Feliz dia de la madre!! (Happy Mother's Day!!)

Hermana's Wandell and V.

Alyssa sent her email this week in Spanish. I left the Spanish for those that can read it but I have translated it best as I can (with help from Google) so at least you will get an idea of what she is saying. Monday was the day they celebrate Mother's Day in Panamá which is the reason for the title of the email.

No quiero hablar en ingles... entonces!

I don't wish to speak English...So!

Q. How has this week been? 

A. Esta semana fue muchisma mejor! Encontramos una familia bien receptiva y bien buena.

This week was much better! We found a good receptive family and very good.

Q. What are you doing for pday today?

A. Hoy solo vamos estar en la casa descansando y limpiando.

Today we will be at home resting and cleaning.

Woooo 16 meces en la mision panama!!

Wooooo 16 months in the Panamá mission!!

Tuvimos la conferencia de la Navidad, yo tuve que dirigir los himnos.

We had a Christmas conference, I conducted the hymns.

Alyssa and Elder A.

Tuve que desperdirme de Astudillo pero estoy tranquila porque se que voy a volver a verle.

I had to say goodbye to Astudillo but I am calm because I know I will see him again.

Elder Astudillo and Alyssa

Voy a enseñar español a la Abby.

I am going to teach Spanish to Abby.

Creo que voy a ir al barrio latino cuando regrese.. 

I think I am going to attend the Latin ward when I return.

Termine mi progreso personal de nuevo!! 

I completed my personal progress again!!

Finished her personal progress for the 3rd time!

Q. So did you look through your package? Did you open anything?

A. Si vi mi paquete, tu sabes que so curiosa! Si abri algunas cosas! Hahahaha... pero no todo! 

 I saw my package, you know how curious I am! I opened some of the things! Hahahaha but not all!

Conoci un Aleman!!! HAHA

I met a German!!! HAHA

WOOOOOO Easton Aaron nacio en mi medio cumpleaños!! Yeah!! 

WOOOOOO Easton Aaron was born on my half birthday!! Yeah!

Dear Alyssa,

I really like you, you are the best sister in the world I love you very much. I love you more than most. Alyssa, what kind of food do they eat in Panama? I know you have those fuzzy fruit. (she means mamon chino). Alyssa since your birthday already past can I sing you a birthday song on Christmas? Guess what I am really super excited to skype with you on Christmas!!!!! Did you know that you are going to be coming home pretty soon and I am super excited. Alyssa guess what, we got some mail and it's a card that tells about Disney on Ice and guess what, it will be when you are home. I want to know if you want to come with me so mom can buy us a ticket if you do. (It is March 4-8, let me know if you want me to get you a ticket too) I love you Alyssa. 

Querida Abby,

Eres la mejor hermana en todo el mundo! Y yo TE AMO!! Te amo mas de lo maximo! En Panama comemos mucho arroz y lentejas y carne o pollo. La comida es super rica!! Si claro que puedes cantar una cancion de cumpleaños, pero mejor si lo cantes para Jesucristo, porque estamos celebrado su cumpleaños este dia! Me encantaria ir a Disney on Ice contigo! Te amo con todo mi corazon hermanita!

 Dear Abby,

You are the best sister in the whole world! And I LOVE YOU!! I love you more than most! In Panamá we eat much rice and beans and meat and chicken. The food is super good! Ofcourse you can sing me a birthday song but it's better if you sing to Jesus Christ because it's the day we celebrate his birthday! I would love to go to Disney on ice with you! I love you with all my heart little sister!

The following is from Hna. Carmack's blog...

Our Christmas zone conferences were this week. We visited two orphanages and put on a Nativity for the kids. We also brought some soccer balls, dolls and doll strollers, bubbles (which were a big hit) and a little package for each child that had stickers, playdough, a candy cane and a lollipop. It was such a neat experience and the kids were so cute. What a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Q. I know this week you went to an orphanage. You said all you wanted for Christmas was to feel the true spirit of Christmas. If that didn't do it, I am not sure what will. Did you see the picture of Elder Dastrup and Elder Mejia. It is quite funny seeing them next to each other. 

A. Bueno Mejia es chiquito! yo soy mas alta que el.. haha y si Dastrup es gigante! Bueno el orfanato fue super chevere, me recordo mucho de mexico. Y bueno yo estaba cantando la mayoria del tiempo entonces no hay mucho que decir. pero me gusto mucho!

Well Mejia es short! I am taller than he is...haha and yes Dastrup is a giant! Well the orphanage was super awesome (I think she means that) and it reminded me a lot of Mexico. (before her mission she went on a humanitarian trip to an orphanage in Mexico) Well I was singing most of the time so I don't have much to say but I loved it!

Yeah I'm not writing in Spanish with the accents like I should because I don't know how on a keyboard... so good luck!

Back to Spanish! 

Q. Are we going to be able to Skype with you on Christmas?

A. Si vamos a usar skype el dia de la navidad, no te preocupes.

Yes are going to Skype on Christmas, so no worries.

Les amo! Chao!!!

Much love! Bye!!!

I love you very much! Ten un feliz día de la Madre! Te amo tanto!

We had a service project with the elders this week... haha

Elder F. and Elder V.

Elder's Q. F. and V.

 Elder V.

 Alyssa and her companion

Happy Birthday and Thanksgiving!

 Hermana's Wandell and V.

We had thanksgiving dinner with the whole zone.

Elder B. and Hermana Wandell                     

Hermana's M. and Wandell

Hermana Wandell and Elder Q.                 Hermana's Wandell and V.    

       

Elder M.                                                         Elder F.

Elder's V. and Q. 

                   Elder's H. and F.                                    Hermana's Wandell and C.

The guy we found in the super was drunk when we went to visit him... 

We had a conference this week, I got to see O. and A.

Someone gave me a skirt from the pollera (it's blue)

We made baleadas again the other day and a brother (who I offered my house to him and his family for a conference he has for his work in Abril) showed up and he says "pinch me!" because he served in Honduras and loves baleadas.

For p-day we went to a park with a bunch of missionaries and they played football and soccer

Elder M., Hermana O. and Alyssa

My package came!! thanks!! 

J. gave the prayer on Sunday!! He has 110 ordinances to be performed (about 22 names) and he is going to the temple to do baptisms for the first time on the 13th. (J. was just baptized at the end of September)

Look up the video El es la dadiva in English. it's on mormon.org (it should be something like He is the gift) http://www.mormon.org/christmas (if you haven't seen this it is worth watching, it is only 2:45)

I WANT TO DO MY FAMILY HISTORY SOOOO BAD!!

If you are one of the fortunate ones who will receive a Christmas present from me, you have to wait until Valentine's to get it... haha

Dear Alyssa,

Did you know that I am  missing you so much, you are my best best best friend. I love you so so so so much. If I could pick one person to be my bestest friend forever that I love I would pick you Alyssa. Dear Alyssa I love you very much and did you know that the other day on Saturday I wasn't feeling well. Emma throwed up and then Emma gave it to Lucy and then Lucy gave it to me. And I did not feel that good so I had to stay in bed a lot that day and it was mom's birthday but now I am feeling much much better. 

Dear Abby, I miss you too! You are my best friend in the whole wide world! I would pick you too Abs! I am sorry you got sick and I am glad you feel better! I will see you real soon!! 

The funny part about C. and J. is that they are both from Venezuela... hahahahahahaha (I told her to these sweet sisters how much I appreciated them sending me pictures this week and for all they do for her)

(this was the best birthday present ever, one of the sweet sisters in Panamá sent this to me on Facebook on my birthday, made my whole day!)

Another sweet sister sent this picture the next day with a note

Hello sister, nice to meet you. I am the president of the Relief Society in the neighborhood where you daughter is now serving. Today we were having lunch at my house. Alyssa is very special for everyone here. I wish you a happy birthday! A big hug!

When we went to visit the Enrique's they weren't home. They told us 5 on Friday and no one was there.

F. leaves on the 12th because there are so many people leaving with us that they try to split us up more. 

I love training and we get along great. 

Hey so my comp lost her camera and I think that if I stay with her I am going to give her mine when I finish. What do you think? I never use a camera at home anyways, I will have a phone. 

I love you! Thanks for your help! I don't know what I would do without you! Please tell Abby how much I love her and that I will see her really soon. The time is going to fly... and that scares me. I was explaining to my comp that I want to see you and Abby but if I could have it my way I would move you two here so I could stay here because I don't want to go home. I want to be with my friends that I have made here. But life doesn't work that way. I love you!

Her Ward in Brisas del Golf

(She and her companion are on the right side behind the kids)

I ATE CRAZY BREAD!!!!!!!!!!!! MY FATHER IN HEAVEN LOVESSSSSSSS ME!!

Hahahaha so yeah I ate crazy bread for the first time in like 16 months.. hehehe

So with some of the missionaries we have started saying "whats soup?" That is because the Panamanians says Que xopa, which is pronounced que sopa and sopa is soup... hahahahahahaha 

Her District

we had interviews this week and while we were sitting there waiting for our turns I was talking to two of the elders and they were saying that they have to gain the confidence of the people in their ward. So I told them to make the bishop a cake. And the one elder looks at me and says.... "dude... we don't make  cakes!!" And then his comp looks at him then looks at me and says "That's a lie! I make cakes!" hahahahaha I thought it was hilarious! I don't know why... hahaha

We went to the temple this week and i saw one of the new videos!! super good!

This week we made a goal of  contacting 10 people a day. It doesn't sound like much but it is when the majority of the people you try to talk to don't even give you the time of day... Anyways so we were contacting and we met this guy named Enrique who was walking his dog and we set an appointment to visit him and his family next week. Well then like 20 minutes later we were still contacting and we met another guy  named Enrique... yeah well it's the first guy's dad... haha I don't think that's a coincidence.

Then we had a "rescate"or as I like to call it a rescue mission in the area of the zone leaders (Elder F.) so we all split up and went contacting. Well we were contacting one side of the street and I saw a house and in my mind I said, we are going to contact them after. Well then I was walking to contact the house later and my comp says no let's go this way.... So I was like okay but in my mind I said but we are still gonna contact that house. So then we are walking back toward the house and my comp says "let's contact the green house!" THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER!! Yeah that's my house I wanted to contact! And... they are less active members and not all of them are members! You're welcome Elder H. y Elder F.! Oh and the one guy gave me the name of his sister who is a member and lives in Salt Lake so that I can add her on Facebook when I get home and beg... I mean ask for Panamanian food! 

PARKER!! I am so proud of you!! You are going to love Spain! Spanish is the best! Start practicing now! Te puedo prometer que va a ayudarte a aprender mas rapido! Nunca olvides de orar para el don de lenguas y en poco tiempo vas estar hablando como un latino! Portate bien!!

Q. So what about Elder F. are you guys still good friends like you were in Alcalde Diaz? How much longer does he have in the mission? What about Elder A.? Also his mom has never found me or our Facebook group. What about your roommates how much time do they have left in the mission? 

A. Elder F. is one of my best friends too, he goes home the day before we do. His birthday is the 14th haha. Elder A. goes in June. Hna. S. goes home in 2 weeks and Hna. M. I can't remember at the moment.

Q. Are you ok? Is your stomach ok?

A. My stomach is fine mom! I'm not gonna die! 

Q. So when we come home from the airport I know you want to go to Cafe Rio but what after that? 

A. Well after Cafe Rio they need to release me.... you should ask grandpa about that one...

Q. So the picture of the district meeting at the Christ Statue, what is that? I have seen lots of pictures with that same statue. Do you have to hike to it? 

A. The Christ statue is just a statue. 

Q. So you learned how to make tortillas, are they good? What are arepas columbianas? I thought that was the tortillas

A. Tortillas and arepas aren't the same thing... Google it. 

Dear Alyssa,

Mom said you didn't know how many days until you come home. Well it's 82 and I am so super excited!! Did you know Lucy and Emma are here and we went to this place yesterday and it was so fun. I loved the balls! Would you let me take you there when you come home? (She means the Children's discovery museum at Gateway). What are we going to do when you come home? Did you know I only have school on Monday and Tuesday? Alyssa do they have Thanksgiving in Panamá? Do they have Mickey Mouse Clubhouse there? Alyssa I want to give you a Christmas present just from me, not from mom, do you know what you want? Alyssa I hope you are finding lots of people in Panamá to help. I love so so so so so much. To Alyssa from Abby

Dear Abby, I love you! When I get home I just want to hang out with my favorite person in the whole world. I don't care what we do. I just want to be with you! No they don't celebrate Thanksgiving here but a gringo family invited the zone over for dinner on Thursday! We are going to have tacos..hahahaha  I know that is a weird Thanksgiving dinner but that's ok.

Q. Have you heard from Chavez since she went home?

A. I email Chavez every Monday! haha 

I have realized that it's nice to have amazing friends.

I love you! See you soon!! 

8 new investigators!!!

Alyssa and Hermana V.

PARKER IS OLD ENOUGH TO GO ON A MISSION??? Wait wait wait! Who are we talking about?? Parker as in Jamen's little brother?? WHAT??? 

I can't eat greasy foods, the nurses have forbidden me to do so. I was having really bad stomach pain this week cause my body is starting to fight back from all the grease I have eaten the last 15 months... 

Dear Alyssa,

I am really glad you are coming home soon. I love you more than most. You are the best sister ever.  You are going to be my best pal forever and when you get home I am going to give you a big sweet hug! I am tired so I can't write more to Alyssa love Abby

Dear Abby, I will be with you again in less than 3 months! I love you and I will see you soon! Give mom a great big hug for me please!! Love Alyssa

The Ecuadorian dress was just what I had on. The other one is from Panamá and it costs more than 100 dollars. 

Anyways... there isn't much left to say... sorry. This week went really well, we found 8 new people!! Which personally I believe is a miracle!! 

There are pictures don't worry!

  These are from the Independence Day activity last week.

My companions who are still alive 

(she means still in the mission)

 making arepas colombianas (:

Our district meeting (: 

Making tortillas all by myself! I made the dough and everything!! 

I LOVE YOU!! I WILL SEE YOU SOON! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO ONLY I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY DAYS!! Tell everyone hi and hug my Abby please and tell her how much I love her! Thanks for being the best mom in the whole world!!