Mission to Paradise: September 8, 2014

Hola!!

Another amazing week here in Costa Rica!! First off, Thank you to the airline worker who found my journal, and then found this Blog, and then mailed my journal to my parents! You are the best! Second off, we had 2 baptisms this week!!! Yay! What a great week! Oh and I think this is my 2 month mark!? Wow, time flies!

Random fact #1: There are a lot of dogs here. In houses, guarding houses, and on the streets. The ones on the streets make me super sad. They all look so sad and beg for attention and it makes me miss my puppy... I wish I could keep all of the dogs I find on the street as pets... But It´s against the rules... And they probably have rabies... One almost bit me this week. Twice. It was one of the ones who guards a house. But we needed to get in the house. So I used my umbrella to protect myself, but it was still pretty scary... My companions were hiding behind me and were scared for me too. I don´t want that dog for a pet.

Random fact #2: Sometimes bathrooms don´t have toilet paper or soap. It kinda feels like I am camping. Fun! But no worries, I have hand-sanitizer. But still ... Eww.

Ooohhh this week we ate at KFC, and Pizza Hut... :) Yum. We were traveling, so we couldn´t cook for ourselves or eat lunch with our normal cook. Dang it... Oh and I tried an Empañada! It was like a giant taquito! Yum!

Yesterday I got left on the bus. Twice. Once on purpose, my companions left me with a ward member and two investigators to go to church while they went to pick up another investigator. But I got to church 15 minutes before them and awkward greeted everyone and shook my head when they asked me questions in Spanish. I missed hiding behind my companions for the Spanish questions.. Hahaha I need to learn quick! This is bad! The ward members might think I don´t like them! But we actually have an amazing ward!!! And the second time was not on purpose. There was a sad crying girl sitting across from me on the bus, so I was trying to grab a pamphlet for her about the Plan of Salvation, because I am a cheesy missionary, and I looked up and my companions were gone! They got off the bus without me! So I ran to the front and asked the driver to stop quick! In English I am pretty sure... Usually they don´t stop that soon after a stop, but he could probably tell I was worried, maybe the English helped, so he stopped and let me off! My companions were freaking out and gave me big hugs! Hahaha it was pretty funny. Hopefully that sad girl on the bus is happy now though?

This week I have been thinking about how blessed my life really has been so far. I have amazing parents and an amazing family. I have been raised in the gospel and had great teachers and leaders. I have been blessed with a great education and the opportunity to further my education even more after my mission. I have great friends. I received the best call in the world to serve in Costa Rica and learn a language that will help me in my career as well. I have had great companions. This week I wanted a little extra study time, and then my companions had a meeting to go to and I was able to sit outside and study for a few hours. I wanted to spend more one on one time with Hermana Uribe to practice Spanish, and then Hermana Garner got called to go on splits with a sick missionary. Heavenly Father has given me everything I have ever needed. I realized I do not always take advantage of all of the blessings, but He always gives them. He knows each one of us personally and blesses us personally. He will always help you learn and grow if you let Him. I am so grateful for all of the many blessings in my life and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to learn and progress more and more everyday! I know the the Plan of Salvation is a perfect plan, and we are so blessed to have a loving Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.

I hope you all have an amazing week! Look for the blessings in your lives and use them! Learn and grow every day! I love you all!

Love,

Hermana Markle. :)

Items of business..

1. Thank you for finding my journal!! Yay!

2. Yes I am super tired always. And yes I sleep like a rock at night. It is great. No Spanish dreams yet though... I don´t really speak Spanish yet, let alone dream in it.

3. Thank you for your prayers mom! I am still struggling with Spanish a lot... And I can´t re-read the blessing because it was in my journal... Maybe you can send me a new copy? Thanks! I am praying and fasting and trying to learn!

4. Poor Kami!!! Quit getting sick!!!!! Feel better!

5. Keep up the good temple work! Sorry I can´t help any more! Good thing Carter is there!!

6. Thank you for every thing!!!!! I love you all!!!!!!! :) :) :)

7. Have the best week ever!