February in Costa Rica

FEBRERO EN COSTA RICA

Hola mi familia y amigos,

February has been a mixed up month.  We have had many wonderful experiences and adventures but others that are upsetting and sad.  Below on the left is President & Sr. Rivera.  He is the 1st Counselor in the Temple Presidency.  About three weeks ago they were advised that their oldest daughter (living in Arizona) and her husband were walking in front of the new Gilbert Temple to attend the open house.  Just before stepping onto the sidewalk, two cars collided on the street.  One, an SUV, slid directly into their path pinning their daughter under the car.  Her husband only suffered minor injuries.  Others witnessing this accident people ran to the SUV, along with her husband, and lifted the car off of her.  At the hospital she was put under an induced coma and was given a 50/50 chance to live.  Their family is greatly loved in her ward and the members had a special fast and prayer for her and the family.  Today we had great news that she wrote a few words telling her husband that she loves him.  Plus she moved her feet and said a few words.  There are high hopes that she will be blessed to heal, hopefully completely.  

One day Elder Cook, his wife, Elder Amado (the Area President) and his wife came to Costa Rica to visit with the missionaries and take a tour of the temple.  Before they started the tour, President and Sr. Craig (sitting next to Elder Cook) fixed a delicious luncheon.  It was wonderful being in such a friendly setting and visiting with them on a one to one basis.  We have know the Amados when we were serving in Peru.  He was in the Area Presidency there as well many years ago.  We felt so privileged to be able to spend this time with an Apostle of the Lord.  

The top two pictures are a portion of San Jose, the capital.  As a group of missionaries one morning, we decided to go to the Central Market Place.  Hoping to find some interesting souvenirs and a few decorations for our house.  Having been in Peru and Bolivia, we have seen some huge market places with everything under the sun for sale.  We were very disappointed with the one here.  It was mostly food, leather items, some jewelry but nothing to write home about.  We went pretty early in the morning to beat the crowds but as you can see everyone else had the same idea.  But it was fun anyway.

Our daughter and her husband, Julie & John, came to Costa Rica with some friends a couple of weeks ago.  They spent most of a week at three different resorts then traveled to this beautiful spot, Manuel Antonio.  It is well know for the beautiful scenery, animals, resorts and restaurants.  We met them there for two days and had an awesome time.  Anyone planning on visiting us must put this on their 'to do' list.  

These three pictures above were taken from our hotel verdanda.  We were wishing to be able to spend more time here but we are on a mission (I have to keep pinching myself to remember our reason for being here) and had to get back for Saturday shift.  

While waiting to connect with Julie and John we found this great restaurant that served the best virgin pina coladas ever.  We went back the next day just to make sure they were the best we've ever tasted, yep!

To get to Manuel Antonio beach we had to walk through part of the National Park.  Before going in, there are many tour guides with telescopes to point out the interesting facts about the foilage and animals.  Good thing we hired him because we would have never seen half the things he saw and pointed out to us.  The following pictures are just a few of the things we were able to see.  

A very unusual flower.  

Water turtle

Termite nests were all over the place.  Plus we saw some sloths but it too early for them to be out so we only saw them sleeping in the trees.

We kept asking him about the monkeys and he said when we arrive at the beach they will be coming at 9:30 a.m.  We got there about 5 minutes before 9:30.  Sure enough almost on the minute, they started swinging from tree to tree coming to the beach area.  There are signs around warning people not to feed the monkeys but they ignored it.  

It was like they actually posed for their pictures being taken.  These are called 'white faced monkeys plus we saw a few 'howler monkeys, or should I say heard them as well.

We can't express how wonderful it was to see family.  The time went by so quickly but we had so much fun.

Our favorite pastime, eating.  We found an open air restaurant down a dirt road, if it hadn't been recommended we would never have found it.  The atmosphere  and the food were fantastico.  

Having ordered Snapper, I really didn't expect the whole thing.  A filet would have been just fine.  But I must say it was delicious and oh so fresh.  We all left the next morning and met up at our house.  I served speghetti and meatballs and they were happy to see some homemade food again.  We said our goodbyes that evening and off they flew early the next morning.

Each month we have a family home evening with all the adult missionaries from the mission office, PDF office, the temple and a couple from Northern Costa Rica who proselyte.  There are about 20 if everyone shows up.  This was a Valentine FHE held down the street in the home of one of our temple missionaries.  She had her patio/garage decorated to the hilt, served a delicion Italian dinner and we plalyed some fun games too.  This is a one of the perks of serving a mission, the wonderful new friends you immediately come to love.  

I made these minion valentines for everyone.  They are the Costa Rican Twinkie and the valelntine said "You are one in a 'minion' valentine.  

Just a couple of our new friends, the Clarks from Lehi, UT and Sr. Haws from St Johns, AZ.

The temple is closed for two weeks.  Ted, as the temple engineer, is responsible to see that all the projects are done with care and finished for the opening.  He is gone most of the day during the week.  So that's why I left this blog until the closing so I would have something to do.  We hope that this letter finds all of you well and happy.  We sure miss all of you but wouldn't trade this experience for (almost) anything.

Love you all, 
The Jackmans