A story about a boat

Earlier this month, to avoid getting deported, I found myself on a boat headed to a different country. 

Is this really my life?  Sheesh.

Okay, in all seriousness, I wasn’t on the brink of jail, but I definitely needed to renew my passport due to some VISA issues that are currently getting resolved.

Thankfully, I have a husband who knows how to make anything good…and fun.  We weren’t on a rowboat, although the thought of that is just too good – but rather ‘a luxurious ferry ride’ with tango dancers providing some serious entertainment value…without any air conditioning. ;)

Anyway, let’s back up a bit.  We drove to Buenos Aires, stayed in a nice hotel, and met a real life never been out of Scotland Scottish couple in need of major help communicating with the front desk.  I’m pretty sure it was easier for me to understand the Argentines better than the Scots.  That was an experience - wow.

The next morning, we took a taxi to the boat port and boarded the boat.

 

It was nice.

Gabe handled it like a champ even though the a/c wasn’t working.  Have I mentioned that I love rocking my babies?  I love rocking my babies.  

AnnMarie seems to be not so little at all anymore. It seems like just yesterday when she was the one I was rocking.  Okay, I’m about to cry.  Moving on…

This looks like we’re passing by a deserted island.  We probably were - anything’s possible down here.

Check out the guy stripping down back there – nice.   

I’m excited to share our Uruguay pictures – it was so beautiful. 

In the meantime, read this incredible story my cousin shared on our music site. 

Behind the Scenes

Remember those LDS missionaries I talked about who helped us deliver sticker bags on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?  With the remainder stickers that trickled in, they also delivered sticker bags on New Year’s Day and The Day of the Magi (January 7th).

These two are amazing…simply amazing.  Both exhibit incredible ambition, faith, and zest for life. 

We couldn’t have done it without them.

Elder Larson (from Arizona) and his companion from Ecuador:

Future missionary who provided smiles:

The Deseret News posted this Top Story article today.  We are so humbled, but excited to share the love. 

A few final thoughts on this whole deal

First of all, let me just say that I believe true service is done quietly.  I never intended for this project to gain as much attention as it did.  It has been incredibly humbling to instigate a service idea that snowballed and included so many others.  My husband and I have been inspired by all the families, individuals, and children who took hold of this simple, but meaningful, opportunity to serve.  It’s definitely made us want to be more vigilant in seeking and acting on service opportunities that others initiate.  Like all acts of service, I really believe that the givers in this project were just as equally touched if not more so than the recipients.

I was so inspired to see the excitement and dedication my girls exhibited throughout this project.  A lot of times, we tend to think that young children need to be older before they’ll really grasp the whole idea of giving, but truly, it’s never too early to teach children the importance of simple Christ-like service.  Service does not have to be grand; it really can be as simple as giving someone some left-over stickers with love.

My two rag muffins with their never-to-be-forgotten beanie babies.

In reality, it’s tough stuff going from a first world country to not a first world country.  I don’t like to share the major challenges that accompany the opportunity it is to live in a foreign country on top of the fact that I don’t consider myself a complainer although my husband might beg to differ, but let me just say that The Sticker Project was a huge blessing for our family amidst some difficult trials we faced in December.  With the bad comes the good, and frankly, it’s up to us to seek it out. 

So…cheers to 2012 and the mountains we’re climbing.  We loved celebrating New Year’s,

and we look forward to sharing the upcoming year with you.