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
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