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
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