Thursday, December 29, 2016

Week 27 Our Christmas Call

Merry Christmas!  Christmas Eve was wonderful.  We had a chance for exactly 45 minutes to talk to Elijah.  It was wonderful to see him and he looked terrific.  Some of the things he said is that it's been the toughest six months of his life, but its been the best six months he has had.  He repeatedly cried when he told us how much he loved the people in Costa Rica.  He said he couldn't imagine being any where else.  He cried when he told us about the two families that gave him birthday parties.  He told how humbling it was to go to these homes who had invited him, who had nothing and how they basically gave him everything they could to make his birthday special.  He told us how much it touched his heart and helped him want to be an even better missionary.  He told us how last week there was a big gun fight on his street and he peered out his window and saw police shooting.  We told him to save those stories till he comes home...  The whole family loved seeing and taking to him.  Olivia cried the whole 45 minutes.  Ethan cried when Elijah told him how much he missed him.  We all cried as he bore his testimony of the restored Gospel.  It seemed like it was a fast and testimony meeting that we won't soon forget!






Elijah emailed on Monday and let us know that he is being transferred to a small town called Samara.  He will be opening the area with a brand new missionary.  He will meet him Wednesday in the temple for the first time.  He is so very excited.  We can't wait to hear from him this coming Monday.  Feliz Navidad.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Week 26 "Two Birthday Parties"

Elder Larson had a busy week this week.  It was the week of miracles which means a lot of fasting, praying and work!  Elder Larson was lucky to be able to work with his mission president on his birthday.  He didn't mention to his president that is was his birthday all day.  The next day, Elijah got a call from the mission president saying how sorry he was that he hadn't told him Happy Birthday. 
As parents we were so worried that Elijah wasn't going to have a good birthday.  Some of the packages we have mailed him, have never made it to him.  We shouldn't have worried, Elijah's cook Ana had a little party for him with cupcakes, balloons, streamers and signs.  How grateful we are for Ana.  She has been good to Elijah. 




Elijah was even more spoiled when on Sunday a new member and her family had another birthday party for him.  He said that he had the biggest cake.  Maribel and Hector have been very good to Elijah.  He said that Maribel started crying and told hm that he was like a son.  We are very thankful for Maribel, Hector and their family.  




Monday, December 12, 2016

Week 25 "I got 8 million emails"

It's Elijah's birthday week!  Today on his P-Day, he said when he opened his email that he had 8 million emails.  He told me "Mom I don't even know how I can answer all of these back."  He asked me to send out a thank you to everyone who remembered him on his birthday.

He had a good week!  He said that he found a new investigator named Jordanny.  He said that he felt like it was a miracle to find a new investigator.  

He is excited to work hard this week.  He said that some members have a surprise for him this week on his birthday. We hope that he has a wonderful birthday. 


Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Week 24 "All is Well"

Elijah didn't have much to say this week.  He seemed a little discouraged.  A young man he was teaching, who was excited to get baptized, can't continue with the lessons.  Elijah was sad for him, but continues to pray for him.  He said that all of his investigators have fallen through, so now they must start from scratch.  We will continue to pray that he and Elder Geiger find those who are searching for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Week 23 "We Survived Hurricane Otto!"

Elder Larson had a good week.  The threat of Hurricane Otto made them change much of what they wanted to do that week, but they made do.  President Laboriel emailed all of us parents to let us know that the missionaries where told to buy food and water for several days, and to check in with their zone leaders every two hours.  Lij said that were he is, in Heredia, it just rained a lot.  There was not much damage.  We are grateful for his and the other missionaries safety.

Lij and his companion are working with another young man who is taking the lessons.  They are excited to see his progress.  We can't wait to see what happens.  

Monday, November 21, 2016

Week 22 "I Have Become a Chef"


We got an email from Lij today.  He sounded great!  In fact he forgot it was even Thanksgiving this week.  We are proud of how hard he is working.  

One of the things he shared with us that made us laugh is that he has become quite the cook.  This from a son who couldn't make toast five months ago (tomorrow).  How time flies.  He also said that he has become quite budget conscious, living on fifty cents a day.  How he does that is anyone's guess.  Hopefully he isn't recycling the toilet paper.  

This week starts with what they call "a week of miracles."  He will working harder and longer each day than he has before.  It sounds like the whole mission participates and he seems really excited to receive blessings.  They had a great week and had three investigators at church.  

We love this boy!

Friday, November 18, 2016

Week 21 "Maribel and Kayla got Baptized"




We had a great weekend this last week.  Hector's mom Maribel and his little sister Kayla got baptized.  What a great blessing for Hector and his family.  The baptism almost didn't happen.  Maribel and Hector's dad were suppose to get married and then Maribel was going to be baptized, but Hector's dad got really sick.  He was so sick that he had to go to the hospital.  (We are all praying for him).  Maribel was sad that she might not be able to get baptized, but the mission president gave her special permission to go ahead.  It was an awesome day.  When Hector's dad gets out of the hospital, they will get married.

This week was really tough.  I got pretty sick on Thursday and wasn't even able to leave our apartment.  You can tell by the picture that I wasn't feeling my best.  On another good note though, Alberto came to church.  He is the one we were led to a few a weeks ago.  He is the one I felt like his deceased dad was right there with us.  

Let me tell you how I heard that Trump got elected as President.  Me and my companion were walking down the street and people were yelling at us that we were racists.  I had no idea what was even going on!  Then someone yelled out "Trump!"  they told us that Trump was elected and that America was turning into a racist country.  That's how I found out.  Hahaha 

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Week 20 "I had an interesting experience"

This week Elijah had three great experiences he told us about.  We were excited because usually he only shares a very brief  experience.  He said he just loves the people in his area and the family they have all become to him. 

The first experience was about Hector.  Hector was baptized a few weeks ago and Sunday he blessed the sacrament for the first time.  Elijah said that it was just the neatest experience to hear him blessing the sacrament.  Hector is like a younger brother to him and he loves him dearly.

The next experience is regarding the ex branch president and his family.  They came to church again this week after not attending in almost ten years.  He bore his testimony.  In his testimony he thanked the missionaries for listening to the Spirit and coming to find him.  

In the third experience he shared with us, he and his companion (Elder Geiger) had been prompted to be in a certain area.  As they were walking down the road, Elijah said that out of the blue he had a severe pain in his knee.  He stopped and grabbed his leg.  He begin rubbing it and trying to stretch it to make the pain go away.  A lady on the road noticed him and ran over and said "Elder are you okay?" Lij said his knee stopped hurting, and it turned out the woman had been praying to find the missionaries.  She was an inactive member.  Her husband came to church with her last Sunday.  He loved the experience and asked when he could be baptized.  Elijah said he hasn't had any problems since with his knee. 

As a side note, Elijah always starts his hour of writing letters by emailing first and saying "mom are you on?"  Because of the time change with day light savings I wasn't on when Elijah emailed.  When I saw that I missed his initial email, I cried and cried.  I am so grateful to know that we have a Heavenly Father that is always on when we need him.  That he hears and answers all our prayers.  I am grateful for my missionary serving in Costa Rica.  

Monday, October 31, 2016

Week 19 "We almost gave up on the bus."

Elder Larson and Elder Geiger have been busy in Costa Rica.  They continue to teach Hector and his family.  One day, Lij said that he had an overwhelming feeling that they needed to visit some less active members in an area that was over an hour and a half away from where they lived.  They went to the grab the bus, but the bus was two hours late.  Lij said that he almost gave up on the bus and was about to go do something different, but again he felt the impression to wait for the bus.  They caught the bus and went to this area.  The area he went to was a very affluent area.  Many have told Lij that this area does not have many active members.  Lij and his companion contacted a inactive member.  He was a return missionary and a former branch president.  He told them that he had been praying for 10 years for the Elders to find him.  He came to church this last week and told the Branch President that he needed a calling, that there was no such thing as a lost returned missionary.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Week 18 "Destroying everyone at Ping Pong"

Elder Geiger, Hector, Elder Larson, and the Zone Leaders
Elder Lij is working hard.  He continues to work with Hector and his family.  He had a great P-Day.  His zone had an activity playing Ping Pong.  He said it felt good to destroy everyone.  He misses playing tennis.  

Monday, October 17, 2016

Week 17 "Hector got Baptized"

Elder Baker and Elder Larson

Elder Geiger, Hector, and Elder Larson





Elder Larson had a great week this last week.  He had his first baptism.  Hector decided to get baptized on his 17th birthday.  He contacted us on Facebook and told us how excited he was.  He also said that he loved Elijah and that he was the best missionary ever.  He said that Lij was his best friend.  Hector can't wait to serve a mission for himself.  He also looks forward to coming to New Mexico to visit Elijah when he is home from his mission.  He is planning on going hunting, riding horses, and playing tennis.
This is the second video Elijah has sent us.  We never know what he is saying!  We just love to hear his voice!  We heard from Elder Geiger's mother.  She said they go into areas other missionaries have not been comfortable with because it is so scary.  In her words "it sounds like our boys have been braving it out."  We are grateful for Elder Larson and Elder Geiger going where they feel inspired to go.  

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Week 16 "Meet Elder Geiger"

Elijah got a new companion this last week.  This is Elder Geiger.  He was in the MTC with Elijah.  Elijah is excited to get to work with him.  He also was made a district leader.  He told us that he had nine investigators at church last Sunday.  He is working hard and we couldn't be any prouder of him.  

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Week 15

Elijah said not much has happened this week.  He and Elder Baker are still teaching Hector who is set to get baptized on October 14th.  They are very excited for him.  Also, half of his mission got together for a mission reunion.  Here is a picture:
He spent two days watching conference, which he loved.  He said that the reception wasn't that great because the capilla (church) got hit by lightening.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Week 14 "This is Hector"


"Hector is a 16 year old young man that we have been teaching.  We actually have been teaching him and his family.  Hector has decided that he wants to be baptized on his birthday which is October 14th.  He says that he wants to go on a mission in one year.  His family is not quite where Hector is, but they are really nice and they let us teach him." 

***Hector's mom, Maribel, messaged James and I Sunday night on Facebook.  She said that they love Elijah and thanked us for having such a nice son.  She sent us this picture:



Elijah also sent us a picture of his cook.  Her and her family were able to go to the temple and be sealed together.


***Elijah finally received two packages that we mailed to him.  He was so excited!  He told us that he wasn't going to lie, he cried a little when he got it.  Inside were some of the things that he misses so much about home.  His favorites included Hershey Bars, and Hot Fries.  He said that when he went home that night he planned on buying some milk and eating hot fries!  

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Week 13 "I was on the News"

Elijah had a good week.  He was a little discouraged because all the investigators that he and his companion have had, all need to get married.  It is really expensive to get married in Costa Rica and many people just don't have the money to do it.  He said many of them were ready to get baptized if only they had money to get married.  We will be praying for all of them.

He had a really cool experience.  He said:

     "I had one cool experience, I closed my eyes and said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father to send me where he wanted us to go.  I felt go three more streets and then turn left and contact this little street, so we did.  We got to the last house without anything and I knocked on the door and a 45 year old man came out.  He said Elders how are you doing????  We said good and asked him what his name was.  I then got the strongest impression that someone was waiting for him across the veil.  He said my name is Alfredo!  We asked how do you know the missionaries?  He said my Dad was a member that went to church and the temple and everything, but he passed away 9 years ago, but I'm not a member.  And then he asked when we could come by and teach him!"


He also told me that he was on the news.  He said:

     "We were contacting in the park and one of the News Men came up to me and started talking to me!  I was all Soy un missionary de La Iglesias de Jesus Cristo de Los Santos de Las Ultimas Dias (I am a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)!!!  And then he asked me if I like Costa Rica and stuff like that and at the end he said Pura Vida Champion and I said Pura Vida!"




Monday, September 12, 2016

Week 12 "We hiked a mountain!"











Elijah had 10 investigators come to church this last week, he was so excited.  He appreciates every one's prayers and feels that they have really helped him this last week.  His excited for all the work that is ahead for him and his companion.   

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Week 11 "It's tough"

Elijah had a pretty tough week this week.  He said that all of the people that he and his companion have been teaching have all decided to not continue.  He seemed very discouraged, but promised that he will continue to work hard and find some new investigators.  He told us that his zone has only had two baptisms in the last two months.  We look forward to praying and fasting for Elijah to find success in Costa Rica.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Mid Week Update.. Little Caesars

Late last night we got a message on Facebook from the Elder's Quorum President in the ward that Elijah is serving in.  He sent us these pictures.  He said that Elijah was so excited to eat pizza and wanted a picture to send to his mom.  I love this boy!  I love that he was able to eat pizza that he is familiar with!  And I love that the people of Costa Rica are taking care of him!