Grateful

Sometimes when we are feeling under the weather, we get frustrated because we can't do everything that we are supposed, or want, to do. (Like teaching the gospel doctrine lesson at church, or running, or hiking). BUT sometimes this is a good thing because it forces us to slow down and gives us a lot of time to think. (Like laying in bed all day with nothing but myself or going on a really long walk this morning because I couldn't run). As I was walking the route that I normally run, it was so nice to take time to actually see the beautiful things going on around me. I think summer is finally here! I loved seeing tiny dots on the Y and kids running around at Seven Peaks. I loved seeing all the people running or riding their bikes. My mind was immediately taken back to last summer which was by far the best summer of my life. I was very active and I made a lot of amazing friends. I am pretty sure that this summer will be even more amazing than last and I am so excited! Here are some of the other thoughts I had while on my walk:

I love Provo!

I love America!

I am so grateful for all of the people who have sacrificed their lives to make this country what it is today and to preserve our free spirit. I think it is because I just recently returned from out of the country, but I have never been this grateful for America before. We truly have so much. I just went out-by myself- for two hours, walking and sitting on a park bench. That would not happen in a lot of other places in the world. We have so much freedom and I am so grateful.

I wonder when I am going to feel better so I can run?!

I am so excited for this summer and all the adventures that await!!

I am so excited to go home to California with Steven!

I am so grateful for Steven!

Iguazu

I am BACK!! So good to be home!!

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Iguazu. We got a little lost so we didn't have as much time there as we would have liked. The pictures are taken from a catwalk that goes along the river and then ends right in front of the biggest part of the falls called Devil's Throat. We were super close up so the pictures aren't all that great :/ It was a phenomenal experience!

This is actually in the morning when we got to Ciudad el Este. The right side is Argentina and the left is Brazil!


Walking across the river!




Devil's Throat!!

Village and sunset

So I am really creative with the titles of my posts. Today we went in to one of the indigenous villages close to the school. It was hard to take pictures there because the people are really suspicious of outsiders coming in. But we got a few thanks to Jarilyn's stealthy camera skills :)



Here is a typical house in the village.



Saeko, me and Jarilyn in the village


We figured they probably would't mind if we took pictures of their cattle


Some of the students playing soccer, they are fanatics here!


Hawaii? Nope, just the jungle of Paraguay :)

Farm life in black and white

Sundays are good days for picture taking

Sunshine and extra time do a body good :)

The monkeys were out again! He is giving me a thumbs up!


Straight from the jungle of Paraguay!


This is Chicle. He loves me and follows me around! I try not to touch him though, just in case he has fleas. I feel sad because he is so sweet to follow us around but I never am able to play with him. However, he did enjoy this little photo session :)


It might be really hard to leave this place.


One of these pairs of feet may or may not be mine. Hey, don't judge! Everyone does this here, it gets pretty cold at night and I was not prepared!

Asuncion!

Today we went in to Asuncion to do some shopping and visit the temple!


Saeko and Jarilyn waiting for the bus!


Asuncion, Paraguay Temple!


The Paraguayan flag


SUPER SEIS! This is the main super market in Paraguay


Jarilyn modeling the weird little rolling baskets in S6

People

I absolutely love the people here. Not only the people from Paraguay, but also the people I traveled here with. I am so grateful for them and the amazing examples they are to me. Here are a few photos from the weekend!


On our way to catch the bus to Villa Hayes


Andrea, me and Jeff. Jeff and Andrea are MBA students from BYU. We try not to fight too much :)



Jarilyn, Andrea, Me. We are in Villa Hayes eating some amazing BBQ pork!


Jar and I on our way to church on Sunday morning!


The members of the branch in Benjamin Aceval were so kind! It was so cool to go to church there! Jar played the piano and I lead the music in sacrament meeting!


Sunday was Andrea's birthday!Jose came all the way from Asuncion to bring him that cake! Alfredo and Javier (the two guys on the right) are teachers here at the school and they came over to our little house for dinner!

Wildlife in Paraguay

Here are a few photos of some of the creatures I have encountered since I have arrived in Paraguay.


This grasshopper was about 6 -7 inches long!


Babe


Pretty flowers :)


This parrot said "hola" to us. Haha


MONKEYS!!!



Don't worry, it was just on the wall above my bed....