Faith-Filled Experience

AoTEARoa

New Zealand is crying today. It's been rainy the past few days actually. It knows we are leaving. I feel the exact same way. I packed my bags up today, ready to depart tonight for the USA. My room is empty, replaced with the memories and lessons learned. Not a bad trade-off though. I wouldn't change it for anything.

How do I even begin to express my feelings for this place. It truly is a unique land. I have never felt the same way as I do here. This place has really changed me. I have been changed for good. Each chapter of my life is so different. It is sad to think this chapter is coming to an end. It scares me to think I might never come back. So much of who I am now and what I have become is because of this experience. I owe so much to this land, the people, and the deep lessons they have taught me. I will never forget it.

I love the green landscape.

I love the laid back nature.

I love the people. How do I even begin to describe my love for them?

I love that they wear the same clothes for multiple days.

I love the Samoan language.

I love the white clouds.

I love the sound of the rain on my window, the feeling of it on my face.

I love the ice cream.

I love Samoa.

I love the music.

I love the Butters.

I love Vicky's quick smile, Bowen's laugh, Hyrum's shyness, Emily's stories, Anthony's work adventures, Sheryl's advise, and Scott's spirituality.

I love their house.

I love our secluded lake behind the house.

I love listening to ABBA.

I love my bike. Savannah has treated me well.

I love my ward. How everyone knows my name, and uses it.

I love my kids. Room 12 will always be a part of me.

I love sausages.

I love the diversity.

I love knowing my way around.

I love the lollies.

I love the skytower.

I love the northland.

I love the south island.

I love the limited internet access. It makes us conserve it.

I love not having a cell phone.

I love late night talks with Sheryl.

I love our dock where we sit for hours overlooking the lake.

I love our bridge.

I love mini adventures to the city, and beyond.

I love how they add "r" to the end of words. Kiwitea is said like kiwitear.

I love heaps, ages, dodgey, choice, eh, proper, growling, trundler, cool as, muck around, jolly, shivers, tea, yous, etc.

I love the sheep.

I love all the biscuits.

I love the farms.

I don't love all the Asians.

I love the Maori culture.

I love taking off my shoes before going inside a house.

I love walking around barefoot.

I love walking into a shop and seeing most of the people inside shoeless.

I love having an "item" at FHE.

I love moving Janet's mattress into my room at night.

I love the humidity.

I love the way my skin feels.

I love milo.

I love Henderson South.

I love the chocolate.

I love the fresh clean air that fills my lungs.

I love my bedroom and bathroom.

I love kumera.

I love everything about this place.

I went back to my school today to say my final goodbye. Talk about a self esteem boost. That is one place I KNOW I am loved. Without even saying one word to anyone, I just feel different there. Everyone was calling out "Miss Cardna!" and I got mauled with hugs and kisses. I was squeezed so hard. But it felt so good. It was familiar. It was like I belonged there. Room 12 did a fabulous job with their assembly, complete with Samoan dancing and giving us leis as visitors. That is definitely one place and memory I will always cherish.

The theme of this whole semester has been faith. We've talked a lot about using faith to overcome fear. I think it is correct to say we all have gained a lot of faith because of the experiences we have had here. It isn't easy to see your kids walk to school with sores up and down their legs because their parents can't take them to the doctor, or nits in their hair that aren't getting taken care of, and lunchless children who go all day without eating. Life is hard. How blessed we are to have lived carefree of most of these problems. Yet, we each have our own challenges and trials we are faced with. Through it all, it is so comforting to know we have the Savior by our side helping us. We aren't alone. If nothing else, I've come to understand and know this more than anything else in New Zealand. As a teacher, I try everything I can think of to help my kids. It is never enough. I need help. That is why I am so grateful to have the comfort of the Savior by my side and to know that I can rely on Him to help. I've never learned more, laughed more, or loved more than I have here. I can never thank the people here for what they have taught me. I can only go forward with faith and remember the lessons and experiences that I have been blessed with.

I leave you, and New Zealand with one of my favorite quotes:

"Life is either a daring adventure...or nothing." - Helen Keller

Here's to my next adventure. . .whatever it may be!