The next adventure involves an airplane

Okay, so, where am I going next?

hint: it starts with an "A" and ends with "frica"

Yes! I'm going back to South Africa to do some family history!


Then, next to Mozambique to work on a community development project with Care for Life to help develop a business model for training the participants to build their own small business.

I can't wait!

Home

A few weeks ago I was in the most beautiful place on earth:

Annecy, France

It's right by Switzerland and it is incredible! 

What was I doing there? 

I was serving as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I had the time of my life.

Basically,  I was a volunteer 24/7 inviting people to learn more about the teachings of Jesus Christ, giving community service, and teaching those who were interested more about how to improve their relationship with God. Every day, from 11:00-9:00 I and my companion (24/7 assigned teaching partner) would plan out to go teach, serve, invite, and organize events. 

It was infinitely cooler than any study abroad. First of all because it lasted for 18 months, and secondly because our purpose was to try and really be disciples of Jesus Christ and invite others to do the same. 

Because I was constantly inviting everyone I saw,  I got to meet so many different people, from all cultures, religion and walks of life. From the wealthy aristocrat to the inebriated homeless person, I talked to them all. I talked to people at work, in their homes, on the street, on the bus, at stoplights. Sounds totally nuts, right? I learned that I have really lived in a bubble my whole life. Everyone around me was like me, had dreams, wanted answers to their questions--and it was so enriching to talk to them. Even if they weren't interested in our missionary message, I really respect and love those thousands of people I talked to over those 18 months. Before going on mission, I don't think I had ever talked to anyone I didn't know (well, other than saying "thank you" at restaurants or at the grocery checkout)! 

18 months of walking = dead Clarks

I think the thing that surprised me the most was that I love talking to strangers, despite the occasional odd encounter. 

It was hard because I had to be very patient with myself learning how to be a better friend, and gaining socializing skills...still working on it actually ;D

Now I'm back. Time for some different adventures! I'll be doing some flash back moments to share some of the things I learned and fun experiences I had.

Nothing makes a conversation starter more awkward than a large board. Definitely will have to use it more often.

Translation: You are here. Why?

Jours de pluie à Paris

I love the rain. 

and street art.

I love autumn. autumn+rain=joy

This is what the Eiffel Tower looks like on a rainy day:

I love umbrellas. especially in the rain.

I love clouds. I love taking pictures of clouds...and everything, actually. 

*jaw drop*

I love people watching. These tourists are kissing.

"Portrait of smooching tourists taking self-portrait"~Hailey

   Friendly statues are what makes the world go 'round. Oh wait, that's love. If you don't agree with that go and discuss it here.

I like lions. almost as much as I like narwhales.

I love living in Paris. 

but sometimes I miss home.

rainy days are nostalgic like that.

Speaking of rainy days, you must listen to this song. 

Mmm. Remind me to find a guitar-playing lad.

The Beginning

      I love airports. No matter how long it has been since your last time flying things are pretty much always the same: the smell of coffee and linoleum floors, shady characters, noisy groups of whippersnappers, crying kids, aggravating bureaucrats, the people in the security line who forget to take metallic items out of their pockets about four times in a row, and the glazed-over look all the international flyers have. I love the sense of adventure airports have--you can defy gravity, go anywhere in the world, and see anything you'd like.
     We started our journey in the Salt Lake City airport, had a layover in Washington D.C., and then had a super long flight to Senegal where we re-fuled and then went to the massive Johannesburg airport where we caught our final leg to Cape Town. Phew, even listing all of those layovers makes me tired! My family and I counted up all the time flying and waiting in airports and came up with a grand total of 36 hours! We then got a rental car and drove to a relative's house to finally catch some z's.