. As usual, when we got off the bus the people began to gather together and greet us. Many men and women were disfigured so much that they couldn't walk upright. One woman in particular used a very fragile wheelchair, but because we were setting up our washing stations in the field, she had to get down on her hands and knees to crawl. She had a clubbed foot and a missing foot. We began to set up our supplies, but I wondered if that would be enough for these people. I was in charge of interviews that day, so I set up the chairs just a few feet away from the washing line where everyone else was working. I interviewed two women who told me their story. All I can say is what happened during this time was incredible. Only a few minutes into my interview, I began to hear sweet voices singing hymns. I looked over and each of the girls who were washing and caring for the patient's feet were singing sweet songs about our Lord and Savior. The Spirit of God was thick in the air. A transformation had occurred. Instead of sadness, I felt  hope and I think that the people of the colony did too.
The second woman that I interviewed had a really neat story and was a wonderful example of love and devoutness to God. She had a sassy personality- she liked to hold my face in her hands, and with the help of the interpreter she told me that I dressed badly. She told me that if I wore flowers in my hair and wore a sari like her than I would look much better! I laughed so hard!! The people here always say it like it is!
But, she radiated love and gratitude to all of those who helped her. She had been disowned by her own family as a child, but her husband and children had supported her. When she took us into her home to show us some pictures, she had us each kneel down on the floor to pray with us. It was an experience that I will never forget.

This is Saradha telling me that I dress badly and offering advice for how I could look better. I should start by putting flowers in my hair and wearing a sari :)

There is too much to write about, and I know that I can't possibly describe this experience in full. It has been so fun, though, to play with the kids during play time and make some new little friends, administer immunizations, continue visiting the colonies, etc. So, some pictures should do it some justice:

Some Pictures to tell the rest:

We weren't allowed to wear shoes in the clinic- which was an odd and enjoyable experience!

Medical team on duty

Jump rope time with all of the kids- it gets pretty competitive and is a lot of fun :)

Mass delousing shampoo party. It was hilarious to put mohawks in all of the boys' hair and they loved it.

The rice fields and beautiful Julia

The men lining up to play cricket. These guys are my buddies.

Isn't she adorable!!!!!

This woman held Craig's hand for over twenty minutes. It was the sweetest thing in the world

This is a movie in the making called "Rachel the Beautiful". Rachel is obviously adored by these kids. They love doing her hair each play time. ADORABLE

We had the chance to visit the ZOO! Let's just say it is nothing like I've ever seen before hahaha

Health Exams for the Kids

This week, we have continued our work at the leprosy colonies and began to work with the kids more as they have come to school and need health check-ups, de-worming, anemia screening, delousing, etc. Today, we divided into two groups, and we did health check-ups on 200 kids! It was a lot of fun for me, and a refreshing change from our normal routine. We started out with the kindergarten-age kids and then worked our way up each standard (grade). The health exam consisted of height, weight, vitals, eye test, and head-to-toe assessment. It was fun to practice my nursing skills and interact with the kids one by one. It was an adventure, though- I actually found a small spider in one of the little girl’s ears! The little ones were so dang cute- some of them were afraid of us and afraid of what we were going to do- even the thermometer scared them. Since the physical exams were pretty harmless today, I am worried for how scared these children will be when we have to prick their finger for the anemia screening tomorrow. Hopefully they forgive us for what will probably be a traumatic experience. The older kids were a different story. They were interested in everything, and they wanted to touch everything. A few of the little boys kept flexing their arm as I was taking their blood pressure. The eye check-ups were hilarious with all of them because here in India they pronounce their letters with a Y in front. So, if they are saying M- it sounds like “Yem”. If they are saying X- it sounds like “Yex”. It was also pretty fun to see how well they remembered my name after only meeting them once! The only problem is that most of their names are so difficult to pronounce that I have a difficult time remembering so many names! –But I am working on it, and I am progressing. I really appreciate the nick-names that the kids have that are so much easier to say!

 At play time (recess) I learned how to play Cricket and then played with the kids on the playground. I found one of the boys that had a scraped knee that I had bandaged just earlier that day. His bandage had fallen off, so we decided it would be best to find my Neosporin and a band-aid. We became good friends. Next, another boy brought his little brother to me so that I could fix his new scrape. I soon became the playground nurse- which actually was a lot of fun!

We had a funny experience when we learned that it was one of the Indian nurse’s birthday- we began singing right away only to realize in the middle of the song that none of us knew her name! We laughed and laughed and then sang the song from the beginning with her name in mind (Sheeba) Today after all of the physical exams, we had a break and had some dinner. Next, we went to give them each a “de-worming” pill and then join them for the nightly reading time in the hostel. Julia and I read with a group of boys last night, and they told us that we should come back again tonight. They are ages 13-16, names: Satish, Subar, Muhan, Sakiash (many of these nicknames) and they are so funny. They don’t let us get much reading done, but they do love to talk. Last night we talked about the variety of foods- the funny thing was that all of their favorite foods were pizza (although it is so opposite from the rice and curry that they usually eat). Tonight they told us about all of the American movies that they liked to watch (X-men, Horton Hears a Whoo, Tangled. . . anything besides romance movies) They are pretty funny to interact with because sometimes their accent is so strong even when they are speaking English that it takes me some time to figure out what they are saying! They laugh at us because they probably think that we are so weird!! Julia and I left tonight laughing so hard that our stomachs were sore!

I have completely gotten tired of taking pictures which isn’t a good thing. I just am sick of it haha, so the pictures are fading. I wouldn’t be upset at all if someone just told me at the end that they had taken a bunch of pictures of our experiences and had me in them- nope- I wouldn't be upset at all!

It’s funny how it goes being gone for a month. A month doesn't seem long when I plan my trips, but after two weeks of the trip I begin to realize that I still have two more weeks! It is so enjoyable, but I definitely miss Tyler and get anxious to see him and talk to my parents on their mission. I also have a bit of anxiety to go home only because I know that I am just going home to say goodbye to my family all over again so that I can move to TN. It is painful for me to even think about right now. The good thing is that I really am so excited to be with Tyler in our new home that we will be BUYING. That’s pretty dang exciting. It will probably be a roller coaster of emotions- just like this trip and will probably include an excited stage, a realization stage, a mourning stage, and then finally acceptance. Haha- not to be depressing, but change is crazy, and I have a pretty crazy year just full of changes.

Here's to the Girls

The journey continues and we have been here for over a week now. It seems like two weeks- only because we have packed in so many things into our day and have been so busy! Never have I sweat like this in my entire life and it all has been so much fun despite it! It's hilarious how the Indian natives are completely used to the heat while at the same time we look pink/flushed, sweaty, and are very hot! The work is fun, but it's not always easy- not to name the hours that we spend in the bus. I just want to give a shout out to the incredible people who are with me. We have a group of 14 BYU girls, 3 coordinators with rising star, and our 2 BYU instructors- and they are all amazing

Nothing is too much for any of them to handle, and their positive attitudes keep me going with high spirits. If our bus breaks down-> we'll play games on the side of the road and make a party of it. If the air conditioning dies for the night -> we'll take it with stride and make jokes about it. No matter what the road bump is, I can always count on the group to take it with stride and laugh along the way. It's a pretty cool thing that we all get along so well, and I'm grateful that I am making lifelong friends. 

Ruins and Beach Trip

The ruins are really neat. We were able too walk around inside and go into the ancient rooms of worship.  I felt a lot like Indiana Jones ;)

 It is very common for families to ask us if we will take our picture with them. They ask very politely. The picture on the left was of the cutest little girl that they just handed to me for the picture. She observed me as if I was very strange. I also learned that there is a famous actress in India named Andrea, so I hear that a lot and I try to pretend that I am famous!

The beach was AMAZING,  and the water was exactly what I needed. It was nice to have a break and spend some time with these girls.

I know- we are pretty hot stuff. . . oh wait. . . 

Indian Women

Today, I had the opportunity to go around the village and do blood tests for anemia. It was a great chance to talk with the people and see what they do on a daily basis. It was a good thing we had an interpreter or that mission wouldn't have been so successful. (Although some of them did know some English). As I walked through their various homes, I was really impressed with how they make such simple things so beautiful. The walls are often painted with pictures on them, they usually have cement floors, but they dress it up with rugs or fabric when possible. They themselves always look like a million bucks. I love that about their culture that they have such fun traditions and wear such bright colors. Although this picture doesn't show it- I am in a room with about ten women as they are embroidering material to make purses. They are incredibly talented and make beautiful work without many tools. 

These women are beautiful, talented, and have the funniest sense of humor!

In the following pictures, they women are laughing with us as we try to balance the bags on our heads as they do- it's not as easy as it looks!!!!!