Esta Semana en Panamá

Bueno, ya saben que tuvimos los cambios en la semana pasada, y como les dije antes es la verdad. Todo lo que pensaba que iba a pasar, pasó. El Élder Bradford se fue a Bocas del Toro que se queda por la frontera con Costa Rica, y en un lugar muy tourístico. Y también, yo recibí un nuevo compañero que se llama Elder Saavedra, de Nicaragua.

Alright, English time because it's faster, easier, and a superior language haha. Like I said we had changes last week, and Bradford left and I stayed here in Veracruz for a 3rd change, so that will make 5 changes in the same zone. Very uncommon, and almost impossible. Elder Saavedra is from Nicaragua, like Jarquin, my first comp, but I liked Jarquin a lot more. This guy, I don't want to complain, but is really freaking annoying. My Spanish is definitely getting better by talking to him, but he just doesn't seem to have any motivation to do anything, and has even told me that, "No sé, me siento raro en esta area, y no quiero estar aquí". Wow! All he does is complain about every little thing, and he has almost 15 months in the mission and complains about the obvious things like, it's hot or his feet hurt. Oh well, We'll see how this change progresses, hopefully it's not the change of eternity.

Also, as of like Thursday I've been super sick, and because of that though, I got to learn a few new words to describe different symptoms I have, haha, like estoy ronco, which means that I have like a raspy harsh voice because I lost my voice basically yesterday. Toser is a verb that means, to cough, haha, fun things like that. So since getting Saavedra on Wednesday, I've just taken him around trying to get him familiar with the area, or basically just giving him more reason to not like it, for some reason.

But this week has defintitely been a testimony builder, in many aspects. Like for instance, our cocinera, the inactive lady that cooks us dinner every day, who I've personally never seen come to church, and neither had Bradford, so it had been like at least 6 months of inactivity, came to church yesterday! She only came for Sacrament to see the blessing of her grandson, but it was really amazing, and everyone of course took notice and mentioned it in their testimonies as they bore them, how great it was to see her there. Also had a few more less active people there that I had never met before which was really nice. Slowly but surely I know that this branch will grow, whether it be with me or with other missionaries. We have 4 more jovenes that are older than the ones that we baptized, but all friends or family with one another, that have been to church like every week for the past 2 months or so. I know that at least 2 of them want to be baptized, so I told them yesterday to meet at Kevin's house, (12 year old convert), so we can teach them. I'm pretty positive that they can be baptized in this change if we work hard and teach them. Speaking of Kevin though, last week he was ordained a Deacon and was given the Aaronic Priesthood, which was an incredible experience. SO...this week I got to see him pass the Sacrament for the first time. That was so great, really got to see the fruit of the labors, knowing that what I had done for this kid, has now changed his life forever, and that is the power of the Gospel. Pretty soon, in the middle of this month, he will be able to enter the temple also and do baptisms for the dead, so great! I remember the first time that I passed the Sacrament, haha...I banged the metal bread tray against something and it was super loud and my face went bright red, haha. He definitely did better than I did. I feel like he's one of my children and I'm watching him grow up. Which now as I'm writing this realize the tinist feeling of what it's like to be Heavenly Father, seeing His children growing up and progressing. Everytime I see him now he runs up and gives me a hug, just like the other guys, especially my little buddy Abel, the little guy that looked at the temple picture. It's amazing to see the change in people,expecially these little children of God.

Another amazing thing that happened this week happened with a lady that's in my branch here that went to Ramona for the weekend! For the whole story, pregúntenle a mi mamá para todo. It was really cool.

Also, we got to talking about Patriarchal Blessings in Priestood class yesterday, and I went home because I felt really sick and decided to read mine for the first time in a few months. I'm telling you now, never has the Spirit impacted me more than it did when I read that yesterday. I just sat there and read it quietly outloud to myself as Saavedra was off in another room and cried. I'm a grown man, well...19 year-old man, and sat and cried as I read those words. Everything that is said there, is coming to pass. I have a VERY strong testimony in Patriarchal Blessings. Everyone that reads this, if you don't have yours, get an interview and go get one. It really is inspired revelation, exactly for you and your life and the lives of your spouse and posterity. I really cannot explain how much it impacted me yesterday, it's something that I will never forget, that's for sure.

Carrying on in faith is what I will be doing for this change, although I don't get along with my comp at all and he drives me up the wall, the thing is, I personally don't care, and it doesn't affect me. I'm NOT on my mission for him or for any other missionary or person. I'm solely here on the mission to serve my Savior and my Father in Heaven, and that is all, and that is what I will do... period!

2 scriptures for you again this week, studing in the Antiguo Testamento, Genesis 18: 24-32 is a great story of Abraham trying to keep the Lord from destroying Sodom and Gommorah, and the Lord gives him a chance and keeps lowering the number if He is to find a decent number of good people that live in those cities. It was a great example of the Lord`s compassion to hear people out. Lastly is in D&C 6:7 and 13 which are amazing. It talks about the eternal goal that we should all have, and the greatest gift of all. I love you all very much, thank you for your continued support. Siguen adelante con firmeza en Cristo, nunca fallen, y tampoco el Señor les fallará. Hagan lo que Él quiere de ustedes, y siempre estudien las escrituras con propósito, no solamente para doblar las paginas y terminarlas. Love you, have a wonderful week.