"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