Letter to everyone:
Wednesday I had my last two baptisms with Hermana Christensen, or our so called "His sacred six" (the goal was seven, but six still works). We were going to have two more, but they went to interior on vacay, but they should be baptized the 3rd if all goes as planned. Anyways, it was truly SO special. Sometimes you can just tell the committment people have from the get go. They bore such sweet testimonies. Senor Reymundo talked about how he was sad he had not joined the church sooner and that he knows it is something different, and special --- COMPLETE as I like to say. There's a lot of good churches, but no other church has every revealed truth that Christ wants to give and show and give to those who are His followers. Quite a few people came to the baptism as well, which was special to say goodbye to Hermana Christensen. Our recent convert, has a hug colegio bus -- a yellow kidnapper van -- that she drives and she was taking us home and we joked that we wanted mcdonalds to celebrate and she literally took us there lol but we didn't really want anything so it was so awkward. But we celebrated with dominos pizza afterwards. I am so thankful to have been in this area with Hermana Christensen. She defintely was the companion God knew I needed, and I am happy that He just gave me the friend I needed in the mission. She is going to do great things out in Tocumen in Nueva Esperanza.
Thursday morning we woke up super early to go to transfers in the city. It was good to see everyone, like Elder Clark (who has a shaved head right now lol) and other friends from the mission. But when Hermana Christensen left, I definitely bawled my eyes out. She was like "we will see each other so soon" and I was like "you don't know that" but turns out we have zone conference together next week. I also received A PAPER COPY OF PREACH MY GOSPEL so yeah! Only missionaries can understand this haha. It is so nice to not be on my phone and I can mark it up. It is even a little mini one, just what I wanted.
We have found some good new friends, we always have like 20 or more, so it is good. We had like 11 friends at church, our bus is so nice and clutch to help get them there. But, we are just on the grind. Always. But I have so much faith that God is going to put more people in our path. Because honestly, sometimes idk if there is more I can do in this area. I have almost exhausted all my options -- but knocking doors -- which we don't ever do because it really isn't that effective. We received a reference of a menos activo (less active), who has a wife who isn't a member. We visited him and had a great lesson though. So, we have a lot of hope they will progress towards the temple. Because we aren't here just to help people get baptized, but receive EVERY ordinance that God has for them. So, sometimes starting with the temple is good (with the end goal in mind).
Me and my comp get along well. It is different and now we actually eat meals, so that kind of kills time instead of visits and I am not a fan of eating here because it just hurts sometimes, but it is ok. Lowkey I got so chastized the other day by the spirit though because I was kind of just sad and upset to not be with Hermana Christensen, but the spirit was like "why are you angry at him?" and from that day forward I have really been trying to love and choose joy and not compare and be so happy that I am here, with this privilege, to be a representative of Jesus Christ. It is hard and there are times I honestly just want to go home. Not really but maybe a quick zap home? But, I do feel more joy than before because I know this is His church. I know that whatever happens in this life, I am a disciple of Christ, child of the covenant, a daughter of God and that I can return to live with Him some day. I know He is making me more than I was and aligning my will with His.
This is a talk I loved.
The Price of Priesthood Power
Then from here I thought about the Holy Ghost. We all have the Holy Ghost, but are we accessing His power. Access His power!!
Letter to family:
I want to thank you for providing for my mission and always taking care of me. This is the best thing I have every done, and hardest, but the best!! I love being a missionary and making a good contact and talking about how someone's life would be so much better if they would just get baptized. It is the start if a new life. Thank you for staying strong in the church. Thank you for being sealed and allowing me to be sealed to you guys through being born in the covenant. Thanks for being some of my best friends and knowing me better than I know myself and helping me!
More than anything, thanks for hearing Him for me. Now I know to trust in you two even more...you're probably laughing reading this. I don't doubt that you receive revelation for me and how to help, protect, care, and guide me. If I ever argue with you, just say the spirit told me to tell you this.
How I Hear Him: President Henry B. Eyring
The Christensen wall of our hopes and dreams
A member took some cute photos of us on our last day together before the baptism.
The baptism of Mercedes and Reymundo Arana, with Nelson Núñez
At the baptism with Andres
Hugs with Mercedes after the baptism
Guess who showed up at transfers -- YOSMAR and all the Guadalupe people -- me, Hermana Lunt, Elder del Valle, Elder Tarbet, Elder Ramírez
The teariest goodbye to Hermana Christensen in the metro station at Albrook
Planning on our patio
Eating in Mcdonlds one night and using the free wifi to restore all pur chats on our phone that were lost.
Member lessonswith Agustin Gomez and Nuvia Paus
Member lesson with Gabriel Barría and all his family
Hermana Jackson wa so tired so fell asleep on the ground
Member lessons with Raquel Riasco
Visiting Luis and Neddy, they have been taught for years and always come to church, but they just have to get married so they can be baptized.
Member texts #baptizethemembers
Welp...new Panamanian lover
Yosmar's stories makes me so happy!!
Another of Yosmar's stories
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