FINALLY... an update

ECUADOR:

I promised a couple of people that I would blog about my trip to Ecuador. I have been home for about two weeks now, so its about time! To put is simply, Ecuador was an amazing experience. Being there broke my heart and made me so thankful for everything that I have. It made me realize that since I am so blessed I have a responsibility to help others in any way that I can. While I was there, we took shifts at 4-5 different orphanages, as if we were workers there because they don't have enough workers. I played with the kids, fed them, and changed their diapers. The first shift I took, we walked into a big room with about 15 cribs and little toddlers in each of them. The minute they saw us, they got so excited and couldn't wait for us to hold them. They didn't even know me yet, but they were so excited to be held and to be loved. I remember holding a little baby and looking into her eyes and just about breaking out into tears, thinking that this precious baby doesn't have a home or a family that loves her. Being in Ecuador, I definitely brushed up on my Spanish skills, and I am now determined to learn Spanish. In Ecuador, the orphanages are packed with kids. There were about 4 newborn babies, and one was found in a dumpster. Its so heartbreaking. If you are not from Ecuador, it cost $30,000 to adopt. The kids there are so cute. If I could, I would adopt a couple of my favorites:) Is that bad to say?

One of the days I was there we were able to fly to Guayaquil, Ecuador and go to the temple. We were able to do baptisms and between our group we did about 450 baptisms and confirmations. The temple president came and talked to us, I felt the Spirit so strongly. The church is true and the same no matter where in the world you go:

This is baby Emily. She was an orphan in the hospital who was only born with half of her brain, because of hospital expenses and such, she is probably not going to make it much longer.
Beautiful Catholic Cathedral in Cuenca, Ecuador.
The kids are so anxious to be loved

One of the days we went on a gorgeous hike in the Andes Mountains to some breathtaking waterfalls. Coldest water ever! :)

One of my best friends Bergen and I went to Ecuador together, this is a picture overlooking the city of Cuenca where we stayed. I am so glad me and Bergen were able to go together, we had so much fun together! We had quite the experiences both crazy and uplifting.

Finally a blog update for my life:

I sure wish that I was better at blogging! But here goes anyway, it sure has been a fun summer so far! I have done a lot of fun and amazing things, and I still have some left to do. I love taking pictures, so my summer has been well documented. I have also worked a lot this summer, I love my job. I work at Stucky Chiropractic and I am the receptionist. It is such a great job!

Well today was my friend Chase's mission farewell. He is the last of my friends to go on his mission because he has a late birthday. Chase lives across the street from me and he has four brothers and no sisters, so he always calls me, "sis." He's going to the Dominican Republic, I'll miss him!

Cache Valley is such a beautiful place and I feel so privileged to live here. I will always consider it home no matter where I go. This summer I have gone four wheeling and on a bunch of hikes. Every time I'm up in the Mountains and I see how beautiful it is, I am so grateful for nature. It helps me to clear my head and to feel the Spirit. I don't see how you could see the beautiful things in this world and not believe there is a God.

I also have such great friends. There comes a time in life when you realize the people who really matter, who will always be there for you and that you can rely on. I am so thankful for my friends who I can trust and who help to build me up in so many ways.

Preston Valley Trail:

Crimson Trail:

This past week for my friend Haddie's birthday, her dad flew us in his plane to San Diego. We left on Wednesday morning and got back on Thursday night, so it was short and sweet. We stayed in her beach house, swam at the beach, went out on the boat, and road beach bikes to breakfast. It was so much fun!

I have been known to take a lot of jumping pictures in my time, so its kind of my trademark now. "Madi, lets take a jumping picture!" haha I don't mind

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. 

Only the BEST sister ever!

For Christmas, Hillary wrote me this little poem. .

 I love my sister so much and I don't know what I would do without her! 

She really is my best friend.

I'm so blessed to have a sister so close in age to me.

We have so much fun together, I love it! 

I love my sister! :)