Arrived in Costa Rica - September 8, 2012

Saturday, September 8th: So, I arrived Saturday night with my group at the airport in San Jose. The Mission President, his family and the AP's(assistants) picked us up. I was a little bit nervous but mostly excited. When we stepped out into the air, the humidity just drenched us in sweat. It was so incredibly hot!! Our first stop was the Temple in San Jose. Sunday, September 9th: Sunday, we walked around the sisters areas and invited people to church with us. We talked with various people and contacted. At church, there were only maybe 20-30 people there. They asked if I could play the piano because no one knew how to play. So, I played for them. So weird - but not bad! Everyone came up to me and asked tons of questions. They only spoke Spanish. I was just thinking...what in the world have I gotten myself into. We taught a lesson on Joseph Smith - mostly bore my testimony with limited Spanish vocabulary. After church, we had a baptism. My first! haha, not really mine. Afterwards, we had dinner with a member who's son served part of his mission in Park City and Draper - small world. They spoke so fast in Spanish - but assured me that my Spanish will come!Later, we visited more people. Monday, September 10th: Monday, I met my new companion. Her name is Hermana Cartegena from El Salvador.She is just like me - only Latina. She likes to have fun and is very outgoing. Most of the sisters here are from nearby countries. We speak English inside our apartment (to help her learn English)and Spanish outside and in people's homes. There are only 5 white sisters in my mission and 15 Latinas. They have been so kind to help me. Our area is Concepcion, an area just outside San Jose. It really takes in four areas: our area is considered Los Angeles.It also consists of areas called San Francisco, Salduria and another (can't remember) There are so many homes- like one house on top of another. There are lots of dogs everywhere. People drive so fast. We were told to watch for cars because they will not watch for us. Our apartment is tiny but nice. We have a sink, fridge, tile floor, bunk beds, hot shower, washer - but you have to line dry your clothes, and we also have a blender. Sunday night we also had 3 Apostles come to Costa Rica. They were in Argentina to dedicate a temple and stopped in Costa Rica to check on the mission due to the 7.6 earthquake. Elder Christofferson, Elder Ballard and President Eyring were the Apostles.President Eyring spoke and then I was able to shake his hand afterwards.He said that sometimes we may feel that we are way over our heads and even though we are - it is to teach us to rely soley on Heavenly Father and not ourselves. We could really feel Heavenly Father's Spirit in the meeting. I really feel humble.Addresses in Costa Rica are nuts - so our letters are sent to the mission home and then they distribute them to us when they see us. Love you all! I am a bit homesick - and overwhelmed - but appreciate everyone's prayers and support! Thank you. Love, Jennifer (Hermana Jones)