A YEAR AGO.......

TORREON MEXICO, 2008

About a year ago today, my family and I went on a Humanitarian Trip to Torreon, Mexico. One of the first days we were there, we were able to watch general conference at their local Stake Center. Going to General Conference with the Mexicans was unlike anything I have ever experienced. I realized that I take for granted that I can sit at home and watch it! These people travelled from all over, in their Sunday best so that they could hear the voice of prophets and apostles. They gave up their entire day. They were such a great example to me! I can honestly say that our trip to Mexico changed my life. I met people that have hardly any worldly possessions, yet they were some of the happiest people I have ever met. We stayed in members homes. My mom, dad, and brothers stayed in a different house than hillary and I. Hillary and I stayed with a woman and her two daughters who didn't know a word of English. At first, I had never been so scared in my life. But, as the time went on, I learned that there are many other ways to communicate besides speech. The Spirit was with us and it and we ended up making lifelong friends, even though we couldn't speak each other's language. 

Our main project was building a house for The Sanchez family. The "house" they lived in was made of pieces of plywood, cardboard, and pieces of wood. They had a dirt floor. It was very unsanitary and unsafe. They had a wooden pole in the middle of the house, and it was signed from top to bottom by missionaries who had visited the Sanchez family. We were able to build them a house made of cinder blocks and a cement floor, that was smaller than the family room at my house. They were SO Thankful. To them, we were building their dream house. There were three little children, and Sister Sanchez kept saying how she wished we could take them back with us because she knew that they would have a better life. 

I am so thankful for the opportunity that I had to do this! It was such a great opportunity! If any of you have the chance to do Humanitarian work some day, take advantage of it!

Hillary and me with some Mexican children at the church house. 

Mexican Poverty. People really live like this. 

Hillary and I at the work site. 

The house that we stayed at. It was nicer than most. This was our family's awesome car that they drove us around in. 

Saying goodbye at the airport. 

Mom and Dad

The Church

The Boys driving to the work site

My favorite little girl, Carolina. It was for her family that we built the house. 

Me and Meghan with Carolina. Notice the house in the back ground, those are what the walls were made of .

My brothers are studs! This is Austin working hard. 

Brandon!

Me and Hillary with Carolina! we just loved her. 

Austin and Brandon playing football with the boys from their host family

At a different house, clearing out the bedroom so we could put a cement floor in for them. 

Waiting for the cement to dry in the family room. Notice the pictures on the wall of the temple and Christ. 

The guys making cement

The Organization we went through: Family to Family Humanitarian Expeditions

We filled one extra suitcase per person and brought extra cloths that were needed for members of the Stake. 

We also brought church materials that were very much needed. 

On the last night, they prepared a show for us and girls from the Young Women danced for us!

We sang "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" -not a dry eye in the place!

My parents host family- Sylvia and Jorge and their boys

One of the boys in our group made newborn kits for babies in the hospital. We were able to go to the hospital and deliver them. 

Brandon was a big hit with the little kids!

Making our way to the work site. 

Carolina's little sister. Playing on the dirt floor.