Monday, January 20, 2014 - Last Week of My Mission

Monday, January 20, 2014

Last Week of My Mission in Beautiful Costa Rica!!!!

Sad to say Good-bye! Lots of tears shed this week! Both of happiness and sadness! Bittersweet!

 Great Family!

Great Family!

Well...I have plenty of pictures that I could easily send on to you all but then I thought...well...I'll see them in a few days and can show all my pictures then. I did want to send two pictures of blessings that we had this week. This email will be pretty short because I can tell you all in person in a few days. Pretty weird right? Well...the pictures are of two families that we have been working so hard with to reactivate. The one family with the husband is Warren, Kerlyn and little boy Matthias. The other picture is of Judith whose husband is very deep into drugs and drinking again. Well...We have been teaching them both for 3 months. We tried for a month and a half just trying to enter the home of Kerlyn and her husband was never home. Finally we got in when they changed homes. These two families are interconnected in that they are practically family and live next door to each other. The mother in the picture, Judith and her husband Kenny (into drugs) were baptized. Warren (grew up as a member) and Kerlyn (recent convert). Well...both became inactive around the same time due to Bishop issues and getting offended. I'm not kidding how long we have fought to get them to church. Well...Kerlyn decided in December to get a piercing in her nose and was thinking about some others. They had let go of their dream to get married in the temple and all the rest just fell to the wayside. Judith let her husband’s issues affect her and cause a lot of discouragement and loneliness. This past Wednesday night, the Bishop offered to go and visit families with us...thinking investigators. Well...we decided it was more important for him to go and rescue those who are already members. We went and visited Judith and taught her of prayer. The Bishop felt prompted to give her a blessing of strength and comfort. Then we went and visited Kerlyn and Warren. They were shocked to see the Bishop there. We taught them also of the importance of prayer as a family and to keep progressing towards the temple. Well.....Sunday, we arrived at church and immediately saw....all three of them there dressed in church clothes. Kerlyn had taken out her piercing in her nose and looked so happy. She hugged me and said that the only other missionaries that had taken such interest in her family were the ones who taught her. I realized right then and there that as missionaries and members, ya we need to bring people to the gospel but what about those who are already part of our gospel family? They already knew of the church, fell away...saw what was outside and CHOSE with their agency to come back and enter the church. The story of the Prodigal son took a whole new perspective for me. I couldn't help but cry and just be so grateful that no matter how far we fall, we can always come back and be welcomed in with open arms. Heavenly Father loves alllllll of His children. I am so grateful for the atonement and repentance. I depend so much on my Savior. I love this gospel so much and am so grateful that I CHOSE to serve a mission. I have learned so much about agency and what that word really means. Just a lot of lessons that I have learned on my mission. I'll tell you more in person but it was just incredible to see them. We had some other investigators there but I couldn't help but feel more proud for the less actives returning. Just a very happy day. 

Also on Sunday, the Bishop had me and two other Elders also leaving with me share our testimonies. It was so hard for me. I looked out and I felt like I was saying good-bye to family....a group of people I have come to love so much! Who would have ever thought I'd feel just as comfortable sharing my testimony in Spanish as in English. It was a very special moment. Many kept saying I have a home here for me and all of you guys. They already love all of you so much and have said...please tell your family thank you so much for letting you come to such a faraway country and different culture to share with us your smile and spirit. I've kind of been crying a bit. Just kind of like...ok...I know it's time but then it's like....really? Not yet. Ha-ha. But I know that everything will be ok. I'm excited to play and have fun with all of you! We are all going to have so much fun. I love you guys so much. I'm sure you all can relate. It's just the moving on with life. Thank heavens there is Skype and email and Facebook! Phew! Eilyn wrote me some precious words in my book. I'll share it with you when I come home. She and her family are so excited to meet you guys. You are going to love it here. I hope Ty, Sami, Landon, Kimi you all can come here someday too. When you're all making the big bucks. Ha-ha. Just know that I love my mission, I love the ticos, I love the culture, I love the language....not the food so much but everything else yes. Ha-ha. Oh by the way, I ate raw fish for the first time in my life last night. I told the guy not to tell me what it was until after I ate it or I would throw up. The thing is that as a missionary...you have to eat everything. Yep...I'm good on food for the next year. Ha-ha. But ya...it was gross. I've eaten some weird stuff. Don't worry...I'll take you to good places and show you good food here. Ha-ha. Anyway. Thank you so much for your love and support. It has been an amazing adventure here. I can say that I really have given my all. Sweat, blood and tears. I'm thankful that Heavenly Father knows me so well to send me to this country. I couldn't have imagined anywhere better for me and my personality. I'm practically Latina anyway right? Oh....don't be concerned if I listen to Spanish music. It’s actually really good! Not like what the Mexicans do...its Latin music...not salsa or dancing but their music they listen too is actually really good. I’ll show you some songs. Ha-ha. Just be patient with me and love me as I adjust.  Ha-ha. Love you guys. See you very, very SOON!  

Love, Hermana Jones

Monday, January 13, 2014

Monday, January 13, 2014

 Me with Hermana Yenavit.

Me with a great family.

  I made fruit loops krispies.

 Yummy!

Bowling!

Family!!!

How's it all going with you guys! I hope that you are all having such a great week already. It's so weird right now just thinking...wow...huh....I have one more week left and then I see you in person....every day. Weird. Not just on Skype. In some ways it feels like it has gone by way too fast. I can't handle it. It's so crazy. Thank you for your sweet emails. Just to answer a few questions.... Doctors follow-up appointment: I don't think a Doctor's appointment but maybe. This place yes is another country but not as crazy as some others. I know I will have problems with food. I'm planning on not eating anything! Ha-ha. Tired of eating. So bored with food. Ha-ha. I want a break and just not having to eat. Just no rice and beans for a while. Ha-ha thanks. Um...the temple will be open when we come!! Woo hoo. I know the temple president and all of them. I told them we are coming and my last day that I go (the day before I come home) I'll ask and we can make it. No worries. Got it covered. Also, my comp's dad is looking for vacation packages that we can do. They have a van like what we used in Italy and I asked her if her dad would be willing to drive us around. She's asking him and we'll see how we can work that out. Her dad is so awesome and so kind! Great guy! I'll keep you updated. So many people here are like...we are sad but yet super happy because we'll see you afterwards in a few weeks. Ha-ha. It's been a fun rollercoaster trying to get everything in order and my comp ready. I'm a rollercoaster. Some days i think...phew shoot, so ready and other moments it's like...wait...what....what am I about to do? No...Not yet. Ya know. Kind of nervous. I had my last interview with my mission President on Thursday. This was the month of interviews and he said because there is such a big group leaving this month he would just do all of them when he travels around. It was such a good interview. Weird to have it be my last. He was so kind and can't wait to meet you guys. He's an amazing man. We wrote down some goals and this weekend I had to write plans to send on to him. He said he's keeping it on file to periodically see how I'm doing.  President told me to kick out my fears and have faith in Heavenly Father. He said I'll continue to have excellent spiritual experiences....some of the best in my life and to just move forward. He said some really kind things about my work in the mission. Of course I cried. I just wanted to feel a reassurance that I have done and continue to do what Heavenly Father has wanted me to and wants me to keep doing. He told me yes and more. I know it's time. But it's hard to accept. On the mission you are surrounded by angels and protected from the outside world. I am so grateful that I chose to serve my mission. I couldn't have imagined anything better I could have been doing at this moment in my life. I will forever be grateful for my experiences and the people that I have met and helped. I would love to tell you some spiritual experiences that I have had this week...maybe just a few.

We've been working super hard to reactivate a young woman who's less active so then she can reactivate her husband and go to the temple. They are our goal for this year in the ward to reactivate. It's been three months of teaching her and FINALLY she came to church! I couldn't have been happier! She came!!! She was sitting there in the back. Also, Jamber, our convert who is 10 came to church alone!!! His mom dropped him off and then returned to pick him up. I couldn't believe that he came alone! He said that he wanted to take the sacrament. Such a sweetheart. A little boy, sacrificing to come to church. That's why the scriptures always say that we need to be like little children. He's an amazing member! Super sweet. We have been working with Gilbert who is a headache. Ha-ha. He was a hippie, communist. This guy paints and sculpts. Ha-ha. He’s looking to change his life but he's super analytical and logical. It’s been interesting teaching him and helping him acknowledge that there is a God who loves us. We are trying to just get him to pray. That's it. We can teach and teach and teach...answer any question with the Bible and Book of Mormon but the question...is this the true church only can be answered through prayer. So we are getting him to pray. He’s progressing little by little. Fun guy. We are teaching Francisco still. He's AMAZING!!! He's Jewish but is so going to be Mormon. I just know it. I told him that. In our last lesson we talked about faith. It was the first time he said Amen in the prayer after Jesus Christ! Big step. He said he wants to pray more and learn about faith. We talked about some experiences. Then I said...will you be baptized next week? He said...i know you want to baptize me before you leave and be here for my baptism but you'll have to wait. I'll keep praying but keep you posted. I said...I know....I'm not worried. I know you'll be a member but you just have to figure that out for yourself. I know you will....you just have to know it too. I told him that I know he'll be sealed in the temple with his future spouse and needs to invite me even if I am not one of the missionaries that baptize him. He laughed and said...of course. I cried a little bit because he really is so amazing!! I said the closing prayer and in my prayer I felt prompted to say that when he decides to be baptized, that he'll have the courage and faith to tell his family and they'll accept him still. It was very peaceful and a really nice moment. We have an FHE with him and a family in the ward who has young men his age...one who served a mission and one preparing to go. We’ll see how it goes. You’ll have to meet him too. We also taught Carmen (Eilyn's mom) with a couple from the ward. It was incredible. We started talking about prophets and then it turned into the couple telling how they overcame doubts, prayed and read the Book of Mormon and received their answers. The brother who came said....why do you want to know? What will you do with your answer and then he challenged her to baptism! I thought...wow you go hermano!!! Well done! So awesome. It was direct and hit her hard but she's got to choose. There are some who just want to enter the temple to see what's inside and others who want to enter the temple to really change....enter the church to see what's inside or allow the church to change and guide them. Just interesting. Oh...Eddy might be baptized this weekend. It’s up in the air right now. He’s getting nervous and kind of freaking out. We have to get to him and help him calm down. We’ll say. Just please please PLEASE pray for him. We need the extra prayers!!!!!! Specific...that Eddy will accept being baptized!!! We had a sweet lesson with a young woman and her sister. We’ve been teaching them about the restoration and they are progressing along. They relate a lot with Joseph Smith. They are really Catholic but my comp has helped in that sense a lot! She was Catholic and only has 6 years of being a member. They are trying to find out and see if it's ok to leave the Catholic Church. The one young woman said she wasn't sure if she needed or should talk with her priest to see if it's ok she comes to our church. I thought...well duh....of course he's going to say no. ha-ha. But whatever. We hope they can come and be baptized! It's hard because many of the people we challenge to be baptized, and find, I won't be here to continue teaching and baptize them. Weird. But looking at this in a positive way...finishing one wonderful special adventure and starting another.

I'm doing just fine. Just working as hard as I possibly can. I almost contacted a whole bus yesterday because I was talking with three women and a man about the plan of salvation on the bus. The bus was loud itself so I had to talk loud. My comp had been talking with another man and said the whole bus could hear me. Ha-ha. Too bad we didn't have enough pamphlets. It was fun. I'm trying to give my absolute all so I can look back with zero regrets. I love Costa Rica and I have really enjoyed every moment. Hope you all have a great week. You are in my prayers. See you next week! Woo hoo! Thank you for your love and support. I've received a lot of advice and help with the going home stuff. It will be fine. Excited to see you all. Not excited for snow. Enjoying the sun! It’s gorgeous here. Talk with you next week. xoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxox

Monday, January 6, 2014

Monday, January 6, 2014
Happy New Year!!!!

 Money!

Volcan Poas!

Volcan Poas with Comp.

 All of us girls...we met a girl named Ruby before getting on the bus who is from Montreal Canada and can speak in English and French. She is so awesome. She hung out with us all day there at the volcano. We shared a message with her and I gave her my ensign of the conference talks in English. It was the only thing I had in English. But she's great. Crazy thing is that the other gringa sister with us...her dad is the mission president in Montreal so we put his number on the back and are setting her up with some missionaries there. SMALL WORLD. Heavenly Father totally has a plan! 

  
Me with the lake behind...it's a lagoon.

Us girls with the lagoon behind.

 Us with the full lagoon.

Me with Hna. Garcia.

JONES soda...ha-ha!!!

Hey....actually...I have to head out. Ahhh. Sorry. Bad daughter. I know. But things are good. I am happy. A lot of crazy things have happened this week. I have been praying for more charity with the people and I have definitely been given opportunities to show it. Um....we are preparing more new people to be baptized!!!! We have found some great families and a lot of new investigators. Things are really going great. We brought in the New Year super chill. We went to Eilyn's for a BBQ and then took a taxi home. It actually doesn't get crazy here until super late at night. But we were super safe and low key. We had bought Martinelli's sparkling cider. People all day had given us cake and food! But very kind. We wrote goals and said happy New Year. My comp made a joke with...the ball has dropped Hna. Jones in - China. Ha-ha. I told her the story about being at the hotel in Huntington Beach and dad telling me to go to bed before it turned midnight in California - and dad said - go to bed - the ball has already dropped. We laughed it up. Don’t worry about it at all. We have had MANY good New Year’s celebrations and we will have MANY more! Things are just going really great in our area and we are working super hard trying to get people going. Many couples in the ward are struggling in their relationships and so we are planning activities to do. We are also planning movie nights again for here in this area to help people bring their friends. Hoping we can get some good things going.

Thanks for your emails and love. Happy New Year. It’s going to be a great year! I love you all so much. Yikes! We are going to all have so much fun. Promise I’ll tell you all more in person. No worries. Sorry it's short. Please forgive me. We are having fun. Trying to be happy and healthy. Eating MUCH better and actually dropping ....not in my face but soon enough. Talk with you next week. Weird that two more and then ya. Huh. Well....love you! Have a great fun week! You are the best!! Can’t wait to hang out with you all. You guys are the BEST!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxxooxoxox Hma. Jones

Monday, December 30, 2013

Monday, December 30, 2013
It was so wonderful being able to Skype with the family!!!!

Sorry...I have a ton of pictures that we have taken that I'll have to show you guys but here are some. I don't have a ton of time because I've been waiting for pics BUT it was so fun talking with you all for Christmas! I loved seeing you guys. It's kind of like nothing has changed but then at the same time, things have changed. I couldn't believe how big the kids are! Sheesh! All just chatting it up. Crazy. They are all so cute! Great job family! Ha-ha. But I'm glad you are all doing well. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and enjoy this New Years. We’ve had a lot of fun.

I'm trying to think of what has happened this week. Not much really.....we are planning Eddy's wedding and baptism for the 15^th of January. It’s official. It was funny when he told us. He had a huge grin and is really excited. He came to church on Sunday and is really progressing. We haven't had the best luck with the people we are teaching. I've gotten used to break ups. Ha-ha. Rejection texts or phone calls. But we're actually doing pretty well and keeping our spirits high. I just want to do the best that I can in this area and leave everything that I have to give. I also want to have great people for my companion to continue teaching and preparing. I'm so proud of her. She's been stepping it up and talking with more people. She's doing a great job and I love working with her. She's an excellent missionary!

Happy Moment....many less actives who we have been teaching FINALLY came to church on Sunday! Judith and Kenny have been less actives for almost a year. We have been visiting them for 3 months now and they finally came to church yesterday...Kenny in a white shirt and tie. I couldn't believe it. Also, we've had some special lessons with people. We were teaching a less active mother and her daughter who recently got her nose pierced. All her children except for one are less actives and she's trying to hold things together. Her husband was in the Bishopric. Well. We stopped by to visit and honestly I had no idea what we were to teach. I just kept praying that somehow Heavenly Father would put into our minds what to say. Well...after the prayer I told the sister of how I wasn't sure what we were to teach but that we were going to follow the spirit and that everything we say is from Heavenly Father directly for her. I said...I have no idea what your needs are but we are going to try and help you. Then I said that I can't imagine what it must feel like for her to have all of these struggles and trials but that I know Heavenly Father is aware of her and her needs. It was cool because she started crying and opened up to us. We ended up having a VERY spiritual lesson and watched a Mormon message. The Spirit was so strong and tangible. All of us had tears in our eyes. It was incredible how we were just guided by the Spirit to know what to say. Neither my comp and I have husbands or children but Heavenly Father used us to reach her heart. She came to church on Sunday and is looking for help in her marriage. It was a really cool experience. We talked with the Bishop on Sunday about how we should start couple activities like date nights every week to help strengthen marriages in the ward. Many couples do not date! It's super sad. But we are hoping to help them out.

Oh we have also found a way to keep things fun and exciting in lessons with members and less actives. We play Uno but every time you put down a black card, you have to say an Article of Faith. It's actually a lot of fun. We're trying to add some other principles. Or some families have Jenga and we use it to talk about the basic founding principles of the gospel or how to put Christ as the foundation in your home and how when you take out the foundation, your home falls. It's been fun and cool! It livens things up and families in the ward enjoy our lessons more instead of just reading things. We are trying to make things more interactive. We have some great analytical investigators. I have bumped up my studying a ton! I am learning so much from analyzing Revelations. We are learning so much! People have the craziest questions that really aren't super important to know but for them it's critical. Ha-ha. Anyway. Things are good and we are happy. Just working hard. People continue to give us way too much food. The thing is...you can't pick what you eat...they just set a plate in front of you and expect you to eat it. Ha-ha. Oh...Satan has been trying to attack me with Horchata...the peanut drink. Sheesh. Two Sunday’s in a row, our lunches have offered Horchata. Thank heavens I ask what it is before drinking it. Ha-ha. So...I'm good...pretty good health wise. Super excited to get back to the gym. Seriously...so excited. Definitely up for the tri in September. Maybe the May one too...who knows? And why not? I'll force myself to be ready. Ha-ha. Anyway. I love you all so much. Thank you for the love and support. Just learning a lot. Sorry I don't share a whole lot. More coming soon. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxox

Hermana Jones

Oh....Christmas...the family of Hna. Corrales sent me a present....candy, penguin stuff and a shirt of Costa Rica. Super fun. Very kind of her family and also LOVED all the things you sent!!!!!!!! Best ever! So appreciative!

 Jamber's baptism group.

 Baptism.

Baptism.

Christmas party in a care center.

 Me with the girls I've trained.

 Christmas dinner.

Me being crazy!

Me with some friends for Christmas.

 I'm always happy with LOVE....

United states space shuttle...whoo hoo U.S!!!

Me riding a horse...fake one.

 Puppets!

The inside of a mouth.

Monday, December 23, 2013 - Merry Christmas!!!

Monday, December 23, 2013

Merry Christmas!

Just a short note:

Hey...we are short on time because our Christmas party with President Wilkenson was long. So fun seeing so many missionaries together. I did get all the packages! Thank you so much! We will be talking Wednesday in the afternoon. Just be on email and I'll email you guys when I’m about to set up Skype and get all that covered. Just be on email and we'll get it all worked out then. I’m excited to talk with you guys. I have tons of pictures to send you all of this week but we'll have to wait for the next week when I have more time. Love you so much and will talk with you soon and in person even sooner. I was super emotional today because I said bye to practically everyone because I won't see them again before I leave. I got some emails so we can all stay in touch. I’ll tell you all about what we did today when we talk Wednesday. Just remind me. I have a lot to tell you guys!!! Last week was crazy! Tonight we are headed up by the volcano in Poas to visit a member family who invited us for dinner and such. Then tomorrow we have various parties and lessons with investigators and members then dinner with the bishop. We feel so loved and so blessed. Everyone is just blessing us so much with gifts and love! I love it here. But miss you guys too. I guess this is just the first time that I have finally felt comfortable here and now it's about time to go home. Weird. You might see me a lot at home reading my journal, looking at pictures and listening to music in Spanish. Ha-ha. Well...working hard and having fun and being safe. Oh...we baptized Eilyn's nephew in the waterfall!!!!!!!!! It was so awesome! I took TONS of pics! Well...talk with you soon! Love you!!! Have fun. Feliz Navidad!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxox Hermana Jones

Monday, December 16, 2013

Monday, December 16, 2013

Christmas mints!

 Christmas!

Christmas!

 More Christmas!

 More Christmas!

 Ice Cream floats!

Companion dorkiness!

Cooking!

Me and my companion!

Christmas!

Hey -

Pics for Christmas!! Woo hoo! Hahaha! 

Yep...got the package...well...the zones leaders have it but let me know that I have one and a couple other things. Ha-ha. Thank you!!  As for money - Some stores are very EXPENSIVE HERE! No joke! We never go there or American stores. A cheap shirt in the U.S. is like $30 here - so not worth it. But some cute things...............what are your thoughts? Ha-ha oh...I'm going to teach my comp how to make Christmas cookie wreaths. Ha-ha. Awesome huh?! She loves rice crispies so I was like....let's do it!

I have been going through my things. ...getting rid of junk that I've picked up along the way.... ha-ha. I'm looking at clothes to see what is time to toss and what I want to keep. Some shirts just smell...no matter how many times I wash them ya know...just gross and it's time to toss some. I'm trying to condense into two bags and a carry on. I don't have jeans because I cut them into shorts....ha-ha....so....but trying to make sure I only have two bags underweight to come home.  I'll look and see what I've got before I buy any new things. My tennis shoes are gone! They are hitting that point of no return. So not sure if I should bring them home or if I should buy some new ones for exercise in the states. 

Feliz Navidad...ch ch ch ch...Feliz Navidad....ch ch ch ch ch Feliz Navidad...prospero año y felicidad! They play that song ALL the time. Ha-ha and I think of each of you every time. I hope the little ones are practicing their Spanish so they can sing that song with me next week when we Skype. They are so cute! I totally had a dream the other day about all of them and me coming home. It was so weird. The kids didn't want to hug me because they didn't know who I was. Ya...hope that really doesn't happen. Ha-ha. I can't wait to talk with you all next week. It's going to be so much fun!!! My comp and I went Christmas shopping today to buy a little something for each other. We bought some PJ's because I told her about our tradition. Ha-ha. Too funny. I'll take some pics. We are getting really excited for Christmas. This year is actually going to be super fun in comparison to last year. We have our mission party next Monday, parties with families 24th and 25th and you guys SKYPE the 25th. Some families yesterday said that we need to eat in their home before Christmas. YIKES! I thought I would lose weight on my mission...not gain it. Ha-ha. It's so tough being so loved by the people. Just kidding...we are actually really blessed in our area. 

Ok....my week. I think the biggest thing that I have learned on my mission is agency. I hate it but love it at the same time. I'm trying to figure out how to not control things. My comp laughs at my "OCD"ness and trying to control everything. She's helping me to calm down and not take everything so serious all the time. That's something I have totally learned on my mission. Just letting things go and working the best that I can and with Heavenly Father's help. We are trying to really work with less actives and get them going back to church. We have been singing carols to people...knocking on their door, singing and then sharing a message of Christ. It seems to be working and helping us get in the door. We gave talks yesterday in church about missionary work to help motivate the people. Some said that they have been thinking of some people and have a few to invite to our Christmas Party on Friday. I'll let you know how it goes. Oh...Nadim called us and said...why haven't you been visiting us! They said that they are done drinking coffee and wine and are ready to progress. We are excited for them! They are really moving forward...still don't want to set a date but we'll get them there. Eddy and Xiomara didn't get married this weekend! His mom offered him a package deal...get married cheaper in Guanacaste...but in January. He said they want to get married and he'll get baptized before I leave. I hope so. He said that he wants to be my very last baptism in my mission. Ha-ha. We'll see. Oh...Eilyn's nephew is getting baptized this Saturday. Hope he passes the interview. He's 10 and we'll be baptizing him...I hope...in the waterfalls where we went a few weeks ago. He said he wants to be baptized in a river and we said...well. How about waterfalls. Ha-ha. We’ll see how that goes this week. We are just trying to move forward with faith and hope. Well.....got to go but I love you! We’ll be talking more next week. I gave dad the Skype details and will give more next week. Sorry kind of short. But love you all sooooooo much!!!!!! Be safe, have fun and good luck in all that you do. Thank you for all that you do! You are all in my prayers. We are happy, healthy and having fun. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxox

Hna. Jones. 

Monday, December 9, 2013

Monday, December 9, 2013

Twins!!!

Hey -

Sorry...only one picture for this week. I forgot my camera cord and so...my comp emailed me this one that I liked from this week. We decided to wear the same dress...only different colors. I know...we are dorky. But anyway. I hope that you guys are doing so well and enjoying the new snow that you got. Sounds like a lot of fun. It has actually gotten so HOT here! It's crazy! We are dying of heat and drinking so much water. I know that mom and dad will enjoy it here. But FYI, Guanacaste is SUPER SUPER HOT...like...unbearable. Not sure how long you'll want to be there. Ha-ha. And...Yes....Costa Rica is super expensive!!!!! It's not like third world country or cheap. Food, hotel, cars, bus, activities...all expensive. I've been talking with a woman in the ward who is a travel agent. She said that in January, we can start making plans and she'll look for package deals for us. She's going to Texas for Christmas and won't be back until Jan.1st. So we can start planning then. Hotels are really expensive! Like...300 a night. My comp said that in San Jose will be cheaper than outside. I don't want to do stuff in San Jose. It's a super city and dirty and just a lot of sketchy pick pocketers. I wanted to drive to Cartago, Belen, and Alajuela to visit some people. I talked with some people from the temple and the first counselor of the temple told me that he'll open the temple up for when we come... ha-ha. They are like my grandparents here. They are so cute! Plus I know the Temple President and many workers there. I've been asking one worker in our ward to find out exactly what the schedule is during February. I think that they are closing it the last week and then first week in March. They all said they'll let me know. I think as missionaries we are going this month to the temple so I'll see what else I can do. I know many people who have said we can stay at their home. I've been asking around to see about cars. Buses are just crazy because you have to take so many. It's possible and I know which ones and where. I will admit that I'm more nervous with you guys on the bus than in a car but I understand the whole insurance thing. I have a friend who works at the airport so I'll ask him what he has heard about renting cars. I'll try and look into all the stuff and keep you updated.

Ok...with that out of the way...now on to other things. We have had such an awesome week. Things are really going well. We never knock on doors....ever! That's a rule in our mission. We aren't allowed to knock on doors. If our appointments fall, we go to members home, share a lesson and then ask references. We ask EVERYONE for references. We work only with the members and then people that we teach. We have split our area up into pueblos. Each day we go to a different pueblo and work the whole day there. That way we don't waste time on buses or travel. We hardly walk because we try to just stay in one area or on one street. We have many progressing towards baptism...just either need to get married or get permission from their parents. Ha-ha. So fun! We have many members who keep inviting us over for food that our cook for lunch is like...why do you pay me? Ha-ha we have had lunch and dinner practically all week and people keep inviting us. We have plans for Christmas and people beforehand that want to cook for us. It's crazy! We are so loved here. BUT...more than food, we want REFERENCES!! The neighbors have respect for the members and will be more likely to let us in if the members are there too. We have a message of PEACE AND JOY!

This week we have had some neat experiences that you can share with the family for Christmas. We have been thinking of what you could share and this is what we came up with. So we have been teaching two investigators for 2 months almost 3 now. So many people said...they'll never go to church, they'll never read the Book of Mormon, they'll never get baptized. Well....for a moment, it was tempting to drop them. One`s name is Eddy and the other is Julio. Eddy isn't married...yet. He also hadn't been coming to church. We almost thought about dropping him. We prayed and prayed and still felt like we needed to teach him. We continued to stop by, teach our messages and invite him to read and come to church. Well....after two months, he has been to church 2 times....getting ready for his third and working on preparing for baptism...we hope. Ha-ha. He told us that he and his girlfriend who is a member are getting married this weekend. We have been talking with lawyers to get things set up and just have to plan it with them. Then hoping he'll be baptized Sunday after church. He wants to be baptized and knows it's true but just says he hasn't received his answer. We taught him a lesson about how to recognize his answer and such. He said he'll pray again and we'll talk tonight. His girlfriend told us thank you for being persistent and not giving up. She said she has seen many changes in him and is grateful for our patience. Ok....now Julio. He was coming to church, praying just not reading the Book of Mormon. He said he was always so tired. His family who are all members said...just let him go....let him hit rock bottom and he'll realize he needs it. We almost gave in but felt like...well...even if little by little we'll continue. He is now reading the Book of Mormon...all the assignments we have left him to read for the past 2 months. He said he's reading little by little and can feel a change working in him. He will be baptized this month for sure! So awesome. I'm so grateful that we did not give up. I feel like that's just like Heavenly Father with us. He probably would love to drop us when we don't do what's right...but He stays with us and keeps helping us go and move forward even if it's a little bit. We just help people little by little make good changes in their lives...and celebrate when they do it. I have found it's best to hope for things than to have expectations. When I hope people accept our message, I'm not let down as much for when they don't. Or I hope that members will help me...I don't know how to explain it. You just have happier attitude. So when I come home, just hope things will happen but don't have expectations of it so if I don't meet them, you aren't upset with me. Ha-ha. Ok...other story....a few weeks ago, we went to the waterfalls in Grecia right? So while we were there, we taught one of the workers about the restoration and shared a pamphlet. Well....another worker there ended up seeing the pamphlet one day and read it. That was a few weeks ago. We got a call yesterday from this worker saying....ya, I'm calling to have someone come teach me about the Book of Mormon. We were like...WHAT! Sadly, he lives outside of our area....BUT us leaving the pamphlet totally helped this man! That goes to show that you never know what will happen. Even if you leave a proclamation to the family with one person and they don't accept it, maybe someone else will see it and they'll accept! It's so cool how Heavenly Father works.

We are working with all of Eilyn's family. They are all progressing towards baptism. We are waiting for permission for her nieces and nephews who are 10 and 11. They are reading the Book of Mormon and LOVE IT! One little girl, Katherine is SO CUTE! She is so excited to be baptized and is ALWAYS talking about it. She says...can I wear this and what do they do with this or that. Eilyn talked about doing baptisms in the temple and Katherine said to us...I want to be baptized for my dad, uncles, aunts, grandparents and so on. We said...um.....they need to be dead first for you to be baptized for them. She said...oh ok...we can wait then. SO CUTE!!! I just hugged her! She sang in the primary program yesterday and said some words in front. Her cousin is the same age and member so they help each other out. She was all about the program. After, she said...how did I do? Her parents didn't come. They are super Christian and whatever. But she's got Eilyn and her aunt who are members. We are working on Eilyn's mom still and some others. Her sister Xiomara is moving to quepos for work. We are working with the whole family though. I might have cried....a lot during the primary program. The kids all talked about the restoration and things with the gospel. Our investigators totally felt the spirit there and the church was jam packed with people!!! When the kids sang...families can be together forever, the congregation joined in at the end. I was bawling because....I just love how the gospel is the same EVERYWHERE!!! And I love Spanish!!! Oh...Eilyn went to the temple Friday night to do baptisms for the dead her first time. We stopped by her house before she left to help her get ready. She looked so beautiful. She usually has on a tank top and mini skirt but she put on a long skirt and a shirt with sleeves. I totally cried seeing her like that! She was nervous but also excited. After she left, we saw her triple on the couch....marked with tabs and the young women theme taped to the back!!!!!!!! AHHH just thinking about it makes me want to cry again! She text us later that night and said...Hermana’s...we neeeeeeed to talk! The temple is so beautiful!!! Ha-ha she loved being there and said she didn't want to leave. She wants to go through the rest but said she'll wait for her mission! Ah...I'm so grateful for Eilyn!! She is so amazing!

We did watch the Christmas Devotional. It was offered in English but I wanted to watch in Spanish. It was so beautiful and the spirit was really strong. There was a party in Alajuela central to light the tree in central park so all the streets were closed. There were drums and just a lot of noise but when the devotional started...it was like all that disappeared. The music was beautiful. When they sang, Silent Night and the congregation joined, our church sang in Spanish. I of course, cried again...surprise. I just love these Latin’s so much!!!! I LOVE THEM! They mean so much to me! I can't imagine my life without them. I love how kind and loving they are. I'm going to miss them all so much. I guess at that point, it just hit me even more that if don't have much more time here. I broke down and couldn't handle it. I feel so loved here. I know you all love me too and I love you back but it's just so different here. I have gained my testimony of the church in Spanish and it's all just very special to me. I know that life goes on but I just am so grateful for my mission. Thank you for your love and support. Know that I love you and pray for you all daily. Things will be alright and we will have fun here in Costa Rica. Don't stress it. I'll help out and we'll get it all taken care of. I think it would be best to get a place with breakfast offered because for lunch and dinner, I’m hoping the people we visit, give us some. Ha-ha. I'll help get it all planned. Please do not stress it. You’ll love the attitude here of Pura Vida. It’s like...relax. Ha-ha We'll have so much fun and you can all help me transition. I probably will have a rough few weeks and won't officially have closure until after our trip here. Ha-ha. But just know that I'll be happy with you guys! Super happy because I love you. Just sad because I love here too. Ha-ha. Well...got to go. Love you all. Have fun in the snow. Send some pics please. Be safe! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox

Hna. Jones