Tuesday, March 22, 2016

"Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives, I know that my Redeemer lives!" Hallelujah!

HAPPY SEMANA SANTA!! (Holy Week) or to all my fellow Gringos WOO-WHOO SPRING BREAK!!

    So really quick, I have been asking a lot of questions recently about what Semana Santa really is. I know that Easter is this next Sunday but that’s about it. I learned that it’s a Catholic tradition that is popular here in Latin America. Now, that took me back to about 5 years ago, our Disney Cruise Family vacation, and Mexico. I remember sitting in the back seat of a van as we toured around at a port, looking out the window while we were driving on the freeway. I spotted a group of people on the mountain off to the side of the freeway. They were crucifying someone!! I remember being so confused and obviously distraught, practically in tears! Well, I now understand why (and I know that it was just a reenactment)!! The traditions are different in every country, my companion says in Guatemala the Catholic Church has parades with giant carpets?, but the focus is on Christ. Here, everyone goes to the beach! We are going to have to work really hard to find people this weekJ

    This week was really great, just a little more low key. Wednesday I had the opportunity to teach in our district meeting. Elder Henry, the district leader, gave me the topic "Honor and obey the Law". The reference for the lesson was the part in Preach My Gospel that talks about the laws and ordinances of the gospel; such as the temple and family history, missionary service, and the priesthood. The lesson got me thinking about the fruits of living the gospel. Each of the ordinances and laws are really just blessings. I love this gospel!! How lucky are we to be able to attend the temple, and hey I’m serving a mission in another country right now! Those are just 2 examples, there are many more. We are blessed! The lesson went great and I gave them all candy, so who’s the favorite now? hahaJ

    This week we had the opportunity to celebrate 174 years of the Relief Society!! It is the world’s oldest and largest womens’ organization and I am so thankful to be a part of it. Whoo! Haha, Honestly my only real experiences that I have from Relief Society are from my mission. Before the mission, the transition from Young Women’s to Relief Society wasn’t very easy because I am not a mother or a wife. In these past 8 months, I have gained a strong gratitude for Relief society. I have been able to introduce this program and society to our investigators who are moms and wives. I have seen a change as they have implemented principles in their homes and have taken a more active responsibility in guiding their children in the way of the gospel. It’s amazing what we as women and daughters of God can do! Our stake here had a huge activity to celebrate the anniversary and it was so great! Each ward was assigned a color to wear to the activity, and when everyone was together it looked like a giant rainbow of colors! We were able to listen to testimonies of different Hermanas from the wards and talks from the presidency. I am grateful for examples in my life from home and here in Costa Rica, of strong women who know their role in this world and live what they believe.

    Yesterday Hermana Tejeda and I achieved a personal goal of mine. 5 investigators came to church yesterday!! 5!!! That’s the most that I have had in all of my time here in Pococi!! I felt so happy and I knew that Heavenly Father had answered my prayers. It definitely wasn’t in MY timing but in His. I just had to work a little harder to see that He is there and hears me, He is ALWAYS there. Never doubt it! 

    So this next Sunday is Easter. I love Easter, always have. Chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts... Everything is pretty colors and its spring! However, the older I’ve gotten the more I’ve realized the significance of this day. It’s Christ! He lives and because He lives I WILL LIVE, YOU WILL LIVE, WE WILL ALL LIVE AGAIN

Mosiah 16:7 “And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection.”

I love this scripture because it’s clear. The grave has no victory and death has no sting! I know that we will see our loved ones again. This time is short here on the earth but when all is said and done, and because Christ was resurrected, we will be too! I love my Savior! Words can’t describe how grateful I am for his atoning sacrifice and his infinite love for me and for all of us. "Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives, I know that my Redeemer lives!" Hallelujah!

Please!! If you haven’t already, watch this video! https://youtu.be/p2wdMwpYByI 

I love you all so much. You are in my prayers. May God bless you always! Please remember who you are and like Parker told me a few weeks ago BE WHO YOU ARE:) 

Love, 
Hermana Zerilli

Our 174th Relief Society Celebration!! Our color was red! 










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