JOY

December 2, 2013

Papa Gerogio!  Howdy handsome! Today I flipped my calendar to the last month possible: December. I bought it way back in December 2012. I never thought Id make it to this month. Not because I thought I’d go home, but because I thought I’d die by now, haha. I’m only half kidding. 

I do feel like I’ve changed. I think that’s the point. Naturally I left thinking I’m going to come back the same person, just with the ability to speak Spanish. ha. How naive. I’ve changed in almost everyway. 

I’m learning how to communicate with other people. 

I’m learning how to love people who think so much differently than I do. 

I’m learning how to suck it up and keep moving forward. Sometimes truly all you can do is throw your hair in a ponytail and say, bring it on!

I’m learning how to preserve money.  - How to make a dollar stretchhhhhhh. 

How to pray. 

How to study.

How to put aside my wants and accept HFs plan for me. 

How to be humble. 

How to feel reverence for the atonement. 

How to smile even when your heart is breaking. (so hard!) 

How to LIVE. By giving all of myself to the Lord. 

I love you all so much.

I don´t have the bug. 

I think we´re going to the circus today.  We wont be able to see anything really because it starts at night, but we´ll see something...I think. 

HahaHAPPY THANKSGIVING! 11-28-13

This year what I´m most grateful for truly is the restored gospel in my life. I realized this as I sat in the MOST    INCREDIBLE    LESSON of my life. I would be truly lost and frankly sad without it.

First, I need to start with some random thoughts.

A. This year I especially miss Turkey Day. I think because it’s my second one away from my family. Is it about stuffing our faces with food-though yes. Grandma´s home made pumpkin or banana cream pie does sound amazing right about now. But what I love about this holiday tradition is gathering together and being together. 

B. This week Ashling (Sister Peterson in Russia) wrote me saying she´d pray specifically for us to find someone GOLDEN and you know what? PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED! But as I was thinking about the miracle of a good friend praying for successful missionary work, I realized that not only one prayer was sent out on our behalf. But my ward, my family, the prophet, mission president, companion, and me all prayed with the same faith that allowed Moses to part the red sea. I´m grateful for all the help God sends me daily. 

 Okay. My day yesterday. 

After our fun district meeting we went to visit a less active, but we weren´t sure why. She´s so kind and a truly good God-fearing woman. I realize now that I just need more courage to be bold. My companion was like-why did you leave the church? And what we discerned is that she got married (just because the missionaries were going to pay) and then felt obligated to also get baptized. Unfortunately that’s not how it works. She made a commitment to God and we need to help her remember. Turns out she´s really confused about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. According to her, the BOM only talks about Joe Smith. I looked her square in the eyes and told her with more authority I´ve ever felt in my life and frankly told her that I know the Book of Mormon is true. That I’ve traveled all these miles to defend it. And I realized that I just simply loved her. Like Christ would. It didn´t matter if she was attending another feel-goodery church. It didn´t matter how much she had or didn´t have. I just loved her even though I barely know her. I know that if she listens, she´ll feel the spirit testifying to her the things she needs to do to receive exaltation. She taught me an important lesson about the importance of prayer: God doesn´t give us all that we ask for right away so that we can remember Him. 

Okay "M" He´s such an amazing example that God´s hand is in the middle of everything. Majenga (futbol, soccer) Tuesday. My comp and I were trying so hard to find somebody (a youth) who God had prepared. We wrote down all 16 names of non-members. We had to leave to go help Sandra do family history. All night I’d noticed a kid standing far away. As we were walking in the church, my legs moved toward him. We got to talking. It was so easy and natural. He´s 16 (LIKE MY BABY BRO RYLEY!!!! GUY GUY!) And super tall. Taller than me. It´s weird! We set up an appointment.  We got to know him more. I sincerely wish I could´ve taped it all. The spirit is working in him. I can´t wait to get up to heaven and watch the Youtube of my life and revisit this awesome moment. Some of his questions:

When are you going to invite me to your church? (The first thing he said to us!)

What do you believe?

Why did Jesus go to John the Baptist to be baptized? Shouldn´t it have been the other way around? 

I thought only Moses could see God...? 

If you were me, what would you think? (And Ry, special shout out. It´s like being with you. So I´m studying for him as if I were studying for you. And talking with you. I love you!)   Matt 3:17 “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” When we finished reading this, M said “wow. Heavenly Father was really proud of His son, right? I want to hear these words.” He told us some of his doubts about prayer. He told us that He didn´t believe that God would answer him. And the spirit helped me know that he´d done some stuff in his past that made him feel far away from Him (consequence of sin.) 

I looked him strait in the eyes and told him that I know God loves him and wants him to have light. We once again read a part in James 1:5, and I think for the first time, I understood what it means “liberally and without reproach.” Even if we´ve done stupid things, God wants us to always talk to Him. He agreed to be baptized!!! I´m praying harder for him that anyone else.  Did I mention that his mom´s a pastor? Ha wish us luck! Having one amazing lesson changes everything! I love this gospel! 

Thanksgiving feast: Sonya and Mariano cooked us a typical Tico meal: arroz con pollo, frijoles, ensalada Rusa. I was surrounded by my San Carlos family. We went around the table, like my momma taught me, and mentioned the 3 things we´re grateful for. Mine are: 

1. Mariano and Sonya-or angels really. People who love me unconditionally and take care of me. 

2. The things I´m learning here. To be able to think and learn in a way totally different from my own. 

3. The authority that has been restored to the Earth. 

I felt the spirit-the true Spirit of Thanksgiving. 

(My family is an obvious thing I´m grateful for. I love you all soooo much!) 

Love,

Meg