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.

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!  

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!"