Perez Zeledon, Cartago, Costa Rica 4.27.15

Dear Mom and Friends,

Today is transfer day. I will be staying in Perez Zeledon along with Elder Mendoza. We have been having some great success. This last week we had the opportunity to baptize 2 sisters. My district is doing very well and we have plans to convert this Branch into a Ward. I'm hungry for it so I'm working as hard as I can to get the baptisms and reactivations to do it. I can really use some prayers to pull it off. 

There isn't much to report on. It was a pretty normal week. We had a Multi Zone Conference in San Jose that was incredible. President Wilkenson showed us how to teach with power and authority. Incredible. I've never seen someone teach like that before. It was like he flicked the spirit switch.

I love you all. Sorry I don't have much to write.

Sigamos Adelante,

-Elder Neider

P.S.  Happy Birthday Brendon you big ol' goofball. I love you buddy. Merry 28th old man. haha just kidding. I know youre 27 :P

Perez Zeledon, Cartago, Costa Rica 4.20.15

Dear Family and Friends,

I call be the fun uncle! Awesome. A little baby boy. I can't wait to meet him. I saw the photos and Megan still doesn't look like she's growing. Does all the baby growth take the last 2 months or what? Also, have you thought of names yet? I think Barry, Bart, Wally, or Jay would be good names. Just saying. And Caden or Donevan. Just throwing those ones out there as well.

This week I had a pretty cool experience. We were walking to go give service to a less active family. They weren't home so we began to start walking back to the apartment to get in missionary clothes. As we walked, I began thinking of Soccer as we passed by a field. I was wearing the Selection jersey of Colombia so I was thinking about what it would feel like to walk onto the field in the World Cup. Representing your nation on the biggest stage right? I began thinking of the Olympics and how that would feel to enter and hear all the voices chanting USA. I began to recall one of my favorite films called Miracle. It's about the USA hockey team that defeated the Russian team in the 70s or 80s. I dont remember which. I began thinking of what it would be like to put on that jersey and walk out. I remember the sign where Kurt Russell says, "You are about to go up against the best teams in the world" and picturing myself with my team as they walked out. One of the most powerful scenes is as they are walking to play Russia, they touch the letters of their loved ones wishing them luck like they were about to fight for something so much greater than a game or themselves. 

It was at this moment the Spirit pulled me back into reality and I felt the weight of my plague. I had an impression come to mind and once again a quote came into my mind. "Elder Neider, who do you play for?" as I walked my sports fantasy changed into reality and I began to understand my purpose as a missionary on a whole new level. 

I know that I am a representative of Jesus Christ. I know that this is His church. I testify that He lives. And because He lives, He continues to call living prophets and apostles to help us on our journey home. I love my family with all my heart. I hope that those that our struggling right now can look to the Savior now. He loves you. He knows your name. 

To close with this "Miracle" experience, ill end with a quote from President Gordon B Hinckley addressed to the holders of the Priesthood but which i think applies to all members who have taken upon themselves the name of Christ. 

"May you walk as you should" 

Sigamos Adelante,

-Elder Neider  

Perez Zeledon, Cartago, Costa Rica 4.13.15

Dear Family,

Goodness gracious. Grandma Margo showed me pictures of DJ`s baptism. Oh my goodness. Ashley, Brittany and Caitley are SO stinking old! I was blown away. I couldn't believe my eyes! I grabbed my companion and said,"Like at this dude!" And he said,"Whats the problem?" And I said, "My little cousins aren't little....." DJ looked just about ready to put on a plague and head out to the field. And Emma doesn't have teeth hahaha so cute looking. And the Donevans are rocking the same hairstyle haha.

This week has been pretty normal. We have been receiving a lot of help from some members and now our leaders are going to start coming to do interviews so that we can baptize people. The only problem is that they live 4 hours away. So its a bit of a hassle to get them to come. But we are going to start baptizing so they are going to have to suck it up :P 

I've been working hard in this area. I come home super tired than I ever have. I'm still not perfectly diligent but I can see my own personal progress as a missionary and man. I love my mission with all my heart. It's been pretty good here. There isn't much to report on though. 

One thing that I have learned for myself this last week was that, true, there is a lot of evil in the world. But it doesn't have to be a part of my world. I can focus my life on Jesus Christ and I don't have to participate in the bad things the world has to offer. I know that when we "choose" to live the Gospel, Heavenly Father opens SO many doors of happiness for us. I wrote choose in quote marks because living the Gospel is a choice that we have to make. It doesn't just happen on its own. 

The other thing I learned is that the Gospel and the Church aren't a religion. It's a style of life. It's the Lords way for us to live. He made this way for our joy. He is pretty good at making things. In fact, He is perfect at it. This Gospel is true. But it's your choice if you want to walk it and see where it takes you. The Gospel isn't a Sunday religion. It's an every second of every day religion. I love it

I love you all and I hope that you stay on the path. I want to be together forever with you. I am SO glad to hear that DJ went through the "Door" and is now on that path. 

If you are on the path, keep moving forward and see it through. If you've stepped off the path, find your way back. There is this great big metal pole that you can cling onto that will lead you back to where you need to be. If you haven't gone through the Door to get to the path, I exhort you to prepare to take that step. It's "a more excellent way" to live. 

I love you all. Talk to you next week ;)

Sigamos Adelante,

-Elder Neider

Perez Zeledon, Cartago, Costa Rica 4.6.15

Dear Family,

The name of my companion is called Elder Mendoza. That's super interesting to hear about the job mom. What would you like to go do? Please send photos of the graduation!

This week has been excellent. We have found some pretty amazing people. We are set to start baptizing here beginning the 18th of April and for the following two weeks. I am very excited and I'd like to share an awesome experience. 

In nightly planning, we felt the need to go into a new part of our area to look for more investigators. We studied it out in our minds and we narrowed it down to 3 different barrios. After selecting the 3, we knelt again in prayer, which of the areas we needed to go to. After the pray, we listened for the Spirit. We both said which area we felt impressed to go to and they werenot the same. I sat wondering, why we had received different revelation. As I sat I felt the impression that the area I selected was not the correct area. So I looked again at the area my companion selected. I felt that maybe if I didnt receive correctly, perhaps my companion did. The following day, we went to that area that we had agreed on. We entered the barrio and my companion asked, "Now where?"

I said "I don't know, maybe this first street" As we began to walk, I felt that once again I was wrong and that we should move on to the next street. I stopped and said, Elder I don't think this is the correct street. He said, ok, then where to we go? 

We moved on to the next street where we looked at each house for inspiration to where to go, each door was closed because everyone was gone for vacation. We kept walking until the end of the street where we found a woman seated in the front yard. We decided to open our mouths and we introduced ourselves. She began speaking and telling us how lonely she has felt. She has 17 brothers and sisters that don't talk to her and her husband just left her 2 months previous with her 3 children. She is retired already with a pension of 45 mil which barely covers the rent. She doesn't have a bed and we have no idea what she does for food. But as she explained all this, we sat still and we listened to what we should say. 

"Ortelina, do you know who we are?" she said no. "Hermana, we are the Lords servants. We felt very specifically that we were supposed to come here today to help you" She said "That's nice" with a chuckle. We decided to show her the Iniciative Gracias A Que El Vive (Because of  Him DVD). We were walking that day with the DVD player in my backpack so all could watch."She said, "But why did the Lord send you to me? I can't read or tell time. I dont know anything."  offered to read the words of the video to her and she accepted. Within seconds, she was balling because of what she saw, heard, and felt. It answered everyone of her concerns. We spoke of a loving and living Redeemer who has once again reached His hand to conformt us. We concluded by saying that through baptism she could receive the Comforter, and that she need not feel so alone. 

I know that this was inspired as was my companion to go to this area. Ortelina is preparing to be baptized the 1st of May and cannot wait for the next General Conference. She was engulfed in the love of the members on Sunday. What a blessing!

I know that Heavenly Father is watching over us. I know He has prepared His children. I know that members are key to retaining and finding.  I know that we will begin baptizing many here in Perez Zeledon. 

I love this work and I am trying my best. Let's keep moving forward

-Elder Neider

Perez Zeledon, Cartago, Costa Rica 4.1.15

Dear Family,

That's hard to hear that Pebbles passed away. I'm sorry that that happened. I love that dog lots. Bam Bam is going to miss her lots too. 

Well, I'm sorry that I couldn't write on Monday. We got a last minute update that we were going to the temple today so they cut our P Day until today. Perez Zeledon is three and a half hours from San Jose and another 40 mins to the temple. We have been in buses and the temple and that about it. Haha it's been a great day. 

I am loving my new area and a lot of funny things have happened. I don't have much time to actually write about them but.... it sufficieth me to say that Perez Zeledon is highly proselyted by many other churches. They like to bible bash which I am strongly against doing. My district.... not so much against it. I don't have much time to write today because we have to catch our 3.5 hour bus ride in a little bit. 

Here are some pictures of my new zone of Cartago and of the temple, as well as a few photos with Elder Rivera one night about 2 weeks ago. 

Sigamos Adelante,

-Elder Neider

Perez Zeledon, Cartago, Costa Rica 3.23.15

Dear Family,

SO last Friday we had the opportunity to have Elder Richard J Maines of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder Duncan come to Costa Rica to see what we have been doing to have so much success. it was a very great conference and I learned a ton. Shortly thereafter, I was transferred. I have left my little Group/Branch to go back home to good old Cartago!!! Different area though, This was the Province where I started as a missionary. It is called Perez Zeledon. 

I am so excited to start working in Perez Zeledon. We have seen miracles already. Last night, my companion and I were walking and we both felt the impression to enter a street. I knew that He had a prepared and chosen waiting for us. We began speaking with some people and we finally got into a lesson. She didn't really seem interested and didn't accept a baptismal date. We left her house and began making our way to the main street again. I began thinking, "why would the Lord give us both an impression to come here, just to get refused?" Knowing Gods character, I knew that we couldn't leave this area without finding who He had prepared. There was absolutely no one in the streets. I remembered about the "Fronteras de la Fe" and said, Lord, we are going to find them. So we began knocking doors and speaking with whatever we saw move. After 10-11 houses, we still didn't meet the success that I knew the Lord prepared for us. We saw a little kid playing in the street and we asked were his mom was. She came out and invited us in cheerfully. As I stepped through the door, a man passing by spoke to my companion and expressed his desire to have us come to his house after we were done. We said of course and began teaching the new family. They had visited the church about 10 years ago but she didn't understand exactly what was taught. She asked us to come back and she is currently reading and praying about the Restoration. After that we found the man passing by and he told us that he wanted us to help him return to Heavenly Fathers presence. He is worried about dying and would like to become clean before he goes. He has about 58 years and is in great health. But these where the two great people that we found. I feel like both with progress very quickly as they read. 

I have been assigned to be the District Leader here. I will be the leader over two companionships including my own. I know that the Lord has great plans for this area. We are close to turning it into a Ward. We are trying to raise the assistance just a little more and then we will have it. Branch converting into a Ward. Wow. I cant wait. 

I am opening an old area up so we started out with absolutely nothing. But the Lord is preparing the way. I can feel that the Lord will work great miracles though us. I already love this area and I want to give it my all. I love you all very much. 

1) Yes I received the package. It was scrum-tril-asent

2a) The volcano did affect us. I died. 

2b) Actually, it didn't affect me at all. But i heard that the missionaries there had to wear masks. They couldn't find any cuz they were all sold out. They have sore throats.

4) Right now I should be in the East Mission. I don't know for sure which though. Transfers are always unpredictable. I probably wont know until the split in June or July. 

5)The other president is from Honduras. I cant recall his name right now. 

6) Do you know how much I love you?  Are we talking a numerical value or like showing with the distance between hands, "I love you THIS much"? Cuz if we are talking numerical value, there are many unspecified variables that we have to consider to calculate before making an honest hypothesis as to the love of a mother to her sarcastic son serving a mission. And if we are talking about in hand motions, well I just don't think my wingspan does your love justice :P

7) If you called me a moron while reading this, you're welcome ;)

I love you all

-Elder Neider

PS President has changed our writing day back to Monday with P-Day

Puerto Viejo, Heredia, Costa Rica 3.17.15

Dear Family,

I have incredible news! and some bad news....

First the Bad!

They broke into our house again! This time the Gadianton Band took an old television from the Relief Society. It doesn't work so jokes on them. Other than that no more bad news.

OK. Are you ready for all the good news?!?! 

First off, Octavio was baptized and confirmed on Sunday. One of better feelings in the world was watching this man change. He is here to stay. A true convert. 

Second thing is that we called our mission President about the 3rd robbery. He said that we have permission to find a new house as soon as possible. We have been house shopping and now our Zone Leaders will approve one so we can move in later this week. 

Thirdly, the Stake Presidency came to our little Group on Sunday to officially organize us as a Branch of Zion. All auxiliary leaders were called and now we a little Branch. What a tender mercy to have been able to see this after 6 months of working hard to reactivate and baptize. What a blessing!

The Stake President came up to us to say thank you for our work and commented on the robberies. He said that we were 2 days away from pulling the missionaries out of the area and closing it for awhile. They said we shall see what happens in the future. 

This week as well, Elder Duncan of the Area Presidency of Central America will be coming. With the mission split approaching we know it will be big. Yesterday, should have been transfer day, but all transfer are being postponed until after the conference with Elder Duncan. This is going to be a big week.

I know that the Lord is truly hastening His work here in Costa Rica. I love my mission. Hope you enjoy the photos!

Sigamos Adelante,

-Elder Neider

PS Love you all