28 Abril 2014

Hello Family!
I hope you've all had a wonderful week and that all is going well back
in the states! Many good things have been happening here in Tupile. I
continue to love being here and thoroughly enjoy being with the
people. They're so incredible!!
Guess what happened yesterday!! Remember Adrean, the young man who was
baptized a few weeks ago? He received the Aaronic Priesthood and was
able to pass the Sacrament for the first time! It was such a glorious
day :) He was grinning the entire time. As it came my turn to take the
Sacrament I glanced up and smiled at him. He grinned at me from ear to
ear then continued down the line. He was even in a brand new shirt and
tie. When I went to Panama this last time I bought him a white shirt
and tie for his birthday. As we passed by his house before church he
just walked out and handed me the tie in a knot :) I was able to put
it on him and teach him a simple way to do it for himself. I was so
proud of him and know that as he continues to progress in the church
that he'll become a great leader in the Carti branch. As we started to
leave to head to the chapel his mom called out (in Kuna) "I don't know
what you did, but you must be powerful because every sister has tried
to help Adrean, but only you could do it." I just turned and gave her
a big smile. I know that I really didn't do anything. Adrean was
finally just ready to take the step of baptism, and I am so grateful
to my Heavenly Father that He allowed me the opportunity to be a small
part of it.
This past weekend we had some other baptisms planned, but we had to
post-pone them until Tuesday because all those who have the authority
to baptize weren't on the island. We're hoping that everything works
out for tomorrow, that the sea is calm tomorrow, and that we can have
a beautiful service.
We're entering the rainy season, so it's been a bit stormy lately. I
love it when it rains here! It doesn't usually rain for very long, but
it rains hard. We're hoping that it continues to be rainy so that we
can resolve our water situation. I created a water run-off from the
roof the other day, so we can collect rain water in jugs. It was
raining so hard the other day that we were able to fill all of our
jugs with clean rain water pretty quickly. We haven't had to buy water
since our first week here! Whoo hoo! The run-off also works perfectly
for washing our hair. It is much more simple than pouring a cup over
our heads :) The other day all of the kids ran to the chapel for
shelter from the rain. They helped us fill the jugs, then we had a
really good time playing in the rain with them. It was a simple
experience, but it's one that I'll remember for the rest of my life.
It's the little things in life! Once we learn to appreciate them life
simply gets happier :)
We're also entering into crab season, so everybody keeps returning
from the river with buckets of big blue crabs. The other day we heard
some of the young men calling from the church door that they wanted to
show us something. When I went around and opened the door I almost
stepped onto a big blue one that they had tied to a string. I of
course jumped and may have squealed a little. They all got a good
laugh out of it. The kids frequently bring things to the church to
show us. Yesterday a kid showed up and handed me an octopus. Those are
very slimy and strange creatures. Ewwww!
Also, we've been having some break-in problems with the church lately.
After some investigating we found one of the openings in the roof that
they've been entering through. We had to get creative because we don't
have many materials to work with here; however, I did some searching
and created a make-shift barrier/fence thing. I then tuned into my
monkey-skills and climbed up to where the opening was. There was much
less space up there than I had thought, but I was able to cram myself
in there and hammer up our invention. I guess now we just wait until
they find the next way to get in, then we'll seal that up too :) I
kind of like the challenge :)
Well dear family, I wish you all a spectacular week! Know that I pray
for you all always. I love and miss you all!
Go Forward With Faith,
Hermana Falslev :)