La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Only nine days in Costa Rica and we had the amazing experience of going with the Coleman's (mission office couple from Riverton) to LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDENS!  It was one of the prettiest spots we've seen on this planet!  We drove our little Toyota RAV4 up into the mountains north of San Jose about 40km and had a surreal day!  The "banos" we jungle elegant with waterfalls into the basins.

We held a Toucan, saw countless exotic birds, (aviary) had butterflies land on us, saw countless hummingbirds, pumas, jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, snakes, poisonous frogs, orchids, rode in an pioneer ox cart, and checked out an antique Tico Hacienda from 1900. 

 



We then hiked over improved jungle trails and 635 steps to five of the prettiest waterfalls that I can remember.  Cataratas Templo (Temple), Magica Blanca (White Magic), Ecantado (Enchanted), Escondida (Lost), and La Paz (the peace)!

 

 

 

and after, lunch at the $400 nite hotel 

First Week in Costa Rica

Wow, our first week in Costa Rica zipped by. The majority of the week was spent with the P.E.F./Self-Reliance Center's manager, as he trained us, introduced us to volunteers & other Ticos associated with our mission.

foto #1: This is a "tipico" Costa Rican meal. Was delicious

 

#2: At that same restaurant were these water vessels in the typical Costa Rican blue, or that's what I call that color.

 

#3: Val, in full Tico regalia, relaxing on our balcomy.

 

#4 & 5: our 1st weekend here was General Conference. We went to 4 different chapels to watch all 4 sessions. It's so fun to meet the "misionaros" & seeing the bottom of this Elder's shoes, tells me that he's been working hard.

 

 

 

#6: The Millers on the left are the couple that we replaced. They're from Sparks, Nevada & shared every bit of knowledge they had, in the few days they spent w/ us before going home. We were greeted by a clean apartment, ready for use. They even had food there so we wouldn't starve until we could go shop for food. Our daughter Melanie & her husband Jeff, both served missions here about 12 years ago. The Soto's are one of the families they knew then. It's fun to have members here, remember them. Maritza Soto, pictured here with her husband & their youngest daughter & spouse, is a key, dedicated volunteer at the P.E.F/Self-Reliance Center.

 

#7: A panoramic shot of San Jose from our balcony

#8: Val working on his laptop, something that I have a feeling we'll be doing plenty of.

 

#9: And finally, after our 1st week here, a "foto" of our apartment building on the main drag in San Jose.

 

PURA VIDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're Here!

We made it & wanted you all to know. That's San Jose you can see out the patio door. Turns out, we're on the 12th floor, not the 9th. The 9th floor is where the pool is : )  It's going to be tough, but somebody's got to do it. Once Elder Pete got past security in the Salt Lake Airport  (don't know what the fuss was about, it was just a pocket knife & another pocket knife in a snazzy multi-tool that the kids gave us). Oh, & then we nearly missed the plane in Dallas w/ a 10 minute connection, but what's traveling without a little adventure right? I almost forgot about being nearly side-swiped twice on the freeway as we left the airport, but other that that, no worries!

There's a nice, cool breeze coming through the patio door, which is great. I told Elder Pete (alias Val) that when it's hot & if he can't find me, I'll be idling, in the car w/the ac on or hanging out in the air-conditioned elevator. I'm hoping The Lord will bless me with the gift of tongues + maybe He'll also throw in a cooler body temperature for me.

Miss you already, but excited to be here.

Buenos Noches, especially to the Nochebuena's : )

Elder y Hermana Petersen

Most Excellent MTC Sunday Devotional

 Even Senior Sister Missionaries can be David Archuleta Fans-especially Me

 

MTC Senior Missionaries

There were 85 senior missionaries including 11 single sisters.

 

Our MTC District

Our MTC District and Teachers (Sis. Pace & Bro. Zundell from Uintah)

 

The Kirschbaums, to our right are from Eagle, Idaho & are going to South Africa. Next to them are the Austins who'll stay home in Sandy, Utah & serve a member/leadership support mission, & finally the Harris' from Nephi, Utah will be serving a M.L.S. mission also to New Mexico/Arizona in a very remote place, in the middle of The Navajo Nation. Our teacher in the afternoons was Brother Copans who served in S. Africa & unfortunately we didn't get his picture. We've spent this 1st week at the M.T.C., learning how to be better missionaries, as we share our love of Christ with others. This is a great bunch of people & we've met many other great people here.