When I first moved here, I wanted to make a blog all about what happens once in Puerto Rico, but I later realized, the adventure is so different for so many people.... but it surely is an adventure. I've decided I want to remember these "adventures", because right now I feel defeated, and broken.. but I know that the Lord, Jesus Christ will help me through and has thus far in all of our adventures. I don't want these trials to sound like complaining, so I am going to try to present them in a way of love and understanding. The best of my ability! <3 It's not my intention to whoa is me, and whine. I just need to remember these huge lessons I've learned.
. This Chronicle is The Rescues, a message of Prayer, Miracles, & Love .
We arrived in Puerto Rico on February 12th. We had 2 days in a hotel, since Valentines day would was booked and would be more expensive. We stayed at the Marriott which was very comforting. During those two days in our hotel I learned a few things very quickly:
1. Most hotels have mandatory valet parking with hidden additional charges.
2. You have to pay cash for just about everything
3. The sheets will burn your skin a little, because the amount of bleach washed in
4. P.R. DOES NOT HONOR AMERICAN FOOD STAMPS
5. Our phone service no longer works in P.R.
In our search for housing, we were hoping we'd find something we could move into. Adam was in charge of all of this, because I don't speak the language and had phones hung up on me over and over. The last night in the hotel, I took matters in my own hands and started calling people and emailing postings on Craigslist, which usually isn't used here. I was hoping they would understand English since it was on Craigslist, and not clasificadospr.
I found a furnished apartment that I thought would be great. The owner asked me to meet her at 11 the next day. When we left that morning we got a call from a Realtor. He said he wanted to show us an apartment at 2:00. Adam took the call, knowing we probably already would get the furnished place. I'm glad he did, because on our way to Bayamon to meet her we got the call that we had too many kids for her 3 bedroom apartment, and would not be able to rent the apartment. We booked a hotel for the night, and drove to the school. The school became our safe haven. It felt comfortable, normal, and the reason we were here in the first place. We felt so defeated.
Adam went into the library to use the internet for housing search and mapquest, because our phone service, and GPS didn't work anymore. When Adam got back into the car, and we were both heart broken, and nervous. It was the first time I saw that Adam may have lost hope. We had been praying as a family like 10 times a day, there was nothing else we could do. I asked if we could pray right here in the car.
Right after the prayer our phone rang. I had called the English Ward Relief Society a couple days before and told her of our situation. She suggested I talked to another student family. Heather was at the other end of the phone, I was explaining to her who we were, our situation and I could help but bawl. Her first reaction was " I know what you are going through, I've been there. Don't go anywhere, I am coming to get you and take you back to my house where you can stay as long as you need."
What unbelievable faith, and kindness, and willingness to help. She opened her house to us, complete strangers. I'm so grateful that the spirit lead her to us, and she was willing to listen. She helped us get settled and sorted here in Puerto Rico. We ended up staying with Heather and her family for 4 weeks. She housed us and fed us. Her endless kindness is something we can never pay back to her. I just hope we can one day show that same kindness to others.
2 months later, I am still thanking Heather for rescuing us, and for Heavenly Father in answering our prayers. That phone call after our prayer, that answer continues to help us when other trials have come one right after another. We know He can help us, if its His will. We will continue to pray.
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