NICARAGUA!!

WOW!! We actually made it to the beautiful land of Nicaragua!! It has been an exciting journey so far! We left St. George at 3:30AM on Saturday and drove to Las Vegas. After boarding our plane we flew to Atlanta where we met up with Saia and Line Hafoka. The boys were so excited!!

Waiting in the airport.



We were flying stand-by and lucky for us, all four of us got to fly first class!! It was so cool and a great way to start off our adventure!! After arriving in Nicaragua they checked everyone for Swine flu and we all passed! We waited at the airport for Hermana Flor to pick us up. Driving back to her house was crazy!! They have stop lights and lanes but it seems like they are optional. Also, the locals honk there horns every chance they get, either to say "hey I'm not stopping at this red light," or to let you know they're getting close to you and then again when they pass someone, or to see if you need a taxi. They mostly just honk a lot.


This is us at the airport and the porch at Hermana Flor's house where we stayed.


In the morning we woke up and took a taxi and a bus to Leon where we went to church. It was so neat to see the members who knew Cameron. They were all so excited to see him, they even called him fat! HAHA it was funny. After church, we went to Chichigalpa where Cameron and Saia lived in the same house. We were able to make it to meet up with the Quinantilla family before they left church. This was the sweetest family they have 5 kids who were so polite and sweet to all of us! They even took us to lunch which was greatly appreciated by us!

Cameron and with the Quinantilla's. This is there little boy, he is six and is an entertainer!


Cameron and I with President Quintantillo and his wife at lunch.


We fit 12 people in this car to go to lunch!!


"Adios!!"



After we finished eating, we went to visit some families that Cameron baptized. They lived in one of the poorest areas in the country. It was very humbling to see how these people lived. We are so lucky to have the things that we tend to take for granted at home When we finally found Elba and Malin Luz's house they were so excited to see "Elder Cook." I am so grateful that Cameron was able to teach the gospel to so many people, you can tell how much they love it!

The Luz's and all their kids!!



Cameron and Saia's house in Chichigalpa.



After driving back to Leon we split up from the Hafoka's to go visit some families. Cameron and I walked around Leon the night life here is so different than in the States. Everyone just opens there front doors and sits outside and visits. I loved it, I wish it was like that at home! After our little walk we went to Johanna's house, Cameron ate at her house often as a missionary. She made us the typical Nicaraguan dish Gallopinto (rice and beans) with scrambled eggs and it was actually pretty good!

Cameron with Johanna and her three kids.



Our Hotel in Leon, Los Balcones.



The Cathedral in Leon. It's the biggest Cathedral in all of the Americas.




This is the creepy Jesus statue inside the Cathedral



On Monday, we made the trip from Leon to Esteli. On the way we saw lots of farms, the cows don't even look like cows because they are so emaciated, I felt sad for them! The road was crazy, there were these huge pot holes and kids would fill them with dirt and stand on the side of the road expecting to get get money for their work. The bus/van that we rode in didn't really have enough room for the four of us but that never stops the nicas!!

Cameron and I aren't sitting on the actual car seats we are sitting in these homemade chairs that are balanced in the aisle. It was pretty crazy!




While in Esteli, we ate quesillo! It's a soft corn tortilla filled with onions, cream, and cheese. Cameron was super excited to eat these!!



So far we have had a wonderful trip! I'm super excited to see what the rest of the week brings! I will try to post again tomorrow! Goodnight and we send our love!

Oh yeah, Heather we found ceresas and we got come for you!!

Lately...

Over the past few weeks and over the next few weeks Cameron and I have been and will be super busy with school. It's getting close to finals so of course it's getting crazy! Luckily, we have been able to make some good friends down here in the land of St. George! Since I didn't get to go up north to see my family over Easter I made Cameron color Easter eggs with me. I never knew he had such a knack for coloring eggs! Here are some photos!


Cameron was really focused! Ps that's his purple egg!

Dan and Brittnie had fun too, Dan even got a little worn out!


We went on a camping trip a few weeks ago too! It was lots of fun, we slept on the ground, roasted hot dogs, marshmallows, starbursts, and basically anything that could burn! We hiked the Emerald pools hike in Zion and it was so much fun!! I forgot how much I really do enjoy hiking!

My little nerd!

Ok, so I knew when I married Cameron, that he was a nerd. I knew he enjoyed playing video games of all kinds. But, I never thought I'd come home and see him with a head set on talking to his buddy from school trying to figure out the best tactic to kill zombies... I have been proven wrong.

*Those are his nursing books on the table, he does study sometimes... I guess I should give him a break, I mean, he did watch 2 C-sections and a live birth today. He's been scarred for life!!

HAHA j/k I still love ya Cameron!

Finally, Something Exciting!

It has been so long since we have had something exciting to blog about! It is Spring Break and we were lucky enough to be invited to spend the weekend with Courtney and Marc Hansen in California! We had a weekend full of fun and exciting activities. We went to the San Diego Temple, which was just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. We walked through Balboa Park, looked at a botanical garden, and listen to a man at the veterans museum tell us his life story! The next day we got to go to the beach! The water was freezing, but eventually the whole gang got in and did some serious body surfing!! We had planned on trying not to spend too much money on food so we made PB & J sandwiches for lunch, it's too bad the seagulls got to them first!! On Monday, we went to the happiest place on Earth, Disneyland! It was more crowded that we expected, but we still had so much fun! We didn't go on Splash Mountain until like 9:30 when it was dark and a tad bit chilly, we all got soaked! Good times! We had so much fun and we are super glad that Courtney and Marc invited us!!


Here are some photos from the weekend!











This was right after Courtney and I tried to chase the seagulls away from our lunch... we were too late!





Yes, we still take cute and ugly pictures!!


This was right after getting off Splash Mountain with our wetness!!

So, I have come to a conclusion that Easter time is the best time for chocolates and treats and goodies!! I went to the grocery store today and I was drawn to the easter candy aisle. I wanted to buy EVERYTHING!! I think I was enticed by the pretty pastel wrappers. Easter candy always seems so fresh, the chocolate always seems just a little softer than normal. Some of my favorite easter treats are: Cadbury Mini Eggs, Cadbury Creme Eggs, Reeses Eggs, Springtime Oreos, Easter Mini Kit-Kats, and even Peeps! I really don't like Peeps at all, but there is something about those yellow chicks and pink bunnies that makes me want to buy them!!
















But seriously, the next time you are at the store pick up a bag of Mini Eggs!! If you leave them in your car on a warmer day they will get melty and then when you eat them, it's like heaven on Earth!! Cameron recommends the Cadbury Creme Eggs, though he is mad that they continue to get smaller every year! Well friends, have a lovely day and make sure to chack out all the Easter Candy fun!!!

D'Males

So every year the Springville Drill team seniors choreograph a dance for the Seniors boys to perform at a halftime at a basketball game. Ever since I graduated I couldn't wait to watch my little brother, Colton (right) perform. The game was on Friday and I am so proud of him, he was even chosen to be the Drill Mister!

Yes, I did do his hair and make-up. Also, a video of the dance is posted on my parents' (The Tudor's) blog, I recommend you watch it!!

Being a Missionary

A few months ago I wrote a blog about Cameron playing soccer and how I have learned to enjoy the sport. Well, it seems that because of him playing soccer we were able to be blessed with an opportunity to go to a missionary discussion this evening. OK so it's not only because he plays soccer, it was also because Cameron can speak Spanish and he plays soccer with other Latinos from aroud town. One of the boys in the family that the sister missionaries are teaching plays soccer, but he always plays on Sunday. So, the sisters felt that Cameron could be a good in because his group of friends play everyday and not just on Sunday!

It was such a neat experience for me to sit in on the discussion. Yes, it was all in Spanish and I couldn't understand anything that was being said, but I could still feel the spirit so strongly. It amazes me how strong the Spirit was in that small room and I truly hope that that family will open their hearts and let it teach them. I am so grateful that I have the Gospel in my life and that I don't have to deal with the tests of life without Christ there to carry me! I am so lucky! Also, being able to watch Cameron teach this family added to the amazing experience. I am so lucky to have a husband that loves the Gospel and wants to share it with others!