Monday, July 28, 2014
28 Julio 2014
Hello Family!
I hope that you have all had a spectacular week! Can you believe that July is gone? The months are racing by, each one seems shorter. Sometimes I feel like my letters each week are repetitive. This week I built some more houses, I washed my clothes in the river, ate some strange food, and continued living this insane life that has somehow become normal to me. As I've watched my new companion adjust to this life I've been reminded once again that it's strange how at home and comfortable I feel here. I have no clue why because I'm a little white girl from Utah and this place is so distinct from anything that should be familiar to me. It has been that way since the beginning, I have some strange connection to this place. However strange it may be, I continue to love it.
I have some wonderful news for you all! Do you all remember Leandro and Maxima, two converts from my first change in San Miguelito? They were baptized on August 4th of last year. This coming August, as they reach a year of membership, they have plans to be sealed in the Panama temple!! We set that as a goal directly after their baptism while I was there. I've kept in contact with the missionaries in their area periodically throughout my mission to see how they're doing. This past week I finally found somebody who could give me Hermana Maxima's new phone number, so I gave them a call. She was so excited to hear from me and instantly said, "And when are you coming to visit, mi hija?" They both always called me "mi hija" while I was there, and my heart swelled with joy as I heard it again. We talked for quite a while, and they told me that they are in the process of putting a specific date with the temple for their sealing.
Few things are more rewarding than being able to see the progress that those that I've taught and come to love are making. They both accepted the gospel without restraint and their lives have been changed as a result. I am so excited for them to take yet another essential and eternal step! It makes my heart happy!
Earlier this week we visited a family that we love so much. They are incredible! They are so kind and are always sharing with the entire island. As we were leaving they called out to us and then handed us a large fresh fish. I just looked at the sister and grinned . . . they know that fish is my favorite ;) My companion looked a little concerned. She kept asking, "And what are we supposed to do with this?!" I assured her that I would show her and that we were going to have a tasty dinner. We took it to Lily's house to cook it. Upon arriving I sat down on the log and started cleaning the fish. I looked up at my companion and saw that she still had a concerned look on her face. Not to mention that she now looked completely repulsed as well. After a few seconds she walked away and told me that she'd wait to look at it until after it was cooked haha. Needless to say, we all ate well that night :)
This week I have spent a lot of time studying the Christlike attributes found in Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel. I decided to do a deeper study of how the Savior was the perfect example of love and charity. I read Moroni 7:45, with which the majority of us are familiar;
45 And charity suffereth long,
As I read this verse I substituted the name of Christ for the word "charity". And Christ suffereth long. Christ suffered longer and harder than any of us, and his suffering was all for us. Christ is kind. I imagine that Christ was one of the most pleasant people to be around, constantly offering a kind word or act of service. Christ envieth not and is not puffed up. Though the one worthy of such praise and faith, He was never once envious of the pharisees that had all and were praised by all. He was the Son of God and was higher than each one of those that He served, but never once boasted or demonstrated His power for show. Christ seeketh not His own. While here, the Lord never once sought anything other than the salvation of the rest of the world. He was not thinking of Himself as He hung upon that cross. Christ is not easily provoked. Many tried to provoke Christ. The pharisees, King Herod, the soldiers that mocked Him, and the devil himself, but never once did the Savior give into their provocations. Christ thinketh no evil. Even while hanging on the cross and looking into the eyes of his accusers and tormentors, Jesus Christ plead to His Father to forgive them. He held no hatred towards them. Christ beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. He bore and endured more things than we can comprehend. He has seen the worst of men and suffered for the worst of us all, however, He continues to believe in us and hope for our repentance and salvation.
Christ is the perfect example of charity. He loves us perfectly. I testify of Him, that He lives. It truly is through Him that we receive forgiveness and redemption. I testify of the power that He has been given by the Father to save each one of us. Turn your sins and sorrows over to Him and welcome the relief and joy that come as a result. Let each one of us strive to be as charitable as our Savior was and continues to be.
I love you all so much! I miss you and frequently send good wishes your way :) Make it a marvelous week.
Go Foward With Faith,
Hermana Falslev
21 July 2014
Hello Family!
It's a bit of a stormy day here on Carti Tupile today. Stormy days are the best! It's a little breezy and the temperature really cools down. It's perfect for a little big of much need P-Day rest. It has been an exhausting week. I'm so tired, which isn't such a bad thing, it just means that we're working hard.
To start things off, we sent Hermana Hastings home this week. She got on a plane early today to head home to Utah. I have nothing but good memories from my two changes with dear Hermana Hastings. Each one full of good times and miracles. The best combination really :)
In other island news, we've been rebuilding the island this past weekend. Last Friday we had what could be considered a very small hurricane. Now, before overreacting or becoming too concerned, it was fairly minor and all is well. Everybody is okay, completely unharmed. Various houses were damaged, and much of the rebuilding that we did a few weeks ago has now been rebuilt once more. On the up side, I'm getting pretty good at building bamboo huts.
The other night I was standing in a member's house when I felt something slithering over my foot and up my leg. It was already dark, so I couldn't see what it was. I just started flailing my foot to get it off. When it flung into the light we saw that it was a centipede. The centipedes here are big, fast, and are known for having one of the most painful bites of the many creatures on the island. Needless to say, we instantly began screaming for Adrian, the Young Men's leader, to kill it. It took a few strong hits, but it was eventually conquered.
Each Sunday night we watch a movie in the chapel. Generally I'm so exhausted by the time Sunday evening rolls around that I set everything up for everyone then I just sit in the back and take a breather. Last night was no different. I put on the movie then sat down in the back. I was so tired and started thinking how hard the week had been. It was a bit of a low moment for me. Then I looked up just in time to see a clip from the movie in which Christ was serving, performing miracles, and loving the people perfectly. It then cut to many persecutions that He suffered. I looked at His face and saw a man who was exhausted, tired, and beaten. I was quickly humbled and reminded why I'm here, working so hard that some days I can't even keep my eyes open. I love these people so much and work so endlessly for them because He did the same. As His representative I am here to do and say what He would if He were here. Looking at it that way, I felt privileged to feel so exhausted. Here's hoping for another exhausting week :) Love and miss you all!
Go Forward With Faith,
Hermana Falslev
14 Julio 2014
Hello Family!
I hope you've all had a marvelous week! We mixed it up a bit this last week in San Blas. A new transfer began last Wednesday. We no longer go into the city to pick up our new companions, they now come to us. As a result, Hermana Hernandez, who is serving on the island of Ustupu, came to stay with us while waiting for her new companion to arrive. We had a really good time being in a trio with her. She said that she loved Tupile and that the people here are really special. I sure wouldn't trade my island for any others!
On Saturday we took a boat to the port to meet up with our incoming companions. While we stopped to fill up the boat motor we saw some dolphins popping out of the water. We sat and watched them for a moment, then they came right up to the boat! They made a couple of loops around us, then headed away. They are such beautiful animals, and it was an awesome experience.
Afterward, we headed to the port. Upon arriving, since I'm the sister whose been out here the longest and I supposedly know my way around the system, I was put in charge of finding a boat for all of the missionaries out to their islands . . . whatever. Fortunately, I was able to find some boats fairly quickly, and I even got them all one with a "roof" so they wouldn't get fried on the multi-hour boat ride. Mission accomplished.
So my new companion's name is Hermana Niebla from Los Angeles, California. She is 21 and has 11 months in the mission. We're in a trio again because Hermana Hastings in finishing her mission next Monday. It will be sad to see her go because we've had an incredible two changes together. I know that she and I had an important work to do together here. The progress we've seen with the youth has truly been miraculous. We've seen their testimonies grow, and we have so much fun with them. There is never a dull moment when they're around. For instance, yesterday, while talking to some youth in front of the church, one of them decided to smear some of their cake frosting on my face. Naturally I had to retaliate :) We both ended up with cake all over us. Yet another memory made :)
This week I was reading in Alma 5. I love the way that Alma teaches in this chapter, he's so Socratic. I especially liked verse 14.
14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
He then returns to this thought in verse 24.
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
The tricky part of this gospel for many of us can be enduring to the end and maintaining our conversion to Christ. Many of us have had memorable experiences with the spirit in which we may feel like we were converted, but we must frequently ask ourselves, do we continue to feel that conversion to the Lord? The gospel of Jesus Christ is a lifestyle, an everyday thing. Though it is normal to have high and low days, we should always search for converting experiences. I invite you to read completely Alma 5. It's a good, thought-provoking lesson for us all.
I love and miss you all! Make it a wonderful week!
Go Forward With Faith,
Hermana Falslev
7 Julio 2014
I was getting ready to write the group email when we heard a bunch of kids calling out "Hermana!" We headed out and saw that a bunch of people were calling us over to the house next to the chapel. We walked over and saw a man swimming to shore holding up a spear with a shark on the end. He had been checking his nets for fish when he found the shark caught in the net eating his fish. Upon arriving, he tossed it up on to shore. It wasn't too big, bug he was still alive and slightly menacing. After a while they decided to throw him back into the ocean (they occasionally eat it, but apparently this was the wrong type of shark or something). Before tossing it back in I asked if I could hold it. That's right, I just held a live shark! I can check that one off of the to-do list. FYI . . . sharks are heavy.
I'm not really sure where this past week went. Though fast, it was a good week, and more time granted to spend among these chosen people. Spending so much time with the Kunas has helped me to understand them so much more. I understand many things that previously perplexed me about their culture, mindset, and attitude toward the gospel. As I understand them more, I feel like I can serve them and teach them more effectively. As I sat thinking this morning after seminary I decided that I've embraced enough of the Kuna culture that it may be extremely difficult for me to adjust back to reality upon returning home in 4 months.
This past fast Sunday the entire mission of Panama participated in a fast for miracles. As a companionship, Hermana Hastings and I fasted for an investigator named Carlos. Carlos is a 19 year old who moved back to the island from Colon shortly after I got here. He is practically a member, he only lacks the baptism. He and his cousin, Breddy, who is a member, however less-active, are always the first to arrive to institute and are always willing to help us with anything. The obstacle for both of them is attending the Sunday meetings. We fasted with the hope of seeing progression towards Carlos' baptism.
On Sunday night an opportunity presented itself to teach him a little more about the restoration of the gospel. We were sitting in from of the chapel when Carlos made a comment about he quantity of churches in the world. Then, Breddy turned to me and very sincerely asked me if I really believe that this is the true church. Without hesitation I smiled at him and told him that I did. We then explained and testified of the restored gospel and the Book of Mormon. Each time I testify of these things the feeling that I get confirms to me once again that if is all true. My heart delights in testifying of my Savior and that the plenitude of His gospel is on the earth today. I know these things to be true.
I love and miss you all! Make it a spectacular week :)
Go Foward With Faith,
Hermana Falslev
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)