5 Things I Love.

1. texts from my best friend.

2. the gym.

3. my own bed.

4. apples and peanut butter.

5. a boy with red hair

cache valley tomorrow. couldn't be more thrilled.

xoxoAbbs

The Ginger.

I think its safe to say that starting in the fall, I'm going to get 

really familiar with the drive from Provo to Logan.

And I'm so okay with that.

xoxoAbbs

Susan&Judith.

June 8.

National Best Friend Day.

Grateful for the one God's blessed me with.  

Love you, Susan.

PuraVida::CostaRica

forgive my sweaty forehead and burnt scabby nose, but this is one of my favorite pics from the whole trip.

January: decided to go.

February: payed downpayment.

March: purchased plane tickets.

April: payed program fee.

and all the sudden it was here.

May 5, 2012. The day we'd been waiting for.

We got in the car with our Mama's and our Laura,

and we were on our way.

Destination: SLC International Airport.

We checked in, payed our luggage fee;

Shelbie's bag - 29 lbs. My bag - 48 lbs.

We gave our hugs and kisses,

and waved and waved and waved.

It was finally real life.We were going to Costa Rica.

Lots of lounging in airports and 7 hours of plane rides later,

we landed in San Jose.

6:07 am.

We were picked up by a man named Leo who took us to our house.

We drove through the country side,

And spoke some broken Spanglish.

We drove into the Residential Espanolita,

Where we were greeted by Juan and Angie Orozco.

And there it began.

The days felt like years, but the weeks flew by.

Rice and beans. Rice and beans. Rice and beans.

Pineapple, Mango, Papaya, Bananas, Plantains.
Game shows, Singing Contests, A TV without an off switch.

Stolen iPones, Buses, Accidents, Police Officers, J-Walking.

Round Abouts, Peanut M&M's, and some more Rice and beans.
And guys, the most darling little children.

Valeksa, Ian, Isabella, Maria Paula.
Mariana, Gabriel, Suelen, Samantha.
Little children who babble in Spanish,
Even when they know you don't speak a word.
Children who want to swing and swing,
And write the English ABC's.
Little Costa Ricans that look like they're American,
And so. much. hair.
Puzzles and memory games and coloring books.
Little toy cars and dirty scraped up knees.

Swinging and sliding and naps on the ground.
Snack time and Coca-Cola and whipping cream.
Dirty diapers and homework and runny noses.
Smiles and tears and holding hands.
Brushed teeth and bleeding gums,
And PJ's and sweats and braids.

It was heaven. I was in heaven.
Just to forget myself and sit crossed legged on the ground,
And hold a child who needs a little extra love,
It was incredible. It was life changing.

Seriously, if you ever EVER have the opportunity
To travel abroad and serve God's children,
DON'T PASS IT UP.
Go. Serve. Get your hands dirty. Sweat.
Sweat and sweat and sweat.
Get sunburnt and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Because I promise, I KNOW, you will not regret it.

Pura Vida, kids. And Happy Costa Rica.

Sleepovers & Lunch Dates.

I'm looking forward to days filled with hellos, and welcome homes, and I've missed yous.

Instead of goodbyes, and good lucks, and I'll see you soons.

I'm grateful for sleepovers, and lunch dates, and walks down memory lane,

And don't miss the heartache, the longing, and the fear of it never being the same.

I can't wait for the six solid weeks that I get to bear testimony, and be an example,

And become the inspiration for young teenage girls, just like my counselors were for me.

I'm excited for days filled with longboarding and laughing and the canyon air,

Instead of the library 4th floor study room, bony landmarks, and formaldehyde.

I'm counting down the days until I get to get on that plane, sitting next to my longest friend,

And go sing songs, and get dirty, and feel the sunshine kiss my cheeks, and not think about me.

I'm secretly so grateful that they're not going to Chicago, but only to PaloAlto,

So that I can plan road trips to go kiss those chubby cheeks and smell that baby boys head.

In a way, I'm grateful for a harsh goodbye, and for tears, and for the knot in my chest,

Because it proves that it wasn't all for nothing, but also that I've got so much to look forward to.

"Happiness is a direction, not a destination" & I'm defffinitely going in the right direction.

I am happy, life is good, and the sun is shining. I love today.

-Abbs.