i love to see the temple.

Yesterday morning a group of us girls took a plane to Guayaquil to attend the temple. I know I always say something along these lines, but it truly was probably one of the best days I've had here. It was a different kind of best day though, the spirit was overwhelming. As soon we pulled onto the grounds and got out I took one look at it and started to cry. I cried really hard, in fact I would pull myself together then look back at it and start to cry again. I have never felt more at home in Ecuador as I did right then, a lot of the insecurities about my life that have been troubling me seemed to fall into place within my thoughts right then. which has been hard for me lately. I've been worrying too much about home as of late, lots of the things I left behind are still waiting for me and I've felt like I've needed to make all these decisions before I head there but as soon as I got to the temple I was comforted like I never had before. I knew everything would be just fine. Before I left I prayed to receive some answers while I'm there and I got just that and more. Eternity had never been more clear, I seem to find myself always getting caught up in trying to make plans and keep up. Like never before Heavenly Father blessed me with the most intense comfort, I realized that I need to just keep having faith in his plan for me. To take what I've been given and make the most of it, the Lord will bless me as long as I always try to do what's right, and what's best for me and those around me. He will only give me trials I can handle, everything and everyone that has been given to me is for a specific purpose, I need to always find out why and never take it for granted. As I sat in the confirmation room I thought about when I find the person I want to be sealed to for eternity, and the feeling I got was indescribable. I will never settle for anything less than that, at least I now know what I'm looking for. :) I am so grateful to have this knowledge, I'm grateful to be a member of this church. To be in Ecuador serving God's children. To have gotten to know these amazing woman, and to have the opportunity to attend the temple and have this experience. It's amazing to think the members in Quito and various places have to take a plane just to attend the temple which is not cheap. I happen to live five minutes from one, I will also never take that for granted.

After that we went to this huge mall and we got to indulge in American food

 and of course Ice cream at baskin robins, I was so happy. I miss american food.

cotton candy

& 

cookies 'n cream

mmm.

We then ventured on over to the iguana park, it was so AWESOME. There are like hundreds of these iguanas just laying around this park. They were so creepy, but also so cute. They let you touch them, I was so nervous at first but once I warmed up to them we became good friends. I also attempted to feed one, I screamed embarrassingly loud but it's okay.

baby iguana. 

We then went and walked around the boardwalk, it is SO hot and humid in Guayaquil. It's like an outside sauna, I have never ever ever been in weather like that. It was slightly terrible but us girls made the most of it. Anyway, on the boardwalk we just enjoyed a view of the water and stopped for an ice cream cone. Yes, my second for the day don't judge. It was HOT. We took pictures and enjoyed each others company. 

We then went and walked up 444 stairs to this lighthouse that had the most amazing view of the city.

 Kayla and I made the decision to run up them...... 9600 feet altitude, 479804 degree weather with 100 percent humidity, pencil skirt, and running. I'm sure you can put two and two together of how it went. I was so tired when we got to the top. In fact I don't think I had ever sweated so much in a skirt, it was funny. But the view was beautiful and there was quite the breeze up there which we were all longing for. After that we all ventured on home, I was so dead by the end of the day. The trip was well worth the money and this is a memory that I will cherish all my days.

made it.

barely.

I also fly home in 1 week 6 days, ask me how happy I am about it? Not that happy. Happy to see my family and friends, yes. Everything else, no. Ecuador is home.

Heavenly Father loves us all so much. 

Cass.