Reese in Costa Rica: Week 73 - Another transfer

Baptism of Denise and Sofia

Hey fam!!

Well this week is one of the slowest weeks in Costa Rica. It's called Semana Santa and almost everyone takes the whole week off and goes to the beach so the whole area was like a ghost town. And the people that stayed home, had family in town so they didn't want to receive us haha so we spent a lot of the week visiting the few investigators and members that were in town and watching all the Catholic processions.

It's really cool to watch because they act out almost the whole last week of the Savior's life starting with His entrance into Jerusalem and finishing with His resurrection Sunday morning. It's a little weird because they make a whole bunch of Christ statues and carry them around in the streets, but its a nice touch to help us remember the importance of this week. They also have the tradition to make a fake Judas and burn it Saturday night...... not sure about that one.

So it was kinda a slow week, but on Thursday I got a call from one of the APs that I had to be in the office Friday morning for the leadership meeting because I was going to have changes. I gotta admit I was super bummed when I got that call because I love Moravia so much. It's been so much fun and to only be here one change was heartbreaking. So Friday I went to the leadership meeting and President told us because of the success we were seeing in the mission, he didn't want to change a lot of the leaders this transfer, but that Elder Adams, one of the APs, was going to head out and finish his mission as a trainer, leaving an open spot to fill. I've had some surprises in my life, but I've never been more shocked to hear my name called. I don't really remember what happened after but everyone asked me if I was ok because I guess my face kinda went blank and it looked like I was going to pass out haha but I managed to make it through the meeting and the shock has almost passed now. I'm really bummed to be leaving Moravia and I'm incredibly nervous for what's coming, but after this change I've understood better the plan the Lord has for all of us and that He really is in charge here. It's a new adventure and I know I'm going to learn a ton, so we'll see what happens.

Saturday there was a baptism of a few investigators I taught in El Carmen and President gave me permission to go and then the rest of Saturday and Sunday we spent saying goodbyes to some of the families we had really gotten to connect with. Sunday I got to give a talk since I got cheated out last week and I think it went ok, and it was a good chance to thank and say goodbye to everyone I hadn't been able to visit.

But anyway, hope you guys are all doing great. Love you all a ton! Happy Easter! Enjoy conference! Wish me luck!

Elder Hansen