P.S.- The time is wrong on these and I'm not sure why... it's 2:30...

Iglesia de Jesucristo y los santos de los ultimos dias

I woke up at 7:15 this morning and did not get back until 2. Between those hours it was an adventure!

We left at 8 on a "gua gua" (the word for bus... although it was more like a van) towards the city of the church. There were an average of 20 people crammed into the little vehicle and the "cobrador" who was in charge stood in the doorway holding on for most of the ride there and back. All kinds were on the gua gua from a gentleman who played his guitar for us to a woman with a crying baby to some interesting old men with an affection for young gringas. My cheeks were asleep by the end of the 45 minute ride, but it was an experience.

Church in spanish was hard to understand. I've never stayed for the full 3 hours at the LDS church at home, so having my first full church experience here was a little confusing. The feeling of church doesn't need to be translated though and I always love it there.

Tonight we are having dinner here at the hotel and right now I am sitting next to the kitchen where the food is being prepared... yum! The tables are decorated with candles and fern leaves. It's very pretty.

I've been taking pictures, but I probably won't be able to put them up until I get to Mexico. I love you all!!! :) :) :)

Bienvenidos a la Repulica Dominicana!

First of all, this is the most beautiful place in the world.

...Second of all, it is also the hottest.

We flew in over a beautiful blue-green ocean and sandy beaches. You could make out horses on them from the plane. Everyone clapped as we touched ground and my only thought was "I'm going to love it here."

... Then I stepped into the heat.

To be continued! I'm going on a tour of the town!!! :)

... Okay aaaand I'm back.

My second realization after the intense heat was this: I am clearly meant to be Mormon. I've been going to the LDS church in Chapel Hill and now I'm living with a group of girls from BYU! It's a sign! I'm going to church (in spanish!!!) with them tomorrow and I'm super excited.

Everyone here on the program is three things: super nice, super smart, and super fun. I couldn't have asked for a better group and I can already tell we'll get close by the end of the trip. I'll probably cry.

In other news Dominican kids are SO CUTE. So if I come back with one, don't worry, I didn't make it, I stole it.

Anyway, there's not much to report on quite yet... People are still ariving so we spent the day on the beach and I got super-duper burnt on my shoulders (Don't worry mom, I used after-sun AND advil!) We met a couple of nice shirtless Dominican boys and I had some broken conversation with them as I was getting knocked over by the crazy waves. We're being super cautious thought, don't worry.

We start orientation on Monday! I'll update again then! Miss you already!

"Every day here is like the new best day of my life" -Sarah

Twelve.

Days.

I'm mostly posting to check that my blog is functional before I go. I'm getting really nervous and excited... but mostly nervous. It's still very unreal! I haven't even started packing!

Wish me luck! :)