Novembuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. seriously. I hate that its cold in the Rica

November 11, 2013

hey hey heyyyy

So I'm awful and forgot birthdays this past week... so happy birthday, AMY CHUBBA ANDREA and REM!!! miss and love you all!! and sorry if I forgot anyone else who is getting older.. I sure am cause I forget birthdays.... I'm turning into Nana. hahahah

This week was good. ok, all weeks on the mission are good. But they have some let downs. We had some let downs this week. I hate them. So we finally talked to the dad of Juan Carlos. And he was like, no I'm not giving him permission to be baptized until the mom, thats in Nicaragua, does. Which won't happen for awhile unless she has a change of heart... OK DAD...  that's so awful to crush your childs biggest desire in his life right now. His dad is a less active, so it makes sense... But we tried everything this week with Juan Carlos, like wanting to talk to his mom, or to send the missionaries over there... and nothing.... he started crying. I hate seeing people cry. Especially over something this big. honestly, I am so angry with his mom and dad, but I can't do anything about it. We are just praying that his mom has a change of heart. 

Another, is, we had this investigator who was super great, and we started teaching her kids as well this week... She calls us the next day after our visit, and was like, my pastor said that if I keep meeting with you, I can't attend his church. so come and get your Book of Mormon. We went to her house and chatted with her. she was like, I know that we get our answers from the Holy Ghost, but my pastor said this... uhhh yeah, they are just being paid to attend his church... its so sad. They were all super great, and understood it really well. She was like you can still visit, but just not regularlly... and she said that her pastor said that we are just trying to confuse her... its frusterating... but we just gotta keep goin. I just share my testimony and hope that they'll realize the right thing.

We get to enter the chapel this week. finally. And padre Juan is getting baptized the 23. It's set. We are so excited. And so is Nikol. She shared her testimony yesterday in primary, and she has the testimony of like the prophet, or something like that. but its super strong. The only problem with her, is her mom, her mom is inactive as well and always has to have an excuse not to go to church, but we hammer on her, like dude, your childs salvation is on your head. Get to church. So she's been going. haha I've learned that you've just gotta be straight forward with the people here cause if not, no body knows what to do. 

We found an old investigator that was dropped, and she's a girlfriend of a member. So we went and visited her, and she was like, I read the Book of Mormon and don't understand it, and I read the bible but don't understand it as well, but then my boyfriend told me to pray before, and so I tried it, and I understood everything, and even found answers to the things I was looking for. We were like YES SHE IS GOLDEN AND SO READY... but she's never gone to the church meetings before, so we were like, we will come and pick you up. and she was like good, cause my grandson wants to go too, he's been begging me every Sunday to go to church, so I guess we will go. She said she loved every minute of it. And she said it's so different, and she loves the reverence that we have. She wants to continue going. Her grandson LOVES primary, he was like, I don't want to leave. haha I hope she keeps progressing. The only problem is, is that she lives with the member.. he's inactive, and I guess doesn't really understand the law of chastity... we will keep workin on that. haha

Pday today, we went to the kids museum. I was stoked. We wore pants and everything. We got there... AND IT WAS CLOSED. WHAT THE CRAP!! who closes a kids museum for the day!?!? there are kids out there!! I was so bummed. But we went and looked at art, and roamed around San Jose. It was fun. We went with some Hermanas from the zone. We found this sick store for the tourist. I'm goin there before I leave to buy crap, or we are comingg back pronto to buy stuff. It's awesome. It has everything a tourist would want!

Nikol asked a really funny question.. do the chinese think that God is chinese? and is he like chinese in the photos that they have of him?? hahaha but seriously, isn't that a good question?? think about it... cause a lot of people here think that God is brown... soo I dunno. I know He is white... and has red hair. Made in the image of Him, am I right or am I right?? hahaha

I just want everybody to know, that tithing, is SOOOOOOOOO important. so pay it. And just remember the promise God has made to us if we do. Malachai 3:10. yeah I dont know the books in the bible in English. sorry.. but seriously, everybody passes through those hard times, and barely have enough to get by, but you will be blessed if you pay that tithing, that I know you have. 

 Don't worry about me missing the christmas music, we have been listening to it, and singing it in lessons since about September. I'm doin just fine ;) but one thing I miss like crazy is those seasons we've got in good ol Idaho. here, its just sun, rain... and rain... and more rain.... I'm glad I'll be home intime to play in the snow next year!

My comp hates peanut butter. its the saddest thing ever. but I was putting my peanut butter in the bowl to eat my chocolate cereal, cause its the best, and she flipped. She was like ew that's so gross, what are you doing. eww I'm gonna throw up. hahahah I was like, live a little and try it... she can't even handle the smell. My heart breaks for her. haha a

Anyways, read a little Richard G Scott in the 2013 May ensign about peace at home. It's awesome.

and read John 16:33

D&C 58:2-4. I love this scripture. Jakey shared it with me in July but its absolutely amazing. thanks Jakey!!!

as well as 2 Tim 4:7. its so good.

anyways. God speed brotha.

love ya lots.

the Church is true.

Jesus loves you.

Hermana Boer loves you.

xoxoxo

November 4, 2013

Alright y'all. Tuesday. after district meeting, they were like, hey we are going to the office to do divisons with the newbs. I FLIPPED. I was like MY COUSIN IS HERE I GET TO SEE MY COUSIN!!! and they were like, hug him, do it. hahah so I ran up the stairs to the office, and was super chill and was like, heyyy errybody... then all the newbs were eatin their pizza, and all the elders were fighting over Preston, like dude, you gotta come with me. haha and I just went over and hugged him and he was like, what can I really hug you, and I was like OF COURSE, and so we hugged for like 30 seconds. And everyone that didn't know we are cousins they were like, uhhh what's going on.. hahaha then the assistants were like," dude Hermana Boer, your cousin is awesome!" and I was like, "yeah I know". and they were like "you are too". hahahaha. It runs in the family I guess. But yeah, finally I got to see him. It was a good time. Honestly, he is gonna be such a leader here and he's gonna learn the language real quick. Even though he doesn't feel like it right now, he will. I wrote him a nice little note to get him goin :) but yeah anyways, 

We went on divisions with an Hermana that is from here, and serving here, cause she has health problems, but she will do great. She's got a strong testimony. and she's funny so we got along pretty well, all 3 of us. It was a good time. And then I saw Elder Goli and Elder Smoot again that night. Elder Goli went home! Crazy how fast time flies by. He was like I was here when you started your mission, and you are here when I leave. hahaha

Wednesday, we went to do some FHE with some families close to our house. First we went to Armando and Marcela and taught them about prayer and how important it is to do family prayer. The boy was like, "I don't like doing that it's stupid praying with my mom"... I wanted to cry. Because that's like one of the biggest things I miss about home, is always having family prayer. We challenged them to start doing it, and start by singing a hymn to bring in the spirit... I challenge y'all to do that family, especially in the mornings, cause then it gets everybody movin if they are singing. I know how awful family prayer is in the mornings. hahahaha anyways, I hope they do that, cause it's gonna strengthen their testimony, and ability to feel the spirit more often. They are goin pretty inactive, which isn't good, cause they have like zero support system. 

Then we went to the mtz family... they are starting to come back to church, but their son and his wife are super inactive, but we finally got to meet with them, and they are having a baby in June. They are super excited.  We asked them what their goal is as a family, and they want to enter the temple..... ok, think about it, how are you gonna get there? yup, get your butt to church and start reading and praying. We invited them to do that, and the wife said ok, and the son said, ok, when I'm ready... and we were like, well you better get ready, cause you never know when your time is up to prepare yourself.... he is starting to be more comfortable with us, which is really good, so we will keep working with them.

So one day we were waiting for the bus, and we were goin crazy, which is normal for us, anyways, an old lady walked by and my comp was like, CHAO ABUELA!!! hahahahah and the lady was like, ohh adios. I DIED... my comp was like, "I DIDN'T THINK SHE COULD HEAR ME!! oh my gosh how embarrassing!!" and I was like, "no the whole barrio heard you cause you screamed it". hahahaha soooo funny!!! and there's this song that is always playing on any bus we ride in, so I know it pretty well, and yes it's in Spanish. gold star. anyways, she told me one night that I sat up in bed, and started singing it... in my sleep. yup, I've got that song down. I'll have to sing it for yall sometime.

 CAN YOU BELIEVE I HAVE LESS THAN A YEAR!?!?! what the crap... I'm dying everyday... hahah

We went and visited another inactive family this week, and it just happens that her brother is not a member and is an alcoholic. I have the greatest times with them... not. They get me fired up...he walks in and is like, "WHO ARE THESE PRETTY GIRLS"?. "we are the missionaries." "I NEED A MESSAGE LET ME HEAR A MESSAGE": "well what do you need right now"." I NEED TO HEAR SOME WORDS OF GOD". "well ok, you are a son of God and he loves you and knows your needs". "WILL YOU MARRY ME?" "no". "WHY DOESN'T THIS WHITE GIRL TALK, ARE YOU MUTE". "no my comp is talking so I don't wanna be rude and interrupt her. We are gonna listen to her now ok". "OK OK YOU HAVE A REASON"." what impact does God have in your life?" "HEY WHITE GIRL TALK. OH SORRY SORRY I'M STUPID HAHA I'M SO DRUNK RIGHT NOW. GIVE ME SOME WORDS FROM GOD". "no I'm sorry, we will have to do this another time when you are sober. so clean up and we will see you some other time". "NO MARRY ME". "ok goodbye". I was so annoyed.... if you could only imagine....

We had stake conference yesterday... we sat in the very back, so I didn't really pay attention cause I couldn't hear.... all I know is that Hna Wilkinson uses slang. hahaha and Prez Wilkinson was like, she's pretty much Tica now. hahah sooo funny.

Juan Carlos is having problems with his mother. it's kinda frustrating cause she says we pray to Joseph Smith and stuff... so we are sending the missionaries to her, and gonna talk to her over the phone to get her permission. cause he really wanted to be baptized. The chapel still isn't gonna be finished until the 16... so its even more frustrating.... gahhhhhhhhhh

Today we had a zone activity. It was so fun. We played the balloon popping game with the balloon tied around your foot and then whoever won, got to choose somebody to smash and egg over their head. hahahah it was soooo funny. And then we played a sick obstacle game that an elder made up... it's so intense cause you can't touch the elders, obviously, and it got so intense and everybody was screaming. Elder Shwienfurth almost grabbed me and Hna Jack to hide, but he screamed like a little girl "OH MY GOSH I CANT TOUCH YOU. CRAP IM OUT". hahaha then the person counts from 5 to 1 and then 0 and opens his eyes, and when he said zero I hid my face right then, cause if they see your face you are out, hahahahah everybody was dyinggggg. Then we ate some pizza, and then I played basketball with the elders. It was dumb cause none of the sisters would play so then we just left cause they couldn't really guard me. It's ok, I'm over it. it was a fun day. :)

We are gonna make some Honduras food tonight with some inactives from Honduras. yeah that's right future husband,,, family.,,,, or future 45 cats with Tayla, we will be eating, Costa Rican food, Honduranian food, and Nicaraguan food. you are so welcome.

Y'all think about this will ya, what is your goal as a family? And if you don't have one, make one, it will make life better. I promise you.

Read D&C 6:36 and 122:8 and just think about it... I love D&C

and Dad, I just wanna tell you thank you for your example by serving others first before thinking of yourself. You are the best. Everybody read Jacob 2:17-19 and you will be like, yup that's Shawn. Not to be prideful or anything, but I have THE BEST DAD IN THE WORLD. don't be mad. Get glad and look for the good in people, and serve them and don't be selfish.

 Just to let everybody know. Moroni 8:3 I am praying for you. everyday. and I love you all.

xoxoxo

Pura Vida.

Joce

October 28, 2013

AHHHHHHHHHH PRESTON GETS HERE TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M SO STOKED!!! even though I'm not sure if I will see him before he gets put in an area, but we will make something work.

On Tuesday, they told us, again,  that we don't have transferrs.. I hope they weren't lying, cause we have 3 BAPTISMS for the 9 of November. I'm soooo stoked. They announced it in church yesterday, AND we enter our new chapel the 10. woot woot.

Happy halloweenie this week. day of dead, whatever ya wanna call it.

 Ok story time..... Wednesday at like 1 in the morning I woke up with huge stomach pains, and threw up for 20 mins straight, talk about bulimic. anyways, in the morning I was like, hey compa, I'm like kinda dying, so sorry. and she was like you need to rest, and I was like, no lets go, I'm on fire. haha so we left.... after lunch, which I was stupid enough to eat, I threw it all up. delish. and then we went to teach a lesson.... yeah I was like, so I don't wanna throw up in the Book of Mormon so can I use your bathroom... yeah, after that we called the nurse and she was like, take this this and this. and drink lots of water.. and I was drinking lots of water but couldn't keep it down, so that was nice, so she said, go to bed before you drop over dead... I slept for almost 24 hours straight... minus the times I woke up to throw up... NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I THROWN UP SO MUCH... gross I know. sorry, not sorry... Thursday I woke up and ate a piece of bread and drank some water, and was like, yup lets go, so we left again, after lunch, which was soup, I threw it up. But I'm alot better now, and everybody in the world was calling and asking if I was still alive.... funny thing is, Elder Taylor is going through what I went through now. hahahah sucker.

One day, we went to the convinient store, and I asked if he had eggs..... which is saying, hey do you have balls... my comp and him bust up laughing and he was like yes of course... and I was like, crapppppp WHAT DID I SAYYYYYYYYY..... then my comp told me after, so as you can tell, I'm STILL working on my spanish... hahahahahahah hope y'all enjoy that....

We had divisons with the Hermanas in Tres Rios again. I was with Hermana Salas, again. which I am totally okay with, she is super great. Anyways, she didn't really have much to say, only that the president, assistants, zone leaders, and district leaders are pleased with all the work we are doing, and to keep it up... we are hoping it stays that way for a while. Not to be prideful or anything, butttttttttt, I'm pretty happy as well. haha

Soooo we were teaching Juan Carlos, and he asked us, "if I know that I'm suppose to get baptized, but don't, what happens?" uhhh yeah... we let him know straight up what happens... but he accepted a date, once again for the 9th. Which is the same day the dad of the bishop gets baptized!!! It's a day of baptisms for his family.... WOOSHH!!! and they don't have any doubts now, which is great, cause we were scared there for a minute.... but they decided to annouce it at a birthday party in their house with THE WHOLE family there... people were crying, cause it took Padre Juan 14 years to actually have the desire.

So we had 5 investigators at church yesterday. That's the most that anybody in the zone had this week. It was a little tough, but we did divisions with members and got everybody rounded up and went to church. The bishop taught the class for them, and it was about faith... remember that email I sent about the young women in our ward who was dumb to pray for trials, and got them? yeahhhhh, the bishop said that when you pray for patience, you are actually praying for something that you will learn to develop patience.... I AM SO DUMB. I AM NEVER PRAYING FOR PATIENCE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!! It's like, hey Padre Celestial, give me patience, and he is like okay Hermana Boer, here is a triall for ya. and I'm like. CRAP. I'm learning. BUT I also read in the Liahona, that trials are nessessary for our salvation... sooo I'm kinda wishy washey about it right now. hahahahaha but he then asked a question about how many animals Moses took on the arc when the flood came... and everybody was like, 2 of every kind. and I was dying.... cause it wasn't Moses, it was Noah. hahahahaha. he was like, yeah have faith, amen. haha

Today, we went to Elkis house again to eat, it's like the hangout place for the missionaries. I'm cool with that... we had a lot of fun,,, we just chilled, and this Columbian thinks its cool that I can give shoulder rides. so I did that a couple times to her, cause she weighs like 60 pounds, then threw her down on the couch. haha she thinks it is the funniest thing... I'm losing my strength big time, now my back hurts. hahah

 I don't know if I ever mentioned this, but how cool would it be to have the scriptures of the prophet.... just keep that in mind... or ask grandpa Trimmer for me... ;) hahaha

Ok, I LOVE this talk by Elder Holland... I read it almost every other day at night... its called Justice and Mercy of God. HOLY CRAP. it's so amazing. I can't even tell ya... just read it, and think about it. we aren't perfect, and sin a lot... but that's why we are here. to repent and become like Christ. and how merciful is God.... wow...

Here are some nice scriptures to read and think about as well.... Luke 14:12-24 and Matthew 5:38-48. I love these scriptures, and all the parabols of Christ, in the bible. Do what you know you are suppose to do. Serve others and love others.

If you are wanting more spiritual stuff in my emails, ask me. but I try to keep those on the down low, cause they are spiritual. So if ya want a personal one, that will make your day better, I'm okay with that.

ps. I'm not as funny as I once was... its sad...

anyways... love ya alll.

hope ya edit this. hahahaha

xoxoxooxoxo HERMANA BOERRRRSH.

October 21, 2013

Sooo I'd just have to say I'm kicking myself in the face for NEVER learning to play the piano.... it's awful when there isn't a piano player in Sacrament meeting and everybody looks at me like I know how to play or something, and I'm like, uhhh yeah, you're right I'm the only gringa mormon that doesn't know how to play the piano… 

Something real sweet happened this week. Elder Amado, our general authority of the area came and spoke to us. He is SO FUNNY  and when he first came in he wanted to shake all of our hands and asked us where we are from and how long we have been in the mish. So when it was my turn I told him, "I'm from Boise", and he was like, "ohh I love boise it's so pretty!" and I was like "I know right!" And then I told him I had 6 months in the mish and he was like, "your spanish is really good!" and I said, "ohhh well thank you".. haha then I told Hermana Wilkinson and she was like, "he doesn't compliment just anyone, you know. so you should feel special". I did. He talked to us so much on how to feel the spirit and how to be better missionaries than we already are. he is super proud of us and our hard work.

So before he came I was sitting, talking to the elders, and I look to the door way, and guess who was there.... JACOB SMOOT from SVU!!! I freakkkeddd! he did too, I was like JACOB, and he was like, JOCE, and we were like, uhhhhh first name basis, of course. hahaha ahhh it was a fun little reunion. he is doing super great, and only has 9 months left!! We talked about all the good times at SVU. We were dying haha

We had a lesson with a member, with one of her references... I hate working with returned missionaries from like 50 years ago.... first of all, the lady can't remember if she was baptized or not in the church about 14 years ago, and the member said she has a baptism date and everything. Yeah no lady, sorry, you don't have the authority and power to even think about that. sorry not sorry. I was like, uhhh no, that is up to the Lord. and us, the missionaries. the representatives of Jesus Christ who were set apart to do his work in this country. We will let ya know what the big man says. gosh dang, I'm still working on my patience... if ya can't tell...

I still have pet peeves... I don't think that is ever going to change,,, cause I still wanna slap people across the face when they talk with their mouth full... Christlike attributes...

Speaking of those, in Genesis chapter 45 verses 5 and 7, it talks about Joseph, and how he forgives his brothers. He is a pretty cool guy I guess. The bible is sweet, I didn't really realize that until I have had comps that know the bible like the back of their hand cause that's what they grew up doing, was learning from the bible in their other church. But the Book of Mormon, it's the truth. I know that for a fact.

So we had weekly planning with the zone leaders, cause the president asked them to do it with all their missionaries to give them feedback. They help us out so much, it's awesome. but we had to sing like 7000 times to bring the spirit back. I'm not the only one who hates weekly planning. hahah but we gotta do it...

ANGIE GOT BAPTIZED!!!!  She speaks english too.  I gave her my blog address, and so she's probably like, wow she talks about me a lot. hahaha but really, it was a great experience. not a whole lot of support from the ward, but that is no surprise. It is was awesome. and she was super happy, and now enjoying the companionship of the Holy Ghost. So that's good. I'm always worried that they won't show up to get confirmed after they are baptized, but shes golden, so it went well.

We had a family home evening with this family, and I'm pretty sure the mom is super anti American. Her son wants to live in the USA and she's always bashing on it in front of me. And the bad thing is, she watches the news about it. You can't even trust the news in the states! I'm like okkkk now we are going to sing a hymn... while I'm like steaming with anger. haha I let it go quick though, so that was good.

We went to primary, again. I kinda enjoy it, but then once the kids get on my nerves, I'm like, good thing its only for another 10 mins... haha nahh I love it. but we did a mini MTC experience, they were so cute with their missionary badges, in their companionship, doin work. Future missionaries, woot woot.

There's this little kid who HATES the female gender. its sooooo funny. I'm always trying to talk to him and he's like, "I said don't talk to me. don't look at me." and he always runs away when we come to his house. but yesterday we were eating dinner at his house, and he had popcorn and gave me one piece and was like "thats all, no more".... but then,,, I started playing with a balloon, and he wanted to play with me!!! so we played with a balloon for like 20 mins, and after I asked him for a hug, and he almost gave me one, then was like, "what, no way!" haha and his mom asked if I was his friend, and he was like, "no, I will only play with her, but she is not my friend". hahahah

I get some of my words mixed up sometimes and my comp thinks its the funniest thing, especially when I say bad words that I didn't even know were bad... but don't worry, I'm still working on the lanugage...my comp helps me soooooooo much.

Today we went to the dentist, cause my comp broke her tooth about 7 weeks ago... haha but we made a little pit stop in an art gallery.. I can spend hours in those. seriously... it was fun.

well, God is Good! 

I love being a missionary! 

peace and blessings y'all.
be good. choose the right.

love you all

love 

Joce.
hermana Boer

xoxoxoxo