Sept 7, 2015

So this week has been stressful because I feel like I'm worrying about the people here more and more. More like the youth because well to be honest the parents are seriously awful here. Thank you so much for raising me so well! Like theres one parents are having problems with their kids being dumb, staying out in the street and then drinking energy drinks that are called Four Lokos which have cocaine and alcohol. Yea the kid is 14 and a member... But I asked him if his parents tell him if they love him and he started. "Yea sometimes... Ok here and there.... Ok maybe never" and so yea I challened him to say it to them and he did it but I didn't hear what happened with it. And then another couple told me to not visit their son last night because only him and his girlfriend will be there... Ummmm ok what? do you not want me to walk in on something???? Yea I was not happy last night because we did go and then the others yelled at me but you know what I didn't care because they mean a lot to me. They're pretty cool too.

So today we spent a ton of money, as in $20 on bus passes and 5 hours of traveling in bus... I wasn't happy because I thought as missionaries we plan things... Oh except for Mondays... Gosh I hate that so much! But its cause we went to this Zoo, met some Americans, talked with them, then found out that we needed a tour guide and it would've been $25 per person... Thanks but no thanks. So we went to another place and it was like Reptiles of Costa Rica. That was cool though. Crocs, tons of turtles, Snakes... Oh and there was a butterfly place and it was really cool. 

Well Mom I know what your doing is your best and thats all you need to do. Just keep searching(for a job), don't give up, you got this. And who knows you might find an amazing job soon... Or 2 months, maybe longer. But the Lord has something planned special for you and only you.

I love you mom

Getting along with comp ok then?

 I told him if someone asked him if he'd want to do something for 10 weeks, same thing all day everyday every week, how would he feel... Yea that got across to him. So now i'm in charge

just some rain

Aug 31, 2015

Hey Mom I hope your working. Haha I don't think you for got me... Its ok though because this week not much happened yet again but my feet are getting better and yea I rode a bike this week because I couldn't put my shoes on or walk because it hurt to bad from the infection but I got antibiotics now and so its better. I was with a member too to be able to recooperate. Yea that was fun.

My shoes are doing fine right now, but the are small on me. Like my toes get to the end but they don't hurt. President visited us like surprised us and so then he taught me this chinese remedy and told me to keep them short. I apparently had them too long. So my other shoes do have like, the soul is coming off. 

So activity rate here is different... We had 71 in sacrament yesterday. So not huge but not completely small. But its a disaster because there's 212 families in the ward... Soo yea it should be a lil more than 71 but everyone thinks. Actually I don't know its just very different here. Because most people are converts... Actually, everyone in the ward is and so its not exactly built on that strong foundation like the states.

Well i hope everything is going well and hope we can talk. I don't have much time though sadly. But yea if we can't talk I hope you have a great day and keep on fighting for that job.

I love you Mom

So we helped a family move dirt today. It was hot. And if you'll notice at the bottom its a different color.... Yea I was a little sweaty and leave it at that...

looks like nuts... coconuts actually

Love and miss you all But I'm here for the Lord!

Aug 24, 2015

Hey Mom,
 

So I'm doing better today. Mainly because there's a sister in my ward and yea yesterday we ate lunch with her and we all talked about my ingrown toenails.... Sooo she's taken them out before soo thats what she did today. She did it to other missionaries before too. It hurt... Actually thats an understatement. It killed!!!! But they feel better now but I guess they were really infected soo thats not good. Im going to get meds today after calling the mission nurse. 

So this week not much happened. But here its mainly focused on the family because well they got problems. They don't get married because once they do they have problems. Its really stupid but that what it is. But we had a video conf with Pres. Nelson and that was cool. Interesting though because he had a translator. I thought he would've known Spanish but oh well it benefited me more, Cause I could understand. It was funny because he was saying how we shouldn't think about marriage during the mission but for a minute think about it. And gave us tips and stuff an it was funny.  Like ugh I don't know how to explain it well. Its kind of a thing where you gotta be there?

I really want to work with less actives like thats all I want to do. Because its easier to talk to them and its worse for them being away from the church. Like as in for eternity they're screwed because they have the true but are denying it right now which would send them to the Terrestial Kingdom soo yea.

Anyways I'm doing good. Keeping to the diet..... Kinda... Not really all that strictly.... Like I keep my breakfast healthy now with eggs and an apple usually, maybe some onions and tomatoes but yea. Lunch I'm not drinking the sugar drinks but yea, I'm trying.

Well thats all, Love you 

Aug 17, 2015

Hey Mom,

Sorry you're not feeling good. You have to remember that the Lord has his time too and we gotta be patient. I know this because this week my ingrown toenails got worse and I could barely walk Saturday and yesterday. I called the nurse and she told me to bathe my feet in hot salt water and neosporin after. But nothing had been happening and so I prayed hard last night and also 2 nights ago that the would get better. They aren't completely better today, matter of fact they look awful, but I can walk normally without having to limp. So I know He listnes to us but what we want or even need He may not give us the answer until well He wants to. He knows whats better for us, maybe thats why I have had terrible comps. To get me out of my shell faster. I don't know, bugs the crap out of me but He knows whats best.

We went to the office this week for my Costa Rica ID. I am finally legal. It was cool while waiting in Migration because there were so many Americans! It was great. My comp had to wait at the Office with an AP and HAHA justice was served... Kinda... The AP talked to me earlier before I lefted and I told him how my comp isn't obedient and so that was funny Because later my comp said something in the informal use of "you" and the AP was like we don't talk like that here... Then later he talked to my comp I don't know what about but that he's disobedient. I'm assuming like a threat too because he kinda changed but he's still dumb.

Today Elder Lewis and I were at the church singing hymns because he can sing and so we were singing songs that hyspanics just butcher... It hurts sometimes when they sing those songs. But yea that was fun. Oh I can't have nice things... Yea my umbrella kinda broke. My big one soo I bought another one... Then last night this lil puppy was chewing on the handle and so thats all chewed up now and it hasn't even been a week. I was not happy with that dog.

Well I think that abouts all? Or all I can remember. The stuff I learn, I want to like tell you but I forget at the moment and its like personal revelation and so for you I don't know. But I'm reading in D&C and so far its about Missionary Work and going into the Second Coming and its pretty cool to read because I have a study journal and after I read I write what I learned.

I love you Mom. Heavenly Father loves and listens to your prayers, I know that.

Tyler

Thank you for all that. I can really feel your testimony and I needed that today. 

What's on your schedule this week? Anything fun?

Thats awesome! Umm actually we have a conferene with President Nelson this saturday. He won't be here but it'l be a broadcast.  Oh so Emily told me she's getting skinny... In the meanwhile what she's losing I'm gaining... Times 2.... I've kinda gained 30 lbs. since home.....

30 lbs? Seriously dude... You and Duke will need lots of walks!Ya, so we all did this Whole30 diet .. But ya no grains, no dairy, no sugar, no peanuts, or beans... Lots of fruit veggies meats and nuts. Just tell folks to cut your rice in beans in half or out all together if you can... No more dairy... Your energy will go way up...

Hahaaa yeaaaa thats the main dish and so without it I would starve...

Dry feet!

160 is healthy right? :(

MMMM Cocao!!!

Aug 10, 2015

This week we went to San Jose for a conference and Elder Duncan came and talked/lectured us the entire day! From 4 AM waking up getting there at 8Am and then until 4 PM with an hour of lunch in there. Crazy! And it was really interesting because it was a lot about like missionary training. Like how to work more effectively and stuff... super interesting... until I look over to see a sleeping comp.... Yea wasn't happy about that because Elder Duncan is the President of Central America so yea super cool!

Today we went shopping and I found skittles for really cheap, as in cheaper than the states so I got 2 packs :) We also went to the Church and played around with the piano and the jump  rope. I can do like 2 loops in one jump for like 10 seconds its crazy hard because my arms move fast and yea its fun. I've been getting crazy shin splints this week because of the jump rope but oh well its helping a lot with the weight.

Well yea thats all I can remember right now and so you can ask more questions and I'll probably think of them later.

Love you 

Aug 3, 2015

So same here nothing crazy exciting. Although I've been hearing that President might get us bikes for our area. And only a few areas not a ton because well Ipis would be dangerous with all the hills/mountains. But yea I'm ready to have a bike. Hopefully it'll be personal because if not it'll be like the cars at the dealership and how people drive them. They'll be trashed fast.

Hey tell _____... If you want to study Marriage like in True to the Faith, the scriptures, OOOO the Ensign from the last general Conference. Seriously that is actually one of my favorite topics to study because I had a different view before because the stupid world but now its something that I will definitely charish! Also Faith Hope and Charity!

Elder Lewis said something, he said " either this is all a lie or its true... I'm gonna Hope that its not a lie and find out later" He was saying that because they run into a lot of people who like to defend they're religion and so yea.

Ok so we were walking, Elder Lewis and I, and there were puddles everywhere haha and I had my shoes on and just walked right through them and he was like what are you doing! haha that was funny because the water/mud came over my toes but nothing came in my shoes.

Got a ton of free bananas this week.

This week was really hot and today has been normal and raining. Nothing much more than that.

 I love you.

Letter to his sister Stephanie (thanks for sharing Steph)

Hey Steph thats awesome that you were able to teach those kids and learn. I feel like if we listen to anyone we can always learn something new about the Gospel. Obviously in a topic that is about the Gospel but nonetheless! Haha Thats actually my favorite part of the day... Personal study ...because I get to learn more and more and its so great because I read things like in True to the Faith. That book is super interesting because it clarifies things and you should read it. Read it like I do. I started from the beginning and going from there and WOW! haha yea super cool. Umm not much happened this week sadly but I keep learning. Do you ever look back as when we were kids and like a day where we got mad at mom or dad for "not understanding"? I do and now I just think wow they did understand and they really did teach me well! Its great! Love you Steph!

Pineapple snow cone... and in the middle is powdered milk and on top is Condensated milk MMMMMMMMM ¡Que Rico!

working out with new weighed skipping rope Emily sent.

July 27, 2015

Hey mom!

So this week went by fast which means a couple things, didn't do much, or just don't remember. But it was relatively good. Lewis and I haven't started running yet... But haha I don't know but rice and beans pack weight on no matter how much water you drink. Its sad... But yea there was a baptism this week for the others and we had to go because President was coming. Just for fun and cause he could. So we were with a family way out in the boonies and yea it was a good 30 min walk but we made it in 15-20 min... I was Red and Sweating! everyone cam up to me and asked if I was ok after the baptism.

 So its interesting here...Most people get married..... Ok some people get married here and then fall away, then like 5- who knows how long years later the missionaries find them with kids and yea its not a fun process. Ohhh yeaa Ticos are like bunnies... Even some members... Who aren't married... We have 2 people... Rumors that are pregnant. One being an investigator but her boyfriend is a member, and the other is a leader very recent RM and another youth. Its messed up.

I finished the Book of Mormon last week, started D&C and finished Our heritage for the second time. I have a scripture journal now and so what I learn I write it down. i can see the tender mercies and comfort and its nice.

Oh they split the Stake yesterday, that was pretty cool. I didn't pay much attention but it was fast. One hour long and boom done. They had a choir and I was like OOOO I want to be in there.... Then they sang... It was the same note... Well kinda hispanics are litterally tone def.  It was awful... And someone said it was beautiful... Yeaaaaaa-

Well That was this week, I don't remember much else but yea.

July 20, 2015

Hey,

So yea I did know Elder Cuevas, he was in my zone. I actually saw him happy and looking great on Tuesday and then heard the news on Wednesday. Super weird. I guess he had asthma and so they think it was that. I didn't know asthma can do that. His comp was/is in shock still. He doesn't say it but he looks it but only a lil. I talked with him and I didn't want to talk about what happened cause I could tell he didn't want to.

Not much after that happened though. My comp knew him well and I was waiting for everything people were saying about Elder Cuevas didn't change my comp. Like he still is in bed until 7.30 and yea I'm just done with him. I told president last week, we'll see what he says.

But we went to San Jose for the memorial service and yea that was crazy because San Jose feels, not cold but not hot. Like fresh. And then it rained and a lot of elders didnt have umbrellas. Yea we fit 4 under mine and we didn't get wet, at least not very wet. That was including me. Then we got to a stop light and 2 more joined in. Under ONE umbrella.... Yea that was fun.

Well not much this week but it felt crazy long but the days didn't feel long, or at least I can't remember them.Today was transfers and no one got transferred and so I'm stuck  again...

Oh yesterday I saw the guy from Meet the Mormons from here, it was cool. I wanted a picture but.... It was at the memorial service soooo yeaa.

But yea just that, Love you

July 13, 2015

Soo today I waited like 15 min for this computer to start up and gosh the screen is dumb but whatever. We started the day ok. The others came over and we did breakfast...Then we went to Guapiles to play soccer but I have an ingrown toenail... still but only on one foot now and it was bad last night, I was limping. But I'm better today, I was doing backflips and fun stuff like that. Oh I also put melaluca on it last night.

So not much happened this week, BUT I met president, and he is AWESOME!!!!!! I feel like I'm in school though. It was funny because he was definitely a Professor. But he knows how to keep well young adults attention and motivated. Then he interviewed us just real quick and I felt a sincere love from him, Like from an uncle. I'm excited to see how he runs things. Cause he is a little older but he's fun. Like energized. So I'm excited. Then he hugged me and it felt like a hug litterally from family. So its great!

Oh my comp told me that he is  being lazy because he doesn't want to be put into a leadership position. I was not thrilled to hear that.... He's dumb... Oh but the mosquito net is fantastic! I am sleeeping really well now. But I'm still tired all the time babysitting my comp.

Well Thats this week, oh lunch today was a banana chocolate spinach smoothie :)

Love you

July 6, 2015

This was a pretty good week. We did have the baptism this week and she got married an hour before the baptism. Weddings heres are really weird. And its worse than Vegas. You can cal the person to come to you that day. Then she wanted me to sing "I need thee every Hour" because she likes my voice and so I did that then we had the baptism and I baptized her. And she is bigger than Diego and so i was a little worried but everything went really smoothly well I had to push her down like I did with Diego because I only want to do things once. Haha

So yesterday was kinda cool? I was about to loose it with my comp and we went to visit this guy that had heard of the church and even went. His brother is even LDS but inactive and we couldn't find anyone yesterday and so we visited him and he was thinking about us and was wondering where we were. Then we show up and he felt a confirmation to his prayer.

Funny thing though... So imagine floating the river every night... For a shower! That's what I have to deal with. You would think its nice because its hot but once you turn on the water its like NOPE!!! haha its cold!

I think that is all? not a lot of emails today but thats ok. Oh I got your other package already!

Love you