Week 95 - Here I Am, Rock You Like a Hurricane!

Hello familia!

Well this week was crazy that’s for sure haha!

So to start it off, I got my itinerary last week which is nuts… It’s hard to believe that my mission is coming to end here soon :( But the good thing is that I still have a lot of work to do.

Second, this last week was Week of Miracles baby! We had a ton of good plans going and actually Tuesday was a really successful day as a zone. Basically we went out and talked to tons of people in the central park here in Liberia. I played some soccer with some kids and they all said they’d come to church – I actually think they came but to a different ward haha. I beat a guy in a pushup contest too (168 but who’s counting), and the prize was that he’d come to church but the dude didn’t come…but good excuse for exercise! The rest of the week went really interesting thanks to my good friend Otto…

Yep, that was us north-west of San Jose - right under the angry red spot.

So we actually were warned by a couple of members on Monday about a hurricane that could move in. And on Wednesday the Assistants told us to help our zone out getting canned foods and water ready and to be on the alert. The days before, the weather was super cool and a little bit of wind. Actually it was really calm too, but an eerie calm.. A lot of shops were closed but we just kept working. Thursday (Happy Late Thanksgiving) we all had to go to our houses at 4:30 pm because the hurricane/storm was starting to hit Liberia. While heading back to the house, man, the sky got super, super weird. First the sky turned black and super dark, and then after, it got super red and all the birds started flying away from where the storm was coming from. And that’s when we realized it was going to be real and get bad soon so we headed to the house even quicker. haha In the house we just planned and I cleaned while my comp called some areas to see how they were doing. We actually tried to order Pizza too, but they were closed. haha  At 9pm, the lights went out.. There was a TON of rain and a TON of wind too so it was kinda cool but super scary at the same time. I took a picture outside in the middle of Otto to remember and a selfie with my comp. I took numbers from the zone by light from candles – I kind of felt like Joseph Smith, doing my missionary work by candlelight haha. And after calling all the zones and talking to the AP’s and President, we finally just went to bed.

See how red the sky is?  Weird.

The next morning, it was really cold (a miracle – there’s the miracle in miracle week for you) and everything was gray. We left and worked like normal but it was weird because NOBODY was outside! I’m super thankful that our house wasn’t damaged all that much and that we are all safe! To celebrate the safety of our District and Thanksgiving, we invited the District to my home-boy Papa John’s! The last time I ate PJ’s was with my trainer in Alajuelita.. Crazy haha. But really, any holiday feels really weird here haha - basically doesn't feel like anything. 

On Saturday, we helped the Sisters with their baptism and I baptized her! I love baptismal services – and getting to baptize is always really special too.

Other than that, this week was pretty normal… Kidding haha. Not really, but I’m really thankful for the people we were able to teach and serve this week and also for the safety we had during the storm.

It reminds me of the story when the Apostles are hit by a storm in their fishing boat and they woke Christ fearing that they were going to die. And like we all know, Christ calmed everything. He also promises us peace and calm in our lives in whatever storm that comes if we search Him out. That’s why as missionaries, we go out looking for people who need more of our Savior’s love in their lives. I love seeing the light shine in people’s eyes who finally receive the pure and restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It honestly makes everything worth it here. I love my mission, I love this Gospel and I love my Savior!

Totally safe and loving what I'm doing!!

Keep it 100!

Vivo y dinamico,

- Elder Stott  

Week 93 - Pennies for Pizza

Good news!  We got Josh's return itinerary today - he gets home February 9th!

Hey fambam!

Well whatsup? Hope all you guys had a great week!

Well this week honestly flew by really really fast! It’s a little different here without Chino (I miss that guy) but it’s still really good. My comp is really athletic and he likes Barcelona (the professional soccer team from Spain). We get along really well – he is a little serious but fun too, and he as lots of energy to work which is awesome.

The Zone is really good. President is really happy with the progress that we’re making – so if President’s happy, everyone’s happy haha :) There were some changes in the zone but some really great missionaries came. It’s funny because I’m pretty much the craziest missionary here in the zone. I've learned that to have success, you have to have fun too. Obviously there are lots of times where we need to be pretty serious, but I think the missionaries enjoy the energy and excitement! I always feel like a football coach with them haha. One of my favorite things to do is yell "Who guides this mission?!" and the answer is "The God of Israel!!!" it's pretty sick haha

This week elder Alfaro and I bought a pizza with straight coins haha. We'd both been saving all our little coins haha. We bought a pizza that costed 10mil (20bucks) expensive - I know. With coins that are 1 and 5 cents hahaha. It tasted really good haha.

This week was pretty good with teaching as well! Elder Alfaro and I teach really well together. He's pretty young but he teaches powerfully through the Spirit! So I really enjoy teaching with him!

Thanksgiving will be pretty normal here. There's a member that lives in Santa Cruz (an area in the zone) that's good friends with me. And he loves US culture so he invited us to go eat some turkey in his house - hopefully those plans come through... If not, I'll eat a giant banquet of everything that we have in the house haha! Btw turkeys are chompipi's here :)

This week we came to a party of a little girl that's investigating the church, so we had some fun with pictures there haha :)

I have a new-found love for Fruitloops, so I've been eating boat-loads of the stuff. Still the same with smoothies and yogurt with oatmeal. Skinny Elder Stott here we come! haha

Well, things are a-okay here in San Roque. Loving my time even though it's passing by super fast! Gotta enjoy every moment!

Thank you all for the love and support!

Vivo y dinamico!

- ELder Stott

Old pics of me and Chino being silly at a party

  

Week 92 - Chino is Gone :(

Hey everyone! Hope everything is sweet up there in the States!

Things are cooling down weather-wise here in San Roque!

Well it was time for my comp to go... He was for sure my favorite and craziest comp. Man, I'm going to miss that guy a lot. 

So obviously I got a new companion today! His name is Elder Alfaro from Coahoila, Mexico - the same place where Chino is from. He has like 13 months in the mission and seems like a really great guy. A little bit more on the quiet side but I think we'll get along well! So I'll be staying here in the area until Christmas at least, but I think I'll end here in San Roque!

So today I started my second-to-last change here in the mission which is super crazy. (Don't tell mom, she'll get even more excited) And I think that today is day 650, but not too sure there. My goal right now is to live the mission dream these last 3 months and enjoy every minute I have left!

We had interviews with President this week because he's doing his rotation for the whole mission! Well Chino had his last interview there and my interview went really well. This time I came prepared with questions just looking for advice. He is such an inspired man and his advice is so specific and always on point. Much respect. He said in our zone conference that along with one other zone, our zones are leading the mission! Hopefully that continues until I finish! 

Well not much else to talk about this passed week! I'll be sure to take pictures with my new comp this week! 

Love all you guys! Take care!

Siempre vivo y dinamico!

- Elder Stott

Decorating for Christmas - at the Calderon's

Week 91 - Sushi and a Song

Hey fam! What's cracking?!

Haha this week was a pretty great one! To end it great, you have to start great. So, obviously we ate sushi! The presentation was alright but it tasted good. And I found my tuna nigiri! (it's my favorite kind that's on the right side)

Chino about to eat a Wasabi ball

We also went to San Jose for leadership council meeting which was really spiritual and fulfilling. I learned tons and I'm stoked to be able to put all I learned into practice in my life and with the zone as well. I was able to see some people that are really good friends the night before over in San Jose (we have to travel the night before because it's a bus ride of 5+ hours). So it was fun :)

My companion, Elder Lopez (Chino), is dying! He has more than 24 months and he'll hit 25 here soon! He's a good missionary but in few words, his ending! So I'll be riding his tail!

Noooot much else to talk about this passed week! But I've been feeling really thankful lately for the opportunity to serve here in Costa Rica. Missionaries aren't always the most welcomed people here but I love everyone here! I love the language as well, something that I never thought would happen. Most of all, I love this Gospel and my Savior. I don't know what I would do without both in my life. And that's why I'm still here! Helping people come to feel the love our Heavenly Father has for us. No matter how far we stray from the path, The Savior is always inviting us to come back and walk with him :)

I love all you guys! Thank you for the love and support! Happy November!

Over and out,

- Elder Stott

Me and Regina Luna Calderon - mama of an awesome family