Callused knees

One of the things I enjoy about my job is all of the different kinds of people that I get to meet.  Especially in the economic times that we are in it seems like there is no end to the spectrum of people that walk through the door at work.  I love hearing their stories and offering some kind of help.  More often than not I am humbled and sorrow filled by the trials these people pass through.  Nearly every day I meet someone that I end up pleading for in prayer because their stories break my heart.  The pain in their eyes nearly brings me to tears.

The other day this week a man came in.  I asked him if I could help him and he began to tell me his story.  My heart ached for him.  He was at his end and didn't know where else to go or what else to do.  As I listened I wished there was so much more I could do for him than listen.

The thing that touched me most was he was telling me all of the different things he had been trying to fix his dire situation.  At one point he pointed at his knees.  They were seriously callused and he said that most of his time not spent on his feet was time spent on his knees.  I thought of how much time I spent on my knees and pleaded with my Father.  It was kind of a reminder of what I should be doing.  The only time I have ever gotten calluses on my knees was on my mission.  I plead so much, especially in the beginning, that my knees got serious calluses.  I want to be like that again...pleading with the Father with sincerity in all that I do.

38^aPray always, and I will ^bpour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain ^ctreasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof.

D&C 19:38

Africa!!!!!

So, last summer I had the wonderful opportunity of going to Africa.  It still seems so amazing that I would have been able to go and actually live there for a couple of months.  On top of the opportunity to go there, I got to go there for an amazing reason.  What an adventure!

In May of 2009 I got on a plane flew to Ghana.  I was excited and nervous and had little idea of what really awaited me on my grand adventure.

Yeah, I had been on a plane for a long time and didn't look so good.  A plane is never the best way to sleep, but I was still excited to be there.  Ghana!!!!!

Here are my flight buddies, Kelsey and Brynn.  Little did I know how much I would come to love and appreciate these girls!

 

Here is the view off of the airplane.  Akwaaba means welcome.  I remember walking off the plane and thinking it was hot and humid and I had no idea what was ahead. 

More of the Africa adventure to come!