Heavenly Father Hears Prayers...I Am Eternally Grateful♥

Hey everyone!

Heavenly Father hears prayers! From what I understand, there are so many prayers that have been offered up on my behalf and I am eternally grateful! I'm feeling way better!!! I think the swollen lymph nodes are gone or almost gone, I mean there is still something, kind of a ball that I can feel, but there's no pain!!! I think I am going to be fine. I am off of one antibiotic and finishing up the 2nd in the next 4 days. I think one thing that is definitely helping me is that we are back to working! There is something about the feelings of guilt and stress that come from being a missionary and not actually doing missionary things for a whole week! We traveled back and forth every day and we will until tomorrow. We have made quite a few friends on the 7:30 bus. It's going to be sad leaving them, haha! We have searched everywhere for a new home in Paraiso to live in, and we have not found one that is cleaner or nicer than the one we moved from. So we are moving back in this week. Don't worry, our house has been torn all apart to be cleaned out; all of the mold and residue removed! The owner even painted it with a new paint that is better for humidity, installed a machine to suck up the humidity, and is building a new roof on top of ours...

The best part of taking the bus every day...they have big pizza slices!!

I've gotta say that the phone was the problem this week. Monday we received a new one. Then Tuesday, the sim card was cancelled and we couldn't call anyone. Wednesday we had to go buy a rechargeable sim card and then Thursday the sim card ran out of minutes so we had to buy more! Now...yeah right now, we don't have minutes either hahaha. I'ts totally fine though. I am done stressing!

Tuesday, I saw president in the office and he walked up to me and asked how we were doing. He knows me pretty well by now and could probably see how stressed I was, like it was written on my forehead! He told me that maybe I should take up yoga (ow), and that since I am good at following rules, he was going to give me a new one! The new rule is to not stress! Every time that I am stressed I am breaking a rule now! I actually really like that...now I feel bad for stressing, LOL. I'm reaching to have the attitude of Pura Vida that everybody here has constantly! HAKUNA MATATA!

So this week, we had some awesome lessons. Recently, we have talked a whole lot about the importance of working with members. It's 2016. I believe 100% in miracles and angels. There are people prepared and waiting for the gospel. However, missionary work needs the members. In this ward recently, I have felt an overwhelmingly big excitement from the members to help us out. Everyone has been saying "Hey we are preparing a family for you!" and "I want you to come to my house and teach my non-member friend!" It's incredible. I'm honest. Before the mission, I loved the missionaries. I always have. But i'm not quite sure that I loved MISSIONARY WORK! If I loved it, I would have given references. I would have opened my mouth more! I would have worried more about the salvation of my loved ones than what they thought of me!

With this focus in mind, Hermana Martinez and I have hit the streets looking for those golden investigators with member friends. One was right in front of us! We decided to knock a door near one of our investigators. It was a young guy named Diego! He was so nice and invited us right in. He said that he had a friend, Suyen, who attends our church. We were so excited! It was too perfect! Suyen is who helped us to find Fabian! Then, we decided to visit a reference for a less active that we had. She is so cute! It's a young mom named Daniella! She has a daughter named Soy who is almost 10! We were asking about who in the family are members and Daniella just mentioned herself and her sister. Soy was like "and me?!" and Daniella had to tell her no because she hasn't been baptized yet! I love these 2 girls! They have traveled to Hawaii and Disney; and they love Halloween and Christmas and Star Wars. We 4 got along great! Hermana Martinez and I are excited to reactivate them and get Soy baptized. I am convinced that the best way to work is with members. 

I'm grateful for the members here and the members back home. Last week I heard from Parker, about an experience that he and Elise Abel had. A friend of hers from high school contacted her over the summer and told her that she had always been a great example to him. He remembered her example when he was at college and had a desire to learn more about her religion when he was home during the summer. Elise and Parker were both home from BYU, they went with him to the the YSA (Young Single Adult) Ward, fellowshiped him, and attended missionary lessons with him. On Friday, August 19th, Parker baptized him. I am so proud of both of them! I think this experience that I heard about Elise and Parker helping out someone from high school really inspired me. This is the time for all of us to step forward and edify the Lord kingdom together. 

Parker, Elise, Matt, & the two missionaries from the Roseville YSA Ward

So FABIAN GOT BAPTIZED!!! Can I just say what a rush Saturday was. The elders had a baptism too! We ended up having the same baptismal service twice!! The guy that the elders baptized had to get to work at 6 so we had one baptism from 5-5:45. Then Fabian was coming from Alejualah (really far) from work and didn't get here until about 6:30. Even though he was running to make it, he got to the chapel smiling and ready to go! It calmed my nerves about all of the uncertainty! We had the service then, and he and Suyens daughter (Soy) got baptized!! I am very grateful to the members who stayed for almost 3 hours to support all 3 people. I was so happy! Miracles happen! The Lord is blessing us even though we may be going through trials♥

Yesterday, President and Hermana Hayes wanted to come to our ward! They had planned on coming to the baptism Saturday but with 30 baptisms in the mission on the same day, they couldn't go everywhere that they wanted to! So at 8 in the morning, they came and picked us up to go to church in San Francisco! It was awesome! Lizzie was there and so was Lesley (their other daughter who just got home from Thailand)!! Okay, another great friend. She's great. I think it's official that I just love the entire Hayes family. Fabian and Luis (elders baptism) were confirmed in Sacrament Meeting and Hermana Hayes shared her testimony (her Spanish has gotten soooo good!) and President Hayes spoke too. The spirit is so strong when they are there. In Gospel Principles, when the teacher asked about spiritual experiences that helped us feel closer to Christ, Fabian raised his hand. He never does that!! He shared about his baptism and the peace that he had felt Saturday night. It's just one of those proud missionary moments. Not anything for myself, but for the person. For Fabian who has made the best choice in his life and has received a spiritual witness. I thought that was so special.

During 3rd hour, president had interviews with all of us. I didn't think that I was going to get one because I've talked to him so much, but I was so happy that I did. I walked away from that interview a better person. 

Here are 3 things that I have learned from President Hayes this week aside from not stressing! 

1. When we have difficulties or challenges, it's because Satan feels threatened that we are going to strengthen God's kingdom and he will fall! We can't let him win! We have to get back on our feet and keep truckin. Ultimately the power of Christ and His atonement will help us to overcome our trials!

2. 100% consecration is impossible. But the Lord makes impossible things possible. we believe in miracles. We have all the right to get on our knees and ask for miracles if we are willing to obey with all of our might!

3. I NEED TO STOP WORRYING ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK. Haha amen! No but seriously, the struggle of my life! Joseph Smith had to learn this lesson before he established the church and PRESIDENT EYRING taught President Hayes this when he set him apart. My heavenly father is my only judge! He knows my heart. He knows who I am and no one else matters!

I loved this week. It rocked! Now we are getting geared up for September!! AHHH SEPTEMBER! Please don't remind me of how much time I have left, it will never be enough time! The BYU deferred missionary emai, and the mission office secretary email to my group (missionaries returning for the Winter term at BYU) about my return date have got it covered! hehehe Love you all! 

Peace, love and pura vida!

♥Hermana Zerilli

For someone who doesn't really like onion or cilantro...I love ceviche! 

TRUTH, LOL!

Price Smart is making us trunky!

Hardest Week Of My Entire Mission, Thank You For Your Prayers♥

Helloooooo everyone!

Before I say anything more I want to thank you for your support. I have felt the prayers of many as I have faced the HARDEST week of my entire mission. I am grateful and my heart is truly full of love for the people here, at home, and maybe even those who don't even know me directly whom have been worried and prayed for me. THANK YOU♥

Want a run down of what happened this week...here we go!

Monday: Go-kart riding (woot! woot!) I talked about that last week!

Tuesday: At 2 pm we headed to the hospital. As many of you know, I have not been feeling well and I have had a large ball in my neck that was growing and turning hard. I was attended to by a doctor who speaks English, which was a blessing. He told me that the ball that I had under my jaw was possibly a tumor. He sent me down to have blood tests and an ultra sound done. We sat around for 6 additional hours waiting for the insurance to approve the coverage of the tests. I sat shaking, worrying about what could be wrong with me. I was thankful that the Olympics were playing on every TV screen to give me something to distract myself. I took the tests. We were all exhausted, worried, and uncomfortable. The assistants and secretaries called saying that they were going to come and be with us. It was determined that I didn't need to stay, rather come back the next day. So, they drove us home. We left the hospital at 9:40 and slept in our house in Paraiso.    

Wednesday: We woke up early and headed back to the hospital to meet with the doctor again. He informed me that I am no longer anemic (yay!) and that what I have are swollen lymph nodes...3 of them in a cluster! The largest is 17mms! I also have a lot of bacteria on the left side of my throat. 

He prescribed me with 2 types of antibiotics to help my throat and a medication for my migraines. If you didn't know...I have a migraine almost everyday on the left side. Hermana Martinez and I waited for the insurance to confirm the coverage of these medicines...for 7 hours! I was stressed and tired. We learned that there is nothing that a delicious cheese panini and a really big piece of chocolate cake can't fix. (Again the Olympics. (GO USA!)

Got a call from Elder Hansen (MP Assistant) saying that we needed to pack up our stuff because we need to change houses. As you know, our house has a lot of mold in it and isn't healthy for us to live in. They said that while looking for a new house, we were going to be living in San Francisco...near the office about 1.5 hours away. Hermana Martinez and I were waiting for the prescription and in walked Elder Hansen (PM Assistant) and Elder Winders (MP Secretary). They said that they saw the hospital and felt like they needed to see if we were there. They helped me laugh. I know that it wasn't just a coincidence that they were close by and decided to stop. We met a funny guy on the street that came up to us selling pens that he had taken from the trash cans. He spoke English and told us that he was "hagrid like the wolf". LOL Elder Vazquez (MP Assistant) and Elder Jones (other secretary) showed up in the car to take us to our home to pack. We walked into our house, packed a suitcase for a weeks worth of clothes and headed out again. We got to San Francisco feeling a little whiplash. I slept like a baby but honestly, I was beyond nervous for what the next day held. It's hard not knowing what to expect.

Thursday: We woke up and had to call what felt like everyone in the mission telling them what had happened. Our Zone Leaders were beyond worried, haha oops. We walked around San Francisco waiting for the Elder Vasquez and Elder Hansen to call us when they were ready to take us to Paraiso. We met up with them at about 2. I was in a lot of pain this day but It was fine. Hermana Martinez and I found ways to laugh. In San Jose there are a lot of people who will come up to you asking for things or sometimes trying to give you speeches about random things. Each time that happened, we just played like we didn't understand. We had our language study and my companion replied to the people in English. It was awesome! She's gotten good! The Elders showed up with the secretaries. They were going to do divisions. Once again, we all laughed. I really love these guys! They really helped me to take my mind off my own pain and worry. They know how to make driving down the freeway, listening to EFY music fun, hahahaha! I can't send videos :( We got to our area, and started hunting houses. Hermana Rocio showed us one which was pretty but in a kind of sketchy area. I quickly learned that I was really sensitive that day. A part from being stressed about my sickness, finding a house, worrying about the well being of the other hermanas in my zone, and Fabian who was supposed to be baptized this week,  living 4 hours away working; rude comments did not help me! One hermana told me something a little hurtful and I broke down. I felt a little wimpy Thursday. (Everybodyyy hurts sometimesss!!) At the close of the day, we ate pizza with Elder Hansgen and Elder Tibbs. It was good. Afterward, we headed back "home" to San Fran. We were all exhausted!

Friday: This day was a little crazy. We had a little bit of a hard time in the morning, with again some comments that weren't so necessary but just kept truckin'. (Why do girls have to be so mean!) Elder Hansen told us to meet them in the office at 1 pm because they could go house hunting with us that day. We got there at 11 and waited. I LOVE ELDER AND SISTER BURT IN THE OFFICE. I don't think I've ever talked about them but I love them so much. They are my replacement grandparents here in the mission and always have been a huge support for me. They heard me out as I vented about everything and told me that I should not feel bad! I mean come on I have a year in the mission. The Lord is not disappointed with me and my illness is not a punishment for my pack of obedience! I know that's true. Satan is the one who wants me to feel bad. When the Assistants got to the office, we had a little bit of a situation. They doubted that we would have enough gas to make it to Paraiso and Elder Jones was the only one who could know the code to the credit card because he is the financial secretary. They all ended up doing divisions and Elder Jones and Elder Vasquez went with us to Paraiso. It went well. Elder Vasquez bought us ice cream, so I mean it was a good day hahah. The funniest part was that every house that we saw that had the for rent sign in front, the elders called and then left us in the car to go see. They told us to stay in the car!! We were like "Its our house!!" We found awesome possibilities and then returned to San Fran listening to ancient Disney music:)

Saturday: Hermana Martinez and I woke up way early to get to Paraiso in time for our mission correlation meeting...that was cancelled!! We were a little bummed not knowing what to do. We didn't have permission to enter our home. We headed to the bus stop to go eat lunch. We ran into members on the way. One of them asked to borrow our phone just to have me realize that I LOST OUR PHONE. I REPEAT I LOST THE PHONE AT THE BUS STOP. We ran back and yeah it was a goner. All of our numbers...gone. That was the last straw for me!. Once again I lost it. :( hahahaaa. We attended a baby shower for a member and I dumped coke ALL OVER MY SKIRT. It was great! However, there's always a positive right? Hermana Martinez and I won 2 games and I won a game where you had to paint a creative picture for the baby on a piece of wood. His name is going to be Saul so I made it like Superman. Didn't let you down Dad! At the end of the day, we headed to the bus stop to head back to San Jose. We waited for 1.5 hours in the freezing cold and then figured that we needed to ask Hermana Rocio. We got to her house 8:40 and she told us that there wasn't a bus at that hour!! We freaked out. We called the assistants and they totally saved us! They drove all the way to our area to bring us to San Francisco and then return all the way to their area. I was soooo grateful. I told them what had happened. We kind of just laughed it off....again. My luck was not good this week:( Took this picture and said, "I am done with this week!"

Sunday: We woke up early to get to church in our area....and THERE WAS NO BUS. We got to church 30 minutes late and we could not take the Sacrament. I was devastated, so was my companion. Out of all weeks, I needed the sacrament this week! I know that the sacrament is the MOST important part of Sunday and the church services. Please never miss the sacrament. It was my first time out of my entire mission. I was a little down. We talked to the bishop so that he knew what had happened with our baptism and with the work this past week. He said "things happen! Just get better!" Luckily, we got back to working Sunday and we went with one of my favorite families. They treated us so well and I felt the Spirit again as we taught them the restoration. Sunday night, we felt better but boy were we ready for a new week. 

Monday! P day!! I completed 13 months!!!: Wow did the Lord test me to finish up my year or what! 

Yesterday, we went to the office and got a new phone!! I got to see President Hayes, Hermana Hayes and Lizzie. I talked to them and I felt happy and better. I ate a famous Hayes cinnamon roll and Elder Winders gave me a blessing. I knew that things were going to be better. Hermana Martinez and I ate in Johnny Rockets for lunch! We walked in and 2 ladies were sitting together! One of them said "Hey they are missionaries from your church!" These ladies were so fun and cute! One lives here and the friend was born here but lives in Michigan. She served a mission here a long time ago! They paid for our lunch!! We were soooo grateful. It was not cheap. We sat and listened to "Here comes the sun" and laughed about the last week that we had. Fabian is ready for his baptism this week! We are praying that it happens! 

The visitor (member) from Michigan took this photo at Johnny Rockets and texted it to my mom... I love the kindness of strangers♥

I want to share with you all a scripture that has really helped me this week. Alma 37:36 "Yea, and cry unto God for all they support; yea, let all they doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let in be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever."

I want you to know that I am no worse than I was last week, I am taking two different antibiotics, and medications for my migraines. My throat is a little less painful and my headaches aren't quite as bad. If there isn't significant improvement or I am not better by next week; I will be having a biopsy. They are covering all of the bases, so I am happy:) 

I had so much help this week. Elder Jones and Elder Winders. Elder Vasquez and Elder Hansen. My amazing companion. The nurse. President Hayes. the Elders in our area. I cannot thank them enough. They each helped probably in ways that they didn't even know. But ultimately, the Lord was my strength. He helped me laugh when I wanted to cry and keep going strong. He cleared my mind when I felt like it was going to explode from all of the stress that I had. The mission is not easy and wow things happen. But thats life right? I love my savior. I know that He was with me and that when maybe no one knew exactly how I felt, He did. I testify that He lives and just as He loves me He loves all of you. I''m a tough cookie. Ill be alright! I'm excited to get back into the work this week.  

I love you all. Thank you for your love and prayers♥

Love Hermana Zerilli 

Just so you know who is who....

Elder Hansen-assistant tall blonde in the back

Elder Winders-secretary the funny one who takes crazy selfies with everyone:)

Elder Vazquez-assistant the only Latino, hahaha

Elder Jones-secretary glasses more mellow

PS- I have heard from my RM friends who are home and starting BYU next week, that they are all getting together for dinner on Friday night...really! Without me, LOL:) My Mom and Parker are even going!

Elder Henry told me that he gets to take a picture with my Mom before I do!! All that I am going to say about that is...I better get to see these pictures! Miss you all♥

Just call me Erica Enders....or maybe Britney Force!

Hey everyone! This week was really interesting, it was good but it had its moments. That's the mission right?

First off, the reason why I'm writing today (Tuesday) is because yesterday we had a huge zone activity. We went GO-KARTING!!! It was so rad!! I was playing Erica Enders and Britney Force the entire time, LOL! And I have to say, I did pretty well! It may not have been Talladega, but I was moving! I had the fastest time for the girls and top 10 for the zone. I came in 2nd though...which is basically last so I'll have to do better next time. I really enjoyed the activity though. Zone bonding, competition, driving and all of the "Shake n' Bake" hahaha! First time behind the wheel in a year, the world better watch out when I get home. hahaha it was a little nuts.!!

 "If you aint first your last!"....

well I got 2nd Shake n' bake!!

 HAHAHA, CHECK OUT MY TIME, AKA "TSWIZZIE"

This past week we were tried a little bit. My companion has been feeling a little sick to her stomach and the lymph nodes on the left side of my neck have been bothering me. It hurts sometimes when I yawn, talk or eat; and sometimes I get headaches on that side. I'm tough though! I don't want to sit out. The only thing that bothers me is when I have a headache and we are singing, hahah, I end up holding my head like an awkward person. There is a significant amount of mold in the house that we live in, so there is some concern about that. I have a doctor appointment this afternoon, so hopefully I get some answers. I can still walk, though so we will just keep truckin! 

Tuesday, we went out knocking doors with absolutely no success. We aren't sure if it was the area or the time of day, but no one was home and if they were home they had no interest to listen to us. At one house, I knocked and introduced who we were. The lady asked what we wanted. I replied that we wanted to share a message of Christ. :) Then the lady said "*scoff* bagabondas!!! psh jesucristo!" and stormed back into her house... We were like ummm ok. Basically she told us that we are good for nothing! we just screamed "HAVE A GREAT DAY!! " That's one thing, I know that what we are doing is good for something, really it's good for everything! I felt bad that she couldn't recognize that and that there really are people in this world who would reject a message about Christ. Something so positive and uplifting. Oh well! What are you gonna do? haha:) 

This week I received a much stronger testimony of living prophets. Recently, we have taught many lessons about prophets. Some people believe in prophets easier than others and that's ok. The most important part is that people are willing to pray about it! We have worked with less active members and investigators this week teaching about the importance of prophets. One of my favorite prophet lessons this week was with Alexia and her mom (the Catholics from last week). Alexia is great! She continues to come to church every week with her friend and is actually in the class for preparation for the mission!! She's not even a member yet!! haha! We taught her and her mom about prophets. Her mom loves to listen to us and I can see her learning every time we talk. She knows a lot about the scriptures but is just confused about a few things. The Spirit was with us in this lesson as we asked them if they believed that there is a prophet on the earth today. The mom asked us about the "Papa" which is a very common response for Cartago. We explained how a prophet is the only man on earth that holds all of the priesthood keys and that he is called of God. He has close communication with God, he is His servant here and His voice. Alexia asked us if Thomas S. Monson is the prophet. That question caught us off guard. I was thinking "You already know?!" We had the opportunity to testify that he is! I know without a doubt that President Thomas. S. Monson is the prophet of the Lord here on the earth today. I know that he receives revelation for these latter days and that we need to listen and apply his counsel to receive the blessings and happiness of this gospel. I know that I have been called by a prophet to serve a mission here in Costa Rica. He knows what the Lord wants and I trust him 100%. Our Heavenly Father loves us more than we can ever understand. He does not want us to be lost or be living in spiritual darkness, that is why he calls prophets. To show us the way back to our Heavenly Father. 

I love and sustain President Thomas. S. Monson as Prophet, Seer and Revelator and invite everyone to pray and ask God if he really is His servant here on Earth!

We had the fun opportunity to help out Relief Society with their activity Saturday. We had to act out how to be a good visiting teacher. I love the Hermanas in this ward here. Also, I got to help translate for Hermana Carol in the Relief Society presidency meeting. Translating is a fun challenge for me. I'm learning to switch languages. Sometimes my companion and I laugh because I think Spanglish is just my language now. I can't speak English without putting a few Spanish words in there. 

Yesterday was Mothers day for Costa Rica! I thought about my Mom a whole lot and read Alma 56. It's so true and the words have always stuck with me "we do not doubt our mothers knew it." Mom always knows. I Love you Mom, and las quiero a todas las madres de costa rica. gracias por siempre cuidarme! besos y abrazzos a todas!

Mother's Day Parade this past weekend♥

Anyway, this week things are looking up!  I saw Christmas decorations yesterday...I'm psyched and at the same time, it is nowhere near time for Christmas! haha! 

Love you all. Remember Christ in everything you do and look for the miracles, they are there!

When your best hermana friends show up looking the same as you, ahhahaha !

 With Elder Munoz

 With some of the other hermanas from the zone.

 mango selly with chili lime and salt mmmm...

  Divisions with Hermana Freeze and Hermana Mendoza last night.

My package arrived from home...special thanks to the RM who brought it to me from the U.S. and thanks to my family for sending it! I soooo needed those tights, it's cold here.

Group Picture from Zone Conference

 Group picture of my zone at the Go-Karting trip!