Windmills; Moving

I absolutely love all of them.

Africans.

Touching

I saw this photo on the Invisible Children website this morning.  

I was so touched by it and thought I'd share it.

I know we've all had those days when we weren't quite sure of our purpose.

This Song Always Makes Me Smile!

Haha!  I love it!

Homework or....

So, I'm sitting here at my desk trying to finish up my homework, but as usual I start thinking about the amazing people in Ghana.  Again, as usual, I start exploring Ghana on that world-wide-web thing.  As I sit here I have tears streaming down my cheeks.

The tears today are of happiness.

Although the video I've posted isn't necessarily my story, it pretty much sums up my experience in Ghana.  The cute girl who made the video has inspired me to make my own video-within time.  My heart is still partly in Ghana so the emotions I have for the Ghanians are still too close to the surface.  These feelings make it difficult for me not to cry when I look at the pictures and videos I took of my own experience.  

Again, the tears come from both sadness (a sense of homesickness in a way) and happiness. 

I came across Morgan Hanson's (not Megan Hanson but close ;)) video while checking out orphanages in Ghana on the internet.  I feel she did a wonderful job at showing just how wonderful the children in Ghana are.  Yes, as a whole!  

I urge anyone who has a desire to travel to Africa, for whatever reason, to strongly consider Ghana as their destination.

The video is a bit on the longer side.  I'm sure some will get bored but hopefully not.  

One of the goals I have in life is to help others feel the same passion as I feel for children; whether its the children in Ghana or elsewhere-specifically children who need some extra love.

There are a few small things in this world that can bring an instant smile to my face no matter the circumstances.

Homework is definitely not one of those things.

I cannot wait to return.

I'm So Ready....

...to go back to Ghana.

So, if anyone is looking to sponsor my life so I can volunteer in Ghana please let me know!

;)

Just putting it out there!

Disneyland for $2.50

The last day of the term for the children was on December 15th.  Since funds were tight we had to cancel the Christmas program the children had been working very hard on.  So, I felt we still needed to do something fun for the children; not only for the end of the term but to make up for the loss of their program.

Not far from the school is a little playground for children to spend the day just playing and enjoying themselves.  I figured it was close enough that it wouldn't cost too much to transport the children and we wouldn't need to worry about the traffic.  

We kept the fun day we had planned as a secret all week because we knew it would blow their little minds if they knew beforehand and they had exams still to finish.

When I first saw the playground I was worried the children would be bored or not find it as fun as I hoped.  Mainly because the toys offered are toys most homes in America have just in their own backyard (with the exception of the castle).

Playground:

I was wrong...

 They jumped for joy and gave each other hugs once they saw what type of day they had ahead of them.

So cute!!!

I love her!

Just doing her own thing

and enjoying every moment of it!

Same as with most kids, when my little buddy gets quiet, I know he's up to something.  

I look over to see him going through one of the teachers bags.

 Then.....

In the picture above you can't really see but one of the other little boys, David, decided to drink someone's soda!

Little thieves!

Checkout his strut! 

Checkout David making his escape in the background.

For those of you who know who Nelly is, he reminds me of Nelly SO much 

(as far as looks go)!

Busted!

The glasses belong to Maxwell's mother so he got his shot at wearing them too!

Honestly, this small playground was their own huge DisneyLand.  However, it cost me the same amount for 33 kids as it would for just one child at Disneyland. 

It was such a fun way to end the term and to make up for the missed Christmas program.  They got to sing a few of their Christmas songs just before we left the playground.

The memories I get to keep of each child's smile will last me a lifetime. 

Bull What?!?

As I was in a taxi driving down one of the busier streets here, I saw a 

HUGE bull

tied to a little tree with a little rope.

Imagine a bunch of beautiful people dressed in their Sunday best, walking to church right past a huge bull.

Spiritual.

I can pretty much guarantee that I will never see a bull tied to any tree 

on 

State Street 

in 

SLC.

Oh, I love what I get to see in Ghana!

Merry Christmas to Me!

I'm pretty sure I found the only Dr. Pepper in all of Ghana!

My Heart

I am not sure how much longer my heart can take living in Ghana.  

Yesterday I had one of the best days of my entire life but also a pretty tough day.  

Please, just make sure never to take family for granted.

I'll post more about it later.

Just a Few Reasons Why I Love Africa