Sister Anna Leigh Fowler: 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!