I have been transferred to an area within the town of Cartago, Costa Rica. It is east of the capital, San Jose. It has an elevation of about 4,707 ft. above sea level, at the base of the Irazu Volcano. It served as the first capital of Costa Rica until 1823. The city has been damaged by some earthquakes. In 1963, a volcanic eruption of the Irazu Volcano which covered San Jose in ash and badly damaged some agricultural areas around Cartago, but not the city. The area is more mountainous and cooler. It is soooooooo cold at night! Outside when we are walking around, I wear my BYU sweatshirt because the jacket I brought is so thin. haha. I've thought about tights, too. So cold. Especially, coming from Rio Claro - where it was just opposite - HOT! Our Mission President is so funny to send me to the COLDEST area in Costa Rica. But don't have any itching or rash problems. Yeah!!!!
My companion is from Honduras. She is 28 years old and is just finishing her mission. Things are great. She is awesome. Does have some health problems - we have to work with - but it doesn't distract us from working. I am learning a great deal from her. She is an excellent teacher in lessons and really knows how to teach things in a simple way. She trusts me so much and has told me to take the ropes this week in starting lessons and teaching. She said that her job is to prepare me to train or be a senior companion. I get nervous a little bit but her confidence really helps me through. I do get stressed alot - trying to work - and push and trying to be the best missionary I can. I have always been a perfectionist - best work, the best grades, lessons, everything - my companion is trying to help me chill out more. She told me that all that really matters is what Heavenly Father thinks of my work and what I am doing. Elder Uchtdorf in a talk that he gave said..."do you think that Christ hurried from appointment to appointment or do you think he took some time to focus on the one." That is what I am trying to concentrate on.
Our ward and members here are so great. We are having so much success. I am loving it. We have so many members in our ward willing to help us out whenever we need them. A goal in our zone is to have more lessons with investigators in member's homes and with members present. We have an investigator that has been staying with his mother - for the holidays. We have taught him - but will have to turn him over to other missionaries when he leaves to go back with his dad. We always have a challenge getting people to come to church - something always prevents them from coming. Like a child gets sick, work, celebrating birthdays and so many more things. We have another family. We have only taught them twice but they love what we have taught them so far. We have also contacted many families in the streets and are working like crazy! We have received references from the ward members and are trying to visit all of their referrals. I was told that I was sent along with a few others - to help clean up the area. There were some missionaries that were disobedient. That is a lot of pressure. But, it is kinda true, because when we went to visit some in-actives - they always say, "Oh, we are getting ready to watch this movie...we were waiting for you guys." I said...um...we can't watch movies unless they are church sponsored and approved by our Mission President. They were like...what you can't...we always did with the ones before. Or whenever there is a game on, they say...oh come on in and join the party. I know that I am a bit of a white bible missionary....but you guys know me...always afraid to break the rules. haha. - I can't even J- walk. I told the missionaries about my experience with getting a warning for J-walking and was afraid that I had a police record. All the missionaries busted up laughing. I feel that if I am disobedient - how can I ask for Heavenly Father to help me or send us people to teach and who may be interested. I would be a hypocrite and I want Heavenly Father and Christ to know that they can count on me and my companion to do the work that they would do if they were here on earth.
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