Katie's Mission Blog: June 27-July 3, 2023-Week 8-Guadalupe

Another great week here in Panamá!!! Everyday is busy and full of talking to so many people. I have decided that I might as well get all my bad Spanish out of the way at the beginning of my mission and talk with everyone -- on the loud buses, in the street, jumping in in lessons -- everything! There have been times where I look to Hermana Anderson and say "I need help" And she jump right in a picks me up and corrects my Spanish. I have been very blessed to always at least understand 70% of what is happening, and my speaking is coming along. I always feel like i need to "warm up" my spanish before it starts coming out more smoothly. We work super well as a team to invite people to come unto christ through baptism by someone with authority!

We have lots of "amigos", or friends who are interested. We put two people on baptismal date as well! Prayers for James and Jackie! The hardest commitment for people to keep (beside punctuality) is to attend church on Sundays. I am not sure if it is because it is in the morning, or because you have to take the bus, or what, but I would think the overpowering air conditioning would be enough of an incentive (literally feels like a Costco cold freezer room).

Regarding the title -- I experienced my first HUGE rain storm: street flooding, feels like I just jumped in a pool, shoes squishing out water from so much water, and HUGE HUGE HUGE beads of water falling from the sky for hours, so much so that we lost power for one night!

Hermana Anderson shared an amazing thought with me from one of my favorite accounts in the Bible in John 21 when the Savior asks, "loves thou me more than these?". At times, I feel a little overwhelmed with the fact that I won't do the things or have the things I loved before my mission until November 2024. Things like walks with my mom, swig runs with Lilly (THERES NO DR PEPPER HERE), five crowns with all my family at grammy and pompas, boating, shooting hoops with Garret and Tanner, tanning and reading with Mary, sleepovers and FaceTime calls with cool cats, weekend driving miss Marsha, Kirt's trips, hiking and watching sunsets with besties, all of it. Hermana Anderson told me that "these things" do not have to be forgotten but we can find new joy in the joy of being a representative of christ. For me, I love Christ so much and am willing up to set these things aside. I now can find joy in laughing in the rain, seeing the light in peoples eyes when hearing the gospel, thinking about eternal families, how I am always a little sun kissed, one hour of personal study, everyone complimenting my eyes, playing the piano at church, fresh mangos and avocados from members, and doing the work of the Lord :)

I love you all and miss you, but there is no where else I would rather be!

Hermana Anderson carries around many stickers that we always give out to many random children, they love it!

Noche de hogar en Pradera

(Family home evening in Pradera)

My first duro, basically cheap, homemade popsicles made in a plastic bag

First time trying the famous drink of Panama, called chicheme. It is a corn made drink with sweetened and condensed milk and native to the Chorrera province. I did not like it the first time, but grew to love and crave it

We took a youth out with us to do some visits. I cannot remember her name, but I later learned she was only 13 years old and you cannot leave with members who are under 16 years of age. You win some you lose some.