And May I Present To Ya.....Costa Ricaaaaaaaaaa!

This is long over due. However, I figured it would be a good thing to blog, instead of studying for a midterm that I'll take in a few days. Naturally, that's the Monday morning feeling. Don't judge Mom--I'll still study! I just haven't really journaled some of my latest feelings yet. I've been so busy with school and living life that sometimes I forget that I have a mission call. And then I remember and then I have pure excitement, love, and a tinge of thrilling joy run all the way through me and I get soooooooooooooooooooo happy! It's kinda ridiculous. But I love it so so so much. It's amazing the kinship I feel to this land. For reals, though--I know that I was called by God, through a living prophet--specifically to be in Costa Rica for 18 months--to do something great. Here is a little of what I've been able to find out about Costa Rica (because let's be real here--before the mission--I hadn't really ever had a single, solid thought about that country...I'm sure I knew it was a country...I think).

So the night I got my mission call, Bishop Sloane gave me a phone call to congratulate me and tell me that he adores Costa Rica! He said that he's been there multiple times on business and that, out of all the Central America countries, Costa Rica is the number one, the safest! The prettiest. With the friendliest people. Apparently, it has the connotation of being the "Switzerland of Central America".

The next day I met someone who served in Panama (Costa Rica's southern neighbor) and he said his mission always said there were only 3 types of missionaries--the good ones, the bad ones, and the Costa Ricans. Whatever thats suppose to mean.

I also talked to this girl who served in C.A. and was in my Freshman Ward and she said that all the other C.A. countries kinda have a grudge against Costa Rica because the people are the "most prideful".

Prideful? Doubt it. I think compared to the other surrounding countries--maybe--but only because they're doing better. Costa Rica has the highest literacy rates in  C.A. and has free college! They also are very green! And love natural fruit.

Apparently, I have 2nd cousins that have vacationed to Costa Rica and LOVEDDDD the beautiful beachy/jungle, Spanish feel of the place. Both also talking about how friendly my future fellow Costans are!

Some girl in the Marching Band told me about all the scorpions that were in her clothes when she put them on when she went to Costa Rica! Dumb, dumb girl to tell me this. Then my roommates decided to look up all the other weird animals--like a basilisk (from Harry Potter--yes). Monkeys...I hope I can outrun! And these little cuties! I'm not worried about them. Maybe I can keep one in a jar to make me happy.

About a week after I got my call, I was able to find a girl who served in Costa Rica about 4 months ago and now teaches at the MTC. I found out where she lived, went to her apartment,  hoping she wouldn't think I was weird doing this, and then introduced myself and chatted for awhile. She was so awesome! We talked everything Costa Rica. She gave me advice about the country's weather, people, and what to plan on! About how humid it is--and how much it rains! Which I'm partial to both climates, thanks to being born and raised in the Pacific NW and then polished in the Deep South. So I know I'll be stinkin' wet (smelly) and a happy girl!

I really don't know exactly what I want to say in this post. I've been doing my digging about Costa Rica--as I've told people I'm headed there. I ate dinner with the cutest couple on this Earth (some 2nd cousins) who are expecting their 1st baby soon (on 12-12-12---really well planned and executed, eh) and who both served missions and taught at the MTC, and who also went to Costa Rica in February, and we just chatted about the Gospel. And it was so great.  And I want to be them in 5 years.

I think--I'm already growing to love Costa Rica so much. And as weird as it is--I already stinkin' love my mission. I feel like I'm in for a lifetime of blessings--of happiness--to be truly wow-zered (which isn't really a word) by how much joy can come into your life by living the Gospel, coming unto Christ through genuine, sincere, and continual worship; and helping everyone else do the same thing.

"Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior, and that goal is enhanced by our unselfish service to others." -E. Robert D. Hales

   *And here's a quick shout-out to the temple. I double stinkin' triple LOVE love LOVE the temple. Good thing Costa Rica has one (pictured above)! Its been a month since Friday and I've been able to go 9 times, which still doesn't fill the desire in me to always go. Everyday I look at my schedule and try and think of how I could possibly squeeze it in--I don't understand much--but I know it is the House of God. And I feel a sacred, holiness that resides within. And every time I leave--I leave with an incredible, set-apart-feeling from the world. I just see life in an easier and happier light.