Hello Everyone!!
Last Monday I was taken to the Salt Lake City Airport at 6am to being the long journey to Costa Rica....
Spanish teacher at the MTC
Last Supper at the MTC
Mission Map at the MTC-Costa Rica San Jose East Mission
We are headed to Cost Rica the next morning!
I'm here! Holy Cow! All I can say is that everything you hear about missions is true. It is the hardest thing you will ever do in your life, but also the greatest thing! I have had so many amazing experiences in the past week but at the same time, I struggled. Spanish is such an incredible language but it is completely different than English. We have about 5 million ways to say something and they have only 1. That should make it easier but it doesn't. However, I know that the gift of tongues is real. I also need to have patience with myself. Come on Hermana, its week one...
My companion is so amazing! Her name is Hermana Perez. Her testimony is so strong and I am inspired listening to her, or trying to listen, during lessons. She is from Mexico so yes, Spanish is her first language. President Hayes wants all of the Spanish speakers to learn English though so she knows a little bit. I know that having a Native Spanish speaker as a companion is such a blessing. She can help me better than any dictionary can. President and Hermana Hayes are so amazing. They picked us up at the airport and immediately took us to the Costa Rica San Jose Temple to talk to us when we got here. They calmed our nerves and told us to always remember how happy we felt when we arrived. Will do!
We are serving in Aserri which is about 30 minutes out of San
Jose by bus. We are one of two companionships there. Hermana Mungia and Hermana Geurts are the other companionship! Everything truly does happen for a reason! I like having 4 hermanas in one area. It's fun and I'm glad that there is another English speaker.
We eat one big meal every day around 1:00 which usually consists of rice and beans, and potatos or something. I'm not sure...that's just what I ate this past week haha! The food is great but they use salantro in EVERYTHING! I'm not a huge fan of that but hopefully I'll get used to it! Oh, and they don't really drink water here... People always give us soda or juice!
Everyone here has a dog and if they have one they usually have multiple. Oh and there are cats everywhere! Random cats. Its crazy! It's true, it rains every day around 4:30! My area is actually kind of chilly. I have been wearing sweaters. However, I have heard of other areas that are really hot.
Every investigator I have taught has been Catholic so that's interesting. I talk about my family a lot, and help them understand the blessing that the gospel is in families. I really enjoy teaching the people here.
Oh and did I mention that our apartment is so cute and nice...however, the water doesn't work 75% of the time. Some days I wake up expecting to shower and I cant. We have to fill jugs of water for days that we don't have any. Its so crazy. Give thanks every time you turn on the faucet. Note, bad hair in these pictures...a result of a broken shower!
I can't believe a week ago today, I was just coming here. I am super excited to expand my language and have new experiences. I love you all so much and think of you all the time especially when things are hard. I have my family picture on my desk and when I see it sometimes I want to cry. I felt guilty having a hard time this week. I want to make you all proud. I tried not to cry but I just broke down yesterday at church singing a hymn. My companion doesnt fully understand my struggle because this is her language! Apparently Chase was in the Mission Office right before me. He told one of the elders that I was talking to, that it all clicked for him. Two months in the field and he can talk and understand everything. That gives me hope but holy cow 2 months is so long!
I have been asking for advice from everyone and it helps. I just need to get in the groove of things. I love the people here...they are all so kind hearted.
Talk to you later! Pura Vida!
Love Hermana Zerilli
My area, near the Catholic church
Waffle Love (Utah) shirt meet Costa Rica
We had 5 of our 5 children serve missions ... our only daughter served in Chili. What you express was a challenge for her as well ... but, it all turned out very well. we had a son who served in Venezuela, one in Argentina, one in Brazil, and one in New Hampshire/Maine (speaking Vietnamese ... that was really tough). I had the opportunity to learn French, and we didn't have a Language Training facility back then ... that was really tough ... but, it was just like Elder Able said, at some point, it just seems like a switch turns on. But that takes some time, a lot of study and a lot of prayer for help from the Holy Ghost to receive that gift of tongues. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Brother Aldridge
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