mexican candy picnic

remember all that sweet (and spicy) candy i got in the mail?
well, we decided we'd actually maybe try some of it… and hey! it wasn't all too bad.

you-tube link

ps i know, i know my stupid hanger-string is hanging out of my shirt the whole time. >:(

hope you had the best sunday ever.
i'm feeling extremely full of gratitude and a bit of nervous butterflies because i leave for italy in ONE DAY. tuesday morning is coming quick!
i hope i'm ready, (i mean i think i am, but ya know lets hope i am)
and wish me luck!

no regrets

Not sea shells, stamps, snow globes, marbles.

I "collect" M E X I C O. 

> I've developed a (bad) habit over the past fifteen 1/2 months of having to own everything I lay my eyes on that has the word "Mexico" on it. I say 'bad' cause I already have a slight spending issue as it is, lets just throw in every extra key chain, t-shirt, or sweatshirt that has a cute little "Mexico" on it. I've justified my "bad habit" by renaming it a hobby haha. Hobbies and collections are encouraged. Eh. It'll have to work so don't try to talk me out of it. 

> I don't know how these next eight 1/2 months (8 1/2!) are going to turn out, or what is going to happen. But I do know that I am happy, and having experiences that I know I won't regret. I'm learning about life and myself. Not everything is playing out exactly how I thought it would at this point in my life, but a lot of things are. And I guess thats just how life is! I wouldn't have a single thing in my life be any other way at this moment. And in the end, thats all that will really matter! 

NO REGRETS 

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!

mexico part 2: I'm such a tourist

(And the pictures just keep coming.) 

On a few of the days, when we didn't have any scheduled service, we definitely fit in some vacationing activities. 

Beautiful Sunsets.

(lots of them)

Playing in the (WARM) ocean water.

Riding Horses on the Beach.

Eating out at the little "Boobar."

Shopping at the little street markets.

Going to a spanish LDS church.

(and meeting Jordan's missionary friends! :))

And me of course, taking way more pictures then necessary!

"I got my toes in the water, bum in the sand!"

 

Jord & Jess! :)

The church is true in every language. :)

Look how cute these missionarys are! So the area I went to, Puerto Peñasco, was, yes actually in Jordan's mission! Don't worry, he is currently serving in Agua Prieta, which is about 4 hours away from where I stayed. But how many girls can say that they went to their boys mission while he was serving there? The Elders in the picture below were at a ZL conference earlier in the week with Jordan! Jord knew that I was going to their ward on Sunday so he gave them a letter to hand deliver to me. haha SO close but so far away. It was so fun for me to meet these Elders and talk to them about the mission! And it was kinda crazy to think that they were with Elder Carver just four days earlier.