Lincoln Mission September 26-October 2

Sombrero pintado in the rain.

Panamanian Indiana Jones

No we did not see Harrison Ford in Panamá, but wearing my hat every day has gotten me into the part...  I just feel adventurous and Indiana Jones-like. It gives me confidence when people yell "OWAE" or "AGUA" at me and I yell it back and therefore we have made a connection. It's probably getting out of hand, because I now desire to jump over rivers, take short cuts, and swing through the jungles with a whip to complete the ensemble. We are known as the Gringos Con Sombreros. The white people with hats. We are the two town gringos.  It was another great week in the work of the Lord

I have to start our with General Conference because that was just amazing. It is a when living prophet of God speaks to us and other leaders of Christ's church give us direction and guidance. 11/10 recommend. Please, please, please watch at least one talk. They can be found on churchofjesuschrist.org. They are spiritually edifying and point us towards our Savior! I had a lot of cinamon rolls to commemorate my family's tradition and they were super good. Of course my favorite talk was by our prophet, President Russell M Nelson. He talked about "Think[ing] Celestial." He answered all the questions I had and more that I didn't even know I had, gave me hope and motivation, and I felt the Spirit so so strongly. I testify that he really is a prophet of God and he is lead by Christ to direct this restored church. I say that without any doubt in my mind. It was been confirmed to me again and again as I study President Nelson's works and life. He was prepared and called to the Lord's work. I pondered on the power of a prophets testimony and realized its amazing significance. Every time he testifies that this church is lead by Christ he testifies that he is lead directly by Christ. Not himself. Not by any man. By Christ himself. The Spirit testifies of this truth and I trust the Spirit. My testimony is strengthened as I heed the words of the servants of God. Each time I am blessed to know my Savior a little more and to live a life I know would make Him proud. Learn and pray to know! There were so many amazing talks and I couldn't take enough notes. President Oaks gave a fantastic talk about the Plan of Salvation and how amazing it is. There were more talks with subjects like: being a valiant member, seeking truth, loving one another, the blessings of tithing, etc. etc. I wrote 18 ½ pages full of notes. Definitely the most I've ever done and now my hand is suffering over-use injuries. Between sessions we had a drink called "chicheme" which is corn, milk, cinamon, and some secret undisclosed ingredients which make it taste amazing. We also had chicken and rice and chicha (juice) We had a lot of people show up to watch it at the church and a lot of people watched it at home. Overall, conference is the best. The super bowl for missionaries and christians alike.

We had a huge thunderstorm, which took the power out for everyone. Every time lightning hit, it sounded like multiple canons going off. It went on for a while and in the night we were walking around in the pitch-black jungle with nothing but our phone flashlights for light. It was super cool until I drank some milk later and found out too late that the fridge needs electricity too... I can still taste it. We had a great lesson with Karen and her family. They all like the gospel and what we teach, so we're just helping them get to church and keep the commandments. We also taught Roilan and Igardo (12 yrs old and 8 yrs old) how to teach their beliefs to their friends. It was so cool because they were super excited and energetic and enthusiastic and did a great job. They are going to be great missionaries. 

This p-day was super cool. We went to the city which is always a good thing and to Riba Smith which is an American brand store with EVERYTHING. It's a huge temptation walking through there which is why we do. I left with my pocket lighter and my bag a lot heavier. Now I just gotta eat peanut butter sandwiches everyday to save the rest of my money! We then went bowling in the mall and it was so fun! We crashed another group of missionaries district p-day and got in for $6 instead of $28 . Missionaries get miracles and discounts at the same time! It was super fun to mess around and meet some new elders. I have learned that I was not blessed to be a talented bowler, but I'm glad I can be the guy that makes those who are bad at bowling feel better. Also, I met Elder Jewkes from my Grandma Ann's ward back home and he is a super cool guy! He's in his first transfer and is a super chill missionary. Definitely destroyed me at bowling. After that, we got Subway and took off. We have the AP viajantes coming tonight, which are basically Elders who are Assistants to the President, travel around all of Panamá working with other missionaries, and are known to be overall great missionaries. I'm excited to learn a lot (and embarass myself)

As a missionary, I get an hour each morning to study the gospel and it has been so amazing. Being able to immerse myself in the scriptures and feel the Spirit so strongly is such an amazing blessing. Through this time, my testimony of the Book of Mormon has been confirmed again and again. I know it's true and have no problem saying it. Joseph Smith was a prophet and through him Christ's same New Testament chruch was restored again to the earth. The sacred authority of God was restored again to the earth. Temple ordinances were restored to the earth. And much more. This church is God's church. The more I converse with people of other religions and share doctrines, the more I am convinced of these truths. The puzzle pieces fit. Through these things God is both just and merciful. Through this church you can come closer to Christ than ever. You will have the Spirit with you. And you will be on a path to recieve "all that the Father hath." It might be hard, but this nanosecond of eternity will be worth the wait. I testify of this in the name of Jesus Christ! Read the Book of Mormon each day! 

Other than that it was a really regular week. When I mean regular I mean hiking through the jungle, speaking Spanish, eating ice cream, preaching the gospel w my sidekick monkey "boots", and being one of God's servants. Average day kinda stuff in the life of God's missionaries in Panamá. I have now learned Hunter is a lady killer and Mckay is almost taller than me... ladies he's not eligable and someone help Mckay stop growing. My pride depends on it . 

Tenga una buena semana y'all!

Elder Nelson (aka panamaniana jones)

The lights went out.

Papa Johns with the distrito.

Roilan and Edgardo

Conference snacks (his favorite cinnamon rolls).

Conference watch party.

Conference chicheme (corn milk drink). 

La ciudad. 

So much American soda. 

Cheesecake Factory.

In the metro...lookin good!

We found the 3rd floor. 

Don't worry, we didn't play arcade games. 

Elder Jewkes from Grandma Ann's ward. 

Bowling with the Elders.