May 23, 2024-May 27, 2024-Week 55-Chitre

Hey here's a fast run down of the week!!

Well Wednesday night I left David and showed up in the city at 4am and waited for transfers and for all the missionaries to arrive. Then I went to the offices with all those who would be training, and we waited all day for our NEW BABIES to come in!! My new comp is Hermana Véliz from Guatemala. She is so sweet and already has such a big testimony. We also didn't get to our new area until 1am the next morning. It was quite the adventure with our four suitcases and us both being new to the area and not having slept for two days since we both had been traveling. Luckily we made it, and the house was pretty bare as there had not been missionaries in it, let alone never hermanas (yikes...an elder house), for three months. 

We got right to work this week, figuring out where members live and asking for references and seeing what friends were left in the area. Las Tablas is much different than any other area I have served in, it is very country, and the most cultural of Panama. Many old, catholic people live here. And they wear these cool sombreros pintado, and do this funny yodel, called a saloma. The branch is small and sweet, and there is a lot of work to be done here. 

My comp and I set some good goals for the transfer, and fasted this weekend to see the miracles. We will do our part to obligate the Lord to bless His children here in this part of His vineyard.

It is pretty different having a new companion, having to think of many things I have not had to think about for a long time: like planning a day, what certain mission terms mean, and cultural aspects of Panama. But overall once again the Lord is teaching me that our happiness comes from that of others. Selfless service as Christ did is always the answer. 

I studied about diligence this morning and loved how it is basically never settling, giving your all, and if we feel like we aren't diligent enough, to remember what the Lord has called us to do. If we remember our Savior, and how tired, betrayed, alone, and forgotten He must have felt, we can remember that He overcome it all, and with Him and with all our diligence, we can as well. This talk by elder Eyring was beautiful! I invite you all to read it!!

Act in All Diligence

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/04/act-in-all-diligence?lang=eng

Seeing hermana christensen in the city at transfers

My comp hermana Véliz

Our first member meal in Chitre

Out in the fields of Chitre

May 14 2024-May 22, 2024-Week 54-David (Wednesday P-day Because of Transfers)

Tomorrow we have transfers, and I got the news that I am leaving Lassonde here in David, and going to the Chitre zone, re-opening an area, and TRAINING!!! I am so excited! It will be definitely be a lot different, and a change of pace having a brand new missionary. I heard that only Latina hermanas are coming in too, so potentially my first transfer ALL in Spanish. So, tonight, I leave from David, travel out to the city, get my hija (daugher) in the office, and then leave and go back out to the interior! 

But, this past week was really really good. On Tuesday, we were able to have leadership conference in the city, and it was so good. It is always good to see some of my old comps, and be lifted up by President and by the spirit. We focused a lot on how to be powerful leaders, and essentially it boils down to leading as Christ would. We also focused a lot on consecration. We read in Helaman 3:35. This really struck home to me, mostly because I really thought a lot about how this is exactly what I needed to hear. As I only have four more transfers left, I want to give it all to Him. An elder shared that the law of consecration is the last covenant of the temple because it encompasses ALL other covenants. To be consecrated, we must be obedient, live the gospel, sacrifice, and so much more. I love the Spanish word that they use, "entregarse", to literally turn yourself into Him. Living a consecrated life is living celestially. I also was able to have my interview with President, and he is amazing at building people up and helping us see our divinity that we have.

This week we worked hard to teach and finish up the lessons of Jhon and Rosmayra. They had their interviews on Friday, and they went super well. Their baptisms happened Sunday after church, and they were so beautiful. They were so excited to be able to make this covenant with God, and they bore such sweet testimonies after. Though something SO funny was that the hermano who baptized them, instead of putting his hand on their backs to support them go down, put their hand on their necks to help baptize them. Poor Rosmayra came up from the water looking like she just got water boarded. But alas, she gave a testimony and gave a plan of salvation pamphlet to her husband, inviting him to learn God's plan and be baptized as well. Jhon testified of how divine and perfect the plan of God was and how we found him and just contacted him in the street, and that this is what he was looking for. It was an excellent way to end the transfer. 

This transfer, I learned so much about not ever doubting, not ever fearing, just enduring with faith. Because we must always choose Jesus! He will prevail. We already know He will win. So we must trust Him! I also learned a whole lot about how soft, and how often the spirit will talk to those who pay Him attention. Here are three special experiences and miracles that happened, that wouldn't have happened if not for the spirit:

1. Felix and family -- one day we were walking and all of our visits had fallen through, and I wasn't quite sure what we should do. We started walking on the street, and some people were nice and waved to us. People are nice here, but most of the time don't initiate the contact. So, I felt like we should talk to them and I felt like they must be members of some sort, and I asked them "hey are you guys baptized in the church of Jesus Christ?" and they responded with a YES! The dad had been baptized a long time ago. I felt truly humbled that God would send His spirit to talk to me and help me know what it is that He would have me do. We started teaching the family, and for now they aren't progressing and coming to church, but one day they will. If it were not for the spirit, we would never have met this family, known where they lived, and been able to see this miracle.

2. Silvia -- once again we were walking and hustling to another lesson. The sun was beating down, and then we passed a woman in the street and she said "hola hermanas". How odd? People know who we are, but don´t ever call us Elders of Hermanas. I kept walking, rushing to the visit, but felt the nagging to turn around and chase after her. We turned around and talked to her and turns out she was a very inactive member, but beforehand, had been SUPER active. We visited her, reconnected her with members, and for now, she hasn't come back, but what a miracle.

3. Jose -- we were walking in an area that I had never been before. We had just found a less active member, but she wasn't in her house. We walked away, working our way out of the neighborhood, when I mostly mute man starts grunting to his son, and pointing at us. I quite honestly thought he was just another drunk Panamanian, so I passed by. He also had something wrapped around his ankle, and I thought he might be on house arrest. Haha. I felt that we should turn around. We talked with them and turns out that the two sons of his were already baptized a year ago by the AP who went home three transfers ago. Now, those who weren't baptized, are preparing for their baptism. Thanks to the spirit and listening to Him, we can take part in miracles. How grateful I am that God will still speak to me, even though I sin and make mistakes, and am slow to hear Him. I am grateful He wants me to know His will, and is always guiding me along. 

I am really excited for this next transfer! "Come what may and love it" -- Joseph Wirthlin! I love you all!

Leadership conference

Seeing bestie in the city!!!

Hermana Rhodes and I at leadership conference

Hermana Christensen and I at leadership conference

Hermana Jackson and I

Hermana Lopez and I

Hermana Hatch and I

Seeing the legendary Elder Clark

Seeing a friend from Guadalupe , the dad of Yosmar and Jair Castillo

Traveling home from the city after leadership conference

A very rainy day

Doing some calls outside because there is no service in the house

Running to get our friend for their baptismal interview. It was worth it because she passed her interview.

Service project with the zone

The baptism of Jhon Vanegas Delgado

The baptism of Rosmayra Requena Otero de Yángüez

The baptism of Jhon with Hermana Florida

My besties!!! Hermana Rhodes, Shirley, and Bennett

Visits with Amarilis and her family

Visits with Eneida and Eva

Visits with Eloy Martez, the best ward mission leader

Saying goodbye to Rosmayra, with her ministering hermana Daisy

Saying goodbye to the Samudio family -- Arturo, Camila, Victoria, Hermana Rhodes, me, Sandra, Arysa

May 7, 2024-May 13, 2024-Week 53-David

Lassonde is going good, and this could be my last full week of being here in Chiriquí as transfers come next Thursday (23rd). Nobody really knows who is going to stay or go, since we both got here at the same time, but my track record is being in an area for three transfers...so we will see. 

This week was good, and we got to have zone conference up here in David with the elders zone of Chunginola. They all came down (which is like a five hour winding road bus ride), and we spent p-day together here in David. One of them even has spikeball, so I got to play, and I was actually genuinely impressed that I still had some skill...all those lake days are really paying off. But, I think the best thing I learned from the conference was what the AP said, "we are here to LEARN heaven, not earn it." I have loved saying this to our friends when teaching the plan of salvation because honestly, if we want eternal life, it's not that hard! It requires sacrifice and to prioritize what matters most, but in the long run, Jesus Christ already paid the price to get there. He has just left us with invitations to help us be more comfortable to live with Him one day, aka to help us learn heaven!! This has really helped me to change my perspective and everything about why I keep the commandments. 

Hermana Rhodes and I also gave a workshop on how to plan more efficiently. We just talked about how we need to involve God in the process. We are just His hands in His vineyard, so we need His divine aid and help in every minute. He knows who we need to visit, see, and help come to Him. We talked about five main key points:

1. Get on your knees and start your planning with Him (Alma 37:36)

2. Ask Him if your plan is right when you finish (DC 9:8)

3. Remember those you are teaching at all times (DC 18:10)

4. Never lose your faith that He is sending those who are prepared your way (DC 82:10)

5. Account to the Lord your actions and what you did in that day (Matthew 25:21)

It has really helped me to see that this truly is HIS work. No one can frustrate it, maybe slow it down or keep it at bay, but with Him, we will see miracles!! 

After that I went on an exchange with Hermana Shirley until Thursday night (so two whole days, and we did a division Monday night, so basically we were companions ALL week haha). Something that I thought was significant that happened was we were at our friend Rosmyra's house, but she wasn't answering the door. We decided to pray about what we should do next and how to proceed. In the MOMENT we folded our arms and closed our eyes, without uttering ONE WORD, she opens the door and let's us in. God is ANXIOUS to answer our prayers. He couldn't even contain Himself in this moment. He wanted to give us the answer so fast. And some answers come slower, but I know He is always listening!!! And that the answer always comes. 

I hit my year in the mission. I feel really happy and proud to be a missionary of my Savior Jesus Christ. Honestly, it is such a privilege and a great blessing to wear His name on my chest everyday. When I woke up, three things came to my head to sum up how i feel:

1. "and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting" (Ether 3:19).

2. "Bind my wandering heart to Thee:

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here's my heart, O take and seal it;

Seal it for Thy courts above." (Come thou fount of every blessing). 

3. "I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,

I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!" (How Firm a Foundation). 

I know this is His true church. No doubts. Only faith! I know that a am apt to stray, to go away, to leave the God I love. But I also know I never ever want to forsake! I know that even when I fail, falter, wander, that I have my covenants that will never fail, falter, or wander. I have my Savior. He wants me to come home to Him. And I can do it! He has given me this great chance to grow, learn, and become like Him. I am so happy to know that this is HIS perfect plan, and I am imperfectly perfect, yet Christ is going to help me be just like Him, just with time, tears, faith, and effort. 

This week is going to be so good!! I am on my way to Volcan to enjoy some "cold weather" of 60⁰, go hiking, and eat with the hermanas. I am going to the city tonight for leadership conference (YAY!), and Jhon and Rosmyra get baptized Sunday before this transfer ends. Let's go!!!!

PS pray for Jhon and Rosmyra and give ya mom a hug for mothers day <3

Fireworks on my 1 year, God knows how I like to be celebrated

ONE YEARRRR

The lover of hermana Rhodes who literally always talks to her. He was sad that she wasn't here this day.

Jhon Vanegas , he cried when we gave his book of mormon

Lessons with Hermana Flori!

Lessons with Sandra and Camila Samudio -- my family here in Lassonde

My sexy comp

This girl I contacted in subway who is CHOSEN but she lives in the elders area but it's OK she's gonna get baptized

Our friend, Rosmyra, who will get baptized the 19th. We can't be in her house less than 45 minutes because she always gives us some sort of drink haha

Dinner with the elders of San Pablo, who we ward share with, Elders Ghormley and Olson

With the elders and our recent convert , Javier Von Chong. He's the best!! He honestly fed me the best hamburgers I've had here in Panama, ice cream, and drove us home and always goes on visits with us

Hermana Rhodes calling her mom on mother's day...there's no signal in the house so the rocks will suffice

Going to Volcan to go hiking with Hermana Shirley and Hermana ??