Monday, July 14, 2014
Catch Up from July 1-13, 2014
This post might be a little too long for some of you. I am trying to catch up on my blog, so I've included as much detail as I could remember from July 1st through the 13th. Well...I think I'm finally caught up!
Sunday, July 13
Every Sunday afternoon Jim and I take our iPads outside and we sit near the temple or take short walks to get outside in order to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings, plus we don't want to be inside our apartment for the whole day. We don't know what the rest of the couples do on Sunday's, but we have seldom seen anyone after church. Anyway, quite often we meet people who come to see the temple. It's fun to visit with them! Last week there was a dad and daughter who were in Panama for a Spanish educators' conference who had hiked up the road leading to the temple. They were all sweaty so we invited them inside to cool down inside our apartment. They didn't want anything to drink because they were fasting. (During my first mission my mission president said that when it's extremely hot it isn't safe to go without water during the fast.)
Today we were outside and a family came up to enquire if we knew anything about the YW's activity that was supposed to be at the church. No one had shown up and the family arrived later than it was supposed to have started. We visited with them, for about an hour, until the 3 1/2 yr old fell and scraped her knee. We invited them inside our apartment for a a bandaid and some chocolate. They were so appreciative!
We learned that the woman's first daughter was from another man who didn't want anything to do with her if she joined the church. She joined the church 10 years ago, but it took her 2 years to decide to get baptized. Her current husband is the father of their 31/2 year old little girl. He joined the church six years ago. His father, who is Chinese, didn't like the idea of him joining the church but he said that his father realizes now that he's a better man. They've invited us over to their house for supper. I hope it happens!
When I got home from church I opened the door to discover Jim had invited two men in for some snacks. These men are here from the States. They are working on the air conditioning systems for the apartments and temple. A funny story that one told was about, when he was going to BYU, his roommate used to answer the phone saying, "Hello from the top, Moroni speaking." One time this man, Jacob, got a phone call from his dad, Nephi. So this is how the conversation went:
"Hello from the top, Moroni speaking."
"Hello, this is Nephi. I'd like to speak with Jacob."
I guess this really made the roommate speechless for a moment.
President Boren came upstairs to ask if we'd be willing to do another temple presentation for a group of 20 Primary children who are coming with their parents this coming Saturday. The kids are so sweet, but just like anywhere some are very lively. We think we'll buy some pencils, etc because we'll probably do this again.
Saturday, July 12
The last three Saturdays have been so busy, at the temple, that the temple coordinators have asked the sister missionaries to work in the laundry, exclusively, so the Panamenian sisters who only do one shift a month can enjoy doing ordinances. Of course, we willingly accepted. By the time the temple was supposed to close there was still a ton of laundry, so we ended up getting a snack and returning to finish up. It is so much fun to work together, especially because our husbands come back to help too. It would be wonderful if every Saturday would be as busy as these last three!
I hope I can paint a picture to try to explain how busy the temple gets on Saturdays. We have almost run out of baptismal jumpers and towels. We've had around 75 youth and new members come to do baptisms.
This past Saturday the women's changing room had three layers of sisters waiting to do ordinance work or for a cubicle in which to change. My cubicle had clothing hanging from the hook, hangers left hanging over the walls of the cubicle, above the lockers, on the floor and on the bench. Usually the sisters are given a numbered plastic bag and a token so they can get their clothing back. Yesterday there were four women at the temple to do their own work, including sealings, so we couldn't give the other sisters bags as we would normally store them in the bride's room, which was occupied. What a wonderful feeling to see so many coming to the temple!
The first Saturday we returned to the temple we were there until 5:45 pm. The temple closes at 1 pm. Today we were only there until 4 pm.
The laundry room had all 3 washers and dryers going throughout the day. Just as we'd think we were almost caught up another session would end. At 1 pm, three Saturdays ago, we had all the machines going, six baskets of laundry waiting to be washed and/or dried, and then the session ended and we ended up with the folding table piled high with dresses, slips, pants, shirts, socks, slippers and ceremonial clothing!!!
There are not any rentals at this temple, yet many of the people arrive without their own temple clothing. If they would follow the guideline regarding personal temple clothing it would help to eliminate a lot of the burden in the laundry. We should only have to be washing baptistery clothing and towels, etc, and of course clothing borrowed by missionaries and visitors from outside the temple district. Oh well...at least they come!
Friday, July 11
Tonight a sister (Hermana Da Silva) from Manaus, Brazil came to pick up her son from his mission here in Panama. She attended the temple and was really drawn towards me, telling me she felt we were sisters from the pre-existence. I think I surprised Hermana Garcia, the first assistant to the temple matron, by understanding Hermana Da Silva who only spoke Portuguese.
Hermana Da Silva arranged with President Carmack, the Panama Mission president, to surprise her son. She found out from him the flight so she could book her return flight in order to travel home with her son. He came to the patron apartments with some of the other missionaries who were also going home. When he walked in he saw his mom. Elder Da Silva is a very nice young man!
Thursday, July 10
Today the Bjornasons and we had our first bus experience. We had mentioned to them that we saw the name of the bus that goes to the Causeway so they asked if we'd go with them. Today we caught the bus to Albrook Mall terminal and transferred to the Causeway bus. It was a positive experience.
I gave out a pass along card to a woman who sat with Jim and me on the bus. We had to take a taxi home from Albrook terminal because the Bjornasons had to get back for the English class they teach. We gave another pass along card to the taxi driver. He sounded very interested. We've put the mission office phone number on each card, so hopefully someone will call.
Wednesday, July 9
The Massaros brought us a stack of pass along cards!!!!
Tuesday, July 8
Today is my birthday and Jim asked what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to go for a walk along the Amador Causeway. I believe I've mentioned it before. It was built during the construction of the Panama Canal from the boulders and rocks that were dug up. They placed them in the ocean to create a road connecting three outlying islands. It's a wonderful place to walk, enjoy the ocean views and watch the ships lined up waiting to enter the canal. Jim was going to take me out for lunch too, but I decided I'd rather keep walking and eat leftovers at home.
Here are a couple of photos of ships waiting to enter the Panama Canal.
We noticed that the bus went to the causeway so we think we're going to give it a try next week.
After lunch we went to the temple for our shift. What a wonderful way to spend my birthday!
When I got home from the temple there were paper birthday balloons on the door and a bag hanging from the doorknob. Hermana Boren (the temple matron) had decorated the door and left me a couple of birthday cards and some chocolates.
It was a perfect day from start to finish!
Monday, July 7
Today was our P Day. We started our day by getting up around 6:15 and walking. At 9:30 we (all the non-Panamenian senior missionaries) went grocery shopping. When we got home we had to make food for the birthday potluck and FHE in the evening.
It is so nice that they celebrate our birthdays monthly. President Garcia, the first counsellor in the temple presidency, is having his birthday on Thursday. The sisters made two cakes, one for me and one for Presidente García.
Sunday, July 6
Today the Bjornasons invited us over to watch The Other Side of Heaven. It was very enjoyable! The Bjornasons are originally from California, but when they retired from teaching they moved to Utah to be closer to their kids. This was only 9 months before their mission. They have become our friends, ones with whom we share taxis for outings and sometimes meet in the mornings while walking.
Saturday, July 5
We had a good turn out at the temple today! Saturdays are the best because people come on Friday night and stay over at the patron apartments so they can get to the 7 am session.
Hermana Martin, the second assistant to the matron, went with me back to the mall to get highlights. I like my hair much better now!
The Martins are from Argentina. It feels like old home week around them!!!! I know Argentina isn't Uruguay, but there are so many similarities. It's fun having them here!
Friday, July 4
I now know all the temple ordinance by memory in Spanish!
Thursday, July 3
We decided to go to Albrook Mall, which also holds the bus terminal. Our plan was to walk down the hill and hope to catch a taxi to the mall. About half way down the hill a car pulled up and offered us a ride. This couple, the Wends, have moved to Panama from California. They come once a month to work at the temple. I can't remember the name of the city/town they're from.
When we got to the mall I went to the hair salon to get my hair cut, dyed and highlighted, and the Wends took Jim to get us bus passes in the "Daigon Alley" part of the mall, which is the bus terminal. Jim calls it this because it reminds him of the shopping area in the Harry Potter series.
I do not like the way the guy cut my hair; it is way too short, especially on the sides. I also don't like the colour. It is way too dark and he wouldn't give me highlights?!
Jim wasn't able to get the bus passes because I had the copies of our passports. At least he learned where to go, so we were able to get our bus passes before we left. It only costs two dollars for each card and $0.25 to ride the bus or metro.
When the Bjornasons found out we had bus passes they decided they would get passes too.
Tonight I worked in the temple laundry with a sweet Panamenian ordinance worker. I asked her a few questions so I could get to know her better. I found out she has ten children and that when she decided to get baptized her common law husband didn't want to marry her (He's the father of her three youngest children), so she had to decide between a man who was the father of her children and one who didn't want her as a wife, or being baptized into the church. She chose the church and is such a faithful member. She comes to the temple four days every week to work the afternoon shift. She's one of my favourite people!
So many people have amazing stories! I need to be more diligent in writing every night so I don't forget them.
Wednesday, July 2
Jim and I were sitting out by the temple and we saw the Massaros. They're the medical missionaries in the Panama Mission. They had come to attend the temple and were just making some phone calls prior to walking down the hill to catch a bus. Jim invited them in for something to drink.
As we were walking toward the apartment we invited them to stay for lunch. It was very pleasant. They've become good friends. We mentioned to them that we wished we had some literature to share with the taxi drivers because we always have conversations about why we're here. Elder Massaro said he always keeps some pass along cards in his white shirt pocket. He gave us the three he had and promised to get us more from the mission office. I think this is a perfect way to be able to do missionary work. I'm excited!
The Massaros also told us they would help us learn how to take the bus. There are no bus schedules here.
Tuesday, July 1
Happy Canada Day! Today was also a holiday for the Panamanians. Their new president took office today.
Last year, on July 1st the temple kept their usual hours, but this year they decided to try opening the temple at 7 for the first session and holding a session every hour and a half and closing the temple at 1 pm. They said it made a huge difference because there were tons of people for all four sessions.
We decided to invite all the missionary couples to celebrate Canada Day with us. We made two large apple crisps (Thanks for your recipe Helen!), used red plastic bowls, spoons and cups, white napkins, and put out the Canadian flag we brought. We also gave everyone a Canadian pin. Jim told them how Canada Day came to be. It was a fun gathering! We all sat around chatting for quite a while. It's nice to get to know the people with whom we are serving a little more personally.
Sunday, July 13
Every Sunday afternoon Jim and I take our iPads outside and we sit near the temple or take short walks to get outside in order to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings, plus we don't want to be inside our apartment for the whole day. We don't know what the rest of the couples do on Sunday's, but we have seldom seen anyone after church. Anyway, quite often we meet people who come to see the temple. It's fun to visit with them! Last week there was a dad and daughter who were in Panama for a Spanish educators' conference who had hiked up the road leading to the temple. They were all sweaty so we invited them inside to cool down inside our apartment. They didn't want anything to drink because they were fasting. (During my first mission my mission president said that when it's extremely hot it isn't safe to go without water during the fast.)
Today we were outside and a family came up to enquire if we knew anything about the YW's activity that was supposed to be at the church. No one had shown up and the family arrived later than it was supposed to have started. We visited with them, for about an hour, until the 3 1/2 yr old fell and scraped her knee. We invited them inside our apartment for a a bandaid and some chocolate. They were so appreciative!
We learned that the woman's first daughter was from another man who didn't want anything to do with her if she joined the church. She joined the church 10 years ago, but it took her 2 years to decide to get baptized. Her current husband is the father of their 31/2 year old little girl. He joined the church six years ago. His father, who is Chinese, didn't like the idea of him joining the church but he said that his father realizes now that he's a better man. They've invited us over to their house for supper. I hope it happens!
When I got home from church I opened the door to discover Jim had invited two men in for some snacks. These men are here from the States. They are working on the air conditioning systems for the apartments and temple. A funny story that one told was about, when he was going to BYU, his roommate used to answer the phone saying, "Hello from the top, Moroni speaking." One time this man, Jacob, got a phone call from his dad, Nephi. So this is how the conversation went:
"Hello from the top, Moroni speaking."
"Hello, this is Nephi. I'd like to speak with Jacob."
I guess this really made the roommate speechless for a moment.
President Boren came upstairs to ask if we'd be willing to do another temple presentation for a group of 20 Primary children who are coming with their parents this coming Saturday. The kids are so sweet, but just like anywhere some are very lively. We think we'll buy some pencils, etc because we'll probably do this again.
Saturday, July 12
The last three Saturdays have been so busy, at the temple, that the temple coordinators have asked the sister missionaries to work in the laundry, exclusively, so the Panamenian sisters who only do one shift a month can enjoy doing ordinances. Of course, we willingly accepted. By the time the temple was supposed to close there was still a ton of laundry, so we ended up getting a snack and returning to finish up. It is so much fun to work together, especially because our husbands come back to help too. It would be wonderful if every Saturday would be as busy as these last three!
I hope I can paint a picture to try to explain how busy the temple gets on Saturdays. We have almost run out of baptismal jumpers and towels. We've had around 75 youth and new members come to do baptisms.
This past Saturday the women's changing room had three layers of sisters waiting to do ordinance work or for a cubicle in which to change. My cubicle had clothing hanging from the hook, hangers left hanging over the walls of the cubicle, above the lockers, on the floor and on the bench. Usually the sisters are given a numbered plastic bag and a token so they can get their clothing back. Yesterday there were four women at the temple to do their own work, including sealings, so we couldn't give the other sisters bags as we would normally store them in the bride's room, which was occupied. What a wonderful feeling to see so many coming to the temple!
The first Saturday we returned to the temple we were there until 5:45 pm. The temple closes at 1 pm. Today we were only there until 4 pm.
The laundry room had all 3 washers and dryers going throughout the day. Just as we'd think we were almost caught up another session would end. At 1 pm, three Saturdays ago, we had all the machines going, six baskets of laundry waiting to be washed and/or dried, and then the session ended and we ended up with the folding table piled high with dresses, slips, pants, shirts, socks, slippers and ceremonial clothing!!!
There are not any rentals at this temple, yet many of the people arrive without their own temple clothing. If they would follow the guideline regarding personal temple clothing it would help to eliminate a lot of the burden in the laundry. We should only have to be washing baptistery clothing and towels, etc, and of course clothing borrowed by missionaries and visitors from outside the temple district. Oh well...at least they come!
Friday, July 11
Tonight a sister (Hermana Da Silva) from Manaus, Brazil came to pick up her son from his mission here in Panama. She attended the temple and was really drawn towards me, telling me she felt we were sisters from the pre-existence. I think I surprised Hermana Garcia, the first assistant to the temple matron, by understanding Hermana Da Silva who only spoke Portuguese.
Hermana Da Silva arranged with President Carmack, the Panama Mission president, to surprise her son. She found out from him the flight so she could book her return flight in order to travel home with her son. He came to the patron apartments with some of the other missionaries who were also going home. When he walked in he saw his mom. Elder Da Silva is a very nice young man!
Thursday, July 10
Today the Bjornasons and we had our first bus experience. We had mentioned to them that we saw the name of the bus that goes to the Causeway so they asked if we'd go with them. Today we caught the bus to Albrook Mall terminal and transferred to the Causeway bus. It was a positive experience.
I gave out a pass along card to a woman who sat with Jim and me on the bus. We had to take a taxi home from Albrook terminal because the Bjornasons had to get back for the English class they teach. We gave another pass along card to the taxi driver. He sounded very interested. We've put the mission office phone number on each card, so hopefully someone will call.
Wednesday, July 9
The Massaros brought us a stack of pass along cards!!!!
Tuesday, July 8
Today is my birthday and Jim asked what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted to go for a walk along the Amador Causeway. I believe I've mentioned it before. It was built during the construction of the Panama Canal from the boulders and rocks that were dug up. They placed them in the ocean to create a road connecting three outlying islands. It's a wonderful place to walk, enjoy the ocean views and watch the ships lined up waiting to enter the canal. Jim was going to take me out for lunch too, but I decided I'd rather keep walking and eat leftovers at home.
Here are a couple of photos of ships waiting to enter the Panama Canal.
We noticed that the bus went to the causeway so we think we're going to give it a try next week.
After lunch we went to the temple for our shift. What a wonderful way to spend my birthday!
When I got home from the temple there were paper birthday balloons on the door and a bag hanging from the doorknob. Hermana Boren (the temple matron) had decorated the door and left me a couple of birthday cards and some chocolates.
It was a perfect day from start to finish!
Monday, July 7
Today was our P Day. We started our day by getting up around 6:15 and walking. At 9:30 we (all the non-Panamenian senior missionaries) went grocery shopping. When we got home we had to make food for the birthday potluck and FHE in the evening.
It is so nice that they celebrate our birthdays monthly. President Garcia, the first counsellor in the temple presidency, is having his birthday on Thursday. The sisters made two cakes, one for me and one for Presidente García.
Sunday, July 6
Today the Bjornasons invited us over to watch The Other Side of Heaven. It was very enjoyable! The Bjornasons are originally from California, but when they retired from teaching they moved to Utah to be closer to their kids. This was only 9 months before their mission. They have become our friends, ones with whom we share taxis for outings and sometimes meet in the mornings while walking.
Saturday, July 5
We had a good turn out at the temple today! Saturdays are the best because people come on Friday night and stay over at the patron apartments so they can get to the 7 am session.
Hermana Martin, the second assistant to the matron, went with me back to the mall to get highlights. I like my hair much better now!
The Martins are from Argentina. It feels like old home week around them!!!! I know Argentina isn't Uruguay, but there are so many similarities. It's fun having them here!
Friday, July 4
I now know all the temple ordinance by memory in Spanish!
Thursday, July 3
We decided to go to Albrook Mall, which also holds the bus terminal. Our plan was to walk down the hill and hope to catch a taxi to the mall. About half way down the hill a car pulled up and offered us a ride. This couple, the Wends, have moved to Panama from California. They come once a month to work at the temple. I can't remember the name of the city/town they're from.
When we got to the mall I went to the hair salon to get my hair cut, dyed and highlighted, and the Wends took Jim to get us bus passes in the "Daigon Alley" part of the mall, which is the bus terminal. Jim calls it this because it reminds him of the shopping area in the Harry Potter series.
I do not like the way the guy cut my hair; it is way too short, especially on the sides. I also don't like the colour. It is way too dark and he wouldn't give me highlights?!
Jim wasn't able to get the bus passes because I had the copies of our passports. At least he learned where to go, so we were able to get our bus passes before we left. It only costs two dollars for each card and $0.25 to ride the bus or metro.
When the Bjornasons found out we had bus passes they decided they would get passes too.
Tonight I worked in the temple laundry with a sweet Panamenian ordinance worker. I asked her a few questions so I could get to know her better. I found out she has ten children and that when she decided to get baptized her common law husband didn't want to marry her (He's the father of her three youngest children), so she had to decide between a man who was the father of her children and one who didn't want her as a wife, or being baptized into the church. She chose the church and is such a faithful member. She comes to the temple four days every week to work the afternoon shift. She's one of my favourite people!
So many people have amazing stories! I need to be more diligent in writing every night so I don't forget them.
Wednesday, July 2
Jim and I were sitting out by the temple and we saw the Massaros. They're the medical missionaries in the Panama Mission. They had come to attend the temple and were just making some phone calls prior to walking down the hill to catch a bus. Jim invited them in for something to drink.
As we were walking toward the apartment we invited them to stay for lunch. It was very pleasant. They've become good friends. We mentioned to them that we wished we had some literature to share with the taxi drivers because we always have conversations about why we're here. Elder Massaro said he always keeps some pass along cards in his white shirt pocket. He gave us the three he had and promised to get us more from the mission office. I think this is a perfect way to be able to do missionary work. I'm excited!
The Massaros also told us they would help us learn how to take the bus. There are no bus schedules here.
Tuesday, July 1
Happy Canada Day! Today was also a holiday for the Panamanians. Their new president took office today.
Last year, on July 1st the temple kept their usual hours, but this year they decided to try opening the temple at 7 for the first session and holding a session every hour and a half and closing the temple at 1 pm. They said it made a huge difference because there were tons of people for all four sessions.
We decided to invite all the missionary couples to celebrate Canada Day with us. We made two large apple crisps (Thanks for your recipe Helen!), used red plastic bowls, spoons and cups, white napkins, and put out the Canadian flag we brought. We also gave everyone a Canadian pin. Jim told them how Canada Day came to be. It was a fun gathering! We all sat around chatting for quite a while. It's nice to get to know the people with whom we are serving a little more personally.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Panama Temple Compound
Panama Temple from the street
Jim (Elder Mathieson) in front of the entrance to the Panama Temple Compound
Cheryl (Hermana Mathieson) along side one of the driveways leading up to the Panama Temple
Elder Mathieson in front of the Panama Temple
View of the Panama Temple from the Missionary/Patron Apartments
Missionary apartments are on the left side of the entrance. The Patron Apartments are on the right. The building is twice as long as shown.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
June 17, 2014
It was another week in Paradise, both Panama and the temple! It really is a privilege to be able to serve in the temple! We truly appreciate our President an his wife!!
This week their daughter came for a visit. She is such a nice person! It's been nice for all of us!
A special experience that Jim had this week was while he was assigned to help out in sealings. A sister who was acting as proxy started to cry after a particular sealing, and even the sealer got teary eyed and choked up. Jim said the spirit was very sweet and felt that those for whom the dealings were being done had probably accepted the ordinance. I know that the spirits of those whose work is being done are able to be in the temple. I wish my spirit was more sensitive to them.
Yesterday after grocery shopping we went to a municipal park called The Summit. It is funded by the municipality only and the funds generated by donations and the entrance fee to the park. It is a conservatory for animals rescued, either from illegal exotic pet owners or from being orphaned or injured. What a marvellous park! All of the animals are indigenous to the Panama area. They also have plant species throughout that are plants from Panama. The park costs $2 for Panamanian citizens and residents, $1 for seniors and students and $5 for non-residents. Jim and I had to pay $5 because we don't have our residency or our retirement card yet. They are issued by the Panamanian government to all who are residents. Women are eligible for the card when they turn 57 or 58 and men when they turn 62 years old. It is quite a savings! If you show it to your waiter they give you 25% off your meal. All of the tourist venues are a definite savings! The president told us he'll take us to the Miraflores Lock after we get our residency because it is only $1.50 for retired residents, but $15 for non-residents.
We met a lovely family, the Jensens, in church on Sunday. The woman is originally from Panama and her husband is from the U.S. They have four children, two girls and two boys. The girls are 13 and 10. Boys are 6 and 3. What a nice family! We were visiting after church and everyone else had already left, when it began raining. When it stopped the family took off down the hill to catch the bus. They didn't get very far before it started raining again. Before long the family returned. one by one, running. Since it was the lunch hour Jim went upstairs to the apartment and brought them down snacks...chips, cookies and chocolates. The woman said that she had told her husband it hadn't stopped raining but he thought he knew better. She said that she had known because she grew up here and knows how to read the sky. I wonder if we'll ever get to that point.
Apparently it rains for 9 months of the year, but only for short periods of time most days. After the rain it gets really muggy, but never stops feeling hot. Yesterday we had a very nice breeze that helped to cool off our sweaty bodies.
Well, Jim went to the temple to study and I told him I'd meet him there so I better get going!
I'm hoping to post pictures this week...
This week their daughter came for a visit. She is such a nice person! It's been nice for all of us!
A special experience that Jim had this week was while he was assigned to help out in sealings. A sister who was acting as proxy started to cry after a particular sealing, and even the sealer got teary eyed and choked up. Jim said the spirit was very sweet and felt that those for whom the dealings were being done had probably accepted the ordinance. I know that the spirits of those whose work is being done are able to be in the temple. I wish my spirit was more sensitive to them.
Yesterday after grocery shopping we went to a municipal park called The Summit. It is funded by the municipality only and the funds generated by donations and the entrance fee to the park. It is a conservatory for animals rescued, either from illegal exotic pet owners or from being orphaned or injured. What a marvellous park! All of the animals are indigenous to the Panama area. They also have plant species throughout that are plants from Panama. The park costs $2 for Panamanian citizens and residents, $1 for seniors and students and $5 for non-residents. Jim and I had to pay $5 because we don't have our residency or our retirement card yet. They are issued by the Panamanian government to all who are residents. Women are eligible for the card when they turn 57 or 58 and men when they turn 62 years old. It is quite a savings! If you show it to your waiter they give you 25% off your meal. All of the tourist venues are a definite savings! The president told us he'll take us to the Miraflores Lock after we get our residency because it is only $1.50 for retired residents, but $15 for non-residents.
We met a lovely family, the Jensens, in church on Sunday. The woman is originally from Panama and her husband is from the U.S. They have four children, two girls and two boys. The girls are 13 and 10. Boys are 6 and 3. What a nice family! We were visiting after church and everyone else had already left, when it began raining. When it stopped the family took off down the hill to catch the bus. They didn't get very far before it started raining again. Before long the family returned. one by one, running. Since it was the lunch hour Jim went upstairs to the apartment and brought them down snacks...chips, cookies and chocolates. The woman said that she had told her husband it hadn't stopped raining but he thought he knew better. She said that she had known because she grew up here and knows how to read the sky. I wonder if we'll ever get to that point.
Apparently it rains for 9 months of the year, but only for short periods of time most days. After the rain it gets really muggy, but never stops feeling hot. Yesterday we had a very nice breeze that helped to cool off our sweaty bodies.
Well, Jim went to the temple to study and I told him I'd meet him there so I better get going!
I'm hoping to post pictures this week...
June 10, 2014
June 10, 2014
We can't believe how fast the time is going! We left home a month ago today (date wise)!
Jim is doing good at being able to read in Spanish. He's also beginning to understand some things and trying to speak Spanish. One of the major problems is that so many here want to practice their English.
We spoke in church this past Sunday. Our ward is quite unique. They do half of Sacrament meeting in Spanish and half in English. This made it easy for us. A new sister missionary, to the ward, spoke first. She spoke quite long so Jim and I had to altar our talks. I spoke next and gave my talk in Spanish. Jim was the last speaker and he spoke in English.
I meant to mention that there's a couple here from Sweden who have come to adopt two children. The boy is 8 and his little sister is 3. What a blessing for all of them! The mother mentioned that the first time they took the children shopping the little girl was excited and ran from thing to thing asking if she could have everything. Apparently it was the first time the little girl had ever been out of the orphanage. I asked them on Sunday how things are going and I was told that they are all adjusting very well. The father's parents came from Sweden too and were at church this past Sunday. Not only do these children have a family now, but they will grow up in the church and will be thus blessed!
Yesterday was P Day, so after shopping for groceries we went for a drive on the Causeway. When they were digging boulders out of the canal they had to find a place to put them, so they decided to use them to connect the mainland with three islands that were offshore. It's a beautiful drive! There are also some very nice looking restaurants and hotels. There is a pathway that runs along the shoreline of the causeway. I told Jim we should take a taxi out there some day and go for a walk.
President and Sister Boren also took us shopping to an artesian market yesterday. The Kuna Indians here do beautiful work called molas. There are a few Kuna women who belong to the church so I'm looking forward to one day getting a couple of molas made. Hermana Bjornason was shopping for something to send to her mother with one of the daughters of a family in our ward. This girl is a caregiver to Hermana Bjornason's mother who lives in an assisted living centre in Utah. What a small world!
While we were shopping at the artesian mall Jim had a conversation with one of the vendors. She asked him where he was from and when he said Canada she asked if he was a missionary. He told her he was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and she responded that it's good to meet some else who loves Jesus as much as she does. She attends another denomination, but at least she's had at least a first contact now with the church.
The Kuna Indians, yes they call them Indians, are from an island off the Caribbean side of Panama called San Blas. It is apparently still quite primitive. Hopefully we'll get out that way some day.
The 6th of June marked 38 years ago that my companion and I were able to see the most prepared family be baptized. The children of the sons who were baptized are now serving missions. What a blessing this family have been in my life!!!
Lorraine Doig shared Lister's sister's letter with us this past week. She's serving in the Philippines on a Perpetual Education mission. She was telling about how grateful people are for the help the church provides for them to be able to improve their situations. The Bullock's are doing Humanitarian work in West Africa and are currently overseeing several boreholes to enable communities to have access to clean water. This past Saturday a couple with 2 small children were sealed to each other in the temple for time and eternity. The church blesses the lives of many people in a variety of different ways! The Church is true and is the Lord's Kingdom on the Earth!
Sunday, June 1, 2014
A New Beginning
Thursday, May 15, 2014
We had a wonderful time in SLC at the temple missionary seminar in the SL temple. Our trainers were President and Sister Walker. They have been assigned to be over the training of the senior missionary couples going on temple missions. They used to be the SL temple president and matron.
Sister Walker is one of President Hinckley's daughters. She is so effervescent and has a real fun sense of humour, just like her dad. They were such a fun couple to watch interact with each other!
There were 16 couples going to various places around the world. There was a couple going to Mexico, two going to Guatemala, one to Atlanta, two to Boston, one to Manhattan, two to Washington DC, two to London, two to Hong, Kong, one to Freiberg, one to Paraguay, and us to Panama.
Sister Willis is from Paraguay and I knew her family while I served there in 1976. In fact, one Christmas, while I was at BYU, I brought a friend from Paraguay home with me. Sister Willis is her sister. It's a small world!
A couple more stories to illustrate how small the world truly is. First, we met a Temple Square missionary who is from Taiwan. In talking with her I mentioned that we had the most wonderful elder from Taiwan who had helped to open the Mandarin work in Calgary and how much we all loved Elder Lin. She asked me if Lin was his first name and I replied that I thought so, but that I knew he owned a restaurant. She squealed and said that he was her friend from her YSA Ward. Incredible, eh?
Another experience happened yesterday just as we were leaving Temple Square. I saw a sister's flag and asked if it was Finnish or Swedish. She responded that it was Swedish. I mentioned that I had had a roommate at BYU who was Finnish, but from Sweden. I mentioned her name and the sister missionary said it was her aunt. I gave her my name and email so that perhaps we can get reacquainted.
After our training on the Monday we went to Cotton Creek Mall to do some shopping and to eat supper. While we were walking around a young man approached us to ask a question. He was from Italy and had come to Salt Lake from another part of the US and loved the spiritual feeling of the city, so decided he wanted to stay. He said he had been told that he could get help to find a job by going to the Church Office Building. He didn't know the name of the building, but just pointed towards it. We told him that that wouldn't be where he would go and helped him find the phone number and address for LDS Employment Services. He had been a lawyer in Sicily and felt there was too much corruption. He had already obtained a green card for the US, so I hope he's able to find a job and the gospel.
We offered to take a woman's picture yesterday and got to talking with her. She's from Florida and is going on a medical mission for her church to Peru. After a fairly lengthy conversation she gave us her business card and we're going to stay in touch.
We are now in the plane flying to Atlanta, Georgia where we'll be catching our flight to Panama. There is another missionary couple on the plane too. They're going to Peru as the Executive Secretary for that area.
May 25, 2014
We arrived in Panama at around 8:55 pm on May 15, 2014. It was fairly easy entering Panama. We were photographed and fingerprinted electronically, and then we went and picked up our bags. We thought we'd have to go through customs, but they just took our declaration form and waved us through.
We were met at the airport by President and Hermana Boren. The ride to the temple took around 40 minutes. The temple and it's compound is beautiful!
Our apartment is lovely! The stairway leading to the second floor is made of granite. It feels as though they used the same materials in the apartment complex as in the temple. Our apartment has a desk, a dinette suite with four chairs, a love seat and sofa, a beautiful coffee table and end table, and a queen sized sleigh bed. There are a couple of extra chairs in the bedroom too. They've provided us with a TV, DVD player, a CD player, a phone with a modem and 2 cordless phones. The kitchen has all the necessary appliances. Our apartment is at the back of the complex so our windows overlook the cemetery. It's a nice view and there's nobody around so we're able to keep our curtains open. It's a very comfortable apartment!
We went shopping for groceries our first morning so we could get a few things to tide us over until Monday. We met the Bjornasons. They are another couple who started their mission a month ago. They live across the hallway from us. There are three other couples too. One is from Argentina and the other two are Panamanian.
The President set us apart the first afternoon but told us we wouldn't start working a shift until the coming Tuesday. We studied the sacred cards on Friday and Saturday. I am now able to do anything that is required for a session. Jim has helped out in the baptistery, and been a patron for sealings, initiatory, and several sessions. He understands more than he can communicate.
My first assignment happened to be teaching a group of children, ages 3 to 11, who came with their families and were staying at the Patron apartments. President Boren asked if I would do a short presentation... between 15 to 30 minutes. I took some pictures from the internet and took one of the temple to go along with what I wanted to highlight. We sang a couple of songs from the Children's Sing. One called 'I Have a Family Here On Earth' and the other 'I Love to See the Temple'. The children were quite active until I gave them a pencil and paper to draw their eternal families. They settled down and worked vert hard. Everyone was keen to share their pictures with us. There was even one little boy that insisted I keep his picture. There were two very sweet sisters, one 7 and one 9. The seven year old worked so hard and put in a lot of detail. She even had her own pencil bag and coloured the picture and glued it to the temple pamphlet and temple schedule card I had given her. Afterwards President Boren told me the two girls had come to the temple to find their dad and he talked to them. They shared their pictures and told him what they had learned. I think, all in all, it was a success.
One day I was asked to sit in the Celestial Room and the first two people to enter were a mother and her son. It was beautiful to see the love and joy they both felt as they hugged each other! The boy was quite emotional throughout the entire time he was in the Celestial Room. He was quite overcome by the spirit. It was an honour to witness this!
I've already learned some of the ordinances in Spanish! Jim has participated in several sessions at the temple.
May 26, 2014
It seems that the usual thing to do on P Day is to go shopping for groceries first thing in the morning. Today we went to Price Smart, which is similar to Costco. We bought a few things there, and then went to Riba Smith, another grocery store to finish getting whatever else we needed. There were four couples groceries and only the back of the temple president's van. It was packed!
Later that evening we had a temple missionary FHE. My assignment was to bring dessert. I made peanut butter squares and Cora's brown sugar fudge. There are six temple missionary couples counting the president and his wife. There's a woman who seems to be living in the patron apartments. I'm not sure why. There's also a couple who are in charge of the apartments. Any patrons that show up for the temple on Tuesday are also invited.
Apparently we get together twice a month. The first Monday to have a spiritual get together and the fourth for fun.
June 1, 2014
This past week the coordinators have made more use of me, and on Friday and Saturday they began using Jim as an ordinance worker, not just a patron. He did really good! He had to read in Spanish and he did a good job! I've also learned how to do temple laundry. People who live here are supposed to bring their own clothing, but many are just coming and borrowing. They've started contacting the Stake Presidents to request they speak to the offenders. It takes the sister ordinance workers away from doing ordinances because we have more laundry.
We had a wonderful time in SLC at the temple missionary seminar in the SL temple. Our trainers were President and Sister Walker. They have been assigned to be over the training of the senior missionary couples going on temple missions. They used to be the SL temple president and matron.
Sister Walker is one of President Hinckley's daughters. She is so effervescent and has a real fun sense of humour, just like her dad. They were such a fun couple to watch interact with each other!
There were 16 couples going to various places around the world. There was a couple going to Mexico, two going to Guatemala, one to Atlanta, two to Boston, one to Manhattan, two to Washington DC, two to London, two to Hong, Kong, one to Freiberg, one to Paraguay, and us to Panama.
Sister Willis is from Paraguay and I knew her family while I served there in 1976. In fact, one Christmas, while I was at BYU, I brought a friend from Paraguay home with me. Sister Willis is her sister. It's a small world!
A couple more stories to illustrate how small the world truly is. First, we met a Temple Square missionary who is from Taiwan. In talking with her I mentioned that we had the most wonderful elder from Taiwan who had helped to open the Mandarin work in Calgary and how much we all loved Elder Lin. She asked me if Lin was his first name and I replied that I thought so, but that I knew he owned a restaurant. She squealed and said that he was her friend from her YSA Ward. Incredible, eh?
Another experience happened yesterday just as we were leaving Temple Square. I saw a sister's flag and asked if it was Finnish or Swedish. She responded that it was Swedish. I mentioned that I had had a roommate at BYU who was Finnish, but from Sweden. I mentioned her name and the sister missionary said it was her aunt. I gave her my name and email so that perhaps we can get reacquainted.
After our training on the Monday we went to Cotton Creek Mall to do some shopping and to eat supper. While we were walking around a young man approached us to ask a question. He was from Italy and had come to Salt Lake from another part of the US and loved the spiritual feeling of the city, so decided he wanted to stay. He said he had been told that he could get help to find a job by going to the Church Office Building. He didn't know the name of the building, but just pointed towards it. We told him that that wouldn't be where he would go and helped him find the phone number and address for LDS Employment Services. He had been a lawyer in Sicily and felt there was too much corruption. He had already obtained a green card for the US, so I hope he's able to find a job and the gospel.
We offered to take a woman's picture yesterday and got to talking with her. She's from Florida and is going on a medical mission for her church to Peru. After a fairly lengthy conversation she gave us her business card and we're going to stay in touch.
We are now in the plane flying to Atlanta, Georgia where we'll be catching our flight to Panama. There is another missionary couple on the plane too. They're going to Peru as the Executive Secretary for that area.
May 25, 2014
We arrived in Panama at around 8:55 pm on May 15, 2014. It was fairly easy entering Panama. We were photographed and fingerprinted electronically, and then we went and picked up our bags. We thought we'd have to go through customs, but they just took our declaration form and waved us through.
We were met at the airport by President and Hermana Boren. The ride to the temple took around 40 minutes. The temple and it's compound is beautiful!
Our apartment is lovely! The stairway leading to the second floor is made of granite. It feels as though they used the same materials in the apartment complex as in the temple. Our apartment has a desk, a dinette suite with four chairs, a love seat and sofa, a beautiful coffee table and end table, and a queen sized sleigh bed. There are a couple of extra chairs in the bedroom too. They've provided us with a TV, DVD player, a CD player, a phone with a modem and 2 cordless phones. The kitchen has all the necessary appliances. Our apartment is at the back of the complex so our windows overlook the cemetery. It's a nice view and there's nobody around so we're able to keep our curtains open. It's a very comfortable apartment!
We went shopping for groceries our first morning so we could get a few things to tide us over until Monday. We met the Bjornasons. They are another couple who started their mission a month ago. They live across the hallway from us. There are three other couples too. One is from Argentina and the other two are Panamanian.
The President set us apart the first afternoon but told us we wouldn't start working a shift until the coming Tuesday. We studied the sacred cards on Friday and Saturday. I am now able to do anything that is required for a session. Jim has helped out in the baptistery, and been a patron for sealings, initiatory, and several sessions. He understands more than he can communicate.
My first assignment happened to be teaching a group of children, ages 3 to 11, who came with their families and were staying at the Patron apartments. President Boren asked if I would do a short presentation... between 15 to 30 minutes. I took some pictures from the internet and took one of the temple to go along with what I wanted to highlight. We sang a couple of songs from the Children's Sing. One called 'I Have a Family Here On Earth' and the other 'I Love to See the Temple'. The children were quite active until I gave them a pencil and paper to draw their eternal families. They settled down and worked vert hard. Everyone was keen to share their pictures with us. There was even one little boy that insisted I keep his picture. There were two very sweet sisters, one 7 and one 9. The seven year old worked so hard and put in a lot of detail. She even had her own pencil bag and coloured the picture and glued it to the temple pamphlet and temple schedule card I had given her. Afterwards President Boren told me the two girls had come to the temple to find their dad and he talked to them. They shared their pictures and told him what they had learned. I think, all in all, it was a success.
One day I was asked to sit in the Celestial Room and the first two people to enter were a mother and her son. It was beautiful to see the love and joy they both felt as they hugged each other! The boy was quite emotional throughout the entire time he was in the Celestial Room. He was quite overcome by the spirit. It was an honour to witness this!
I've already learned some of the ordinances in Spanish! Jim has participated in several sessions at the temple.
May 26, 2014
It seems that the usual thing to do on P Day is to go shopping for groceries first thing in the morning. Today we went to Price Smart, which is similar to Costco. We bought a few things there, and then went to Riba Smith, another grocery store to finish getting whatever else we needed. There were four couples groceries and only the back of the temple president's van. It was packed!
Later that evening we had a temple missionary FHE. My assignment was to bring dessert. I made peanut butter squares and Cora's brown sugar fudge. There are six temple missionary couples counting the president and his wife. There's a woman who seems to be living in the patron apartments. I'm not sure why. There's also a couple who are in charge of the apartments. Any patrons that show up for the temple on Tuesday are also invited.
Apparently we get together twice a month. The first Monday to have a spiritual get together and the fourth for fun.
June 1, 2014
This past week the coordinators have made more use of me, and on Friday and Saturday they began using Jim as an ordinance worker, not just a patron. He did really good! He had to read in Spanish and he did a good job! I've also learned how to do temple laundry. People who live here are supposed to bring their own clothing, but many are just coming and borrowing. They've started contacting the Stake Presidents to request they speak to the offenders. It takes the sister ordinance workers away from doing ordinances because we have more laundry.
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