First Week in Costa Rica!!!

Holy Moly I can´t believe I finally got here!! So much has happened so I’ll try to update you as much as I can. The plane ride here was great. I rode first class from Georgia to Costa Rica. They served me a whole meal and even gelato. I sat next to this girl who is one of the owners of coke cola. She became like a best friend to me haha. I told her about the gospel and she said she would go to church but we will see.

The missionaries arrived at the Costa Rica airport August 18, 2014

So I got off the plane and ahhhhhh it is absolutely beautiful. Hot hot hot. I immediately put my hair up. I met the president and his wife. Gosh they are such great people. We then all squished into the tiny van. It was the closest I´ve been to a male in a long time. Very uncomfortable!! Anywho... the drive was crazy. Actually every driver is crazy in Costa Rica. No one stops at stop signs, they just go crazy. But I like it :) 

They used a cattle truck to transport all the new missionaries luggage. 

So all of a sudden we end up at the temple. The first place I go to is the temple ahhhhhh what a great day. Anyway so all 30 of us new missionaries stood in a circle by the temple and the president talked to us. It was incredible. I learned so much. The point was that our purpose as missionaries doesn’t end at baptism. I´m not really sure what happened but the president pointed to me and told me to come in the middle of the circle. He then asked why I had my cardigan around my waist and so I didn’t really know what to say so he then told me to say ¨para bautizar y retener¨. Which means to baptize and retain. So mom you’ll probably need to explain that better but I’m going to move on now. (Kendra: I have no idea what she’s talking about. I think something was lost in the translation. Maybe someone can explain it to me J.)

So that night I ended up at this little house with about 20 Hermana's haha it was great. I was so tired I didn’t even care that I didn’t have a pillow or that there were bugs everywhere. The next morning we couldn’t really get ready since there were so many girls. I used the bathroom and the toilet lid literally fell of I kid you not. Hahaha I love it. The next days was all paper work and then we had interviews with the president. After interviews we went on divisions with other sister missionaries. Hermana Markle and I went with 2 other Hermana’s to this house with members. They gave Hermana M and I this plate of food I’ve never seen before. I later found out it was fried pig fat lol.

So then we split up and I went with one of the Hermana’s. She told me that I would be asking her to be baptized. Soooo we went and they were a really cute couple. I didn’t know what they were saying. They asked me why they can’t drink coffee and I just looked at the other Hermana and she just laughed. They then told me it was a set up and they really were members. That night I slept in the same house. 

So the next day we all walked to presidents house for breakfast and to meet our new companions. The food was delicious. I’m glad I ate a lot because that will probably be the best food I have for a while haha. 

All the trainers and new missionaries at the President's house.

So all the new missionaries were on one side and then all the trainers were on another and the president would call a trainer up and tell them where they would be serving and he would kinda explain the area like if it was cold or hot or poverty or not and then he would call their companion. Every time everyone was called everyone cheered and then they all did that thing Thomas does with his hand. EVERYONE DOES IT HERE! Thomas this is your country at heart!!

So I got called up ahhhhhh I love my companion. I am serving in Santo Domingo! They say it’s the cold area but they don’t know what cold is. It’s perfect weather. I hardly ever see the sun. So I’m still white as can be. 

My companion knows absolutely no English. Haha sooo we walk around with a dictionary and there is a lot of silence haha. So she instantly had me get my stuff and we were off. She is from Honduras and she has 18 siblings. Ya 18 craaaazzzzyy. She has been a member for 2 years but literally knows more about the gospel than anyone I’ve ever met. I don’t know what she is saying half the time but I know it’s good. I want to know Spanish soooo bad so I can learn from her. She is the most selfless person. She gave me her little socks because she saw I had a million blisters and then she wrote the cutest little note on my planner hopefully I can upload the photos.

My new companion, Hermana Cuevas!

 Okay so we got on a bus with all my luggage (it was a struggle I’ll be completely honest) it started POURING and we were in the middle of a big city. Everyone was looking at me like I was from mars but I just smiled haha. I left like the girl off of the movie, Leap Year. So we got to Santo Domingo after a 30 minute bus ride. So it’s pretty close to San Jose. We first went to our cook with the other hermanas. One of them knows English and the other doesn’t. Our cook is amazing ahhhh. Yummy yummy yummy. Rice and beans every day. I’ve had a lot of interesting food so far though. Very interesting.

The house we live at is really nice! Well compared to what I though it would be. We instantly went to work. My first lesson was with a girl named Lisebeth. She is so cute. She is on date for baptism. After the lesson Hermana Cuevas was talking to her mom and she just came over and hugged me. The people are so nice. Even though I can’t speak much they are just so sweet to me. I don’t deserve it.

Another lesson we had was with a girl named Hilary. She was funny. She first asked if I was a gringo. (I guess that means I’m white) so I just nodded my head. Then my companion was teaching and in the middle of the lesson she asked to touch my hair. Hahaha so I said of course. And then she said, “Mom that is so clean.” I wanted to say you should have seen it yesterday but then I remember I don’t know Spanish. I was reminded of that A LOT this week. It’s frustrating but I love it. Ummm let’s see…  So my companion and I walk down the street and she says my vocab word in English and I tell her in Spanish. I am glad she is so patient with me. Gosh so many blessings this week.

One time we were walking down the street and this car stopped and asked if we wanted a ride. My companion just kinda looked at me, and then the guy pulled out with recommend like it was his ID. It was funny. There was a little girl in the car and I told her how President Eyring is in our stake and she freaked out haha it was so cute.

Hermana Fowler & Cuevas

So in Costa Rica, or maybe Central America in general I’m not sure, they have a big lunch but they don’t have dinner until like 8. So my companion and I stopped by this bakery one day ahhhhh it was heaven. We then started walking down the street and we were about to go one way but decided to go the other. (The Spirit) We then started talking to this lady who is about 50 and she let us come in and talk to her. My companion was kinda explaining a few things to her. I didn’t know what was being said. Literally not a word but the spirit was sooo extremely strong I can’t even explain it. I started bearing my testimony and just started crying. We were all in tears. She has agreed to baptism and we are teaching her again tomorrow. Ahh incredible.

It’s crazy how people really are placed in our paths for a reason. Another investigator we have is just so incredible. Her granddaughter practices her English with me it’s so cute. She talks about Frozen all the time. It’s funny, no one knows English here and if they do they have learned it through songs. Like this one little girl was singing One Direction the other day- every word perfectly. Hahaha.

Okay so one day we were walking down the street and we said hi to a guy and asked how he was. He said he was bad so we started talking to him. I think he was drunk but I’m not sure. We were saying bye and he said something that I didn’t know so I looked at my companion and she just grabbed my arm and we walked away. She started laughing so hard and got her dictionary out to tell me what he said. He said, ¨I’m going to rip out your beautiful eyes right now” yaaaa and then I started walking a lot faster hahaha it was funny.

People are so friendly here. They all smile so big and ask how I’m doing. Lots of people call me words I don’t know but I just act like I didn’t hear. I love it here. My area is not like the pictures on the internet but it’s pretty in its own way. Ahhh I wish I could send my pictures. I will be sending so many next week so be prepared. This one guy said to me, “Muchacha guapa, how are you?” But he said, How are you in English kinda like you would say to a baby. And muchacha guapa means beautiful girl.

So Sunday was great I met the ward and they are all so nice. They called me up to bear my testimony. It was really simple but while I was talking, there came a dog down the aisle. I kid you not. hahaha I love it!!! After church we went to a member’s house to eat. They were sooo nice. I found a bone and some string in the soup but it was still good. The people here are so generous.

I had some very interesting fruits. They are absolutely delicious. So so so so good. 

Mamon chino

I have not yet been sad here besides today when my ldsmail wouldn’t work and I didn’t get to read any of your emails ahh but it’s okay. Hopefully I can next week. Every day I am here I realize more how much I love my family. I’m so glad I have eternity to spend with you. I feel so extremely honored to dedicate these 18 months to the Lord. This gospel blesses lives. And the people in Costa Rica need to know that. The Lord is helping me so much. Every sentence I say in Spanish is a blessing. I love you all and hope all is going well!! I pray for you all every day!! Every day!!! Thank you for all the support. I LOVE YOU MOM, DAD, BEN, JAKE, THOMAS, AND SAM!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU TIMES A MILLION!!!!!!!

  

I love you mom!!! with all my heart!!!!!! I’m happy, I’m safe and I love what I’m doing!!!!! Don’t worry.

8/16/14

(Notes from some of the missionaries.)

Momma Fowler!

Thank you so much for letting me borrow your amazing daughter for 6 weeks! Best 6 weeks of my life! We had a blast together and I love her so much! She taught me a lot and I am excited to have a friend out in the field! You are an amazing mom! She talks you up every day! She loves you and misses you! J Thanks again for the shower cap, notes and picture of me and my companion. You are too cute! I will take care of your Anna as much as I can in Costa Rica. Hopefully we can be companions again soon J Thanks again! Have a great day!

Love,

Hermana Markle

Kenj!

Thank you for birthing Hermana Fowler. She is so great! If it weren’t for her I would have gone crazy these past 6 weeks in the MTC. Even though she gets hungry everyday she is still the best. I know that deep down inside she is not actually as violent as she appears to be … or maybe she is … who knows! J Also, thank ya for the treats. I am now nice and plump and I love it. I hope to meet you one day after the mish!

Love,

Hermana Brooke Gibson <3

What’s up Mrs. Fowler?

Thank you so much for your letter and also the picture of our district! That was very thoughtful and I appreciate it! Hope everything is going well. Just thought I’d write you and tell you Hermana Fowler is doing great! She says she’s bad at the language but she doesn’t give herself enough credit.

Well, Adios!

Elder Kirk

Mrs. Fowler,

Thanks for the Skittles! I wasn’t serious when I told Hermana Fowler to request them, but that was super nice of you anyways! She speaks so highly of you. We always debate about whose mom is better. We just concluded you’re both the best!

Adios!

Elder Kirk

Mommy <3

I got your package today J You are the best mom in the world! Have I mentioned that? You are so!!! so!!! so!!! thoughtful. Mom you are the best person I know. I love you with all my heart. I feel very prepared with supplies and money. Not so much the language! Yesterday we had in field training where we pretty much listened to speakers for 9 hours. Yikes. But it was helpful.

There is an elder here that is going to Costa Rica that is from Bountiful. He went to Viewmont but he says he knows Kanela. You should try to find his mom. I’ll figure out his name and let you know. So pretty much all I have left to do here at the MTC is go to two more classes and then my Sunday meetings. Oh and pack. I’m packing during gym time today (well we all have to) I really hope everything is under 50 pounds. They said no backpacks but I’m going to bring one anyway and just not stuff it very full. I’m so excited to meet my mission president and his wife. I’ve heard so many good things about them. Mom I’m going to the best mission in the whole world. I heard that on the first day (Tuesday) we go to the temple. Well I don’t want to say too much because I wanna talk about everything on the phone. But Mom thank you so so much for everything. I am the luckiest daughter in the world! I love you more than anything!

You are my best friend forever!

Love always,

Your missionary

(Hermana Fowler)

Mi Primo!!!
Anna's second cousin Elder Kenton Erekson