YAY WEEKEND!




SHOUT OUT

On Saturday, we went to a town called Mamallapuram and saw some awesome temples and ruins. There was also a beach and it was beautiful! Well, okay, the beach is beautiful from a distance and looking off into it, but then interesting when you look at the sand which had all sorts of buried treasure: seashells, dead fish, a dead, dried up puffer fish, crab claws, sea sponges, sandals, tooth brushes, bottles... we then found a shortcut to get us back to the streets, but as we were walking, Allie goes, "Is that a snake?" I was right beside her, I looked down and there was a sickly green, long snake curled up. I stared at it for a second and then I think my brain finally registered and screamed. Everyone else screamed too and ran away, but I grabbed my camera, hahaha. Once I snapped a photo, I ran away. Ohhhh my GOSH, that snake was HUGE. I didn't see how long it was and I didn't know where his head was, but if was as thick as my lower calf! We're pretty sure it was dead. After I had my scared moment, I just was laughing so much because I was so happy! It was my goal to see a big snake before I left and I DID! WOOOO!



Saturday night was movie night with the kids and you know what we saw??? THE BEST MOVIE EVER........but not really, hahaha! We watched an Indian comedy movie and I had no clue was was going on. The girls would try explaining it to me what was going on, haha. I have to say, my favorite parts were these random scenes. You  could tell the main character was in love, so they would then show these mini-music videos of him running on a beach or wearing thug clothes in a field...what the... hahahhaha!!! I thought it was SO FUNNY and would laugh, but the kids would look at me and I would ask them, "Oh wait, is this not a funny part?" and they would say, "No Auntie," - oh my bad.. I apparently I laughed at the wrong parts. Even though I had no idea what was going on, it was such fun being with the kids and having them trying to explain it to me. Instead of watching the movie, I caught myself looking at them and smiling: man oh man oh man....I love these kids!





Today we traveled 2 hours to Chennai for church. Our directors informed us that church is usually English, but them is also Tamil spoken. When we walked into the chapel, we took our seats and listened as the choir sang hymns. I opened up my hymn book and started singing along and one girl motioned me to join in. It made me so happy singing with them! It was fast Sunday...MY FAVORITE! There incredible Spirit so present. Indian Latter-day Saints express their happiness and as they testified of Christ and of His gospel, their whole countenance shined bright. I got up to the podium and beared my testimony. I want to share it with you all as well: It is so amazing that the church is the same no matter where you are in this world and that same Spirit of God is present. I was so happy and filled with such love that thats how I know God's love is real...everywhere and to everyone. I love my Indian brothers and sisters. Sitting in church, it just felt like home.  They are my family. I know that Jesus Christ died for everyone one of them as He did for me - joyful tears were going down my face and it touched my heart seeing the congregation smiling at me and nodding in agreement.



I noticed that another van came full of several kids from Rising Star. Some of them are actually members, while others just come waiting to be 18 to be baptized or by getting permission from their parents. Wow, I didn't know that! I asked the girls if they come to church every Sunday, but they come every other. Since there are not enough vans, the older girls and boys alternate Sundays. Next week will be the boy's turn. I wish they had a bus that could bring them all together! It made me realize even more what a blessing Rising Star is....not only providing a way to education, but also it opens the door for missionary work. A lot of these kids are either Muslim, Hindu, majority Christian. I am so impressed by the youth here. Anytime they spoke or participated, they declared and testified with boldness and confidence. And oh my goodness Relief Society and the sisters....such passion! These women love the Lord and as one sister put it "Nothing will come between me and the gospel! Nothing!" It is the same for me :)

FAVORITE QUOTES by the kids:

- "You would look better black!"
- "Why are you yelling? I am right here!" - dang, am I really that loud??? hahaha

- "Your name is Moose? I will call you snake or peacock!"

- "In America, how do you clean yourself after using the bathroom?"

- So Mariambee gave me a heart necklace and I asked her, "Are you sure you want me to have this?" and she replied, "When I give someone a gift, it is theirs forever." I said to her, "Well you can have my real heart forever!" and she replied, "If I had your heart in my hand, you would be dead!"