Merry merry Chistmas!! I hope you all have enjoyed the holiday season and taken time to focus on Jesus Christ, the literal reason for the season :) This week has been filled with lots of good and joy, and though this Christmas is a little different with humidity and sweat, distance from family, speaking a different language, and all that jazz, I still have been able to learn that we can truly have joy despite our circumstances, and we choose this joy -- the JOY of Jesus Christ. I love this quote from Elder Uchtdorf that I read, "The older we get, the more we look back and realize that external circumstances don’t really matter or determine our happiness. We do matter. We determine our happiness. You and I are ultimately in charge of our own happiness...Sometimes in life we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to find joy in the journey...We shouldn’t wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available—all the time!" (Of Regrets and Resolutions). So, one day at I time, we can all find joy because all that Christ did for each and every one of us and enjoy the journey of progression, growth, and intentions to be like Him.
We had a Christmas zone conference this last week with the zones of San Miguelito, San Blas, Chorrera, Chunginola, and Tocumen (so half the mission). We went to the church right next to the temple and it was my first time seeing it in person! Sadly, we didn't go in, but we sure sang a lot of Christmas songs, had a talent show that hermana Christensen and I got to help organize, and visited with other missionaries. The mission presiden'ts wife shared something that I really like about the birth of Jesus Christ. She talked about how His birth was out of the ordaniary, and it was anywhere but orderly, organized, perfect, or picturesque. The Savior of the world, our deliverer, rememberer, gatherer, light, healer, and friend was born in a humble manger of straw, far from circumstanes one would imagine He would be born into. So, when we feel like our ideals or perfect plans are slipping and slidding, remember the miracles that can happen in the unnlikely, the unthought of, and the unimaginable; "for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you" (Joshua 3:5).
We also had the baptism of our friend, Keller! He was being taught when I first got to this area, but was not progressing since he didn't come to church. But out of the blue with his aunt, he came to church three weeks ago with his aunt and is now a recent convert! The Lord has His own perfect time. Keller's mom is a less active member, but she wanted a baptism for Keller and we think she will come back to activity now. Keller is a special kid -- always asking questions and he really really wanted to be baptized! He loves the church and wants to be a missionary too. I love the mission to get to know people like Keller and their families, and as they slowly become mine. But of course, no good thing comes without work. Our bishop told us he would fill the font, but then we get to the church an hour before the baptism and he's not there. Turns out his car broke down. So we called the president of the other branch but he wasn't home with the keys. The second counsler ends up coming, but the key to enter the font doesn't work. He went to the president's house and got the keys and we started filling it up, found a hose and poured in more water, and bailed buckets for the baptism to start on time. All in all, it was so worth it to see the heavens open for another one of God's children. Keller and his mom and aunt were all crying tears of joy after! We then had the ward Christmas party to celebrate after.
For Christmas Eve, we ate with the family Castillo the classic Panamanian dish of rice, guandu (a bean native to Panama), potato salad but purple version with beets, and ham. We stayed up until 12, and opened gifts and watched all the fireworks. It is pretty chill here and they don't do much.
All in all, this Christmas has been very different, but very special to be more focused on Jesus Christ. I can testify that He can deliver us from any difficulty, challenge, or addiction. He is the light the guides us to eternal life, and He is always inviting us to come to Him. He can make us whole and wants to perfect us. He has the power to change and heal our hearts. He is the difference, the purpose in this crazy world, and the life. "God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine son" (The Living Christ).
Quick stretch in the morning
Candid contacting picture hermana Christensen took
Trying a new smoothie place and let's just say we will be going back
Playing with Zurys kids while helping her hang up her Christmas lights
The start of zone conference!
Hermana Linares, Hermana Keeler, Hermana Christensen, and I at zone conference
Singing at zone conference
With Hermana Lunt (my baby) and Hermana Christensen
Us with Hermana aparcio, the girlfriend of someone in our ward
Selfie with President and other missionaries at zone conference
The Elder next to me, Elder Arango, is from the ward I am serving in . We are teaching his cousin right now. He is serving in Changuinola.
Catered Olive Garden lunch
Cleaning up the inch thick layer of drink in the jug after conference
Photo with mission president and his wife
La zona San Miguelito
We had our Christmas zone conference with zones Chunginola, San Blas, Tocumen, Chorrera, and San Miguelito
With Hermana Cozzens at zone conference.
THIS GOON
Start of an exchange with Hermana Keeler and we were passing through Albrook (aka the grand central station of panama) and there was a huge tree
Sunsets in panama!
Keller and hs mom, Stephany. We adore them!!
After Keller's baptismal interview with the elders
We found DR PEPPER in the most random chino, first one in over three months
The view from a huge mountain in our area to visit a member named Doralis
Waiting outside the chapel and making calls while bishop comes with the keys
The family of Keller Arana at his baptism -- left to right back row: Denisse, Derrick, Nelson, Audrey Steohany, Grace, Hermana Christensen, me front row: Harold, Keller, Iliana, and Emma Ramírez the bishops daughter
Bishop Ramírez, Nelson Núñez, Keller Arana, Hermana Christensen, me
Keller!! He is so special and so smart and loves to learn about the gospel
The elders came and helped support us at the baptism. There was some issues with the font, so they helped us fill it! Elder Borja from Columbia and Elder Pineda from El Salvador
Harold, Keller, Iliana, Hermana Christensen, and me
Fancy treats of marshmallows on a stick??
Keller and his uncle, Nelson
Keller and his mom hugging after his baptism and crying, it was so sweet!
Keller hugging his cousin, Derrick, after his baptism
Miguel's sick fade
Mirror selfie at the ward christmas party!
Piñata at the ward Christmas party!
Us with baby Zoe Riasco at the ward party!
Me and hermana Christensen, Isaris and Ricky and Zoe Riasco, and Evelyn Chacon
Serving food at the Christmas party
Giving a Christmas message at the ward Christmas party
With the bishop's wife , Zuly, at the Christmas party
A white Christmas on Christmas eve
On the bus ride to church with our friend, Marlyns
Hermana Christensen was a little sleepy during church
Visit with the family Tenorio, the family of our recent convert, Johan, who are coming back to activity
Dinner on noche buena at the Castillos! Arroz, guandu, jamon, y ensalada de papas is the classic dish
I fell asleep while hermana christensen was in the shower
Fireworks on noche buena at midnight
Gifts from Hermana Christensen. My packages didn't make it in time for Christmas so Hermana Christensen went out and bought me some gifts when she was on exchanges.
My shoes broke like a month and a half ago so it was time to throw them away today
Christmas breakfast!!!
Finishing all of our peanut butter...we are addicts
Eating Christmas lunch with Eluetaria and she give us hair weaves and headbands for Christmas
Talking to my family on Christmas
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