Katie's Mission Blog: 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