Yup it's official! I'm going to Costa Rica on Monday!

Hola mi familia!

    Feliz dia de preparacion! This week has been in the words of one of my teachers, Hermano Porter, "super duper mega bien!" On Friday I got my travel plans. Yup it's official! I'm going to Cosa Rica on Monday! My flight leaves at 11:05 and we have a layover in Atlanta, Georgia until 6:25. Luckily there is no time difference between Costa Rica and Utah. We will get there around 8:17 pm. A whole day of travel. I doubt I will sleep very well sunday night. Time in the MTC has flown! we have in-field orientation pretty much all day tomorrow, 2 more full days of learning, Sunday, and then I'm gone! I have been super focused lately on cramming as much Spanish in my brain as I can. They say that when you get to the field everyone is back to level 1, not knowing anything. That is terrifying. I'm so excited to get to Costa Rica though and be surrounded by the beauty, the culture and the language. As sad as it is to leave the friends that I have made here, and my comfort zone; I'm definitely ready to leave the MTC. The other day, my district figured out which Disney character most closely relates to each of us. They said that I am most like Olaf and ariel. I have definitely been feeling like Ariel lately. "I wanna be where the people are" amen.

 

    Lately my district and our favorite district in our zone, the 10 elders, have been having prank wars. It's more like the Hermanas against everyone half the time haha. Satuirday we put "thick it" in one of our elder's drinks at lunch. "thick it" is the powder that thickens drinks for those who can't swallow easily. Funniest thing ever! He had no idea that his drink was sludge. Then we took all of the nice soft chairs out of the other district's room one night and replaced them with the hard plastic ones. We also switched the Elder's name tags when they aren't looking. Elder Householder was Elder stowe for about an hour. We are constantly laughing here. Yesterday, since it was the 25th, we celebrated Christmas-versary. We sang christmas songs and all of the elders wore their christmas ties. Apparently, they even had a gift exchange last night. I'm so glad that I am here with such fun people. 6 weeks of the same thing over and over starts to get a little boring but we keep it entertaining.

 

    Last night was our last Tuesday night devotional. Elder

Corbridge of the seventy spoke to us. He had a really powerful message about a whole lot of things actually. After the devotional, President and Sister Doman stayed with my district since it was our last Tuesday. We had a testimony meeting and went around the room sharing what we have learned here at the MTC. I had a hard time putting everything that I have learned into a few short minutes. In short, I have learned that the atonement of Christ is EVERYTHING. We need it. Christ is the only way that we can pray, He is the way that we can receive comfort and strength, He is the reason why we are happy. The atonement is real. Prayer is SO important. I have prayed here more than I ever have before. Also, when we are feeling down, the best way to feel better is through loving others. In one of Elder Bednar's talks I learned that when I feel like turning inward, that's when I should turn outward.  Love takes practice. It's an action. I have found peace on my mission so far when I have forgotten myself and focused on the gospel and why I am here. This is the gospel of happiness and I love it!
 

    I ended up changing companions on Monday. Now I am companions with Hermana Castleton who was previously my Co-Sister Training Leader. It's awesome! We had our first lesson yesterday together and It went great. It's amazing what the spirit can do. Here you have two new missionaries who have never taught together and the lesson could not have gone better! That's because THE SPIRIT WAS THERE, testifying and honestly that's all you need!

 

    Here's the part where I thank you for your love and support. Honestly though, I couldn't be more grateful. I love you all so much. Your letters to me make me so happy! Tell anthony that I was so excited to hear from him. His letter made me cry. I couldn't make it through the week without hearing from you! Please continue to pray for me as I will for you.Te amo mucho!

     Con Amor,

          Hermana Zerilli

 

Hermana Hill and I with our favorite District.

They are like our little brothers. They are all so great.

 

 Hermana Gividen and I

 

It's official, I'm going to Costa Rica on Monday!! Whoot!

Spanish Class doodles:)

 

 

 

Somebody stole Elder householder's keys and hid them on the vent lol. didn't see them until the middle of class.From left to right Elder Stowe, elder Householder, elder White, and elder Brown.

"Don't leave your phone in class." We found Hermano Porter's phone...his lock screen is Gold Jerry, Gold!!

 

 

 

 

 

I Sang "The Greatest Thing I've Ever Loved to Do" With the Nashville Tribute Band!!

Hola Mi familia!

    So, this week I realized that my English is getting worse. Lately I have been trying to tell stories and I forget how to say certain words. At the same time, when people speak English to me I translate certain words to Spanish in my head subconsciously. It's slightly frustrating so I apologize ahead of time for my sentence structure or lack of wide ranged vocabulary!

 

    Well I've officially been here for 4 P-days but I am currently in my 5th week in the MTC. I only have 12 days left until I am in Costa Rica. That's insane! Its true that in the MTC the days are like weeks and the weeks are like days. I have lost all sense of time! Last night's devotional, Elder Echo Hawk of the Seventy spoke to us. Aside from talking about his American Indian Heritage, which was super rad, he spoke about the lasting impact that missionaries have on those they teach. He is a convert to the church and I thought it was really cool that he is still in contact with the missionaries that baptized him when he was little. His talk made me really excited to go to Costa Rica. When I realized just how little time I have left here, I became slightly stressed out. I felt like I haven't learned nearly enough to be thrown out there. Truth is, I have learned so much and I feel ready. I know that there are people in Costa Rica that are prepared specifically for me and that I am supposed to be one of the "swift messengers" that Isaiah talks about who will bring them to Christ. 

 

    Last week was quite an adventure emotionally. Having a companion that I don't always see eye to eye with has been my biggest trial on my mission. Also, just being around other Hermanas who aren't always the nicest. I have made good friends here and I am so grateful for that, but learning to love those who are hurtful is a struggle. I've always had a strong desire to feel accepted by people because I honestly just love people. I love talking to them, getting to know their stories, befriending them. When it's not returned, yeah that's not fun. However, this mission isn't about me. I didn't come here to feel loved myself (even though that's be nice), I came to love others and to see them as God and Christ see them. I don't ever want to feel like a victim because I am so blessed to be here! This gospel brings me happiness and for that I'm grateful. I can't control what others do or say to me but I can control my actions and reactions. I am continuing to be positive, happy and forward moving. Each day I jump out of bed at 6:30 (seriously, I'm the first one up) and smile because every day is a new day with new opportunities. I know that the Lord will bless my efforts and relationships with my companion and that in the end I will be stronger.

 

    On that note, this past Saturday my companion and I went off MTC campus, down the street to the BYU emergency room. She had thought that she had an ear infection because her ear had been bothering her for a while and it could have come from her cold. Unfortunatey, it turned out that the vessel in her ear that allows it to breath is not opening. Nothing can go in and nothing can come out. She explained the pain similar to when water gets in your ear, except in her circumstance it wont come out. The doctor prescribed her with some medication that should fix the problem within 5 days. If it doesn't, she may need surgery. Since the pharmacy was closed, a shuttle had to come pick us up and take us to Rite Aid. The outside world!! It was crazy! We had fun looking around while we waited. Everything looked so new and exciting since the coolest thing we have in the MTC is new colors of scripture highlighters. Going back to the MTC was like going back to our prison cell. All white walls, all day long. Only difference is that in prison you get visitors and television. HAHA no I love the MTC but I am glad that my time here is coming to an end. It seriously is another world out there.

 

    So this past Sunday I had the most incredible experience. Guess who came to the MTC? The Nashville Tribute Band! Guess who got to sing with them? The choir...so ME! We actually had two mandatory practices last week to prepare for performing with the band. The devotional was just the Nashville Tribute Band sharing thoughts and singing their songs. It was so amazing. The choir got to sing "I Was Born", "John's Song" and the "The Greatest Thing I've Ever Loved To Do" with the band. That last song always makes me cry but even more now that I feel like I'm living it. Mom, I wish you could've been here since you were the one who introduced us to them and played them all the time! You would've loved it! The first song they sang was "Children Go Where I send Thee" and I felt so many emotions! First I was thrilled because I love that song but then I was a little heart broken because It made me think of Trev and Anthony singing it in the car at the top of their lungs and it made me miss them so much more. I just pictured anthony saying "down in BethlaHEMM". The guys in the band were so talented and funny. The Lord knows the desires of our hearts and I think he knew that I was missing country music and concerts. He found a way to make both happen in the MTC. What a time to be here!

 

    A lot has happened in our zone lately. We just lost another district of 6 Elders which is a bummer. I was good friends with them but I'm excited for them to be in their various missions. Them leaving makes my district the oldest. WHATTT?! Didn't I just get here 3 days ago??! The district of 10 Elders that came last Wednesday is awesome! They are all so cool and outgoing. My district and their district are super close already. A lot of them are going to BYU too so I might see them post mission. Today we are getting 2 new districts in my zone! 22 new missionaries!!! Crazy right?! The zone leaders and the sister training leaders (now all in my district) usually do orientation with the new district every wednesday night. Tonight, we are going to have to do it twice. I'm so excited to meet them though especially the 4 new Hermanas! Finally more girls! These new districts are going to have to catch on to the craziness of our zone fast. The latest thing we have going on is "spooning". So the goal is to get the spoon in someone's pocket without them knowing. If someone gets spooned 3 times, they are out for the rest of the day. Our zone is going nuts. Even the teachers are playing along. Elders are such an easy target with all of their pockets but Hermanas sometimes don't have them. This game is becoming very serious and Im pretty sure the kitchen is going to start searching for the crooks that keep taking their spoons...ha ha uh oh.

 

    I want to thank you sooooo much for the packages that I have received!!  I have sooo many snacks in the room now and Parker sent me a box of mountain dew so I think I'm set! I love the packages and the dear elders that I get. I feel so blessed to have such supportive family and friends. It makes this not so hard. Please don't forget about me! I love you all so so much and pray for you always.💛💛💛

 

      Amor, Hermana Zerilli

In the shuttle going to Rite Aid!

 

 

Hermana Gividen and Hermana Stevens!

Love them! Temple walk #4

 

Pardon my "long day, post gym, 9:30 pm" fun bun. Ew.

But Hermana Hill and I with Elder Richards and Elder Oebring their last night here. 

 

We just look at them like "no comprende!!"

Yay it's P-day! I love P-day so much! Yes it's nice to be able to take a break from the usual wakeup, eat, class, eat, class, gym, eat, class schedule but I love going to the temple every Wednesday morning. The temple brings me such peace. My district usually goes to the 7:20 session and then after we go to the cafeteria for breakfast. The temple food is a AMAZING! So much better than the MTC food but then again I don't want to complain, they do their best here. They have sooo many mouths to feed!

So last Thursday, my companion was really sick! She was throwing up and had an awful migraine! I took her back to our room and let her sleep for around 7 hours. Luckily, I haven't gotten very sick. (knock on wood) The worst I had was a sore throat for about a day. It is really easy to spread germs when all 6 of us hermanas are squished into one room but I'm taking my vitamin c (thanks mom!) and washing my hands constantly! I did a lot of personal study outside of our room the day my companion was sick which was beneficial to me. One of my friends, Elder Hill challenged me to read through Alma in the Book of Mormon in a week and I was able to do it! I love reading my scriptures and am constantly learning from them!

 

The elders in my zone are hilarious. One of the districts made a missionary parody to "I'll make a man out of you," because we are really only allowed to sing Disney songs or church hymns, and it was so good. Today our zone is getting a new district of 12 elders! No hermanas but apparently next week we will be getting a few which is exciting.

 

Okay so my district is hilarious too. One elder, Elder Fuller, is from Canada and I think our district has learned to speak more like a Canadian than Spanish. Everyone is constantly saying "eh" and the word "Hozer" applies to each one of us. Other missionaries notice too. One time, one of us said it in our group of hermanas and an elder was like "sisters! language!" and we were like what?.. During volleyball, if someone misses, we all yell "what are ya doing hozer?!" and people stare like what are they saying? We have to explain constantly that it's an ice hockey term and that we aren't offending each other. hahaha I forgot to put this in the big email but yeah. We are definitely the most special out of all of the other districts in our zone. Pretty funny, eh?

 

So Volleyball has really been heating up. We are at war. Yes a spiritual war but also with the Russians (Russian speaking missionaries). They yell at us if we get our ball in their court. They will be like "Quit ruining our game Spaniards!" The Russians are everywhere around here and for some odd reason they don't like the Spaniards. Yes they call us Spaniards even though we are all going to Costa Rica, New York and Texas. If we sit at their table at lunch they yell at us, in Russian. How productive is that?? We just look at them like "no comprende!!" Apparently this has been going on for a long time but that's okay. It keeps things entertaining!

One of the districts in our zone left yesterday and it was really sad! I was really good friends with some of those Elders and Hermanas but I know that they were all ready to get out in the field. Hermana Geurts and I had to sleep in Hermana Knudson and Hermana Dean's room the night that they were leaving. They had different flight times and needed companions. Hermana dean made a comment that she would probably sleep walk since she had anxiety about waking up on time. I didn't know that she was serious! I got probably 3 hours of sleep! I woke up to the sound of her sleep praying. She was screaming thanking God for the opportunity to go to Canada and teach the people. I was so confused! Then she paced back and forth all night and went to the bathroom three times. That was a new experience! I woke up sad that the Hermanas were gone and thinking that Hermana Dean probably should have sleep prayed for Hermana Geurts and I. I was dead yesterday! The Caffeine free diet coke does not do it for me.

Everyday I am so grateful for the power of the atonement. At times it is easy to feel down on myself. Some of the girls aren't so nice at times, I may not feel like my spanish is good enough, or maybe I don't feel like I'm reaching my full potential in some way. However, I know that the Savior is there for me. He has felt what I am feeling and through him I can find strength. I will continue to try and do my best, and I know that He will help me where I fall short. I love this gospel and the happiness that it brings me! 

I love you all and miss you like crazy! Seriously you Dear Elders Letters make me cry. I'm so thankful for you and for your support. Te amo mucho!

Hermana Zerilli

Geurts. Knudson. Me. Dean. Castleton. Hill.

Last Day with Hermana Knudson and Dean :(

 

Elder Householder came up with our

district's companionship rapper names! 

 

 The district that left :(

 

 Me. Elder White and Hermana Geaurts.

 Getting creative with our lessons.

Our investigator believed that God was like Santa.

 

 With our favorite Elders...I wish there was a less awkward way to take pictures with them. Hawkins and Hill

 

 

 

 

 

Guess who the new Sister Training Leader is?

So the best things come in 2s. Parents. Mickey ears. Reeses peanut butter cups. Cory and Topanga? Week 2 lived up to my expectations.

Last Thursday following my P-Day, I had the most spiritual experience that reminded me of the reason why I am here. My companion and I had our 2nd lesson with our investigator for TRC. Her name is Maribel and we loved her from the minute that we met her at our first lesson. She was super sweet and would say "I can't speak too much English to you because they are watching" and point to the camera where our teachers listen in on our lessons. She would help us if we couldn't figure out how to say something in spanish though. Well, this lesson, we decided to teach her about the first half of the plan of salvation. As we taught her, we asked her what she thought her purpose in life was. She then got really emotional and started to say that she doesn't know if she has one. She works 4 jobs to help support her family (with her husband) and she says she feels like that's all her life is made for. Then she comes home and her kids don't do anything to help. Instead, they make things difficult for her and wait for her to tell them to do something before they do it. She is afraid that as she gets older, she will never fully understand her purpose. That broke my heart. Further in the lesson she talked about trials that she is currently facing with her family and buying a new house. Long story short, the house that she was planning on getting fell through and now she is struggling to find somewhere for her family to live. I couldn't hold back tears as she told me how upset she has been. I bore my testimony to her of prayer. I asked her to continue to pray for strength and for guidance as she is looking for a house and makes difficult decisions. She said that she will. We ended our lesson by asking her if she would come to church. She said that she would love to which made us so happy! We just needed to get in contact with the missionaries near her home so she wouldn't have to go to church by herself. When we finished our lesson, we told Maribel how much we and her Heavenly Father loves her. We wanted her to know that we would pray for her and that we had faith that things would work out as long as she prayed too. When Hermana Geurts and I left the room and started heading down the stairs we looked at each other and just started bawling. We felt a mixture of happiness and sadness. I was heartbroken that she didn't feel like she had a purpose here. Also, that she has to endure such hard trials that she is right now. I just want to help her in any way that I can. However, I was so grateful for the spirit. It was so strong and I know that it testified to Maribel that the things that we were teaching were true. Thinking about that experience makes me so excited to go to Costa Rica and teach the people there. I love them already and want them to have peace and joy.

    Sunday was such a great day! It was fast Sunday which was a little difficult but I'm glad that we had the opportunity to have a testimony meeting while we are here. The missionaries in my zone inspire me and their testimonies are so strong. Sunday morning, the Branch 1st Counselor asked me to come meet with him without my companion. We then went and found Hermana Castleton and went into another room. He then asked us if we would be the new Sister Training Leaders. I was really excited. My first calling as a leader on my mission! He said that they usually call companionships to be STLs but the Branch President felt strongly about his decision. I hope I can live up to his expectations and be a great leader to the other sisters. Sunday night devotional blew my mind. SHERI DEW! I was so stoked to hear her speak. She is such a strong woman and actually reminded me of Nana. She talked about missionary experiences that she has had and I was inspired. She teaches people about the gospel just by being a friend. One of her friends came to conference by herself just because she was interested! Like wow she must be a great example! That's the kind of missionary I want to be. 

 

     Everyday brings new experiences. Monday we taught 4 lessons and I decided to go without notes. AHH TALK ABOUT SCARY! I was so nervous but I am really proud about how far my spanish has come. The food hasn't gotten any better. I don't want to join the "complaining club" (yes there is one) but it's not very good. I feel sick half of the meals I eat. I usually just stick with  a salad or a bowl of marshmallow mateys (lucky charms) and my caffeiene free diet coke(lol). I am so grateful for a mom that sends me snacks!

 

      Yesterday was so great. We have Tuesday night devotionals every week and I have been wanting to do choir for the past few devotionals. My whole district decided to do it last night and I am so grateful that we did! The speaker was Russell M Nelson, the new President of the Qurorum of the 12 apostles. We got to sing "Be Still My Soul" for an apostle...I still have chills. Because the devotional was so big, they broadcasted it to the other 8 MTCs around the world! My friend told me that I was on the screen 3 times while singing. Not that that is my focus but it's still cool :) Russell M Nelson's talk was so good. He talked about having the doctrine of Christ engraved on our hearts. I took so many notes and will definitely be working on applying them. 

 

         Not much has changed within my district except the Elders have gotten crazier. We have one elfder from Canada and now EVERYONE says "eh' after EVERY SENTENCE! It's really funny!

        Well I love you all and pray for you 2+ times a day. I think of you all the time and nothing makes me happier than getting Dear Elders letter or emails from you! Tell the boys i love them so much and miss them like crazy! Thank you so much for the packages! THESE SHORTS ARE LIFE! I was wearing the same weird pants every day for gym. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! Oh and that fireworks bar, brownie brittle, and granola bars...almost cried! Oh and the picture album!!  I cant express to you how amazing that package was! No joke. Tell Nana I love her so much and I am so grateful for the Dear Elder letter she sent me! It made me so happy and the quote was so encouraging! I wrote it in my missionary planner! 

 

I hope you are all doing well!

Te amo!

Adios!

-Hermana Zerilli