One of the highlights of our summer in Greenville was the WARD. I wanted to share a few experiences I had being in this ward.
First of all, being nursery leaders was the greatest thing ever. The babies were really well-behaved, and during the third hour (after the sad ones had been weeded out and diapers had been changed) the atmosphere was quite pleasant. The best part was at the end when we'd blow bubbles. The babies LOVED it. I will always remember the face one girl made every time the bubbles were brought out. Her eyes would twitch with glee, and her tongue would hang out as she practically drooled with excitement. Haha greatest reaction ever.
Lessons were always difficult, but one Sunday we got them sitting still (AT THE SAME TIME!) and we shared a very brief story about the Holy Ghost. For once it seemed like they were actually listening! One girl was quite frightened by the ghost-talk. We tried to explain that the Holy Ghost is a "nice feeling" but she wasn't convinced. Later, she summoned all of the babies to the window, pointed out a "ghost", and got them all scared. Some babies, whom I had never heard speak before, walked around saying, "ghost! ghost!" Haha so there's that.
Bishop Jone's wife was pregnant with her NINTH child and was put on bedrest, so I offered to help with the kids and the house. What started out to be a simple service turned out to be the biggest blessing of the summer! The Jones are my favorite family. :) Cute kids, sassy kids, hormonal kids, the works. Their house is always loud and chaotic but in a good way. The kids are all best friends, even the teenagers. Sister Jones is super chill and fun and super great to hang out with! I spent most of my last three weeks in South Carolina over at their house or out shopping with Sister Jones (after she was off bedrest of course!). Their lively house and fun personalities were such a BLESSING after my lonely summer of staring at a computer screen or a book. They have served me more than I served them, and we will be life-long friends for sure.
It was actually a pretty neat experience during the week she was on bed rest. Practically the entire ward came to the rescue, bringing in meals and visiting and randomly showing up to help with the kids or the house. Her bedroom became a ward social place for a bit as people popped in and stayed for a few minutes or hours. It was so cool how the ward came together to help their family. The greatest part was that it was so comfortable!
One afternoon I was at the park with the three youngest girls (ages 1, 3, and 8). It was cloudy, and as it began to drizzle, I herded the girls under a pavilion. Minutes after we reached the pavilion, a raging hail/wind/thunder storm started! It was the most intense storm I have witnessed in my entire life. There were several other people under the pavilion, and we each had a corner to ourselves. As the storm grew worse and worse, we all inched more inward until eventually we were all smashed together on top of a table in the middle. Although the storm was insane, it was kind of a fun experience. I mean who doesn't love a good thunderstorm? I was enjoying the situation for a while, but it definitely wasn't ideal to be in charge of three babies. I had the two youngest in my arms and they were being pelted with rain. The water level underneath the table was getting higher and higher, and it was rushing fast. The thunder was getting pretty intense too- it sounded more like bombs than actual thunder. A mom was there with two little kids, and they were screaming their heads off in fear. But Everly, the cute little 1 year old I was holding, was laughing crazily while violently shaking each time the thunder hit. It was pretty much the cutest and strangest thing I have ever witnessed! Eventually, the hail stopped, the rain calmed down, the flooding finished. Sister Jones picked us up and that was that!
I looked forward to the ward temple trip for weeks. I have never lived outside of Utah before, and the reality of what other people go through not having a temple nearby hit me hard. The nearest temple, the Colombia temple, was too far away for Giuseppe to be able to go with me in the morning and make it back in time for work, so this was really my only shot. The morning of the trip, I was SO excited. Like bouncing-out-of-bed and singing-while-brushing-my-teeth excited. Giuseppe took me to the church that the morning, and waited with me for people to show up. We waited for quite a while before I started making phone calls. Apparently the trip had been cancelled!!! But because I wasn't on the email list yet, I hadn't been informed. I was seriously craving the temple, and when I realized I wasn't going to be able to go I just sobbed. It was the worst news everrrr. But Sister Taylor, the greatest relief society president ever, got wind of this and offered to take me to the temple that weekend! YES.
The long drive was so fun, she is absolutely hilarious and has some great stories. And of course the temple was amazing. It was super small. Like smaller than a church building. But so beautiful of course! A temple worker asked if we could do some baptisms for family names before the session started, and we gladly accepted. I really needed that temple trip and I am so grateful for Sister Taylor's willingness to take me. She has such a fun personality! And she is the most service-oriented person I have ever met. It's so inspiring.
The rest of the ward was also super kind to reach out to us so often. Several families invited us over for dinner and offered so much desperately needed help.
I love the examples of these members. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints should be a place of service and acceptance and this is exactly what this ward was!
And although I am sad to leave behind this place, our ward in South Salt Lake is equally as inviting and welcoming. And of course I could never forget our Provo YSA 136th Ward, where Giuseppe and I meant. Some of the most incredible, sincere young adults I have ever met have lived in this ward. I love the gospel, but I also love the church!
I don't really want to end this post on a "Yeah, my church is so cool" note though, because I should also mention that most of the people I met in South Carolina weren't members (obviously) and they were some of the most friendly, hospitable, and accepting people I have ever met. Seriously, Southern Hospitality is a real thing and the people over there are full of so much love. :)
I will miss you, South Carolina!
