7 days of learning.

Hi fam!

My mind is going crazy with this amazing week of learning that we had! Elder Duncan, who is a general authority and the area president of Central America came to speak to us missionaries. I was so impressed and he taught in such a way that was full of so much love. When he listens, he truly listens, and he shows his respect.

He taught us amazing principles that we have been taught before but just really hit me. Sometimes I feel so weak because how many times do I have to hear something before I put it into practice? It was inspiring. One thing that I loved that he said was that there are really 4 missions in Costa Rica. The West and the East, but also 2 more with angeles. He asked us if he thought we were the only ones working with our investigators and he said of course not. That's why we should work with old investigators of other missionaries because maybe at the time they weren't ready but now they are. There were soo many good things and I felt so thankful to be there. An elder read a poem that completely touched my heart. Its called I Was There Too if you want to look it up. 

We got to do a trio, Hermana Fowler, Hermana Cook, and I. We sang O Mi Padre to the tune of Come Thou Fount. Hermana Laboriel sent you a video, but I don't know if you got it. :) 

Can I just say that President Laboriel is the best person alive?! He is so funny and has so much energy. We were waiting to eat and he started telling us all his life secrets. He is a huge example to me and has made such a huge impact on my life. He pushes us because he wants EXCELLENCE. The Lord expects that from us. I really do feel like he is our dad. He is very personal with each one of us. 

Fernanda got baptized!! When I was watching her I was so touched because of her humility and how obedient and sweet she is. As you know, before her baptism, she had a very strong addiction to coffee and she was fighting it and couldn't get over it. We kept trying to help her the best we could, and she got a blessing, and then we did a fast with her. After that fast, she didn't drink even one cup and was able to be baptized the next week. Its amazing to see the change in her.

We were in San Jose this week so we called her every night for a few minutes to see how she was doing. She sounded so happy on the phone! Usually she is very calm and quiet but she sounded really happy. When I asked her why, she said: Because I feel like God is with me. Her friend Carlos went to her baptism and we asked if He wanted to get baptized too and he said yes! How do I prepare? (lets teach you!!!!!! do you drink coffee or drink or smoke? he doesn't.....getting baptized. now.)  He is 19 (future elder!) and has a very good spirit about him and it seems like he has been through a lot in his life. I feel so grateful to see these miracles that the Lord is blessing us with in His work.

A lovely day.

Our companionship is so funny. I love it. Guess what? Hermana Fowler talks in her sleep too! So every morning we have a new story to tell. Every morning we wake up and literally yell BUENOS DIAS! And give each other a high five. Tell me that is not the best way to wake up in the morning. hahaha. 

Well, I love you all so much. Until next week!

This is how we do.

Flooded with rain. Showered with blessings.

First of all that really broke my heart about Kel. Is she okay? She is such a fighter! They have to keep a really good eye on her ear because I'm worried. But I feel peace that nothing more will happen. Kel, you are my hero.

Well I just have to say, my time in Liberia with Hermana Fowler has been wild. We were talking about how we literally have not had a normal week together. We have been through a lot of challenges, but we are SO HAPPY. That's the good thing. Just know that we laugh and smile all the time and we are enjoying every second in this beautiful country and with these wonderful people! I can really say that I have never had a friend like her. We will be friends for life. You would laugh at all our inside jokes. We made a quote book so that we will never forget things.

It rained like crazy this week and the two days we DIDN'T bring the umbrella the rain POURED! Its because here in Guanacaste they say it doesn't rain but the second I got here it started. It literally made a flood in the street. Like a river! We had fun taking pictures with our investigators. Ill send them in two seconds.

We are having two baptisms next week. Fernanda is so special. She is very addicted to coffee but we fasted with her and she has stopped drinking it. And then we are also teaching Jasinta, this adorable 75 year old woman who just loves learning. The people here are so down to earth. I love them.

My health is fine but I have to be honest that my heart went crazy last night and i went all pale and we had to go home early. I have no idea what it is because when I did all the tests, it came out completely normal. It doesn't hurt, its just uncomfortable like it gives me anxiety. Maybe you can ask a doctor if they have any idea what it is.

Anyway, I love you!!

Our mission mom took this little clip of us singing a musical number.

I'm an Auntie again!

First off I just want to say that Josie is the most precious baby! She is so beautiful!! I hope you know I was praying extra hard for her this week and she is seriously the most precious little thing! Welcome to the world Josie!!!!! Your auntie loves you so much! THAT JUST MADE MY WEEK. By the way, Kelly, you look like a model mom! How do you even look that good after just having a baby? 

Semana de Sacrificio....SOMOS CERDOS!

Okay, now I will explain to you what Semana de Sacrificio is. Our mission president rocks but, I am not joking, I have never been more tired in my life. He started a new thing called Sacrifice Week. That means that we wake up at 5, get ready, study a bit, and then we leave the house and work from 7 in the morning to 9 at night. We are now going to be doing this once every month.

Day 1_ we went to the park and contacted by SINGING! I brought my ukelele and we sang hymns for people and then got their information to visit them. Then we went crazy talking to every person in our sight. Part of sacrifice week is working in the other missionaries area to help them find. The first house we knocked on was a family. And a really special family. A ton of miracles happened this day. We also met a gringo who said a whole bunch of bad things about us and the church and Jesus Christ. We left immediately and I just felt sad for him. I felt like the Lord protected us because when he started getting fired up, he stumbled over his words and he couldn't say much. It was a very exhausting day.

Day 2- I thew up the whole night long. It was violent. I got a virus and had a fever the whole day. The elders came over to give me a blessing, and my companion was the best because she took care of me and read me scriptures and stuff so I didn't feel so bad. We always find a way to laugh in everything. In the afternoon I felt better so we decided to work. MISTAKE. The sun was not too great for a fever and I sat on the ground and we took a taxi home. Its kind of funny thinking about it! hahaha. I don't know how people found out I was sick, but all the members were calling and one hermano even brought us dinner at night! Its so amazing how much Heavenly Father blesses us and protects us because the next day I was COMPLETELY healed.

Day 3- We found a family in the eldrers area. It was a miracle because they had gone to church in the past, but the missionaries hadn't found them since. They had been praying to have changes in their lives and then we knocked on the door. I honestly have no doubt in my mind that the Lord guides us to families as we strive to do what's right.

Day 4- We saw a miracle. We have been teaching a golden investigator, Dayan for a while and she is ready to get baptized. The only thing is that she is not married and her "husband" has never heard our message. This day we were able to talk to him. He is very shy and doesn't open up to anybody but as we spoke to him, he opened up and told us some doubts that he has had. He started crying and we all teared up, and then he said he wanted to get married and work to this goal of getting married and baptized too. He said the prayer as we knelt down and he prayed that he could be prepared to do this. He came to church this Sunday with his family.

This week was full of miracles and exhaustion but so worth it! I have a testimony of opening our mouth because we never know who is ready. a man we talked to at the bus stop came to church this sunday and LOVED IT. Sunday was amazing because many people came to church and it was all thanks to God. 

This is such a long email! 

Now I will explain what this cerdo thing is. A cerdo is a pig. Okay, so president told us a story about a chicken and a pig who loved the farmer with all their heart and wanted to give him something special for his birthday. The chicken said that he would give his best egg, but the pig knew that the farmer loved bacon and said he would give up himself. 

President explained that we should be like the pig because we sacrifice the best we have....OURSELVES. 

When we heard this, this elder got up and yelled SOMOS CERDOS! (we're pigs!) So thats our little inside joke. 

wanna hear a funny story?

We were walking by and a man started cat calling us and wanted to show off his english so he said..

hello! goodnight! good morning! happy birthday!!!

Just thought you would appreciate that little short funny moment.

okay love you bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GUANACASTE…….The Happiest Place On Earth.

Hi family!!!!!!

First of all I am going to give a little shout out to my favorite sister in the world, Kelly, and the best brother in law ever, Mark, and little Maxy my angel. Today is such a special day for you!!! I will be praying and I expect to see many pictures of my beautiful niece Josie Lynn!! I love you and can't wait to meet you.

This week has been hilarious, exhausting, happy, and one of the craziest weeks of my mission. Well, don't be worried because everything came out normal, but I went to go to a little check up on my heart to see if everything was okay on Monday (it is). So we went to San Jose the day of changes, and then they told me that I had to stay in San Jose for 2 more days to do the heart monitor for 24 hours and then an effort test. Long story short, Hermana Fowler and I had to haul my HORRIBLY HEAVY suitcases with both of the handles broken across San Jose to bring it to the sisters house. As we were walking my arm literally gave out and the suitcase tripped me and fell on my heel and I screamed and it was so funny. Imagine it. Actually don't. We were laughing our heads off and stuggling so bad! When we finally got on the bus, I crossed the sensor 4 times and the bus driver yelled at me. (I already told you about all this I think).  Then my earring fell off and rolled under the bus drivers foot and I couldn't find it. So everyone (I'm not joking) was looking for it and then saw it under his foot.  He was not a happy camper. Then Hermana Fowler's arm gave out and when he turned the corner, the suitcase fell down the stairs and almost flew out of the bus. Needless to say the bus driver charged us big time.

Then we did divisions in Escazu and I had this heart monitor thing on and everyone was asking me if I was going to die. But it was really fun being with them for a day even though we just wanted to get to Guanacaste!

Finally after working in Escazu, and getting the results for the heart test, we took the bus to Guanacaste!!!!!!!! Its a 4 hour bus ride from San Jose. I love Hermana Fowler. We just want to go crazy in this country! I feel so grateful for her. Plus she is hilarious.

Let me paint a picture for you of what Guanacaste is like. When I stepped my foot on the dirt ground, I felt like it was a sacred place. It is hot. At first it takes your breath away becasue the air is very thick. Now I dont know what i pushed but this email is now in italics. i am sorry. haha. okay anyway, the first day i asked hermana fowler why my eyes were all blurry and she said it was because of the sweat that gets in your eyes. whew! 

Now for the people. This place is like Disneyland. You can feel the happiness in the street. Everyone smiles, and is happy to be alive. If we ask if we can share a message, everyone lets you in. The people are so ready here. Ready to accept the gospel! The houses are colorful and humble. Its green and there are palm trees. I love it here! I am grateful. 

I feel the SPIRIT in my life more than I ever have before. The house here in Liberia is very nice....and it has air conditioning, and a washer and dryer. This is wonderful area. I don't feel trunky. I just feel grateful to be in the Lord's work. 

I will send a ton of pics this next week because I left my camera cord in the house. oopsies!

P.S.  Wasn't conference incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I loved President Holland's talk.  You are that talk mom. Did you cry? I sure did. I felt so much peace hearing our dear prophet speak even though I was so worried for him because he looked like he was going to faint. I love our prophet and apostles. I have no doubt that they are men of God. One of our sweet investigators, Jasinta said….I feel good when I see this but I don't understand.. We told her that she doesn't have to know everything to know its true. After seeing conference she agreed to be baptized. 

P.P.S  I don't know why but everyone asks if I'm latin. When I tell them I'm a gringa they don't believe me. They think that gringas only have blonde hair and blue eyes. It makes me laugh. :)

I love you all! Until next week! I'm so excited to meet my niece!