This week was a pretty good week. First off, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! Love you mom! We'll just jump right into the week.
Zone conference
Zone Conference is always a good experience. We had some great trainings and some decent food. Interviews with President were awesome, and he opened up some possibilities for this upcoming transfer, so we'll see if there's any changes coming up. It was fun to see all the other elders from zona David and spend the day over there. It was especially crazy because it was Elder Tarbet's last zone conference. He's a legend, but now he's going home and going to be changing lives back in the states. It 'twas a good day
TGI Fridays...
This experience deserves it's own section because it was depressing. This entire transfer Elder Hulme and I have been talking about saving up a bunch of money to be able to eat at TGI Fridays. We were so excited because they have American imported steaks. I miss steak. We arrived after p day expecting to enjoy a hearty meal, only to have our dreams crushed by a sign that says "closed on Mondays." On google maps it said it was open. We were flabbergasted. But luckily, Elder Hulme came in clutch and found us another restaurant and it all turned out all right. Still no steak, but a 4 patty burger will suffice.
Intercambio
On Thursday I was able to do an exchange with Elder Martin who's awesome. I learned a lot and we had a ton of fun. He's crazy good at the ukeleyle (I have no idea how to spell that...) and it was so relaxing to listen to him play. We found a lot of promising friends who are willing to work towards baptism and life-long discipleship. We had a really good lesson about the Book of Mormon and the Spirit was so strong testifying of its truthfulness. We were also able to get permission from some parents to let their kids get baptized. At first, they didn't want their kids to get baptized, but the Spirit helped us a ton as we talked about covenants and the blessings of baptism. In the end they got permission, and I was able to play a part in it. Super special experience
No water
For this entire week we haven't had water, so it's been an interesting experience. We didn't have any water to shower, do dishes, etc. so we went to the church and filled up some containers. We don't know how long they'll last. There was a huge water truck that came through helping people fill their water reserves, and we missed it... I guess we'll figure it out. It just means small bucket showers, no dishes, and other fun luxuries.
More Mola
A guy named Geovany has been making me some awesome mola and just finished 2 "cuadros." They're awesome. One's BYU and the other is UGA. Both 100% original and worth it. I love mola.
Future group and Surprise talks
So, whenever the water goes out in Almirante, our branch president always takes his family to stay in Changuinola. Saturday night he came back for a meeting with the first counselor in the mission presidency. We found out that they're opening up a group in chiriqui grande, which is gonna be cool and they need us to start working over there on weekends. It's a three hour bus ride, but they're orders from President himself, so we're gonna figure it out. It'll really start up next transfer, so whoever stays in Almirante will have the project of setting that up. Also, after this meeting the branch president pulled us aside, and basically told us that he forgot to assign talks so we would have to give them. We had a few hours after 9 and before church to get some thoughts on paper, so it wasn't all that bad. I found out the best way to get everyone laughing is to make fun of the white guys. It was working really well, but I got a little ahead of myself trying to make jokes, lost my talk on my phone, and so I improved the next 15 minutes. The Lord definitely threw some karma at me.
Friends
So, this transfer has been rough for friends. Dalisbeth has been swamped by college, so we don't think she'll be able to get baptized. We haven't been able to have a lesson with her for 2 weeks, so we're trying our best to get back on track. Orlando, Joseph, and Christian this past week we couldn't go to the other side of the river, so we couldn't teach any of our friends over there. We were able to cross yesterday, but only our friend Wilfredo was there. Wilfredo dropped off the map for the past month and suddenly reappeared yesterday. He goes to seminary and church but doesn't accept a baptismal invitation. I barely met him yesterday, but we'll do our best to help him out.
Shout out to my brothers Elder Palmer Nelson and soon-to-be Elder Hunter Nelson. Palmer was a crazy good missionary and served for a full 2 years giving his all even though his body was literally breaking down. A huge example for me. Love you bro! Enjoy the amazing blessings that are coming your way! And Hunter just went through the temple to receive his endowment! That's such a special experience and I know it'll bless his life forever. Now he's going to go be the GOAT on his mission. Future AP. And of course I gotta shout out McKay too for holding the fort down. Apparently, he's a barber now and gonna go crazy this next football season. Already better than I was but too humble to say it. Love y'all. Stay strong, put in the work, and love the Lord!
Spiritual Thought
Well, I guess my spiritual thought is something I really need to work on which is "staying humble before the Lord." A lot of times I forget to include the Lord as much as I should in the work, and that's a big no no. In our desires and actions, we should always include the Lord. Especially when it comes to His work. To be humble and be happy with any outcome the Lord decides is really important to the mission and everyday life.
Love y'all
Elder Nelson
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