M E X I C O last entry.

The last batch of pictures from Mexico!

Once a month Dr's from the US travel over to Mexico to donate their time and assistance. We got to participate in assisting with the clinic they set up and entertain the kids while everyone waited their turn. We handed out fliers for this event earlier in the week so people knew when and where to go, it was humbling to see them arrive in their best dress as they gratefully got assistance and health care. This was one of my favorite parts of the trip. I learned of some of the saddest stories and met the neatest little spirits. It made me mad that these kids and these good people have to go through such bad, and hard things. And I couldn't help but wonder WHY my life has been relatively so easy? I don't think I will ever understand, and all I can do is be grateful that there are people more fortunate who are willing to lighten others burdens just a little.

We had a real good time playing and laughing all day and the little smiles definitely made it easy to forget about the scorching Mexico sun.   

She decided it was for sure more fun when I was the canvas haha.

Melissa 

Bella 

Sweetest little puppy ever. He stole my heart, all he wanted was someone to love him. :( I'm not even an animal person but all the stray puppies were starting to get to me. We met this (crazy) lady who had moved to Mexico from the U.S. and was trying to run a puppy rescue. I admire her for trying to help these little guys.. but with the amount of stray dogs running around, her services barely make a dent in comparison. But I guess at least some happy puppies are better than none. Bless her heart. 

This was the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen, these pictures were taken from my phone and haven't been edited at all, and it still looks like this! I can't get over how pretty this sky was on my last night in Mexico! Definitely an appropriate way to say goodbye, until next time!

Adios, amigos!

Puerto Peñasco, live a little love a lot

(get ready for a major picture overload) 

I can't believe that my week in Mexico is already over! Time flies when you are having fun. 

This is a week that I will definitely never forget. It's safe to say that my experiences have had a positive affect on my life. And while, yes, we were doing humanitarian service we definitely would give a little and then get a little...

okay get a lot.

As you can tell from the beautiful resort that we stayed at. ^ Our condos were amazing, but it was kinda funny. It was like they were their own oasis. We drove through this flat, ugly, dry, desert and out of no where, and in the middle of no where stood our huge condos with pools and a breathtaking beach!   

So how did I find myself with a group of gymnastic coaches in Puerto Penasco? My best friend, Madi use to work for Lil Flippers gymnastics before she left on her LDS mission. As a staff they have gone on this trip every year for the past 5 years, and she use to join them with her twin, my best friend Kenzie. I was able to take Madi's place this year, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that I had to do so.

 Flippers Gymnastics cooperates with a man from Mexico named Alberto. Alberto doesn't have a job, instead he spends time looking for donations, sponsors, and any type of funding so he can provide meals for the local schools, and assist with other needs that the children have. He feeds his family with the bare minimum and the rest goes to his ongoing service. He was an amazing man! And was a much needed translator as we communicated with the locals. (I have developed a new found ambition to learn spanish by the way! Rosetta Stone is calling my name.)

 For the majority of the kids, the one meal that they receive at school is the ONLY meal that they are able to get that day. A spoonful of rice and beans means a lot more than you would think it could to these kids. 

One of the main issues with getting the kids to school is the fact that in order to go to school, you are required to have shoes. (Just like you do for any public school.) But so many of these kids cannot afford new pairs of shoes. 

(no shoes = no school = no meal)

Keeping these children in school is so important for their futures! Just like anywhere a focus on school derives attention from negative behaviors like teen pregnancies, drug abuse, and gang involvement. And trust me, after you meet these sweet little spirits it would break your heart to think of any of them falling into those situations. The little spanish children truly are so beautiful and soo humble and sweet. Even though there was a language barrier, it's true that love is the same in every language. And that was all these kids expressed to us! Without even knowing who we were they instantly wanted to hold our hand, give us hugs, and just be with us. The excitement and gratitude that they expressed from getting a pair of shoes (from the donations that we brought) is priceless. A great lesson needs to be learned from their simple bliss.