We have an opportunity to help out a missionary-to-be in our branch.
Wagner is a fairly recent convert to the church, has served diligently alongside Michael in the Young Men's Presidency, and is a very nice guy. He recently received his mission call to the South Dakota mission, and we're very excited for him.
We're especially excited because he received permission to come to Utah a week before he's to report to the Missionary Training Center in Provo. He'll be able to stay with us when he comes in August, and we get to show him some sites, practice English with him, and help get him used to American culture.
We also get to help outfit him for a mission. Wagner's family doesn't have the means to purchase what he needs, and with the branch being as small as it is, their funds are pretty limited as well. He can get better quality missionary clothing and supplies for less money in Utah than in Costa Rica, so we were hoping to go shopping with him when he comes to visit.
If there are any blog readers out there who would be able to help us fund this, we'd love any donations on his behalf. If you are able, please comment below or send us a note!
Muchas Gracias!
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Playa Esterillos - Julia
Last Saturday we went to Esterillos, our favorite beach to go to that's about two hours away. It might have been our last beach trip since we only have two Saturdays left and on one we're going to the temple. I hope it wasn't the last time because I cannot get enough of that beach. Since it might have been our last time we made sure to take a lot of pictures.
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| We saw so many scarlet macaws when we were there. They were just up in the trees eating. At one point they all took off at once for whatever reason and there were at lease 20 macaws flying above our heads. |
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| The boys' giant sand volcano, we called it Arenalita (after the volcano Arenal) |
Babies - Caleb and Dylan
This Tuesday, we were playing outside and Dylan was climbing a tree and saw a bird's nest, so he climbed up to it and looked inside and saw this:
Then Caleb came up too and saw it.
Later that day, when our mom got home from something and told us that there was a baby bat outside.
Monday, May 5, 2014
How to "ita-fy" your words - Hannah
Costa Ricans ita-fy their words more than other Spanish-speaking people--that is, they add ita (feminine) or ito (masculine) to the end of lots of their words. It can mean little, or as an endearing term, something more like cute little.
For example, a taquito is basically a little taco. A tablespoon is a cucharada, while a teaspoon is a cucharadita. Hmm... does that mean a burrito (burro + ito) is a little donkey?
You may hear a teacher telling a group of children to wash their manitas, their little hands. Or she may call the kids chiquitos (little kids), or in an even more endearing way, they'll just add another ito and call them chiquititos (sweet little kids).
Something could be small (pequeño), or it could be really small (pequeñito). A little dog, similar to how we would say doggy, is a perrito, and your sweet Grandpa is your abuelito. A little house, like a cottage, is a casita, while a little shirt is a camisita. A little moment is a momentito.
Once we were invited to someone's house in the tardecito (the little afternoon?). We needed a little clarification on what exactly that time meant.
Names are also ita-fied. I've heard my friend Carla called Carlita, or Ana called Anita. We've decided to ita-fy our names too. I am also Anita, Michael is Miguelito, Julia is Julita, Caleb is Calebito, Dylan is Dylanito, and Jonah is our little Jonitito.
Can you ita-fy your name too?
For example, a taquito is basically a little taco. A tablespoon is a cucharada, while a teaspoon is a cucharadita. Hmm... does that mean a burrito (burro + ito) is a little donkey?
You may hear a teacher telling a group of children to wash their manitas, their little hands. Or she may call the kids chiquitos (little kids), or in an even more endearing way, they'll just add another ito and call them chiquititos (sweet little kids).
Something could be small (pequeño), or it could be really small (pequeñito). A little dog, similar to how we would say doggy, is a perrito, and your sweet Grandpa is your abuelito. A little house, like a cottage, is a casita, while a little shirt is a camisita. A little moment is a momentito.
Once we were invited to someone's house in the tardecito (the little afternoon?). We needed a little clarification on what exactly that time meant.
Names are also ita-fied. I've heard my friend Carla called Carlita, or Ana called Anita. We've decided to ita-fy our names too. I am also Anita, Michael is Miguelito, Julia is Julita, Caleb is Calebito, Dylan is Dylanito, and Jonah is our little Jonitito.
Can you ita-fy your name too?
Friday, May 2, 2014
The Zoo - Julia
Last Saturday for a young men/young women activity we went to the zoo. I personally think they don't need a zoo in Costa Rica since the country is a zoo in and of itself, but whatever.
A few weeks ago when we were planning the activity we decided we were going to the zoo, a few weeks later they changed it and said we were going to a museum instead because it was cheaper, then the week before the activity they changed it again and said we were going to the zoo, and the morning of the activity they said the museum, and right before we left to go they said we were going to the zoo. So that was kind of exciting. Before we went to the zoo we went to a baptism which was really nice, and then around noon we went to the zoo.
It wasn't a very big zoo, so the leaders said just go wherever you want and meet back together at 2:30. I walked around with my friend Stephanny. She's from Canada and obviously speaks English so I hang out with her at most of the church activities. The zoo was so small that by 2:30 (so about two hours) we had seen all the animals in the entire zoo twice. There was also only one animal at the zoo that you couldn't find in the wild in Costa Rica,and that was an African Lion. The rest of the animals included lots of parrots, toucans, and macaws, some monkeys, some crocodiles, and a few other things.
I didn't mind the lack of exotic animals though and thought it was fun, plus me and Stephanny took a bunch of pictures, I think about 250 (and that's just on my iPod not counting the ones on her phone). We only took a few of the actual animals though, most of them were of each other. #selfie
At 2:30 we met back at the gates and had hamburgers for lunch and hung out for a little while. I ate with Stephanny and a girl named Noilyn and we took more selfies :).
After we finished eating and taking pictures we got in the cars and drove home. Overall it was a really fun trip and I enjoyed going :).
A few weeks ago when we were planning the activity we decided we were going to the zoo, a few weeks later they changed it and said we were going to a museum instead because it was cheaper, then the week before the activity they changed it again and said we were going to the zoo, and the morning of the activity they said the museum, and right before we left to go they said we were going to the zoo. So that was kind of exciting. Before we went to the zoo we went to a baptism which was really nice, and then around noon we went to the zoo.
It wasn't a very big zoo, so the leaders said just go wherever you want and meet back together at 2:30. I walked around with my friend Stephanny. She's from Canada and obviously speaks English so I hang out with her at most of the church activities. The zoo was so small that by 2:30 (so about two hours) we had seen all the animals in the entire zoo twice. There was also only one animal at the zoo that you couldn't find in the wild in Costa Rica,and that was an African Lion. The rest of the animals included lots of parrots, toucans, and macaws, some monkeys, some crocodiles, and a few other things.
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| Spider Monkeys |
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| Capuchin Monkey |
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| The Lion |
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| Scarlet Macaw, Dylan's favorite bird. |
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| I can't remember what this is called but it was really weird looking. |
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| Caleb said he saw the peacock with it's feathers up, but I didn't. |
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| Another kind of macaw. |
I didn't mind the lack of exotic animals though and thought it was fun, plus me and Stephanny took a bunch of pictures, I think about 250 (and that's just on my iPod not counting the ones on her phone). We only took a few of the actual animals though, most of them were of each other. #selfie
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| Me and Stephanny |
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| We can't take serious pictures. |
At 2:30 we met back at the gates and had hamburgers for lunch and hung out for a little while. I ate with Stephanny and a girl named Noilyn and we took more selfies :).
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| Noilyn, me, and Stephanny |
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| Stephanny, me, Brandon, Noilyn, Caleb, and Daniela |
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| Picture of us taking a selfie :) |
After we finished eating and taking pictures we got in the cars and drove home. Overall it was a really fun trip and I enjoyed going :).
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Another New Fruit - Hannah
I don't know what they're called, but to eat them you open the pod and suck the fruit off the seeds. They look a little like cotton ball-covered cockroaches, but they're actually quite sweet and fun to eat. (I'm sure I just sold you on that description, didn't I. I should totally be a food blogger.)
Thursday, April 24, 2014
To Really Live - Hannah
My heart has been heavy for a friend who lost her battle with breast cancer last night. She was diagnosed last fall, and recently the cancer spread to her brain and then throughout her body. Since then, the doctors told her there was nothing more they could do, and her health declined rapidly. She left behind a husband, three young children, and much loved family and friends.
In addition, I have recently been listening to radio episodes of Enduring It Well on the Mormon Channel. In the program, the host interviews people who have been through difficult experiences and talks with them about how they have been able to endure. The experiences range from dealing with eating disorders to becoming paralyzed, to dealing with loved ones who have been incarcerated, to dealing with chronic disease or death of a loved one. Listening to these various accounts I am struck by one of the common threads--how much even small acts of service mean during difficult times.
One man spoke of a tragic plane accident he was in, and how even though most of the passengers were killed, he survived but with badly burned and broken legs. He spoke of his trip to the hospital, and of the woman who held his hand during the transit, and how much that meant to him.
Another woman spoke of the tremendous gratitude she felt for a young man who saw her son (who was in his early 20s), out walking late one night. Her son had Asperger's and was struggling with many issues, and this man took the time to talk with him.
These stories, along with the death of my friend, have caused me to reflect on my life, and what I value. I have such admiration for people who see a need, and in that moment, reach out. They don't serve to be seen, and they don't serve to feel good about themselves. They simply serve because it's the right thing to do. I want to be that kind of person, but so often I fall short.
A couple months ago when we were going on one of our excursions, I learned of a children's orphanage which was near one of our destinations. I thought it would be neat to visit and help out how we could. But after I contacted some people, I got the sense that many people (especially foreigners) wanted to come visit, but it was sometimes disruptive to the childrens' routines. Many people wanted to donate items, but they unknowingly donated more mosquito nets than they'd ever be able to use.
I also questioned my own motives. Is this something I wanted to do so I could blog about it? Is this something I could do so I would feel good about including a service project during our trip?
Ultimately, we ended up not going to the orphanage, partly because I wasn't certain what good we could accomplish there. And certainly this doesn't mean I don't value helping with these kinds of projects, because I absolutely do. I have nothing but respect for people who embrace a cause and make incredible things happen with it.
But I've been feeling lately that sometimes the most meaningful service is the things we do day to day, with the people who are around us. It's everyday kindness and thoughtfulness.
I'm reminded of two women who approached me several years ago in a department store. I had been dealing with a child who was throwing a tantrum and I was trying to purchase my items and leave. These women came up to me and told me how they thought I had handled the situation very well. I was super frazzled at the moment, and so grateful for their comment. I'm sure they have forgotten that instance, but I have not forgotten their kindness and willingness to reach out to me, a stranger.
Marjorie Pay Hinckley said, “I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”
That quote strikes me as interesting, partly because when people hear the phrase "[to] really live," it seems they usually think of things like travel, adventure, or success. But to really live, like Sister Hinckley suggests, means to really love. And I believe that.
I wish I was more open with people, warmer, more complimentary, more thoughtful, less reserved. Ultimately, I suppose, that is what the Atonement of the Savior is for, to enable us to be more than we are. And I plan on becoming more.
As our Costa Rican adventure is winding down, I am reminded of the things that are most valuable to me--my relationships. I love the people I have associated with here, and I love the people I will be returning to back home. I want to show them that.
And can I just add that I hate cancer.
In addition, I have recently been listening to radio episodes of Enduring It Well on the Mormon Channel. In the program, the host interviews people who have been through difficult experiences and talks with them about how they have been able to endure. The experiences range from dealing with eating disorders to becoming paralyzed, to dealing with loved ones who have been incarcerated, to dealing with chronic disease or death of a loved one. Listening to these various accounts I am struck by one of the common threads--how much even small acts of service mean during difficult times.
One man spoke of a tragic plane accident he was in, and how even though most of the passengers were killed, he survived but with badly burned and broken legs. He spoke of his trip to the hospital, and of the woman who held his hand during the transit, and how much that meant to him.
Another woman spoke of the tremendous gratitude she felt for a young man who saw her son (who was in his early 20s), out walking late one night. Her son had Asperger's and was struggling with many issues, and this man took the time to talk with him.
These stories, along with the death of my friend, have caused me to reflect on my life, and what I value. I have such admiration for people who see a need, and in that moment, reach out. They don't serve to be seen, and they don't serve to feel good about themselves. They simply serve because it's the right thing to do. I want to be that kind of person, but so often I fall short.
A couple months ago when we were going on one of our excursions, I learned of a children's orphanage which was near one of our destinations. I thought it would be neat to visit and help out how we could. But after I contacted some people, I got the sense that many people (especially foreigners) wanted to come visit, but it was sometimes disruptive to the childrens' routines. Many people wanted to donate items, but they unknowingly donated more mosquito nets than they'd ever be able to use.
I also questioned my own motives. Is this something I wanted to do so I could blog about it? Is this something I could do so I would feel good about including a service project during our trip?
Ultimately, we ended up not going to the orphanage, partly because I wasn't certain what good we could accomplish there. And certainly this doesn't mean I don't value helping with these kinds of projects, because I absolutely do. I have nothing but respect for people who embrace a cause and make incredible things happen with it.
But I've been feeling lately that sometimes the most meaningful service is the things we do day to day, with the people who are around us. It's everyday kindness and thoughtfulness.
I'm reminded of two women who approached me several years ago in a department store. I had been dealing with a child who was throwing a tantrum and I was trying to purchase my items and leave. These women came up to me and told me how they thought I had handled the situation very well. I was super frazzled at the moment, and so grateful for their comment. I'm sure they have forgotten that instance, but I have not forgotten their kindness and willingness to reach out to me, a stranger.
Marjorie Pay Hinckley said, “I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”
That quote strikes me as interesting, partly because when people hear the phrase "[to] really live," it seems they usually think of things like travel, adventure, or success. But to really live, like Sister Hinckley suggests, means to really love. And I believe that.
I wish I was more open with people, warmer, more complimentary, more thoughtful, less reserved. Ultimately, I suppose, that is what the Atonement of the Savior is for, to enable us to be more than we are. And I plan on becoming more.
As our Costa Rican adventure is winding down, I am reminded of the things that are most valuable to me--my relationships. I love the people I have associated with here, and I love the people I will be returning to back home. I want to show them that.
And can I just add that I hate cancer.
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