"Wearing a mask around town. You gotta do what you gotta do."

Hello. :)))))))))))))))))))))))

This week was an adventure. Literally. 

I had divisions which is when we switch companions and work in another area for a day. I went to Belen (which is right by the temple) with Hermana Pizza, (which is a cool last name.) At one point we were outside the temple waiting for an investigator to arrive for a lesson, and then the wind started blowing with a whole lot of dust. We thought it was from construction or something like that, but then it got stronger and stronger and the air got thicker and thicker with a TON OF dust and grit. It started getting in our eyes and mouths and so we ran inside to get cover. It was because the volcano erupted! It was far away from us, but we felt all the ash blowing around. We couldnt go out for a while because it was pretty bad. Then I went to go take out my contacts because it HURT. And then we worked like normal. The next day, my lungs hurt from breathing it in. But Hermana A and I bought masks to wear. Hahaha! we looked like doctors walking around so that was funny. It felt super weird but you gotta do what you gotta do. Now everything is clear and good again but that was an adventure!!

One day this week I felt like a pioneer. You know why? Because one day ALL, I mean, ALL our appointments fell. So we walked and walked and walked and walked and walked and walked talking to everyone in our path and nothing was happening. I just want to thank you for praying for me because I really feel the prayers. Because even though we have moments super frustrating or stressful I feel a lot of strength to keep going. And we made it through the day and were able to visit a family at the very end of the day, and help an old lady carry her groceries and she called us her little angelitos that god sent her. :) 

MIRACLE of this week: Huge miracle. Ever since I arrived here in san rafael, we have been visiting a family from columbia. The mom is a member and her grandkids, but her daughter never got baptized.  She is the coolest person ever by the way. She has known about the church for 28 years and has never been baptized. She had a boyfriend who wasnt a good influence, she smoked a lot, and drank too. But then her son started inviting her to church, and she started coming every week. And then hermana A and I kept having her name come into our mind and we went to see how she was doing and how she felt in church. She told us that she felt really happy and that she quit smoking. One day she just said no more. and she never picked up another cigarette. Then she also stopped drinking and broke up with her boyfriend. And this sunday in the class she said that she wants to get baptized. That she feels like its the time. And she is getting baptized this saturday. It was amazing. 

I just want you all to know that I love you and thank you for all your prayers and love. Keep me updated!!!!!!!!! and sorry that I have been the worst at writing back! I promise you will be receiving better emails from me. 

"When we feel we are at the end of our rope that is the time that the Lord steps in and heals us and gives us success. At the last moment."

3/10/15

Hello!

This week was full of adventures, good and bad. It was sad because we lost some really special investigators for many different reasons. When this happens, it hurts a lot. But we have the faith that the Lord will put people in our path as we are diligent. 

We had an AMAZING I mean AMAZING meeting with a member from the Seventy, Elder Alonso, and President and Sister Wilkinson. It was one of the most spiritual experiences I've had here on my mission, and their instruction was very useful. 

During their teaching, I kept thinking that I KNOW that these men are called of God. And the promises they gave us as we applied these things are real promises from God. 

Our zone had the opportunity to sing the hymn I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go and I got to sing a little solo. I was nervous but I felt the Spirit help me. At the end, Elder Alonso gave us all a blessing as an Authority. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. When he spoke I literally felt peace enter into my heart. Some things that really impacted me is that we will be able to share our testimonies without anything holding us back, and that we will be able to express clearly and with power. He also added a special blessing for our families, that they will be healed and blessed physically and spiritually. 

At the meeting. They are incredible.

Hermana Acosta and I wrote a song about the mission for President and Sister Wilkinson. We were going to sing it for them there but they had to leave fast, so we will soon. :) But part of it is in English and part of it is in Spanish. We will try to record it so you can hear it. :)

Yesterday we had permission to go to a volcano yesterday for P day!!!!!!!!!! That was the best. We went with Masiel (we call her Massy) who is the relief society president. She is like our best friend. She is super fun and I can't even describe how cool she is. So we went to the volcano and talked and laughed and ate after.

Eating typical Costa Rican food.
Best Day Ever.

Now the crazy part. I have turned into a Latina. I am serious! When we were there I saw a bunch of people from the united states and it was so weird! I felt like it was familiar but at the same time weird. Because now I LIVE here and breathe here and buy food here and sleep here and speak in spanish everyday all day. I saw some gringos and started talking to them. They were visiting from texas and wow....i dont even know how to describe it. Hope this all made sense. Hahaha.

I really want to train! I hope someday I can even though it is HARD. The truth is sometimes I feel like Im training right now because my companion is newish and very emotional, like I was at the beginning. I think because I started my mission really hard, I am a lot stronger right now. I dont cry. i dont know if thats a good thing or a bad thing, but i think its good because i feel a lot stronger. But I am trying to be a good companion and i will always try to be a good companion. I dont know why the lettering is like this right now....i dont know how to take it offf...haha.

Going to see the volcano - ballet style.

 Ok, there! Well............I love you all lots and love, love your emails!! And pics and just everything. Have a wonderful week and don't forget to be strong and suffer afflictions with patience...and when we feel we are at the end of our rope that is the time that the Lord steps in and heals us and gives us success. At the last moment. That is something I have learned from President Wilkinson and the scriptures, and also personal experience. Love you!!!!!!!!!!!

Drinking our coconuts!

Look closely. this is a temple she drew, and a temple I drew.
I'm an artist.

This is beautiful Carmen. She is one of my investigators.
She taught me how to make arepas and she said,
"Take a picture to show your mom"!

p.s. my health is really good. :) Just so you know. And I have been given a lot of strength here because even though its tiring, it doesnt affect me much.

"I'm sure you miss my chocolate crumbs on the floor, Dad! Don't worry, I'm making plenty of messes down here too!"

Ok first of all, thank you for being so aware of me and helping me. My stomach is doing better. But all these carbs are loco! We are trying to eat more veggies and less rice. But please know I am doing just fine.

I am so glad you felt the Spirit in the story of J! He is doing very well. This fast sunday he bore his testimony and he literally was glowing. He told us that since his baptism he has felt so happy and sure of everything because he feels the guidance of the Holy Ghost. We are continuing to teach his girlfriend. She had a really good experience at church and I think that J's example will help her come to be baptized.

I cannot tell you what joy this work gives me and to be a small part of it! 

Thank you for fasting for me!! I feel it. I have been really healthy and I have not had any problems working hard. This week I got a blessing from the Patriarch in our branch. We were there for a quick visit and we both had the opportunity to get one. It was amazing. He is like our grandpa. :) 

I got your letter! Hahaha! I love your writing style Mom!! And also a really nice letter from Grammy and her Valentines package! BOTH made me smile. YOu are a ray of light to me! I know you are always there and I feel comforted and happy and still so close to you. I miss you and hope you and the family have a wonderful week! 

P.S. Max should win the cutest baby award!!!!!!!! His cheeks and face and little body!!!! I just want to eat him up.

I'm sure you miss my chocolate crumbs on the floor, Dad! Don't worry, I'm making plenty of messes down here too!

LOVE YOU ALL.

"I think I know what my favorite part of my mission is."

This week rocked.

First of all J was able to get baptized!!!! He was so ready from the beginning but still hesitant the day before because his Love didn't want him to. She was really into her religion and wanted him to wait more time. He felt torn but decided that he would do it. We were praying so hard for him and tried to help him have the faith. His faith is incredbile. 

The day of his baptism, his girlfriend came!!! And it was a miracle because she supported him and was very pleasant with us and when he got baptized she cried. The next day in church when he received the Holy Ghost, and she came too!!! And she cried and cried and later she told me it was because she had never felt anything like that before in her life. She now wants to be baptized too!!! And so now we are teaching her. I know it was because of the faith of J and he fasted for her too. I was in complete awe at these amazing miracles. I think I know what my favorite part of my mission is. Seeing someone recieve the Holy Ghost. Its like a visible change in their countenance. :) 

We also found a complete family!!! They were actually previous investigators of missionaries about a year ago but we found them by knocking on a door. They are super super cool. So I will keep you updated with that.

FUN and funny things of this week: Yesterday was p day and So we decided to write songs on the uke. We are really good friends with our zone leaders and they were making fun of us so we wrote a ridiculous song for them. After that, we wrote songs for every companionship in our district and all the funny and inside jokes we have. It was hilarious! And we wrote a rap. So that happened. Today our district leader made us bring the uke and play in our district meeting.. hahahaha. I love all these funny moments.

I love you so much. I love how i can still feel your love even in a different country. I forgot to tell you that I GOT MY PACKAGEEE!!!!!! And I love all my crocs!!!!!!!!!!!! They are beautiful and comfy and cute. And you are so in tune because you got me bandaids and stuff because yes, I did get some blisters. And thank you for everything else too!  And I have been taking both the vitamins and the probiotics you sent and I think that they are helping. :)

I am so happy to hear all the NEWS!!!! And all the fun and amazing things that are happening. I love you all forever. :)

p.s. Also thank you for the mascara! I am serious, it costs 50 dollars to buy one here.  I am not kidding. So thank you! And I gave one to my compa too. :)

Sombrero!

"Happy Heart Day!"

February 17, 2015

This week I dont know why but Im having a hard time remembering, it was such a blur. But I do know that we are working hard, and I love the feeling of teaching with the Spirit. I feel super grateful right now because my companion is a joy and a gift. We get along extremely well, feel the spirit, and have a really good teaching chemistry. I thank heavenly father every night for her, because we help each other daily. And laugh. I played mom yesterday because she got really sick. And then today I got really sick too. But I got a blessing. That helped me a lot. :) 

I want to say that I love being a missionary and find so much joy and strength in it. I love you dearly.  

Happy Heart Day!

"Todo Twannis. (Everything is cool)"

Hi!!,

I am so happy that you liked my presents!!! I had so much fun picking out things for everyone! It took me long enough to send it, but I am so glad you enjoyed it. I love those little coin purses! I have one too, its fun. And the backscratcher I just had to give. I saw it and I was like...DAD. And the musical instruments! I love you all so much. Hope you liked the novel I wrote because you all know that I always have to talk about my feelings for 11 pages...can't write just one page. EVER.

Also the news you told me was the best!!!! The Lord is amazing. I am so happy. :))) 

Well lots to say! First and foremost, I adore my companion. We are twins in so many ways. Except she is the mexican version. HAHA. She loves singing, she is a ballerina and studying dance, she knows how to play the uke, she has crazy curly hair, she loves laughing, eating chocolate, and a ton of other random stuff.

What I really love about her is that she works really hard. This week we set some goals that we wanted to accomplish and we cranked it out! I really love teaching with her and she is teaching me a ton of things just by her example. I have never been happier than I am with her right now. So that rocks.

This week we saw a lot of miracles. One night we didn't have people to teach and so we decided to say a little prayer together in the street. We prayed that we would be able to find a family. I am not kidding, two seconds after the prayer the next house, we met a complete family and they let us in and we were able to talk to them about the blessings that the gospel brings to the family. My testimony is strengthened everyday by the prayers answered. 

This week we also had a ton of stress. Every time someone is preparing for baptism, Satan works super, super hard and, oh if I could explain the pressure! J is amazing. He has a testimony super strong and is already paying his tithing, fasting, reading the Book of Mormon daily, and doing so many good things. But this sunday he said, "Hermanas, I'm not coming back. This is my last Sunday. I'm sorry but I cant do this anymore."

And we were in shock and freaking out inside. So we told him to go to the priesthood meeting and after we would talk. Hermana A and I prayed our hearts out that he would be able to overcome these problems. After the meeting, he said, "Im staying. I dont know how this is all going to work out, but Im staying." So after, we were able to talk with another hermano and we could all feel peace. We are still not sure how this is all going to work out, but the Lord always, always has a way. I have complete trust. But miracles happen.

Today we had a multizone conference. President Wilkinson is sick and in the hospital so we have another president visiting. I learned sooooooo much. I filled billions of pages of notes. There are so many things to improve. He cut off my head a little bit (thats a saying here in costa rica. If someone calls you to repentance strongly we say el corto mi jupa)  but that makes us humble and ready to improve. I always feel so fired up after. So that is cool. :)

***I dont know if it will be possible but I hope that you can come to costa rica when I end my mission. I think you would really like it here. Everybody is super chill. It's the culture here. Can you believe I have been here for 7 months?! The time passes so fast. But I am so glad I still have a lot of time left. 

I love you all and keep being strong. Always ,always put the Lord first, and I promise that He will always make a solution to our problems. I know it. Be happy. The Lord has given us so many blessings! I love you all. 

"It's Golden."

Hi !!!!!!!!!!!!!

This week was real happy. I am happy, the missionaries are happy, Costa Rica is happy, my family and friends are happy, the world is happy. Thank you and goodnight.

In a summary, this week I saw some precious golden retrievers!!! Also we played night games with kids in the neighborhood in our skirts and we found some rocking people to teach. And I have a new companion! But I'm in the same area. :))

Look closely....can you see this precious little fur ball?

I wasn't expecting changes because Hermana M only has one change left and then she goes home. But when we got the call, we cried like little babies. I cant explain to you what it is like to have changes. You would think it would be normal, but its not. It's because you feel so much love for your area, your companion, and the other missionaries, and all at once, its different.

Its just a night before, and the next day, bam. Different place. But all I can say is that I am so happy that I am staying here. There is still so much to do. I am going to miss Hermana M, but I learned a lot from her, and we were able to laugh and enjoy what we did. 

My new companion is named Hermana A. The funny thing is that I met her in December at a missionary activity and we got along super, super well! And then when I found out we were companions I was soooooooo happy! She really is an angel. She is a baby in the mission, and she is from mexico. We have only been together for two days and I am already learning a ton from her! She has a ton of faith y muchas ganas de trabajar! SPANGLISH! That means she loves to work. When we taught today I had a special feeling with her. She rocks. The world rocks.

Also, we have an investigator named J and he is amazing. He is so amazingly prepared I can't even believe it. Everything we teach, he applies. He asked us if he could pay tithing before his baptism, and we said of course! And so he paid his tithing sunday, fasted, and paid his fast offering. He also told me yesterday that he stopped drinking coffee completely. He has been drinking coffee his whole life and told us that coffee is his way to have energy during the day, and if not, he has really bad headaches. But he stopped completely. And I asked if he had heachaches and he said no. WOW. The Lord is incredible. 

That is all the news i have to share. All is well, and I love you forever.