Clay In His Hands

Hola a Todos!

I hope this email finds you all well! The titles is based on a song that I have been listening to lately that talks about how we are clay in the Saviors hands and he molds us to make us into beatufiul things that we could never imagine!

This week for us was a roller coaster. I learned a new word... piojo... if you dont know what that means it is lice. Yep.. you guessed it... my companion and I found out that we had lice. When we called the mission nurses to see exactly what we needed to do the firs tthing the lady told me was that I needed to cut my hair... which sent me into tears. I have grown out my hair my whole mission. I was devastated at the thought of having to cut it three weeks berfore I go home.

Anyway.. we ended up not having to cut it but Thursday we had to wash EVERYTHING and I mean every thing.... We did maybe 10 to 12 loads of laundry.,.. it was completely by hand... it was in one of those machines that you have to fill with water that washes it then you rinse it by hand and put it in a spinner thing that helps to dry it... in total it took about 4 hours... then we had to wash our hair and brush it out with a special comb to get all the lice out... it was a long day.

Apart from that I lost my agenda... thankfully when we went back looking for it I found it but for a space of about 30 minutes I was going crazy! I have had a planner since before my mission... I live by them... and in the mission. My agenda is my life. Not to mention it was a gift from a former companion... they decorated it for me to celebrate my last change. I shall send you all a picture momentarily.

It was also a week of service projects. I learned how to peel oranges with a knife so it all comes off in one big peel. I was pretty proud of that. We spent a lot of time cleaning houses. We also got to see pictures from a familys trip to Italy.. which made me rethink where I would like to visit some day. They even went to Marsielle... which is the setting of the Count of Monte Cristo.. which is one of the best stories ever! 

But the biggest story of the week is a guy named Gerald Miranda. He is so amazing! We decided to break into a part of our area that we had not been in yet. Well we were walking and my companion found a key a on the ground and we decided to contact the house that we were in front of to see if it was theres. Anyway... we met a lady named Diosalina Miranda... Geralds mom.. and she told us how elders had come before and taught her... but she is not married. Then she told us about her 17 year old son who lives with her mother and wants to learn English. She gave us the address and we immediately went looking for him. Well we found them. We talked for a little while.. got to know him and invited him to English class. But from there did not think much of it. 

Well he called us like four times to know where he had to meet us for English on Saturday. We did not answer because we  were cleaning out an apartment of some members but he told us he would meet us there and every thing to go to the class. After the class he asked us if he could walk the opposite direction from his house to see where the church was so we were walking with him and I was walking in front with him and my companion was walking behind with some other investigators and he was telling me about his belief in God and all this stuff. Then all of the sudden he says... Hermana I have never been baptized and I said... would you like to be? And he told me that he would. I invited him to read the Book of Mormon... which I gave him in that moment and pray. Then invited him to prepare to be baptized on the 27th and he accepted.  

So we showed him where the church was then the next morning called him at 830 to see if he was coming and he informed us that he was already in the church waiting for us to get there. Which is very unusual for Panama. We got there and during the meeting he got up and bore his testimony! He just said some thing like... I am so happy to be here. This is the first time that i have come. I hope you all accept me. I love my Savior. And then he sat down. My companion and I were just kind of in shock. Then we introduced him to a member and we are doing a family home evening with him tonight in ther home to teach him about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.. formally. 

After the meetings he was telling me how he wante dot go out and work with us. He told us he could go every day. I said... well we work with OTHER members.. like I had forgotten that he is not baptized... and we agreed to work with him on Wednesday and Friday. I seriously believe though that he is golden. Please remember him in your prayers! That every thing works out great! He talks about how he wants to be a missionary like us. I am just praying tha tit happens. 

Gerald was basically the highlight of our week but we also got a goal from our zone leaders to find 60 new investigators by this coming Sunday.. we have 26 so we are on the right road... anyway.. thats basiclaly all I got for you guys right now... pictures to come! 

Love, 

Hna. Wilson

Como Un Niño Pequeño

Hola a Todos!

So I think God gives us experiences to humble us. To mold us make us submissive like litle children. Like it says in Mosiah 3:19 that we must put off the natural man and become as a little child.. submissive.. meek.. humbly... easily entreated... and honestly thats what I think Heavenly Fathers goal with me is this change... I guess I should just all tell you about what happened this week so you understand. 

Monday night we went with the twins and we went with their teacher from YW. It was a super spiritual lesson and the twins agreed to get baptized this weekend. We were elated! We went and celebrated with milkshakes. The next day we went and bought every thing for the baptism.. stuff to do programs and we were going to decorate glass bottles and put the baptisimal water in it after they got baptized. Some thing that they could have forever. So bought those and decorated them and put a scripture about baptism on them. We had all the talks lined up... and my companion and I were practicing a musical number to sing at their baptism. Then on Wednesday... they were not ther efor our scheduled appoitment. So at 730 we went by and taught them the last lesson. We had finished and asked them when they could do the interview. One of them went to ask their mother and she came out and said that they could not get baptized this weekend because the mom said no. It took all my will power not to break down in tears in front of them. When we got out of the lesson my companion and I walked home in silence and both cried. 

The next few days were really hard because we had to tell everyone that the baptism was actually not going to happen. I imagined it is somewhat similar to how it would feel to be left at the altar on your wedding day. Then on Sunday we went back and visited them. We watched the hour long Joseph Smith movie with them and invited them to prepare for the 20th of September... they said they would ask their mother. And then we shared our testimonies about the truthfulness of the Gospel. It has been a long time since the Spirit has moved me to tears... well not a long time but it has been a while since I have cried in front of the investigators because of the spirit. Anyway... I think they could see how much we loved them... and they wanted to get baptized before I leave.. it just all depends on the mom. 

We got rejected a lot this week... I think we are just getting to know all the Evangelicals in Volcan... who let us in but when we try to put a teaching appoitment to come back they dont want anything. One lady even said... I can accept every thing... except Joseph Smith.. and then she started ranting about how we should not esteem one man above another... and really she just wante dto argue so we left.

We got a new ward mission leader. He is young... like the same age and me. Has never serve a mission and is terrified of his new calling. But we are all confident that he will rise to the ocassion. 

You guys all know that I wrote poetry so here is a poem that I wrote this week. My companion gets migraines when she is heavily stressed and this week was a really stressful one so on Thursday we ended up staying in the house and while she slept I wrote a poem. I wanted to share it with all of you. 

My Uncarried Cross

My tired shoulders ache

My back so very sore

By the time that we

Walk through the blessed door

Some times I feel so weak

That I do nothing right

Why did the Lord call me

To fight a soldiers fight

To my knees I slowly fall

Next to my well made bed

The tears they stain my cheeks

As I gently bow my head

The cross, I say to Him

Is just too hard for me

I dont want it anymore

Oh Father, cant thou see?

I cannot do the things

That thou thinks I can

How could all this pain

Be part of thy great plan?

That is all I say

Before I fall asleep

And I dream a dream

To profound and deep

I am in a garden

In the midst of night

Somethings heavy in the air

The moon, she hides her light

Not too far away

I see a man upon the ground

I do my very best

Not to make a sound

Father, He whispers softly

Its just too hard for me

I can hear the quiver

Of a voice in agony

I do not want to drink

The cup in front of me

The pain it is too much

Please, Im begging thee

I tightly close my eyes

And hide my face in shame

For the words that left my lips

Had been the very same

Then the scene does change

Surrounded by a throng

There are shouts for death

The smell of blood is strong

Then I see The Man

From the night before

He had begged for less

But God had asked for more

I break through the crowd

As He falls beneath the cross

He bows His head below

The taunts the crowd does toss

Please I beg a man

Please just let me in

The cross He does carry

He carries for my sin

But then the scene is changed

For a second time

And we are on a hill

Three crosses in a line

I walk to the center

Where my Lord is hung

Guilt it fills my heart

I know that for me, its done

Father please forgive them

The humble cry does come

Please accept the offering

Of Thy Only Son

Then my Lord does die

Hanging on the cross

The earth trembles in he grief

At Her Creators loss

Suddenly the sun is bright

As it stings my face

And I know that I am in

His final resting place

Then I see my Lord

Standing, dressed in white

And the sobs escape

The tears I cannot fight

He stands in mighty power

And the marks are plain to see

I kneel before the One

Who suffered just for me

Your cross, He softly says

On your shoulders will never rest

So long as you are worhty

Of the name across your chest

And often it is hard

It also was for me

But you are not alone

With you Ill always be

And if the weight seems heavy

All you have to do

I remember that my cross

I carried just for you

So go and feed my sheep

And when you feel the pain

Know that you can never lose

More than you will gain

Go forward strong and brave

Never looking back

And I wilol make the difference

For all that you do lack

And when you have done

All youre called to do

Know that here I will be waiting

With open arms for you

We have a couple of positive people that we are working with. The challenge as always is getting them to come to church. Just pray for us this week that we can find more people to church who have the desire to accept the Gospel and come to church.

The time is drawing to a close but my testimony only strengthens  about this Gospel and the truthfulness of this church. I love my Savior and I love all of you. Until next week.

Love, 

Hna. Wilson

Because Tomorrows Another Day

Hola A Todos!

So first I have to aplogize if this email is not as upbeat and some of the last ones. I was thinking about this song recently... as it rained cats and dogs and we tried to find people who wanted to listen to us which were few.. there was a horrible flood up in the moutains by where we live... I will send pictures... but thirty houses were destroyed and 12 people were killed. In no way were we affected but we have investigators whose family members were affected. It reminds us that God is in control and that we never know when it is going to be our time to go. But whats so wonderful is that God has a plan for everyone. And all that He wants for us is so much better than what we want for ourselves.

Also the baptisms of the tiwns might be post poned until further notice. We went and saw them on Saturday and they told us that doent feel prepared to get baptized and that they want more time. Then one of them told a member yesterday at church that they want to wait until December! We are going to go see them this evening to see what we can do and really just listen and figure out while they suddenly changed their minds. I will have to let you all know how that goes next week. Hopefully it will accompanied with pictures of a baptism.

It was also a hard week because no one really wanted any thing. On Saturday night we were walking down the street.. in a neighborhood that we had visited numerous times and the doors just started slamming.... one after another... parents called their kids inside and every thing. My companion and I laughed about it but it was also sad. All I said to my companion was.. well its a good thing we werent going to knock on them anyway.

Carolina Alvares and Celideth Lescano our progressing nicely. They have not come to church so we are not exactly sure when we are going to see their baptisms but we are trying our best to see that we help them gain testimonies so that they will want to come to church.

Here is an interesting story from the week. So on Tuesday, I was sitting on the bus and a lady sat next to me. We started talking and she opened up to me and told that about a year ago her grandson had died suddenly and unexpectly. She told me that he had been scared to death and so I inquired further and she told me that he had been going to the super market with his mom and a dog had gotten out and said dog was known to bite. Well when the little boy saw it he fainted on the spot and they took him to hospital. When they got him there he was already dead. A vessel in his brain had ruptured because of the intense that he had experienced. We talked about the plan of Salvation and I testified to her that she would see her grandson again. That she could be with him again. Unfotunately I was only able to give her a pamphlet before she had to get off but I like to think that maybe some day she will remember that conversation and want to learn more.

We also almost got attacked by a cow.. who did not want to let us cross the road. And a dog almost bit my companion. Thankfully it did not.

From there its pretty much the same old. We are always finding some new people here and there to teach... the challenge is keeping them and getting them to church. I just tell myself that I need to keep going strong. I want to be able to look back without any regrets..  so as the song goes.

Because tomorrows another day... I am not afraid.... so bring on the rain...

Until next week. I love you all so much!

Hna. Wilson

Walking on Sunshine

Hola a Todos!

First of all I want to thank everyone for the birhtday wishes. It was a good birthday even though I did not eat any cake everyone gave me a bunch of chocolate. I asked for Reeses and people delivered which was super nice and I enjoyed them. Also for my birthday we found and taught an 18 year old girl named Celideth. She accepted a fecha and is super positive. We are hoping she will get baptized on the 13th of September.

Its also transfer week this week. President Carmack told me that I will be staying here in Volcan which means I will be ending my mission here. Its amazing how fast the time is gone. I just hoping to see lots of fruits. I will just have to see what God has in store for me. The only thing we do not know is weather I will be getting a new companion or not. We should know tonight.. next week I will let you guys know!

We went to the temple this week. I also got to see Hna. Chavez. All of you know that she is my best friend. I love her like my own sister. It was a great gift from heavenly Father that it worked out that I can see her.

Being at the temple was also an edifying and strengthening experience. We were able to spend all of Friday there and it was just really rejuvenating.

The good news here in Volcan is that we are for sure going to have two baptisms on the 30th of August so mark the date on your calandar. Alison and Alejandra are going to get baptized and even if they are the last baptisms I see as a missionary I have loved teaching them and thank Heavenly Father that He is allowing me the privilege of seeing them enter the waters of baptism. Pictures to come.

Yesterday I guy named Sergio randomly camed to church. We had contacted him on Thursday but I had not thought much of it. Its hard to find him at home because he works all day every day but we are going to try and teach him after church on Sundays. He will progress slowly but we are hoping that he will progress.

Anyway thats basically all I have for you guys and I am out of time. Just know that I love you all so much. I pray for you often. Thank you all for supporting me in all my efforts here in Panama. I know that this is the work of the Lord and that He is at the head.

Love,
Hna. Wilson

A Parrot, Patrick, y La Panederia

Hola a Todos!

So I was wracking my brain for the title of this email so there you are.. this week we rescued a parrot from a tree... yesterday we commited Patrick Worthington to be baptized.. I dont know if you remember him from last week... he is a really neat guy and we accepted the fecha you could see in his face the desire to read the Book of Mormon that we left with him. The only problem is we cannot see him during the week because he is studying to be a doctor in DAvid which is two hours away... so he can only be around on Sundays we are going to keep in contact with him by phone and do all we can to get him to come to church on Sunday...

what else happened this week that was exciting... Panederia in English is Bakery and we contacted a guy at the bakery this week... who liked my companion... a lot... and it was really uncomfortable because he tried asking for our number which we did not give him and offered to take us on a tour of Volcan but we said no.. then he said he was going to come to church just for Hna. Hanson.. he didnt come.. my companion was happy.

Our golden girls, Alison and Alejandra are still golden... they are reading and coming to church.. and also want to get baptized on the beach... haha... we will see how that goes... we would like them to get baptized her in Volcan but if they want to get baptized on the bach we are going to make their wishes come true...

We also have tons of people reading the book of Mormon.. if you could include Carolina Alvares in your prayers.. and Felicita Montezuma.... along with Patrick Worthington... Lesbia Sanchez... and Lina Villegas.. they are all fechas that are reading and need extra prayers to keep progressing... we have tons of other investigators right now but they are the ones we are focusing on right now!

This is the last week before transfers... hopefully when I am writing you all next week we will know some thing.. we are also going to the temple this week which I am super excited about... I have not been since January so I am ready to go!

Last P day a guy called asking for a teaching appoitment.. which was neat because that never happens so we are going to try and hunt them out this week..

This is a short email but I am already running out of time! I love you all so much and will try to write a longer email next week! Also I will let you know about transfers even though I believe I will be ending my mission here in Volcan. Only the Lord knows.

Just know that I know that this work is the Lords work.... that He leads it and guides it and we are merely instruments in His hands. I cant belive another birthday is already on the horizon... it feels like just yesterday that I turned 21 not last year. Anyway... eat some cake for me and pray that we find more people who want to be baptized and come ot church... that is the best birthday present you guys cane give me!

Love you all

Hna. Wilson

fotos del servicio

pictures from the serice project... and other things.. Enjoy!
​

​we had to ride up to the service project in the back of a catlle car!

​We had to carry wood haha

Fear Thou Not... I Am With Thee...

Hola a Todos!

I hope everyone is absolutely great this week.... I hope this email finds you all well.... I cant believe it is already August... where did the year go.. I honestly dont know... but things are good here... if you guys could all remember my companion and her family in your prayers... she lost her grandpa this week and so is having a hard time... just pray for her that she will be okay. 

This is going to be a rather short email because i am already running out of time but I just wanted to share wiht you guys a couple of neat things that happened this week.

We found a lot of positive people this week... on the flip side we also met a lot of people that treated us like if they talked to us for more than five seconds it would bring the 10 plagues of Egypt upon their homes and their famlies... but you know what... I have just learned that everyone has their agency and if they want to accept the gospel its there.. and if not.. well God is going to give them chance after chance after chance... until the end.

Some of the positive people that we found included a guy named Patrick Worthington... which is a very British name.... because his family... well his dads side are from the states and he has family in the states that are members. He practiced talking to us with English and he was really open to the things that we shared with him... we are going to go back this week and invite him to be baptized after we share an extensive version of the Restuation with him so that he feels that spirit and what we are teaching is true.

We also had a really neat experience with a lady named Lesbia... please save the jokes... we know what it looks like... but we had a really awesome lesson with her... we watched part of a movie called together forever and she cried because her mother is sick and might not make it. We testified that it was possible for her to be with her family forever and that it was possible through Jesus Chrsit. WE told her that the first step she should take fi that was desire of her heart was to be baptized by someone who has the authority... she accpeted and we are working with her to be baptized on the 6th os September....

We had a lot of other similar experiences but like I said this was going to be a rather short email because I am already running out of time.... I love you all so much and will have to tell you all these wonderful stories another time. I know the Gospel is true. I know this is Gods work and no unhallowed hand can stop it from progressing.

Until next week! Love you all!

Hna. Wilson