08-24-09 Email. Subject: 24 de Agosto

Okay so this past week was pretty good. We dont have many new investigators because we have been focusing on the ones we have already. So we are needing to contact more and teach more new families. Its tough work. The stomach problems seem to have come back. I dont know what it is, a bug, the food, who knows. > Nothing super great happened this week. We had 7 investigators at church and a lot of people who want to get baptized and a few people who are hopeful soon. > This Saturday we have 4 baptisms (ages 12, 14, 18, 25), all of the children in a family with unmarried parents, the dad has been inactive for almost 15 years. They have a date to get married and then the wife will be baptized too. So that is incredible. They dont have any income so its really hard. Saturday the dad told us he didn't ever want to come to the chapel again and he doesnt beleive in God and praying etc because ever since her starting coming to church, things have gotten bad. They really dont have food and are struggling. We taught the family some of the commandments for the baptismal date, and then focused on their problems. I taught them about why we always need to be living the gospel and always praying reading etc. because this life isnt necessarily the time when we are going to be happy. There are things to help us be happy but we are here to learn and earn happiness after this life. I sorta told them so what if you die today? If you are living the gospel, you'll get what you want. While we were leaving I talked to the dad one on one sorta and told him that I know how hard things can be without a job, but stressed to him that without God we are nothing. We went back the next day and he was completely different. He had come to church in the morning but was saying throughout the lesson how much he needs God. He asked if he could say the opening prayer and he is a bit more hopeful. He really needs a job though. Also in this same family the oldest child is mentally handicapped. She understands and knows waht we are teaching, but we explained like it says in Moroni 8 that the Atonement covers the incapable. But, she isnt stupid. She listens and asked us yesterday if she could be baptized too. The bishop had previously met with them and told us he wants her to be baptized with the family. She has the capacity of at least an 8 year old. So we called the Mission pres and he gave the thumbs up as well. So we will be baptizing 4 this Saturday. Woot.> As for other families, they are well. The family H. (one with the hot daughter) has two children that want to be baptised one girl is 14 and the boy is 12, the mother is inactive, and the pretty one is slowly building a testimony. The mother knows its true and enjoys our lessons, they have a 9 year old that is all over the place, and two older kids (23,25) who dont really listen. We dont really want to baptise them until the mother reactivates a bit and the older hot sister wants to be baptised. This is because they will need a support system... it would be 2 baptisms that go right to inactivity. So, we are working with them. The trouble is that the sister has to make money for the family and we think its not a very reputable job. Its a super tough situation.> The other family G. still is dwindling in their problems. The mother asked us if we worship Joseph Smith, but she likes the BoM. They ahve two sons like 15 and 12 that like it too and have said they think its true, but they arent willing to change and dont show interest at times.> The neice of our concinera want to be baptised too so we need to teach her more. She was a referral and is now the girlfriend of our ward mission leader, who by the way is way cool-he puts his papers in soon. Haha this caused a bit of controversy with the family that is going to be baptised because one of the girls liked the ward mission leader haha. Anyway.> The guy that lives in our complex reads the book of mormon but still cant come to church. Agh. He said that reading the BoM is different than anything else and any other book. We need to teach him that that is his answer and get him to church.> we have a few others that we have though the first lesson that are interested as well.> Oh yeah, last night we saw Family H. on our way home and they told us that we couldnt go down their street because the oldest brother had heard that some people wanted to assault us or hurt us. I dont believe them but we took a taxi home and later learned that yes most of them have guns but they only wanted to beat us up, not rob us. Haha. Costa Rica.> I had a mango the other day and almost died of pleasure. They are sooooo rico. And pineapples here. Mmm mmm good.> Thats about it from San MiHell.> Paz> Harrison

08-17-09 Email...Subject: Spiritual High

Hey there> This week was pretty awesome. I can´t even explain how high my life is right now.> My stomach is doing better. IT was only those first few days of getting used to the diet change. But I love the food that I get fed here ñ it might be because I'm starving every time I eat, but it is delicious. Mostly it´s rice and beans with some kind of ensalada or salsa and maybe meat. We get a lot of good drinks too. I have only had one bad meal which was mondongo or cow stomach. Tasted like a poopy wet dog, and felt like rubber. I almost threw up. But everything else is great. We pay a member cocinera for lunch M-F and Saturday and Sunday we eat with other members. Breakfast for me is usually banana and oatmeal with maybe some bread, and we dont really usually eat dinner. Sometimes we get fed at appointments but not usually. I think I have lost weight too. Yesterday I had to cinch my belt up one more hole. Yikes.> Every Monday we take our dirty laundry to the church and we pay a family to do it. We use the computers with the missionaries in Aserri, the next district over, in a little internet shop. We buy food after using the internet, which is after going cool places in our areas. I have crazy pictures and you are going to go nuts. This place is the closest thing to heaven. My bed is awesome, I´m so exhausted at the end of the day that I sleep the whole night, no problems. The problem is the shower, ugh. Anyone who reads this, be thankful for warm water with pressure. Here its either a drizzle of hot hot water or a lot of cold water, it´s ahrd to get in between. There are a ton of bugs. I wake up with bites all over my body, most likely from mosquitoes. But I did have two huge purple yellow bug bites on my left calf for a few days. I´ll send pictures of all of this.> What else. Investigators. We have a ton. People here are very christian and receptive. We have about 10 or 11 truly progressing and had 14 at church yesterday. A lot of our investigators aren´t able to come to church, but study the BoM so it´s a tough situation. We have 3 baptismal dates for the 29th of this month for 3 kids in Ramirez family with unmarried parents but a member father. The problem is that they all want to be baptized at the same time, but the mother and father need to get married and tehy don´t have any source of income. So that is tough. They have a date to get married in Sept. Also, the have a mentally challenged daughter that doesn´t need to be baptized obviously but they want her to be baptized too. So we have a lot to figure out with this family and need to talk to the President about the daughter. Hopefully the date this month will stick, and then the mother will follow suit and get baptized after the wedding.> We mostly teach families because that is who we mostly contact. We have two families that aren't really progressing much, the Godinez and the family of Roberto y Maria. They Roberto y Maria familia come to church with their kids almost every week, but dont want to be pressured into baptism. The dad is stubborn and hasn´t read or prayed or anything. Who knows what will happen. The Godinez family is absolutely messed up, but I love them so much. The mom Marcela lives alone because the Dad comes and goes. They have like 5 kids, 3 of which are hopeful. Abel, Edwin jr, and Angelica. Angelica is the cutest kid I have ever seen. And I taught her to say I love you in English and it´s soul melting. They problem is that they know they need to change, they like us a lot, but haven't read or prayed yet.> We also have another family that is similar with a single mom, but she has 6 kids, 3 girls and 3 boys. One of the girls is 20 and drop dead gorgeous. They have problems with sin and all that but are really receptive and love us as well. The mother is interested and the son want to get baptized. we taught our first lesson with them yesterday and are going back tonight for noche de hogar. They are a referral we got from our cocinera and hopefully she comes tonight too. They would be awesome members.> We also are teaching a guy who lives in our little complex place. One floor down. His name is Ever and read the Book of Mormon and hasnt prayed. He is sincerely interested and asked a lot of questions about the BoM. He is a DJ and has a nice sound system and frequently plays popular rap of hip hop music. It´s distracting but I dont complain. :) > So, we have a ton of people ready and needing, all we have to do is help them along. It´s awesome to see how much Christ can change people and how the Spirit really works through us and touches their lifes. We have more investigators but I dont want to bore you.> As for pday´s, we pretty much just hike in the jungle. It´s insanely green. Last week we hiked up to a giant cross in Aserri. This week we bussed to Acosta and went to some rivers and waterfalls. Oh yeah, to get the the little waterfalls we had to pay Jose to take us there. HE had an old school Toyota Land cruiser, and we had to walk through a farm like place. An old Tico in all khaki with a machete and kakhi hat helped us out and showed us where to go. He was so tuanis. Also, he farmed sugar cane and when we were leaving he cut some canes and had us run them through his manual press to make the sugar juice and we drank it right there. So good. Everywhere there are just lime, lemon, and orange trees. So we stopped on the side of the road and got some oragnes and lemons too. It´s also common to see wild parrots. There were a ton today by the house of the elders in Aserri.> > Anyway. The work is awesome. The Spanish is slowly coming. I´m really having a great time teaching and sharing what I know.> Love you. Thanks Chelsea for doing the blog!> > Elder Esmeet

08-10-09 email.. Subject: Costa Rica is jungle mixed with garbage

So, I am starting the mission in a place called San Miguel, but people sometimes like to call it San MiHell. It is about 30 minutes or so south of San Jose and I love it. The first week has been so awesome. > My trainer is Elder Garcia from Guatemala. He knows a little bit of English and we are helping each other learn. My area is really hilly and covers quite a bit of ground. People are extremely poor here (it´s the ghetto), most of the houses are covered with metal sheets and aren't really houses. They are something that Scott and I could make in a day, given the supplies. Obviously there are some nicer ones, but not by much. The people are just like you´d expect Latinos to be, but they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Most everyone here is Costa Rican, or ticos. There are some illegals from Nicaragua or Honduras, but not many. Because the area is poor, people are humble and pretty nice. My companion says its really dangerous here but I don't believe him. (The people are littler here anyway, the only thing dangerous would be a gun and people are too poor to be able buy them.) But, the people are cool. Lots of drunks, druggies, and disgusting immodest women, but for the most part it´s normal. I was warned before coming here that most women want a white baby and it´s true. I get hoots and stuff. My companion says that they say some bad stuff too. Haha. And it´s not only the girls, everyone gets infatuated with a gringo. They try to speak English or try to swear in English. Hah. Todo bien. But in reality, we mostly contact families. I mean we don´t ignore other people, but families are much more receptive and ready for the gospel.> I think I´ve lost a lot of weight already. We eat quite a bit I guess, but I swear more comes out than went in. I had the runs for the first three days, barely avoiding a few catastrophes. But the food so far has been great. Nothing like what I expected. We usually only have to buy breakfast. We get fed lunch every day and most of the time people give us food at night too. > There is garbage all along the streets (if you want to call them streets) and in most of the rivers too. I see probably around 50 stray dogs everyday. Obviously people here drive crazy and there are a lot of motorcycles. I saw an ATV the other day in San Jose too. My comp. said that it was illegal, but that cops here don't really care. > The ward is awesome, it seems like a normal ward when inside the chapel. I was surprised at how strong the members are in the gospel. We have about 140 members in our area, which is only one ward, not bad.> Anyways, I have pictures of everything, I´ll be sure to get them home soon. It´s gorgeous here minus the garbage. My apartment is nice and pretty dang big as well, compared to the rest.> The Spanish sure has been a kick to the face. I know Spanish I swear, I just don´t know how to listen or to speak it. People speak so fast and slurred. It´s nuts. All I can do is get the jist of what´s being said. So that makes teaching a little bit hard as well as contacting. But I know how to share scriptures and bear testimony, just following along in a lesson can be hard. > I am doing really well, I really love this. I get to go to bed exhausted and thrilled and know that I get to wake up and do it again. It´s awesome.> Anyway, love you all. People ask me if I miss home and I just tell them no, mostly because I dont know what they are asking me.. :) Love ya´ll.

08-04-09 Email..Subject: Im doing better than ever

Well Im alive. It was close though, we almost got hit driving and I think I might have seen a dead body, but who knows. It`s crazy pretty here. Tons of plants and the city almost isn't a real city. It definitely doesn`t have skyscrapers or anything close. The houses are close to each other, I`ll take pictures. Its kinda like laguna but without a beach. The houses are very similar, just not as nice. The humidity isn`t bad at all and it rained while we were driving back. My president is incredible. I love him. I know this is the mission Im supposed to be in. Cant wait to find those waiting for me. > Spanish is going to be a slap in the face. Yeah. Pray for me.> I don't want to waste time, I sort of need a nap as well.. Haven`t slept for a while.> But I love you all so much. Thanks for everything and I`ll be sure to write you soon. Love you

7-30-09 Email - Subject: The Countdown

Hey there> This week has been really great. Not as much teaching and such but more of spiritual lessons, questions about spanish, and going over our purpose and how to better serve. We haven't put a whole lotta focus on the Lessons, don't know why but it's been an obvious change. > We went to the temple today, like every Thursday, but this time we ate at the temple cafeteria. When we and my comp got to the register the lady told us you could only pay with cash or check and neither of us had enough cash and neither of us had checks either, luckily a member was there and she came over and wrote a check for both of us. I felt guilty eating my food, but she said that that was the easiest way she has ever fed the missionaries. > But yeah, I'm definitely getting nervous to leave. It's gonna be a huge shock of culture and of a work shift. I mean we work hard here, but I don't even know whats gonna hit me once I get to the field. Luckily, I've got a lot of help from other places than my own body and mind.> I really can't wait to teach real people who will actually be permanently influenced by the things I teach them and the things they feel when I share what I know. > We had the language planning meeting for missionaries leaving teaching us how to study once we get in the field. They told us that they rate language skills on a scale of 1-7. They had samples of people learning English and had exaples of each skill level. They played a level 2 and 3 and then the 7. They asked these samples a question about baptism and the missionary would answer. Level 2 really said nothing coherent. Level 3 said a few words that I understood like baptism and important and something that sounded like 'a new door to a life'. And then they told us that the level 3 was the average missionary that leaves the MTC. Are people really that dumb? :P I really feel like I am at least a 6. I might be limited in vocabulary, but I know what I am saying and I know what other poeple say to me. So I feel confident at the moment comparatively to the average. Although I do know I am gonna get kicked in the juevos when I actually get out there.> I'm starting to wish that I would have bought some more music while I was at home. MOTAB gets boring after a while. > Anyway, this week went well. My companion and I get along great and have fun together. I just hope I get a good trainer. Hopefully a native with a good work ethic. Hah sounds rare to me, but it's possible. > I don't really know what else to say. This tuesday we taught lesson 2 in Spanish again and it went well. Things are fine and Im felling healthy and ready to leave.> Next time I email, I'll be in Costa Rica!> -Elder Harrison Smith> > > Family- I hope that all is well on the beach. Gah. It was awesome to hear your voice through the phone though mom! My retainer got fixed fine.. sorta. They did it too tight or something so now one of the teeth taht the retainer is glued to is being pushed out, sorta making a gap, but who cares. > I have some stuff I will be sending home soon. I have two of the USPS white read and blue boxes that you sent filled up with stuff coming home. I should probably get you a hand written letter, but I really dont ahve much time. I dont know how the mailing is in Costa Rica eitehr, but it might be a good idea to let people know on facebook and the blog that im gonna be in costa rica and to send their letters there...> Um I dont know what else. I love you tons. Miss ya a lot and I pray for you every night. Be safe!