Walking With Pumpkins

One of the highlights of autumn in Cache Valley is the Pumpkin Walk.  Locals use pumpkins and other squash to create scenes out of books, movies, etc.   It may sound interesting, but it is pretty impressive! 

This year we were supposed to go with a bunch of people, but the rain scared most of them away.  We weren't so easily deterred. 

It gave us the chance to wear our super cool new hats as well.

And the rain was actually helpful for us because it kept the crowds small which made it much easier to enjoy the Pumpkin Walk.

You would think I would have pictures of the pumpkins, but I don't!  Not because they weren't impressive, but because the dark made it hard to get pictures of the scenes.  Though as you can tell we didn't have a hard time getting pictures of us.

If you ever have the chance to visit the pumpkin walk, you should do it!  I promise you won't be disappointed!

Sometimes I Glow

Recently, a strange phenomenon has been happening in pictures that I am in ... I glow.  For real!  It all started in Guatemala. It happened a few times and some of the pictures were kind of creepy.  Take these pictures for example (none of these pictures have been edited in the least):

 This was taken at Tikal, and is one of the first glowing pictures. Krista took several, but none worked out without the glowing factor.  Not that bad, but then take a look at this one:

This one was taken in Panahachel.  The camera was sitting on a rock and the timer took the picture.  Do I look angelic or what?!?!

I thought that this glowing thing only happened in Guatemala, and during the day thanks to the sun.  But not so! This picture was taken at the cave we went to the other week.  Night time, outside, and in Utah:

Yep - that is me up front.  The glowing continues!  I figure there are three possibilities. 

1)- The first is the most logical - my poor little pink Point & Shoot camera that I have dragged around the world is ready to retire. Sad! Though this is probably true, it doesn't explain why no one else "glows" in the pictures.  Also, it is not nearly as fun as the other two possibilities I have come up with.

2) - I ate a radioactive tamale while in Guatemala, and now I glow. My very own super power!

3) - The aliens have realized just how odd I am, and what you see in these pictures is me being prepared to be abducted so that they can study me more in depth.

What do you think?  Any other fun possibilities?

Forgotten Memories

 I spent a good part of my LDS mission in a city called Sao Gabriel.  It was my favorite city of all my time in Brazil.  I fell in love with the people, the culture, the environment.  We called it the Cidade dos Milagres (City of Miracles) as we watched so many happen there.  The people there became my family.  When I left Sao Gabriel I left part of my heart there.  I sobbed like I had never sobbed before.

Sadly, about half way through my time in Sao Gabriel my camera was stolen.  Because of this I have very few pictures of the city and people that I love so dearly.  Recently, one of my three companions who I had in Sao Gabriel posted a bunch of pictures on Facebook.  I had never seen many of them before, and instantly my mind was flooded with happy memories and homesickness. 

(As you will see, my time in Sao Gabriel happened to be winter.  Yes, there is such a thing as a Brazilian winter.  And it is COLD!)

I don't remember this particular day, but I remember this sweet woman, and I can see how happy we are in this picture. 

Wonderful, wonderful people! 

 Waiting for mail ...

 Two of my companions, and a sister who was a roommate twice during my mission.  I love each of these cute girls!!!

 

 This enormous, gentle dog was my favorite! He wanted to be anyone's best friend.

Sister Queiroz and our Cartas Vermelhas.  We had such fun! 

Sister Argolo and Sister Santos Made me a surprise birthday cake on my 22nd birthday.  The house was a MESS When we got home, but it was a fabulously memorable day! 

Zulma and Lucio.  Forever my Brazilian Family!

I have no idea where this picture was taken.  But three of the five girls in the picture were once companions.  And it makes me smile! 

We spent a lot of time with this family.  So many happy memories! 

Sao Gabriel was a military town.  We had always wanted to take a picture on the tank, but never had a chance.  The one day we had a camera the battery was dying.  We took it fast before it died, hence the pretty faces :) 

The chapel at night 

Wish I had a clue of what we were doing this night ....

District meeting!

Cassiano!  He was a 12 year old boy at the time.  He recently found my on Facebook.  One of the blessings of social networks. 

Happy, happy days.   Que saudades!