My ILP Adventure DAY #1

I'm only 2 full days into this adventure and it's already been so amazing. The first day was a little stressful and very nerve-racking at times. Let me tell you though, that was the smoothest Airport experience I have ever had, customs and all. We traveled as a group from salt lake to New York and then finally down to Puerto plata. As we began our decent to the island the runway and most of the island were hidden from view. It looked as though we were heading straight for the ocean. All of the sudden the plane landed on one of the smallest landing strips I have seen. Everyone clapped once we landed thanking the pilots for getting us here in safety. As we walked off the plane we were welcomed by a musical group who played brilliantly every time a person came by. Next we had to go through customs and immigration, something I have heard horror stories about. The people helping us were so nice though and it took no time at all. Right outside the Airport we found Amaryllis, our local coordinator. She had busses ready for us. The busses are really just glorified fifteen passenger vans. We had to load our stuff in a hurry because the moment we got outside it started to rain. Now I'm not talking about a little bit drizzle, it was really raining. By the time we all climbed in the bus we were soaked. 

Our house is a pretty good drive from the Airport which meant we got a tour through the the city. One thing we noticed right off the bat is that Dominicans are crazy drivers.. Who knew you could fit three or four vehicles across a one lane roadway. Then there are the motorbikes. They go where ever they want, swerving in and out between the other vehicles. It's crazy! I am extremely greatful I don't have to drive. The drive to the house was awesome. It is crazy to go past all the big really his resorts and then see the shack houses not even a mile away. The people are all out on the streets all the time. As we got closer to our apartment the streets and the houses became smaller and smaller. The children were out by the street watching us. Our big bus seemed to stand out more and more as we kept driving. Our apartment is the biggest and nicest building around. To the people it is considered a mansion. We have running water (most of the time) and power for about 12 hours a day. We still haven't figured out when those 12 hours are because it seems to change everyday. Anyways, we moved in and then just about everyone took a nap. Traveling wiped us out! 

Once the rest of the group arrived we decided to explore the neighborhood a little bit. Just about everyone and their chickens came out to greet us. 31 American girls walking down a Dominican street draws quite the crowd. Nevertheless, we made friends and met some adorable children. We had dinner back at our apartment, which Tamara cooked for us. It was amazing! The rest of the evening we spent going over some rules and stuff and then we finally went to bed, or tried to. With the humidity and heat combined it was really had to get to sleep. There is day one!! Phew.. 

Cute kids

Just look at those cute faces!! 

#myilpadventure 

Post high school plans

Update on my next adventure

Senior year! That means time to plan for the future.. Ugh.. All the college recruitment letters and application forms start pilling up and every other adult asks you what you are doing after high school. If you would have asked me a few months ago what was next I would probably answer go to school somewhere and that's about all i know. Every year the school puts on a college fair day where colleges come and talk to seniors about why their school is perfect for you. I went to a few of the schools presentations, but none of them felt right to me. After many more hours of research, and time on my knees, I came across the International Language Program website. I honestly don't remember exactly how i found it, but i am sure glad i did!

A little about the ILP program.. It's a Non-profit organization that gives young adults an opportunity to live abroad and have hands-on experience with the culture and people. The volunteers pay their way, so if anyone reading this has some fundraising ideas they would be very helpful. They send the volunteers to their assigned country for about 4 months to teach young children English.

I felt like a "fan girl" with their website. I think i read just about every page and post before i even applied. And before I knew it I was accepted! I was so excited about the program I told some friends and now they are going too. Although we are not all going to the same country, we all get to travel and serve at the same time.  During the Fall Semester of 2016, I will be traveling to Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic where I will have the opportunity to teach English to children who would otherwise never have the chance. 

Now when people ask what my plans are after high school I actually have an answer to give them. :) 

Only a life lived for others is a life worth living

I can't take credit for either of these photos, but I love the inspirational sayings. 

Happy Sunday everyone! 

I'm going there someday

"In Lewis Carroll’s story Alice in Wonderland, Alice approaches the Cheshire Cat and asks, “Would you please tell me which way I ought to go from here?”

The Cheshire Cat replies, “That depends a great deal on where you want to go.”

Alice says, “I admit, I don’t much care where.”

The Cheshire Cat then says, “Then it doesn’t really matter much which way you go, does it?”

“Just so I get somewhere,” responds Alice.

Then the Cheshire Cat reveals an interesting truth: “Oh, you’re sure to get there if you keep walking long enough.”

How many of us are going through life telling ourselves, “If we keep going long enough, we’re going to get somewhere,” but are not defining exactly where that place is we want to be? “Somewhere” is not good enough. We must know where we want to go and be firmly committed to getting there. And we should get that knowledge and commitment early." Robert D. Hales

As my future rapidly approaches I have realized how important goals can be. If we don't know where we are going, any road will take us there. It is important to keep your sights set on where you want to go or you may find yourself on the wrong path. I have found that by having goals it if often easier to make choices along the way. One of my goals is to go to the temple with my prince, but something as wonderful as celestial marriage doesn't just happen. If I want to have a celestial marriage I must start preparing now. President Monson states it well in this council to youth, “My young friends who are in your teenage years, always have the temple in your sights. Do nothing which will keep you from entering its doors and partaking of the sacred and eternal blessings there.”

I want to be beautiful to Him

This song has been an inspiration to me many times, I like to think of it as my "motto" in life. Too many times I have failed to recognize true beauty in myself. With all the crazy distractions and lies of this world it is far too easy to forget our purpose here and what makes us unique. We are all children of God and can be truly beautified by His light. 

"So much noise, so much peace destroyed, 

I can hardly hear the voice, leading me through the void, 

So much noise. 

The world's little lies, 

Destruction in disguise, opportunities to compromise, 

To make me beautiful in their eyes, 

But I'm not gonna buy the world's little lies.

I define myself and find my beauty in the light He gives. 

I'm refined by His divine intentions every day I live. 

It doesn't matter what the world believes, 

Or what they say that beauty means, 

It comes from within, 

I want to be beautiful to Him.

 

He's given me His trust, so I'll be strong enough, 

To run from a dangerous touch, I don't need that kind of love, 

I don't need that crutch, He's given me his trust. 

I know how to shine, my life's not really mine. 

It's not about a worldly climb, it's all about His design. 

So in His eyes, I want to shine. 

I define myself and find my beauty in the light He gives. 

I'm refined by His divine intentions every day I live. 

It doesn't matter what the world believes, 

Or what they say that beauty means, 

It comes from within, 

I want to be beautiful to Him. 

I want to live to have His peace, 

And feel the holiness He seeks. 

It comes from within. 

I want to be beautiful... to Him."

Stand strong

"I say again that youth today are being raised in enemy territory with a declining standard of morality. But as a servant of the Lord, I promise that you will be protected and shielded from the attacks of the adversary if you will heed the promptings that come from the Holy Spirit.

Dress modestly; talk reverently; listen to uplifting music. Avoid all immorality and personally degrading practices. Take hold of your life and order yourself to be valiant. Because we depend so much on you, you will be remarkably blessed. You are never far from the sight of your loving Heavenly Father." Boyd K. Packar