So here's what happened!!
Last Monday, you already have the run down- Pants, Walmart and in the night we had the goodbye party for a missionary from the ward. He will be going to the Dominican Republic... but actually his date got pushed back the day of his farewell. He will be leaving in August. Ooh awkward! Also, I don't know if I included in the details about our new pants, how it's really happening. The Hermana whom President has hired to make our pants looked at us and handed us a pair of pants to try on. I actually felt really good in the pants that I tried on. I was shocked! However the Hermana said. "Wow they look really great! So we are going to make one size larger!" I asked all the other Hermanas and their experiences were the same. So in conclusion, we are looking at really big pants coming in soon, LOL! So is the church gonna buy us belts too? hahaha :)
Tuesday was crazy!!!! We woke up normal. I exercised (30 minutes, 30 sit-ups), showered and sat down for personal study. During study time, we got a phone call from the Zone Leaders. My companion answered and heard, "Hermana Pacay where is your companion?!" "Right here Elder" "Hermana Zerilli where are you, what are you doing?" "I'm home studying...it's personal study time." "You need to come to San Jose, the office. NOW" Sooo...long story short, I was panicked! I threw on shoes and ran out the door without knowing what was going on. The Zone Leaders called every 5 seconds telling us to get in taxis and that my companion was going to have divisions with the Hermanas from Cartago. In the end, I finally asked what was going on. It was a leadership meeting...and they had forgotten to tell me! I was so embarrassed that I was going to have to arrive late. I ended up taking a 30 minute taxi ride to the office....alone! Woah! Talk about weird. I got out of the taxi and felt so vulnerable to danger it was awful! I now understand why Parker wanted to drag Trev everywhere when he first got home. Companion separation anxiety is real!! Well, I got to the office and walked in to find my seat right next to Hermana Arrodando (our substitute Mission President's wife). The meeting was really great! It was different but I felt like I learned a lot. President Arrodando is definitely different than President Hayes in every aspect, but he definitely knows what he is doing. He was a little hard on us but I felt really motivated to work harder. Also, in the middle of the meeting, President Arrodando received a phone call. He came back to tell us that President Hayes is recovering and that he will be coming back in 3-5 weeks!!!! We were all so happy to hear that! We all worry a lot and still pray for his health!
So I need to tell you all about Fabian. He's great! He's 21 and is the boyfriend of a recent convert. He is an ex Jehovah's Witness (whoo #2 for Hermana Zerilli) but is really interested in learning about the gospel. He hasn't missed a Sunday since I've gotten here. Something that is really great about Fabian is that he asks questions. He really wants to know. This last week we taught him about the Book of Mormon. The Spirit in that lesson was incredible! It strengthened my testimony. He listened and at the end he told us that he had been praying about our message. He told us that he was going to read and pray about The Book of Mormon. He wants it to be true. I can't explain the peace that I have always felt when I have taught The Book of Mormon. It's the truth. That book makes me so happy and has brought me so much peace in my life as I have studied it. I feel my Savior's love more as I study the words that it contains. I testify to you all and to the people of Costa Rica that God has restored His church again to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. That Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God and that it contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel. I love the scriptures, the Bible and The Book of Mormon. If you don't believe me...good. I dont want you to. I want you to read it yourself and pray.:)
Yesterday, Hermana Pacay and I taught Relief Society!! Whoot! I have never done that! Something that I've noticed is that the members here don't teach by experience. It's ok...it's just different. Normally they just read the manual. Seriously, they read EVERY SINGLE PAGE. AMEN! Hermana Pacay and I prayed so much to know what we should say. Our theme was Family History and the temple. Hmm family history...We were a little worried but I have to say that it was the best Relief Society lesson of my entire mission! Haha Hermana Zerilli, It's because you taught it right? NO! It was the best for what I learned from the spirit and from the other Hermanas. We read 1 page in total from the manual and after used pictures, videos and experiences to teach! At the end, we went wayyy over in time as every Hermana wanted to speak! We were all bawling! I have to say, I have never been that into family history. I know, I need to repent and be better. But, after that lesson I feel a strong desire to do it. We all have loved ones waiting on the other side of the veil for us to help them. We are the only ones that can!
Honestly, this week we had a little bit of trouble in paradise...hahahha, I've been waiting for the right moment to use that one! My sweet companion has had knee problems for a long time and this week she hit rock bottom. Her knees have been inflamed since Wednesday and we couldn't work as much as we would have liked to. Honestly, I felt awful! I felt like I couldn't do anything to help her as she cried about the pain and also I felt like I was failing as a missionary. The awful natural man was telling me that our numbers weren't good enough. However, my companions health is more important! Our area is hills, It's steep and with every step I told her to be careful. She's gonna need her knees in the future!! We went to the pharmacy for injections but they didn't help her. I'm praying that she will get better with a little bit of rest.
Also, our house is so pretty but everything is wet!! Remember how I was worried about the heat with humidity....no it's the cold and wetness? Like everything gets wet and it doesn't dry! My clothes are molding and I have to wash them all the time! Half of my clothes look black. My bed is even wet at times! I have used my hairdryer at times to attempt to dry things out, and I even purchased a dehumidifier; but nothing seems to help.
Anyway...overall, It was a good week. I'm blown away every day at the miracles in this work! Remember the family...and the screaming grandma? We found the parents in front of the grocery store the other day! They want us to try to teach them again!! They were like "and this is how the Lord works". Exactly! I have no doubt that there are people here yearning to hear about the gospel. There are not enough hours in the day!
Think of me on JULY 22nd!! A year ago, I entered the PROVO MTC...scared and alone (despite being surrounded by tons of people); yet humbled and determined to serve my Heavenly Father with all my Mind, Might, and Strength! In a year...I've learned, I've grown, I blessed lives and I've been equally blessed by those I serve♥ I now have extended family here in Costa Rica, people whom will forever be a part of my life! I am thankful beyond words, for all of your prayers and words of encouragement! I love you all and pray for you always!
Read your scriptures, be a friend and...IF YOU SEE A POKEMON IN THE STREET LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE GETTING IT! (yes, that's a thing here too...weirdos haha!)
Love you all!!
Hermana Zerilli♥
I tried this for you Dad...and I failed! I couldn't eat it all! I felt like Louis from Even Stevens...remember that episode? hahahah!
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