August 13, 2016

Hello there my family!

Wow, it seems as though every time I write, It seems that much closer to October. How crazy is that? It is also really sad. But, I dont want to think about that right now! 

This week we got a very interesting and sad phone call from our investigator named Victor. If you don´t remember him, he is a 20 year old young man that is an Apostal for another church. He loves the book of mormon and wants to come to church, but he has had to take care of his grandma every sunday so he hasn´t been able to come. However, he called us on Tuesday and told us that His Grandma had passed away not even 2 hours before. He told us he wants to meet with us next monday to talk. We thought it was very sad but also a huge turning point in his life which makes him very vulnerable for the Gospel! 

This week I had to take 10 missionaries to get their ID cards done. We had to wait 4 hours in Migration for the people to finally get the paperwork done. It was pretty stressful, but I made it through it without problem. Next week is our Week of Miracles! In the Mission Leadership Counsel, we decided that each day of the week, we would focus on a specific theme to work with. Monday: The Book of Mormon. Tuesday: The Sabbath Day. Wednesday: Baptism. Thursday: Family History/Temple Work. It will be very interesting to see how it plays out.  The APs are going to dress up like a HUGE Book of Mormon and walk around contacting people. It will be intersting!! haha

So, I talked to President this week. He called me in and asked me who I thought would be a good replacement for me. I told him that I have Felt that Elder McCay from California would do my job fine. He said he would take it into account and we will be seeing soon. He then asked me a couple of questions. "How long did you get trained for as a secretary?" I said "One Change" Then he said "HA! I know you can do it in less time than that, you will be training the new secretary 2 WEEKS before you go home!" I thought that was really interesting! I can´t believe the Lord trusts me that much to train only 2 weeks a job so complicated. But, if that´s what the Lord wants, I will do it.

It is almost changes week again and we are recieveing 4 Missionaries from UTAH! Oh ya;) Lots to do, and then it´s my LAST TIME! (Less Stress) I love you all and I hope that you all have a great week! Thank you for everything!!

Love always, 

Elder Negro

Selfies with the best book!

Stud!

August 6, 2016

BBC!!

Elder Andrade that had to go home for his knees

July 30, 2016

Buenos dias mi querida familia,

This week I have never wanted more than to feel the spirit in my life. Coming down to those last moments, it makes me think, what do I need to accomplish before coming home? Elder Frederiksen and I have been focusing on Obedience, Patience, Humilty, and following the spirit. We know that we are nothing without our Heavenly Father´s help. We are just human bodies with a spirit that needs to learn. And the only way that we will learn is if we are humble and accept the Lord´s counsel and Obey what he has commanded us. We have been teaching a family lately named Jairo and Scarlett. They are a young couple about 30 years old with 2 kids. Logan (7) and Liam (11 months) They are an absolute miracle. We love them so much even though sometimes they are lazy. They have showed great faith and desire to follow Jesus Christ in their lives. They are funny and loving. On Wednesday, they came over to a members house to have a family home evening! It was a great hit. They created a great friendship with the members and already made plans to come to church on Sunday and to have ANOTHER family home evening next Wednesday! Please pray for them that they will come to church on Sunday. Their baptism date is the 27th of August. They will also be getting Married on that day! We will be helping the Lord bring a family back into his fold.

This week we also found a man named Nelson. He is a young man about 26 years old and lives with his girlfriend Arelis. Nelson smokes marijuana like a chimney, but he knows it is terrible for him, he just can´t stop. Yesterday, he didn´t smoke! He forced himself to not smoke! He has a baptismal date on the 5th of September and he is coming to church this Sunday. Please pray that we will be able to meet our investigator attendance goal this week please:) 

There is a scripture that I love that shows everyone their full potential that I want to achieve. It is in Doctrine and Covenants 67. I invite you all to read this section. Study it Together as a family and write down the promise that the Lord makes to us.

I love you all and I hope that you have a great week. If you need anything, just let me know! I LOVE YOU!! 

-Elder Black

My birthday package arrived!

July 16, 2016

Since we can´t have guitars and ukelele, I bought a harmonica so my companion and I can play hymns in lessons. 

Everything is great! I have 2 changes left! this is my last change as the Migration secretary! Then I will be training. This week was crazy because it was changes week!

Here is my friend, Toucan!! Its cool huh?

This was done by one of the members in Escazu. He is 18 years old! He draws like a pro!

Happy Birthday Mom and Beau!

July 9, 2016

HELLO MY FAVORITE FAMILY!! This week was pretty interesting and really busy!!!

This week, We found a young man named Victor that has NEVER heard about the Book of Mormon in his life. Before this, we were standing in the road praying to know which way to go. We had a feeling we should go behind us on a road that was not busy at all. But I saw a young man in the house on his phone and I had the feeling to talk to him. He loved the Book of Mormon! We gave him a book and gave him 2 Nephi 31 to read!  We haven´t been able to visit him again because of the office schedule, but he will be coming next Sunday to church with us. 

This week I have been studying the importance of the Book of Mormon in our own personal conversion. I have never realized why it is so important! I will give you a little hint to help you investigate the members in your ward. ***The members who are Studying the Book of Mormon DAILY, will always have spiritual experiences. Will always be looking for someone to share the gospel with. Will ALWAYS come EARLY to Sacrament meeting, and Always want to strengthen others before themselves. these things i have seen here in Costa Rica and I´m darn sure that it happens in Utah as well! 

Think about it! When we take time to read the Book of Mormon, we discipline ourselves! I invite you all, if you are already not, to take 30 minutes everyday to study, not just read, but study the Book of Mormon. you will see a new light in work, school, with friends, and will have the desire to change things that aren´t right. 

I love you all! This week is changes week and so It will be *insane!! I love you all! If you need anything, let me know!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Monkey taking a selfie with my camera! Zoo trip!

In my new house, I wake up and open the door and we find a big pile a CRAP! Literally! Left by homeless men in San Jose! Awesome right!? hahaah Thought I'd share that with ya;)

Selfie!

Mountain view from my area

Tico Bus

a pic from heredia

July 2, 2016

Leadership Counsel Yesterday!!

ZONA SION!!!
#AlReinoDeDiosONada
#FeEnCadaPaso

June 25, 2016

Well hello there everyone! This week was pretty great!

We have been teaching this family from Nicaragua named Bismark and Tatiana. They are a golden family that just understand everything we teach them! They have a baptism and Wedding date for the 17th of July! Right before our birthday! WE also found a family named Jeuel and Scarlett in the mountain of Escazu! They were being taught by Elder Kepo´o and Elde Acuña a year ago. Actually, when I was in Santa Ana, I visited them on divisions but they never got baptized! 

Well, President called my Companion and I into his office yesterday and said, "Elders, I have received revelation from the Lord. You have been in this area for too long. You will now be switching with the other Secretaries to San José Central to work still as secretaries but in a different area!" Its the HUGE city in the Center of Costa Rica! BABYLON here I come! Ha,ha 

This week was normal! Ha,ha. But with lots of twists and turns! I am getting ready to take Elder Bullecer to the Airport in 2 weeks! This will be my new area. It goes ALL the way through the center! It´s huge! 

Well, I will be in this area for only 3 more months! Then I will be coming home. I love you all! Have a great Week!!!!

My new Costa Rica Jersey;)

Snake

Art Show at the church

My favorite!!