February 3, 2015

Hola mi familia! Que tal?

This was a busy week! We stayed in the ER until 3:30am one night for an Elder who needed surgery on his broken elbow... P Day activity... Almost the entire mission had transfers this week, but I am still with my new companion Hermana Flores. :) We have a new District Leader and Zone Leader though! Julia will be baptized tomorrow! I burnt a batch of brownies in the home of an investigator... We had to send a few people home for sicknesses and more surgeries. My President is still in Utah recovering from his hip replacement. And other busy stuff!

Neelam told me that she has never used an oven before and wanted to learn how to use hers. So I gave her the recipe for brownies so she could collect the ingredients. Well... We made the brownies, and we started teaching a lesson while they cooked... Well... When the ovens here say 350 degrees, it means 350 Celsius... Which is more like 662 degrees Fahrenheit.... Which means within 3 minutes of starting our lesson, we almost burnt down her house and did not teach her how to use her oven very well. Oops. My bad. But all is well now. :) And she still trusts me enough to try it again next week - hahaha.

A member told me this week that she can tell I am more mature than the other missionaries. And the other sister serving in our ward said I am like a mom. I help her remember things she needs to do. Maybe that is because I am 4 or 5 years older than most of them... Or maybe it’s just because I am a funsucker (Love you Kailan!). :) I still get called HerMAMA Markle, but it’s out of love I am pretty sure. :) 

Julia is the mother of Virginia, our recent convert. She lives in Nicaragua, but will be here to visit for 3 months. And she is excited to learn all she can so she can bring it back with her to her other children and grandchilden that live in Nicaragua! She thinks that missionaries and the church don’t exist near her house, but we were able to find a chapel close by and a set of missionaries! So we will be sending them the reference so they can find her and her family when she goes back! She is old (like 55) (sorry dad) and hilarious! It takes her a little longer to understand the lessons, but she is finally ready and really excited about her baptism tomorrow! :)

I think my companion is starting to understand my English better, and I think she is having fun. :) We are doing well together and I am excited to be here in Escazu for at least one more transfer to finish up what we started with our amazing investigators! I love missionary work! I hope you all have the opportunity to share the gospel with the people that you love! Have a great week!!!! :) I love you all!

Hermana Markle. :)

Items of Business:

1. Liliana is still on vacations, and Eimy's parents want to get married in June once they have more money, but we are still working with them to move it closer.

2. A member in my ward who turned 55 on the same day as dad asked if she could be sealed to dad. He husband is a non-member and she wants a husband in heaven. She said it was a sign that they were born the same day... I am pretty sure she was joking....

3. Dad, can you send me a copy of your priesthood line? It would be cool to show people during our lessons. The Elders have them, but we don’t...

4. We have to submit samples every other day to be tested for parasites... Fun.... Use your imagination for what kind of samples we give, and where we keep them, and how we bring them to the lab... 

5. Mom makes it sound like Katie and Madi moved to a different state. But I am pretty sure you live like 20 minutes away.... 

6. How is your job doing Brandon? Any cool stories about tackling a youth yet??

7. Happy Groundhogs day!

8. I love you all!!!! Have a good week! :)
9. Happy mom? This week had more detail! :)

We burned the brownies! 350 Celsius!

My district - before transfers

Elder Estrada

Elder Rodriguez

We found friends swimming in our toilet!

My favorite pair of shoes . . . crocs are great here in all this rain!

My permanent blister - callous - blister - ulcer - blister thingy.

My new "CTR" ring

Hermana Peterson and Hermana Markle doing Nursing paper work

Every time we teach Julia, she gives a drink for the road - we have had lots of lessons!

Spider in my shower! (and my companion's hair ball!)

January 27, 2015

Hello!!!! :) 

How was your week? Anything new or exciting happen? I love to hear from all of you! :) My week was pretty good! First off, a man in the street this week said he wanted to move to my house with me in England. So I guess I look like I am from England. I was actually really surprised, not many people guess I am from the United States. Don't get me wrong, they look at my white skin and know I am not from Central America, but everyone always guesses a European country first! There is a good mix of people from around the world here in Escazú.

Good news! I think (our investigator) is coming home from vacations this week! That means we get to teach her again! Yay! :) 

Okay so I can't really think about the things that happened this week, sorry, but it was still a good week! I learned new things, we found new people to teach, and our investigators are progressing well! Life is good! :) I love the scriptures.

I love you all! Have the best weeks ever!!!! Do good things and remember who you are! :) Your Heavenly Father loves you! Chao!

Love,

Hermana Markle. :)

The Relief Society President from our Ward was moving, so we went to say goodbye.

Saying goodbye to our Relief Society President

Trying scary new fruit! (it actually tasted good, but I couldn't get past the texture!

                                      I almost threw up when they made me eat this... It looked soooo gross and it gave me the chills....It tasted good, but it wasn't worth it. Weird fruits.

January 20, 2015

Hello!!! 

 

Surprise! We had emergency transfers and now I am with Hermana Flores from Guatemala! We have only been together for a few days, so I don't know much about her, but so far, she is great! I do really miss Hermana Villanueva. We were really good friends. I am still chilling in Escazú, no worries! I LOVE Escazú and I hope I don't have to leave any time soon! There are some pretty special people here and I am loving watching their progression and I might actually cry when I get the call for transfers.

 

Hermana Flores does not speak English. Or understand English. Or understand her Gringa companion. I am the first Gringa companion she has had, she only has 4 months in the mission, so she has zero experience with Gringos. She still uses big words or slang that I have never heard of in my life (6 months of the mission), and she hasn't learned to talk slower or more simpler yet like my other companions... I am the Senior Companion and I have been teaching her the area, but I am not sure how much she actually understands. She likes to smile and nod a lot, and that is what I used to do when I was pretending that I understood... :) Hahaha well, I guess we will have lots of fun learning together! I am slowly helping her learn English, but it is a slow process! Much easier for me to learn Spanish being in this country than it is for her to learn English. Here we go!

 

Yesterday was a great day! (One of our investigators) said she wants to get married!!!!!!! This means I get to help plan her wedding! And that she will be able to take the sacrament and have a calling! She is the mom of (one of our recent baptisms)! She was introducing herself to my new companion yesterday, and said, 'I was inactive for 12 years. I was not happy. Hermana Markle came and found us, invited us to church, and started to teach my daughter the lessons. I am active again for the first time in 12 years. My husband said I am way happier now. And I feel way happier now. I feel at home at church and I want to do what it takes to be able to take the sacrament again and have a calling.' AHHHH!!! I almost cried with happiness!!! :) I love this family! By helping (her daughter) work towards baptism, we have been strengthening the whole family. I am so grateful for missionary work!!! And I am soo happy here!

 

Have an amazing week!!! I love you all! Stay happy, healthy, and safe! And feel free to participate in the happiness of missionary work as well!! :) Chao!

 

Love,

 

Hermana Markle. :)

 

Items of Business...

1. Hermana Villanueva's dad is a Vet, and he said ... The first year of a dog's life equals 21 human years. And then every year after equals 7. So that means Suki is 42! Holy cow, my puppy is an old lady now!!!!

2. I miss you!

3. I love you!

4. I bought little key chains for all of you this week! Be excited!

 

New companion - Hermana Flores, from Guatemala!!

Bunches of missionaries at Pizza Hut on P-Day!

Escazu - last day with Hermana Villanueva

January 13, 2015

Buenas Tardes! Cómo están!? :) We had a great week here in Costa Rica! :)

 

I know you were all pretty sad that my Spanish is getting better and don't have any more funny stories to tell, but don't worry! I still say funny things every day! This week I was telling my companion about the responsibility we have to take care of our future children. I said we need to teach them, and protect them, and eat them! I was trying to say feed them, but eat them is close enough. My companion died of laughter and told everyone about how I am going to eat my children one day. Poor future children... I won't eat you, I promise!

 

We haven't seen (an investigator) for a few weeks and we were starting to get really worried. Her son said she is on vacations still, but she wasn't answering our phone calls or texts either... WELL, we called her again this week and she answered! And she began to spout off what she has been reading in The Book of Mormon! She has almost finished the whole book while on vacation! She loves it and is very excited to come home and learn more and go to church with us!!!! :) It almost made us cry while we listened to her testimony over the phone, it was a miracle! :)

 

We decided to visit an old investigator of the Hermanas who were here several months ago. We weren't sure why she stopped coming to church or accepting visits, so we went to go find out. :) Turns out she is still reading from The Book of Mormon every night. And she received an answer that this is the true church and she knows what she has to do. After our lesson she said she wants to quit smoking and she wants to be baptized soon! It was awesome to hear! And I am glad the missionaries before us kept good records so we could find her again! :)

 

I hope all is well with all of you! I loved the little notes from the Young Women's! Thank you!!! :) I miss you all! Thank you for all of your love and support! Have a great week!!!!! :)

 

Love,

 

Hermana Markle. :)

 

Items of Business...

1. Good job on your 4.0 Kami!!!!! Wahoo!!!! Krispy Kream doughnuts??

2. Katie!!! I saw you!!!! I finally watched the Family History Missionary Training videos!!! And I showed everyone in the office the parts with you in them!! :)

3. We had a scary experience this week, but I am not going to tell you what it was because you already freaked out when I said I almost got hit by a bus. Maybe after my mission. But I am alive, no worries! :)

4. I got the letters you sent! The three little notes from the ward, and the notes from Madi and Katie, and the photos.... Where did half of the family go?? :( But thank you!!!!! :) :) I loved the little book things and I will use them! Very cute! :)

5. I keep getting in trouble for saying things... Like bossy things or demandy things or heartless things... My District Leader thinks I hate him... Hahaha. Oops. I don't hate him, and I am always happy! But sometimes my mouth forgets to tell people that.. :) Was I really that mean to my siblings before my mission???? Don't answer that. I know your answer already.

6. I miss you! Have a good week! LOVE YOU! :)

New Backpacks! Now we are twins!

January 6, 2015

Buenos Días! Cómo están!? Les extraño mucho! 

I heard it is pretty cold up there right now... How is that going? I dont have a thermometer, but I am pretty sure its been in the 90s all week... I have the sunburn to prove it... My companion wears a jacket still, and she said it is cold here, but I think she would die if she went to Utah right now! Sorry guys! You are all welcome to join me here in Costa Rica if youd like! :)

 

Okay gross story for the week... We had a dinner lesson the other night and we were fed some delicious Gaillo Pinto. (I will make it for you when I get home!) But she used a little too much oil.. (I will use less oil). And My stomach did not like that. Well we were walking in the park after the lesson, heading to the next, and I told my companion I felt sick. I leaned over and threw up on the grass and then kept walking like nothing happened. My companion looked over and asked, Vomitó? and I said, Sí. Maybe you had to have been there, but it was hilarious. She laughed and laughed and laughed for the next hour. And now she tells everyone the story of me throwing up and pretending like nothing happened. Good times here in Costa Rica! :)

 

The work has been slow from the holidays, everyone has been off work, at the beach, visiting family, and partying it up. But work started again yesterday, so this should be a good week! I still get along great with my companion and she says I am her favorite! Yay! :) Sorry if any of her other companions read this... but she has taught me SOOO much Spanish! I can actually say things now! Not lots of things, but things! :) Hahaha. Right now I am working on my story telling skills in Spanish so I can share personal experiences in our lessons. My companion says she is not teaching me Spanish, I am actually teaching her Spanish because every time I ask her a question, I ask why it is that way, and she has to look it up or think about it more. So it is a win win situation. :) We also do try to speak English at night to help her learn, but she doesn't ask why as much, so my English isn't much better.. The Gift of Tongues is real! :)

 

Don't freeze! Les quiero mucho! :) Oh haha that reminds me! Do you remember the TacoBell slogan Yo Quiero TacoBell? That doesn't exist here. They all think it is hilarious that we have that in the states. The slogan here is much longer, and not in English, but I can't remember it right now.. It is funny to look back on things that finally make sense because I know Spanish now! Wahoo! Well I love you all! Have a great week! Enjoy going back to school and work! :) Chao!

 

Love,

Hermana Markle. :)

 

Items of Business....

1. Congratulations Brandon!!!!! You got a GOB!!!! Wahoo! Will you have to tackle the kids when they try to sneak out at night? I was friends with the night guards at DRA, they were pretty cool. Do you get to read and watch movies while you are there?

2. Madi looks different with blonde hair! I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. You will have to send me more photos so I can get used to it...

3. How is the super fun secret sister club at your own apartment without your two awesomest sisters?

4. You had the missionaries over?? We haven't done that since California when we actually had missionaries in our ward! Weird! Im glad you fed them and gave them a ride, that means I will get fed more and maybe get a ride soon too! Thanks!

5. I got a sunburn yesterday it was sooo hot here! Jealous???

6. Kami, you are too young to drive! Stop growing up!

7. My six month mark is this week.... Weird.......

8. Good luck with the new semesters! New jobs! and starting old jobs again! I love you all!!!!! :) :) :)

Christmas Morning with our stockings

Christmas morning

Christmas Eve with a family in the ward.

Christmas Day with another family in the ward. Awesome ward members here!

View of Escazu from the member's apartment window.

Escazu

wearing my new Christmas gifts!

With Hermana Villanueva

My poor companion while I do my "Nurse Work" at the Mission Office . . .

December 30, 2014

Dear Familia,

 

Feliz Año Nuevo!!!! :) Do you all have awesome goals to work on next year that you probably wont really work on?? I do! :) Holy cow! 2015?? Really?? I still remember the 90s! And my awesome poofy bangs! (Thanks mom!)

 

This week I almost died... We were at the bus stop waiting to go back to Escazu after a district meeting... I was talking to an Hermana, saw the bus, and took two steps towards the line. Within seconds, a coconut fell from the tree and landed right where I was standing 2 seconds earlier! It hit the ground hard and we all jumped and screamed. I am fairly sure that if it hit my head I would have died... Falling coconuts are scary things you know! I am sure that is something you all have to worry about as well. Even though I did not recognize it as a prompting and just thought I was walking closer to the bus stop, I know Heavenly Father is protecting me. :)

 

I FaceTimed my family!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) Yes, FaceTime is a verb. But really, there is a verb for texting in Spanish! Textear. I like to congigate this verb and use it in random sentences. It sounds pretty funny, kinda like Spanglish.

 

I tried to help (an investigator) choose a date for her baptism and she said no... It was really sad... And a little bit awkward... But she is progressing super great! I am sure she will say yes soon! I am still LOVING Escazú! :)

 

Have a happy happy New Years! 2015 baby! Stay safe and happy and healthy! :) Love you! Make one of your goals to write me more! ;)

 

Love,

 

Hermana Markle. :)

 

Items of Business...

1. Happy Birthday Brandon! Tell me all about it!

2. Happy Birthday Katie! What did Derek give you???

3. Good luck living together Katie and Madi! I cant imagine you two sharing a room... Will there be a floor??

4. Hey Kami. :) Hows your movie star self doing? Are you driving now??

5. I was so happy to see you all this week!!!!! But it was too short!!! Lets do it again next week??

6. Did you like the platanos? And candy? Did you donate my braids to Locks of Love? 

7. I wore my new necklace from my package to church and afterwards in the street a woman came up to me and wanted it.. She just kept staring at it... creepy... I didnt give it to her. Oops. 

8. Thanks for writing me letters for Hermana Peterson! I guess I will find out soon who wrote me and who didnt... But thanks anyways! :)

9. I miss you already and I love you all! :) Tell me more about the Christmas cabin and all of your holiday fun!

CHAO!

December 23, 2014

Family,

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!! Two more days!!! I hope you all have the best Christmas ever!!! :) I am LOVING Christmas time here in Costa Rica! Everyone is so nice, they are willing to listen to messages about Jesus Christ, and we are having great success! Good thing I get to have two Christmases in the mission!

Virginia was baptized this week! This was a miracle! The story is too long to share, but just know that it was a miracle. And you can ask me about it when I get home. ;) I know you all love hearing mission stories from returned missionaries, don't lie!

This week we had a mission Christmas Devotional slash Dinner slash Temple Night. It was great! We might have gotten home at 11:30pm though... Oops... BUT! President Wilkinson gave us something very special for Christmas this year. He received permission form the First Presidency to make this announcement.... This July they are splitting the mission!!!!!! Costa Rica San Jose West and Costa Rica San Jose East!!!!! An Apostle will reassign each of us to a new mission soon! I have no idea which one I will go to, or if I will be training a new nurse soon, but I am excited! The work and the gospel is progressing fast here!! :)

I love you all!! Merry Christmas! :) Stay safe and happy and healthy!!

Love,

Hermana Markle. :)

Items of business...

1. We had gift exchange with our district... Two people had my name... I got two gifts and someone didn't get anything... Awkward... 

2. SKYPE SOON BABY!!! I AM EXCITED TO SEE ALL OF YOU!!!! :)

3. My companion thinks I am super super patient. I must get it from mom. :)

4. SEE YOU SOON!!!! :)

Virginia's Baptism

Virginia's Baptism

I passed my Training! Time to celebrate!

Trits to celebrate passing training!

My companion is crazy! (kids - don't try this at home!)

Half unpacked . . .

Halfway still living out of suitcases!

Temple trip a few days before Christmas

Temple trip - so very blessed to have a temple in our mission!

December 2014 - new missionaries! (as the mission nurse, I get to meet all the new missionaries!)