Goodbye Aserri! The next time you hear from me I will have a new companion and I will be in a new area.

 

Wow this week was incredible! So much happened and is currently happening in the mission.

First off, I had my second baptism!! Her name is Melanie and she is 15 years old. She was actually the first person that I talked to in church my first week here. She wanted to know about my life in California, ha-ha. I have been teaching her for the entire 3 months that I have here in Aserri and honestly I knew that one day she would be baptized even though she was resistant up until this past week. I have watched her grow and develop such a strong testimony. When she had her final interview this past week and made the commitment to be baptized, Hermana Perez and I cried. She is like our little sister and we couldn't have been happier for her. After she was baptized she ran and hugged us and said thank you for helping me! It was such an amazing moment for us.  I have learned so much from teaching her. President and Sister Hayes came to our baptisms this past week. It was amazing to have them there and to share the special moments. They are so supportive.

 

We have 33 investigators with a baptism date and 29 progressing. Haha, we invite everyone to baptism our first lesson sooo yeah haha:) This past week we had 105 people in the chapel... The building is pretty small! 

 

Well this week we have cambios (transfers) and the question for the longest time has been who is going, who is staying, and which area has the white wash? Well....I'm going and so is Hermana Perez! Wow...what a huge surprise! Our area has the whitewash, or in other words, our area will have Elders next week. Hermana Mungea and Hermana Matamoris will be together this next cambio for the rest of her training. Hermana Perez and I are a little...ok really sad! I have just learned this area. I finally feel comfortable here and I feel like I have family in Aserri. The last thing I want is to leave right before Christmas. But it's okay:) Hermana Perez and I are wrapping up things here by preparing our investigators and saying bye to all of the members. Yes it's sad but like I always say...Everything happens for a reason. This is the Lords work and he is in charge! Apparently President Hayes puts up the projector with new companionships and the area, like a slideshow...so fun!! I'm super nervous but it'll be ok. Oh and Hermana Pérez and Mungea keep saying that I could be the next nurse...um what! yeah apparently it's a calling and I don't have to have any of medical knowledge to be the youth missionary nurse:) The person has to be able to speak English and Spanish and you work closely with President Hayes and all of the mission leaders, and spend a lot of time in the mission office...

 

One lie I've been told...Costa Rica is really hot!
No we had jackets sweaters and scarves that day!

This past week was Thanksgiving...yes, I know you know that, but no one here knows that. They don't celebrate Thanksgiving here haha!! One of the return missionaries in the ward invited Hermana Perez and I over to his family's house for dinner. He had gringo companions and he knew just how much those gringos loved their Thanksgiving, haha. Well, he didn't know that half of the reason is the food! We had mac n cheese at his house. Its not the usual turkey and stuffing but you can never go wrong with the good ol blue box. I was really grateful for his family and for helping me feel at home.

   

For the random news this week...

• Hermana Perez and I were almost assaulted in our area at night. Yeah that happened. I won't go into detail, just know that it was scary but we were helped by the Spirit. There is obviously a reason why the Elders are coming here and we are leaving.
• I had a taco chino the other day! Hahahah it was a giant chimichanga eggroll. Nothing too special, but taco chino, how cool is that name! I will never say eggroll again! Hahahaha:)
• Everyone that knows me here asks about star wars to bug me...haha they are like are your parents sending you tickets to Star Wars for Christmas?
   

Anyway, that's the majority of my week. I love you all so much. I'm grateful for the friends and family that I have in the States and now here in Costa Rica. If you see the missionaries, invite them in to your home. Help them feel loved. Everyone just wants to be loved. haha

 

I love you all! Pura vida and the next time I write, it will be from another area!

Love Hermana Zerilli

 
Here are some pictures I wanted to send last week but the computer wasn't uploading pictures...

 

 

 This is Yelari! She's 15 and is a member of the church. She bought me a Peter Pan cup from the movie theater because she knows I love Peter Pan!! Yay I have another one for home:)

 

 



Fiesta Del Tamal!!



Home of the Best Churros ever!!

  

"Costa Rica Costco" Chicken bake...comes with French fries, LOL:)  

 Zona La Paz with our zone t-shirts! 

This is Daisy. We have helped reactivate her and her grandkids who aren't members, Kelly and Daylor.

Yes, every time I hear his name I flinch, ahahaha:)

Oh and obviously I am my fathers daughter. (below) The gift from Hermana Perez for my 4 meses (month anniversary) 

 

 The family Segura...they invited us over for Thanksgiving:)

This is Melanie...

President and Hermana Hayes came to our baptisms.  

 This past week, last picture with my zone, Zone La Paz...
or "the peace." hahaha 

 My district

 Hermana Matomoros, Hermana Mungea, Hermana Perez and me

 

This is another Melanie. She is leaving to serve her mission in Bolivia and was set apart last night. 

 There are always those crazy Mormon boys hahaha...

This kid Josue always screams Hermana Zerilliiiii.

I'm going to miss that!

 My last Sunday here in Aserri.

 Hermana Perez and I literally walking away from our area,

our last Sunday here.

I got my 24 Days of Christmas box today...

Thank you so much Mom!!

 
 


 
 

"Satan is real and is he is here too! "

This week was so amazing and honestly every day was something new!

Last Monday, after I wrote, Hermana Perez and I had lunch with some of the Elders in our Zone (area). We went to the mall and ate at the food court. I had Taco Bell. Oh my goshhh... It was my first time eating Taco Bell in 4 months and that Crunchwrap Supreme never tasted so good! After, Hermana Perez and I were planning on heading back to our apartment but then we all found a Lazer Tag place in the mall. We then called two other Hermanas in our Zone to come so that it was even and we played! It was SO FUN. I had my shorts on under my dress from soccer earlier that morning and I had my Nikes in my bag so I felt a little weird but I still enjoyed it so much. It felt good to do something that I know from back home.

 

Then Tuesday, we were studying as usual when our District Leader called and asked if I would teach half of our district meeting about 2 of the Christ-like attributes. I said I would and then obviously freaked out afterwards! I immediately started planning a whole lot of scriptures, stories and other things to share. The missionaries in my district have a lot of time in the mission. I really wanted to impress them or at least not embarrass myself, haha. I chose to talk about PATIENCE and HOPE. Those two attributes have played a huge role in my life here in the mission. I'm still learning them. In the meeting I got up to speak and I felt super comfortable. My companion and I had to laugh at the minor panic attack that I had the morning prior. I don't know why I do that to myself every time!! Once again I was able to challenge myself and do something that I felt was scary and difficult, and it turned out great! 

 

Wednesday was really interesting. We woke up super excited because it was ward temple day! We were planning on taking our investigator Melanie and teaching her at the temple. We wanted her to feel the overwhelming spirit that exists there! Everyone who was planning on going met at the church around 4:30 and then we all drove together in little buses at 5. The trip is about an hour but there was traffic. Okay the only way I have to describe the roads here is to compare them to New Jersey. Now remember when we were in that taxi trying to get to the toll booth on the freeway and there weren't any lanes...That's the freeway here! Or, actually that's every street here! Every car for themself. I'm so shocked that there arent more accidents! Anyway, at the off ramp for the temple, the man driving told us that we were going to have to turn around and go back because the traffic was so bad. We thought that he was kidding but sadly no. We spent 3 hours of our day in a bus driving practically to the temple just to turn around and come back. It was Satan...we know it haha... I was disappointed that we couldn't teach Melanie but its okay! Everything happens for a reason:)

 

Thursday we received some really interesting news during weekly planning! This next cambio (transfers next week) is a big one. There are 2 companionships of Hermanas in Asseri (4 Hermanas). Well in this next cambio (transfer), one of the areas will be whitewashed and Elders will be coming in their place. Then in addition one of the Hermanas from the companionship that stays will be changing. Wow! So that means that 3 of us Hermanas here will be transferring to a new area, 4 weeks before Christmas too. Hermana Mungea and Hermana Perez think that Hermana Montamoris or I will be staying here. I feel like it will be me. It's really crazy to think that absolutely everything will be changed next week. I'm super nervous about it all! I know that it will be okay though. This is such a good thing and everything is inspired of the Lord!

 

Saturday was the beginning of Fiesta de Tamal!! We had honestly just woken up when we heard loud music and chanting outside. There was a huge parade to celebrate the Fiesta de Tamal. Yes. Tamales! Apparently Asseri is the place of tamales. We all went to the parade and took pictures with all of the traditional mask things, haha, I don't know what they are called. Then we went to the area with all of the food and it was seriously tamales galore! We obviously had tamales for lunch and they were soooo good! Hermana Perez and I also bought churros, did you hear that Trevor...we bought churros!! I was pretty much in heaven! That day I also ended my training. It was really fun to celebrate like that. I can't believe 12 weeks has come and gone. Now I'm officially a missionary in the field! I think Hermana Perez is a little relieved haha:)

 

 

We have cambios (transfers) this next week and I feel like I am going to be the one Hermana that stays here in the area with all new elders and a new companion. That's a good thing for Christmas because this ward is amazing and everyone wants to be with us for Christmas but holy cow! I'm so nervous. We have investigators that are progressing and when Hermana Perez leaves, I don't want their progress to decrease. Ahhh I'm scared and nervous and stressed... Please pray for me. I want to do this right!

 

Yesterday was a really interesting day. It was my official 4 months in the mission! Yay. We woke up early and went to help one of our investigator families get ready to attend church. We made tortillas for breakfast and they were able to come!! Then 3 of our other investigators came! It was so great! During sacrament meeting it was the primary program. I made the mistake of sitting by myself thinking that someone else would come. I bawled my eyes out. I couldn't hold it in! I imagined Anthony and my family and I couldn't keep it together...Luckily this ward is amazing. Everyone told me that they are my family right now and not to worry. I was incredibly grateful. The children of the church truly are incredible and they have such strong testimonies. I am so beyond grateful for parents who raised me in the true church!

 

 

In stark contrast, I saw Satan yesterday, kind of... scariest day of my life! I felt like I was in the Exorcist. One of our less active members had Satan in her 3 times during our visit. She was drunk and very unhappy because her spouse took off for no reason. We were terrified and Hermana Perez had to scream the evil spirit out of her 3 times. Her eyes were black and kept changing back and forth, I can't get the image out of my head. We are okay though, we recieved blessings afterward.  Satan is real and is he is here too! I was just so  terrified. She screamed and threw fists and we held her down to protect her from herself.. I bawled the entire time. We called the Bishop right away!

 

Well that was just a little bit of my crazy week.

(We made pastelets with a member)

 

I miss you all soooo much and especially my Mom. Friday is going to be hard. We have gone Black Friday shopping together every year since I was like 8. It's our tradition and I'm not home. I saw pictures of our house decorated for Christmas that my Dad sent and my heart broke. I just want to be there but I know I need to be here. It's just drastically different. It's okay. I'm good. I'm cool, haha, seriously, no worries. It's just that missing you all is hard.

 

 

 I love you all and this Thanksgiving I am especially grateful for all of you. For the love and support I feel from another country. Thank you thank you. I love you with all of my heart!

Pura vida.
Hermana Zerilli

 

 

 
 

"Seriously, I have such a strong testimony that our Heavenly Father knows and loves us all individually."

Well this week was really interesting! Today is Monday but it feels like Tuesday because time this past week seems to have flown by! After such a disappointing week last week, I really needed to see a change.

Last Tuesday, before our weekly district meeting, I was feeling really nervous about everything. If you know me, one of my weaknesses is that I often have fears and feel inadequate really easily. It's just who I am, and no I obviously don't like that about myself! After the loss of our investigators, I couldn't help but feel like part of that was my fault. In my eyes my companion is perfect! Yes, she has 14 months in the mission and many more experiences than I do, but still. I don't want to be the reason why we aren't teaching as well as we can be because of my lack of Spanish or experience. Hermana Perez is awesome and knows exactly what to say to help me overcome those awful negative thoughts that I have sometimes. (fetching satanas) However, the Lord always knows our situation. In our meeting, Hermano Acuna from our ward came to speak to everyone. Now he is one of the most spiritually in tune people that I have ever met. He shared really great advice about missionary work and about how big of a privilege our calling is. In the middle of his message, out of nowhere he stopped. He then had us switch companions and said that the Elders were going to give each of their new companions a blessing. Then the Zone Leaders would give each of the Hermanas a blessing. In that moment I was totally shocked and grateful. One of our Zone Leaders, Elder Nunez, gave me such an amazing blessing of strength. Without knowing anything that I had been feeling he blessed me with the ability to learn everything that I need to to be the missionary that Heavenly Father wants me to be; the gift of tongues, confidence in my abilities, that I won't have fear and many more things. After, I couldn't help but cry. Seriously, I have such a strong testimony that our Heavenly Father knows and loves us all individually. He is aware of our situations and is ALWAYS there to help us. I'm grateful for people in my life that listen to the spirit and act on it. I know that the Priesthood is the power of God and if they live worthy to have it, men in the church can bless lives in ways that they can't imagine. 

This week I continued to see many, many miracles. We were able to find 2 really amazing families and many more people to teach. I feel so great about these people and I am excited to teach them! Every day I feel a little bit better about my lessons and talking with people in general. At times its really tough. The people here look at me and they usually think "Gringa who can't speak any Spanish." This week we met a lady who asked Hermana Perez to pray because I "can't" and every time I went to speak she said that she couldn't understand me. That was really hard to take. Hermana Perez told me that she doesn't understand when that happens because she can understand me perfectly fine! Oh well. I'm getting stronger with every little challenge.

 

 

We also had divisions this week! That meant that for the first time I was going to have to direct someone else in my area by myself. Luckily our area Sister Training Leader is Hermana Mungea! She is so great and I love her! I was scared to death the morning of divisions however, and I thought I was going to be sick. Looking back, how pathetic was I? Divisions went really well. I learned soooo much from Hermana Mungea but I also learned that I am capable of doing this when we have changes in the future. She gave me advice at the end of the night and told me that she can really see me being an excellent missionary. I was so happy and grateful for the amazing examples I have around me.

 

 

Really that's all I have for this week. I only have one more week in my training and that's really crazy for me! It feels like I just got here!

 

I love you all and pray for you everyday! Until next week!

Pura Vida!

Hermana Zerilli

 

This butterfly wouldnt leave us alone, hahaha!

 

Some of my favorite kiddos in my ward!

 

Christmas is everywhere in Costa Rica...

There was no Columbus here, LOL:)

 

It rained so much this week.

 

 

 

 

This week we found out that we have been living with a visitor!

This week I learned a whole lot. To be honest it was really tough emotionally. We lost 3 solid investigators who we have been preparing for baptism. For reasons that we aren't even very sure about, these people decided to tell us that they didn't want to continue with our lessons and the church in general. The first 2 were really rough and the 3rd one broke me. Those were people that I had spent many days with and poured my heart into teaching. I fought tears as we continued throughout our day. Other than those few rejections, it felt like we had a really hard time finding new investigators in general. Each person seemed to have some type of an excuse for why they didn't want to listen or why our commitments were too difficult. I was really shocked because so far in my mission we have been able to find the right people. Apparently, this situation was the case for the majority of my zone. It was really weird. Luckily, I have an amazing companion who told me not to worry! She said that we will continue to pray, listen to the spirit and move forward. No one can stop the work of the Lord! If anything, I am more motivated and determined than ever. I want to find the people prepared for us. I know they are there!! Yesterday after church, we finally found 3 new investigators and I feel so good about them. I think it is a sign that things are going to be okay!

     Now on to the fun random things of the week! This week I got a new mattress!! The one that I had been sleeping on was awful. It had obviously been used by many people and the cushion was completely gone. I was sleeping on springs! I'm so grateful for the new mattresses that the office sent Hermana Perez and I. They are amazing!

 

 

 

    One morning while we were studying we were visited by a missionary...a Jehovah's witness missionary. Boy was that something!! Luckily Hermana Mungea and Hermana Perez have experiences with Jehovah's Witnesses and they knew exactly what to say to this woman when she started to attack us. I was in awe. The Jehovah's Witness missionary went from 0-100 really fast! That's something that I really love about this work and our church, we never have a reason to be angry if the people don't accept us. There are tons of different religions in this world and we respect all of them!! Our inviation is simple...Listen, read and pray. We can't know this is true for you but you CAN know its true for yourself. That's exactly what we invited the Jehovahs Witness to do. It was a great learning experience for me.

 

 

    Luckily, during the week I am usually able to forget the silly little things that I miss about home. However, when I am in a home and their music or TV is on, I am instantly reminded. Its awful! This week we were teaching parents of 2 little girls outside of their house. The girls were inside and they decided to turn on Disney Channel right as we began the lesson. Now I could hear everything and the minute that I heard the theme song to Girl Meets World, I lost it hahaha! No I dont have any shame in saying that I miss Girl Meets World...c'mon it's Cory and Topanga! It was an intersting experience to say the least and Shawn Hunter's voice is a lot different in Spanish.

 

 

    This week we found out that we have been living with a visitor!When we returned to our apartment one night, I went into the kitchen and a baby rat scattered across our counter! We lost in until Friday night while we were sleeping. We heard something in the kitchen and Hermana Perez and I both ran to go catch it. We then watched as the rat escaped out the window! It had been living in a small space behind our fridge and could come in and out as it pleased through a part of our window. We now have it permanently blocked. No more little chef! haha (Ratitoulle reference.)

 

More random thoughts:) 

• Thank you for sending the acne Clearasil, eek...holy heck it works!!
• My hair is so weird, everyone thinks that I dyed it blonde...no its the sun! Truth is I dyed it dark brown before I left on my mission, but it's still turning light again, ugh!
• My patriarchal blessing is my life! I read it when I need to be reminded of why I'm here. It's incredibly inspiring!
• My heart hurts thinking about Star Wars and how I'm going to be missing it. 
• I get to Skype on Christmas but apparently its like 45 minutes:( Ahhh...I really just want Christmas to be over because this is sooo hard for me...I want to be with family during this part of the year.
• Oh and I'm bawling because of those pictures of the Dean Family's baptisms. I wish I could have been there, miracles are everywhere.
• As far as exercise, I seriously just want to go for a run but I can't (not allowed). I loveee the workout DVDs so much! I already feel so much stronger but the problem is the calories of everything I eat here! 30 minutes of exercise is little when it comes to the food people give us. I seriously need my exercise though, it's when I think about home and my emotional weakness haha. 
• Things are sooo expensive here it's insane! I basically take the prices and double it to compare it to American dollars. Our money goes quick, especially right now.
• Pleaseeee give Trevor a giant congrats for me! I am so glad he is staying with the family business, LOL, he is going to love working at the Blue Oaks Theater. I love hearing that all my old co-worker think we look alike hahaha...everyone here says it too! They are all going to absolutely love him! Now you can all go see Star Wars a million times and email me about it hahaha...
• Sister qualls wrote me and I don't have enough time to reply. Please thank her for me...it was so good too!

 

 

    Well thats my week! My time here has been and continues to be incredible. I know this is where I'm supposed to be. This church is true. God is our loving Heavenly Father. Our Savior Jesus Christ lives. The Book of Mormon is the Word of God. If you have doubts about anything, pray! You will receive your answer. I love you all more than words. You are always in my prayers.

 I cant go through Christmas without something...hahaha the music is already happening! Thanksgiving doesn't exist!

Apparently missionaries don't normally have Christmas decorations in their apartments. that's just not okay with me! we are starting little by little...literally hahaha:)

• 39 days until Star wars
• 45 days until Christmas
• 52 until the new year!

Pura Vida! Hasta Luego!

Hermana Zerilli 

 

 

We now cook lunch for ourselves!

First meal!! I think we did pretty good!

This is what happens when people don't speak or understand English! LETS NOT EAT GRANDMA!

For my favorite Primaveras (Uncle Mike, Aunt Lisa, Nicholas,

 and Bella)! I love you and miss you all!!

 

"I FOUND COSTA RICAN COSTCO"

Wow this week was really great!! I don't even know where to start...


First, I have to take a minute to thank the complete stranger who kindly and willingly carried a 5 pound package in her suitcase to Costa Rica for me, AND THEN MADE SURE IT WAS DELIVERED TO THE MISSION OFFICE!! You are amazing and you have blessed my life more than you know! Next I will thank my awesome Mom who packed the package...

I LOVE IT SOOOO MUCH! THE WORKOUT VIDEOS ARE SO AWESOME AND THE CHOCOLATE, CROCS, AND THE UMBRELLAS. AHHHH THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

 

I had my first Zone Conference on Wednesday with President Hayes. It was so amazing! Of course Hermana Perez and I were asked to share our favorite spiritual experience in the beginning because you know, they just love to have me practice my Spanish haha. We got to hear from President and Hermana Hayes, the assistants and, the new infermeros or nurses. I learned a whole lot and was reminded of my unwavering testimony of this gospel and my love for this work. Boy is it hard being away from everything I know and love, but this is where I need to be.

 

 During the conference President Hayes pulled us away one by one for interviews. I was so happy to get to talk to him and get his advice on things that I find difficult. Right off the bat he said "Wow your Spanish is really good!" Of course I was like nooo. Haha, but then he said "Not to make you prideful but your Spanish far surpasses that of anyone in the group that came with you." Okay I'm not sharing this to brag because I still don't believe that my Spanish is very good, but I am soooo grateful for this challenge that I have with this language. I'm so grateful for my Latinas and for the gift of tongues. Heavenly Father is hearing my prayers and I'm being blessed with the ability to learn. Holy cow did that comment feel good. I could've cried...actually I did hahaha. The rest of the conference was amazing and I got to eat a lot of Halloween candy because Hermana Hayes loves the holidays:)

Speaking of Halloween and Holidays, obviously I too love the holidays and It's really tough being in another country where Halloween really isn't a thing. Seriously, we passed one house with decorations and I was beyond happy every time. However, on Friday night after nightly planning, Hermana Perez told me that Hermana Mungea wanted to talk to me in English haha. So I went over to her apartment and the lights were all off, so I was like um no thank you. Then out of nowhere Hermana Mungea jumped out with her hair over her face like the grudge and scared me to death!! After, they turned on the lights and had a whole Halloween lay out for me! Candy, decorations and tons of balloons. I was so surprised and so happy. They are so good to me here... I'M INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL.

Well the weather has also been crazy this week. I have experienced 3 earthquakes in my time here in costa rica and this past one was incredibly strong. The rain also continues to pour...not to mention the volcano that is erupting today. The end of times is close...I can feel it...literally(LOL)

 

 

 

 

 

 

So this week something funny happened. Everyone asked Hermana Perez and I if we are hermanas, and they meant blood related. No joke, at least once a day. We have been together for 10 weeks now and its crazy how just now this is happening! Apparently I look more Latina than I knew. It's when I open my mouth to talk that the people are like Ohhh, Gringa haha!

 Other minor updates. Yesterday I was serenated by an alcoholic. He sang "senor michael" to me or Michael Buble. I felt incredibly awkward but he accepted my pamphlet and invitation to try to quit drinking. A member gave Hermana Perez Abuelita hot chocolate yesterday because its Mexican haha. We are super excited because its my favorite too! Also, we now have light in our kitchen and in our bathroom. One day this week during companionship study we were staring at the fuse box and realized that one switch was off. Well yeah. Apparently that one switch has been off the entire 6 months Hermana Perez has been here! Oh gosh God has a sense of humor. Also today...I FOUND COSTA RICAN COSTCO. I was practically at home...but not really. Price mart is an amazing place. hahahaha:)

 

Well that's all for this week. I love you all incredibly much. I am counting down the days until Christmas, when I get to hear your sweet voices and see your sweet faces (Skype)!!

 

 

 

We went in a Christmas store today and I was so giddy! Tis the season! Ahhh! Love you! Pura vida!

Hermana Zerilli