I hit a mission milestone this last Wednesday --- SIX MONTHS! That's right, I have done a third part of my mission and have one more year left in Panama. Hermana Christensen asked me what are six lessons I have learned...here's a brief summary:
1. What true lasting charity is! It is loving despite disappointment, failure, frustration, annoyance, let down, etc. And despite that you choose to have an undying, ever kindling, constant love!
2. Choosing positivity in every moment, as the prophet put it, thinking celestial. It's raining? People call you the devil (like today)? Everything falls through? You are struggling with the language? You miss your mom so much and your family and friends? Think of what God is making you!
3. The church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints is true, living, and COMPLETE! We have the fulness of the gospel: life changing covenants, prophets, the priesthood, and more scriptures. I have had an opportunity to internalize the truths that I have known.
4. My awe for Jesus Christ has grown so much! I don't know how someone could have ever been so perfect, so loving, constant, and always giving. But His grace and love lifts me from my faults and short comings to be more.
5. We are capable of so much more than we think we are. We can endure and change and become, all thanks to Jesus Christ walking with us in every step. He is a loving Savior of small, daily miracles that testify he is forever in the details.
6. That the gospel is one of commitment. Nothing in life comes easy. All good things require work! I had my first leadership conference this week, sadly all online with all the protests, but a questioned was posed: what are you going to give Jesus christ this Christmas? I immediately thought I was going to give him my heart, might, mind, and strength. I am going to give him my all! I am forever changed because of my mission. Yes, it is so hard and tiring and I miss everyone of you a lot, but I wouldn't change a thing!
Pretty sunsets
Hermana Cristel Navarro, who I did my first exchange as hermana líder with.
My skin is allergic to Panama. Anyone have remedies to help my acne? It is terrible.
A member gave us ice cream after lunch! It was funny, she said "we don't have vegetables today (becayse of the protests, nothing can get past the puente of the americas so we don't have produce), but we have ice cream!!"
A "how do you feel?" picture. CHOOSE JOY
House shopping because our house has...no water...only cucharacas...mice...bats
Another pretty sunset
SIX MONTHS
Six months!! With a brownie in a mug to celebrate
Trying to get in contact with our friend who lives on the top of mountain and we have not been able to get in contact with him sadly. But, if all goes as planned he should be baptized Saturday.
Our friend Daniela Arrocha who has already had missionary lessons and remembers everything, but told us from the first lesson she is ready to be baptized. All her family are members. She is 19 years old and has a 1 year old daughter, Valentina. She has such a strong testimony and I love her!
Drinking chicheme from the chicheme truck
Hermana Euceda, my Hermana líder companion! She is from San Pedro, Honduras! She has a year in the mission and she is serving in ciudad Bolívar, so we are separated. We do TONS of zoom calls together
Seeking some peace before climbing the hill to the house
Practicing our division with little kids
Somewhat creepy contact while stopping for a coke...just zoom in on the photo
Our food storage in case we get locked in the house
Free ice cream sandwiches from a señor that sent them our way ;)
The view from presidents house
They are already starting to celebrate Christmas here in panama! Left to right: Hermana Keeler (Mesa), Hermana Christensen (Mesa), Hermana Bonnett (las Mendoza, Panama), Hermana Euceda (san Pedro, Honduras)
P-day at the President's house
Las hermanas de San Miguelito y Panama!!! Left to right: Euceda, Bonnett, Keeler, me, Christensen, Hatch, Wallace, Ransom, Evans, Lopez, Navarro (everyone is standing next to their comps)
The elders from zona panama came too and played volleyball and cross net with president
Hermanas pday in the house of president and hermana Forsberg! Left to right, starting with Hermana Christensen, Hermana Navarro, Hermana Lopez, Hermana Bonnett, Hermana Evans, Hermana Hatch, Hermana Ransom, Hermana Wallace, Hermana Christensen, Hermana Keeler, Hermana Forsberg. It is a lot of hermanas because as Hermana líder we are over two zones
Leadership conference online!
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