Week 62 (July 24, 2017)

This week was a long one. We had all of the same problems as last week and more. It was a tough one. But we did have some positive moments. On Thursday we had a ward activity, put on by the missionaries. It was so great! We had a cooking contest because food is always so great to bring people together. We invited everyone! In the end we had about 8 investigators who came to the activity. 2 of them even helped us judge the food for the competition. My companion and I made some Kraft mac and cheese to represent my heritage of gringolandia. We were the only ones that didn't win an award... but it was fine because we still got to get the members to come out and participate and it was just a huge success. 

On Saturday we spent the day in the hospital. My companion and I are both sick, along with the rest of the mission. They decided that we are working too hard and are malnourished. We have to eat more protein and vitamins here. That's really hard in Panama. But since then we have been focusing on that and seem to be feeling a little better. 

On Sunday we had a zone reunion to talk about the challenges that we are having in the zone. The major one was finding new investigators, but we have a set of sisters assigned to take care of that. So they came and talked to us. That helped. Then when they finished it was my turn to talk. I shared 5 scriptures with them. They are as follows: 

Doctrine and Covenants 10:43- Which says that no matter what the adversary does the work of God can not be stopped. 

Doctrine and Covenants 121:7- That the pains and struggles would be just a brief moment. 

Doctrine and Covenants 122:7- That everything that is happening right now will be for our good, and help us with having experience. 

So I shared those 3 and then asked what were the things that the people in the zone has learned from their trials in the mission. They shared some good things then I took a minute and shared what I learned, which is... 

In Moses 1:39 it says "Now behold this is MY work and MY glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." As a missionary I have always thought that I shared that work with the Lord. To help people receive that immortality and eternal life. But i learned not long ago that that is not my purpose. My purpose is found in Doctrine and Covenants 11:20 "Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind, and strength." In the mission we always talk about mission rules as commandments. Anything that comes from president must also be obeyed with exactness. So that is our purpose. And when we fulfill and complete and strive to do all of that, then the lord will bless us with the success that we want. Then the lords purpose will be fulfilled, and we will simply be the instruments in his hands. That's what the mission has taught me. That when I do my part the lord will bless me. 

I love and miss all of you!! Have a great 24 of July!! 

Elder Hamblin