June 18, 2024-June 24, 2024-Week 59-Chitre

Crazy to think that this week I hit a whole entire YEAR of living in Panama. On the 22nd of June is when I hit a year mark if living in this beautiful, hot, odd, amazing, home away from home country!! I am officially very old in the mission. When this transfer ends, there are only two hermana missionaries who will have more time than me....no wayyyy!!!! But overall, life here is going well. I like to joke (with myself lol because scripture jokes are only funny to me) that this is the desert of my afflictions like Lehi says in 2 Nephi 2. There are many highs -- helping this area progress, training and reminiscing on how good the mission is, speaking all Spanish, new adventures, good friends in my district, not being fed dinner (a win in my book because less rice). But with that comes a lot of lows -- hard times and loneliness of training, a lot of rejection, little member support. Yet that's what makes the good so darn GOOD! How could we know the wonders and love and charity of God if His Son never suffered in agony for the sins and sadnesses and deaths and all of the above of the world? So it is necessary for me to pass through moments of hardship, just to be able to know my Savior better. I loved this talk my dad sent me this week, and I invite you all to read it! 

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/david-a-bednar/strength-lord/

We did have zone conference this week in the city. So the overnight travels once again resumed. We left at 12am Wednesday and got back 12am Thursday. Las Tablas officially has the worst forms of transport...haha! I did watch some of the church movies and listen to more Christmas music (I have an obsession) and read the scriptures, yet did not sleep. But zone conference inspired me to just keep going, strive for excellence, and keep expecting miracles!! I also got to see lots of good friends and have an interview with President, so it was all worth it!! 

The work is progressing a little slower than I would like, but overall, the area has changed and we have some good friends who are truly taking the time to be converted. Our friend Euclides is reading so much in the Book of Mormon! And our sweet friend Yanelis told us "siento muy bien cuando venga (I feel very good when he comes)", so it is the start of her recognizing the spirit. Our friends, Milagros and Jose, are truly searching for the truth, and I feel blessed to be Christ's representative. It is all in the Lord's timing. 

Some other things are I had an exchange with Hermana Smith, we currently have NO WATER in the whole province of Los Santos, and we do have bats in the ceiling. The Lord has slowly prepared me for this and there's nothing we can't handle with a smile, a laugh, and the Lord on our side. We joke that if this had been an hermanas house before, it would have never fallen in such disarray. So here we are fixing it up. It needs a lot of TLC here. 

Something I am learning in this transfer is just how ready the Lord is to answer us. I want to share just two experiences -- 

1) some very nice, yet unqualified man came to get the bats out of the ceiling, not bringing a ladder. We decided to go look for one, but we prayed first. Seems a little silly? Nothing is silly for the Lord; nothing is too hard for Him! Immediately we were guided to a neighbor who didn't have one, but knew someone who would. God wants to answer His children and He understands all of our smile plights. 

2) we were teaching our friend Euclides about the sacrament, and he was confused why we don't just take it once a year. I was getting a little frustrated, not really understanding what kind of answer he wanted. We just do because we do. But, the Spirit whispered in my head to ask Him this question: "do you have a loved one who has died? How often do you remember them?". Of course he responded that he remembered them often. Thus is how it should be with Christ. The most important person in the world suffered and died and rose again for us, to not only change from bad to good, but from good to perfect, exalted, and saintly. We must remember Him! This seemed to help our friend a lot.

I know the Spirit speaks to us individually and perfectly, and as we create the space for him in our lives to guide us, He is going to help us along. 

Saying bye to Hermana Linares because she is going to her original mission

Saying bye to Hermana Jackson

ZONE CONFERENCE with hermana Véliz

Elder Gongora, Hermana Jackson, me, and Elder Carling in zone conference

Bus rides back home from zone conference in the city

patacon burger

Zone pday and playing games

Elder monterroso drinking coca cola

Zone pday and eating pizza for the 5,0695,838 time. (We eat pizza a lot.)

June 11, 2024-June 17, 2024-Week 58-Chitre

We are working here in Las Tablas, and my hija is just growing and growing! It is so fun to see her progress, I imagine it is only a fraction of how our Heavenly Father must feel to see us advancing and going forward. She teaches me so much about love and forgiveness and expressing true gratitude and admiration. She is great at building me up! 

I haven't included this yet, but to paint a picture -- my area is just COUNTRYSIDE. Everyday I see people riding their horses, and many many cows. We don't have a chapel either, just renting a space above a hardware shop. We have probably four active families on our side of the branch (since we ward share currently with missionaries, Hermana Gudiel and Smith). So, it is much different than the city and David, but it is definitely the most beautiful area!! So green!! 

In regards to the work, we are still helping a few friends progressing towards baptism, and a lot of them already have family who were baptized in the church, and just trying to reactivate the families and help complete the family and get everyone to have covenants. We are steadily progressing with Euclides, Milagros, Hector, Edgar and Jorge. They should all be baptized in July! Sometimes I just need to put in perspective that there has been no baptisms in 9 months in this area, so this transfer has been a little bit of a "reset". Every day the Lord is so good to give us miracles, and we just need to hold on to all the good that there is. One day I woke up SUPER tired, and tried to go back to sleep after planning, but I knew the one real thing that would help me was to exercise (which was our designated time) and listen to the scriptures and to some talks. I listened to one by Elder Uchtdorf, and it talked about enduring to the end. I have been feeling really tired in this transfer, and a lot of fakin' it til a make it moments, and gaslighting myself that I have energy. But this talk talked about two solutions for enduring: WORKING and LEARNING. I loved this, especially for the difficulties I am facing in this transfer -- to keep working and to learn from the divine tutoring of the Lord what He has in store for me. So we will keep working and keep striving and seeing the hand of the Lord!

---> Two Principles for Any Economy

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2009/10/two-principles-for-any-economy?lang=eng

I also had a great study about the sacrament, and am working to steadily gain a more special testimony of the importance of that. Church in spanish is very easy to drift off and let my mind wander, but I was able to really focus on the magnitude of importance there is in the sacrament, through a diligent study of it. It truly is the most special moment in our week to renew our covenants and to remember how Christ suffered and OVERCAME all physical and spiritual suffering. 

---> Sacrament

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/sacrament-study-guide?lang=eng

I love the mission! I know this is His true church! I know that this is the work of the Lord and He has my back! He loves you!! 

Shoppingggg

WE GOT A FRIDGE

My hija tries patacones (fried green plantains)

A visit we had with someone, THE VIEW

Visits with the Prados and our friend Euclides

Time to travel to the city for migrations...so early

The bishop from one of my old wards came to my branch -- Geury, Zule, and Emma Ramírez

Pday with our district and playing bang

Meeting new people in Cocal

With Edilsa, a member, and Euclides, our friend

June 4, 2024-June 10, 2024-Week 57-Chitre

Hey what's up!! Honestly, I don't know the last time my mom sent out an email, so here's the recap: I am training this transfer, my hija Hermana Véliz, who is from Guatemala, is 20 years old, and she was studying to be a vet before the mission. She has a twin who is serving in El Salvador, and started a week before she did. My comp legit is LEGENDARY! She already is so converted, is always helping me with my Spanish, and she teaches like she's an 18 month old missionary, when she only has 1 month out here in the field. I love her! I am serving pink washing/re-opening the area of Las Tablas B, aka in missionary jargon, this area was closed for two transfers before, but the other companionship kinda covered it but not really...so really there was nothing or no people being taught. And, I had never been here before, so it's been an adventure. My comp is always asking me where things are, and who people are, and I just have to laugh and be ok with saying "no lo se (I don't know)" and just fake it til I make it. Las Tablas is also full of lots of Catholics. Catholics and the countryside. And lots of old people. It's a slower type of life to say the least. But, I get to live out my fifth grade horse girl dreams and see horses everyday, and take photos with the cows that people casually have in the backyards...or that they sometimes even walk in the streets like dogs lol. Very authentic Panama folklore culture.

Overall, this week has been pretty good. I think I am learning over and over again how God truly is a God of grand miracles. It is part of His identity and He wants to show us and invite us to take part in miracles, but it is only after we show faith in Him (Ether 12). We have been on the grind trying to find people who are ready to make this special covenant with God, and God is helping us find them. But, of course, we passed through some trials -- a longggg Wednesday when we hardly taught anyone and the sun was BEATING down. Yet, we made the best of it, buying yummy duro's (aka homemade popsicles in plastic bags) and contacting the world. Really the mission has taught me how we must choose HAPPINESS every moment, and when we just choose His plan, we are going to be full of joy DESPITE what happens. I told my companion that it's necessary that we pass through low low's, so that we can recognize, enjoy, and appreciate the highest of highs (2 Nephi 2). So, if the price to pay is just a longer day with lot's of heat, it's a price I am willing to pay. Yet, on Thursday and Friday, we saw big time miracles. Two new people, that are from some part member families, have a baptismal dates, Hector and Jorge. Hector had been taught a lot by members before, but he admitted his past has kept him from making this covenant. And now look at him! God has perfect timing. Jorge's dad is a way inactive member, and now we are teaching him and he is so good; doing his readings and praying. 

Friday we also got to have zone council with all of Chitre. Chitre is a little different -- everyone is just superrrr spread out. In all my other zones, we have always gotten all together as missionaries every Monday and Thursday, but here we get together as a full zone only twice the whole transfer....crazy, and kind of sad. But, I got to see some of my good friends, like Elder Castillo and Hermana Rich and it was fun to get all together with them and see more missionaries. 

I have been thinking a lot about what makes the best missionaries. I think sometimes I feel like I slip and stumble and fall and mess up, and really, that's all part of the process. Great missionaries understand how much they need the Savior. They understand that they need to lean into the Savior, repent and help them be better. The best missionaries are obedient, make sacrifices, and are consecrated. I think having my trainee, helps me realize how much the mission has changed me, and helped me become more converted. I know there is a lot more to come, and a lot I can improve, but Christ and His Atonement have really changed me to give my life to Him.

I think I have also been thinking a lot about what makes my mom great, and my missionary mom's great, Hermana Anderson and Hermana Hatch. I think I realize these three amazing woman helped shape me because they took the time to love me through it all, with such great patience, and they always build me up. They are some of my biggest cheerleaders! They were always able to see the divinity in me, even though I have many faults. I aspire to be like them!

Basically, I LOVE THE MISSION! Time to see more miracles, catch ya next week!!!

Living my horse girl fantasy

133333 monthsssss

May 28, 2024-June 3, 2024-Week 56-Chitre

Well another good week here in Las Tablas! We were able to find, teach, and drop teaching people who didn't have interest hahaha. It is pretty odd to have a new companion still. It's just crazy to look back on the start of my mission and to where I am at now. I am much more converted, much more happy, and I hope an even better follower of Jesus Christ! 

This area hasn't had missionaries in it for three months, so we have had to get things going once again and pick up the area -- including buying a fridge, a microwave, a stove...I don't know what happened to this house, but I do know I have been eating lots of pbj sandwiches.  Also did I eat spoiled milk a few times...yes? But everything is going really well. 

At the start of the week, I was having a little bit of a harder time, just going a little but more through the motions. But then, President wrote me about miracles. I know that God is a God of miracles, but only when we show our faith in Him. We are what inhibit miracles in this life. Clouding our lives with doubt, fear, and sin, there is no wonder God doesn't work miracles. But when we get rid of these things, then we will clearly be able to see and bind the Lord to work great works in our lives!! This week we had a great miracle. We decided to fast this weekend for our goal to have three baptisms, even decorating our house with the number 3 everywhere. Sunday night rolls around, all plans have fallen through, and we contact this one man. He accepts us in his house, though he is pretty involved in another church (Jehovahs Witness). We explain Joseph Smith and the restoration of the fullness of truth -- including prophets, apostles, priesthood, and revelation once again in the earth. He sits there and at the end, we ask if he understands what the priesthood means, where it can be found, and what it means about his prior baptism. He responds, totally understanding, that the power and authority of God is once again found in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and that he would be willing to pray and prepare himself for a baptism. So Euclides and baptism the 22nd is coming so soon! God is a God of miracles. Ether 12:12. 2 Nephi 27:23. Mormon 9. We can never forget who God is and who he wants to be for us. I know God is a God of miracles because He has been one in my life! 

Today we went to the beach and it was beautiful and we hung out with the district. We played games and ate Subway, it was good to relax!

Member lessons with Brenda Cedeño

Hermana Esmeralda is SO PROUD to be a member that she went and got her baptismal certificate

Teaching Alexander, a recent convert. It was so cute. He has some special needs and we were talking about temple recommends. We invited him to get his, and in that moment he called the president of the branch to set up an appointment.

Las Tablas sign

Her first time trying chicheme and she loved it, like mother like daughter

SO MUCH SUN

Lessons with Astrid and her family

Some cool salt art work in front of the catholic church

My Panafamilia, Soraida and Luis. We have to take lessons really slow with them, but son amoresss. They just want to learn and ever since they have read the Book of Mormom, Soraids health has improved. They always want us to stay at their house and always joke that they are going to build us a room.

The district in the back of up a pick up riding to the beach for p-day

THE BEACHHH