How can 3 weeks feel so short?

For the past 3 weeks I have been having the time of my life. I feel at home here at Rising Star and I am not looking forward to tomorrow. Every time I leave Rising Star, I leave another piece of myself. This year is no different. Actually this year may be harder to leave than any year before. 

Yesterday I went on a field trip with the older half of the school to an amusement park (VGP). I had such a good time with the kids. It was amazing to see them run around and just be kids all day. At the end of the day all the kids sat down in front of the park to have a snack before we left to go back to campus. This was when it hit me, I am leaving in 2 days and this will be my last time I get to play and hangout with all the kids. I felt the same as if I was in the back of the van, leaving for the airport. This was the same feeling I got 2 summers ago when I left. 

India has strengthened me and has tested me, all 3 summers I have come. Most of my experiences have been amazing and I would not trade them for anything. But I have had some lows in India, that have tested my faith, and yet I would not trade those experiences either. I needed the lows to see just how amazing my highs here have been. But I also needed those lows to grow and move forward.

Each year I have learned something different at Rising Star. The first year I formed a testimony of service and of Jesus Christ. The second year I learned to continually search to gain new testimonies and strengthen those testimonies. And this year I have learned to listen and feel the spirit always. 

I cannot describe in words just how amazing this place is. You will just have to come out and see for yourself!!! 

Kenya!!!

I went to Kenya last week (man it is crazy to think that was only last week) to volunteer at a orphanage/school with Alishia, Zach and Emily. It is sad that we only got to stay a week; I wish we could have stayed 2-3 weeks longer, but what can you do.

When Emily and I arrived in Nairobi, we were picked up by a driver and brought to the house we stayed at. As we were driving down the road, at night, we say rows of wood/tin houses. As we were driving through this the driver goes "this is where you will sleep tonight". I could only imagine the look on Emily's face when she nervously said "Okay...". We were both very confused but the driver kept on driving until we got to a little better area on the same street. We were so relieved when we got to the house (it was actually pretty nice) and were able to go to sleep.

The next morning we met up with Alishia and Zach at orientation. It was so good to see them and we were excited to hear of their travels to the Baltics, Italy and their safari in Kenya. Over lunch they told us all about each place. We got served some pretty good food at orientation that I was not expecting. We had chicken and some pasta stuff that I liked. After orientation we went back to the house Emily and I stayed at but Alishia and Zach came along and we had dinner and went to bed.

The next four days we went to the school and helped prepare lunch, grade papers, teach classes, do laundry and of course play with the kids! Oh yeah and we also sorted beans! We also got to meet so cool people at the house we were staying at, most were not American so it was good to talk to people with a different point of view than our own.

The school had about 430 students and around 60 boarders (orphans). I loved every minute that I had there and the only thing I wish we could have done was stay at the school for a longer time. We were told to leave at the end of the school day but we wanted to stay and play with the border kids. The kids were all so awesome and we loved all the time we got to play with them.

Below are some pictures we took in Kenya

This little girl lived next to the house we stayed at and the only thing she would say to Emily was "Julie". She was so cute and absolutely loved Emily :) !

This is us preparing lunch for the kids. We had to peel the smallest potatoes with a knife, but is was awesome! 

The little kids at the school on a marry-go-round. This was exhausting but a blast!

The cute kids on the playground!

We helped this man push his hand cart up a hill on our way to the school. (I have no idea how he did it himself. 

Our 4th of July outfits!!! AMERICA! Gulf of MERICA!!

We found this guy on our way back from the school. He was very talented at playing his creation of an instrument!

He them brought out this puppet. We and all the Kenyans around were all laughing because it looked so ridiculous. But it was so much fun! 

Zach didn't get the memo about "free style ugly"... 

Got to support Kenya's national soccer team!

Two of the cute girls at the school. They were both so funny.

Sorry for this being so sort and for the lack of pictures at the school. If you want to hear more about it please ask. I would love to explain it in more detail!