Car Loads of Fun in Costa Rica!

February 24, 2014 – Loads of Fun in Costa Rica (Car Loads)

Hey there!

Wed 2.19.14  Today was a girlie day.

Today we had a cool charla-chat with Carla by candlelight. She lives in a place without electricity and we went later than usual. She really opened up about her fears about this gospel. Change really is hard. It was hard for me to change countries. It was hard for me to wake up early and move muscles that are so content doing nothing. (still doing that LGN diet) But what I’m learning is that a little sacrifice is well worth eternal happiness. (mom, this week I studied 4th Nephi, all of it, haha it´s only 1 chapter and I noticed the key to happiness and the key to misery. Can you find it?? Go through it and mark all the things that will bring us happiness.) Carla asked us if we´ve gained anything from our missions. I answered her yes so quickly. 2 things immediately went through my head: 1. Brayden´s last letter he wrote me. He told me it was mandatory for me to come so that he´d be able to. 2. M, A, and B. (This is the family that Megan wants to come back and see sealed in the temple in the summer) And 3. All of the other people that follow them. And also those who I don´t even know about yet. I´m so grateful I came and stayed. (P.S my heart will always be right here in San Carlos.) 

We stopped by to visit *Mary and checkup on her. She said that since her priesthood blessings, she hasn´t had a headache. She then asked if she could make us dinner: rice, beans, and Natilla  (delicious sour creme.) She said it really is a blessing for her to be able to feed us. I need to always be GIVING AND GLAD! 

To end the day, my comp and I bought strawberries and ice cream and gave ourselves facials. Girlie day! *Photo

Saturday;  Today was just a really bad day. I think it all started when I forgot my hair tie. That´s the worst here. Super hot. A lot of wind. Blah. So buckle up and hang in there, it´s going to be a bumpy ride. 

1. We were finally able to get us an appointment with M. She´s a miracle. (Showed up at church one day. With a member. Apparently we made a good impression because she cried and told us she wants to receive the lessons, etc.) But lives pretty far away. So we had to go to the bus terminal super early. So-getting lost and confused is all part of the experience. You know me-PURA VIDA. But today the bus drivers wouldn´t let us on the bus. I seriously had one of those moments where the boat was going down, and I was a ¨d¨class passanger-or Leonardo DiCaprio if you will. (Titanic joke for all you rookies out there.) The two of us seriously could not figure out why we were not allowed to get on. What does all of this have to do with tea in china? Nothing really. Just know that I got put in awkward and uncomfortable and confusing situations and somehow managed to survive. Anyways we didn´t get on that bus until 2 hours later. Part of me wanted to yell, slapp, kick, someone. But I’m here to be more like Christ. So I sat down, tried the best I could to calm down by singing ¨when there´s love at home¨ and reading the Ensign. It also required $3 worth of ice cream and a $14 shirt. (Retail/Chocolate therapy. Totally works.) 

2. We made it to the appointment. Where it seriously was HOTTER THAN HADES. I was so physically uncomfortable. But we´d gone through so much to get there. And truly our purpose is to do all we can to help others come unto Christ. The lesson was good and we saw miracles. But this lady would. 

not. 

    stop. 

       talking. 

Burning hot+spanish lady who doesn´t stop talking even to breathe =unhappy Meg. 

I better stop here. Today was a kick-in-the-pants-day. As I reflect back, something that truly brings me peace is the fact that if I’m asking-inviting my investigators to do hard things, why shouldn´t I expect the same of myself? Salvation is not a cheap experience. Gethsemane. At some point we all must walk a little ways into that garden. Today was bitter to enjoy the sweet. 

Sunday; We found some members that could help us pick up our investigators. (NOTHING HAPPENDS IN MISSIONARY WORK WITHOUT MEMBERS!) We really did see a ton of miracles. It was hilarious running around in the rain and getting people ready and finding a way to fit us all into the car. We worked so hard. I couldn´t hold back the laughter. There were 9 of us in a 4 seater. Lap to lap. We turned the corner and BAM. Speed trap. Every car had to pull over. I´ve NEVER seen a car get pulled over. Costa Rica is just PURA VIDA that nobody cares! That´s why when it happened I was like: no way. This can´t be! Not on a day like this!  There was definitely waaaay too many people in the car. I couldn´t breathe. What were we going to do? Silent prayer. F, the car driver, looked at the cop and smiled. He bashfully told the cop we were on our way to church and smiled. Without another word, the cop let us go. That my friends was a miracle. I was just so shocked. God loves us. God is so good.

The things that are the hardest to do are the things that truly make it worth it. Like we worked so hard to get so many people at church and it was something way more rewarding. If we truly want to see miracles, we really do have to get on our knees and ask with faith, then get out and work our butts off. God always comes through. I know God cares and hears and loves. He parted the Red Sea so His children could cross dry land. He´ll do these kind of miracles for us too, if we just ask. 

I love you all so much!!

Love,

Megan  

OH MAN SERIOUSLY SO EXCITED FOR YOUR PUMPKIN COOKIES!!!!!!!! I love you ya know?? I hope you have a wonderful week!

RY!!! OH YEAHHHHHHHHHH BOIIIIIIII! You brought an investigator to church?!!!!!!!!?? WHAT A BLESSING! People can change!!! YAYYYY! Oh man. Okay I’ll pray for him super much!!! (Spanish is killing my English.) Good luck at soccer tryouts! I was thinking the other day: why didn´t I make anything I tried out for in middle or high school? And I still don´t think I know the answer. But I think I was being prepared to handle rejection. I don´t know. But if things take a turn for the south, understand that it doesn´t mean you’re not accepted. The Savior ALWAYS accepts. It means you need to go in a different direction. I know that EVERYTHING works out for our good. EVERYTYHING. Even if that means waiting 2.5 flipping hours for a flipping bus in a flipping different country! hahaah I love you Ry. 

Connor, I love you! And I hope that you NEVER feel alone. 

I just thought of this Mormon message. Watch it. I love it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc  (forsake can mean forgot.) I want you to know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know exactly how you feel and how to take care of you. This trial of feeling alone is preparing you for when you need to walk out of a movie. And you are the only one. Alone. This trial is preparing you for your mission. When you are alone once again. It´s preparing you for when you´re a working boy. And your coworkers can´t always stand by you. When a loved one gets sick. And you´re totally alone. These moments when we feel bitterly alone are the moments in which we can turn to our heavenly father and seek HIM. To BE STILL and REMEMBER His love. His grace. His mercy. I promise you that he loves you so much and you really are never alone. 

I love you baby! 

One more video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx4zgTvnVh8   “Never Alone” by Lady Antebellum

OKay see you soon! (That is cra cra!)

Meg

PUMPKIN COOKIES! I´m most excited for that. You don´t even know!