Elder Jakob Lutze: Semana 38 (Promised Land of Penonomé)

Buenas!!!

What an amazing week! At 11:30 Monday night we were off to Albrook where all the transfer missionaries meet. Somehow, not sure how, I sat next to my guy Elder Richards on the bus! We came to David together, and we went to migrations together, and then we left David together. It was fun to see all the missionaries in Albrook!

Then me and my new comp Elder Garrett were off to Penonomé! Wow, there is a lot to say about my new area. I absolutely love it!

First of all, the house is nice. It's bigger than San Felix, and it has water which means nice. Taking showers is a wonderful luxury that I once again have access to.

The work in the area is also amazing! We work in Penonomé and Antón. We share a branch with the Hermanas which is dope too. We literally just see them and do stuff with them all the time. Penonomé is a branch, and Antón is a group that just started last week. So, we have a lot of work to do! There are lots of recent converts, lots of members, and lots of baptisms! It's amazing. There are also lots of people who like to flirt with us - Chapter 14 do be coming in clutch.

We also get a ton of member meals...it's really awesome! I'm definitely gonna get fat in this area. The members are super awesome here!

My new comp, Elder Garrett, definitely didn't help with all the food this week. He is super cool! We have quite a bit in common and we already have a good friendship! He is also 'dying' this transfer. He has in total a year in this area. Crazy. This week was his birthday! Wow! The members went crazy. I'll just go by the days.

Saturday was his actual birthday. We went to a service project for a big chunk of the day. Then we got dressed and went to a baptism which was lit! After the baptism, we played soccer because we play soccer with the youth on Saturdays. Also super lit! Then the members threw a huge party for Elder Garrett! Literally, it was a ward party. Pizza, cake, pinata, soda, music, etc. They went hard!

Then we had Sunday. First of all, the branch is huge! So, church was amazing! Then we went to Antón for church and that was also good! A good group is starting! After church, we went to eat with the hermanas with members. They gave us arroz con pollo, tamales, and cake. I ate two massive plates of arroz con pollo and two pieces of cake with ice cream. This was still all for Elder Garrett's birthday. Well, we helped the members move some things; then we had to go to a different member's house. There, we also celebrated Elder Garrett's birthday with MORE arroz con pollo, MORE cake, MORE ice cream.

Ladies and gentlemen it was a wild, and amazing two days of basically extra Pdays. I was not kidding when I said I would be getting fat in this area. Now, there's a lot more to talk about, but that will have to wait till next week cause we are going to the zoo!

My spiritual thought has to do with 4 Nephi. I don't remember the scripture exactly but it says something along the lines of "There never was a happier people." That's a pretty powerful statement! I took some time pondering why they were so happy and there are many reasons. That happiness is also easily available for us. The people heard Christ, and listened to Him. They had God in their hearts and the words of the gospel. Thus meaning that they lived by it. They were happy for many other reasons, but one reason I'm sure of is that they were grateful to God for what they had. Gratitude is so, so powerful. President Russell M. Nelson said that "Over my nine and a half decades of life, I have concluded that counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems. No matter our situation, showing gratitude for our privileges is a fast-acting and long-lasting spiritual prescription." It heals our souls. It brings us happiness and helps us realize how much God loves us. I wish I could rant to y'all more, but I guess you're just gonna have to test it! Go a whole week of writing down everything you are grateful for everyday! See if you see a difference.

Love y'all! Pray for my people of Penonomé and Antón!! Until next week!