November 27, 2012

November 27, 2012

Update from Costa Rica:

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!!! No turkey for ME!!!! My cook was so sweet and made me mashed potatoes and gravy, then regular rice, beans and an egg. Haha! But, the potatoes were really really good. Not like home but good for Costa Rica - and it was so nice that he tried. We talked about the different foods in America and it's his dream to eat Thanksgiving dinner one day. I have a picture of my Thanksgiving Feast for you to see!

Everyone is getting ready for Christmas here. Our cook had his house all decorated for Christmas and he gave us each a Christmas ornament - to help decorate our apartment. We will be decked out with "2" ornaments! Merry Christmas!

One day, my companion and I were contacting in one of our areas. The dogs in this area are a little sketchy. Just mostly skinny and hungry. So, because of this, my companion is super afraid of dogs. We were trying to cross this little path of mud. I was in front. A dog started to walk towards us, not even barking. My companion freaked out. I got scared and started moving faster down a little slope and fell. We busted up laughing. The dog didn't even do anything. It was so funny! I got super scraped up on my knee. My legs are so bad with bites and scrapes.

It is still raining - EVERYDAY! No Joke! We see the sun...occasionally. I have never seen so many clouds in my life. Seriously. Sometimes at night, we get to see the moon and stars. Thankfully, I love the rain but I will say that you get a little tired of the darkness. Not many people are outside when it rains so that's a little tough to contact. During lessons, the rain is so powerful that sometimes it's hard to hear what people are saying. I can see how some people could become depressed with this every day. But, it just makes us more grateful for the days we have sun. We took advantage of the sunshine one morning this week and studied outside. Me, being Jen and not having yet learned that my skin is super sensitive to the sun, didn't put on sunscreen. Well...sent a picture of what happened. Yeah...super bad and painful. I went to the pharmacy and bought some aloe vera. My companion was shocked at how fast the aloe vera helps a sunburn. She had never heard of it before. Her plan for helping it heal was just waiting for it to go away! I told her no way was I going to wait with this pain. The first night I could barely walk... Yah...not too smart. Being a missionary, I just learn to apply it  to what I am teaching....Repentance! I will never do that again....I will never do that again...I will never do that again...
People we are teaching:
We had an activity at our ward. We invited all of the people we are teaching. However, only one of our families came. This family is really wonderful. They have two beautiful little girls. They are the age of Cameron - 4 and Kennedy 2. They remind me so much of each of them - the 4 year old - is so organized and planned. The 2 year old - crazy and challenges her parents. Unfortunately, they are living in a home owned by the husband's sister and they had a fight - and now have to move out - our one family that is doing really well - will be moving on Wednesday. We are so sad to have to say good-bye! The ward got to know them - we are having our last lesson with them.
Another family we have been working with - are still struggling. Husband - not interested - wife loves our teachings - and believes they are true - but having problems because she likes the music at her old church.
Another family - called Sunday morning before church and said they don't want to hear the lessons anymore. We visited them to figure out what was wrong. They said they just aren't ready to change. They were super nice about it, but said they just aren't ready - but maybe in the future. He had watched something about polygamy with Joseph Smith. I told him that our lessons would teach about prophets - and coming to know if Joseph Smith was a true prophet - I told them that a branch broke away from the church and practices that today, but that we do not. I told them to be careful where they look for information on the internet. We said if they want to know more about our church and want to get back into contact, visit the website lds.org. We just try to respect everyone. It is sometimes really tough.
Another family - are really awesome. They are a little slower at understanding and remembering but such a humble family and so happy. The husband is so kind - he appears receptive and keeps saying we are welcome in their home any day, any time. So kind! We just barely started to teach them so it is too soon to tell what will come.
I am continually learning patience and pure love - Lot's of ups and downs - highs and lows!
Hope you all have a great week!!!