May 6, 2013

Dearest Pa.

Welcome to Costa Rica. Sometimes the power is out. And sometimes the water is shut off for days. And you just keep on truckin. So I liked your question about what to do about water supply. This is another example of how completely different the states are from here. Some people have water towers in their backyard, if they´re rich. If you´re a missionary, you wait for 2 days to have water again, and fill up old milk jugs. Like you should´ve done when the Holy Ghost prompted you to a week ago. I don´t know if this makes sense or not, but sounds like you´re on top of it. You got it, Pa. Oh, the other day we were eating dinner at a member´s house and the dad said, I know that you´re too young to know the show, La Casa En La Pradera, which translates to LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRARIE! And I told him yes of course and it rocks! We then changed subjects to who is the most powerful superhero. Have you ever had that conversation in Spanish? If not, try it. Super fun. Thank you once again hand gestures; for getting me through the verbs I can´t wait to learn. Fly. X-ray vision. Fire breath. One day. One day.

Dad, funny story JUST FOR YOU this week. While walking through the Costa Rician sun in beautiful Ciudad Colon, I decided to ask what my companion who her favorite cartoon was. I then wanted to tell her mine. ¨Have you seen Arthur? ¨I asked. She thought for a moment then responded, ¨You mean that monkey? ¨ I laughed so hard. Oh Pa. You are my hero. I love and miss you.

Also, that Uchtdorf talk is one of my favorites. It keeps me going. And sometimes when I have rough times, I think of that talk. There is something in each day to embrace and cherish. I love and miss our ward. PURA VIDA. I´m a stressed person, did you know that? Well maybe it´s just the mission, but I´m working to just breath. Chill. Sometimes we can´t control everything. Just, pura vida. haha.

Hey, when´s the last time someone told you how great of a dad you are? Because it´s true. You´re a great dad.

I love you!

Meg

For the record, Arthur is an AARDVARK. Not a monkey. ¡Por favor!

Mommy,

Those photos of bray are so hilarious.

I love the letter from you mom, so much goodness!

SKYPE INFO. I think we´ll go to a member´s house to use Skype. By now you and J should be friends. And if not, find him. He can help us if we can´t get in contact. Man he´s awesome!

You know when you´re in primary being told to memorize the articles of faith because one day you´ll need them? What about when you´re learning about the values that will help you make and keep sacred covenants in the temple in Young Woman’s, where I learned to be an example of the believers at all times, in all things, and in all places? Today I learned how very important it is to always have a testimony ready. Also I´m so grateful for the many years of ¨training¨ I´ve had to lead up to this moment. I was given an hour to talk about our beliefs as a Mormon. Ask a Mormon night, haha. My comp and I went with Dalton to his University class where everyone is trying to learn English. We introduced ourselves and started to qute the articles of faith and explain them. We got so many questions, and by we, I mean I was the only one who could understand. haha. ? Are you Christian? Why are you called Mormons? Do you celebrate birthdays? How many husbands do you have? Do you believe in the Virgin Mary? Why don´t you worship her? Wait, you don´t even drink alcohol for your birthday? Who is Joseph Smith? What is the gift of tongues? Can you go to visit your family? How do you baptize? What is a temple? Who wrote the Book of Mormon?

And more. I was in the hot seat for sure. I was defending our faith in every meaning of the term. There were many times when we got some tough questions and I just had to take a breath. Pray for help. Answer with confidence. It was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience. I´m grateful for this experience. Three people came up to us after and asked to learn more. We left feeling like we could take on the world. I know that in the strength of the Lord, we truly can. I love being part of these miracles. The Lord is merciful. This work is good, oh so good.

This photo, we ran out of money for food and ate what we had in the house. Jell-O and popcorn. haha. Fun moments.

Okay this was the happy story. Know how we have to have opposition in all things? Ready for the opposition?

We got a call Saturday night at 9:30 from H. He told us that they didn´t feel ready to be baptized. We were so confused. I was crushed. There is comfort in the Book of Mormon, that much I know.

We met with them Sunday morning. The night before they talked with a preacher friend of theirs. The preacher said that we were too young to be preaching the gospel. That Joseph Smith was confused so he started his own church. That Mormons don’t believe in the Bible, only the Book of Mormon. It was so hard to hear. We just cried. I bore my testimony. The most sincere testimony I have. I know so deep down that none of these things are true. I know that I am called by a prophet of God to do these things. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, translated by Joseph Smith who truly saw God and His Son and restored the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They told us that they want to keep learning, so we´re going to keep teaching. I was so bummed. Walking around with a rain cloud above my head. But (ready for the good again?) then we went to church and testimony meeting was GREAT! J bore such POWERFUL testimony! He said that every Sunday morning he looks in the mirror at his white shirt and tie and short hair. The changes he´s made are incredible. And he said he´s going to marry his wife in the temple and baptize his children in this church and they´re going to baptize their children in this church,etc. Awesome. And that´s why we’re here.

Then in Relief Society all the women just went on and on about how amazing we are.

I HAVE NO TIME TO DO THIS JUSTICE. I’m sorry

Point of the story,

Heavenly Father knows what we need, exactly when we need it. Trust in him.

I Love you!

Megan

Congrats on the garage sale.

cinco de mayo means nothing here. They don´t really spend money on stupid things here like in the states. Like Labor Day, buy a mattress get a free hot dog. Nope. I don´t miss that. But, I did see a poster for Iron Man 3. Heart melted! haha

Okay got to go soon. We ran out of time today. sorry!

By the way, Obama is in Costa Rica, biggest thing ever. He was in Ciudad Colon! haha they shut down all the busses and schools and work. hilarious.  yeah, San Jose today with our zone. We had a talent show. Fun. Our bus was slightly late. My fingers can’t type as fast as my brain. SORRY!

Sunday. woot woot. okay. CIAO.  HAVE A GOOD WEEK!