Best Ever!

The Costa Rican Temple!!! pretty pretty pretty

This week was the best ever ever ever!!! I love it here so much! Some days I just go home and feel like someone better deserves all these miracles I see every day. A lot happened this week. We got to go to the temple and I’ll just say it seriously was an experience I’ll never forget. The temple is so beautiful. 

We hiked this waterfall today. So beautiful!!

Today for p-day we went to this way pretty place.

One day this week we were walking to this appointment and my companion just stopped and said you know we should go visit Venessa. I was thinking are you crazy, that it was 30 minutes away to visit with a member that we can visit tomorrow when we are in that area. But I just went with it and clearly found out why she felt we should. Venessa had one of our investigators over. She literally had probably said 10 words to us before. She is just really shy. So we had a lesson with them and just wow. She somehow opened up and just kept saying I want to be baptized so bad. The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Another time this week we were contacting in the one area that just doesn’t have very many people, so I just said to my companion lets go visit Margorie (a member) so we were walking and all of a sudden my companion just turned around. So I was like okay haha. She started talking to these three women. And I still don’t really know exactly what happened but all I know was the spirit was sooo strong. They kept asking questions and we would answer the best we could but really the spirit did all the work. After my companion said, “Hermana your Spanish was perfect in that lesson.” But seriously my Spanish is at total different levels when I’m in a lesson than when I’m just talking to my companion. Truly the gift of tongues is so real. 

Joseph is 10 and his family aren't members but he lives with is cousins who are and his mom finally gave him permission to be baptized. It was a great day!

I had my first two baptisms this week :) I honestly feel so honored to be able to watch people that I have come to love so much make a choice that will bless their life forever. Ana and Joseph taught me more than I’ll ever be able to teach them. Everyone is placed into your life for a reason its soo true. The closer Ana´s baptism got the more Satan really was working on her, but really just strengthened her more. So in your face Satan. (Sorry if that’s mean) but really it’s just evidence that she was making the right choice.

Ana and Anna :)

I love this lady!

There are definitely days that are rough but really I’m glad it’s hard because it makes it so much more rewarding. Time is going by waaay too fast it’s scaring me but there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of my family and friends. I love you all so so so so much :) Sorry I’m out of time but I pray for you all and am more grateful for you every day that goes by!!

Love always,

Hermana Fowler

She is so funny and she is going to UVU after the mission.

 10 Random Things

1. No one tips here. It’s actually really sad.

2. But, people rip me off all the time because I’m white and blonde. ahh its whatever

3. I now just introduce myself as Hermana Fooler because absolutely no one can pronounce my name. They either call me Fooler or Flower. 

4. At our church we have tons of fruit trees so after church everyone just goes and picks themselves a mango or a banana. I love it so much.

5. At one o’clock everyday it rains. It’s like hunger games.

6. I hardly ever see the sun. And I’m pretty sure I’m whiter than I was when I left.

7. Everyone here wears Hollister and Aeropostale.

8. None of the houses have triangular roof tops. They are all boxes.

9. I spoke too soon last week. My umbrella broke :(

10. This isn’t really a fact but whatever, this member said to me, “My goal is to make you fat.”  Who does that? :(

Hermana Markle!

Holy Rain!!!

Wow so much rain. People told me it was a lot of rain but really no one can put words to what it’s really like but I’ll try... It’s like walking through a river 24/7 and then whenever a car drives by its like walking through a water fountain. It’s awesome. Kinda like Cherry Hills but different. But the good news is my umbrella is still going strong. Sometimes I pray really hard that it won’t break and obviously Heavenly father has answered my prayers :) the rain comes from every direction so usually I just put it right in front of me so I have had my fair share of running into things. This week was a trash can, 4 people, and this pole thingy. But I’m getting better at it.

I`ll be completely honest my Spanish is very rough. For example this week a little 4 year old laughed during my whole prayer. It’s okay though because it motivates me to work harder. My companion is so cute about my Spanish though. I am very aware of how bad my Spanish is but every time we talk to someone and they look at me weird or laugh she gets soooo defensive and then she tells me a million times your Spanish is getting so much better. She’s a cutie.

My companion got sick again so I had the other Hermanas go and get us a treat (that's really the name) to help a little Hahaha! She is all better now :)

This week we bought coffee that doesn’t have caffeine in it for our investigator and she made some while we were at her house. So of course she had me try it. Gag. Seriously that will never be a temptation!! My companion is the bomb at cooking. Some nights she will make these absolutely delicious things called baleada. Holy moly!! Soo good. I have been spoiled with food. I do not eat the rice and beans though :/ unless it’s impolite don’t worry mom.

This week was their countries Independence Day. We were in our house one night when this huuuge sound went off and I honestly thought it was a gun. I guess it’s their fireworks, but they don’t do anything but make a way loud sound and smoke. So ya like a bomb. 

Hermana Morales, a guy in our branch, and I are teaching an English class every week. I love it. I have to try soooo hard not to laugh sometimes. This older lady in our ward was trying to pronounce an L and it was seriously the cutest/funniest thing. But now I know how I sound haha :) This week I was semi attacked by a dog. But it didn´t hurt me so don’t worry. I realized that the people wouldn’t speak English but I didn’t really realize that the dogs wouldn’t speak English either. My umbrella was my sword and I fought them off though :) 

Ahh this week was so great. Every week is but wow so many little miracles. We have this one family we are teaching who are seriously the best investigators. Every pamphlet we give them they put in a way safe place and make sure that they know whose is whose. And they are starting to call each other Hermana hahaha. The little 8 year old now calls her mom Hermana. It’s so cute I don’t want to break the news. The same family has strengthened my testimony an extreme amount.

We were in a lesson with Jasmin this week and we were setting a date for her baptism and she just felt so nervous about it. After a long conversation she asked me if I think she is ready. I told her in my broken Spanish how much she has taught me and how if there was ever a point we knew everything this life would be very boring and actually pointless. I told her how I was 8 years old when I was baptized. And how I don’t remember much of being 8 years old but I will never forgot the feeling I got walking into that baptismal font. Jasmin is incredible. My companion then shared a scripture with her that we had been looking for to answer her questions. She literally couldn’t finish the scripture. She has shocked at how direct and true it was. Her baptism is coming up soon.

Ana`s baptism was supposed to be this Saturday but my companion and I felt we should wait another week. And when we talked to her about it she said she knows this is exactly what she is supposed to do because another week is exactly what she needs. She is such an angel. After every lesson we just hug because my vocabulary doesn’t express enough of how much I love her.

Every day I learn something more. And every day I love the people more. There are a lot easier things I could be doing but absolutely nothing better. I love you all. I love my family so much. Seriously everyday I tell my companion how much I love my family it probably gets annoying but its true sorry. 

10 random facts 

1. I have yet to see a stop sign. They just have speed bumps but they do nothing :)

2. The three English words that every Latino knows is, oh my gosh, freak and fetch. I’m trying to teach more missionary like words no worries.

3. Everyone says DI. It has no meaning they just say it to emphasize something. It’s kinda like an exclamation mark.

4. There are a BUNCH of taxis. We use them every once and a while.

5. I have yet to see a dishwasher or carpet.

6. The bananas are literally heaven. Just wow. No words to describe.

7. We always walk around with our back packs in front of our bodies. It looks silly but it’s the only way to not get everything wet.

8. The trash cans are interesting looking. I’ll have to take a pic next time. But really everyone just throws their food anywhere they feel. Sometimes I pick stuff up when I see it. Wow I just realized how gross that is.

9. People don’t usually point with their hands, they like lift their chins and then point with their lips. It’s interesting :)

10. There are a million motorcycles, and they are very loud. It’s like the movies where the motorcycle drives by and all the car alarms go all day every day.

P.S. This guy we were talking to the other day started to cry and I was so confused then the Hermana’s later explained that he said, “I have so many problems but I love you pretty girl I love you. 

Rachel <3

P.P.S Today was my one month interview with the president. It was a big interview with all the people I came here with. I got to see Rachel and it seriously was such a blessing. I love her. I got to sit by Markle and Rachel for like an hour and see my whole district. It made me soooo happy. And we had the best food. Okay bye!

Hermana Gibson and Fowler

2 Months WooooHoooo

Hi hi hi. I love this time of the day but it is also like the most stressful time too. This week flew by I feel like I was sitting at this same computer like an hour ago. We did a lot of service this week. This member in our ward needed help painting her house so we literally painted the whole things. It was really fun. We painted the walls yellow orange and green. All the houses here are really bright. I love it! It’s like candy land.

Painting this week :)

Her house is in the back of her bakery so we got a lot of treats. One of our members is having a hard time with smoking and while we were at her house she was smoking secretly sooo I know I should never steel but I feel like it was for a good cause. So I stole them sorry. Oh and another thing, this week for lunch we were served a brownish drink and my companion said something about it but I obviously didn’t understand so I drank it and it was tea :/. So I drank tea and stole ahhh sorry mom!! It was an accident.

It rained an incredible amount this week. One day it didn’t stop from the time we left the house until we went back home. Ahh I love it. My area is the colder area so it does get a little chilly on cold days. I always want to jump in puddles and sing Taylor swift but I’m learning to be mature. So pray for me :) Just kidding but really I never want to use my umbrella but my companion says I have to. It’s for the best :)

We saw these people walking with trash bags while it was raining so I tried to get a picture without them noticing and it didn't work. So they yelled, "Sister photo!!!" Hahaha

On Wednesday this week we went to San José to get my finger prints for my visa and stuff so I got to see some of the people I came here with. It was so good to see them. We waited in line for 3 hours. It was like the first time I sat still without doing anything for a long time. One the way here we took a bus (we always either take a bus or a taxi) and I seriously kid you not it was like the bus of Harry Potter. Craaaazy. It never really ever stopped. I felt like I was on some ride in Disneyland. We had a good laugh trying to get off. 

The language is slowly coming. Ahh on Sunday they asked me to pray in English and I literally forgot how to speak English. It was the weirdest thing. So ya I don’t know English or Spanish haha!

I haven´t seen too many bugs here. Oh besides one day literally a cockroach ran at me out of nowhere and I almost sprained my ankle trying to dodge it. I need to not be such a girl with bugs. I’m working on it. My companion was sick one day this week. So she stayed in bed and I studied Spanish for 7 hours. I should be after that but no. But really I am starting to understand more what people are saying. I often feel like someone has put duct tape over my mouth and I have a really really really important thing to tell them. It’s getting better though. :)

Haha so this week we were contacting and we were at this one house and an older guy just kinda looked at us and then said to me are you Chinese or a gringo (white girl) my companion just laughed. It’s because I squint my eyes when I smile. So then the next person we saw I tried not to smile with my eyes and he looked at me like I was going to rob him. So ya Chinese gringo it is :)

I knocked on this door :)

Our investigators are incredible. We have a good about on date for baptism and I just hope so badly for them to not doubt themselves. One investigator says that she knows it in her heart but just not in her mind. The people here are very religious and feel like they need to know everything. I wish they could realize how much I have to learn so they can know that we never will know everything. One investigator (her name is Anna :)) has taught me so much. It’s crazy how much I have learned here and it’s not from their words but from their example and their spirit. I love all the people here in Costa Rica. They are all so kind and everyone is willing to make friends. Every person we meet is placed in our path for a reason which is why it’s so critical for us to talk to everyone. I love it. I love being a missionary. I could say that a million times and it still would not give justice to how I feel about serving in Costa Rica. I’m so grateful for my family and friends. I love  you all!!!! 

Ten random facts about Costa Rica :)

1. Dinner doesn’t exist here. You have a big lunch and then you just don’t eat until right before you go to bed. Not very healthy :/

2. In every house I go to they always offer a fresco. Which is really just fancy for tang drink or Kool-Aid. People are always willing to give stuff. Usually stuff they don’t want any more though haha.

3. No one shaves.

4. A very common food here is platano. It’s like a gigantic banana and then they grill it. IT’S SO GOOD!!!! I could eat it every day for the rest of my life and be happy.

5. It gets dark here around 6. And everyone goes to bed at like 8. So the streets are pretty empty at night but my companion is very very very cautious about anything semi unsafe so no worries there. Oh and she holds my hand crossing the street. 

6. All the stores here are wanna be American stores. Like quicksilver is quiksilver. So they just switch the name by like a letter or too.

7. A lot of the stores are owned by popular stores in the U.S. Like Costco owns this one store we went to today and they literally had berry smoothies and all that jazz, but it’s like 10 times more expensive. It’s ridiculous. 

8. The word Sass doesn’t exist in Spanish :(

9. There aren´t really trash cans. People just throw it in the gutter. I often will jump in the gutter and pick something’s up. I didn’t really realize how nasty that is until now. 

10. Lots of people drop the L bomb (I am in love with you) like none other.

Week #2 in Costa Rica

It's beautiful here!

YAAAAY my email works!!! Wow Costa Rica is amazing!! I love it I love it I love it! I’m sorry if I repeat anything from last week if so just ignore it :) First off I probably have the best companion ever made. She is awesome! And when she tries to speak English is so cute and sooo funny. The other day she said, “Freaking the Jehovah Witness.” I didn’t teach her that word someone else did don’t worry. She literally probably knows 20 words in English soooo ya. I love Spanish but I feel really bad sometimes because some words don’t exist in Spanish so I feel like I am being harsh but I just smile so hopefully they know I’m not being unkind. But it’s awesome because it’s like playing charades every day!! I’ve had some embarrassing moments of trying to explain a word to her.

I love her!

Our area is the bomb. All the people are literally sooo soo nice. I love all of our investigators. Our area is gigantic. We walk about 10 miles a day. Okay that could be exaggerated but it’s sooo much walking. My feet haven’t hurt that bad yet so miracles do happen :)  

Mi casa and mis comp

My kitchen :)

My house is great. There are not that many bugs thank goodness. My closet broke the first day I got here so my bed is my closet but hopefully I’ll get one soon. Our house is like 20 feet away from a bar and the house right next to us is an elementary school so there is not a lot of silence. Sad story, it’s been the only time I’ve cried (besides during a spiritual lesson or when my email didn’t work last week). We were walking home and I literally saw right in front of my eyes a puppy get ran over. My companion and I were in tears and it took us a little to get back on track. But she or he is in a better place so it’s okay :)

Wow we had an amazing experience this week. We were in a lesson with Jasmin and Ivet, and I literally had no idea what was going on. I could tell that Jasmin was a little frustrated. I still to this day don’t really know what was going on but I just raised my hand and my companion looked at me weird and I just opened my mouth and said a bunch of things I still don’t really even know. I started to cry and then we were all in tears. After I was done bearing my testimony we sat there for a moment in silence. The spirit was sooo strong. They said thank you and that that was exactly what they needed to hear. I really have no idea what I said but I know that it was the Spirit teaching. I will never forget that moment. I’m so grateful for the Spirit. A mission is not possible without it.

One of the biggest things I have learned since being a missionary is that I love my family more than anything!!! I seriously am the luckiest girl in the world. The people here have taught me so much and that says something because I don’t know what they are saying half the time. I know that this is where I am supposed to be. I will always have room to improve and I’m so glad it is that way. My companion always asks me, “Are you happy?” I say, “SI.” And then she asks, “Are you satisfied?” I say, “NUNCA (never).” I am so thankful for this opportunity I wish you all could be here experiencing it with me. This is Christ’s church and he needs us to spread the great news!! Thank you soo soo soo much for all the support. Life is so good!! There’s always a reason to be happy! I LOVE YOU ALL!!

The church is beautiful!! Literally everyone after church goes and gets mango's off the trees!

10 Random Things About Costa Rica

1. Every house is gated off. Literally like a jail. Sounds sketchy but it’s not.

2. Everyone greets kissing each other’s cheek. Not the boys Obvi. 

3. Today was the first time I like actually felt the sun on me.  It’s usually cloud. It’s perfect weather all day every day.

4. Whenever someone says their name they say it soo fast and they whisper it so I never know their names but also they are all common names but they say them sooooo weird. But I love it. Like Elisabeth is Lisbet

5. Everyone and their dog has a dog. No actually everyone has 5 dogs. 

6. If I were to stand in a gutter it would go up to my waist at least. 

7. Everyone puts mayo on everything. Everything!!! Like salad dressing doesn’t exist, just mayo. I definitely pick my battles with some food. But our cook is a pro so I am very grateful for that :)

8. No one knocks on the doors here. You just say,”Upe Buenas.” My companion makes me say it sometimes and I sound like such a white girl. But practice makes perfect.

9. One of the members here said that when I smile I have cartoon eyes, ya I have no idea. But seriously everyone calls me cartoon eyes in my ward now but its chill :)

10. For the first week I didn’t know how to use the hot water so I had the most freezing showers every day. But we’re good now :)

Love always,

Hermana Fowler :)

P.S. I made a goal in soccer today!!! I was the only white girl playing so it was a big deal.

Costa Rican money. It's so pretty I don't want to spend it!

 (Here are a few more things Anna said while we emailed back and forth for a few minutes.)

Get on get on get on!!!! Ahhhhh mommy!!!!!

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I’m soooo good!!! ahhh I can’t explain to you how happy I am that my email works!! How are you?? YOU GOT HIRED FULL TIME?????? WOW!!!! Mom that is so incredible!!! Wow!!! ahh I’m so proud of you!!

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I had no idea there was an earthquake here. I didn’t feel a thing.

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My companion is great she is always hugging me it’s funny. She is great!!! We had a companionship inventory and guess what she asked me to improve on?? Turning off the lights! haha.

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I just asked her to help me talk more when we walk because we walk in silence a lot of the time. I’m not lonely, but if there is one thing I have learned here it’s that I love you more than anything and that you are my best friend. Seriously we have the best family. I love my family sooo much!

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I still haven’t read 39 emails, but I have to go. Be a good girl you are my best friend forever. I’ll be on next Monday around 3. I love you mom!!!!!!!! I love you I love you I love you!

Zone Conference

(Some pictures from Hermana Markle, Anna's companion in the MTC.)

Hermana Gibson, Yardley, Markle, and Fowler

Here they go!

Last photo with each other before heading to Costa Rica.

Anna and Rachel say their goodbyes as well.