my babe

While in Africa, we have the opportunity to go to an orphanage for babies aging from newborn to 4 years old. The police bring the babes here after they have found them abandoned on the streets. Sometimes, the babies are left at the gate because the mother is ashamed of the pregnancy (usually because she was raped by a family member--something highly frowned upon yet soo common). The first year the orphanage was one of the highlights of my trip, and this year was no different. I love the kids there with all my heart. It is a place where i am given the opportunity to give genuine and instant love to children who have never really felt it. There are 4 women who work at this orphanage, and each of them are in charge of 10 children. All day. every day. To say they need a little help is an understatement.

This year i was lucky enough to be able to spend the majority of my time there with the newborn babies. Babies are my favorite. Don't get me wrong, i loveee toddlers. But there is just something about holding a baby in your arms. Just knowing they were recently with our Heavenly Father is indescribable. So innocent, helpless, and pure. We arrived at the orphanage while the babies were napping, and one by one as they awoke, each of us was given a baby to hold and care for. I was handed my sweet little Mary. She was so tiny and well behaved. She hardly made a peep besides her little laughing squeal (make sure to watch the video at the end of this post). She was so ticklish and had the cutest dark curly hair. She cuddled right up to me and just laid on my chest. I was instantly in love.

It's hard to express the feelings i get when i think of my experiences in Kenya. Quite honestly, that's why i don't really blog about it all that much. There is no way to come close to putting in words the feelings i have for that wonderful place. And there is no way to adequately describe the deep and immediate love i felt for my little babe Mary. It was sooo hard leaving knowing the reality of her circumstance. I secretly wanted to put her in my backpack and sneak her home.  But I have hope that she will be one of the few to be adopted this year. ......And if she isn't, well, you better believe as soon as i get married i will be finding her and be bringing her home with me for good!



Mary from Haley Hansen on Vimeo.


ok how adorable is she..really though? oh and please ignore the fact that i keep saying how much she loves the camera. I know i sound dumb and geeky in my 'baby talk voice'.. but in my defense, she really did loveeee it.

My Dear Friend Godfrey

I have come to realize that in the past i have been horrible about telling my stories from my many travels. I always write about how excited i am for my trips.. but then leave you hanging with nothing ever really said about them. I have thought hard about why i do that.. and i have come to think that it is because i honestly dont know how to write about the things i saw, the people i met, the amazing smells i smelt, the thing i did, and so forth. It is so hard to do these things justice. They are so near and dear to my heart that it is hard to express just how much i love the people of Kenya. However, i feel that now that i have been home for 2 and a half months it is that time. The time to share.

When i went to Kenya back in 2010 i fell in love to say the least. Africa is truly magical. Anyone who has been there will agree with me. We went to a school where we had previously done a water harvesting project so the children could have water to wash their hands. After teaching, we got to play with the kids for longer than usual. At first i remember being followed around by 4 girls.. and all they wanted me to do was sing, dance, and be crazy for them. This happened at nearly every school... the girls were very outgoing and wanted to play with us, while the boys would just run off and play soccer. Well anyone who knows me well knows that i would rather be playing soccer any day than sing, dance etc. Those things just arent my forte. So i eventually snuck away and found a little boy playing soccer. We started playing together and before i knew it every boy at the school was watching me play soccer with my dear little friend, Ezra. Ezra had two other little friends, Godfrey, and Evans. I instantly fell in love with these boys. We ended up playing soccer together for a good 2-3 hours. I skipped lunch that day so i could keep playing. We set up a little field and played 1v1 and we set up a goal and shot penalty kicks. While this kids couldnt really speak english well, we communicated very well with each other. We celebrated when we scored on each other and i joked that a girl beat them in soccer. Even though they couldnt speak back, i knew they understood what i said to them.

Can you even see me? hahah :)  and the ball we played with?... a bundle of plastic bags wrapped with string. You can see it held up on the left side of the picture..

The time came and it was time for us to leave. My heart honestly hurt because i knew the odds of me seeing them again were virtually nothing. I remember sitting in our van and saying a silent prayer that i would be able to see them again someday. I will be the first to admit that i was certain it would be in the after life. I cried that night because i was so sad that i wouldnt see them for so long.

(2010) Godfrey. Evans. (creeper). Haley. Ezra.

Fast forward to 2011. This year i had the amazing opportunity to go back to Kenya as an assistant team leader. We were going to be serving in 2 different areas of kenya, one of which was the same area i was in the summer before. I made sure that we would go back to the school where the water harvesting project was done... You know... to check up on the project. :) obviously i had other motives. As we drove to that school i was so excited i could hardly handle myself. We pulled up and instantly our vans are surrounded by the school children. I kept looking and i saw one that looked a little familiar. He looked different but i could have sworn it was Godfrey. I saw him whisper to his friends and then point in my direction. But every time i looked in their direction they would look away! The younger children of the school were performing a welcome dance for us and finally i got the nerve to sneak away and grab my little friend. I grabbed his arm and said as i pointed at him "are you godfrey? you are godfrey?" and instantly he had the biggest smile come over his face! He responded "futbol! we play futbol!" Oh my gosh i am crying right now just writing this. I was so happy ..he remembered me! He knew who i was and remembered the time we shared the year previous. I'll be honest Godfrey was my favorite of the three boys.. he would laugh at the things i said and i knew he understood my english. he would joke with me and had a smile that melted my heart. i asked him where his friends were and he told me that they were at home. I was obviously sad about that, but i couldnt stop smiling all day. His english was much better this year and he could communicate with me very easily. He told me he would tell them hello for me. It was seriously the coolest thing ever. We took a picture and i gave him a hug before i left.

(2011) Godfrey and i. not the greatest picture of him.. but one of my favorites from the trip.

Once again.. as soon as i got in the van i started crying. Up to that point in my day, everything had gone wrong. The other team leader was sick so i was left to direct the team alone for the day. (SCARY!) haha.  We were behind schedule and i was stressed. How quickly the Lord can turn your day around! I cant express how much that small little tender mercy meant to me that day. And not just that day, but it still affects me today. I know my Heavenly Father hears my prayers. He is aware of our wants and desires. He knows how to makes us happy if we will just let him. I am so grateful for the opportunity i had to see Godfrey again, and i know that someday i will be reunited with all my dear little friends from Kenya!

just missin this place and these kids today...

prepare yourselves..

....for some Giraffe Lovin'


Giraffe Lovin from Haley Hansen on Vimeo.

sorry it is super skinny.. i filmed it on my ipod touch.
and just excuse my annoying voice at the beginning.. and also excuse the fact that the food dropped down my shirt during my first attempt..

Airport thoughts

Welp i have been sitting here for the past 5 hours.. here being the London airport, and i have had quite a bit of time to think. This post is a little look into the mind of Haley Hansen in the last couple hours, and might i also add.. i still have 4 more until i can board my flight. yay.

...................

Why do people think it is acceptable to walk around airports barefoot? i mean i understand the whole security check point jazz.. but seriously! people. keep your shoes on. i dont want to stare at your nasty feet. Oh and also.. picking the lint out from between your toes is also completely unacceptable! gag me.

guessing where people are from is quite a fun game. even though i never muster up the courage to ask them, i am pretty sure that i have been right 100% of the time.

This stupid ding dong alert noise for announcements gets old after the first 3 times you hear it. It reminds me of the movie Grease when the lady dings the little bell before she makes the morning announcements. I laugh. If i could be the bell ringer i think the people of this airport would be a lot more amused.

This "charging station" is a piece of crap. Half the time it works. Half the time it doesn't.

I want to sleep but i am so scared i will sleep through my flight. .... 4 hours away? i have issues.

So sad to have left Kenya. It is a place i thought i would only visit once. I have now made friends, and maintained relationships that i can't even wait to go back again.

Feeling extremely blessed to have the gospel in my life. out of the thousands of people in this airport i might be the only one with the whole truth.

Missed the brother opening his mission call. Guatemala City North mission. How sweet. His shaking voice as he was opening the call over the phone was the most adorable thing i have ever heard.

Obsessed with Carrie Underwood's cd this past few weeks. love her. Oh and He is We. Love them too.

Can't wait to see my cute little cousins and family in Italy. If only this flight would hurry the freak up.

Ben will be in America in 3 days. I will see him in 9. i am full of so many emotions its impossible to explain. Hopefully i will talk to him before we see each other.

Cafe Rio sounds AMAZING. I am so hungry for good food! ....maybe i should get food.. but spending 15 bucks on lunch does not sound appealing.

Kali had ankle surgery while i was gone.. i wonder how our room looks?

Slightly still mad at the security lady who took my travel sized bottle of contact solution. How could i manage to get through security 4 other times with it.. but suddenly it isnt ok? anger.

Saddened that my sorority has called quits. Not quite sure on the details but the First Presidency made the decision so it must be right. still sad though.

So excited for Ute football games. Scottie and i couldnt stop talking about it this whole trip!

my traps are killing me. i think all this stress has finally caught up with me!... i get this issue from my mother.

i am craving a good run right now. hahah maybe i will take a lap around my row of chairs. next to this blasted charging station!

Laughing at the thought of our hotel in nairobi. Next to a legit African night club. Now that is a story for another time.

Amazed by the fact that i legit kissed a GIRAFFE. wanna see...? later for sure. it's on fb people. but i will post it for you followers i dont know. :)

And how about a pack of lions cuddling up to our safari van? incredible. that vid will come soon too.

...For now i am done. but soon enough you will hear all my stories from Africa and Italy. These few pics can hold you over until then. i hope all is well back in the good ol U.S. of A!

the darling children at Mundichiri primary school

Kissin the giraffe..  you're jealous i know

spending time with the Masai men. amazing.

Excited.

I am beyond excited to go back to Kenya. Holy Moly preparations are under way and it is getting me a little too happy sometimes. June 9th cannot come fast enough!!! if you know anyone that is interested in maybe joining our team. ..let me know :)

In other news... I am heading to....

 ITALY

for 10 days after kenya! Crazy right?! I can seriously hardly wait to see these two little girls! And of course my aunt Cyd, and uncle Damon. 

All in all i will be gone for just a little bit less than a month.. june 9-July 3. two and a half of those weeks in Kenya, and the rest in Italy and London. I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Italy and seriously i can hardly wait for summer!!

Take 2

Remember how i said i had some exciting news about Africa? Welp people.. Its official. I am going to Kenya again this June! ahhhh!!!!!!! i am soo excited words cant even express how excited i get when i think about it. This year will be a little different in the fact that i will be an assistant team leader--meaning that i will be helping plan/organize/oversee the whole expedition! So crazy right? i cant even wait. 

My boys Ezra and Evans.

I realize that i completely sucked at telling you guys about my amazing experience that i had last year. I think it is because those experiences that i had are so near and dear to my heart that trying to explain them even somewhat never really seems to give them 'proper credit' if you will. I have said it before.. but i really am going to try and tell my stories with you all though! Posts will be coming and you will LOVE 

them. maybe. :)

Just ignore the HUGE shine spots.. i was sweaty ok?

Oh one more thing. I bet some of you are wondering..(ok maybe not but i have to throw this in).... WHAT ABOUT THE BOY?! He gets home in June? ...You are leaving in June? i know i know. i am a crazy person. i have waited two years for that beloved day when i get to see the lovely Elder Woolf.. and i am leaving for 3 weeks out of the 4 weeks in the month that he is supposed to get home?! Insane. Andddd since i dont know his exact release date there is the possibility that he will get home while i am off doing my thing. But i just know that either way, things will work out how they are supposed to. Of course that would be crappy if i wasn't here when he arrived, but i will be doing amazing things in Kenya and i know Ben will be here when i arrive. :) 

 Plus that will give him time to get out of his 'weird' stage, and then.. HE can pick ME up at the airport! hugs and all! ahhhh thinking about this gets me WAYYYY too excited for june 25. has it really been 19 months?! gahh!

 oh ps.. ben conducted a huge conference last week that ELDER SCOTT spoke at. He sat right next to an apostle and talked with him one on one! That is so crazyyyy! He is happy and doing well. Although he did inform me last week that he misses Carson so much and that he is going to marry him.. sooooo.... Cars hasnt even been home for a month and he is already stealing my boy? what the crap. But i am ok with it cuz lets be honest.. those two boys are two peas in a pod. Literally. okkkk But on a side note.. how cute is this boy really though? :)

Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to all! Well being that it is November, i have to admit that i have been super self centered lately and haven't really thought too much about what i am grateful for. It seems as though Thanksgiving has absolutely snuck up on me this year and for that i am grateful! 

I am grateful for.......in no particular order...

my family (near or far)

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication with the Hansen side of the family.

The day chan got home! not the best picture but still...


my amazzzing friends 
(seriously i have the best friends in the world)

Brookie's wedding

Cody's Homecoming

an education

Utah Football game

my health and the ability to exercise 

wakeboarding summer '10

 My Siblings

on the beach of Cabo San Lucas

my parents

How adorable are they?

a lovely boy in Africa 

(who is now at the 17 month mark eeek!)

Mistaaa Benjamin :) 

my old roommates 

Best group of girls i could have ever lived with.

my talents 

Dixie Soccer 2008

The opportunity i had to go to Kenya

Visiting the Village of the Masai people

My experience at Dixie and my wonderful friends down there

Shooting on the AZ strip

Halloween with the team back in 2008

my cell phone

my comfortable bed

my car and excess means of transportation

and the most important..

My Savior and the blessing of His gospel in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!! :)

Compliments of Valerie Whitehead

ME and VAL in AFRICA!

While in Africa, my dear friend Valerie Whitehead gave this awesome devotional and a little thought to think about... i love it and i hope you do too!

A Paradox

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life, not life to years.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space. We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice. We have higher incomes, but lower morals. We’ve become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier house, but broken homes.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to make a difference, or just to… hit delete.

-Author Unknown

What will you choose?

Africa- I miss it!

Lately i have been having the most random flashbacks of my experience in Africa. It is so weird. i was driving in my car the other day and all of a sudden the most strong taste came into my mouth of the dinner meals that i had every night while i was there. No, i didn't particularly enjoy the food that i ate while i was in Africa. And i honestly am confused as to why my taste buds crave the food so heavily. Mashed potatoes, rice, and the weirdest tomato soup i have ever eaten, are not on my 'must-have food list'. I have even had times where i smell someone's horrible B.O. and my mind immediately takes me back to teaching in the crowded musty African school rooms. It is so weird, but i think that my  emotional thoughts are now taking matters into their own hands by making my physical body long for Kenya. 

I think the thing i miss most is the feeling that i got when i spent the time with those children. They seriously are amazing. They are content with their life, and love the lives that they live. I miss how they made me feel. I miss the overwhelming happiness that they brought into my life. 

I miss my little Kenyans :)

Africa #2 -Gratitude

 Anyone who has been to a 3rd world country comes home and is super humbled by the things they have seen and the way they have lived life. It may seem cliche, but my trip to Kenya was no different. 

I think it is obvious to realize and to say how lucky and blessed we really are materialistically. We have over abundances of clothing, food is always convenient to obtain, our houses are IMMACULATE, transportation is easy, communication with others is always at our fingertips, Internet connection is fast immediate, and we literally can get ANY necessity (or non-necessity for that matter) at any given time. We live convenient lives. Think about it. 

Have you ever realized though.... JUST how lucky and chosen i [you] must be to have been blessed both materialistically and spiritually? 

At church in Butiere with some of the members

The world is a BIG place people. I realized that very quickly on my 30+ hours of travel. It is hard to comprehend just how many people there are on this planet. How was it that i was lucky enough to be born into a family of the only correct church on the earth today? How was it that I was blessed with the truth without having to search for it?

 I came with the knowledge.

 I came ready and prepared with the truth. 

Why me?

This is one of the many questions i have been asking myself since i got home. I don't think there is just one right answer to this question. But i do know that i need to figure out at least some of it. Why was i so abundantly blessed materialistically and spiritually? Sure having nice clothes is great. But the real question.. Why was i blessed with the gospel? 

Church was the MOST amazing experience

I know that i have a responsibility to stand as a witness-- set the example and show others the way to true happiness. That is why i was chosen. i was chosen to have the truth and it is my job to share it. I am so extremely grateful for that knowledge. I am so grateful for the many blessings i have-both materialistically and spiritually. i am grateful for my Savior and grateful for him blessing ME with the BEST blessing he could ever bless me with. The gospel of Jesus Christ.

I. Am. Grateful.

Lessons Learned In Africa #1

Welp to start off my Africa series.. i wanted to share a post that my mom did right after i left to go to Kenya. It is on her blog and describes perfectly the miracle that occurred while we were at the airport. I know it is probably hard to comprehend but honestly, it was a nothing short of a MIRACLE. 

Miracles do happen.

 It was proof to me that our Heavenly Father is very mindful of each of our personal wants and desires. 

So Click HERE to read a short little story about my airport miracle.

It is COMING

K people ... i know i am pathetic. But i have been meaning to do a really good post about Africa for the longest time now. The problem is i honestly dont know where to start. So i think what i am going to do is do.."Lessons i Learned in Africa". Some of them will be spiritual, some may be physical, and some are just straight cool things. But over a series of posts you guys will become well aquanted with my life changed trip to Kenya.

 K. cool.

 Posts will hopefully start coming tomorrow. Get ready people.

Here is a little sneak peak.. :)

picture taken by Aly Johnson

Smell ya later!

Welp i am off to AFRICA!!  See ya in a few weeks!! love you all!! :) 

ps i am so excited you have noooo idea. Expect a HUGE blog post when i get back. Actually... expect multiple blog posts!

Ecstatic

CAN I JUST TELL YOU HOW EXCITED I AM FOR KENYA!???!!!!!!! SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED. JUNE 17th CAN'T GET HERE SOON ENOUGH!!!

Also if anyone is interested in helping me with donations (I have a list of items, or even just money works.. helps me buy bug nets to prevent malaria(6$)..) that i can take over there.. let me know! it would be much appreciated and really can save a life!

BIG News.. and i mean BIG!!!

Alright i seriously have been planning on updating this dang thing for awhile now.. but the problem is.. my life hasn't been all that exciting as of late. I am down at dixie doing the whole school thing and in the process i am looking for a job. Yeahhhh not having the best of luck!

But i do have some very exciting news! I will be traveling to AFRICA this summer! ahhh how cool is that? On June 17 i will be leaving and flying to Kenya and i will be there for about 3 and a half weeks. Originally i wanted to stay for longer, but i think that amount of time will be just perfect. I cant tell you how excited i am! Ever since i was little i have always wanted to go to Africa and the timing for this trip is perfect. It will give me some time to figure out what i want to do with my life and hopefully i will gain some personal insight while i am there. I am still doing my research on different groups and organizations that go to Africa for service missions, but as of now, i am officially a member of the Reach the Children team. So if any of you know of any humanitarian services that travel to africa.. let me know :)

Here's the link of the organization i am considering ...in case ya wanna check it out! www.reachthechildren.org

It will actually be kind of cool cuz the 'expedition' i am going on will be accompanied by a professional camera crew! ahhhh i am counting down the days until i am outta St. George and on my way to AFRICA!!!