All good things.....

Costa Rica Temple Mission coming to a close in two weeks!

It really does seem like a dream as our time here has flown by.  Many of you may think from our past blogs and this one that we were on a long extended vacation.  You are probably right.  Serving in the temple was such a blessing and we felt the Spirit each day. We met new friends, both Latins and North Americans, and helped hundreds of people progress in the Lord's kingdom.  Can't get better than that!  

We will be coming home on the 2nd of April and for those interested, we will be speaking in Sacrament Meeting on April 19th at 11:00 a.m. at the Highland 9th Ward.  Hope to see you there!

Since I haven't sent out a blog for many months, I wanted to include a couple of pictures from Christmas.  Our temple is small and our budget is small as well, so we don't put up lights but we do have this beautiful nativity and the grounds are covered with Poinsettias  We also have a choir concert each year inviting each stake to bring a choir.  We have a temple choir which performed for the last two years with yours truly as the director.  I must have director printed on my forehead because I was also the director at the Cochabamba temple choir.  We also have a big dinner and devotional for all the workers with about 200 people in attendance. That number includes spouses. 

This is our Presidency.  President and Sr. Craig are in the middle with the Riveras on the right and you know who on the left.  The Craigs will have been here almost four years when they finish their calling in November.  He was serving as the second counselor when he received his call as president.  The Rivera's are Costa Ricans and also serve in the presidency.  They are not actually on a mission.  They will have been here for four years as well when they are released in November. We have all become dear friends.

Each Sunday we are assigned to visit a different ward where we speak in Sacrament Meeting and sometimes they invite Ted to take time with the youth or the adults.  This last week we went to the El Jardin Barrio.  We took another missionary couple with us, the Maughan's from Lindon, Utah. Ted spoke about "Following the Savior" and 'being good boys and girls'.  They were so attentive and had their scriptures ready to follow along.  The young lady in black in the front gave the opening prayer in Sacrament Meeting and you would have thought she was an adult in a young girl's body. She gave a beautiful prayer.  Actually, most of the youth give impressive prayers and talks.  

A few of the missionaries took an over night trip to Cano Negro.  We took a cruise down a river with lots of wildlife. 

This is a small reptile (not really an alligator) that is called a Cayman.  The banks were covered with them.  I was grateful that we had a study boat.

This is just one of dozens of Iguanas that we saw lounging in the sun.

This is another specie of Iguana.

During the last six months, we had several friends and family members come to visit us.  Above are Bishop and LaRee Ottley from Escondido, CA.  We had a wonderful time with them visiting some of the beautiful areas of the country  Above is a plant called "the Poor Man's Umbrella".  

We were visiting a place called "LaPaz Waterfall Gardens".  It is in the rain forest of Costa Rica.  The park has a extensive bird aviary, butterfly enclosure, and a small zoo with most of the native animals from Costa Rica.  We had a great buffet as well.

Here we are, the intrepid zip liners.  In the background is the volcano "Arenal".  This is a very well known tourist town and during the high season, December-March, it's difficult to find an available hotel.

In December, our daughter, Carolyn and her husband, Scott came for a week.  It had been almost a year since we had family visit us. Needless to say, we were very anxious to see and visit with them. We took a day trip on this catamaran to Tortuga Island.  We enjoyed the beautiful blue ocean, white beach and a delicious meal.  The price included rides on a yellow banana boat, snorkeling and pampering by the staff.  

Next on the agenda was Manuel Antonio Beach.  Ted and Scott are seated in an old airplane shell. This is a site of one of the best restaurants in the beach resort city.  The views are incredible especially at sunset.

Zip lining is very popular here.  We, unfortunately, didn't pick the best day as it was raining. But it was exciting anyway.  This was the only opportunity they had to experience canopying so we bought these raincoats and away we flew.  The low clouds made it impossible to see the lake or the volcano.  The zip lines really move you along and with the rain, our faces got pelted not only with the rain but also the oil coming off the lines.    We had a memorable time.

Our dear friends, Al and Ann Kessler, came in January.  We met them in Peru when Ted served as mission president.  They were the Humanitarian missionaries.  We have stayed close as they live in Murray, Utah.  The other young man lives in Costa Rica and is in our ward here in CR.  He told us of this great restaurant and we invited him to join us.  The entertainment and food were awesome.  A night to remember.

A partial view from of the city lights from the restaurant.  

       

A beautiful sunset to finish off our week and pretty much the end of our travels in CR.  I recommend all to visit this gorgeous country.  

Thank you for your love and support.  We are grateful to be a part of your lives.  See you soon!!

The Jackmans