Super!

Where has the week gone?! I can't believe I have already been in India for a week. Time is going by way to fast. I guess it's time to catch up. Friday afternoon the kids from the different grades put on a dance. It is such an awesome program they have here at rising star. There is always one volunteer who is a dance major. This volunteer teaches dance classes to each of the different grades. Sara, who is the current dance volunteer is leaving today, so they did a show of their dances. I loved it! The kids would get so into it. They really love to perform. The kids here at Rising Star are very fortunate because most kids would not have these kind of opportunities in their schools.

The little girl doing the splits in the red shirt is named Revathi. She was so excited when I showed her the picture I got of her doing the splits and now every time she sees me she wants me to show her the picture :)

 On Saturday we got to go to Mamallapuram to do some shopping, see ruins, and go to the beach. It was a fun but hot day! There were so many fun shops to go in and everyone wants you to go into their shop. They can be very convincing. One man said "Your friends told me to tell you to come in here, come on inside." It cracked me up because our friends didn't even know about that store; however, this man did have the best prices out of any of the shops!

We got to walk along the beach which was so relaxing and beautiful.

 This man was so nice and wanted a picture with all of us. In India the native language is Tamil, but they do know a few English words. The main one being "SUPER" they all say it anytime you show them a picture you took of them :) I am going to come back to the states constantly saying "super" because I'm always saying it to the kids and people here:)

 We ate lunch at this great restaurant called Moonbrakers. It was delicious! And it was nice to eat something other than rice and curry. I had this really good chicken with noodles dish.

This is Pravis. We were probably in his shop 3 or 4 times. He was so nice! He read our energies for us and anytime we would walk by he would invite us in to sit down by the fan. We did buy a lot of stuff from him....that's probably why he was so friendly to us:) But, most people in India are very friendly. They always wave at us and say "Hi" It could be because we stick out like no other...

My new favorite drink, FANTA! I will pretty much drink anything that is cold, unfortunately since it is so stinking hot here, the drinks don't stay cold for too long.

 This is called butter rock. I know, I know, it's impressive I held this rock up with one finger...:)

               These are just some of the ruins we saw. They were pretty cool to walk around and look at.

Today we drove to Chennai to go to church. The building was beautiful and brand new. There was such a sweet spirit in the church building. I love that no matter where I travel I feel the same spirit at church. It was fast and testimony meeting today and I loved hearing the testimonies of the people. Most of them spoke in English but a few spoke in Tamil. As I was sitting there I was reminded of my Trip to Tonga with the BYU-Idaho nursing group. I started having flash-backs of the trip and was overcome with emotion remembering the strong spirit I felt in the peaceful Island of Tonga.

For a moment I wanted to be back in Tonga and with the nurses I was with there. Then I remembered that we have the experiences we do for a reason and even though I had an amazing experience, one I will never forget, in Tonga, I am having a new wonderful experience in India. I love how the Lord knows us and understands our needs. I know I am here for a reason and that this trip is helping me become a better person.

      The house mothers helped us get dressed in Sarees for church :) It was fun to wear them, but very hot with all the fabric. Every time I would pass someone they would compliment me on my saree or point at me and say "Super!"

                                              Just a random picture during the drive back

Okay, this was crazy! It's one of those stick bug things! I wanted to pick it up but was too scared :) I am so excited for this coming week. We are going to be going to 4 different colonies and working with the kids 1 day, but we always have play time and family time with the kids in the afternoon :)