Cartago Costa Rica 4.28.14

So we got to do something pretty cool and a historic event in the Church.

The Church decided that it would be a great idea to put up a Kiosk about the Church and as people walk by we talk about the church. We were the Pilot missionaries for this Kiosk idea. First one in the world. Super cool. Usually we contact 10-15 people in a day. With the Kiosk we got over 100 contacts in about 2 hours. Very successful. One of the ladies Elder Johnson talked with accepted a baptismal date right there on the spot. Super tuanis.

Entonces, life is pretty usual down here. Super stressful, fighting with companions, preaching the good word, and changing lives. We were frustrated again yesterday when no one showed up to church from our investigator pool. People use the excuse, I can't go to church because I have this. When in reality they should be saying, I can't do that because I have to go to Church. It's a little backwards but we sigamos adelante.

This week I relearned that I were my heart on my sleeve. When I'm angry, everyone knows it. When I'm sad or happy, everyone knows it. I decided that the mission is the perfect opportunity to begin to change that. I need to learn to control my emotions. I started wondering about how I can do that. My mind went to the Savior. He was the perfect example of Self-Control and Self-Mastery. Even after we was whipped, betrayed, spat upon, crowned with thorns, smacked, unlawfully condemned, and nailed to a cross, we still had the self-control to not become angry. He still looked heavenward with a perfect love and said,"Father, forgive them"

This week I've been trying to learn more about how the Spirit talks to me and how I can learn to rely on Him. It's difficult. But what I have learned is that in order to receive revelation, you must be doing something. You have to be moving and acting or it will never come. The idle brain is the devils playground. When you sit and stare at the wall, you think yourself into depression and the cannot instruct you. I will liken our lives to a car. We have tremendous power and potential under our hood. But we when we sit at a light that Heavenly Father has turned green, we are simply idling. God cannot stir a parked car. So move forward and listen to the GPS or Gods Pure Spirit, (Holy Ghost) for where you should be going. The Spirit will help you get to you need to go. If you're heading in the wrong direction, He will reroute you. He sees the collapsed bridges and the roadblocks in your way. And when you break down on the side of the road and think you cant keep going, He is still your 24/7 Road-Side Assistance who dispatches employees to come help you. Namely Mom, Dad, Bishops, Leaders, and even the Prophet. So dont worry about it. Enjoy the ride. Everything works out in time. We will all get to Paradise eventually.

Love you lots,

Siga Adelante,

Elder Neider

PS Happy Birthday Brendon. I was going say that last week but esta bien con saying it now. BTW, There's a menos activo here that thinks you super cute and says you wont message her back on Facebook. HAHAHA classic

PSS The package got here last Tuesday and is being held hostage in the office until the Lideres de Zona go and get it. Also I finally sent off the SD Card last monday so its on its way.

Cartago Costa Rica 4.21.14

Ok Team,

This week was very...... different. Lots of good, lots of bad, tons of weird.

Easter in Costa Rica is very different. They celebrate the Semana Santo or the Holy Week or The Final Week of Christs Life. For one whole week almost every pulperia is closed and on Thursday and Friday even the buses weren't in use. Friday was especially hard for us to teach because we couldn't use the buses to travel to the other towns where our investigators live. So it became a Finding New Investigators day. But it was hard because it was Viernes Santo or Holy Friday. Ahhh.... Semana Santo, the only week of the year where everyone lives there religion. Good times.

We watched one of the ceremonies that they do as well as drove by the same ceremony in the week. About 200-300 Costa Ricans march, dressed up as Roman Soldiers and march around the block in the slowest manner possible. It takes 3 hours of march for the march to be complete. It was funny because Elder Estrada and I were walking with Michael, our landlord, in the opposite direction of where a lot of the Ticos were traveling. We were in Agua Caliente which is the shady part of Cartago. Me, being a white, blonde haired, blue eyed missionary of a different Church than the ceremony in the shady part of my area, I felt like I stood out a little bit. I dont know why I felt that.

The work goes forward.

Elder Johnson told me that I would find the Costa Rican versions of everyone I know from back home. So far I have found the Costa Rican versions of Grandma Margo, Mom, Brittany my cousin, and Jennifer Lawrence. Thats all I can think of right now but if I remember others I'll write them in. BTW, one of the Ticos named Angie looked at my facebook profile and all my friends and thinks that Brendon is muy guapo. She's looking for a husband and has decided to move to Utah to find one. Your welcome bro.

Anyways, the Tico version of Mom is named Patricia. She is awesome. Her and her husband are our greatest investigators right now. Yesterday they came to church and they just eat up the information we give them. She gives her husband the same exact look that Mom gives Dad after he's said something just to bug her. It's hilarious. She calls him Tanto all the time too!!! The translation for the word is silly but when you use it in this sentence, "No hace algo tanto" it translates to "Dont do anything stupid". She said that and my mind immediately translated it to "Moron". Her hair is the same style, does the same faces, and even insults the same way!!! JAJAJA.

Elder Estrada lost are house keys last night so we couldnt return home until our landlord came home. This was no accident, him losing the keys. Divine Intervention. We decided to travel down to one of our investigators houses deep in Cocori to fill the time. They couldn't talk with us but as we were walking back, Elder Estrada followed a prompting to turn and contact a house. The mother was an LPE or someone he spoke with on the bus the previous day. We went in and began to teach them. This is where it gets interesting. We sat down and the woman he contacted was drunk. We talked with all 4 people but the drunk mom wanted to practice her English with me. She told me about how hard life is and how mean this family was to her. She told of how she wasnt married to the man in the house and how mean he is. She spoke of how it is the perfect time for her to receive the Gospel. She also told me of how she is 4 months pregnant and yada yada yada. So my attention was on her. Elder Estrada focused one the other three and we now have 4 new investigators and 3 of them now have baptismal dates for May 18th. We returned to the house with me in bewilderment because I've never talked with a drunk for a long period of time. We walked into the house and immediately found our keys.

The Spirit knows us. He knows all actually. He is preparing every one of us for special experiences and opportunites for coming unto Our Father in Heaven. We must be as Nephi and go forward with faith, not knowing beforehand, and sometimes not even afterhand, the things we should do.

Mom, one of the things that has revolutionized my scripture study, is studying for other people. your calling is that of the Relief Society President and as such you are entitled to that stewardship of receiving revelation for those whom you serve. The scriptues are the doorway to revelation. Always begin your study with prayer and ask for direction. Think specifical about one of the sisters in the ward that is having a hard time or needs some help. As you study, I promise that the Spirit will lead to those things that you can do to help. This is what we do every morning. When we study for others and begin looking for opportunities to serve, we begin to realize that the Lord molds us into a tool that He can use to move His work forward. I love in the scriptures where Jesus is teaching both his Apostle in Luke, and the Nephites in 3 Nephi. "If your eye be single, then shall your body be full of light" In Doctrine and Covenants Section 4 we learn that having an eye single, means having it single to the glory of God. And again in Moses 1:39 we learn that the glory of God is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. In other words, when we focus on helping out others, we can be full of light and move forward as an instrument in His hands. I found this earlier this week of I've been waiting to share that :) Maybe that can help you with your studies.

About time with Pebbles, jajaja

Anyways I love you all,

Siga Adelante,

Elder Neider

Cartago Costa Rica 4.14.14

Hola from Costa Rica,

Things are going great here. Yesterday was a little frustrating for us because we have about 13 Progressing Investigators and about 10 Investigators and not a single one showed up to Church. Boo! Esta bien. One of the Menos Activos came through with her whole family so that was muy bueno. It was a different kind of week here. Elder Estrada went with Elder Johnson to a temple sealing of a family they reactivated and so when Elder Estrada came back we was super pumped to start getting people progressing. I had an interview with the President today and I can't wait to start getting to work again. He had me read Doctrine and Covenants 31:1-5 and substitute my name in for the name of Thomas B Marsh. It was really powerful because I've been worrying a lot about home and everyone there this past week. I need to just start thrusting in my sickle for you guys so you can receive bendiciones. Thats the best way I can help out.

I feel a little like Nephi right now. In 1 Nephi 4:6 i think. But esta bien Pura Vida.

I don't really have much to report other than that. We taught a lot of people and we need to go harder. Elder Estrada said in broken English. "We need to explode Cartago" referring to the work of course. I took it literally the first time. Jajaja. Entonces, My favorite food down here right now is the little Jelly sandwiches I make for myself every night. Two slices of bread with Grape Jelly and a carton of Orange Juice. Perfecto. It's my favorite because it's not rice and beans. Wow, I turned on the italics and I don't know how to turn it off! Darn spanish keywords. Pura Vida.

Siga Adelante,

Elder Neider

Cartago Costa Rica 4.7.14

Hola.

It's been both a great week and a terrible week. Elder Gomez and I had a Companion Inventory this Wednesday because he was mad about something. Throughout the whole thing I tried my very hardest to be humble and keep a cool head. I spoke with the Spirit a lot because he was talking down to me and yelling at me. He refused to listen to me and it was hurting my feelings. Eventually I asked," Elder, do you love me?" He said no. We began talking through that because that was the root of the problem. Turns out that he just doesn't like Gringos or people from North America. I continued to try but eventually he refused to even try to talk to me. The final thing he shouted at me was,"Fetching Gringo" which was the final straw for me. I became super upset because up until this point there was no respect for me and no respect as a representative of Jesus Christ was using racial slurs in a way intended to offend.

Elder Gomez was transferred to another area the next day. Elder Thompson said he was amazed by how humble I was. Elder Estrada said I was great until the Fetching Gringo comment. He said I looked like I was about to punch Elder Gomezs' head off. During the nighttime I said a prayer to help me forgive all the crap he's done to me. I felt the impression that I needed to apologize. I asked for help because I didn't feel like I could do it on my own. I was shaking at the foot of his bed as I said "Elder, yo quiero decir lo siento por este manana. I also want to say that I forgive you for all the bad things you do and say to me" to which he began making snoring noises when I switched to English.

I traveled to Turriabla for splits the next day where I gave my first Melchizedek Priesthood Ordinance in Spanish. I anointed the oil. The next day I traveled to Paraiso with the Zone Leaders for day two of splits. We finished off that day by playing Futbol.

Conference was amazing and exactly what I needed. My thoughts are these on Conference. In the first session, tornados and whirlwinds were mentioned 3 times. The rest of the conference was about strengthening testimonies in loads of different aspects as well as a lot about the Second Coming. My thought is this, now is the time to be strengthening our foundations and helpíng others to strengthen theirs. A whirlwind is coming and only those with a sure foundation will hold true. After the whirlwind, the Second Coming will commence. That was the impression that was made in my mind. I honestly feel that it will begin within the next 10 years. But of course I don't know. The take home message is now is the time for men to prepare to meet God.

I was informed that my MTC companion, Elder Leska, was sent home one week after we arrived in Costa Rica. He will be fine. It's not serious.

I was also informed that the reason Elder Gomez is the way he is, is because his father was shot right next to him when he was a kid. His brother was killed one week before he came into the MTC.

You never know someone else's story.

I'm unfortunately frustrated because I want to be a phenomenal missionary. But I'm falling short of my expectations. I want to be perfect right now because I want to help this people find the peace and happiness that I have found. Most, simply choose not to listen. Others simply can't understand me. I'm not the perfect missionary. But I'm having a hard time feeling like I'm doing anything right. I understand that I need to stop focusing on myself and need to be more grateful for the things I do have. I love it here. I'm growing fast and the eyes of my learning and understanding have opened. I'm becoming more here. Heavenly Father wants me to grow so He is sending me these challenges. I love Him and I know He lives. Jesus is the Living Christ and those that come unto Him shall receive their rest. The Holy Ghost is becoming my greatest friend because He comforts me when I need a friend that can't be here in Costa Rica. I love you all and I love receiving your letters. Corbin, D&C 45:62.

Siga Adelante,

Elder Neider

PS I did not get the chance to send the SD card last week. Sorry :(

Cartago Costa Rica 3.31.14

Hello Everyone,

It's been a hard and long, yet very rewarding week. On Wednesday I became crazy sick. My head felt like it was literally about to explode. It was the worst feeling I have ever experienced. My muscles ache and my voice is gone. But i understand why I experienced that. I've been wanting to understand more about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As I sat in my bed that night I was pondering to myself. I thought of the Savior and how He suffered for every sin, sickness, hurt feeling, etc. I was impressed in my mind about if I'm just one missionary with a crazy bad headache, what did He feel as He suffered from everything. To me it was a real eye opener on how little we know what the most important event in history. I was about to ask for relief in a prayer but I thought to myself. If the Savior suffered all that without relief I can handle this too. I felt a tender feeling in my heart. I felt that it was prompting to ask anyways. So I did. As the pain was relieved I understood that choosing to not ask for help is like saying, Thank you for suffering for nothing cause i wont use it. Now I'm constantly trying to find ways to use the Atonement more fully in my life. Besides that experience I don't remember that day much.

I have had one baptism named Allison age 13 in Proyecto Manuel de Jesus. The baptism of Marcos fell through because we found a full pack of cigarettes on his bed

The language is becoming easier. I understand a majority of what is being said. But I have noticed that my understanding increases the harder and more focused I am on the work. Here's a trick ladies and gentlemen. When you do what the Lord commands you prosper in the land. HAHA. Go figure. Thanks Nephi.

I started working with members lately. They love me! My companions.... not so much. I'm working hard and we have an exciting week coming up.

Siga Adelante,

Elder Neider

PS Doritos. Yep that's all I can think of right now. I'm sending the SD card home today BTW.

Cartago Costa Rica 3.24.14

Thanks for sending the Line of Authority. HAHAHA Wherever you go- There you are. HAHA thanks Dad.

So I had a cool run in with the Gift of Tongues earlier this week. I woke up a basically re-enacted the beginning part of Bedazzled when he wakes up and can speak Spanish. I had the music in my head the rest of the day. No se if thats actually Gift of Tongues or not. But my companions told me where the library was regardless.

HAD MY 2ND CONVERT YESTERDAY!!! I say second because it was my first convert.

We would've had 2 but Marcos drank some coffee to wake up for his baptism. Facepalm.

We couldn't find the key to the font so I had to jump over the safety glass to unlock it from the other side. haha I almost biffed it. THE WATER IS FREEZING.

I didn't bring a towel because I thought that one would be provided. But I received a tender mercy. I walked into the bathroom and as I was changing I recognized that my garments weren't wet. As I slipped my regular church pants on, my legs became completely dry without wiping my leg on the pants. I don't how to describe it well. But I felt like it was a "good job" said from My Heavenly Father for bringing one into the fold. My joy was great.

I do need some advice. I see the blessings of being an obedient missionary. In the CCM (MTC) Hermano Turner said,"I was not a perfect missionary. But I knew that I could be a perfectly obedient missionary and love perfectly" Thats what I want. But I have to have a companion who shares my enthusiasm for obeying all the rules. How can you talk to your companion about being more obedient? Or telling them, "Elder we shouldn't be doing this".

I do it as humbly and as nicely as I possibly can. But they still get upset at me for trying to receive all the blessings I can. I NEED THEM!! haha.

I've been quite frustrated lately with the language. Church is a killer. I listen to Spanish all day and understand about 40%. But church is 2 hours of straight ldkfja;lsdkfja;lsdkfja;ldkjf;lasdkjf;laskfj after Sacrament. I got the worst headache.

Yesterday I gave my first talk in church. I forgot my written talk at home. Facepalm. So the Spirit gave a talk for me. As it should be.

The Word of Wisdom is the most frustrating thing in Costa Rica by far. In a wonderful home of investigators we've been visiting, a man named Michael, a brother-in-law, had a beer in his hand as he began asking us about the church. I was first bothered by this because this home had 9 kids running around all under 6 years old. I shrugged it off until we walked in the kitchen and I saw 6 other empty beer cans lined up on the counter. I realized that the only responsible adult in the house at the current time of 9 children, was drunk. I did not feel Christ-like love for this man. I have taught this family for 3 weeks and he had the nerve to get drunk when it was his responsibility to watch over them. In the middle of our discussion he picked up his 2 year old son with one hand and with a beer in the other, began to accidently pour beer in the childs hair and he tried to take some drinks. He never figured out how to hold both and even set the sleeping toddler on the ground rather than put the beer down. My heart felt a different kind of sorrow.

Other than that things are going great here. I miss you all and can't wait to get back. Skyler hit his 7 month mark last week. He says it goes by quick. I wouldn't give up this experience for the world.

Siga Adelante,

-Elder Neider

PS I finished Jesus the Christ this morning. Phenomenal.

Cartago, Costa Rica 3.17.14

All is well in Costa Rica. I love the people, the language is coming, and we just started working with the members. This week was a little frustrating I'll admit. On Thursday I didn't understand a single word and I started missing home. I read a talk in my Costa Rica Mission Plan that the President gave us called Lock Your Hearts by Spencer W. Kimball. It talks about, you guessed it, Locking your heart.

It talks a lot about "an eye single to the glory of God". It doesn't directly say that but thats the take home message I received. I was focusing on other things. Especially the language. I was focusing so much on what I wanted to say or how I was gonna say that the Spirit didn't have room to give me what to say. After reading that talk I simply just had to "open my mouth and it was filled".

Distractions such as thinking of home, people, plans or what life will be like when I get back, and even the language were preventing me from moving the work forward. But once I decided to lock my heart, everything started falling into place.

Today we were suppose to go hike a volcano, but instead we went and dropped off a package in San Jose for Elder Gomez. Oh well.

Elder Gomez is from Honduras and Elder Estrada is from Guatemala.

I'm still figuring out how mailing works so I won't be sending an SD card home for a little bit until I know for sure.

Happy St. Patricks Day! They don't celebrate it here.

There is no such thing as modesty here. The other day we were teaching a less-active member named Jessica and let's just say her shirt keep falling off. So I stared looking at the floor and she got upset at me for not looking at her when shes talking to her and vice versa. I played the Gringo card and simply said "No entiendo" (I don't understand) and continued looking at the ground.

So it also turns out that the bites aren't really bites. I think. Ayelcia said it had to do with the heat and gave me an ointment for it. Not helping. So whatever it is its only on my arms and hands. Oh well.

My favorite thing is handing out copies of the Book Of Mormon. (BTW thats the correct way to pluralize The Book of Mormon. Not Books of Mormon or Book of Mormons.Its copies of The Book Of Mormon).

The last two days have been Stake Conference. The Hastening of the Work program just got here. Super exciting. On Sunday we watched a telecast from Salt Lake to the Central American Stakes of Zion. James B. Martino, Bonnie Something in the Young Women's General Presidency, Richard G Scott and Dallin H Oaks spoke. Elder Scott and Elder Martino actually can speak Spanish so they did. But Elder Oaks and Bonnie were voiced over. Anything else interesting happen? Got attacked by our Land Lords dog Lula. The lights weren't on so she didn't recognize us. My calf kills.

The only I need sent is if Dad could send me an email of our Line of Authority. It actually comes up more than iI thought it would.

Also, send Sydney Edwards a message on Facebook saying she promised she would write. Best friend indeed.

Anyways that all for this week I guess. Love you all.

Siga Adelante,

Elder Neider