Eve's Study abroad - New Zealand, Samoa, & Fiji

Eve has had the incredible opportunity to spend her May and June experiencing the amazingness of the Pacific islands on her study abroad.  She flew out April 30th and spent 2 days flying to New Zealand.

She spent 2 1/2 weeks in New Zealand.

 Eve with Brooke

Eve with her favorite Kiwis

Riding in a helicopter to the top of Franz Joseph Glacier

Eve on the coast

Eve with Laney

Queenstown

Eve at an ice bar

Henna

Polar Plunge

Her cousin, Jonah crossing the bridge

Mount Cook

Wanaka Lake

Purple money

Coastline hike

Hiking with the sheep

After New Zealand Eve flew to Samoa on May 16th.  

She stayed with Samoan host families for almost three weeks and "felt very privileged to be hosted and dropped right into the culture."  She also got to help out in the LDS church school classrooms. Eve wrote, "It was a big adjustment but my mind has been expanded so much and I really enjoyed my time here,"  She also wrote "All the youth in Samoa are exuberant, generous, kind, and beautiful!"

She had a bit of an adjustment period with the heat.  Her ankles and feet were quite swollen but overall she was so happy she could go!

Here are some of her photos.

Piula Cave pool

At the beach

At the Samoan LDS High School

At the Samoan market

They slept in traditional Fales on woven mats with mosquito nets.

Papaseea Sliding rocks - Jonah, Eve's cousin was the first to try sliding down.

David O. McKay Fale in the Sauniatu LDS Village

Students from the school

Shopping around Apia

To Sua giant swimming hole/ocean trench

At the temple

Samoan village in the crater of the volcano

Watching dances for their Independence Day

Samoan countryside

Church with the YSA (Young Single Adults)

Eve then took a boat to another Samoan Island, Savai'i.

Beach Fales

Blue Starfish

Coastline blowholes

Lava fields

Samoan Money

The Taleni Family

More waterfalls and sunbathing

Her final morning sunrise before leaving Samoa.

Her farewell outfit

Eve had an incredible experience!

Next Eve flew to Fiji on June 1st.

She flew to the main island and then boated to two different islands on the Yasawa Island chain to get to the resorts they stayed in. 

 

Eve felt very grateful to have her cousin, Jonah on this study abroad!

Studying at the beach

After Eve's study abroad ended she was able to spend a few days with fellow students exploring.  She went shopping and explored the Nadi markets.

She went ATVing up into the mountains

She visited Garden of the Sleeping Giant (botanical gardens)

She went to Sabeto Mud bath and hot springs.

She was able to go sunset tubing.

Visiting a small village

Snorkeling

Photo of Eve in is her final departure outfit!!  She flew to Denver on June 16th.

She was abroad for a total of 7 weeks.

She loved the study abroad experience and really enjoyed seeing how communities in other parts of the world live.  She also loved seeing all the diverse beauties of the earth, from Glaciers to Coral Reefs (the name of her study abroad program.)

June/July Travels 2023 - Part 1 Trek

 June was full of travel adventures which continued into July.

We started off with the Pioneer Trek.  Since Matt and I were asked to be trek parents we flew Christian to stay with Annie for the long weekend!  We are were so grateful to know that he was being taken care of while we were away.

Matt and I drove the "Big Blue" van to trek so that we could help bring lots of youth from our ward.  Matt's mom, Wendy gave us the van since she will not be using it much more.  It has seen many adventures!

The theme for trek was "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

When we got to the trek starting point we met up with our "families".  Sterling and Sheri met us there in their car since they were invited to the Keys' birthday party the day before in Childress and were already out that direction.  In addition, we knew we would need an extra vehicle to leave a few hours early on Saturday.  Sheri was in the Nibarger family and Sterling was in the Holloway family.   Here is the "Smith Family.  We were happy that they were all willing to help push and pull and we didn't hear any complaining or conflict.

Back row, L-R: Genevieve Baird, Jaxon Moore, Me, Avery Keys, Grace Guymon, Sarah Mardo, Matthew

Middle Row, L-R: Victoria Terrazas, Blue Barton, Levi Mayes, Zaydon Falcon

Front: Jon Aguilar 

Not pictured: Carter Johnston and Will Kilgore

Day one included trekking into our campsite about 4 miles and setting up home base followed by dinner and games.

The wild flowers were incredible!

These were our "Smith family" girls.

The next day was focused on early pioneers and we dressed up to put ourselves in the mindset.  We even had a "water crossing."  Thank goodness for our trek leaders who rode ahead to check for rattle snakes and relocate them before we encountered them!

We took lots of breaks to rest, hydrate, and share pioneer ancestor stories.

Sterling liked to torment his "sister," Marianne (Sheri's good friend.)

Though not in the same trek family, we got some lovely time with our real kids.:)

Check out the wild flowers in Levi's hat!

These are some of the "Smith" boys along with our photographer, Josh Duncan.

At the end of the Pioneer Day.  We walked 9.2 miles.

Our "son", Levi with the best smolder!

In the evening of day 2 we had a dance.  It was SO much fun.  We even got to dance the Virginia Reel a few times.  I really enjoyed dancing with Sterling and Matthew!  Poor Sterling wasn't feeling the greatest and so had to trek the first few days with a lot of fatigue, and body aches.  He was a real trooper!

Day 3 was themed Walk with Christ and was 9.1 miles.  The youth were encouraged to bring their burdens to Christ and follow Him.  Each family was given "Burden Bags" that we took turns carrying which helped us to visualize those things that we carry through life ourselves or for others.  We also drew extra trials such as blind or crippled family members for a portion of the walk.  It helped families to help and lift each other.  I got to carry my "daughter" for quite a while.

We also had our "women's pull" on this day.

More wild flowers.

The final night we were meeting in the barn when a major storm came through.  We were able hear some wonderful testimonies until the rain on the roof became too loud.  We then moved into a second impromptu dance which the youth loved!  

At some point we realized that there was no possibility of sleeping in our tents many of which were flooded.  Each Pa took a few "sons" and went to the camp site to rescue whatever dry bedding was salvageable.  Most of the Young Women and the female leaders slept in the camp host's home on the floor and the Young Men and their leaders mostly all slept in the barn.  It wasn't ideal but certainly memorable and everyone was safe. 

Chris Moncivais and Josh Duncan (Trek Leader & Photographer), 2 of those that braved the storm to rescue gear.

Luckily for Sterling he was able to sleep in our friend's camping trailer with many of his friends.  I was so grateful since it was his 17th birthday.  Amidst the craziness of the evening his "family" took the time to share what they all love about him and eat some doughnut holes I brought for his birthday.  He had such a great attitude!

The next morning Sterling, Sheri and I left before the rest of the group so we could get them to the airport for their California trip.  Matt stayed behind to clean up and help bring the youth home.

Trek was such an uplifting experience.  We made lots of great friendships, made great memories, and enjoyed the many beauties God has created.  We are grateful that our faith was strengthened and that "All is Well."

I know that trek really helped the kids turn the corner on feeling like Amarillo is home.  They have some wonderful friendships and feel like they belong here in our stake.  I am grateful!

If you want to see an incredible recap, here is a link to our trek video. There are lots of fun moments captured in action!  Amarillo East Stake Pioneer Trek 2023

Sterling, Sheri and I raced home.  They took quick showers and I did a quick load of laundry.  Then I took them to the airport for the next leg of our adventures, California.

Matt and I spent the rest of the day cleaning up from trek and preparing for my road trip to meet up with the kids.