First Day

We packed their bags the night before with everything from the checklist. Lunch, check. Snack, check. Waterbottle, extra clothes, a hat, check. 

We made sure they were both wearing the right uniform. 

We took the city bus two stops and hiked over the foot bridge. 

Dave and I stood at the door of their new classrooms and watched them. Of course we had tears in our eyes and smiles on our faces. Drop off always does that to me. All of a sudden they look so big. 

Gage walked right in his classroom giving little waves to friends. He grabbed a book and made himself at home. 

Noah was more hesitant to enter his. He stayed right behind my elbow for awhile. Mr. Dennis asked him if he was nervous and said he was too. After 3 years at this school there were a lot of kids in the class that he knew. When he was good and ready he walked in and took a seat.

I'm going to miss these guys during the day. But I'm already enjoying the structure and routines that the school year brings. Cant wait to see what these guys will do.

 

15 months

I love when Sybil wakes up from her nap. Her hair is messy and her cheeks are soft. 

And she is happy. 

Which makes me happy too.

girls camp

 

Just a couple days after we got back to Singapore, I headed to Bintan, Indonesia with some incredible young women from my ward for Girls' Camp.

 

 

Our short 3 days were filled with sunrise devotionals, scripture study, camp certification, a testimony meeting, smores around the camp fire, crafts, skits, a hike, a service project with fun free time mixed in.

 

 

The girls helped cook a few of the meals.

   

Amy got brave and touched the top of a jelly fish and then everyone did. We only saw a couple and were really glad that no one got a sting.

The Daynes. The cutest couple at camp.

 

 s'mores

beach lanterns

 

We hiked to the top of Gunang Bintan Mountain which is Bintan's sacred mountain.

The misty view from the top. It rained on the way back down making everything very slippery and difficult. But these girls were amazing. 

Everyone says the service project was their favorite part. We visited some elderly people in the village who were alone on Hari Raya (a muslim holiday to end the Ramadan month of fasting). Some homes had electricity, some did not. Some had a kitchen sink, some only a spigot. We came bearing gifts and singing songs but found a humble spread of traditional homemade biscuits waiting for us at each of the 6 houses. They were so happy to see us. And so gracious.

singing

These two kids started following us around dressed in their new Hari Raya clothes.

Each of these young women was so inspiring. I'm so glad I was able to go with them, get to know them better, and feel their testimonies.

 

A papaya tree

 

The leaders in front of our hut. It was so great to be able to spend more time with these amazing women.

I know it all looks very glamorous but I don't happen to have any pictures of the mosquito nets around our sleeping cots, the bucket we used for our shower, the very very loud call to prayer coming from the nearest mosque at 4:45am every morning for 30 minutes or the mounds and mounds of mosquito spray we used. I was definitely happy to get home to my shower after a few days like one should after girls camp.