The Lower the Latitude, The Greater the Gratitude - Hermana Taylor Zerilli's Mission to Costa Rica

So I have been sitting here for a while trying to figure out how to write this last letter. It's really difficult to put a year and a half into words. All of the miracles, memories and adventures... Now that its all coming to an end, I see that I could write for hours about everything that I have lived.

First off, you should know that I never had planned to serve a misión. 18 years of my life, I said I wouldn't. Little did I know that my Heavenly Father had another plan for me. When it came time to make a decisión, it was the easiest to make. The spirit confirmed to me that it was right to serve. I felt excited and joyful about my decision. I felt so happy to be able to represent my Savior and His church. However, I was never prepared for the immense amount of joy that I would feel serving. The misión has been a huge blessing in my life. I can't believe that in just 3 days I have to leave it all behind! I have been able to feel the love that my Savior has for me and for the people here in Costa Rica. I have been able to know Him better. I understand now more fully the atonement and how it applies to my life. I know that Christ understood me in the misión when no one else could. That He felt my physical and emotional pains. He was with me everyday, every lesson, every laugh and every cry. I have learned about the importance of humility, depending on the Lord and trusting that with Him I can do whatever He needs me to. I am so grateful that I have been able to be an instrument in His hands. I did nothing, He did it all. I know that a loving Heavenly Father prepared a perfect plan for us so that we can return to live with Him. I have been able to see how distractions of the world and Satan's lies can bring God's children away from the truth. We need to be strong!

There is no happiness that the world can give us stronger than the happiness that comes from living the góspel. Honestly, sometimes I can't believe how happy I am! Even when I have trials or pass through hard times, its so easy to be happy. I have loved seeing people leave behind the bad and receive the blessings of the góspel. This góspel changes lives. I testify of that! It has changed my life, my family and those who I have met here in Costa Rica. I want you all to know that a misión isn't easy but it has been the most incredible and rewarding experience of my life! I was not perfect, there was no way that I could have been. However, with every error I learned and progressed. I could testify to you all a million things that I have come to know, but at the end of the day my testimony is that He lives. Our savior Jesus Christ lives and loves us all so much♥

I know that this is His work. I couldn't imagine doing anything else with these past 18 months!!

I want to thank every single one of you for your support during this past year and a half. I have felt so loved!! Every letter, email, prayer etc meant more than you know. I love you all and I will see you Thursday!

Peace love and pura vida!

-Hermana Zerilli

SANTAAAAA!!!! Hermana Martinez and I opening our Christmas stockings and gifts. Can you believe Santa knew I am a huge Star Wars fan, LOL:)

Yep, I even got Star Wars mascara!

My last papusas el salvadoreñas

Saying bye to Dayana, yudiet and junior

Hermana Eduarda

hermana margarita

Eggnog, whoo!

So our landlord has been doing a whole lot of work around our apartment. Recently, he painted it blue and put this huge at sign on the Wall. I think its tuanis!! "See you @ home...in 4 days!"

Dayana Steven and Thiago

Marianella and one of my favorite Little children Heber

Izamara and Nathan

Laura and Yamilet

Hermana rocio

La Familia Moreno

Hermana Carolina

Fabian and Suyen

Today I was privileged to travel back to Guapiles to say goodbye to some very special people. I was given special permission from President Hayes, and Milena arranged the transportation with me. She was also my companion for the day.

Milena in the back seat with me. Her husband Erick is driving and his son Derick is in the front with them. They drove me to Guapiles and spent the day with me today.

Two of my favorite kidos♥

Alejandro and Teresa...I love them very much

These three women are amazing. They are family to me, forever sisters. I love you Milena, Teresa, and Yorlenny♥

I love and will miss Xinia too♥

I am going to miss Hermana Martinez so much, she has been a great companion and friend to me. Forever sisters♥

First, I would just like to share with you that today was a very hard day as I learned of the passing of my sweet Great-Grandma Haymore. She was an angel in my life and now she is an angel in Heaven. To lose her around these dates is extremely hard. I was looking forward to seeing her just one day after her birthday, when I come home. I am sad but I know that eventually I am going to be ok. The only way that I am able to overcome trials like this in my life is through my testimony of the plan that our Heavenly Father has for us. The Plan of Salvation. I know that my grandma is happy and that she truly is in a better place even though it's hard for us here. Something that my grandma taught me is to put what truly is important first. We are a big family, and she never missed a single graduation, mission homecoming/farewell, birthday celebration etc. When I think of Christmas, I think of one of my all time favorite Christmas traditions: Christmas eve at Grandma Haymore's house. Thanks to her, there has always been one day where we all can get together, the entire family. It's going to be hard without her. She loved her family so much and I always knew that. She was selfless and kind hearted♥

These pictures are some of my favorites. They are from when I entered the Sacramento Temple last May. My Grandma Haymore was there. I love these pictures even more today for what they represent. Eternal families and eternal happiness with our Heavenly Father. Thank you grandma for being there with me that day♥ I love you and will miss you greatly.

Hazel Haymore, I love you forever♥

Wow what a week!! There are about a million pictures. You can imagine that with Christmas coming up, there are many activities and special events. I love it!! We are busy busy!

This week we had 2 divisions with the hermanas. The first one was Wednesday. I was able to go to Cartago to work with Hermana Castillo. It was really fun!! I love going and seeing other areas. Cartago has a reputation of being Catholic..everyone is Catholic...Like Utah is Mormon hah! This is the area that has the giant cathedral that everyone walks to every year. However, the hermanas have great investigators!! We were able to have many lessons. The hills in Cartago are brutal!! My legs were getting their workout, hahaha, but it was really pretty. We went up a mountain and we could see the entire city which is huge. I really enjoyed getting out of my area and working with Hermana Castillo.

Divisions with Hermana Castillo in Cartago

Friday we had the other division. We worked in our area this day with the hermanas from 3 Rios. I was able to work with Hermana Soe this day. Coolest thing ever! Paraiso was actually her first area! She was so excited to see everyone and they were excited to see her. It prepared me for what its going to be like when I return to my areas next week. Hermana Soe is awesome!!! She's from New Zealand so Hermana Freeze and I are planning a trip to go visit her after the mission, hehe:)

Celebrating Hermana Rocio's birthday in divisions with Hermana Soe!

Thursday and Friday we had the Ward Christmas "party." This year, the ward decided that instead of having a dinner as usual, we as a ward would go Christmas caroling and give presents to the less active ward members. It turned out to be a huge success! Thursday was the first day. Originally we had a list of everyone that we were going to visit but the spirit truly was with us. While we were singing at one house, someone got the idea of visiting others that lived close and from there it continued! We even got to singing in front of houses of investigators and recent converts!! It turned into a missionary effort. The Hermanas from 3 Rios were even able to participate Friday with us. It was really fun. We sang so much that I actually lost my voice. It was for a good cause! I just channeled my inner Buddy the Elf, and sang way too loud haha!

I gave this little 4 year old my glow Santa key chain and he got wayyy too excited "SANTAAAA!!"

Singing Christmas carols for the ward activity with our glow Christmas necklaces!

Saturday we had the Ward Relief Society Christmas Activity. It was really nice! There was a part where we all were able to reflect on this past year and share our feelings. That got me thinking about this year and about my blessings. 2016 has been a year of miracles and learning. I was able to serve the Lord this year and for that privilege I am truly grateful. I am proud of the hermanas in relief society who continue to live faithfully in this gospel. They are examples to me and strengthen my testimony. I am so glad that our investigators and recent converts also have good examples to look to. During the activity we had a piñata. BUCKET LIST. hahaha My first piñata of my mission just in time to end my mission. In Guapiles I learned how to make piñatas but finally we were able to hit(?) one. haha! And guess who broke it open? I did...mwahaha! And you know what I learned? The one who busts it open gets less candy, LOL:) I stood there for a solid 5 seconds blind folded not knowing what had happened and all of the other hermanas grabbed the candy. hahaha Its ok!

The Relief Society Activity...me and my awesome batting skills...

I broke the piñata :) us gringas know how to play baseball!

Yesterday we had the annual mission Christmas dinner! I can't believe it has already passed. It was amazing! I can't explain the emotion that I felt as I walked in and saw all of my friends in the same room at the same time!! This hardly ever happens. Hermana Hayes decorated the room so perfectly. Lights and red and green everywhere!! We had the typical Christmas dinner (ham, potatoes, salad and bread) but I spent most of my time eating at the chocolate fountain haha. Just as last year, we ate and had a program where people sang or played instruments. It was great!! There is so much talent in this mission. Near the end, Elder and Hermana Burt gave their last testimonies to us since they are leaving with me next week. It was so sad. Time truly flies! I love the senior missionaries here so much! They are my family and have helped me so much. President and Hermana Hayes talked too. What president said truly struck me! His focus was different than last year. Last year he spoke about the history of Bethlehem and Jerusalem and Christmas in general like a BYU religion professor can. This year he talked about us! He wants our testimonies of Christ to be so strong, he wants us to KNOW Him. It's easy to testify of him and just say it but he wants us to feel it. He mentioned those of us who are going home this year and what he wants for our lives. He wants us to choose faith over fear and to never fall away from the gospel. I know that President and Hermana Hayes love every single one of us missionaries. When president spoke, it hit me! I'm going home SO SOON. Honestly it's not the best feeling in the world to leave something so incredible like the mission behind. However, I am 100% ready to see my family! I know that I will be okay stepping back into the real world as long as I continue living what I know. I am so nervous, but the Lord will help me.

After everything, I had to say goodbye to my friends. It was really tough. Many tears were shed but I have learned something in the mission. President has taught me that it is a blessing to miss your family in the mission because that means that there is someone so special to you at home that is worth your love. I'm feeling the same way here. I am blessed to have met such amazing people here in Costa Rica. I know that we will keep in contact. Overall, I absolutely loved the Christmas dinner this year. More memories to treasure!

I am looking forward to Skyping with my family on Christmas Day! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas♥

Love you,

Hermana Zerilli

Our house decorated for Christmas

I have started giving stuff away... Look my companion was so happy hahaha, that skirt has always been one of my favorites

Saying goodbye to Hermana Sabrina and her family before they head off to Hawaii this week

The Mission Christmas Party!

Merry Christmas from Hermana Martinez and Hermana Zerilli

Just like last year...I came for the homemade bread and desserts

I received a scarf and a box of lucky charms and I am way happy about it

President and Hermana Hayes

The Burts gave their last testimony because they go home with me:)

Lizzie and Leslie Hayes are here, I love them so much!!!

Here starts the big list of all of my mission friends that I love and will miss so so much...half of them I am crying because its hard to say goodbye!! haha