Lincoln Mission September 12-18

If I'm being completely honest, not much happenned this week. 

Thursday

This transfer officially started on Thursday. We didn't have any major changes, so we went about life as usual. Lots of walking, lots of talking, etc. We had a lot of lessons and found a lot of people willing to listen to us! We also played dominos with some members during our dinner time which  was fun until the 15 yr old started telling me I had a beautiful face and a nice voice... definitely a top ten most uncomfortable times in my life. I just pretend I don't understand them which isn't too hard.

Friday

Another standard but great day in the life of one of God's servants! We had a lot of good lessons and some we taught with our recent convert Jhunior! He is super cool and is thinking about serving a mission! That would be absolutely amazing. We also took him to get ice cream. (We tried to go to the heavenly ice cream shop on the second floor but it was closed. Sad day. We just got ice cream from a regular store.) 

Saturday

I ran out of crunchy peanut butter so I would like to ask for a moment of silence...  ...thank you. We had such a great day that I forgot what happenned so imagine that you're in paradise living your best life but you're sweating more than a penguin in the Sahara desert. That's the Panamá life for you. 

Sunday!

Another sunday which means another opportunity to take the sacrament! I love being able to reflect on all that my Savior did for me and the eternal significance of His sacrifice for me. It always help me recenter and focus on what's important. It is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us. We had a great meeting with a great primary program. All the kids sang and recited articles of faith. We also had a great class in which I staggered along trying to keep up with the spanish. We then ate lunch then contacted for the rest of the day. A lot of walking. It is pretty fun to find random dirt trails through the jungle and see where it leads. We have actually found a lot of houses this way so its a win win scenario. After that pleasant 4 hr adventure we got back to do our weekly planning. I also thought it was a great idea to make some peach cobbler using choclate cake mix.  Let's just say I turned it into charcoal  

Monday

Today is going to be a great day because I'm going to buy a sombrero pintado! I think I explained it in my previous email but to review, it's basically a super cool hat. Entonces If the panamanian government allows me to take money out (I swear they have something against me) then I will be more stylish than a schnauzer on a Tuesday! We're going to a place called "Cinco de Mayo" which is a big market where people sell anything and everything that a gringo would want from the rich culture of Panama. We'll then do some looking around in the city and end our day working in the vineyard of the Lord! 

...status report: I have acquired the sombrero pintado I repeat, I have acquired cheif gringo status

Todo con amor,

Elder Nelson (Buena Vista's local gringo)

P.S. when you wear a sombrero pintado, true panamanians will shout "agua!" And they say it in a very cool way. Another thing I can't explain but love with all my heart