tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34770486051589950612024-02-18T19:11:25.388-08:00 the ANDERSONSIf your perfect life as you knew it changed in a matter of 12 hours...no longer living the American dream, but facing the world and its many imperfections on your own...what would you do? Here you will find the journey of an American boy and an American girl, who fell in love and decided to chase their dreams...far far from home, across the country, across the sea...to an island they would hopefully one day call home!the Andersonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15327625373522820314noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477048605158995061.post-82334227780502413592014-05-04T19:39:00.000-07:002014-05-04T19:39:43.790-07:00Returning Home with a Little Souvenir…
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s a bitter sweet feeling leaving the place you have
called home for nearly two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
were moments when all you can do is think about being home, followed by
experiences that we never wanted to end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the time came for us to get on a plane and say good bye to so many
people we had grown to love, so many places we had fallen in love with, and we
knew it would be a long time before we made it back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We left a small piece of our hearts with the island of Saint
Lucia, but we came home with a whole lot more!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We returned with memories, friendships, and stories to tell, and an
experience that we will never be able to forget and has changed our lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But we not only returned with memories, we came home with a
little surprise. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPr4hMMMkFBmKOUfOK4oOERE_EO4xG__VoWdUzk9WbTVlv0N9gVwtIFRk8f_bMOwPN-XkIu6wLhlRWawy3PIuCl4IEMX8TZlwnStsrq-TvhHWrPToURrXK4eC73eVDoYofLF8J8efbLM/s1600/DSC02134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPr4hMMMkFBmKOUfOK4oOERE_EO4xG__VoWdUzk9WbTVlv0N9gVwtIFRk8f_bMOwPN-XkIu6wLhlRWawy3PIuCl4IEMX8TZlwnStsrq-TvhHWrPToURrXK4eC73eVDoYofLF8J8efbLM/s1600/DSC02134.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our adventure ended, but it’s just the beginning a new adventure
for our little family. Growing from two to three!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Christmas eve, to Brandon’s dismay, we found out the girls in
our house will soon outnumber the boys, 2 to 1! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsn58Kvj87Rg1UtCatSBFuCRTjPM2x4k_76Ns5qHrx2UWuv2VHqsprZcDXmPFm8Wf8Pg9YaV7RWnGSvhxEv9muIWXd6cqq0YBL4EEFWTrhF-iecEiRojHBhMKjDXlXNjUkvS3CakZCJg/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsn58Kvj87Rg1UtCatSBFuCRTjPM2x4k_76Ns5qHrx2UWuv2VHqsprZcDXmPFm8Wf8Pg9YaV7RWnGSvhxEv9muIWXd6cqq0YBL4EEFWTrhF-iecEiRojHBhMKjDXlXNjUkvS3CakZCJg/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The unknown is an intimidating thing, and often keeps us
from pursuing our dreams, whatever they may be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though we knew it would be hard, not knowing where dad would be or how
we would adjust, we knew only a leap of faith would make it happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I stay in Idaho and grow a baby…Brandon has been here
and there, spending 5 weeks in Atlanta the beginning of the year doing a pre-rotation,
spending a few short months together with mom and his growing baby, and now he
has left for New Jersey to study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMNSx7lEn_ETMbfvaEEmQOQ94-YGzHbGtJbv2ABqlxxgvryl3sy3Sap7ns_HohUXhk5bXua0-B4mmpIcsdNdCN0AaFlDyw-z_5kp0R_S5_gVnjouK7bbnfc0c_YBa_8X5j-LWHlaGDQ4/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMNSx7lEn_ETMbfvaEEmQOQ94-YGzHbGtJbv2ABqlxxgvryl3sy3Sap7ns_HohUXhk5bXua0-B4mmpIcsdNdCN0AaFlDyw-z_5kp0R_S5_gVnjouK7bbnfc0c_YBa_8X5j-LWHlaGDQ4/s1600/IMG_1340.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bringing my own soap and rags to the hospital to have a
baby, was my worst nightmare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so
grateful to be back in America, home from St Lucia, to have our little
girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not having Brandon here has
developed into my new fear. Say a little prayer for us that we can get him home
to meet his little girl when she arrives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only 3 weeks left…and the next adventure begins!</span></div>
the Andersonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15327625373522820314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477048605158995061.post-74116283258033032662013-11-21T11:21:00.000-08:002013-11-21T11:41:14.009-08:00Tasting St Lucia<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the FLAVORS of St Lucia...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though my pallet has not changed while living on this island.....I still love a good ol' american cheeseburger, french fries, and a milk shake, but we have had the oppurtuntiy to broaden our horizons you may call it! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People commonly ask us...what do you eat in St Lucia...well here it is!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have tasted things that we may never get to taste again, and several things I personally NEVER want to taste again. At any moment in time, I could walk outside and pick a different piece of exotic fruit to munch on for the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of my favorite fruits now, are things I had never even heard of before...aki, coco cooli, sugar apples, guava, five finger (star fruit), avocado, bananas, coconuts, mangoes....the list could go on forever! Many people here survive off whatever fruit is in the season at the time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...Mangos are my favorite!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXDbOsnoe0_Md0qbsSNINp9SgbdsQLXR44Wse9QvjtJL2zkHaVmMDj6HXzblABzl-wlSZxlIRBiHCIUJAfG0LOv6fLNhfcrl6ClYsggwh4CrarUjVV5s48PVC5p8g0vvNmkIiB7PfVng/s1600/mangos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXDbOsnoe0_Md0qbsSNINp9SgbdsQLXR44Wse9QvjtJL2zkHaVmMDj6HXzblABzl-wlSZxlIRBiHCIUJAfG0LOv6fLNhfcrl6ClYsggwh4CrarUjVV5s48PVC5p8g0vvNmkIiB7PfVng/s1600/mangos.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fruits I never want to even look at again....Rose apple and Tamarind!! GROSS! Just say no, if you are ever offered Tamarind Candy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Funny as it sounds...one of my favorite things they make here is St Lucia is Mac n Cheese! Yeah I know right....they make the best baked Mac n Cheese you will ever have, and they call in "Mac Pie".</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdaaS0Zc779H9t-Oz3loh_O6uvbeAB1j-gxogDk1Gg_j9xI7ROWCSX8VC_c-WxGbFwIK9HosS_YAv6i7CSN5yGu8JTJ8j4lhDETnMHHrr0WzwcQS7UMo738t7dFwVX22w1_zxgvXqsJg/s1600/IMG_1040%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdaaS0Zc779H9t-Oz3loh_O6uvbeAB1j-gxogDk1Gg_j9xI7ROWCSX8VC_c-WxGbFwIK9HosS_YAv6i7CSN5yGu8JTJ8j4lhDETnMHHrr0WzwcQS7UMo738t7dFwVX22w1_zxgvXqsJg/s1600/IMG_1040%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Makin Mac Pie with some friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other popular favorites are "One Pot"...basically you put anything and everything into "one pot"...which usually ends up pretty good!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They drink whats called "Coco Tea" and dumplings...hot choclate on steroids...rather than opening a packet, stirring and adding a marshmallow, you grind the coco stick, use cinnamon bark, and whip up some homemade dumplings...60 mins later! ha ha...you have "hot chocolate".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">St. Lucia comes from an area of the Carribean called the "West Indies", and there is definitely an Indian influence on there food..."Curry" and "Roti" (similar to a burrito, potatos, currry, and meat wrapped in a soft shell) are dishes you can get almost anywhere. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lucians love there bread. There is a bakery on every corner...and in every direction. It comes from the French influence here...they eat long skinny, white loaves of bread. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my favorites things are called "bakes", funny as it might be though...bakes are a scone type bread that is most commonly fried. Figure that one out for me!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwSuiYbFL1mhDbYmAP-hzBilvzAORon3QqadVXeJLgVufHVAIqzQ0mrneqyJb54GsMkmFsd_2beBDIeZZFkhyDl8c5-HPjwgNHCxEzh0s6xAEVY2wBGpCQFRkiDUgNRYuVzy3Ic3TYHM/s1600/IMG_0574%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwSuiYbFL1mhDbYmAP-hzBilvzAORon3QqadVXeJLgVufHVAIqzQ0mrneqyJb54GsMkmFsd_2beBDIeZZFkhyDl8c5-HPjwgNHCxEzh0s6xAEVY2wBGpCQFRkiDUgNRYuVzy3Ic3TYHM/s1600/IMG_0574%5B1%5D.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Frying up some bakes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fish...or chicken....(bones included). I never thought I would eat, shark, stingray, barcuda, turtle, or dolphin...but if they catch it here, they eat it! More often than not...locals just chop it up, bones and all and cook it. I have learned to chew carefully!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Salt fish and green fig (green banana) salad. Imagine a potato like salad with a mayo base, and thats what you get. Salt fish is dried, salted, preserved fish, used in alot of dishes. The salt fish is soaked to rehydrate it and then chopped and used in countless dishes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They eat potatoes here in St Lucia, but more often they use Breadfruit, Dasheen, Green Fig (green bananas) or Plantains as there starch. All pretty similar and used in many different ways....just like the good ol IDAHO SPUD! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8SaNrq-87rBieK8mBYau9clXOLFYp8-g3JELzP1X4WHMZItFZGP1sBfX-V1CYBg1dVaH-ULxADQUbAtStpSo_kfj6g0qe2eBNbopNkYylQXuZReGN9wCFJLx96ZE1v1wZVksmYhkFRo/s1600/BFTREE1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8SaNrq-87rBieK8mBYau9clXOLFYp8-g3JELzP1X4WHMZItFZGP1sBfX-V1CYBg1dVaH-ULxADQUbAtStpSo_kfj6g0qe2eBNbopNkYylQXuZReGN9wCFJLx96ZE1v1wZVksmYhkFRo/s320/BFTREE1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breadfruit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favorite response when I tell people where I am from, "oh...where the potatoes come from!" YES...even half way across the world, in St Lucia, Idaho is known for there POTATOES!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bought at our local lucian super market!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unlike America, you often eat what gets put in front of you here. You don't always have a choice whether you want this or that. I have learned to just say a short prayer, pop it in my mouth and chew. Sometimes its good and sometimes its not so good, but being picky just doesn't fly here! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You learn to adapt and adjust to your surroundings when you are in a forgien place, and even though things may come as a shock at first...you learn to make due and get the most out of your experience. But one thing is for sure...I'm excited to have some good Taco Bell and McDonalds soon!</span></div>
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<br />the Andersonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15327625373522820314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477048605158995061.post-27975373476772186692013-05-26T20:10:00.001-07:002013-05-26T20:10:19.838-07:00sometimes being DIFFERENT is ok....<br />
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Not many times in my life have I wished I was black....EXCEPT when I am on
the basketball court, until now! I thought I stood out among the Polynesians in
Hawaii, but this island has taken it to a WHOLE new level. I find myself
everyday WISHING I was not a tall blonde white girl, just trying to survive. As
hard as I try to fit in, every attempt has failed me so far. I have moments of
forgetfulness and think I blend right in (until I look in the mirror or at a
picture), but it doesn't take long to remember the truth. Let me tell you
why.....<br />
<br />
In the beginning, everyone around me LOOKED black. That sounds funny, but I
saw color. The longer I am here, color disappears and I no longer see color I
just see people. Just like motor bikers who pass on the highway wave, every time
I saw a white tourist I nodded, and I'm sure with a look of desperation, my
face said..."hey...we are the SAME!" <br />
<br />
Though I do not see color, I cannot hardly leave my house without being
reminded I am a WHITE GIRL! <br />
<br />
For starters, my crazy drunk neighbor does not even let me forget. Though he
has finally stopped asking if I have a boyfriend after 6 months....he stills
calls me "my girl", asks me to come over and see him, and while
offering to carry my groceries tells me he wants to marry me.<br />
<br />
It does not matter how far, how fast, or where I go running, without fail
there seems to be a different group of men cat calling, making kissing noises,
and yelling after me "hey SEXY lady!" (and trust me, I don't look
"sexy" when I run!)<br />
<br />
I can rarely pass the vagrants (bums) on the street, without them reaching
out and begging me to shake their hand, them calling after me "I love
you", (...oh please no!)…oh wait, and them "telling" me to give
them money. My mother only made that part worst for me...when visiting here in
St. Lucia, I lost track of how many times she gave this one particular man
money….he knows me even by my car and calls me buddy!<br />
<br />
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One afternoon I was approached by a
good looking guy on a bike…the first words out of his mouth were “me and you
would look good together, you are beautiful!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
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Laughing I said, “well that’s nice
of you, but I’m married…sorry!”</div>
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“…so you are sure there is no
chance?”, he said with a smile.</div>
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The second time I was approached by
a guy on a bike, the exchange was not so innocent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I had not been caught off guard by his offer,
I may have pushed him off his bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Needless to say that the men here are not the most wholesome and
innocent!!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The loud kissing sounds, the “hey
sexy ladies”, the “my girls”, the “I love you’s”, and the marriage offers….have
just become part of my everyday experience here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a day passes that I am not told I am
beautiful by a complete stranger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As appealing
as that sounds, those gestures have simply become a reminder to me that I am a
WHITE GIRL! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how hard I try to
blend in, and forget that I am not black, I don’t imagine the men here will let
me forget!!<br />
<br /></div>
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But being the WHITE GIRL isn't always so bad. Sometimes being just alittle bit different...is ok! Its experiences like these that make it all worth it......</div>
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Picking Mangos with my favorites nieces and nephews! They love when I bring them surprises from Idaho...I think I have officially become there favorite auntie! </div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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The church donated a bunch of camping gear and cooking stuff to this group of girl scouts. The couple times they have visited the church, they won't leave me alone :) Combing (braiding) my hair, bugging me about when I am going to "make" my own babies, asking me about Idaho (where the potatoes come from), and I LOVE every second of it...and LOVE all of them!</div>
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Jillian (my friend Jannels niece) brings a smile to my face every time I see her.....she runs towards me with arms out stretched, yelling "Liiinnnndddsseeeey"!</div>
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<br />the Andersonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15327625373522820314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477048605158995061.post-29694534266907738622013-05-21T18:36:00.000-07:002013-05-21T18:36:39.886-07:00...why are you here??
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be honest…after slipping through immigration three times
prior to this, I had begun to believe I just might be able to worm my way out of
any situation, that I just may be able to go Visa/extension free for the entire
18 months here, that the Lucian government would not succeed in taking every
penny I own….boy was I wrong! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We returned to “paradise” last Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I prepare to come through
immigration I have a routine…fix my hair, wipe my eyes, straighten my clothes,
all the time giving myself a silent pep talk to bat my eyes, smile big, and “Play Dumb!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I stood in line next to Brandon I knew we
were in for it before we even got to the front of the line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my misfortune, 6 out of the 7 immigration
guards checking paper work were women…my regular routine, a WASTE OF TIME!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We stepped up to the window…”passports please?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After standing in silence for what seemed
like hours, watching her flip back and forth through the pages of my passport,
robotically looking for something that was apparently not there, she looked up
at me and asked…</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">”Why are you here?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
I replied with the only logical answer…”to visit my husband
who is in medical school.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately
follow she responded with…”when are you leaving?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
With a smile I replied…”within the next few weeks, I have
not yet purchased my ticket so I am unsure of the exact day.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that was all she wrote….</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brandon and I were escorted promptly to the back, also known as fDETAINMENT, where
we were commanded to sit down.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Question after question…</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Officer…“Why are you here?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Me…”To visit my husband who is here going to school?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Officer..."...but why are you here?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Me....(thinking are you for REAL?)..."to be with my husband."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Officer…”Why do you want to see him?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
…..”ummmm, (with tested patience) because he is my husband.”
(forcing my eyes not the roll back into my head and willing myself to not bust out in laughter!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What seemed like 100’s of repeated questions, some mediocre
attempts at intimidating me, and my butt getting sore from the hard chair, the
immigration boss hog came to a conclusion.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would have to pay basically 500 US dollars for the time I
had been here “illegally” and had to book a plane ticket home, (so that I had a
date that I would be returning to the states), on the spot…which means I did
not get the best deal at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until I
came up with the money for both of these things, my passport was in custody,
and the last thing I wanted was for them to hang onto my passport...who knows if
I would ever get it back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So just as
they commanded I paid up.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lesson learned…next time you are planning to stay in a
country illegally, whatever you do…AVOID female immigration officers, because
the routine, only works on MEN!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4dj2yaj-u70YsVEAyXU4BGhk5URPe5_STenpEyDq4GEGsbvKcLd4VjIGli9mpir6B9NhKc8oLCchzbWhN1puaZcAE9J53bqAzi9QNBtsO-4b5vUaEAgKgblo3nVhyphenhyphenGy-2EnaGIEzKKI/s1600/Detained.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4dj2yaj-u70YsVEAyXU4BGhk5URPe5_STenpEyDq4GEGsbvKcLd4VjIGli9mpir6B9NhKc8oLCchzbWhN1puaZcAE9J53bqAzi9QNBtsO-4b5vUaEAgKgblo3nVhyphenhyphenGy-2EnaGIEzKKI/s1600/Detained.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(YES...this picture was taken in detainment...I could not let the experience pass without a picture to remember the moment.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
the Andersonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15327625373522820314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477048605158995061.post-19210464261834660022013-03-29T20:52:00.001-07:002013-03-30T18:56:37.753-07:00...Called to Serve...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I had been asked a year ago to share a
"MISSIONARY" experience....out of desperation I may have come up with
some story from my life that could be stretched just enough to do the job, but
it would not be easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, if you
asked the same question….it is hard to remember a day passing without a
missionary experience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Missionaries,
sharing the gospel, and missionary experiences consume a majority of my time!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have developed a new found LOVE and APPRECIATION for
Sister Missionaries in the past 7 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had no idea before coming to St. Lucia the blessing missionaries can
be, not only to those receiving the gospel for the first time, but also to
those who were born into gospel. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5QD6XC1_u-fBqCuBHtrSg5KZ_02O6gh4QEY4jBzqszS8UmQw1SiFBYOHZMlrn1elhB_p0d-8Osgx89pFeVWd_ldmjYugh4M3dgjhnEk6og7YoijTiLqVBG8Ao1qfC2hucHDKqmksRgA/s1600/100_1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5QD6XC1_u-fBqCuBHtrSg5KZ_02O6gh4QEY4jBzqszS8UmQw1SiFBYOHZMlrn1elhB_p0d-8Osgx89pFeVWd_ldmjYugh4M3dgjhnEk6og7YoijTiLqVBG8Ao1qfC2hucHDKqmksRgA/s1600/100_1101.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Basically from the day we stepped foot on this island, the missionaries
have been blessing our lives by, eating my cookies, enjoying our cool house, hitching
rides in our car, dragging me along to share the word, using our computers, drinking
our cold clean water, and crashing our house when they need a quick break from
the world….ha ha, which I love every second of….but they have also blessed me
with their faith and diligence, their knowledge, there love and support, and there
example. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was so relieved and
reassured that you really can find The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints anywhere in the world, just days after arriving in St. Lucia, when Elder
Mecham and Elder Rami walked towards me with those white shirts, ties, and
little black name tags. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was an instance connection, bond, and love between
Sister Weaver and I, which I doubt will ever be broken, even before I found out
she was from Rexburg, Idaho. It was almost as if the Lord had placed her here
in St. Lucia, to be a comfort, a guide, and an example to me of how I could make
the most of my experience here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I70xhSySsQQyU0dyNQmqVLntejUJH6ZG4X8pSQNQESQZsqL7QB3U8CEt6l0YXNXLXlfarS4YYvELmgOx_pD7KNCKEmsAG4k2MNlzwFFTlHh-XJ8bELaSWvgofhlrj11kkv2TKhGF-q0/s1600/100_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I70xhSySsQQyU0dyNQmqVLntejUJH6ZG4X8pSQNQESQZsqL7QB3U8CEt6l0YXNXLXlfarS4YYvELmgOx_pD7KNCKEmsAG4k2MNlzwFFTlHh-XJ8bELaSWvgofhlrj11kkv2TKhGF-q0/s1600/100_1102.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sister Udall made me laugh, whether she was trying or
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know how healthy it is to
laugh, and we ceased to have a dull moment even when sharing the gospel of
Jesus Christ.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My love and passion for Hawaii and Polynesian blood runs
deep, Elder Rivers, who is a Laie boy, taught me that even when life gets tough
and it seems to be too much to bear, by following the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
being faithfully, and enduring to the end, we can all be happy.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last but not least, Sister Stephenson loved to do my dishes.
There is no greater blessing that someone who loves to do your dishes! Ha….Sister
Stephenson’s testimony touched me and her willingness to share her talents,
drove me to practice and share my own.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Missionary after missionary has touched my life while being
in St. Lucia, and without their love, diligence, and example…I can honestly say
I may not have survived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Missionaries
are not just an instrument in Lords hands to preach the gospel….their purpose
goes far beyond that.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Growing up in a Mormon community, opportunities to preach
the gospel are limited…not so much once you get outside Idaho/Utah, even more
so when you move out of the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
a day passes, where I have not had the opportunity to share my beliefs, whether
by preaching or by example. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
experiences are good and some are bad, some are funny and a few have been sad, some
come with a memorable story to share, and some I will never be able to forget.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT9ZxzZmUGqSxvNuZ1eRm78bUFFRS6t8aC62h-hbpXqe87SpT7n9CNW9_2OGEDar_bBaVsx-pKnhRwBuE3a5g7GMxVQUi2LDK_PuCHuiPHMb831zAFWTvhe-kgu02RxovDDKvhKGRVv0/s1600/DSC00194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT9ZxzZmUGqSxvNuZ1eRm78bUFFRS6t8aC62h-hbpXqe87SpT7n9CNW9_2OGEDar_bBaVsx-pKnhRwBuE3a5g7GMxVQUi2LDK_PuCHuiPHMb831zAFWTvhe-kgu02RxovDDKvhKGRVv0/s1600/DSC00194.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the hardest tears I’ve ever loved to cry came right
before I watched one of my best friends, dressed in white, walk into the water
and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, and be baptized a member of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
months of questions, pouring out my heart, and testifying…words can’t express
the joy that filled my soul.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCG1q3RkH0a84nkP8E0nogMpe8vkXTYlg8LFbOSB89Nv_R7V4ZPtQuSeaAAMWxvKBbLhg5NZuEQgLqgtqGALnfdRwPBmWLNd_R5O0xLIWG5eZ9b0-OC6MKzqtd98se8GPkkLNGHa0NSq4/s1600/DSC00200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCG1q3RkH0a84nkP8E0nogMpe8vkXTYlg8LFbOSB89Nv_R7V4ZPtQuSeaAAMWxvKBbLhg5NZuEQgLqgtqGALnfdRwPBmWLNd_R5O0xLIWG5eZ9b0-OC6MKzqtd98se8GPkkLNGHa0NSq4/s1600/DSC00200.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was invited by the Sister Missionaries to come meet
Jannel, just a couple weeks after getting to St. Lucia, and we clicked from the
get go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had just had her first few lessons
from the missionaries the week before when I came along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over five months time, lessons, turned into
more lessons, which soon turned into lessons and one-on-one games of basketball,
hikes, more lessons, bonfires, swimming lessons, more lessons, and hanging out.
The more I got to know Jannel, the more I learned about myself, and the more I
wanted her to receive the knowledge and blessings that make me who I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9S0sbm8-oJsoYu_98S2rInQZBPjZe5YsRUq1R3cnPl5Q5tQ6EyX6TDbYaB_UFknWV0fiRFxZRhoRtXVjbSvQpUtDu3wdvenm5X3HmMexlxUHMlYsm5TDeWJQYRfYFR91eQLkU4f6aq4/s1600/DSC00176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9S0sbm8-oJsoYu_98S2rInQZBPjZe5YsRUq1R3cnPl5Q5tQ6EyX6TDbYaB_UFknWV0fiRFxZRhoRtXVjbSvQpUtDu3wdvenm5X3HmMexlxUHMlYsm5TDeWJQYRfYFR91eQLkU4f6aq4/s1600/DSC00176.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHs8_fkNNIPbh3w9SRo0JOb6n6gFDA3fXJr0lY2jdOsemQR4FJt-2fWuXTjHl4OQPsQdwGvUfLWDzeUH0CbP_-lMju3myAt7SVrKzlAN6G2sPBICj-HkzETRx47Qia_q6ijVJ2fT8_YqQ/s1600/100_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHs8_fkNNIPbh3w9SRo0JOb6n6gFDA3fXJr0lY2jdOsemQR4FJt-2fWuXTjHl4OQPsQdwGvUfLWDzeUH0CbP_-lMju3myAt7SVrKzlAN6G2sPBICj-HkzETRx47Qia_q6ijVJ2fT8_YqQ/s1600/100_1200.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jannel asked some of the hardest questions I have ever been
asked, she created some of the toughest scenarios that can be imagined, and she
milked my knowledge and understanding bone dry…the only thing for me to do was,
testify. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jannel has been a member of the church for almost three
months now and is teaching the gospel principles class in our branch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though it was not instantly, but over a short
period of time I have seen how the Holy Spirit can change lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Jannel was baptized, confirmed, and received
the gift of the Holy Ghost, the light within her brightens every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jannel’s qualities, of Faith, Courage, Confidence,
her willingness to stand alone, her testimony, Knowledge, Fun Loving Heart,
Acceptance of others, and Persistence….which were present before she was baptized,
have become increased tenfold, those qualities now make up who she is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day of Jannel’s baptism I promised her several things,
but one thing I hope she never forgets is…</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“It won’t be EASY…but it will be WORTH IT”</span></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If asked to share a missionary experience today…I may have a
hard time deciding WHICH experience to share, but I know there is one
experience I will NEVER forget.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></o:p></div>
the Andersonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15327625373522820314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477048605158995061.post-12652446701164598212012-12-30T19:21:00.000-08:002013-01-01T15:48:04.647-08:00---MERRY CHRISTMAS---<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMbIYKnd29KuB3d5LnkeZgYwHTV5u9oBnRt0QhelXk3gMsZPtaJylrUo96gZF1hpNISs5O27SKlAtqWsdElQc1D4thlun_6ZA1hl_nTB-Bn-R4armnB7qvMPBOeEIDt-e84FgLrgLeoc/s1600/DSC00033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMbIYKnd29KuB3d5LnkeZgYwHTV5u9oBnRt0QhelXk3gMsZPtaJylrUo96gZF1hpNISs5O27SKlAtqWsdElQc1D4thlun_6ZA1hl_nTB-Bn-R4armnB7qvMPBOeEIDt-e84FgLrgLeoc/s1600/DSC00033.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">hristmas
away from home is always hard, but Christmas on an island is that much harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having done this once before I was prepared,
but being prepared doesn’t make it easy! Christmas is SNOW, Christmas trees,
Christmas music, Christmas lights, spending time with family, and most
importantly the birth of Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEC-K9Gt4ulCyYDYpdKZmJwMkXIcDuMjtcPu1ZSQCj57B7x1gLsvoGep_scPLQqf0Kvkjlt4enk1TW4nb3WFO6g98Vi7Nj7ZyQhzqM7EeM5qfZSy0MDMdyX9TLAn0RkfuDOLs1mfghwY/s1600/DSC00048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEC-K9Gt4ulCyYDYpdKZmJwMkXIcDuMjtcPu1ZSQCj57B7x1gLsvoGep_scPLQqf0Kvkjlt4enk1TW4nb3WFO6g98Vi7Nj7ZyQhzqM7EeM5qfZSy0MDMdyX9TLAn0RkfuDOLs1mfghwY/s1600/DSC00048.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">B</span>eing
on an island makes ALMOST ALL those things hard to find, instead of SNOW we had
RAIN, instead of Christmas trees, we had PALM TREES, the reggae Christmas jams
that played in the streets were not your typical songs bringing Christmas joy...everything
about Christmas here, is DIFFERENT than home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I learned that the one thing that is NOT
hard to find, no matter where you are in the world is the Spirit of Christ,
which is the TRUE spirit of Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
such an unordinary Christmas—clearly the least FESTIVE of any I ever had before,
I know these special days will remain in my heart forever as one of the
sweetest Christmases I have ever had. I think that is because for the first
time in my life, I found myself understanding Christmas rather than just
enjoying it. I think for the first time, I was getting the message of Christ's </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">birth and life—His message and
His mission and His sacrifice for others. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we understand the TRUE meaning of
Christmas, we can find that Christmas spirit wherever we are.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That being said…</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the 14<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>, Brandon
finished his first semester of Medical school! One semester under his belt, one
semester closer to being home, one semester closer to his DREAM! And the much
needed 3 week break that followed has been such a blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Momma and Pappa J got here several
days after Brandon’s finals…and so did the RAIN, RAIN, RAIN, and MORE
RAIN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, the worst part of the
rain was I had to stop playing “All I Want for Christmas is a Real Good Tan,”
cuz I knew that wasn’t going to be happening! The rain cut back on the beach
time, but didn’t cut down on the fun. We explored the beautiful botanical
gardens and Diamond Falls, hiked New Jerusalem falls, visited the sulfur Volcano,
had a warm satisfying MUD BATH, parasailed over the Caribbean ocean, eat some
delicious island food, visited the historic Pigeon island, and enjoyed 20 mins
of sunshine on Laborie beach.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzghMaJiOvNZSz4JzSN78cq2hnBl1T3638916T0YIZAyuDCoMUmoyD3EwDzQH_AFKDtmA2YDHvbmiWUY8DEx8ImbW1rIc-44pg2biBxp2abmNqXC4ha0iguBjYVKRme1MFkMkQ2_VX50/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzghMaJiOvNZSz4JzSN78cq2hnBl1T3638916T0YIZAyuDCoMUmoyD3EwDzQH_AFKDtmA2YDHvbmiWUY8DEx8ImbW1rIc-44pg2biBxp2abmNqXC4ha0iguBjYVKRme1MFkMkQ2_VX50/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The view from the house they were staying at was AWESOME!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDN4ACVCv-GmVy3srYc6bWINXGx0QbB7Cwej7GPkRAF9OOxwzjmlA0uolZ8LpjkFPxG6Z62b3rpoWvwLs93DfTlpQi73uWhl3_bzTp5-yXe2ypZSeaURQSL8ioL6-QRmY8uqN1IKWbYM/s1600/IMG_0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDN4ACVCv-GmVy3srYc6bWINXGx0QbB7Cwej7GPkRAF9OOxwzjmlA0uolZ8LpjkFPxG6Z62b3rpoWvwLs93DfTlpQi73uWhl3_bzTp5-yXe2ypZSeaURQSL8ioL6-QRmY8uqN1IKWbYM/s1600/IMG_0383.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAzaFdQpOyU3sCYKR2CBd6-YjOFrJVG1360KMqLbQqSeleTVUjKhFPR6YrSHxaBKTOYAVrq2OD6SVUtgagtxqR-tu-cogaELDRfWaxWRTJ8fwHsGMPnOVuz910w94waLFPF1Jz91u8bY/s1600/IMG_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAzaFdQpOyU3sCYKR2CBd6-YjOFrJVG1360KMqLbQqSeleTVUjKhFPR6YrSHxaBKTOYAVrq2OD6SVUtgagtxqR-tu-cogaELDRfWaxWRTJ8fwHsGMPnOVuz910w94waLFPF1Jz91u8bY/s1600/IMG_0409.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Diamond Falls and the Botanical Gardens.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXNYMaP_jc19nNbbOyXTuOP0-TOjaWKioEEAXbnC78WfvwC_rP15620ztBODvj55PnIweO3FTXsfiWNJd-URtAsVfWS8MMLL3tpNI8ArK1s5xgfSZ2vRyeOrcQg50HXjQthsuGR0_5HY/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXNYMaP_jc19nNbbOyXTuOP0-TOjaWKioEEAXbnC78WfvwC_rP15620ztBODvj55PnIweO3FTXsfiWNJd-URtAsVfWS8MMLL3tpNI8ArK1s5xgfSZ2vRyeOrcQg50HXjQthsuGR0_5HY/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I've decided since I can't have a puppy, I will get a goat! so FLIPPIN cute! they both crawled right through the fence and into my arms.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRllOalWTXqCzwhSDydJ6FUUfj6-fvyTUt9R5BcDyE9VNuBxdDu2z1hgWyiAml58C0V5pDXSSR7lrdVfnLXYvKwan03t6LkRnEtgzihkp_V3hL5dIfwj2YEh7ZON6kUoL_YFkrERk2WA/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRllOalWTXqCzwhSDydJ6FUUfj6-fvyTUt9R5BcDyE9VNuBxdDu2z1hgWyiAml58C0V5pDXSSR7lrdVfnLXYvKwan03t6LkRnEtgzihkp_V3hL5dIfwj2YEh7ZON6kUoL_YFkrERk2WA/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> YUMMM....muddy!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbPRvz4ROa3TtAE8yv_pwa6rgZKY0Fd_OKbtha_ssJwUuzU8MIgyglMS3e9JgvRlRGg2m7LoBk3hjNfBGj52KHadfUEEXemMQu4KryqVw9TBXvyblGLIwnPaTcOMHOmZ7g1kGVknjlZE/s1600/IMG_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbPRvz4ROa3TtAE8yv_pwa6rgZKY0Fd_OKbtha_ssJwUuzU8MIgyglMS3e9JgvRlRGg2m7LoBk3hjNfBGj52KHadfUEEXemMQu4KryqVw9TBXvyblGLIwnPaTcOMHOmZ7g1kGVknjlZE/s1600/IMG_0689.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Yeah...the driver thought it would be funny to take me and Bran swimming..ha ha!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlSF-AfsXO_EwNsaJLBxdYFNJNVEoDCSbEGW3BfhkOX9V5p6sobXunVu0k-M-Hnhl7ag4ZQr1lIuTGT8Vdb7JIaQ3H0ANr6JeBPO8R9aZeFpmXe5PHsRzef_pe2G2YE9W0exkDZ_9bBw/s1600/IMG_0893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlSF-AfsXO_EwNsaJLBxdYFNJNVEoDCSbEGW3BfhkOX9V5p6sobXunVu0k-M-Hnhl7ag4ZQr1lIuTGT8Vdb7JIaQ3H0ANr6JeBPO8R9aZeFpmXe5PHsRzef_pe2G2YE9W0exkDZ_9bBw/s1600/IMG_0893.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Lattile Falls</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhRfAaegHk-Vt1EpYtxBqXVce5qZP_dVoWzL0aa3VuYUOv85mW0kgzeUwusk7I6HVn5BrlW8Kw7S7GvCMZQxs3QGDvtsVr7Wy2e31Xz3N6g75NYjufq-3ztYXU5JqR4lLylzbB-Pl01Y/s1600/IMG_1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhRfAaegHk-Vt1EpYtxBqXVce5qZP_dVoWzL0aa3VuYUOv85mW0kgzeUwusk7I6HVn5BrlW8Kw7S7GvCMZQxs3QGDvtsVr7Wy2e31Xz3N6g75NYjufq-3ztYXU5JqR4lLylzbB-Pl01Y/s1600/IMG_1056.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJJdlwN1q_dQlMif6T9IHjs06zEwBJYAfJ-eEmeeuMgIjhyphenhyphenOq2FJPDxs5oPEtkXS1_NxhT4hn3i-UtmwAO1MgV81Jgj2WpuknO_FkrBKckzGOMDk4pjadPsosPTmMQEqNao19uytkPMM/s1600/IMG_1146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJJdlwN1q_dQlMif6T9IHjs06zEwBJYAfJ-eEmeeuMgIjhyphenhyphenOq2FJPDxs5oPEtkXS1_NxhT4hn3i-UtmwAO1MgV81Jgj2WpuknO_FkrBKckzGOMDk4pjadPsosPTmMQEqNao19uytkPMM/s1600/IMG_1146.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Desperate times call for desperate measures....a paper tree was the best we could do:)</span></div>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christmas eve we walked around down town Vieux Fort, which was the place to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The streets were CRAZY, the music was loud, there were people everywhere, and island was alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas day was spent watching Christmas movies, talking to Elder Dakota Anderson, talking to family at home, and feeding the missionaries. We were so blessed and happy to get to share our St Lucian Christmas with family. We got spoiled like always, not sure what we would do without them! Love you guys!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
the Andersonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15327625373522820314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477048605158995061.post-9240465250880346932012-12-02T19:12:00.000-08:002012-12-02T19:27:45.581-08:00around the Island and back again...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UwdMc9zEBhRbZLC-jczhi-U1N4e31g_F4geIOxy35KKNYdh4x8nyKxFBAcunDhlBpR08tEzjkESdgbyFcD2I7sTxbjL6fSNdY0KKbkwb0IpBl-F8mMaiisVbceXGPWjmnV4TwMdMXYU/s1600/DSC_6157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UwdMc9zEBhRbZLC-jczhi-U1N4e31g_F4geIOxy35KKNYdh4x8nyKxFBAcunDhlBpR08tEzjkESdgbyFcD2I7sTxbjL6fSNdY0KKbkwb0IpBl-F8mMaiisVbceXGPWjmnV4TwMdMXYU/s1600/DSC_6157.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two weeks ago I watched my family walk through the airport security doors
toward me, which now ranks among one of the happiest moments of my life! I had
missed them so much and I was so excited for them to experience the life I am
now living! After hugs and smiles, they wiped the sweat off their foreheads and
asked where they could find an AC....ha ha (it’s the cool season in St. Lucia
right now.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MONDAY-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recovering from JETLAG, means we all got to sleep in a little, get settled
in, buy some groceries, and then it was off to explore! We picked Brandon up
from school after his tests, piled into my new (OLD) Mit SUV, and headed
towards the town of Souferie. Not sure what we were going to find, we headed
down a interesting side road, which put the Jackson Hole hill climbs to shame.
We happened upon a waterfall hike to some mineral pools.</span><br />
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After the hike we drove into the town of Souferie, where we
were quickly and unfortunately conned by the locals trying to get our money. We
gave money to the black boys doing flippys off the doc, we bought necklaces for
WAY too much, paid a guy who wouldn't take his arm out of the window of the
car, we even paid a guy who drug us through town and took us to a horrible restaurant.
As fun as it was, 6 white people walking around this town need to all practice
saying the word "NO" before they step out of the car! Love the town,
but at that point in time, not the people!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">TUESDAY-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
We again decided to
face the insanely NARROW 2 way streets (the truck to the left of us is parked,
and we have the van headed towards us that should be on the right of us...aye
aye yei!), and the aggressive, cunning, begging locals of Souferie, this time
practicing our "NO" skills all the way. Prepared as we were, we were
once again taken, by King Nigel for Souferie himself, paying way too much for
necklaces</span></div>
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0aZLYJyd8xTQCLABafUDWZhDN_OLInD_J3GUmCfiGcrOldKUnD_aZAklYMH-QAnlObfV_ywrzLLpZPVl6KRkYZleHBmMYoaWfARtjEfWYZnOC7WR1h9_KflJWyKJRkASP0eD3oZEWZw/s1600/DSCN4003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0aZLYJyd8xTQCLABafUDWZhDN_OLInD_J3GUmCfiGcrOldKUnD_aZAklYMH-QAnlObfV_ywrzLLpZPVl6KRkYZleHBmMYoaWfARtjEfWYZnOC7WR1h9_KflJWyKJRkASP0eD3oZEWZw/s1600/DSCN4003.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We escaped the town and headed up a very steep, mountainous road that led us to our soon to be favorite spot on the island. Ana Chastnet, which is ranked in the top 10 scuba diving places in the world, not to mention the BEAUTIFUL beach, the AMAZING view, and the small amount of people. We snorkeled all afternoon and soaked up some Caribbean rays.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WEDNESDAY-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
We got ourselves
into a muddy mess, literally! We visited a volcano on the island, which smelled
like stinky sulfur, where steam boiled out of the ground, and the boiling water
was muddy gray. Yellowstone put this baby volcano to shame, but the MUD bath we
took at the end, was something you don't find at home. We covered our bodies
with hot, stinky, minerally mud and bathed in a HOT mud pot...our skin felt
delightful after</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We finished the day
off, with a BEAUTIFUL hike through the jungle, across a creek, up to some warm
baths...but we actually enjoyed the cold creek the most!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
THURSDAY-</span></div>
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My family got a
small taste of living in an under developed country. We went down town Vieux
Fort, to the market and the bakery. 3 things we take for granted in America, Wal-Mart,
garbage men, and animal control!</span></div>
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We then went to
sandy beach, where we rented kayaks and the boys went CLEAR to the Island. We
built a sand castle and fed my favorite local stray dogs milk bones from home,
and gave them each a name. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWDDKEyv4qC3nY0aCxqBfk5HlQpXHO10A_eDcHqdU8zPs3E1FmaybCegbUOEOZh441w6F5aahg8c0ox8UArcitF7Wj2iIyX88Lfkar1C5jd5Cx3yVkTUl12VYHouHs4Vt4yqVaS8jCGU/s1600/DSCN4063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWDDKEyv4qC3nY0aCxqBfk5HlQpXHO10A_eDcHqdU8zPs3E1FmaybCegbUOEOZh441w6F5aahg8c0ox8UArcitF7Wj2iIyX88Lfkar1C5jd5Cx3yVkTUl12VYHouHs4Vt4yqVaS8jCGU/s1600/DSCN4063.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Branch Pres, who is a avid fisherman, and his
wife and two girls met up with us in the evening and took us fishing. We caught
a SHARK and a MAU MAU! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FRIDAY-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Bright an early we
left the house and drove to the one of the most photographed places on St.
Lucia. Our objective…summit the 2600 ft tall mountain. The GROS PITON, the
second tallest mountain on St. Lucia. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Though 2600 ft does
not sound tall...it was not an easy hike at all! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
I thought I might
die...when we were not that high!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stopping to ask for directions along the way, we found our guide "Ashley", who jumped in with us, headed us down a road I would worry about taking a 4-wheeler down at home, and stopped us at our trail head, found on a beautiful beach. If you can imagine climbing 2000 steep, deep stairs, you will know why we were drenched in sweat from head to toe...but the view was AMAZING!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SATURDAY-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Brandon finally had
a day off, it completed the day having him there with us! I love bananas, coconuts, and grapes...that’s why they call me
Tarzan of the apes!! We started the day
off flying through the jungle on a 8 line zip line course. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We then made our way into the Souferie and back to our favorite place on the Island. This time, after about a 1/2 mile walk we found our own almost private beach, all inclusive with some of the world’s best snorkeling, a black sand beach, and one of the most breath taking views I have ever seen. If you were to close your eyes and imagine paradise....you would be right where we were!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SUNDAY-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
One of the
highlights of the trip! Church! Unfortunately fishing with the Branch Pres
earlier in the week came with a price...ha ha, and my family was asked to bear
there testimonies, Jill was asked to play the piano, and Dallin was asked to
pass the sacrament. Their attendance at church, almost DOUBLED our
congregation, which I loved as well as the members I am sure! Testimonies are
such a simple thing, but the spirit at church was incredible and I felt very
blessed to be to able to hear from EVERYONE in my family. Especially Elder
Dallin Polson, who's farewell I knew I wouldn't be able to attend...I'm sure
the spirit touched more than just my heart that day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We finished off the
afternoon taking family pictures on the shores of St. Lucia, honestly, who gets
the opportunity to do that, such a beautiful backdrop!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iyIbIfwbHtZxf9PipMnVeBrnLWul9X_7RDMGZEVtIDiFbxpA_6Wdzsdu2K_l577rRMAPt1TJuij7ep0Wcl-E1X8PLaWkQVDo9icsjRXDQbNHz7xQjrU5aelTTYSBFtMYtwZQne3L2Co/s1600/DSC_6244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iyIbIfwbHtZxf9PipMnVeBrnLWul9X_7RDMGZEVtIDiFbxpA_6Wdzsdu2K_l577rRMAPt1TJuij7ep0Wcl-E1X8PLaWkQVDo9icsjRXDQbNHz7xQjrU5aelTTYSBFtMYtwZQne3L2Co/s1600/DSC_6244.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MONDAY-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Around the island
and back again....IN THE RAIN. We finally got to experience a tropical shower!
Unfortunately the rain and the overcast skies clouded our view, but the drive
was still beautiful. Up steep windy mountain roads, along beautiful blue coast
lines, across rolling hills of banana plantations, and through small fishing
towns we went...laughing all the way! Stopping here and there to buy some local
goods, a LARGE cantaloupe sized avocado, coconut necklaces, banana ketchup, and
carved wood pieces. We finally made it to Castries the city up north, where we
went to the market, got local fish n chips, and found a magnificent thing…Mega
J, similar to what we call at home, Sam's Club, full of American things that I
had not seen for over 2 months now. Life just got a little bit easier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">TUESDAY-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
We went down to
sandy beach to see about kite boarding. To our dismay, it was going to take way
too much time and way too much money, so instead we watched for awhile. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AmdTsrBP7X76KOKyHvXMeHEcHFaR_qUDNekcHSRPEzD6Lq0MkEwUlwN349K-Mf8lMPVWgO_BTndwSqMp_dYAL7OgrTGWMZen_qs_47TxhLvCblXOSxwRwHFm4S6WwQOeoLesH8JcyVo/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AmdTsrBP7X76KOKyHvXMeHEcHFaR_qUDNekcHSRPEzD6Lq0MkEwUlwN349K-Mf8lMPVWgO_BTndwSqMp_dYAL7OgrTGWMZen_qs_47TxhLvCblXOSxwRwHFm4S6WwQOeoLesH8JcyVo/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
rest of the day we put the boys to good use, working on the car which only got
worse. Hours after checking the brakes, filling the spare, and rotating the
tires, the right front brake rotor split and car had to really get fixed.
We did not let that stop us...bright and early on Wednesday we found a rental!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WEDNESDAY-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Again we packed up
the car and headed out of town, this time our destination...Diamond Falls, surrounded
by a botanical garden, full of incredible, strange, gigantic, foreign flowers and amazing green foliage, and
too many people. So many exotic and amazing plants and flowers to see! Don't
get me wrong it was beautiful, but over crowded. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAStviiXKW-czvJPt-aq8S5U2rNcSs4OUs81oZvQFQ-ZmpmSW0ZZ1mdi37u6anNHvPAIts399tobDNFr3ZpD0CEcRDYCffmRBOBT9LIKFvEi2rLHi74nw1AOAnwcG6MyzCu72pxe8CvQ/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAStviiXKW-czvJPt-aq8S5U2rNcSs4OUs81oZvQFQ-ZmpmSW0ZZ1mdi37u6anNHvPAIts399tobDNFr3ZpD0CEcRDYCffmRBOBT9LIKFvEi2rLHi74nw1AOAnwcG6MyzCu72pxe8CvQ/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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After going for a
small drive, we stopped at what is known as one of the best local restaurants
in Souferie, Gees Bonmanje. The food was good, but the atmosphere and the view
was that much better! Local favorites consists of fish (shark, tuna, red
snapper, anything really), baked macaroni and cheese, green fig salad (made
with green bananas and sword fish), dasheen and breadfruit (similar to a
potato), plantains, and chicken. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCL9vMUfOhjAg_miI_u9FiH1r-TMFYq_1kqrDVq8p1K4LW8gueT1h2H54kwg7PIRRMZaoaSAck47hQjiA-qODGIuPoEgPPurxbmcq6fQH1ORD-tgImXEIbhZJX9da5o9aWfj6aQB4PsU/s1600/DSCN4001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCL9vMUfOhjAg_miI_u9FiH1r-TMFYq_1kqrDVq8p1K4LW8gueT1h2H54kwg7PIRRMZaoaSAck47hQjiA-qODGIuPoEgPPurxbmcq6fQH1ORD-tgImXEIbhZJX9da5o9aWfj6aQB4PsU/s1600/DSCN4001.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THURSDAY-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We headed up north to go to Rodney Bay, the hot spot for all the tourist and cruise ships. We had a mission in mind though, PARASAILING! Mission accomplished...the overcrowded, resort lined beach, was just the place to find what we were looking for! The view from above was spectacular and the experience was worth every penny. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJJOrERXjY4xPrKZNiJeCki0kjOkeq3pAonT9WW1YrkK4kNObKKhGb5dWNXuQpYtcGjANNweO5CWW0FZBpnTcw-mSEGToNK-hNHxEM0b1UzcnAwETx8O0ekYSaHPQ-jC-PrNDeK4efuo/s1600/IMG_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJJOrERXjY4xPrKZNiJeCki0kjOkeq3pAonT9WW1YrkK4kNObKKhGb5dWNXuQpYtcGjANNweO5CWW0FZBpnTcw-mSEGToNK-hNHxEM0b1UzcnAwETx8O0ekYSaHPQ-jC-PrNDeK4efuo/s1600/IMG_0381.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXHWziUknrhnAalWMLK8mv6xb4CO8NqWIU5V-pVWbFmvSwEJkx_2bPKBOWUCaALSa4WjyyLoJHHp3BIaDCHK4HZBDnjcvr1ukmwrVTa9DNowYgE5LWHOFZQ9c5AdSJuWVvwvNfXNnMEg/s1600/IMG_0395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXHWziUknrhnAalWMLK8mv6xb4CO8NqWIU5V-pVWbFmvSwEJkx_2bPKBOWUCaALSa4WjyyLoJHHp3BIaDCHK4HZBDnjcvr1ukmwrVTa9DNowYgE5LWHOFZQ9c5AdSJuWVvwvNfXNnMEg/s1600/IMG_0395.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After
leaving the beach we found a local place to eat, called the Lime. The food was
spectacular! Unfortunately we realized too late that my mom had left her
camera, filled with pictures from the trip and the last 4 months on it, in the
bathroom at the resort where we had parasailed. We rushed back, but it was long
gone by the time we got there...which put a damper on the day...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_txiptPIprFcxHKDej3CwdRlpMFRJBFJD_ZCfwMWSO0GSacmQU8tNzLV3JdpQ6Lxj4FNwCo-R1QKLHu8Y0P2ixfaNNUdyI3cNn17Xoo9X5FBWebAxeizUhvEsrb8yxuzPIyQ8zTx-wAk/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_txiptPIprFcxHKDej3CwdRlpMFRJBFJD_ZCfwMWSO0GSacmQU8tNzLV3JdpQ6Lxj4FNwCo-R1QKLHu8Y0P2ixfaNNUdyI3cNn17Xoo9X5FBWebAxeizUhvEsrb8yxuzPIyQ8zTx-wAk/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nonetheless, we moved on and visited Pigeon Island. What once was an island; they filled in the gap and is now a peninsula, that has cool old British forts and a little island history. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FRIDAY-</span></div>
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We spent the day
enjoying the beautiful blue water, the bright Caribbean sun, and the sand in
our toes. A little taste of the island way, nowhere to go, no rush, no hurry,
do what you want kind of attitude....my kind of day. After playing in the
water, burying Dallin up to his neck in the sand, and lying around, we headed
home. We cleaned up, and headed over to Pres and Sister Nicholas where we were
fed a gourmet meal of Stingray and Shark! Delicious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SATURDAY-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First thing we went down to the market, to check out what kinds of fresh fruits and veggies we could find. We ran some errands and my family made their final purchases. </span></div>
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We
then took one last drive to the town of Micoud, and found a place called Lattile
Falls. We were led down a small hike where we found several sets of waterfalls,
and a rope swing at the end out into the water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the evening we
drove down to Sandy beach, and met up with the Sister Weaver and Sister Udall
(the two biggest blessings in my life here on the island.) We had dinner at a restaurant
called the Reef.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SUNDAY-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
The day I had
dreaded for 2 weeks. After church, my family packed up and I took them to the
airport. The only thing positive about them going home was...I knew Bailey would
be one happy dog to have them back, jealous!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Saying
good bye is always HARD, but I knew I had to be greatful for the two weeks that
I was able to share with them. Home is only a phone call away and a plane ride for that matter. Saying goodbye
to your favorite brother for 2 years, the HARDEST, but the knowledge I have of
the gospel and my testimony of Jesus Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ
makes saying goodbye that much easier. I know that many will be blessed by his
sacrifice, hard work, and testimony....and that makes it all worth it! I think
of the blessing the Sisters here on St Lucia have been in my life, and I know that someone
in Italy will be just as grateful if not more for Elder Polson. LOVE YOU!</span></span> </div>
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the Andersonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15327625373522820314noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477048605158995061.post-24403722222128097382012-10-14T20:23:00.002-07:002012-10-14T20:23:33.020-07:00my {LOVE.HATE} relationship with water<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">RAIN...RAIN...RAIN...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The </span>most popular phrase I heard when telling people I would be living in St. Lucia while Brandon was attending Medical School was..."what an experience!" I recently had one of those so called "experiences" I hope I don't have to experience very often or for very long! Its called a Mild Tropical Storm...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Its starts RAINING, continues RAINING, RAINS some more, and keeps RAINING. Not all at once, it drizzles for awhile and then POURS for 10 mins or so, and then dies back to a drizzle!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-apNTTdQynflaO7HpCb3-RmF8OCjBaFCafAxMlhADAA_hMXhwXx5yfl2PDs66IGE16JKPgNmTesxX_31gnCd1C1Ri_f-_VhhAjf3gS3nyuLiaSOw-jbdfQWnd9jAzbWEESRXUkvUHeM/s1600/IMG_0387%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-apNTTdQynflaO7HpCb3-RmF8OCjBaFCafAxMlhADAA_hMXhwXx5yfl2PDs66IGE16JKPgNmTesxX_31gnCd1C1Ri_f-_VhhAjf3gS3nyuLiaSOw-jbdfQWnd9jAzbWEESRXUkvUHeM/s1600/IMG_0387%255B1%255D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCsL9ykcLvdIMCVvZOla2vT4OZ9chkeqcRIpsD9_mF2AN_txJVmjg3-29EddNBzRECUV5Lo9v7jsjSfRhDknD5PuJsK6Ib86EeRLfx2hENO6k3P5lm9_t3N8gAv6meoRDhw0SB3QH90g/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCsL9ykcLvdIMCVvZOla2vT4OZ9chkeqcRIpsD9_mF2AN_txJVmjg3-29EddNBzRECUV5Lo9v7jsjSfRhDknD5PuJsK6Ib86EeRLfx2hENO6k3P5lm9_t3N8gAv6meoRDhw0SB3QH90g/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I love standing on my porch watching the rain fall in buckets, I love taking long runs in the cooler 80 degree weather, I love the way it smells after the rain, I love the fresh green foliage EVERYWHERE, I love the clouds and the overcast sky, I even love the gigantic frogs that increase in numbers around my house when it starts to rain! I LOVE most of it....but I HATE when my water gets turned off!!! The more rain that falls, the more it stirs up the rivers and water sources, and the quicker my water dissappears. 24 hours without water is much harder than you think! No showering, no washing clothes, no washing dishes....etc. The answer to our prayers, an emergency water tank we have out back. Sometimes the answers to our prayers are not always the quick fix we would like them to be! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But my {LOVE.HATE} relationship with water goes beyond the rain...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I LOVE the OCEAN. The beach, the palm trees, the clear blue carribean water, the crashing waves, the salt, walking in the sand, the beautiful views, the refreshing breeze, the sun shine...I LOVE the WATER!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> Where there is WATER...mold follows</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I HATE the Mold. Because of the humidity we find mold everywhere! Coming from a desert, I never expected. I first found mold covering my bathroom towel, GROSS! In random places next, alittle here and alittle there, on my makeup bag, on my sciptures, on one of Brandons old hats....but none of this even compares to what I found today, and to be honest, I still can't believe it! Several events led Brandon to pull our desk away from the wall, and COVERING the back, LITERALLY COVERING the back was green fuzzy mold! Not to mention several of the poor items that were victum to the mold that were on the shelves of the desk. Don't ask me how and don't ask me why...my relationship with BLEACH was good before, but we have suddenly moved to the next level and become BEST FRIENDS!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvMtCIORe-CBsrVV7uHxOBXzTAPIjJYnkMIfoYEdUzDTCpnValFtPSTWE7xmdmqv7B21SE5Rqin3lwfPI5pSJDyMhxLWMM6-v-B22E-ox4lwcuCLI0nFJDdN4mvLukzk4HXH8i6q7HZE/s1600/IMG_0327%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ijwzgpYUCrGxRF7WepoDh6urU1kzNVf33xeWOwicrRdZUn6BiG32u897BBhkgyDdt7t2xqoRwUtcylvL3B4buULFO3Z1nMfPxIO3RVf3KA0_4cWJ9MIlNCjJC4FAHLXbpz7nVm56c0M/s1600/100_1111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ijwzgpYUCrGxRF7WepoDh6urU1kzNVf33xeWOwicrRdZUn6BiG32u897BBhkgyDdt7t2xqoRwUtcylvL3B4buULFO3Z1nMfPxIO3RVf3KA0_4cWJ9MIlNCjJC4FAHLXbpz7nVm56c0M/s1600/100_1111.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvMtCIORe-CBsrVV7uHxOBXzTAPIjJYnkMIfoYEdUzDTCpnValFtPSTWE7xmdmqv7B21SE5Rqin3lwfPI5pSJDyMhxLWMM6-v-B22E-ox4lwcuCLI0nFJDdN4mvLukzk4HXH8i6q7HZE/s1600/IMG_0327%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will never take for granted, cold, fresh, CLEAN water again...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I HATE paying for water. We no longer have the luxury of walking to the tap, filling a glass with water, and tipping it back! We buy every ounce of our drinking and cooking water and we savor every bit of it! The yellow tinted water that comes from our tap, is hardly clean enough to clean my white clothes. It has its good days and its bad days, even on a good day, its hard to trust! I had no idea I would be making a column in my budget that read...WATER. Never the less, any type of running water, whether it be yellow or not, is better than filling buckets from a tank!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had heard stories about
small branches before, but to be honest I never would have even dreamed this!
We got to the island on a Thursday, from the second we stepped off the plane I
started doing my research and had my eyes open. Don't get me wrong I had ALOT
on my mind, but at the very top of the list was…where is the church??? What I
found, is not exactly what I had imagined!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Saturday morning we
spotted the church, the upstairs of a bluish/purple building with a little sign
that read "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Upstairs,"
this made me as giddy as a fat kid in a candy shop!</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It gets better...not even
an hour later, walking through the market down town, I looked up and to my
surprise I saw two white shirts and ties with little black name tags on their
shirt pockets walking down the street towards me! The POOR missionaries...after
showering them with excitement and relief, they gave me there number, told me
how to get to church (because buses are few and far between on Sundays), and
when it started. It was such a relief, I finally felt like I could enjoy
myself. The Lord never fails us when we need him the most!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunday morning...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We walked into church about
9:15, and found one person. Pres. Nicholas, our branch President. Over the next
45 mins until church started, the elders filtered in, the sister missionaries,
and approximately 15 more members. No one our age, no medical students with
wives (here), not many people AT ALL. Overwhelming to say the least! I'm not
sure who was in more shock...us or the Lucian members. Thinking we were
vacationers, they welcomed us with all the kindness in the world, but when we
explained that we would be transferring our records and be seeing them every Sunday
for 16 months...their eyes lit up. More in shock then anything...it only took a
couple weeks for it to set in and for them to really make sense of it all!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One excuse after another,
we only had sacrament the first week, 2 hours the 2nd, only sacrament the 3rd,
and 2 hours the 4th....do you see the pattern?? It didn't take long for us to
realize how laid back the islanders are, even with church! Pres. Nicholas
promises me we will start having all 3 hours soon, but we will see:) I was
called as Relief Society teacher, I'm hoping I get the opportunity to teach at
least once before we leave...ha ha.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With no piano player, we
sing to the hymn CD...not just the accompaniment, the CD with the vocals. I
thought all black people could sing...boy was I wrong! I'm not sure if it is
better or worse with the Mormon tabernacle choir singing along! Let’s just say,
I have been trying to practice up on my piano skills, hoping that soon I will
be able to improve the situation for everyone!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">It you think this sounds
crazy, wait until you hear what happened next. This past Sunday September 30th,
we arrived at church to find 2 new faces, Elder and Sister Benion, senior
missionaries serving in the West Indies mission, visiting the Vieux Fort, St.
Lucia Branch. Elder Benion is serving as second councilor to the Mission
President, and being that there is no stake created in the West Indies yet; the
Mission President and his councilors act as the Stake Presidency would! 10
minutes before sacrament was going to start Elder Benion invited Brandon and me
into the primary room, where he called Brandon as Second Councilor in the
Branch Presidency...AND...Branch Clerk. Brandon was sustained in sacrament
meeting, set apart after Sunday school, and Elder and Sister Benion got back on
a plane and flew back home. Seems to put a whole new light on the situation,
and really makes you appreciate how easy we had it at home. I was asked to
teach seminary on top of serving as a Relief society teacher. At this point not
much could shake us!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing I know for
sure....this church is TRUE! Sitting in church that first Sunday was one of the
most spiritual experiences of my life....half way across the world, away from
the comfortable church buildings I am so accustomed to, no longer listening to
the talented organist who play so easily, only looking at one not 3 suited men
who sit on the stand in front of me, in a room with several strangers not a
full congregation of members, tears came to my eyes. I knew that no matter
where I was in the world and no matter how different the church was...it would
always be the same, true to me! My testimony and faith in the Lord and his
gospel could only be strengthened by this experience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not important, where you meet, who is
there, or what is being taught...what is most important is the spirit you feel
and that confirmation from the Holy Ghost that this is the true church,
Heavenly Father and Jesus visited the boy Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove, the
Book of Mormon is TRUE and another testament of Jesus Christ, the gospel is
built upon Christ, we have living prophets today that receive revelation
directly from our Heavenly Father, and of it all I KNOW it is true! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>the Andersonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15327625373522820314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477048605158995061.post-11846370691278892152012-09-30T20:23:00.001-07:002012-10-03T06:41:05.346-07:00the beginning of a long journey...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrm8gyHNpoTL1-nh7xyTM6dTZEuXbrDk-GBaz0Lk03T7ARUncJ4AxVIzvUWh3efmmQiF1UylObgzsHgNbIGLzLgndK2P-5rPdGICQkM_UttE7jyxVei3T1bGagQL6WBJZBqT5ufYzkNg/s1600/207884_440536465985738_468739229_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrm8gyHNpoTL1-nh7xyTM6dTZEuXbrDk-GBaz0Lk03T7ARUncJ4AxVIzvUWh3efmmQiF1UylObgzsHgNbIGLzLgndK2P-5rPdGICQkM_UttE7jyxVei3T1bGagQL6WBJZBqT5ufYzkNg/s1600/207884_440536465985738_468739229_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrm8gyHNpoTL1-nh7xyTM6dTZEuXbrDk-GBaz0Lk03T7ARUncJ4AxVIzvUWh3efmmQiF1UylObgzsHgNbIGLzLgndK2P-5rPdGICQkM_UttE7jyxVei3T1bGagQL6WBJZBqT5ufYzkNg/s320/207884_440536465985738_468739229_n.jpg" width="211" /><br />
</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are finally here! Since the day I met Brandon I have known he was planning on becoming a doctor, which means he would eventually be going off to the dreaded med-school that so many people warn you about! Year after year after year across the country (little did I know I would be in a DIFFERENT country) away from family and loved ones, moving from one town to another, trying to survive on student loans, spending countless days/nights alone while HE would be struggling to pass test after test after test, and this is only the beginning. When I met Brandon I fell IN LOVE instantly, it would be safe to say, he stole my heart before we ever met, a story for another time! I knew I had really fallin, when I decided I would follow him anywhere he asked me to go, because being in Idaho WITHOUT him was way worse than being wherever I might have to be WITH him. So the life of a doctors wife I chose, and the journey has just begun...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIkbpLcTj_UOVbUSxeowJ8wflBz0XezjRt67aPqjzRdlSiw4xZ7Jtfi_HIYQW5fMCB2VH9AxiIcaUKs5NwaDvVSn9vC8RfkZrjkRX24VlWgOOYgBijUK6cWPiRf_QpVmJWl69OvX42mM/s1600/IMG_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIkbpLcTj_UOVbUSxeowJ8wflBz0XezjRt67aPqjzRdlSiw4xZ7Jtfi_HIYQW5fMCB2VH9AxiIcaUKs5NwaDvVSn9vC8RfkZrjkRX24VlWgOOYgBijUK6cWPiRf_QpVmJWl69OvX42mM/s320/IMG_0257.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brandon graduated from BYUI in the spring of 2011 and I followed the summer of 2011. He began appling for medical school right off, which is a process in itself. Almost a year passed and the suspense almost killed us, but after a VERY long process, around May we decided we would be moving to the island of St. Lucia, located in the West Indies of the Carribean. Brandon would be attending International American University. I was excited and supportive until...we made our final decision and then the fear, anxiety, and nerves hit me like a ton of bricks! But I knew, I would follow Brandon WHEREVER he asked me to go! We bought one-way-tickets, PACKED 3 suit cases each full of our stuff, and boarded a plane on Aug. 29th, 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Step one in becoming a doctor...</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 24pt 0pt 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPg3OaGDvFgcZ5VfDZvbfeDmvcDYocbykV6g59srVOVaEH9Uw4Oi48Xl0EAWQfI3F1n0WzKGzlwtZjA3b3_fHeWq9WiFzDobxWSUWf5IdrWAqoWZO_hyphenhyphenI1_aa4yzzB4aDl9aLwRt_IGc/s1600/308183_440537155985669_715398459_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPg3OaGDvFgcZ5VfDZvbfeDmvcDYocbykV6g59srVOVaEH9Uw4Oi48Xl0EAWQfI3F1n0WzKGzlwtZjA3b3_fHeWq9WiFzDobxWSUWf5IdrWAqoWZO_hyphenhyphenI1_aa4yzzB4aDl9aLwRt_IGc/s320/308183_440537155985669_715398459_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Brandon started school September 3,
2012, and had his White Coat Ceremony on that friday. At White Coat he was
presented with his white doctors coat and his stethescope, and the students
read the doctors oath. They had a dinner and presentation at a hotel in Vieux
Fort, up on the hill overlooking the ocean. It was beautiful!!! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdLJLlbThwr8GHaHVnLdD3qm7kbq0bnZnSgtFJvmylYgGi2QZ4DZEZgEL5tyU_9Cya5_9qUzSlM2y3ZShyphenhyphenXKbsqvVPImUjWuPvVFf_fn55-2RYP_Nwq6K0WPmZzDD16DR6C6JOvI-Y78/s1600/100_1070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdLJLlbThwr8GHaHVnLdD3qm7kbq0bnZnSgtFJvmylYgGi2QZ4DZEZgEL5tyU_9Cya5_9qUzSlM2y3ZShyphenhyphenXKbsqvVPImUjWuPvVFf_fn55-2RYP_Nwq6K0WPmZzDD16DR6C6JOvI-Y78/s320/100_1070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Though
the adventure has only begun and the journey will be long....its all about
making THE DREAM reality! Sometimes the path we take to get where we want to go
is not always as easy or what we imagined it to be, but its not how you get
there, but that you DO get there. A quote I </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">grew
to love and live my life by while playing basketball in Hawaii was...."we
will either FIND a way, or MAKE one!" Its not everyday you get to move to
a forgien country, an island in fact, so we take advantage of the experience,
make the most of it, and enjoy the journey!</span></span></div>
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the Andersonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15327625373522820314noreply@blogger.com3