Monday, December 16, 2013

Monday, December 16, 2013

Christmas mints!

 Christmas!

Christmas!

 More Christmas!

 More Christmas!

 Ice Cream floats!

Companion dorkiness!

Cooking!

Me and my companion!

Christmas!

Hey -

Pics for Christmas!! Woo hoo! Hahaha! 

Yep...got the package...well...the zones leaders have it but let me know that I have one and a couple other things. Ha-ha. Thank you!!  As for money - Some stores are very EXPENSIVE HERE! No joke! We never go there or American stores. A cheap shirt in the U.S. is like $30 here - so not worth it. But some cute things...............what are your thoughts? Ha-ha oh...I'm going to teach my comp how to make Christmas cookie wreaths. Ha-ha. Awesome huh?! She loves rice crispies so I was like....let's do it!

I have been going through my things. ...getting rid of junk that I've picked up along the way.... ha-ha. I'm looking at clothes to see what is time to toss and what I want to keep. Some shirts just smell...no matter how many times I wash them ya know...just gross and it's time to toss some. I'm trying to condense into two bags and a carry on. I don't have jeans because I cut them into shorts....ha-ha....so....but trying to make sure I only have two bags underweight to come home.  I'll look and see what I've got before I buy any new things. My tennis shoes are gone! They are hitting that point of no return. So not sure if I should bring them home or if I should buy some new ones for exercise in the states. 

Feliz Navidad...ch ch ch ch...Feliz Navidad....ch ch ch ch ch Feliz Navidad...prospero año y felicidad! They play that song ALL the time. Ha-ha and I think of each of you every time. I hope the little ones are practicing their Spanish so they can sing that song with me next week when we Skype. They are so cute! I totally had a dream the other day about all of them and me coming home. It was so weird. The kids didn't want to hug me because they didn't know who I was. Ya...hope that really doesn't happen. Ha-ha. I can't wait to talk with you all next week. It's going to be so much fun!!! My comp and I went Christmas shopping today to buy a little something for each other. We bought some PJ's because I told her about our tradition. Ha-ha. Too funny. I'll take some pics. We are getting really excited for Christmas. This year is actually going to be super fun in comparison to last year. We have our mission party next Monday, parties with families 24th and 25th and you guys SKYPE the 25th. Some families yesterday said that we need to eat in their home before Christmas. YIKES! I thought I would lose weight on my mission...not gain it. Ha-ha. It's so tough being so loved by the people. Just kidding...we are actually really blessed in our area. 

Ok....my week. I think the biggest thing that I have learned on my mission is agency. I hate it but love it at the same time. I'm trying to figure out how to not control things. My comp laughs at my "OCD"ness and trying to control everything. She's helping me to calm down and not take everything so serious all the time. That's something I have totally learned on my mission. Just letting things go and working the best that I can and with Heavenly Father's help. We are trying to really work with less actives and get them going back to church. We have been singing carols to people...knocking on their door, singing and then sharing a message of Christ. It seems to be working and helping us get in the door. We gave talks yesterday in church about missionary work to help motivate the people. Some said that they have been thinking of some people and have a few to invite to our Christmas Party on Friday. I'll let you know how it goes. Oh...Nadim called us and said...why haven't you been visiting us! They said that they are done drinking coffee and wine and are ready to progress. We are excited for them! They are really moving forward...still don't want to set a date but we'll get them there. Eddy and Xiomara didn't get married this weekend! His mom offered him a package deal...get married cheaper in Guanacaste...but in January. He said they want to get married and he'll get baptized before I leave. I hope so. He said that he wants to be my very last baptism in my mission. Ha-ha. We'll see. Oh...Eilyn's nephew is getting baptized this Saturday. Hope he passes the interview. He's 10 and we'll be baptizing him...I hope...in the waterfalls where we went a few weeks ago. He said he wants to be baptized in a river and we said...well. How about waterfalls. Ha-ha. We’ll see how that goes this week. We are just trying to move forward with faith and hope. Well.....got to go but I love you! We’ll be talking more next week. I gave dad the Skype details and will give more next week. Sorry kind of short. But love you all sooooooo much!!!!!! Be safe, have fun and good luck in all that you do. Thank you for all that you do! You are all in my prayers. We are happy, healthy and having fun. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxox

Hna. Jones.