Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Never a Boring Moment

Mi querido familia,

This last week was chuck full of crazy stuff!
First of all we went to the weirdest funeral I have ever been to. A less active from another ward died and the Elders asked our zone to show up and sing a hymn because they werent going to see many members there... of course we decided to help out. So we get there and they take us to this room in below the service building. This room was decorated like a church, but it was super small. It had 4 small benches to sit down, but all of us missionaries stood in the back so the family could sit down. When we first walked in the first thing I noticed was a woman crying... really really hard. Histerical even. Then, we realized that they were all standing over the body, that was a table, in the middle of the room (there was even a man taking photos). It was very weird. Bueno, we had the service, sang some hymns, and we left. Later a member told me that that isnt normal and they were probably going to cremate the body... so yeah..  but I realized during that service how sad it is to not have our knowledge of the after-life. During that service I said a personal prayer of gratitude that I was able to grow with the knowledge that I have, and that even though it hurts to lose a loved one, I will see them all again.
Oh yeah, so we had transfers this last week and guess what? WE DIDNT HAVE TRANSFERS! First time in the mission that I havent changed areas or companions... actually this is the first time I havent changed companions!! We were so excited! It is so great... it just made me so so happy. 
Remember Roysel? (That is how you spell his name I found out) We have had some wonderful experiences with him this week. We talked about where we go after death at the beginning of this last week and he was really interested because his dad had died. We talked about family history work and the temple as well. The next lesson we had with him was SO SPIRITUAL. He shared with us what he had read from Alma 40 and told us about his dad. He shared some very personal stories and told us about moments after his dad had died that he felt really alone. That he still feels alone at times. We shared with him  my favorite story from the Old Testament. In 2 Kings 6: 
 15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servantsaid unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
 16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lordpray thee, open his eyesthat he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, themountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
We testified that God is always there. That he never flees nor fails us. That because of the Atonement of Christ he understands us perfectly, and he suffered so that he could succor his people. The spirit filled the air. My companion started crying before he did. When we ended the lesson with a prayer, he said it, and that was the most heartfelt prayer I have ever heard. He told God what he felt, asked for his help, asked for his company. That was when I got teary-eyed. On Sunday he showed up in a tie. That filled our hearts with such joy. 
So remember the movie Meet the Mormons? (if we dont have it we should get it because I love that movie) yeah, well, it finally arrived in Panamá. They had a huge showing in the city it was super cool. And do you want to know who was there? Remember the Lady Boxer from Costa Rica? Yeah, well they heard about the showing and live decently close to Panamá so they just decided to drop by... and yeah, they were there!! How cool is that? (Para aclarar: no etaba allí yo, pero, pensaba que fue algo bien chevere y quería compartirlo con ustedes)
This week we had interviews with President Carmack. It went really well. He definitely is doing the work of the Lord and I respect him very much for the changes he is making here. This mission is changing. There are more rules. We are more focussed. I feel more comfortable, well, as comfortable as we can be in Panamá. 
Yo sé que vive mi Señor. No tengo palabras para expresar el amor que tengo por Él. Quiero que todos sepan lo que sé. Eso es porque estoy aquí. Les amo a ustedes. Gracias por soportarme. Les amo.
Con mucho amor,
Hermana Eardley

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