How are you all doing?! I love hearing about your weeks! I'm glad to hear that Alyssa's tryouts went well and I hope she loves the new league. Also, I hope Nathan's birthday was wonderful!
Well, I'm officially halfway through my time here at the CCM. I'm loving my time here, but I'm looking forward to finally getting to Panama and not sitting in classes all day. Also, I'm really going to miss the missionaries in my district. I have no doubt this group of 19 missionaries were sent here for a reason, we have all become best friends. We already have our reunion planned for when the elders get home.
There are some amazing storms here that put the ones in Utah to shame. The other night there was an awe-inspiring storm. One end of the sky was the most beautiful blue I've ever seen, while the other side had huge storm clouds with a thunder/lightning storm going on behind them. Eventually the clouds made it over the temple grounds and we were in the middle of the storm. It started out hailing like crazy, then it turned into buckets of rain. Amongst all of this chaos a rainbow was directly over teh temple. It was beautiful and brought a giant grin to my face. It's truly humbling and amazing to witness a storm like that. It's wonderful to think that a God who has the power to create that still takes the time to help us with so many seemingly insignificant small things.
The Spanish is coming. I'm able to have a decent conversation now...usually. I have to frequently remind myself that learning a language is a process (a long one that I'm trying to complete in a mere 6 weeks). My perfectionist tendencies are being tested. It is a beautiful language though, and I love it. Here's some food for thought: The way a prayer is said in Spanish is a little different than when it's said in English. An English prayer generally uses pretty formal, respective language. When you say a prayer in Spanish, it is still respectful, but you're supposed to use the informal conjugations -- like your talking to your best friend. I think that is a beautiful concept.
Earlier this week, I was studying in Alma 41. In this chapter we learn that being without God is a state contrary to the nature of happiness. We also learn that a resurrection or restoration means to bring back again or return to an original state. When we are resurrected, we will return to live with God, our Heavenly Father, which is our natural state. Also, that means that if we are with God, we are in a state of happiness. Happiness must also be our natural state. That means it is in our nature to be happy! I think that's why we get so happy when we feel the spirit, it's natural. I love that idea!
I also thought a lot about the Atonement this week. Christ felt everything I feel...everything. He even feels my pain when I stub my little toe, which is possibly the most painful thing known to mankind. He also understand how I feel when I stray off of the right path. He suffered for all of it. That made me want to be a little bit more careful about walking a little straighter --physically and spiritually.
On Tuesday we were blessed to have a devotional with the area president, Elder Daniel L. Johnson. I learned so much from that meeting and don't have time to share it all, but one thing really stood out to me. He explained that thereis only one way to love, and that is through service. When you forget yourself and think more of others, love naturally follows. As a missionary, I have been called to SERVE. I've been called to set apart all of myself and learn how to love. I'm the Lord's missionary and He loves perfectly, so I need to do my best to love perfectly as well.
It's time for lunch, then we're going to the temple, which is one of my favorite parts of the week. I'm sorry my letters are always so scatter-brained. I feel like I have a lifetime to tell you all about in such a short amount of time. Do you guys have any questions about anything?
Family, I love you all so very much! I think about you often and how blessed I am to have you. Much love to you all!
Go forward with faith,
Hermana Falslev
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