Monday, June 24, 2013 - Happy Birthday Olivia Rose Jones

Monday, June 24, 2013 - Happy Birthday Olivia Rose Jones - 2 Years Old - today!!! WOW!

Dear Everyone -

First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVIA!!!! Woo hoo! Can't wait to see the pictures from her birthday to see how it was. So fun! I hope that you all just had a fun time. Can't believe that she is two years old. Crazy! 

Well....things are pretty fine and dandy here. I'm trying to calm down and just take things as they come. Easier said than done. I'm  trying learn and to understand the covenants that I made in the temple and what they really mean. We live so close to the temple and just had the opportunity to go. It is so beautiful and wonderful. As you can tell - I am pretty into my mission - and hope I don't sound too preachy - I am still crazy Jen - but I am also - really into my mission and love serving the people here in Costa Rica!

We are trying to help members remember their covenants and go to the temple more. They are so lucky to live close to the only temple in Costa Rica. Other people pay so much money just to travel here and do one session. The members could go every night if they wanted to. Many don't want to work one day in the temple because of their other commitments. I understand that, but when we understand LOVE and the power of God, He will make all things available to us and we will never lack for anything. We try to explain that if people pay their tithing...the little that they have, their children will never lack for food or the things necessary to live. Maybe they won't have a car or have a great big TV...but they will have the things sufficient to live.

In our Sunday Relief Society lesson, we talked about doing the little things to have peace at home. I shared with the women that life is like a race. When I did my half marathon, every two miles, there was water and an energy thing to help keep us going. Some think, oh I'm fine and can keep going but then later on they are struggling because they weren't constant. We need to do the little things along the way like reading the scriptures, prayer, FHE, going to church so then we have the spiritual energy and strength to continue pushing forward until the finish line which is with Christ. We are trying to step up the missionary work here and really work WITH the ward. We have asked our Bishop if we can meet with him once a week on Friday mornings to discuss our ideas with him and talk WITH him about how we can better help the ward. We had the activity in church on Saturday night. We showed up and not a single investigator was there. We said hi to people but decided to leave and get to work. As we were leaving, due to our obedience to get to work, two of our investigators were walking in. We ended up having four investigators at the activity. And they had fun! They came to church the next day too! It sparked a little something in the ward to see that we are bringing people to church and need their help. We passed around a piece of paper and had many sign ups...more than usual. It's great! Now, we just have to organize the work and do it all. Ha ha. But I am definitely learning how to work.

I am learning a lot about unconditional love. My comp has had a tough week. She's been struggling - trying to figure some things out. Last night, she flipped out at me and said MANY hurtful things. I wanted to whip some words right back at her. But I stopped myself and said what can I do to help you? She burst into tears and said she's hurting inside and doesn't know what to do and has zero support from members. She told me some things she overheard them saying about her. It was really sad. I found that she wasn't mad at me but it was her only outlet. I wanted so bad to talk back to her and say some things but I took a moment and looked at her. Instead of saying something to help, I just gave her a hug. We said a prayer and I gave her a moment to think. This morning, we talked about it and what we are changing and adjusting to try to not have the ups and downs - but consistent happiness. It's been happy and then sad and then happy. We all have struggles from time to time. I am learning so much from her. She's really an excellent companion and has stretched me. She pushes me and pushes me and I help her see the little happy things each day. It's a great combo. We are not focused on numbers, numbers, but focused on service and love. We are trying to follow our Mission President and put more trust in God. We pray and then put one foot in front of the other. That's what we have to do.

Anyway....no baptisms for this week but planning for next week. We taught Laura and Moises about the Atonement. We were trying to figure out what it will take to get to the heart of Moises, if marriage and an eternal family won't. The atonement entered our minds. It's been really cool receiving revelation that helps guide us of how we can help our investigators. I've started carrying around a notebook to write down thoughts and at night I have a notebook to write thoughts and inspiration after my prayers. It's amazing what Heavenly Father gives when we are willing and follow through. I want to be like our prophet, President Monson and leave meetings to follow a prompting to help someone. Then Heavenly Father trusts us more. Just trying to show I'll follow Heavenly Father. Well...have to head out. We have some great people we are teaching and preparing for baptism.....Jose, Roger and his wife, Moises and Laura, Sobeida, Rolando, Jaqueline, Herson and some other investigators we keep finding. Stepping it up! Ha ha. And we are having fun. Loving my mission so much! Trying to be an actual missionary and have people recognize that. Love you all so much. Be safe and have a great week. xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxo

Hna. Jones

Me with Hna. Cartagena - my first companion - and trainer!

 Me with Elder Humphries.

Our Saturday night activity with the ward.

 Activity continued - me with a cutie pie Emily.

Us catching our investigators who came to our ward activity!

 Me and Hermana Marquez.

Buying fruit! Finally! Haha. Many changes.