This morning, we slept in after a long day of traveling and woke up to the arrival of Father Red and the groundskeeper at 10 am. Father Red informed us about some rules and etiquette and some things about the Navajo people. He proceeded by showing us how to shake hands with the Navajo in a clockwise manner. The groundskeeper, Edwin, tried doing this as well but he did it counter clockwise. We then had breakfast and each group then met to prepare for the Vacation Bible School lessons. After, everyone helped group one: Jamie, Sidney, Charlie C. and Kelsi to prepare for Monday. We then went to 2 communities in the area to notify everyone about VBS. We promptly returned to the Community Center for lunch. After lunch, Rachel, Jamie, Ben, Natasha, Charlie C., Mae, Charlie T., and Kelsi went on a hike for half an hour, in order to return in time for our excursion to the river. We arrived to a river that was high, muddy and had a fast current. One group stayed behind while another group Jamie, Rachel ,Will, Anneliese, and Ben went up the river against an extremely fast current. Will being a smart boy scout crossed the river early while the rest of is continued to fight the current. Ben especially had to struggle because he decided to carry a large foam piece up river. Finally we reached the point where we couldn't go any further and someone suggested giving up but I, Rachel , freaked out because there was no way we were going that far and stopping so I may have yelled that we had to pretend this was a life or death situation so we have to make it!, to our destination the sand bank, and then ben decided to let go of the foam!, which was by then the equivalent of letting go of an injured family member haha so after a slight freak out about that Jamie decided the only way to make it was to swim across, so we all swam our hearts out and made it across! We then enjoyed the most well deserved float down the river ever!! When we came back everyone had left except Andrew so after some rock skipping, apparently Charlie T had the record of 10 skips! Anyway we went back to prepare for dinner and while we were waiting Ben, Andrew, Jamie Bando, and Rachel played an intense game of Egyptian rat skrew. We had to stall the game, which Jamie eventually won, until later because Father Red and his wife arrived. We were expecting Katherine the late bishops wife to join us for dinner and give a Navajo presentation but she didn't come tonight giving us ample free time:) to our amazement after dinner we discovered two legitimate, beautiful, and complete rainbows. They were truly amazing! With our free time Jamie, Maggie, Mae, Ben, Andrew, Will, Kelsi, Charlie T, Charlie C, Sydney, and I went on an evening sunset hike. With the double rainbows, sunset, and beautiful rain in the distance the hike was amazing!! The wind and rain combined up on the mesas at one point made us feel like we were about to fall over! We made it down the hill and went back to the community center for showers, games, and evening prayer. Tomorrow is going to be a long day so we're going to bed now! Were all well and having great times!

Love-Rachel Sparks, Abrienne Hom, Logan Cooper, Anneliese Meyer!!:)