Branch->Ward

Hey everyone I hope you all are doing well and had the best week. 

This week was super sick partially because we had a Multi-Mission Devotional with Elder Gong on Thursday! It was on zoom with the 8 other Central American Missions.  It's always the best hearing from an Apostle that was called of God to help us, guide us, and encourage us to be the best people that we can be and to continue to increase our conversion of the Gospel every day. It's especaily special hearing his advice that is specific to all the missionaries here in Central America. I learned a ton. It's kinda funny becuase I wasn't the biggest fan of devotionals and Gospel related stuff in high school but now I get pumped when we have a devotional. They're way cool. I wanna invite you all to read or listen to a General Conference Talk from this past conferenece this week because you will have joy and peace as you find inspiration through the words of the men who were called by God. They are truly powerful. Elder Gong even tried speaking in Spanish a little bit and it was so funny. Everyone was dying laughing epsecially the latinos. I shouldn't laugh though cause that's probably exaclty how I sound haha. After Elder Gong spoke, we got put into breakout rooms with our missions to share our thoughts and talk about what we learned. My trainer Elder Putt raised his hand to say something so I literally had 10 seconds to think about what I was going to say in front of all the missionaries in Panama and our Mission President. I think it went alright though, I don't think I messed up a ton. But yea that was a good experience.

During church on Sunday, the members in our branch released their plans for creating an actual chapel! Right now it's just a tiny bulidng, and it gets so packed. Most of the time, Elder Putt and I stand up the entire Sacrament Meeting every Sunday becuase there isn't enough room or chairs. I'm not complaining at all though, It makes me so happy seeing how excited all the members are. They have been waiting a long time for this day. Our branch is becoming a ward in 3 weeks so we're going to be meeting at the Stake Center starting December 5th while the new building is being constructed. We're the only branch in the zone but it's finally going to be a ward. The members are pumped and have a lot of fire with missionary work, it's awesome. Luckily, we have less-active members coming back to church and families moving in. For example, a couple just moved here from Canada! They know perfect english which is sooooo nice. Finally, there's people that I can have a long conversation with. 

We had a decent week as far as lessons go. We have a few progresing families and individuals. We're trying to get them to church but it's so difficult because none of them have cars and church is pretty early. We're going to keep trying though and find a way to help them to church. Celestino is one of our progressing friends, and he joined the Zoom link for the sacrament so that counts! He can't leave the house right now due to medical problems so hopefully that situation gets better and he's able to come to church in person with us. We're teaching a couple people who don't know how to read so it'll be bit  of a challenge to help them gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Elder Putt and I are going to figure it out though. Heavenly Father has his ways with working things out for us. He wants all of his children to be successful so he's only going to give us challenges that we can handle. All of our hardships and trials can be resolved when we put our trust in the Lord knowing that everything will work out. Check out Alma 36:3!! It has helped me tremendously.

 Here in Panama, we're heading into summer season which is crazy because how could it possibly get hotter. Apparently summer here is 4 months of no rain and the sun is way stronger which is going to be a bit rough haha. It is insane how much we walk a day. I'm either drenched with sweat or drenched from the rain, but I still love what I'm doing. I don't want to be anywhere else. The mission is an adventure full of ups and downs but it's helping me grow in so many ways. 

1 & 2: Panama has the coolest clouds

3. Busses are clutch here

4. Devotional with Elder Gong