Well the good news is that it wasn't too sweaty this week, its actually been pretty cool all week. One of the members said it was because of the hurricanes, but I don't really know...
This week was okay. About the same as last week. It is true that this mission isn't easy. I feel kind of frustrated sometimes, hearing Kyle's stories and stories from other missionaries that are incredible but I don't seem to be experiencing any right now. All of my lessons are full of the spirit, even more now with my new companion, but its like the people don't feel it, or they don't care. I know I am being led by the Lord but I don't seem to be seeing any results. Its like Panama is just too busy to listen to the Lord. But the good news is this week I have meetings all day Tues., Weds and Thurs with President Ward and the other leaders of the mission, so I think I will be able to fill up my spiritual tank again and get things back going. Other than that, not much is new.
well the stomach wasn't too great this week but I'm still alive and kicking.
It truly is a privilege to help prepare the way for the Lord, even though its not so easy sometimes. These past few weeks have been kind of hard but I know that there are always ups and downs and the I just have to trust in the Lord. I just finished studying the BOM a few weeks ago, so I started all over again. I just love the scriptures.
I love you and miss you a trillion! and I hope you have an awesome week.
XOXOX
Hermy
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Same Old, Same Old 6 September 2010
Well not too much happened this week, it was just the same old, same old.
This week Jediel, the teenager we have been teaching got baptized. It was a little stressful because when we got there 30 min. before the baptism no one had filled the font and nothing was ready, so quickly we got everything together and miraculously everything was ready in time and he could get baptized.
Everything is good with me, changes are this Wednesday and in my email from the Pres. he told me I would have changes, so we will see what happens.
I hope everything goes well for you guys this week. I miss you all a ton, give the kids a hug and kiss from me.
Love You,
Kara
This week Jediel, the teenager we have been teaching got baptized. It was a little stressful because when we got there 30 min. before the baptism no one had filled the font and nothing was ready, so quickly we got everything together and miraculously everything was ready in time and he could get baptized.
Everything is good with me, changes are this Wednesday and in my email from the Pres. he told me I would have changes, so we will see what happens.
I hope everything goes well for you guys this week. I miss you all a ton, give the kids a hug and kiss from me.
Love You,
Kara
Monday, August 30, 2010
208 contacts this week , a record 29 August 2010
Things this week went okay, it was kind of frustrating because almost all of our lessons fell through, but I contacted 208 people this week which I think is the most I've contacted in one week thus far. It is difficult because all the people I work with teaching for so long in the end don't change and it makes me really sad, but the Lord always sends me blessings in the end. This Saturday a teenager that is golden in all aspects of the word is going to get baptized. He came to church with his friend, we put a baptismal date the second lesson and now he's getting baptized. Piece of cake. Also a couple I've been teaching really wants to get baptized, there is just one little thing, they aren't married and she is only 17 so they need their parents permission to get baptized and her parents live in San Blas. Which is kind of far away, really far actually, San Blas are islands off of Panama. So keep them in your prayers.
Also this week I did something new I've never done before. We went with the couple I'm teaching to a baptism the elders had so that they could see how the baptisms are, etc. It seems the elders forgot to tell the lady that was going to be baptized a few important things, like that she should bring a towel, extra pair of underwear and that her underwear should be white. So, the lady who is like 40 something showed up with a black bra, and well she couldn't get baptized like that, So my comp and I took her to the bathroom and I explained to her that she couldn't have a black bra. And then I took off my bra and lent it to her. I then had stayed in the church all afternoon without a bra because my bra was soaking wet. I think I can truly say that I've learned to sacrifice everything for the Lord. Even my bra.
Anyways, I love you all and I hope you all have an amazing week.
Also this week I did something new I've never done before. We went with the couple I'm teaching to a baptism the elders had so that they could see how the baptisms are, etc. It seems the elders forgot to tell the lady that was going to be baptized a few important things, like that she should bring a towel, extra pair of underwear and that her underwear should be white. So, the lady who is like 40 something showed up with a black bra, and well she couldn't get baptized like that, So my comp and I took her to the bathroom and I explained to her that she couldn't have a black bra. And then I took off my bra and lent it to her. I then had stayed in the church all afternoon without a bra because my bra was soaking wet. I think I can truly say that I've learned to sacrifice everything for the Lord. Even my bra.
Anyways, I love you all and I hope you all have an amazing week.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
San Isidro Zone Conference 23 August 2010
Kara's companion, Hermana Melendez
So this week was... a roller coaster. My permanent retainer broke and it was quite the story to fix it, but in the end I got it fixed and I am still kind of sick but I am plugging along.
On the good side we had zone conference this week which was amazing I absolutely love Pres and his wife, its so nice to be treated like an adult, like one of their own kids.
Yummy - Panama Pizza
San Isidro District 8 Elders
It was kind of sad because no one came to church this Sunday. Members nor investigators. Supposedly 6 inv were going to come and only one came. But the one that did come is going to get baptized the 4 of sept. His name is Jediel, he is 17 and all of his family are from the San Blas islands. He is kind of shy but super awesome. We are trying to see if we can teach his whole family but right now he is the only one that wants to get baptized.
Stomach wise I'm still about the same but the good news is in 2 weeks a nurse is coming to serve here. YAY!! and at least the Pres. tries to help me out now as much as he can.
I love you all a trillion and I hope you have a great first week of school.
xoxoxox
Hermy
Day at the Temple 16 August 2010
Well it looks like you and I are pretty much on the same page, I got sick this week too. I got some virus flu thing and had a fever of 101, I think I went kind of delirious so my companion called a member to bring me some pills and a blessing and now I'm all up and kicking again.
This week was a busy week, Tuesday was my companions birthday, Wednesday we had interviews with the mission President. Which were amazing. I absolutely love President and his wife.
Also in my interview, President gave me permission to go to the temple the next day with my converts from Chorrera, so I called the Branch Pres in Chorrera and found out what time I needed to be in the temple and tried to go to bed early. The next day my comp and I got up at 4 am to be at the temple a little before 6am. I got to the temple super excited and there were the Branch President and some members there, but no where in sight were my converts. But the Branch Pres told me the rest of the group would get there at noon, so my comp and I decided to do a session and wait till noon. We did a session and 2 hours of initiatory, which was amazing. I love the temple so much. And then at 11:30 we started looking for my converts and I was informed that now they would be there until 2. So we went to eat lunch and at 2 they still weren't there. Finally at 4 they got there, and I got to talk to them and take pictures but at this hour I had important lessons to go to and couldn't enter the temple with them. But it was exciting to watch them go in the temple. Then my comp and I sat crushed in a bus for 2 hours because there was tons of traffic before finally getting to the house. Super long day but in the end it was worth it all. The next day we worked our butts of and the next two days I was super sick. And that was my week.
My area won't be on a map because its just outside of Panama City, like Acalde Diaz so its like a suburb, not a city. I can see the skyscrapers from my house.
I sent off some pics today so you guys should get them soon.
Also, I don't need you to send me some shoes I found some this week, so I am all good to go.
My lizard came with me.
I love you and I am so grateful for all you do for me.
XOXOX
Hermy
This week was a busy week, Tuesday was my companions birthday, Wednesday we had interviews with the mission President. Which were amazing. I absolutely love President and his wife.
Also in my interview, President gave me permission to go to the temple the next day with my converts from Chorrera, so I called the Branch Pres in Chorrera and found out what time I needed to be in the temple and tried to go to bed early. The next day my comp and I got up at 4 am to be at the temple a little before 6am. I got to the temple super excited and there were the Branch President and some members there, but no where in sight were my converts. But the Branch Pres told me the rest of the group would get there at noon, so my comp and I decided to do a session and wait till noon. We did a session and 2 hours of initiatory, which was amazing. I love the temple so much. And then at 11:30 we started looking for my converts and I was informed that now they would be there until 2. So we went to eat lunch and at 2 they still weren't there. Finally at 4 they got there, and I got to talk to them and take pictures but at this hour I had important lessons to go to and couldn't enter the temple with them. But it was exciting to watch them go in the temple. Then my comp and I sat crushed in a bus for 2 hours because there was tons of traffic before finally getting to the house. Super long day but in the end it was worth it all. The next day we worked our butts of and the next two days I was super sick. And that was my week.
My area won't be on a map because its just outside of Panama City, like Acalde Diaz so its like a suburb, not a city. I can see the skyscrapers from my house.
I sent off some pics today so you guys should get them soon.
Also, I don't need you to send me some shoes I found some this week, so I am all good to go.
My lizard came with me.
I love you and I am so grateful for all you do for me.
XOXOX
Hermy
"I love my mission" 9 August 2010
Interviews and lunch with the San Isidro District
Stomach wise I'm okay. The stuff you sent me doesn't seem to be helping a whole lot, but its been hard because here we eat with the members a lot. I have learned a new technique, I have been taking plastic containers and asking them to put the food in there to save it for later, and then I don't have to eat it all. So I'm gonna continue that this week to see if it helps.
This week went well, I really love my companion and we worked super hard this week. And we were able to meet all of our goals this week except for one. The only problem is all the people we found this week aren't married. But I know the lord will provide the way. I love the work and I love being a missionary, the Lord blesses me so much everyday.
Oh also, Maria, the crazy black lady I was teaching in Chorrera got baptized this last weekend and her daughter too. I was so excited they both got baptized and Hna Amado told me it was a really beautiful baptism.
Now I just have to find my baptisms here...
I love you all!!
Sorry so short, but I'm all out of time.
Transferred to San Isidro 2 August 2010
Kara and her companion Hermana Melendez from Guatemala
Yeah I got both or your packages thank you so much! I have started the program and I donno if its changing anything as I've only been doing it a week.
The good news is I had changes and I am now in San Isidro and there are only hills hills and more hills here, so I am at least going to get excersize, the bad news is that we eat a lot more with the members, but I just tell them I can't eat much and eat till I am full...
My new companion is Hna Melendez, she is from Guatemala and I really like her a lot. She has 9 months in the mission so its nice to have a companion that already knows whats going on, so I don't have to teach her everything. My area is interesting, it's kind of like the ghetto, or at least I am told, I haven't seen too much but the members are always telling us to be careful and I have to go back to the house when it gets dark here so I guess it must be true. I love the Bishop. His wife is from the states and they lived there together for like 6 years, and they are way awesome. I am back in Panama City, and I forgot what the work is like here, everything is fast paced, but we found some pretty positive people to teach this week so the work is progressing.
Oh and there are about 180 missionaries here in Panama, 30 sisters and about 150 elders, somewhere around there.
Everything is great with me, I am loving life, and I can't believe that this week I will complete a whole year of being a missionary. It has gone by so incredibly fast. I miss you and I love you.
Hermy
Oh, also I am all out of money in my account... if you could put a little in there I would greatly appreciate it, I'm in need of new shoes... Thank you!!!!
These shoes have covered a lot of miles.
Grateful for blessings 26 July 2010
I got your packages this week, I haven't opened them yet cuz I just got them but thank you, thank you, thank you.
I am glad the whole camping thing turned out well and that you are having a good time. Tell Everyone that I miss them and I love them.
This week was interesting. A couple we have been teaching has been having a lot of problems the past few weeks and we have been doing all we can to help them, but the lady told us yesterday that she is leaving him, that she has prayed a lot about it and decided that she is better off alone. It made me super sad but in some ways I understand, he isn't much of a husband, just more of a problem. She told us a whole bunch of stuff I didn't know, like that he doesn't give her any of the money from his work, she pays for everything, he doesn't support her or love her in the way she wants. So I kind of understand why she is ending it, but it still makes me super sad. After all the problems I have seen here in Panama it makes me so grateful for our family, for the blessing I have had to have you and daddy as an example of marriage. I long for everyone here to have what we have in our family. But, they have to fight for it, just as we have.
I hope this week I can help more people to come to the light, to enjoy the blessings I have had in my life. I am so grateful for this gospel and more than anything for a Heavenly Father who loves us so much, who has given everything to make it possible for us to be successful and happy.
You are always in my prayers and I love you all more than words can describe.
Be good and have an awesome week.
XOXOXO
Kara
I am glad the whole camping thing turned out well and that you are having a good time. Tell Everyone that I miss them and I love them.
This week was interesting. A couple we have been teaching has been having a lot of problems the past few weeks and we have been doing all we can to help them, but the lady told us yesterday that she is leaving him, that she has prayed a lot about it and decided that she is better off alone. It made me super sad but in some ways I understand, he isn't much of a husband, just more of a problem. She told us a whole bunch of stuff I didn't know, like that he doesn't give her any of the money from his work, she pays for everything, he doesn't support her or love her in the way she wants. So I kind of understand why she is ending it, but it still makes me super sad. After all the problems I have seen here in Panama it makes me so grateful for our family, for the blessing I have had to have you and daddy as an example of marriage. I long for everyone here to have what we have in our family. But, they have to fight for it, just as we have.
I hope this week I can help more people to come to the light, to enjoy the blessings I have had in my life. I am so grateful for this gospel and more than anything for a Heavenly Father who loves us so much, who has given everything to make it possible for us to be successful and happy.
You are always in my prayers and I love you all more than words can describe.
Be good and have an awesome week.
XOXOXO
Kara
Ate something bad 19 July 2010
This week was kind of fun, I think I used a whole roll of toilet paper in less than a week. Something we ate made my companion and I sick and we took turns going potty a LOT. Luckily we never needed the bathroom at the same moment.
Things are progressing with the work, we put a baptismal date with an awesome lady this week. She is pretty crazy but I love her. This is the last week before changes, I am not sure but I am kind of hoping I get changed, I am ready for a new area. I donno how Kyle stayed in the same place for so long...
Other than that things are good, just working my little heart out.
Sorry its so short but I don't have a whole lot of time or exciting stories this week.
All my Love
Kara
Things are progressing with the work, we put a baptismal date with an awesome lady this week. She is pretty crazy but I love her. This is the last week before changes, I am not sure but I am kind of hoping I get changed, I am ready for a new area. I donno how Kyle stayed in the same place for so long...
Other than that things are good, just working my little heart out.
Sorry its so short but I don't have a whole lot of time or exciting stories this week.
All my Love
Kara
Gotta love those bus rides in Panama and meeting the New Mission President 12 July 2010
So I just sat on some guys lap in the bus and my adrenaline is still pumping. I was trying to get off the bus and slide past the guy that was sitting next to me, but the guy in front of me got up and I couldn't move so I was kind of stuck there in front of this poor guy and the bus driver braked and I went off balance and sat in his lap. Woops, my comp got a pretty good laugh, and you should have seen the look on the guys face. Gotta love Panama.
This week was about the same, I am definitely learning how to work diligently without seeing the fruits of my work. I was kind of stressed out last week because I've been working and working and for the first time in my whole mission I am going a whole change without a baptism, I just haven't been able to find anyone. But the Lord knows I am doing my best and working hard and I know I will receive the blessings when the time is right.
This week I met our new mission president and I absolutely LOVE him and his wife. They are super funny, super happy and amazing. Its like a complete 180 from Pres. Madrigal.
Chorrera Zone Conference
Studying together at Zone Conference
Stomach wise things are okay. I have really been careful about what I eat and I am going to the bathroom pretty regularly, but I still have stomach pains and I am all bloated. They do have that milk of magnesia stuff here so I´ll buy some of that. So I am surviving along those lines...
Thank you for everything you do for me. I miss you and love you a trillion!!!
Love,
Hermana Bloomfield
This is the New Mission President and his wife, Craig L and Lonna A. Ward
Here is a little information on them that came from the Church News:
Craig Lindsay Ward, 62 and Lonna Adamson Ward (they have 5 children) are from Hunington Beach 4th Ward, Huntington Beach California Stake. Pres. Ward was a counselor in the Stake Presidency and a former counselor in the California Long Beach Mission Presidency, a bishop and counselor, high councilor, seminary teacher and missionary in the North Argentine and France Paris missions. Retired owner/manager, Wards Furniture. Born in Long Beach, Calif., to Karl Moroni and Ethelyn Lindsay Ward.
Sister Ward serves as a Stake Young Women secretary and is a former ward Young Women President, counselor in a ward Relief Society Presidency, ward Primary president, ward music chairman, and family history consultant. Born in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Dale and Inez Howard Adamson.
This week was about the same, I am definitely learning how to work diligently without seeing the fruits of my work. I was kind of stressed out last week because I've been working and working and for the first time in my whole mission I am going a whole change without a baptism, I just haven't been able to find anyone. But the Lord knows I am doing my best and working hard and I know I will receive the blessings when the time is right.
This week I met our new mission president and I absolutely LOVE him and his wife. They are super funny, super happy and amazing. Its like a complete 180 from Pres. Madrigal.
Chorrera Zone Conference
Studying together at Zone Conference
Stomach wise things are okay. I have really been careful about what I eat and I am going to the bathroom pretty regularly, but I still have stomach pains and I am all bloated. They do have that milk of magnesia stuff here so I´ll buy some of that. So I am surviving along those lines...
Thank you for everything you do for me. I miss you and love you a trillion!!!
Love,
Hermana Bloomfield
This is the New Mission President and his wife, Craig L and Lonna A. Ward
Here is a little information on them that came from the Church News:
Craig Lindsay Ward, 62 and Lonna Adamson Ward (they have 5 children) are from Hunington Beach 4th Ward, Huntington Beach California Stake. Pres. Ward was a counselor in the Stake Presidency and a former counselor in the California Long Beach Mission Presidency, a bishop and counselor, high councilor, seminary teacher and missionary in the North Argentine and France Paris missions. Retired owner/manager, Wards Furniture. Born in Long Beach, Calif., to Karl Moroni and Ethelyn Lindsay Ward.
Sister Ward serves as a Stake Young Women secretary and is a former ward Young Women President, counselor in a ward Relief Society Presidency, ward Primary president, ward music chairman, and family history consultant. Born in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Dale and Inez Howard Adamson.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Blessing come after the trials of our faith 28 June 2010
I am glad the trek went well, I know what you mean about the sun, this week even though its supposed to be rainy season was incredibly hot. I got all of my tan lines back in full force. You'll have to forgive my spelling ect. in this email, the computer I'm using today is kind of nuts.
Things went better with my stomach this week, I was able to work my heart out everyday this week which was amazing. My stomach is still nuts, but we didn't eat very much with the members this week so I think that helped. Thanks for talking to the doctor and Annie, I think that this cleansing thing will really help to get back on good footing again.
This week I worked really hard and was rejected a lot. Really a lot!!! It was kind of a hard week but we had an amazing experience on Sunday. We had a meeting with the Bishop before church so we didn't have super a lot of time to go looking for investigators and people to bring to church this Sunday. One family we have been teaching promised they would come to church this Sunday, but we didn't have time to pass by their house to make sure they were up and getting ready before going to pickup a teenager we've been teaching. So I said a lot of prayers. But as we were sitting in church and they started the meeting I started to get a little nervous, they still hadn't showed up. So I started to pray, I reminded the Lord how hard I had worked all this passed week and begged him to help them come to church, and much to my joy near the end of the Sacrament they showed up. They really really liked church and said they are coming next week and the wife even said she wants to get baptized. I was reminded again this weekend that the blessings and testimony come after the trial of our faith.
We are teaching several families right now that are super positive, so things are good for now.
Mom or Grandma could you please put the name of Sarah, Miguel Jose and Ovidio in the temple, they are really having a hard time and could use some extra help.
I am glad the trek went well, sound like an experience that really helped the youth, we could use some of you guys here in Panama to plan all of this and help them out. Activities aren't really a strong point here.
Tell Olivia and Cassi and Mason that I love them and miss them.
Have fun in Utah and be safe, I'll be praying that you guys arrive safely.
All my love,
Kara
Things went better with my stomach this week, I was able to work my heart out everyday this week which was amazing. My stomach is still nuts, but we didn't eat very much with the members this week so I think that helped. Thanks for talking to the doctor and Annie, I think that this cleansing thing will really help to get back on good footing again.
This week I worked really hard and was rejected a lot. Really a lot!!! It was kind of a hard week but we had an amazing experience on Sunday. We had a meeting with the Bishop before church so we didn't have super a lot of time to go looking for investigators and people to bring to church this Sunday. One family we have been teaching promised they would come to church this Sunday, but we didn't have time to pass by their house to make sure they were up and getting ready before going to pickup a teenager we've been teaching. So I said a lot of prayers. But as we were sitting in church and they started the meeting I started to get a little nervous, they still hadn't showed up. So I started to pray, I reminded the Lord how hard I had worked all this passed week and begged him to help them come to church, and much to my joy near the end of the Sacrament they showed up. They really really liked church and said they are coming next week and the wife even said she wants to get baptized. I was reminded again this weekend that the blessings and testimony come after the trial of our faith.
We are teaching several families right now that are super positive, so things are good for now.
Mom or Grandma could you please put the name of Sarah, Miguel Jose and Ovidio in the temple, they are really having a hard time and could use some extra help.
I am glad the trek went well, sound like an experience that really helped the youth, we could use some of you guys here in Panama to plan all of this and help them out. Activities aren't really a strong point here.
Tell Olivia and Cassi and Mason that I love them and miss them.
Have fun in Utah and be safe, I'll be praying that you guys arrive safely.
All my love,
Kara
Stomach Issues 21 June 2010
After I talked to you the next day I was fasting and I felt even worse. I felt like I was going to pass out and the stomach pain was nuts so my fast only lasted till about 4 but the Lord knows I tried. Needless to say my companion got lots of time to study this week. Friday I decided I had had enough and I called the assistants, I had called Pres like 6 times but he never answered so I called them and told them what is going on, and they called the doctor in Guatemala to call me. He called me but it didn't go so well, he was actually quite rude. I started trying to tell him all that had happened from the beginning and he told me to just tell him my symptoms nothing else and then I told him and he kindly informed me that what I have is not a sickness, its just an inconvenience and then he began to inform me that he only uses the bathroom every 3 days and its normal. Needless to say when we hung up I was crying again and I don't know what will happen because I'm not allowed to go to the doctors here without his permission and according to him I am just fine. He treated me like I was freaking out because I wanted to go home or something.
So after that I called the elders and told them I needed a blessing, so they came over and gave me an awesome blessing in which the Lord promised me I would be healed according to my faith. That day I was able to work and the next day I worked super hard till about 6 when I was stuck in the bathroom for the rest of the night with my inconvenience. But I feel good enough to work and I know that the Lord will heal me as I do all I can. Thank you for your prayers and fasts, I love you so much and I am grateful for all you do for me.
Sorry I don't have time for much else today, but don't worry, I am feeling much much better, if not stomach wise definitely spirits wise, the blessing helped me get my hopes and strength back.
All my love,
Kara
So after that I called the elders and told them I needed a blessing, so they came over and gave me an awesome blessing in which the Lord promised me I would be healed according to my faith. That day I was able to work and the next day I worked super hard till about 6 when I was stuck in the bathroom for the rest of the night with my inconvenience. But I feel good enough to work and I know that the Lord will heal me as I do all I can. Thank you for your prayers and fasts, I love you so much and I am grateful for all you do for me.
Sorry I don't have time for much else today, but don't worry, I am feeling much much better, if not stomach wise definitely spirits wise, the blessing helped me get my hopes and strength back.
All my love,
Kara
No Changes! 14 June 2010
I didn't have changes and my companion either, so for the first time in my mission I'm going to have my companion more than 1 change. Weird. I have kind of mixed feelings, I am happy I didn't leave for the members and people here, but I've basically contacted all of my area and I'm not looking forward to contacting it all again. But the good news is we are teaching an awesome family right now that is super positive. The only problem is that they aren't married, again.
Naidu got married Wednesday and baptized Saturday, her baptism was a amazing, the spirit was super super strong, but unfortunately her husband refused to come. But hopefully with time he will come around.
I hope the trek goes well, you have to send me pictures of your outfit and everything, plus of the kids, I haven't seen pics since Christmas and I imagine they are bigger now.
World cup is huge here too, all I ever hear in the streets is the theme song - I can almost sing half of it now. Everyone is always talking about the games and watching them, but its all good because at least I know what is going on.
I don't have the duck anymore it got to big to stay in the house, so I left it outside and it almost got hit by a car, so I gave it back to the member that gave it to me and it had a nice reunion with its family. But the good news is I have a baby iguana now and we're bffs.
That's about all I got for this week.
I love you all a ton
Kara
Naidu got married Wednesday and baptized Saturday, her baptism was a amazing, the spirit was super super strong, but unfortunately her husband refused to come. But hopefully with time he will come around.
I hope the trek goes well, you have to send me pictures of your outfit and everything, plus of the kids, I haven't seen pics since Christmas and I imagine they are bigger now.
World cup is huge here too, all I ever hear in the streets is the theme song - I can almost sing half of it now. Everyone is always talking about the games and watching them, but its all good because at least I know what is going on.
I don't have the duck anymore it got to big to stay in the house, so I left it outside and it almost got hit by a car, so I gave it back to the member that gave it to me and it had a nice reunion with its family. But the good news is I have a baby iguana now and we're bffs.
That's about all I got for this week.
I love you all a ton
Kara
The work goes on 7 June 2010
So this week wasn't the best week ever. But, I did get your package which was completely amazing, thank you so much.
First of all, my couple didn't get married, the judge that was supposed to marry them called in sick, 3 days in a row. So they didn't have anyone to marry them, which makes the fact that her baptism scheduled for this Saturday a little tricky. If they call her and she gets married this week were all good to go, if not we will have to postpone the baptism, which I really hope doesn't happen because changes are next Monday and I feel like I'm going to have changes this time. I really want to be able to see her get baptized.
Um a really awesome guy I was teaching and had said he wants to get baptized told us we couldn't teach him anymore because his wife and daughter don't like us and says he's Catholic. lame.
And best of all a virus has been going around and it looks like I've got it, I spent all of Sat. and Sunday (except when we were in the church) in the bathroom or my bed. I'm feeling better today and I've only gone to the bathroom 3 times so far so I think I am about over it. I feel bad for my companion, she got some serious study time in. And as for her family so far none of the disasters have hit them, but who knows what is going on over there.
But in good news we found two families this week that are super awesome. I am hoping they will get baptized, but their going to have to get married first, as usual.
I am hoping this next week will be good, that I can work like a beast and not be sick anymore in case it is my last week here in the Barriada. I really have loved this area and most of all the members here.
I love you all and I hope all is well there. Sounds like you have a busy summer coming up.
Les Amo
Hermy
First of all, my couple didn't get married, the judge that was supposed to marry them called in sick, 3 days in a row. So they didn't have anyone to marry them, which makes the fact that her baptism scheduled for this Saturday a little tricky. If they call her and she gets married this week were all good to go, if not we will have to postpone the baptism, which I really hope doesn't happen because changes are next Monday and I feel like I'm going to have changes this time. I really want to be able to see her get baptized.
Um a really awesome guy I was teaching and had said he wants to get baptized told us we couldn't teach him anymore because his wife and daughter don't like us and says he's Catholic. lame.
And best of all a virus has been going around and it looks like I've got it, I spent all of Sat. and Sunday (except when we were in the church) in the bathroom or my bed. I'm feeling better today and I've only gone to the bathroom 3 times so far so I think I am about over it. I feel bad for my companion, she got some serious study time in. And as for her family so far none of the disasters have hit them, but who knows what is going on over there.
But in good news we found two families this week that are super awesome. I am hoping they will get baptized, but their going to have to get married first, as usual.
I am hoping this next week will be good, that I can work like a beast and not be sick anymore in case it is my last week here in the Barriada. I really have loved this area and most of all the members here.
I love you all and I hope all is well there. Sounds like you have a busy summer coming up.
Les Amo
Hermy
Monster Yucca, YUM!!!! (or not) 31 May 2010
I am glad that everything went so well with the funeral of Chris and to know he is at peace. I kind of felt haunted this whole week when I thought about him, how horrible his death must of been, how much fear he must have had in those last moments. It is just a testimony again that the only place we can find refuge is in the Lord.
I am so grateful that we can receive personal revelation, that we can know of things beyond our earthly sight. I know the Lord loves us greatly and will heal our hearts if we just turn to him.
Things went pretty well this week, Jose got baptized and confirmed and his baptism was really sweet. Even though he is only 25 he reminds me quite a bit of grandpa Arlin, he already has a mini version of grandpas nose, poor guy who knows how big it'll be when he a grandpa. Also in the marriage front my couple will be getting married this Thursday and are super excited. We are still talking about when the baptism will be cuz they have crazy schedules, but I think it will be this week.
Things are about the same with my companion, but I'm doing the best I can and always praying to be more humble and patient.
There are only two weeks left in this change and I got the feeling this Sunday in church that I am going to have changes. I really don't want to leave as I love this little branch. I feel like everyone here is my family, but we will see what the Lord has in store for me.
Other than that not much is going on, lots of walking sun and teaching. Looking for those waiting for our message.
I love you all and I miss you a ton. One more month down.
Les Amo
Hermy
This is a monster Yucca. It is a root they eat a lot here.
I am so grateful that we can receive personal revelation, that we can know of things beyond our earthly sight. I know the Lord loves us greatly and will heal our hearts if we just turn to him.
Things went pretty well this week, Jose got baptized and confirmed and his baptism was really sweet. Even though he is only 25 he reminds me quite a bit of grandpa Arlin, he already has a mini version of grandpas nose, poor guy who knows how big it'll be when he a grandpa. Also in the marriage front my couple will be getting married this Thursday and are super excited. We are still talking about when the baptism will be cuz they have crazy schedules, but I think it will be this week.
Things are about the same with my companion, but I'm doing the best I can and always praying to be more humble and patient.
There are only two weeks left in this change and I got the feeling this Sunday in church that I am going to have changes. I really don't want to leave as I love this little branch. I feel like everyone here is my family, but we will see what the Lord has in store for me.
Other than that not much is going on, lots of walking sun and teaching. Looking for those waiting for our message.
I love you all and I miss you a ton. One more month down.
Les Amo
Hermy
This is a monster Yucca. It is a root they eat a lot here.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Grateful for family 24 May 2010
I am so grateful for the amazing family we have, for the amazing marriage you and dad have, it definitely has been and will continue to be a great example for what I want when I get married. I am so glad to know that we will be together forever, that no matter what happens I will always have you guys. I love you all more than words can describe.
I hope that despite all this you have a great birthday today mommy. I wish I could be there to celebrate it with you and I am glad everything went well with Cassi's birthday. Just think next year at this time I will be there to celebrate with you.
Oh speaking of which, I need you to do me a favor, I don't know how long BYU put me on away status, if it goes till Jan 2011 or Aug 2011, because I am not going to get back till Feb 21 2011.
Things are good here, no more rats, things are okay with my companion. I have a baptism this Saturday and almost all the papers and everything are done for my marriage. (The marriage Kara is talking about is from a family that the missionaries have been working with for years, but the man would never get married. After a couple spiritual lessons, Kara said to the man "I would sure like some wedding cake, he then turned to the woman (they have been together for many years, but never married) and said, so do you want to get married? The woman was shocked as all the times before he would not even talk about it. So Kara is helping to put on a wedding for them and then they will get baptized after the wedding). Just working like a beast as always. This week we had the last zone conference with Pres Madrigal. This next change our new president will be coming so I am excited to meet him.
Not sure what else to say. I love you and daddy and our family so much and I am so grateful that we have the hope of the Savior in our lives, that we have the promise of rest and peace if we come unto him.
I love you
Kara
This is a shoe shiner that shined all the Missionaries shoes while they were waiting to catch the bus.
While Elder Whitwood was taking his picture, he quickly jumped up and sat by me and put his arm around me. Elder Cruz shook his finger at him and told him No No No, but I do not think the guy understood, because he kept touching me. We all got a pretty good laugh.
I hope that despite all this you have a great birthday today mommy. I wish I could be there to celebrate it with you and I am glad everything went well with Cassi's birthday. Just think next year at this time I will be there to celebrate with you.
Oh speaking of which, I need you to do me a favor, I don't know how long BYU put me on away status, if it goes till Jan 2011 or Aug 2011, because I am not going to get back till Feb 21 2011.
Things are good here, no more rats, things are okay with my companion. I have a baptism this Saturday and almost all the papers and everything are done for my marriage. (The marriage Kara is talking about is from a family that the missionaries have been working with for years, but the man would never get married. After a couple spiritual lessons, Kara said to the man "I would sure like some wedding cake, he then turned to the woman (they have been together for many years, but never married) and said, so do you want to get married? The woman was shocked as all the times before he would not even talk about it. So Kara is helping to put on a wedding for them and then they will get baptized after the wedding). Just working like a beast as always. This week we had the last zone conference with Pres Madrigal. This next change our new president will be coming so I am excited to meet him.
Not sure what else to say. I love you and daddy and our family so much and I am so grateful that we have the hope of the Savior in our lives, that we have the promise of rest and peace if we come unto him.
I love you
Kara
This is a shoe shiner that shined all the Missionaries shoes while they were waiting to catch the bus.
While Elder Whitwood was taking his picture, he quickly jumped up and sat by me and put his arm around me. Elder Cruz shook his finger at him and told him No No No, but I do not think the guy understood, because he kept touching me. We all got a pretty good laugh.
Discovering the Rat's Nest 17 May 2010
Downtown Panama City
Thanks for the package and everything, hopefully it doesn't take too long to get here.
So this Sunday was the census here in Panama and no one was allowed to leave the house so that the government could count the people, it was weird not to have church but I guess our mission Pres. decided it would be a good day to clean the house, so even it though was Sunday my comp and I decided to clean the things we haven't had time to get to. Aka the huge pile of wood old dresser and crap under the stairs. While pulling everything out of there I found an exciting surprise. A rats nest. My companion and I have succeeded killing 6 rats during this week with poison and traps but it seems we hadn't gotten to the heart of the problem. In one of the dresser drawers I found the nest full of baby rats, I counted 6 but I'm not really sure how many there were. They were actually kind of cute and helpless so I wanted to keep them and take care of them but my comp wouldn't have any of that. She decided that the only way to dispose of them completely would be to burn the whole dresser. I tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldn't budge. So yesterday we had a bonfire. I still feel kind of bad but its nice to know I won't wake up to rat poop on my scriptures anymore.
Work wise things went well this week, I put a baptismal date with a guy we found a few weeks ago and I am really excited to see him change and grow. We watched the Joseph Smith movie with him the other day and the spirit was super super strong, it was pretty awesome. I'm about halfway done with all the papers and everything for the marriage of Naidu so she will be getting baptized soon as well. It really goes to show that there is always opposition in all things because I have been experiencing a lot of rejection lately but I am also seeing many miracles so its all worth it. It is amazing how much the Lord blesses me and how happy I can be even though all day long people are rude to me. It just goes to show that real happiness is only found in the gospel.
I am so grateful to be here and for all I've learned.
All my love,
Kara
Mother's Day Phone call re-cap from Mom 10 May 2010
Kara said that she lives in the ghetto area and that they have seen shootings and hears shots all the time. While we were talking, her companion let out a scream as they caught a rat. They have about 7-10 rats running around their house. Kara said she has gotten to where they don't bother her so much, but she is tired of their poop on everything. When she emailed the day after we talked, she informed me they had caught 2 more, so a total of 3. Her land lord had set traps for them to catch them and then he comes and gets them when they are trapped. Kara said she knows that the Lord is protecting her as there is so much danger around her, but they leave her alone other than the cat calling that she gets. She is still having stomach issues and took the strongest parasite pill they had to see if that was what she had going on. But she like Kyle, said "I am so grateful I am hear and I thank the Lord for the opportunity everyday". Oh Kara has a pet duck that roams her house with the rats. One of the members in the ward gave it to her for her birthday. He brings her food each week to feed it. She said since she doesn't have floor in her place other than cement or dirt, it can't really hurt anything. She got it when it was a tiny chick and the deal is that she will give it back to the member when she gets transferred.
This is the pet duckling
This is the pet duckling
Visit to the Temple 26 April 2010
So I think my week was about like yours. I definitely saw opposition in all things this week. I got to go to the temple on Wednesday which was absolutely, completely amazing. I learned so much in just a few hours. I realized everything in this life is a process as reflected in the temple and that I'm not just all of a sudden going to be perfect enough to be in the Lords presence, I have to change little by little everyday till I reach the celestial room. While I was in the celestial room I truly felt the presence of the Lord. I can't wait to return to his presence, to the peace and joy we will have there. Thank you for always having taught me the truth so that I am temple worthy, so that I know and understand why I am here. I love you so much. I did a session and initiatories and my companion basically had to drag me out of there because I did not want to leave. I met a lady that is serving a mission in the temple with her husband who is Japanese but lived in Orem and taught at BYU with her husband for 50 years. She was so cute and reminded me a lot of Grandma.
In order to make the 8:00am session, we had to get up at 4:00am.
Grandma and Grandpa I miss you two a lot and I love you so much. I am so grateful to be a granddaughter of two such amazing people who truly have consecrated their lives to the Lord.
Also we had a baptism on Saturday which went really well. Once again it is amazing to see the change in peoples lives as they begin to turn to the Lord. The baptism was really nice and as Oliver said ( the guy who got baptized) it was full of the spirit.
Also yesterday I got the surprise of talking in church. 5 minutes before the meeting started the 1st counselor came up and told me that the person that was supposed to talk wasn't going to show up and that they wanted me to talk. I said okay, what would you like me to talk about and he said ummmmmmmmmmm prayer. So I prayed really hard but I felt really nervous because I was completely exhausted and my little brain felt all fried, I couldn't think of a single thing to say. But as I walked up to the front to give my talk I realized, Jesus was our example in everything and we are supposed to do what he did. So what exactly did he do? He followed the will of the father and prayer is how we figure out what exactly is the will of the father for us. From there I used the example of Enos and applied it to our lives and some how ended up filling the 15 minutes no problem. It was so amazing I truly felt the Lord fill my mouth with words. The things that I said I had never thought about before, I not only taught them but I taught myself as well. It was a talk I will never forget.
This week was super duper hard. It poured rain almost every single day, no one wanted to listen to us, we don't have anyone progressing and no one new to teach. I felt horrible because I basically didn't sleep all week and my stomach was really upset again. (I don't think I really have a stomach ulcer because my stomach still hurts from time to time, the medicine they gave me hasn't done anything, so I stopped taking it.) I felt really depressed and down hearted wondering why I am even here. But then I remember the amazing experiences I have had here. Focusing on the good things and having an eternal perspective all makes it worth it. So we keep pushing on.
Tell Darren I say that doubt and fear never come from the Lord.
Tell the kids hi and that I love them.
All my Love,
Hermy
In order to make the 8:00am session, we had to get up at 4:00am.
Grandma and Grandpa I miss you two a lot and I love you so much. I am so grateful to be a granddaughter of two such amazing people who truly have consecrated their lives to the Lord.
Also we had a baptism on Saturday which went really well. Once again it is amazing to see the change in peoples lives as they begin to turn to the Lord. The baptism was really nice and as Oliver said ( the guy who got baptized) it was full of the spirit.
Also yesterday I got the surprise of talking in church. 5 minutes before the meeting started the 1st counselor came up and told me that the person that was supposed to talk wasn't going to show up and that they wanted me to talk. I said okay, what would you like me to talk about and he said ummmmmmmmmmm prayer. So I prayed really hard but I felt really nervous because I was completely exhausted and my little brain felt all fried, I couldn't think of a single thing to say. But as I walked up to the front to give my talk I realized, Jesus was our example in everything and we are supposed to do what he did. So what exactly did he do? He followed the will of the father and prayer is how we figure out what exactly is the will of the father for us. From there I used the example of Enos and applied it to our lives and some how ended up filling the 15 minutes no problem. It was so amazing I truly felt the Lord fill my mouth with words. The things that I said I had never thought about before, I not only taught them but I taught myself as well. It was a talk I will never forget.
This week was super duper hard. It poured rain almost every single day, no one wanted to listen to us, we don't have anyone progressing and no one new to teach. I felt horrible because I basically didn't sleep all week and my stomach was really upset again. (I don't think I really have a stomach ulcer because my stomach still hurts from time to time, the medicine they gave me hasn't done anything, so I stopped taking it.) I felt really depressed and down hearted wondering why I am even here. But then I remember the amazing experiences I have had here. Focusing on the good things and having an eternal perspective all makes it worth it. So we keep pushing on.
Tell Darren I say that doubt and fear never come from the Lord.
Tell the kids hi and that I love them.
All my Love,
Hermy
P-Day at the Beach, but not in the water!! 19 April 2010
Hermana Golan, her companion from Nicaragua and Kara
So after almost nine months in Panama, I finally got to go to the beach today. We went with my whole zone and it was pretty fun. I enjoyed looking for shells while running away from the water.
First trip to the beach
This is the black sand from the beach. Also check out the tan lines on the feet!
Things this week were good, the same old same old. We had a baptism this weekend that went really well and it was kind of funny because as we were leaving the church some guys were shooting at one another, so the police showed up to take them all. It was kind of a crazy contrast, to go from a baptism full of the spirit back into the world again. I look forward to the day when we can stay in the environment with the spirit forever and don't have to return to the world.
So far I have had 8 baptisms which actually will be 9 this Saturday. Not counting the ones that I taught and got baptized after I got moved to another area. I am writing in my journal as much as I can because I think I have your disease of forgetfulness. I almost can't remember how to speak English anymore.
I really liked that talk you sent me about the way we think and the importance of our thoughts, you wouldn't believe how often I teach people that saying you always taught us, that our thoughts become our actions ect. I never realized how much you really taught me until I got here and started teaching other people. Thank you so much for always teaching me, even though at times it may have seemed that what you said went in one ear and out the other. I think most of it has stayed with me and helps me out a lot.
I am super excited that it is almost Mothers Day, I have church the same time as you guys so I think I'll just call you after wards. I can buy a calling card here again, I think in the end that was easier and cheaper.
Hey I haven't gotten any letters from home in a super long time, are you still sending them or have you stopped?
How are the kids doing?
Things are going well here, I'm not sure what to tell you about, I can't think of anything out of the ordinary.
OH, I'm going to the temple this Wednesday and I am super excited. President is rewarding me for all of my baptisms. Hopefully it'll give me a good jump start. I'm starting to feel like I'm falling into a routine...
My only complaint is that I really don't like my zone here, the other missionaries are all gossip mongers and even though they are missionaries they are always staring at me like a piece of meat. It gets kind of frustrating. But we have changes in 2 weeks so it should get changed up soon, hopefully.
Anyways I love you, you are amazing, thank you for all you do for me.
hermy
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Be Good Examples April 12, 2010
Baptism of Joseph (left hand side)
MY birthday was good, basically felt like any other day but I got to listen to the prophet so that rocked.
This week was kind of hard, One of my investigators, a really cute old guy that is 80 yrs old, who was about to accept a baptism date now doesn't want to have anything to do with the church. We talked about him getting baptized the 1st of May and he said he wants to but wanted to see a baptism first, so I called the Zone Leaders and found out if someone would be having a baptism this weekend, luckily some Hermanas close by had a baptism planned for Saturday. So I told my investigator and got it all planned for us to go and he was super dooper excited. I called the Hermanas and they said the baptism would be at 5, but they didn't know the directions to their church so we planned to meet in front of a grocery store at 4:30. We got to the church at 4:40 and no one was there. NO ONE. They were still filling the font and there was no one. So we sat down to wait, and wait and wait and wait. Finally at 6:40 they started the baptism. And it was the most basura baptism I have ever seen, only one talk, Elders making fun, they messed up the baptism, no testimonies. Needless to say there was no spirit whatsoever. When it finally finished my investigator was really grumpy after waiting 4 hours for nothing. The next day when we passed by him to go to church, he said he couldn't come and wasn't sure when we could pass by to teach him again. I was pretty devastated but I remembered the parable of the sower with the different seeds in different soils, maybe he isn't good soil.
But needless to say, my message this week is that we always need to be good examples to everyone. We never know who is watching and the things we do will affect what they think of the church.
But in better news, I have a baptism this Saturday and another one the next Saturday, so the work is rolling on. I love my companion and I really like my area. Right now I'm in a branch of about 55 people, we meet in a small house. It's kind of fun, reminds me of living overseas. I am in Chorrera, it's about an hour from the capital and is a suburb, like always.
Love you all!!!!
hermy
Importance of Family April 6, 2010
I have some bad news for you, I decided I am going to stay my whole mission, this is more important than school so I will be here till February.
This week was good, it was so amazing to be able to listen to the Prophet and Apostles, I ate it all up. I don't have a lot of time today so I just want to spend what I have telling you all how much I love you all. I have come to realize in the mission the importance of my family and it truly can't be a "happily ever after" without you all. I know that the only way we can gain our "happily ever after" is in the prince of peace. Putting in practice the atonement in our lives. I know that my Savior lives, I know he loves us incredibly because he gave his life so that we can be with him again. I can not deny the evidence of his love and support in my life every moment. But it is up to us to decide whether or not we want our "happily ever after".
I am so grateful for the wonderful family I have been given, you are one of the greatest blessings I have received in this life. I am so grateful for all of the support and love I receive from each and every one of you. While listening to conference yesterday I felt very strongly the spirit testify to me that we are in the last days and that these calamities are just the beginning of the turbulence, that deaths will begin to occur more and reach us in our daily lives. We truly never know when our test in this life will be over. I beg each and everyone of you, turn to our Savior, live your life in such a manner that if your life was over tomorrow you would have no regrets and would be prepared. I don't want to get to heaven and not have all of you there with me. It is not easy but it is worth it.
I had a combined Birthday Party with the Branch Pres.. These are his daughters.
For the party we broke a pinata.
The Mermaid Pinata
All my love,
Hermy
This week was good, it was so amazing to be able to listen to the Prophet and Apostles, I ate it all up. I don't have a lot of time today so I just want to spend what I have telling you all how much I love you all. I have come to realize in the mission the importance of my family and it truly can't be a "happily ever after" without you all. I know that the only way we can gain our "happily ever after" is in the prince of peace. Putting in practice the atonement in our lives. I know that my Savior lives, I know he loves us incredibly because he gave his life so that we can be with him again. I can not deny the evidence of his love and support in my life every moment. But it is up to us to decide whether or not we want our "happily ever after".
I am so grateful for the wonderful family I have been given, you are one of the greatest blessings I have received in this life. I am so grateful for all of the support and love I receive from each and every one of you. While listening to conference yesterday I felt very strongly the spirit testify to me that we are in the last days and that these calamities are just the beginning of the turbulence, that deaths will begin to occur more and reach us in our daily lives. We truly never know when our test in this life will be over. I beg each and everyone of you, turn to our Savior, live your life in such a manner that if your life was over tomorrow you would have no regrets and would be prepared. I don't want to get to heaven and not have all of you there with me. It is not easy but it is worth it.
I had a combined Birthday Party with the Branch Pres.. These are his daughters.
For the party we broke a pinata.
The Mermaid Pinata
All my love,
Hermy
Sweet Experience March 29, 2010
This week was amazing, I worked so I hard I literally crashed last night. I love my companion, her name is Hermana Galan. She is from Nicaragua. I love teaching with her as we really have the spirit together and I feel very unified in our work. We kind of a had a cool experience this week. We taught a family this week where the kids are members and the mom has been coming to church for years but hasn't been able to get baptized because the Dad won't get married with her - the biggest and most common challenge here in Panama. We watched a movie about Christ and I bore my testimony about his love for us and about the Savior and the spirit was incredible strong. Later that night, when we were planning my companion told me that as I was bearing my testimony she had a really sweet experience in which she felt that she knew me before this life, as she told me about it I felt the spirit confirm that it was true. It is amazing what we have accomplished in just one week together.
So this area has been quite a change. I am now a pro at bucket showers, we rarely have water so every time we use the bathroom, shower, wash, etc I have to bring in water from a little tank outside. I kind of feel like a pioneer. Also its definitely more dangerous here than my other areas but I know the Lord will protect me.
We are teaching a lot of people right now, and we have a baptism this Saturday. This is my companions third change and she hasn't had a baptism yet in the mission so she is really excited. We are going to do it in between conference session Saturday which should be pretty dang cool.
I am so excited for conference. I am counting down the days, I can't wait to hear what the prophet and every one will say.
I love what you said about love from Sunday. Really in the mission, I have learned that everything is about love. I have felt the love of the Lord for all of these people, and it amazes me how much he truly loves us. It is more than we can comprehend. But more difficult is to learn to love him back. This truly takes strength and action, keeping the commandments, etc.
Lucky this change my companion likes to exercise so we have been running in the mornings, I feel skinnier already. It is kind of funny because people here don't really exercise much, they don't know what to do, so I've been teaching my companion. We've been running sprints and stretching and all kinds of things. Now there is a lady that started talking to us and asked if she could run with us and a member too. I feel like a trainer or coach or something. The lady asked me if was an important athlete, it gave me a pretty good laugh. Gotta love all the crazy things that happen in the mission.
I can't believe I'm going to be 22 soon, it feels like I just left for the mission. I can't believe its almost been a year since I got my call and everything.
Everything is great with me, I love the members here, it is only a branch of 50 people so it has its challenges, but I love it here.
I love you all and I miss you a TON.
one more month and we can talk on the phone!!!
xoxoxox
So this area has been quite a change. I am now a pro at bucket showers, we rarely have water so every time we use the bathroom, shower, wash, etc I have to bring in water from a little tank outside. I kind of feel like a pioneer. Also its definitely more dangerous here than my other areas but I know the Lord will protect me.
We are teaching a lot of people right now, and we have a baptism this Saturday. This is my companions third change and she hasn't had a baptism yet in the mission so she is really excited. We are going to do it in between conference session Saturday which should be pretty dang cool.
I am so excited for conference. I am counting down the days, I can't wait to hear what the prophet and every one will say.
I love what you said about love from Sunday. Really in the mission, I have learned that everything is about love. I have felt the love of the Lord for all of these people, and it amazes me how much he truly loves us. It is more than we can comprehend. But more difficult is to learn to love him back. This truly takes strength and action, keeping the commandments, etc.
Lucky this change my companion likes to exercise so we have been running in the mornings, I feel skinnier already. It is kind of funny because people here don't really exercise much, they don't know what to do, so I've been teaching my companion. We've been running sprints and stretching and all kinds of things. Now there is a lady that started talking to us and asked if she could run with us and a member too. I feel like a trainer or coach or something. The lady asked me if was an important athlete, it gave me a pretty good laugh. Gotta love all the crazy things that happen in the mission.
I can't believe I'm going to be 22 soon, it feels like I just left for the mission. I can't believe its almost been a year since I got my call and everything.
Everything is great with me, I love the members here, it is only a branch of 50 people so it has its challenges, but I love it here.
I love you all and I miss you a TON.
one more month and we can talk on the phone!!!
xoxoxox
The Fair and Another Change March 22, 2010
The fair was ... interesting. I sent you a guys a package but I'm not sure how long it will take to get there, but it only cost 9 bucks. There were tons of different booths from countries here in Central America selling stuff and there was TONS of food and the best of all the rides. I talk my companion into doing the Montana Russo with me. It's the biggest roller coaster they have in the fair. Not the best idea, it ends up that roller coasters here aren't so much like roller coasters in the USA. They're not well greased and smooth, felt more like a earthquake than anything. Poor thing, my companion, we were shaking all over the place and she hit her jaw on the safety guard and her cheek was all swollen the next day. All week she only chewed her food on one side of her mouth, looked like a little chipmunk which gave me a good laugh. Overall, the fair was fun but I think Disney World wins.
A ride at the Fair
So today we had changes, I got moved to Chorrera. Don't know much, just got here. My new companion seems really sweet and I like her a lot. Her name is Hermana Galan and she is from Niciragua. I was really sad to leave David, I didn't think I would have changes. I had 2 baptisms planned in 2 weeks and a whole bunch of plans with the members. But I know the Lord has lots of work for me and that there is a reason why I'm here now. So yesterday I got to ride the 8 hour bus back to Panama City again. The exciting part is I got to sleep in the house of Pres. Madrigal last night and I took my first hot shower in 6 months. It was weird.
The past week I still had really horrible stomach pains, turns out I am more Mom than we thought. The doctor I talked to says I have the beginning of a stomach ulcer from stress. But not to worry he gave me some pills I have to take and I should be good to go. I've been taking them 4 days now and the pain is almost gone.
Everything is good here in Zion, just working my little heart out.
Love you all a ton and I hope this finds you all safe and sound.
Love, Hermy
A ride at the Fair
So today we had changes, I got moved to Chorrera. Don't know much, just got here. My new companion seems really sweet and I like her a lot. Her name is Hermana Galan and she is from Niciragua. I was really sad to leave David, I didn't think I would have changes. I had 2 baptisms planned in 2 weeks and a whole bunch of plans with the members. But I know the Lord has lots of work for me and that there is a reason why I'm here now. So yesterday I got to ride the 8 hour bus back to Panama City again. The exciting part is I got to sleep in the house of Pres. Madrigal last night and I took my first hot shower in 6 months. It was weird.
The past week I still had really horrible stomach pains, turns out I am more Mom than we thought. The doctor I talked to says I have the beginning of a stomach ulcer from stress. But not to worry he gave me some pills I have to take and I should be good to go. I've been taking them 4 days now and the pain is almost gone.
Everything is good here in Zion, just working my little heart out.
Love you all a ton and I hope this finds you all safe and sound.
Love, Hermy
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Stomach Pains March 15, 2010
This week was pretty good. We put a baptismal date with a guy we have been teaching the past few weeks that has changed so much.
Changes are this next Monday and I'm praying I won't get changed. I don't feel like my work is done yet in this area and I really want to be here for the next few baptisms we have coming up.
I was super sick to my stomach again this week, I think the eating so much constipation, laxatives and whole routine has taken a toll on my stomach. I had a really sharp pain two days straight so at least now I have the nurses okay to tell people I can't eat, and she told me to start taking little doggie bags and tell the people I am saving their food for later... The fun things that happen to your body here....
As for the burning I put on sunscreen everyday, its just the the place I printed the pictures is really cheap so they all turned out reddish.
This week the fair is here and all the countries here is Central America have booths, and there is food and roller coasters. I am really excited to go today and check it all out. I'll send you guys some pics and whatever I find.
Changes are this next Monday and I'm praying I won't get changed. I don't feel like my work is done yet in this area and I really want to be here for the next few baptisms we have coming up.
I was super sick to my stomach again this week, I think the eating so much constipation, laxatives and whole routine has taken a toll on my stomach. I had a really sharp pain two days straight so at least now I have the nurses okay to tell people I can't eat, and she told me to start taking little doggie bags and tell the people I am saving their food for later... The fun things that happen to your body here....
As for the burning I put on sunscreen everyday, its just the the place I printed the pictures is really cheap so they all turned out reddish.
This week the fair is here and all the countries here is Central America have booths, and there is food and roller coasters. I am really excited to go today and check it all out. I'll send you guys some pics and whatever I find.
Serving the Lord March 8, 2010
Baptism of Hermana Quezaliris
This week was amazing. Monday I had interviews with the Mission President and talked to him about a lot of concerns I had and he helped a ton. This week my companion and I worked together so well, we accomplish so much.
Hermana Cecilia got baptized a month ago, she is still doing awesome. We talked to her this week about temple marriage because she is starting to get more serious with her boyfriend, so we will see how that goes... I told her if he didn't want the church it was best to drop him.
This week I really gained a testimony that there is no excuse for not serving the Lord and keeping his commandments. In my ward here, the members have really slacked off or misunderstood their callings for quite some time. The computer list of members says we have 390 members but only 70 people are at church. No one has taken care of the in-actives or sent info of people that have moved. We are working to fix all this but it makes me so sad that we don't know what happened to so many of the Lords sheep. When we got baptized we promised to serve others and keep the commandment see Mosiah 18. So those who refuse to do their calling or help others really have some stepping up to do. If we really want to live with our savior after this life we have to be willing to sacrifice as he did.
Anyways, I love you all so much and I'm so grateful to be serving here.
THANKS!!!
Long Trip to Immigration Office March 1, 2010
As for me this week was interesting. I had to travel to Panama City for immigracions which wasn't much fun. We left at 3 am from here, arrived at 9 something, went straight to immigracion, waited there forever, ate really quick and got back on a bus for another 9 hour ride. We finally got home at about 9 and needless to say I hope by the time my card expires again I'm back closer to Panama City.
But despite my trip, my companion and I worked really hard this weekend and found 20 new people to teach. Hopefully a few of them will want to change their lives for the better. This week we had a lesson with a lady we have been teaching that has a baptismal date for the 13th of March. It was kind of cool because she is the mom of one of the members here and came up to us and basically said she wanted to get baptized because her grand daughter who is 4 asked her why she was going to the church of Satan, which got her to thinking and ended up with us. Yesterday we were teaching her a lesson and went over the baptismal interview questions to make sure she is ready. However, due to some past mistakes she has to interview with the stake president. As she talked about her past sin she said it was something she did to find a answer to her problem but after a few months the same problem came back. That really the answers of the world are not lasting and never really help us. It made me so grateful that I have known since a young age that the answers from God are so much better than those of the world and that I know where to find these answers. I am so grateful for the atonement, for the ability we have to change and grow and repent of our sins.
Anyways, I love you all and I am so grateful for your prayers, letters and support.
Always choose the right and, remember who you are.
Love, Hermy
But despite my trip, my companion and I worked really hard this weekend and found 20 new people to teach. Hopefully a few of them will want to change their lives for the better. This week we had a lesson with a lady we have been teaching that has a baptismal date for the 13th of March. It was kind of cool because she is the mom of one of the members here and came up to us and basically said she wanted to get baptized because her grand daughter who is 4 asked her why she was going to the church of Satan, which got her to thinking and ended up with us. Yesterday we were teaching her a lesson and went over the baptismal interview questions to make sure she is ready. However, due to some past mistakes she has to interview with the stake president. As she talked about her past sin she said it was something she did to find a answer to her problem but after a few months the same problem came back. That really the answers of the world are not lasting and never really help us. It made me so grateful that I have known since a young age that the answers from God are so much better than those of the world and that I know where to find these answers. I am so grateful for the atonement, for the ability we have to change and grow and repent of our sins.
Anyways, I love you all and I am so grateful for your prayers, letters and support.
Always choose the right and, remember who you are.
Love, Hermy
Craving the Spirit February 7, 2010
Kara and her companion, Hermana Castro from Honduras
>
> The food here is the same as Panama City, but I only eat with the members for lunch so I'm not getting fed as much. The members we live next to, rarely make us food but they often give us fruits or vegetables.
> My area that I live in is flat, completely flat. I have definitely walked more than a thousand miles and my shoes have huge holes in the bottom of them. I finally gave in and bought new shoes this past week because my feet were burning from the concrete. The nicest shoe store they have here is Payless, but you don't really pay less, but its the best quality they have here, so I bought 2 pairs of shoes. Less comfy than my old ones, but they'll do for the next 10000 miles. I don't need any clothes or anything here.
>
> I still haven't gotten your packages or pics, the mail is a lot slower in this area. I'm pretty sure it sits in the mission office a few weeks before they get around to sending it down here. But I'll get it at some point...
>
> Changes are today and I am getting a new companion. I'm still waiting for her to arrive from the 8 hr bus ride so I'm not sure who it will be... but I'm staying in the same area and things are great. Cecilia got baptized this past Saturday and the baptism despite a few obstacles was AWESOME. I am so blessed to be here helping people find the true happiness that we all crave.
> The biggest obstacle for me I think right now is the fact that I'm blond and mas o menos attractive, that is what the men tell me. I am trying to figure out if the men I'm teaching are really interested in the gospel or just interested in me. I refuse to baptize anyone that doesn't have a true testimony but figuring out if they have a testimony or not leaves me boggled. I am just going to have to rely on the Lord. I am so grateful for the gift of the spirit, half the time I don't even know I'm being guided but the things like the baptism of Cecilia happen. I know that I was being guided. It is interesting how as a missionary I crave the spirit and feel lost and muddled when I don't have it with me strongly. I hope this craving never leaves me.
> I love you all so much and my prayers are always with you.
>
> Les amo!
> Hermy
Sacrifice February 3, 2010
One of my favorite quotes by Joseph Smith is that without sacrifice we will never have the faith sufficient for eternal life.
Things were a little tough this week, but it ended up good. My investigator that threw out her coffee had her baptismal interview yesterday and is all set to go for this Saturday. She cant wait. We baptized a girl this Thursday who went directly after on a temple trip with the ward. It was so cool to see all of my converts here drive all night 8 hours in a bus to go to the temple. LOVE IT.
Right now we are teaching a guy who had a car accident 8 years ago and now his legs don't work. A lot has changed since then, his wife left him, he could do his job and was left all alone. Now he is a taxi driver - he uses a stick to drive. He is super awesome, I know he can be healed through the atonement and I am enjoying helping him. He has a baptismal date for the 20th and can't wait.
Changes are this next Monday, I'm not sure what will happen, I'm pretty sure I'll be staying here, but you never know.
Love you all,
LES AMO!!
Things were a little tough this week, but it ended up good. My investigator that threw out her coffee had her baptismal interview yesterday and is all set to go for this Saturday. She cant wait. We baptized a girl this Thursday who went directly after on a temple trip with the ward. It was so cool to see all of my converts here drive all night 8 hours in a bus to go to the temple. LOVE IT.
Right now we are teaching a guy who had a car accident 8 years ago and now his legs don't work. A lot has changed since then, his wife left him, he could do his job and was left all alone. Now he is a taxi driver - he uses a stick to drive. He is super awesome, I know he can be healed through the atonement and I am enjoying helping him. He has a baptismal date for the 20th and can't wait.
Changes are this next Monday, I'm not sure what will happen, I'm pretty sure I'll be staying here, but you never know.
Love you all,
LES AMO!!
Obedience,washing our sins down the sink! January 25. 2010
Hey mom!!!
This week was an interesting week. One of the 70's came and taught all day in our Zone Conference this week which was AMAZING. I learned so much and felt so uplifted. It was like being in the MTC all over again.
Thursday, the day after I worked the hardest and most intense than I have since I got here, I was so fired up from the conference. I contacted 60 people, taught 9 lessons and it was amazing. I love being a missionary and being guided by the spirit.
Also this week I had an awesome experience with my investigator that is preparing to get baptized. We taught her the word of wisdom last week and she told us she drinks coffee everyday all morning long, so we challenged her to stop drinking so she could get baptized. This week when we got there, I asked her how she was doing with dropping her coffee addiction and she said she was still drinking her coffee and that she didn't want to stop drinking and was asking what would happen with her baptism if she decided not to change. I began to share with her an experience where I knew the right thing I had to do but chose to follow my own will and do what I wanted and how I suffered until I chose to follow the Lords will and then taught her about obedience. At the end of the lesson she was unusually quiet and I was kind of worried, so I asked how she felt, what she was thinking and she got up and walked into the kitchen and said come here. So I followed her into the kitchen and she proceeded to dump her coffee, all the coffee grinds everything into the sink and washed it all down and then threw her coffee pot in the garbage and said, I want to follow Gods will. No one in this house will drink coffee ever again. Its been 3 days and she hasn't had any coffee. It was such an example to me, she immediately cast away her sins without even looking back. It definitely humbled me. How many times do we hold on to old sins because we don't want to change. I challenge all of you to think about your own lives, is there anything you need to wash down the sink?
I am teaching a lot or people right now who are incredible examples. The Lord is truly blessing me in finding the people prepared here.
I miss you all and love you but I may never come home.
Cuidanse mucho
hasta la proxima semana, todo de mi amor
Hermana Bloomfield
This week was an interesting week. One of the 70's came and taught all day in our Zone Conference this week which was AMAZING. I learned so much and felt so uplifted. It was like being in the MTC all over again.
Thursday, the day after I worked the hardest and most intense than I have since I got here, I was so fired up from the conference. I contacted 60 people, taught 9 lessons and it was amazing. I love being a missionary and being guided by the spirit.
Also this week I had an awesome experience with my investigator that is preparing to get baptized. We taught her the word of wisdom last week and she told us she drinks coffee everyday all morning long, so we challenged her to stop drinking so she could get baptized. This week when we got there, I asked her how she was doing with dropping her coffee addiction and she said she was still drinking her coffee and that she didn't want to stop drinking and was asking what would happen with her baptism if she decided not to change. I began to share with her an experience where I knew the right thing I had to do but chose to follow my own will and do what I wanted and how I suffered until I chose to follow the Lords will and then taught her about obedience. At the end of the lesson she was unusually quiet and I was kind of worried, so I asked how she felt, what she was thinking and she got up and walked into the kitchen and said come here. So I followed her into the kitchen and she proceeded to dump her coffee, all the coffee grinds everything into the sink and washed it all down and then threw her coffee pot in the garbage and said, I want to follow Gods will. No one in this house will drink coffee ever again. Its been 3 days and she hasn't had any coffee. It was such an example to me, she immediately cast away her sins without even looking back. It definitely humbled me. How many times do we hold on to old sins because we don't want to change. I challenge all of you to think about your own lives, is there anything you need to wash down the sink?
I am teaching a lot or people right now who are incredible examples. The Lord is truly blessing me in finding the people prepared here.
I miss you all and love you but I may never come home.
Cuidanse mucho
hasta la proxima semana, todo de mi amor
Hermana Bloomfield
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Learning from my Companion January 18, 2010
Okay so this week I experienced a heat like I have never felt before in all my life. I honestly thought I was going to melt away one day this week and the good news is that this is just the beginning of the summer. yipee!!!!!
But work wise things are great. I love my companion, I am definitely learning more patient with her as I often feel like I am working with a grandma, but she has such a pure heart. It's hard to get really frustrated with her. She is 25 and has quite the story. Her mom died when she was 4, so her dad took all the kids and gave them out to random families. The lady that raised her would beat her and was horrible to her, she had no friends. It is amazing to hear what a difference the mission has made in her life and it definitely humbles me everyday. For example the other day we passed by a little boat, nothing exciting and she kept pointing it out and talking about it and I was just kind of like yeah, a boat great, and I said, cool and then she began to explain that she had never seen a boat before and how much she wanted to ride in one and I felt horrible. Needless to say I am learning a ton from her.
The work is going well, teaching and working hard. It amazes me how many in actives there are here. It makes me so sad how easily people give up the gospel here. I can't imagine how my life would be with out it.
I love you all and miss you. !!!
But work wise things are great. I love my companion, I am definitely learning more patient with her as I often feel like I am working with a grandma, but she has such a pure heart. It's hard to get really frustrated with her. She is 25 and has quite the story. Her mom died when she was 4, so her dad took all the kids and gave them out to random families. The lady that raised her would beat her and was horrible to her, she had no friends. It is amazing to hear what a difference the mission has made in her life and it definitely humbles me everyday. For example the other day we passed by a little boat, nothing exciting and she kept pointing it out and talking about it and I was just kind of like yeah, a boat great, and I said, cool and then she began to explain that she had never seen a boat before and how much she wanted to ride in one and I felt horrible. Needless to say I am learning a ton from her.
The work is going well, teaching and working hard. It amazes me how many in actives there are here. It makes me so sad how easily people give up the gospel here. I can't imagine how my life would be with out it.
I love you all and miss you. !!!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Becoming Humble January 11, 2009
Things were the same old, same old this week. I am getting into the routine of working here. A member of the ward took us in his car to show us all of our area this week and it took an hour just to see everything. My area is HUGE. I don't know how I am every going to get to all of these people. I definitely have a lot of work to do.
This week I found a lady and put a baptismal date the second lesson, she came to church on Sunday and is really excited. Looks like we will be having another baptism soon.
The Lord has definitely shown me more of my weaknesses this week. It seems like every time I start to get comfortable the Lord just helps me humble again. I have so much to do, but I am so grateful for the Lords constant reminders. I know that he loves me and that he is truly shaping me into a better person daily. I can't even imagine how different my life would be without this experiences and the people I have met here. I am so grateful that the Lord knows best and that he guides us when we are humble.
This week I found a lady and put a baptismal date the second lesson, she came to church on Sunday and is really excited. Looks like we will be having another baptism soon.
The Lord has definitely shown me more of my weaknesses this week. It seems like every time I start to get comfortable the Lord just helps me humble again. I have so much to do, but I am so grateful for the Lords constant reminders. I know that he loves me and that he is truly shaping me into a better person daily. I can't even imagine how different my life would be without this experiences and the people I have met here. I am so grateful that the Lord knows best and that he guides us when we are humble.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Transfer December 29, 2009
December 29, 2009
Hey!!
So I got changed in cambios (transfers) yesterday. I am now in David, it was an 8 hour bus ride from Panama City that wasn't so great. It was cool to see all of Panama out the window when it was light, but most of our ride was in the dark. I did however see the canal. I don't know much about this area except it is HUGe and my new companion is from Peru and is half my height. Literally, Olivia is probably bigger than her. But she is super sweet and I really like her already.
January 4, 2010
Hey!!!
Things here are great, I had a baptism on Saturday, we put the date of the baptism and baptized the kid all in the same week. His name is Ricardo, he is 14 and his mom and sister recently joined. When we asked him to be baptized in two weeks he said he wanted to be baptized this weekend, so we taught him everyday this week and dunked him on Saturday. It was awesome to see his whole family united in the church.
David is in the province Chiriqui and is close to Costa Rica. The sun here is INCREDIBLEY strong, my tan lines get worse and worse everyday. But most days there is a nice breeze that makes it almost bearable.
I really love it here, it has kind of a in a grandmas neighborhood feeling and the members are awesome. In the mold area that I just came from, none of the members were willing to help and the bishop was a joke. Here the bishop and his wife are awesome.
My companion is from Peru and definitely comes from a very different background, but she is a very hard worker which I am loving. We are hechando fuego aqui (making fire).
For the New Year many people here make a big scarecrow looking thing and burn it along with lots of fire works, so my companion and I made one as well and burnt it a midnight, it represents the leaving of the old year and entering the new.. Anyways we burned it at 12 and then hit the sack. I sent you guys a letter with pictures today.
This is Kara and her new companion Hermana Calderen from Peru and the scarecrow they made for New Years Eve to burn and send away all the old and welcome the new.
The Scarecrow
The Scarecrow burning.
This is a Hermano from the ward who helped them burn their Muneca (scarecrow). He is 83 years old and still Kicken (as Kara says). He told Kara he is looking for a wife. He works in the Temple but hasn't been sealed to anyone as his wife wasn't a member and passed away, so he will continue to search!!!
I am living on the side of some of the members here, so they invited us over for dinner for new years which was nice. I have to say I LOVE the tamales here, they are nothing like those nasty frozen things we used to eat...
.
Hey!!
So I got changed in cambios (transfers) yesterday. I am now in David, it was an 8 hour bus ride from Panama City that wasn't so great. It was cool to see all of Panama out the window when it was light, but most of our ride was in the dark. I did however see the canal. I don't know much about this area except it is HUGe and my new companion is from Peru and is half my height. Literally, Olivia is probably bigger than her. But she is super sweet and I really like her already.
January 4, 2010
Hey!!!
Things here are great, I had a baptism on Saturday, we put the date of the baptism and baptized the kid all in the same week. His name is Ricardo, he is 14 and his mom and sister recently joined. When we asked him to be baptized in two weeks he said he wanted to be baptized this weekend, so we taught him everyday this week and dunked him on Saturday. It was awesome to see his whole family united in the church.
David is in the province Chiriqui and is close to Costa Rica. The sun here is INCREDIBLEY strong, my tan lines get worse and worse everyday. But most days there is a nice breeze that makes it almost bearable.
I really love it here, it has kind of a in a grandmas neighborhood feeling and the members are awesome. In the mold area that I just came from, none of the members were willing to help and the bishop was a joke. Here the bishop and his wife are awesome.
My companion is from Peru and definitely comes from a very different background, but she is a very hard worker which I am loving. We are hechando fuego aqui (making fire).
For the New Year many people here make a big scarecrow looking thing and burn it along with lots of fire works, so my companion and I made one as well and burnt it a midnight, it represents the leaving of the old year and entering the new.. Anyways we burned it at 12 and then hit the sack. I sent you guys a letter with pictures today.
This is Kara and her new companion Hermana Calderen from Peru and the scarecrow they made for New Years Eve to burn and send away all the old and welcome the new.
The Scarecrow
The Scarecrow burning.
This is a Hermano from the ward who helped them burn their Muneca (scarecrow). He is 83 years old and still Kicken (as Kara says). He told Kara he is looking for a wife. He works in the Temple but hasn't been sealed to anyone as his wife wasn't a member and passed away, so he will continue to search!!!
I am living on the side of some of the members here, so they invited us over for dinner for new years which was nice. I have to say I LOVE the tamales here, they are nothing like those nasty frozen things we used to eat...
.
Hermano Carlos November 30 -December 21, 2009
November 30, 2009
This week was a hard week, almost every single one of our appointments fell through and I literally watched some ladies hide in their house after they saw me and refused to answer the door. It gave me a pretty good laugh. Something good must be coming because Satan is wrecking havoc this week. But despite it all I have definitely learned how to be happy despite the constant rejection. Honestly it has brought me closer to the Savior as I am beginning to feel in part how he must have felt and still feels every time we choose something else over him. He truly was a compassionate Savior to take on all of our sins and pains when the majority of the world won't even recognize him. I am so grateful for the sacrifice he made for me, and for the opportunity I have to be here serving him.
I put my first baptismal date yesterday, a guy who has been coming to church for 14 years but never been baptized, I have been working to help him overcome an addiction to gambling and he accept to be baptized Dec 19th!! Yay!!
Not much else happened this week, still just working my little heart out, I'm so tired I think I'm just going to take a huge nap today. My Area on the map is Acalde Diaz, it is close to Panama City.
December 7, 2009
The guy with the baptismal date is still on to be baptized. He is still working on his addiction but he really wants to be baptized. It is not one of the question in the interview, but I don't want to baptize anyone who won't be able to keep their covenants.
We started teaching a guy this week who is really really positive, he was really excited to pray and learn for himself if the church is true so we will see.
Things are good, same old same old. Except my hair gets blonder and blonder everyday and you should see my tan lines: attractive. And my number of admirers grows everyday. I get at least 4 or 5 I love yous in English everyday. I had a guy tell me this week that my mission is over, its time for me to marry him. Sick. I look forward to not having everyone staring at me all the time. Love you all!!
December 14, 2009
This week was good, hopefully the baptism of hno Carlos will happen this Saturday. He has given up lottery and the leader who interviewed him said he thinks he is ready but because of some past sins he needs to have an interview with the Mission Pres. first. So we are doing everything we can to get that done.
We had several good lessons this week, but we also had conference, a Christmas devotional and Tuesday was Mothers Day here, so I didn't get a whole lot of work in again. But I am definitely raring to go.
We are teaching several families right now that are pretty awesome, but none of them are married so we have to work on that first. Overall its the same old same old work in the Lords vineyard. This week I really noticed some of the ways I have become stronger and the many areas I still am faltering in. It is incredible to see the ways the Lord is shaping me to be a better tool in his hands.
December 21, 2009
Hey Everyone, This week was an interesting week. Hermano Carlos finally was baptized and confirmed this weekend. His testimony was so sweet, he said that he felt full of joy to finally be able to give his testimony as a member, that after 15 years of watching everyone else bear their testimonies he was really excited to be able to participate. I am glad for the example he has shown me of faith.
Hermano Carlos after his baptism with Kara and Hermana Chevez
My actual week didn't go so well, needless to say being sick with a fever when it is roasting outside is not fun. I worked as much as I could but being sick definitely put a damper on things. But I received a blessing and I was able to push through and today I am pretty much all better. I am so incredibly grateful for the priesthood. I know we have the power and authority of God on the earth today and I am so grateful to have the blessings it brings in my life. I can't imagine my life without the church. We are so incredibly blessed.
This Christmas I have been thinking a lot about the great sacrifice both my Father in Heaven and my Savior made for me and for each one of us. I beg each one of you, take advantage of that sacrifice. Don't let it go to waste, use the atonement in your life. Strive to repent and go forward, no sin is to great, our Savior has already paid for them all. I know we can change, it is possible to change. I testify that we can change for the better because in the last few months I have seen a change within myself and others that I can't explain except through the grace and atonement of our Savior. I love each and every one of you deeply and I don't want to return to my heavenly father without each of you there.
All my love and feliz navidad!!!!
This the Nativity as portrayed by the members in the ward at their Christmas Party.
Kara said the lady with the pink scarf is pretty old, but she danced her little heart out. Her eyes were on her husband the whole time and his were on her. The next day she was sick from dancing for him. She said they were really cute.
The Relief Society danced with Santa hats on for the Branch Christmas party
This week was a hard week, almost every single one of our appointments fell through and I literally watched some ladies hide in their house after they saw me and refused to answer the door. It gave me a pretty good laugh. Something good must be coming because Satan is wrecking havoc this week. But despite it all I have definitely learned how to be happy despite the constant rejection. Honestly it has brought me closer to the Savior as I am beginning to feel in part how he must have felt and still feels every time we choose something else over him. He truly was a compassionate Savior to take on all of our sins and pains when the majority of the world won't even recognize him. I am so grateful for the sacrifice he made for me, and for the opportunity I have to be here serving him.
I put my first baptismal date yesterday, a guy who has been coming to church for 14 years but never been baptized, I have been working to help him overcome an addiction to gambling and he accept to be baptized Dec 19th!! Yay!!
Not much else happened this week, still just working my little heart out, I'm so tired I think I'm just going to take a huge nap today. My Area on the map is Acalde Diaz, it is close to Panama City.
December 7, 2009
The guy with the baptismal date is still on to be baptized. He is still working on his addiction but he really wants to be baptized. It is not one of the question in the interview, but I don't want to baptize anyone who won't be able to keep their covenants.
We started teaching a guy this week who is really really positive, he was really excited to pray and learn for himself if the church is true so we will see.
Things are good, same old same old. Except my hair gets blonder and blonder everyday and you should see my tan lines: attractive. And my number of admirers grows everyday. I get at least 4 or 5 I love yous in English everyday. I had a guy tell me this week that my mission is over, its time for me to marry him. Sick. I look forward to not having everyone staring at me all the time. Love you all!!
December 14, 2009
This week was good, hopefully the baptism of hno Carlos will happen this Saturday. He has given up lottery and the leader who interviewed him said he thinks he is ready but because of some past sins he needs to have an interview with the Mission Pres. first. So we are doing everything we can to get that done.
We had several good lessons this week, but we also had conference, a Christmas devotional and Tuesday was Mothers Day here, so I didn't get a whole lot of work in again. But I am definitely raring to go.
We are teaching several families right now that are pretty awesome, but none of them are married so we have to work on that first. Overall its the same old same old work in the Lords vineyard. This week I really noticed some of the ways I have become stronger and the many areas I still am faltering in. It is incredible to see the ways the Lord is shaping me to be a better tool in his hands.
December 21, 2009
Hey Everyone, This week was an interesting week. Hermano Carlos finally was baptized and confirmed this weekend. His testimony was so sweet, he said that he felt full of joy to finally be able to give his testimony as a member, that after 15 years of watching everyone else bear their testimonies he was really excited to be able to participate. I am glad for the example he has shown me of faith.
Hermano Carlos after his baptism with Kara and Hermana Chevez
My actual week didn't go so well, needless to say being sick with a fever when it is roasting outside is not fun. I worked as much as I could but being sick definitely put a damper on things. But I received a blessing and I was able to push through and today I am pretty much all better. I am so incredibly grateful for the priesthood. I know we have the power and authority of God on the earth today and I am so grateful to have the blessings it brings in my life. I can't imagine my life without the church. We are so incredibly blessed.
This Christmas I have been thinking a lot about the great sacrifice both my Father in Heaven and my Savior made for me and for each one of us. I beg each one of you, take advantage of that sacrifice. Don't let it go to waste, use the atonement in your life. Strive to repent and go forward, no sin is to great, our Savior has already paid for them all. I know we can change, it is possible to change. I testify that we can change for the better because in the last few months I have seen a change within myself and others that I can't explain except through the grace and atonement of our Savior. I love each and every one of you deeply and I don't want to return to my heavenly father without each of you there.
All my love and feliz navidad!!!!
This the Nativity as portrayed by the members in the ward at their Christmas Party.
Kara said the lady with the pink scarf is pretty old, but she danced her little heart out. Her eyes were on her husband the whole time and his were on her. The next day she was sick from dancing for him. She said they were really cute.
The Relief Society danced with Santa hats on for the Branch Christmas party
Thanksgiving or Not? November 23, 2009
hahaha, I didn't even realize it is Thanksgiving this week. Time surely flies by.
Things were great this week, my new companion and I worked like beasts, it felt so good to come home knowing I had worked my hardest every day this week. I love being a missionary. It is hard at times to watch my investigators make wrong choices, decide not to act on their faith, but overall it is amazing to help them feel a part of the Lord's love for them. My Spanish is coming along pretty well, the Lord has truly blessed me to able to learn. I understand almost everything now it's still hard to speak perfectly but practice makes perfect. Sometimes I can't remember words in Spanish or English. It is great fun.
We are teaching a senora right now who lost her son about a year ago and has terrible depression. It truly is a testimony to me that the Lord has prepared me to help the people I find here, and that I have a purpose and a job to do here in Panama. I am so blessed to be here.
My companion is from Nicaragua and has been telling me all about her home. Kyle is in good hands. She does speak a little different than my other companion, I don't notice too much of a difference in the accent but she uses a lot of different words. I love her, she is a fat short little thing that has housewife written all over her, she loves to cook and is really motherly. She has taught me to cook something which is awesome and we have a lot of fun together.
This is a picture of Hermana Chevez standing in the back of a house. Most of the homes are made of cement blocks and then the cement is painted. This one was never painted.
New Companion November 16, 2009
Hey everyone!
This week was pretty good, I experienced my first cambios today and now have a new companion, her name is Hermana Chevez. She is from Nicaragua. It was fun to go to cambios (transfers) I saw a lot of my friends from the mtc which was way fun.
This is Kara and her new companion Hermana Chevez from Nicaragua
This week we taught a few pretty awesome lecciones. One was to two sisters, one lost her son a year ago and embraced the plan of salvation. In our second lesson, we were inviting her to pray about Joseph Smith to know if he was a prophet of God and she said that she already felt it was true. It was so awesome. We also have a brother in our ward that has come to church for 12 years but never been baptized. He has problems with gambling and says that he tried but can't overcome them. I taught him about the atonement and the grace we receive through Christ. The spirit was so incredibly strong and I felt it bear testimony to me anew of the times I have been healed through the atonement in my life. I am so grateful for my Savior, for the support I receive from him everyday of my life.
I don't remember if I told you about the bat we have in our house, it likes to visit us occasionally and has been visiting quite often as of late. Last night I was basically army crawling to my bedroom, gotta love the missionary life. Also this week we had a activity in our stake in which the members dressed up in typical Panamanian dress and danced and we ate typical Panamanian food. It was so cool to see the clothes and dances, people here are so full of life. I will send you guys pictures of everything.
Some of the ward members in Cludad Bolivar.
Typico Panamanian dress
But I must say I am glad people don't feed us comida tipica a lot. It was some kind of fishy mush thing...Not my favorite. I'd much rather stick to the rice and chicken I am given everyday. Oh one more interesting thing, there are a lot of Chinese here, entonces people eat chow mien here often as well. I love you all!!! and I hope all is well
Hermana Bloomfield
This week was pretty good, I experienced my first cambios today and now have a new companion, her name is Hermana Chevez. She is from Nicaragua. It was fun to go to cambios (transfers) I saw a lot of my friends from the mtc which was way fun.
This is Kara and her new companion Hermana Chevez from Nicaragua
This week we taught a few pretty awesome lecciones. One was to two sisters, one lost her son a year ago and embraced the plan of salvation. In our second lesson, we were inviting her to pray about Joseph Smith to know if he was a prophet of God and she said that she already felt it was true. It was so awesome. We also have a brother in our ward that has come to church for 12 years but never been baptized. He has problems with gambling and says that he tried but can't overcome them. I taught him about the atonement and the grace we receive through Christ. The spirit was so incredibly strong and I felt it bear testimony to me anew of the times I have been healed through the atonement in my life. I am so grateful for my Savior, for the support I receive from him everyday of my life.
I don't remember if I told you about the bat we have in our house, it likes to visit us occasionally and has been visiting quite often as of late. Last night I was basically army crawling to my bedroom, gotta love the missionary life. Also this week we had a activity in our stake in which the members dressed up in typical Panamanian dress and danced and we ate typical Panamanian food. It was so cool to see the clothes and dances, people here are so full of life. I will send you guys pictures of everything.
Some of the ward members in Cludad Bolivar.
Typico Panamanian dress
But I must say I am glad people don't feed us comida tipica a lot. It was some kind of fishy mush thing...Not my favorite. I'd much rather stick to the rice and chicken I am given everyday. Oh one more interesting thing, there are a lot of Chinese here, entonces people eat chow mien here often as well. I love you all!!! and I hope all is well
Hermana Bloomfield
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