March 20, 2013

March 20, 2013

Happy Birthday - Landon!!!!

Ok FAM a lam. Kinda booking it to write you all everything that has happened this week. We went to the temple today and got back late from our session. Yikes! I do have pictures but I don't have time to put them all on the computer and send them to ya. But just know that you will get a whole heck of a lot on Monday. Thank you so much for your emails! I am so grateful for all your advice, love and support. Glad to hear that everyone is doing well. Crazy that Claire is almost crawling...can't even handle it! And that Ty and Sam are moving! Shoot! Seriously. What in the world is going on? Way too many changes that I'll have to get used to! Stop it. Ha-ha. But that's great that Ty and Sam were able to find a new place to live that is still close to everything else. REI is a great area to live and plus close to Bob's Brain Freeze in a great time of the year. I hope that all of your work is going well and that you all are having success.

This week, we had a lot of things happen. How in the world am I going to write about it all? Um, basically I am teaching, finding new people to teach, and teaching references and oh did I mention we are teaching? Ha-ha. Yep....you think that your weeks are all the same, well...me too! We should all start a club. Oh, btw, I have started the word shoot here. Ha-ha. I say it all the time and people ask me what it means. I explain and they use it all the time. Our District Leader uses it, my comp, members, and our investigators. It's pretty funny. I love it. I'm just going to type like how I am thinking and talk. Ha-ha. Hope you can understand it and all that jazz. I couldn't exactly read all of your emails in depth but I'll read them tonight and respond on Monday. Yes, I do need crocs. Ha-ha. I have big holes in my crocs. Super gross. I'm using my other shoes I brought and might buy some shoes (cheap version of crocs) in San Jose for 4 bucks with the money they give us. I am learning to budget so much better! You would be so proud of me. Ha-ha. But yes, if you can, crocs would be awesome to finish out my mission. Thank you! And I loved my package! I have already worn the cute shirts. They fit great! The skirt....a little tight which shows eat less and work out more. Ha-ha. A good reminder. I painted my nails and wear the socks every night to bed! So comfy. Thank you Megan and Jordan!!! We shared the cookies and candies. I'm going to bake the cake with a family we are teaching. The wife wants to learn how to bake so I'm going to teach her how to make cookies and the cake. She’s taught me how to cook beans and rice. Ha-ha. But delish!  Oh and I can email now. There are no rules on who we can and can't email with our mission president so if you could....spread the word that I can receive emails and email. It’s faster to receive emails, print and then write a letter back. So spread the word on fb with all my friends’ ha-ha.  

The work......I am learning so stinking much! Our study time is awesome. One day, I will share some things I have learned from the Book of Mormon. Sorry, but I don't really use the Bible anymore. There are so many things that have been translated incorrectly. Just so many thousands of years of writing and rewriting and a lot of things changed or left out. I know it's the word of God too but the Book of Mormon is a billion times better. I'm starting to read the Doctrine and Covenants! Super awesome. I am learning so much. On Monday, I'll bring my notebook and share some things that I have learned. Spiritual experiences that have happened......um....every day something happens. I really need to bring my journal because so much time passed and I can't remember what I have told you and haven't told you. We are still teaching this great family! They are amazing! I have never met a family more prepared to receive the gospel. They are praying every night taking turns! And reading the book of Mormon together. The husband told us that he hates to read the bible but he can't put down the book of Mormon. Also, we went to Pricila (the wife) her mom's birthday party with them. We had passed by their house to visit them and they invited us to go! It was great! We got to meet everyone in her family and let them know we aren't crazy. Before we ate dinner, Yeudi (the husband) said to his wife...what are we missing? She said...what? And then she realized the prayer. So they said a little prayer with us...mind you in the house of her family who are super super intense Catholics! They are just so awesome. They make dinner for us in every visit at night. We taught them the word of wisdom this Sunday and they both said....nope, we don't have any problems. It totally makes sense that these things are bad for you. Then Pricilla asked me.....tell me the truth---why did you choose this lesson now when I told you yesterday that we drink occasionally. Ha-ha. I said...honestly it's because we want you to have more time in quitting these things before your baptism so you can have blessings quicker. We just want blessings faster for them! Ha-ha. We are always laughing with them and it's a very comfortable relationship. They accept everything we teach! They haven't drunk coffee or anything! We talked briefly about tithing yesterday and about the prophet--who can talk with him and things like that. They were amazed that no one in the church receives money for their service. They said...oh yeah, totally fine! That’s their answer for everything. Please pray for them. We have to push their baptism to the week after conference because Yeudi had to work one Sunday and couldn't come. Pray very very hard for them...Pricila, Yeudi, and their children Evans and Francis. Also, we have some other investigators. Not many progressing. We had to drop three last week because one is legitimately crazy! Like she needs psychotherapy and AAA to help her with the drinking. But she refuses and is mean crazy and drunk most of the time. Thankfully, she hasn't called us like usual. We have another investigator Bryan but we can only teach him every Monday which is hard. We are going to see about Sundays too.  

My comp is a lot better. I have had to be a little more firm with her. She is so shy. She's taking part in more lessons and contacting more. She's growing in her faith and testimony. I found out that she's never read the BOM or PMG so...this has been a first for her. But our relationship is better and I'm trying to just relax and not stress out like usual Jen. I know I need to just be patient and have fun. I am...don't worry.  She also told me that I talk in my sleep.....in Spanish. Ha-ha. So I guess that's better. I really need to study Spanish more and work on that. There are still many times I don't understand. We all just laugh. The family that we teach too just laugh and we joke about it. Oh....we made root beer floats with the family last night after dinner because I wanted to show them something legit from the U.S. They liked it a lot. I'll send you pictures on Monday.

The temple was really nice today. I always love when we can go to the temple. I can't wait to take you guys there. Many Costa Ricans understand gringo English. Ha-ha. They are patient and helpful. But it was really pretty like always. You guys are going to love it! I tried to pay more attention to how to get there this time. :) Overall, we had a pretty good week. Wish I could remember more. But it's time to go and they are kicking us out to close. Just know that I love you and will talk to you on Monday! How awesome is that? Next P-day is so soon! Ha-ha. And we get to talk talk very soon! May! ush ush. Anyway. I love you guys so much. Good luck this week! I hope all goes well for you. Know that I am working hard and trying to bring happiness to many many people!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Jen Jones