Hello everyone!
This week was really good, a lot happened!
On thursday, (my one year mark) we had interviews with President wilkinson. It went really well! Its always nice to talk to him. He said that i need to make the most of these last six months, and they should be my most productive! And he basically asked me what i want to do next....and you will all find out when there are transfers! ;) But it was awesome because he was telling me how many things the area presidency has in mind for cartago and what they want to do to help it grow. They already have a HUGE lot bought by the church, to build a new chapel! because ours is way to small for all the people that go there! He told me, ¨I feel very strongly that you are going to be in Cartago in a historical time.¨ So i feel completely priviledged to be a part of this. Because i was able to be in Guanacaste for a historical time as well!
So yeah it was kinda weird to complete a year...i already did a list for how you know youre out for 9 months, so the only thing im going to say about how you know youve been out for a year, is not wanting to go home! Obviously there is a lot i miss about home, but the work here is just so important and its such a priviledge to be a part of it, i dont want to go back to being just a regular member of the church! haha :) i know that i can always be a missionary, but its so different being set apart as a full time missionary. Its a complete priviledge and honor.
On saturday, we went to the temple for a wedding! Hermana Soto was a bridesmaid in the wedding - since shes just a mini missionary they gave her permission to still go. So i felt a little weird being at the wedding haha but it was beautiful. Here in CR they get married civilly in the chapel, and then after eating and what not they go to the temple and get sealed. I actually like that because you get a regular ceremony and then the temple sealing! It was very special. They read from The Family: A Proclamation to the World, sang hymns, and did their first dance. And it was funny because i was assigned to be with the bride in the room as she was waiting to go out! Haha!! Because all the bridsmaids had to walk and everything. And the bride speaks english so she just wanted to speak in english because she was so nervous. She kept saying, ¨I am so stressed!¨ And then she would say, ¨I am so in love!¨ Haha it was so cute. A very weird experience as a missionary but good!
Ok so now i just want to talk about Carlos and Vera. Vera is the one with MS. Seriously i cant even explain all that has happened with them, because it is all such a complete miracle. Since the first day we went they have loved everything and have said how much joy they feel when we talk about the gospel, and Carlos just absolutely loves church and the people and everything. This week when we were visiting them, Carlos told us that he has always felt like he has been waiting for something more, and that he is searching for the truth. When he said that, Vera lifted her hand up and pointed at her self. Carlos said, ¨You too are searching?¨ And she said, ¨Yes.¨ carlos said that she had never admitted that, ever, and that he felt so happy that she was in the same boat as him. We then committed them both to baptism again, and vera accepted! Carlos was SO happy, and he literally always talks about how badly he wants eternal life with his whole family. He said to Vera, ¨I just keep picturing us on the other side, hand in hand, you walking, and us with our kids, forever. I want to have eternal life with you.¨ Seriously everyone, I cant tell you how amazed i was at seeing all of this. Heavenly father as blessed me immensely to be able to even see this. Then we knelt down next to vera´s bed, and he offered the prayer. it was the most amazing prayer i have every heard.
So yesterday, us, the elders, and Jorge our ward mission leader went over to have their baptismal interviews. Vera at the beginning said that she didnt feel ready - that she wanted to wait to feel more prepared to take this huge step. But she agreed to have the interview anyway. So Elder Gomez had the interview with her, while us missionaries helped their daughters cook and clean the house. Then when he finished that interview he started the interview with Carlos. Jorge was talking to vera and then called to me and said, ¨Hermana geis, come in here right now!¨ So i went in and Vera was explaining how she was feeling. She said that the interview went really well, and that she was able to be really open with Elder Gomez - she said that she felt so light and filled with a peace and joy - we were like, that is the spirit! That is your answer! She then said that she also felt scared...because she knew that her family would be completely against it. But we just let her talk, and didnt say anything. Then she said, ¨Well who do i listen to....my family, or God?.....I need to listen to God.....Im going to get baptized.¨ It was AMAZING to see the spirit work in her that way. Then when Carlos finished his interview he came in, and we said to Vera, ¨Do you want to tell him?¨ And she said to Carlos, ¨Im not going to let you do it alone:¨ Carlos just said, really?! And then he leaned over and gave her a kiss! The room was filled so stronly with the spirit and warmth and such joy. Carlos was SO happy, and Vera was just beaming.
I cant thank heavenly father enough for letting me be a part of this. I have literally done nothing, Carlos and Vera were prepared by God. They are going to get baptized this saturday, June 6th. And its going to be at the bishops house, because he has a pool! And we need a big pool to be able to baptize Vera, because we need to put her in a little bed or something. Its going to be the most amazing experience in my whole life.
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