Week 31-Apostasy

Hey ¿Que lo que?

Well everyone something very interesting happened this week and it all starts with Black Jesus.... Yes its true here in my area (Portobelo) There is the Cristo Negro and he is called the saint of criminals.... I really encourage you guys to research it further because it is quite a thing but basically every October 21st there have a parade and it starts at 6 and they have an imagine in a church and they take 3 steps forwards and then 2 steps back... Everyone dresses in purple and on Tuesday they walk all the way to Portobelo!! Some all the way from Panama City others from Sabanitas!!! It was so weird to see all these people walking by on the street. There were a lot of Police officers because some people even escape from prison to visit the Cristo Negro and recieve forgiveness or even ask for favors to help them.....There was just so much apastasy and it was just so sad that it rained all day Wednesday and I am very sure that Heavenly Father was very much sad... 

Anyways this week we had some success in finding more people to teach! It was great we visited our little Old Xenia and as usual had an amazing and powerful lesson with her! She didn't accept a date for baptism until the next day but then she finally accepted! She said that after the blessing everything got better for her. That she had less pain her vision was clearer and that she comprehended everything better! When she accepted she asked what it is she had to do to be baptized and We said come to church... We went by on Sunday to pick her up for church and she said no.... We asked her about next sunday and she said no.. Sad thing is we don't know what happened but It hurt so bad. She is so ready and she is just one of those that Satan worked on so hard, We are going to visit her this week one last time to see what happened.... Man Satan just really is the worst!! 

We met Armando this week and it was a little weird but Hey what are  you going to do! Everyone needs the gospel even those that are a tad creepy... It was actually really hard because he really doesn't have any knowledge of Religion which was a first here in Panama his brother Armario though does have a knowledge and was able to help us out with regards to the Bible They both have a date for the 14th :) 

This week I really was able to learn more about the atonement and how I can really apply it more in my life. Jesus suffered everything for us. He literally did it for US. He did it so He could better understand how to help us and to know what it is exactly we need to do in times of need. We may ask continually for help and to just have all of the trial take away from us but really we just need to ask for the strength to endure, to learn, and to grow. He know us perfectly and can help us if we ask Him specifically what it is we need to do to help us in that time. I know He lives and I know He loves us. He atoned for me and He did the same for each of you. 

I love you all so much and miss you like crazy! Thank you for your prayers and your support! I hope all continues to go well with everything!

Les quiero mucho!

Herrmana Garcia

Week 30

Hello all! 

First allow me to start off by saying sorry about last week and not writing I just hae been really sick and its just no fun to write about nothingg....

Bueno! Two weeks ago we had Stake conference and man was it awesome! Elder Alonso came and just for our stake and man did we need it! It was a kick in the pants for everyone but it really so beautiful. Something that was really great was that He started off by asking why everyone was so serious. We should all be the happiest people there are because we have the greatest thing in the world! We have the true church so SMILE! You have the gospel in your lifes and there really should be no reason to be sad! That is something that I hadn't ever thought about before. We really do take the gospel for granted sometimes but we should never do that. It is a blessing in each and everyone of our lives and Man do we get blessed for it too. I realy loved that so much! 

This past week we have changes and guess what! Hahaha I got to stay! My 5th change in this area and my 3rd with Hermana Patrick! I must admit this is a ton of time in one area but I think I will be here until she goes home in December so that means at the very least one or two more changes! hahaha Half my mission here in good 'ol Colon! I am so grateful for the opportunity the Lord has given me to continue on here in Colon and with these people. I know there is something more for me to do and I need to figure out who or what it is! 

One miracle this week was we had a new Investigator in church on Sunday! He said his grandpa and aunt are members and that he has seen us walking around and wanted to know more! José Manuel! What a blessing after a couple rough weeks! There are always miracles! 

Also with regards to what I have. I have Gastritis Which is caused by a bacteria and it casue my stomach and intestie lining to become inflammed and makes for lack of appetite, pain, and nausea.... It honestly is so painful and I have lost a lot of weight but this week regardless the Lord comes first and I can be baby when I get home! hahaha 

Thank you all for you prayers and support! Love you all so very much! Take care!

Les quiero mucho! 

Hermana Garcia

WEEK 29-- HAPPY MARRIAGE AND BAPTISMS!!!

Hey all! I hope all is well and so sorry for not sending out an email last week! So I got myself a little parasite and we haven't really been able to work because we haven't been able to leave the house but I do have a very happy ending to a long told story! 

Carol and Hadid got baptized!!! Which mean that Carol and Niño got married!!! I have basically been waiting for those 2 days since I've gotten to Panama! Miracles do Happen! 

So 2 weeks ago the happy couple got married and man was it so beautiful! Everyone was crying even tough little Niño! He was so happy and man I felt the spirit and I know that they will be so happy. Now all he has to do is stop working Sundays so that they can all go to church as a family and then in a year be Sealed for time and all eternity!!! 

Great way to start off a general Conference weekend was the Baptisms of Carol and their oldest son Hadid! It was really so beautiful and the spirit was so strong! It has been such a blessing to see these people who I love so much enter into the waters of Baptism being clean of their past and being able to start anew. Niño cried then too and it was so special! I love these people so much! 

Now after this beautiful General Conference weekend I hope we are all spiritually enpowered and ready to fight the temptations that may come our way. I felt a theme for me was always being worthy to have the spirit and to feel its promptings. That as long as we are actively remembering the Savior and applying the atonement in our lives we will be spiritually strenghtened and a light to those around us. We already have this light so let us shine even brighter! Let us spread this joy and truth that we have! Families are eternal and we can be clean and forgiven for our sins! To be shy open your mouths!! 

Sorry there wasn't much having the parasite we really couldn't leave the house but this week we will be getting back to working hard! Last week of the transferre got to go out with a bang!  Thank you all for all your love and support! 

Les quiero mucho! 

Hermana Garcia

PS The beautiful happy family before a very special baptism :