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 

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.  

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.

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.