We made it

At the Las Vegas airport

After a red eye flight to New York and a full flight to Port-Au-Prince, we made it safely to Haiti. Everything went much smoother than last year as far as flights are concerned. We unpacked and sorted all the supplies we brought...................what a sight! Who knew that 15 people could pack so much stuff! It's really hot. It's really humid. It smells like pee or burning trash. I love it! As we drove to the Healing Hands property, there was some signs of improvement in some areas. But other areas look just the same as last year. Lots of rubble. So many tent cities. Only the tents look battered and torn. Sad. I'm excited for church tomorrow. The members always bring me a lot of hope for Haiti.

That's a lot of Stuff!

My friend Dave Nelson caught word that I was going to Haiti and wanted our stake institute to turn it into a service project. He worked miracles and in just 1 week this is what was donated:

Just in case you're wondering what all that is:

2 large first aid kit

1 small first aid kit

166 bars of soap

123 toothbrushes

12 tubes toothpaste

6 floss

3465 vitamins

2 bottles of lysine

4 bottles of liquid children’s ibuprofen

7 bottles of liquid children’s cold and cough

2 bottles of liquid children’s acetaminophen

3 bottles children’s chewable acetaminophen

2 bottles children’s antacid

4 bottles pepto bismol

2 boxes pepto bismol

2 boxes extra strength anti-gas

47 tubes antibiotic ointment

21 tubes hydrocortisone cream

2 tubes antifungal cream

180 Band-Aids

2 boxes dressing bandage

9 boxes gauze pads

7 boxes rolled gauze

4 rolls waterproof tape

2 rolls paper tape

1 adhesive wrap

2 bottles natural tears

1 bottle rubbing alcohol

14 bottles hydrogen peroxide

2 bottles hydrogen peroxide wipes

15 washcloths

6 hand towels

38 bottles hand sanitizer

2 bottles liquid hand soap

11 boxes wound care supplies

14 AA batteries

1 yoga mat

1450 sandwich bags

3 bottles iodized salt

1050 latex gloves

1 box oil colors

1 box water colors

3 boxes crayons

48 colored pencils

1 box markers

1 miniature foam basketball

1 bottle raspberry hand lotion

5 pairs athletic shoes

2 pairs flip flops

6 ace bandages

4 forks

4 knifes

4 spoons

192 baby wipes

1 bag full of sample soaps, lotions, etc.

1 pair scissors

1 bundle of pencils

1 bag if Q-tips

6 travel wet wipes

½ bottle Bayer low dose aspirin

Paper/plastic plates, bowls, cups, utensils

6 oz almonds

1 bottle shampoo

A HUGE thank you to everyone who donated. I leave tomorrow!

Back to Haiti

I'm headed back to Haiti at the end of the month. If you'd like to send anything along to the people down there, here is a list of what we are hoping to take with us:

2011 Haiti - Utah County Medical Team

Items Needed by March 18^th

Thank you for your interest in our humanitarian trip. Many people ask what we need this year and the following list is certainly not comprehensive so if you have something else in mind – ask the person who gave you this list or email Katie Walther at krwalther@gmail.com with your questions. We have plenty of quilts thanks to many wonderful quilters and scouts but we are in need of the items on this list.

Money is always the number one thing we need. We are able to purchase prescription medications and take them with us. We will be purchasing antibiotics, asthma medications, deworming medications, sulfa and antifungals. If you would like to make a donation, give it to any member of our team or use the email above to make arrangements to send it to us. Every donation is significant – never underestimate the power of many doing a little bit to help.

• Bathroom scale
• Children’s vitamins
• Hydrocortisone cream or ointment
• Antibiotic creams or ointments (Neosporin, triple antibiotic, etc)
• Gloves – disposable latex
• First aid supplies – gauze, band aids, tape, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol wipes, alcohol, etc.
• Children’s chewable acetaminophen

San Valentino

While serving as a missionary in Argentina, we met a man named Erminio. We loved Erminio. He was a tall, slender man in his 70's that walked with really fast, small steps and extremely good posture. He didn't see well so we ordered him one of those gigantic copies of the Book of Mormon. Man did he love that book. He would carry it around everywhere, telling his friends and neighbors about it and that they should let us come teach them. What a gem.

After a few lessons with Erminio, we decided we would teach him about the 10 commandments, specifically that we are to pray only to God and not to Saints. The lesson was going great, until we brought up Saints. Erminio got a concerned looked on his face. He went into his bedroom and brought out a small picture of San Valentino, and with all the earnestness in his little heart began to share his testimony to us of San Valentino, and how whenever he prays to him, he can get any woman he wants. Just in case you forgot, Erminio is in his 70's. And he just told us if he prays to this saint he can get any woman he want. Wow.

Well, I looked at my companion and we started giggling. Then the giggling turned to uncontrollable laughter. I know. Not the most mature response. But really? Really Erminio? Did you really just tell us that? He asked what was so funny and I made up some excuse about how we were really tired and something earlier had happened that was funny, etc., etc. I'm not sure if he bought it. Then my companion asked if she could use his bathroom. Great. Now it's just me and Erminio. After some awkward silence and me hoping he didn't pray to San Valentino right then and there, my companion came out. We ended the lesson and left.

Every Valentines day I can't help but think of Erminio and wonder if is still praying to San Valentino.

Valentine Poetry

Best Valentine I've ever received. Ever.

(inside)

....You make me blush

I go hush hush

and turn to mush

when I see your hair so lush

my ♥ starts to rush

Provo Tabernacle

The Provo Tabernacle burned down. So sad. It was such a beautiful building.

It makes the roommate pictures we took outside of it extra special I guess.

This is incredible!

We did it again this year

All growing up we always got pajamas on Christmas Eve. When we started going on missions that tradition kind of died. Last year we decided to resurrect the tradition and THIS was the result. I don't know if you can top matching footsie pajamas with glow in the dark rockets on them, but we kept the tradition alive this year anyway. Pretty good if you ask me. We also got the parents and guests involved.

Oh, and for roommate Christmas we couldn't resist either :)!

And don't forget about the 2nd annual sibling Norwegian sweater picture.

Living in HD

Last May I decided to get LASIK and it has changed my life! Seriously. Best thing I have spent money on in a long time. Dr. Harrie did a fantastic job! Can you imagine in just a minute and a half per eye you can have perfect vision?! No more blurriness when I get in bed or wake up in the morning. No more sleeping in contacts when camping. No more wondering if I'm putting some disease in my eye when I'm in a third world country. And the best part about it?...........My vision is so sharp and clear I feel like I'm living in HD!

Ooooops. So sorry

So I may have taken a small hiatus from blogging. Not on purpose. Believe me, I've wanted to post. But, well, I don't know..............I guess I really don't have much of an excuse. But I promised a friend I'd play catchup on the last 3 months (and really the last year-let's be honest, this hasn't been my best blogging year). So get ready for more regular posting :)

We Are Family

I won a photo shoot from Aynn Thurman to help support "Donate a Day for Danger." Aynn did an INCREDIBLE job. You should check out her website. I love the photos and I love my family!