Semana 67 (Divine Identity)

Buenas!!

I can't believe that transfers are already over!! Time really do be flying!

This week/last week started off with a really good intercambios! I was with Elder Rodriguez in Vista Alegre 1. Him and I had a ton of fun, and have become really good friends throughout our mission! I got to do an interview which was fun! And we went to their ward party which was waaaay awesome!

We had Zone Conference which was awesome! I got to see a lot of friends, and Elder Rendón! He was telling me all about Penonomé and Antón, it made me super happy!

Had another interview with Ariel! That was cool, because I had gotten to teach him a little before as well! But it was really cool because when it was just us two, he said "Yea, only the OPs in Brawl Stars can be here." I saw him playing one day, and we had a conversation about it, but yea, I'm an OP 

An old lady hugged me and blessed me in the name of the virgin of Guadalupe. It was strange.

I met and talked to my new friend from Saudi Arabia! His name is Khaled. He is super awesome! We had some good conversations!

Did a service activity which was cutting bushes. It was fun!

Church was super hype! We had 5 friends come to church! This transfer we sure have been working hard! We have planted a crazy amount of seeds, that's for sure!

My spiritual thought this week is something important for all of us! From the scriptures we know that Jesus suffered, was mocked, and was judged as a thing of naught. As I pondered on this, I began to wonder how he was able to go through all of that. Obviously, He was perfect, but what was it that allowed Him to overcome these judgements of others? 

Personally I think it is because Jesus knew two very important things. He knew WHO He was. And He knew WHAT His purpose was. I strongly believe that if we ourselves come to learn WHO we are and WHAT our purpose is, that we too may be able to overcome many things. Especially the judgements of others, and even our own judgements of ourselves. I truly testify that we are children of God! We have a divine purpose and destiny which is to become like God himself, and to help others! I encourage you all to find your own divine identity! As well as your divine purpose! I promise you all that it will be a blessing and guide to all of you!

I'm so grateful for this transfer I've had with Elder Stapley! I have learned a lot! I'm excited for this next transfer! I'll be with Elder Zepeda! And I will also have some extra responsibilities that I'm excited for! 

Please pray for me and my people! Pray for my zone! And pray for the mission Panama! It truly is the best in the world! Love you all! Have a great week!

- E. Lutze 

Christmas Decorations

Ariel

E. Lutze and E. Rendon

More Christmas

Tall Buildings?

Zone Conference

Semana 66 (A God of Miracles)

Buenas!!!

This week started off with an intercambios with Elder Owens!! It was a lot of fun! We had a great day, and a member fed us some super amazing tasting pizza!! I've never had corn on pizza before, but I would recommend!

An interesting moment happened with Yasuani, one of our investigators. Her husband is an inactive member who is trying to share the gospel which is amazing, it's just that he doesn't quite understand how to keep it simple. He sorta just tells her really random things about the gospel. 

Yasuani said to us "I have some doubts and questions." 

So naturally I asked "ok, what are they?" 

She then proceeded to say "I've just gotten a little confused with all the information. And I was watching Youtube, (big red flag), and they talk really, really bad about Joseph Smith, just horrible." 

I was about to jump in and say something quickly to try and save everything, but she just said "So, I decided that it is better just to read the book and ask God!"

What a huge miracle!!!

We had Thanksgiving as a District! Kind of? Imma be honest I had forgotten about Thanksgiving for a second there... but it was a fun time!

We were walking when we heard a loud noise from behind us... knowing exactly what was about to happen, we started to sprint as fast as we could for shelter. Sure enough, out of nowhere, it started raining like crazy!!! Nothing is scarier than the sound of rain chasing you 

Had a sports night which was super fun! We played volleyball! The thing is, there are a ton of Kunas here. And they are super short. So I literally was destroying them! Spiking and blocking everything! Such a fun time!

Our inactive friend came to church! He is one of my favorite people in Panama for sure!! So hype!

This week's thought has to do with how miracles occur! I was reading a lot about faith, and the examples of those who had faith, and had miracles happen. Now faith is not the only part to miracles. In Alma 32 we read

40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life. 

41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life. 

42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. 

43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.

Thus it is so with miracles! We must have an eye of faith, trusting in God and His miracles! But we must also work diligently to nourish and do our part for these miracles! Then with some patience, in God's time, He will bring to pass miracles into our lives, and the lives of others! I truly have seen this, not only in the scriptures, but in my mission as well!

God is good! God is a God of miracles! Have faith! Have diligence! And have patience! I love you all! Pray for my people! Until Next Week!

- E. Lutze 

At Church

Chickens

Corn Pizza

Sporting our boots

Inactive Member?

Popeyes for Thanksgiving

Another boot look! Give 'em the boot!

Semana 65 ( Be Thou an Example of the Believers)

Buenas!!!

This week started off great by doing a baptismal interview for Alberto! He is super awesome! His story is funny of how he got taught. A missionary named Elder Rodriguez played him in basketball 1v1, and he said that if he won, Alberto had to get baptized. Well, Elder Rodriguez won, Alberto got taught by the sisters, and then he passed his interview! Hype!

Almost every lesson we had this week fell through! It was crazy! We had a few great lessons, but wow it was insane how many things fell through this week!

I convinced a member I had 3 months in the mission. It was hilarious! I was pretending to not really understand him much, and he was talking to me like I was a child so I could understand. Then, when I started acting normal, he was so confused and shocked! It was soooooo funny!

Abdiel came to church again!! Whooohooo!

Miracle Moment! We taught a lady named Yorlenis on Saturday, and then invited her to church. She had a lot of questions, but she seemed interested! Then part way through sacrament she showed up with her two kids! 

One of a missionary's biggest worries is that someone won't make friends with members, or not feel welcomed. But, another miracle occurred - she knows and is friends with one of the members! So they just hit it off, and the member was just explaining and showing her everything! Yorlenis also loved the class! At the end of church she said she felt this church was different, and that she wants to come back next Sunday! God is good!

The thought this week has to do with the miracle. Yorlenis said something to her member friend at the end of class. She said "Now, I know why you were always such a nice person," referring to the fact that she was a member/disciple of Christ.

I just stood in awe when I heard that! Truly as disciples of Christ we should be the best examples! Just as Paul wrote to Timothy "be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

What we think, say, and do really matters! We have taken the name of Christ upon us, which means we have to take His example upon us as well! One member's example made the difference in another person's life! 

So I invite you all to think and ponder on what I've said, and then work towards becoming a better "example of the believers!" Let your thoughts, words, and actions always be inspired by the example of Jesus Christ! Think and Be Celestial!

I love you all! Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! Keep praying for my people! Until next week!

- E. Lutze

E. Stapley & E. Lutze

Lookin' Good

Smolder Attempts

Semana 64 (Always Remember Me!)

Buenas!!

This week was absolutely fantastic! So here are the highlights!

Tuesday I went to Hato Montana to do a bunch of interviews! I had the privilege to meet Regina, Guillermo, and Santana! They all are so amazing! I really felt the spirit when Regina shared with me an experience she had once. She said

"One day my hand was in a lot of pain, so my husband went to go get medicine from the pharmacy. While he was gone the pain got worse and worse! So I started to pray, asking God not to abandon me. I hadn't prayed or gone to a church in a very long time. But I remember, when I prayed, hearing a soft voice say to me, "Always remember me." I looked back and didn't see anyone there. And in that moment I knew I had to find God."

This story was crazy powerful! God really does prepare His people!

Taught a little girl named Abby and she wants to get baptized! It was quite an interesting lesson though. We were explaining the Holy Ghost, and asked her if she had ever felt happy before! She said no. She's 8. It was one of the saddest things I've seen. But, it makes sense. Her dad's side of the family is a bit crazy. Essentially they practice witchcraft on her, she sees demons, and her dolls move and dance around at night. Please pray for her!

Had the worst lesson of my life. I am not exaggerating. What happened is so bad that I can't write about it. Low-key have a bit of PTSD now, but I'll get over it.

Had a really fun exchange with Elder Pineda! We also ate with a really cool family and other missionaries! THE FOOD WAS TO DIE FOR!!! They made broccoli soup, garlic bread, lasagna, and the best part, apple pie with ice cream. If there's anything I miss from the states, food is definitely a big one! 

Saturday we got to go support Regina, Guillermo, and Satana in their baptisms! Elder Stapley and I also had the privilege of baptizing! I got to baptize Regina, and I was beyond happy for her! She is so amazing!

Sunday was amazing! We were sad, at first, because we went by Melardo to pick him up and he couldn't come. But, as we were sitting, in the chapel we looked out the window and saw Abdiel! We literally ran so fast to go greet him! And the other miracle family showed up! And it was so amazing! Then later that day we had a really good lesson and put 4 people on date to be baptized! So it was a great day!

My thought for the day is about charity! Charity is the pure love of Christ. I've been thinking a lot about how Christ showed His love to people. And the more I thought of it the more I realized that most of the time he showed His love to others was through action! Not just by saying nice words to people, but serving them! So that's my challenge for all of you! If you want to better show your love for someone, do it by action! Serve them! You will feel really happy in doing so, I promise!

Anyways. Love you all lots! Have a great week! Keep praying for my people! Until Next Week!

- E. Lutze 

I hope this is a good dog!

Good ole Apple Pie

District Time

Sharing the Book of Mormon

Regina, Guillermo, and Satana Baptismal Interviews

Regina, Guillermo, and Satana Baptisms

Good Times!

Semana 63 (You're Not Welcome Here!)

Buenas!!

We started off the week buying a bunch of emergency food. So now we just have a ton of food in our house that we most likely will never use!

We continued teaching Melardo, he is so amazing! He told me and Elder Stapley that we are like his family here in Panamá! And we always bring him more friends and that we are the only ones who visit him. I almost cried... almost!

A lady prayed in tongues... that was interesting!

Had a guy yell at us "YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE!" But his bad English and Spanish accent made it super, super funny 

That same day a really drunk woman bashed at us for about 15 minutes. She didn't think we were missionaries or that we were as young as we said. She was something else!

Did service at a member's house! His name is Luis. He is incredibly smart! And I had a fun time just talking about the gospel and science topics! It was awesome! He also speaks really good English!

A dog almost killed me this week too! (Not the dog in the pictures). We were walking to a house, and I saw a dog sprinting around a car showing its teeth at me. Right as it went to bite me I smacked it in the face with my Book of Mormon and then kicked it in the face! I then just stared at it and said "YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE!" The dog left, and Elder Stapley and I were just laughing. Sorry to all those who love dogs, I didn't want to die! 

The week was super great! Lots of teaching and finding! And just trying to help the area grow! Sadly Melardo and Abdiel couldn't come to church this week, but next week for sure!!

My thought this week comes from Galatians 5:16

"Walk in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."

I've talked about this a lot lately, but it's important! God wants me to know it, and all of you. But we have to do all we can to have the spirit with us!! We need to draw ourselves closer to God! We need to become more celestial! And it's all done by having the Spirit with us. So do what is necessary to have the Spirit with you! It takes work! But it's worth it! Every aspect of your life will grow and become better if you have more influence from the Spirit with you!

Love you all! Have a great week! Please pray for my people!! Until Next Week!

- E. Lutze

Not THE dog

We love to share the Book of Mormon!

Still not THE dog!

Our two week food supply!

Semana 62 (Politics Am I Right?)

Buenas!!!

Don't have much time today! We were busy making food with the district, and now we have to go buy food that will last us about 2 weeks!

Panama is sorta going through something right now. They aren't too happy with the President. Lots of riots and fires. Good times!

We still got some good work done this week tho! Melardo is progressing well. We watched church through Zoom with him. Yes, the church was closed...We also have another friend Abdiel! He agreed to be baptized, and is so awesome!

Exchanges with Elder Smith was fun! Lots of the missionaries in my district are  suuuuuper young. But I guess that's good sometimes  because they don't understand when a random crazy dude yells "KILL THE WHITE PEOPLE! THEY GOT ALL THE MONEY!"

Things aren't that bad honestly! My comp and I are completely safe, and the work continues!

Thought super quick. I like this story.

Inside all of us there are two wolves fighting. And a man asks "which wolf wins?"

Then the other man answered "Whichever one I feed the most!"

We always have spiritual battles against Satan. But if we want the good to win, then we have to feed it more! Think about it!

Love you all! Have a great week! Pray for Melardo and Abdiel. And Panama. Until Next Week!

- E. Lutze

Fires are burning!

And Burning...

Even Subway is CLOSED!

Walk Away from the FIRE!

Exchange with E. Smith

Semana 61 (Vista Alegre)

Buenas!!

First of all, goodbyes are the absolute pits! I spent a lot of time saying goodbye to everyone from Anton and Penonome, and it was the worst.

But the rest of the week was absolutely amazing!

I love my new companion Elder Stapley! He is one of the ZL's of Arraijan! Let me say, it's super nice being comps with a ZL! We both love to work!

My first day in Vista Alegre we ate at a place called Taco Mar! It was a Mexican food place, and it was absolutely amazing!

As far as the work, there isn't too much right now, but as I said before, me and Elder Stapley are ready to work! We have already seen a ton of miracles!

A big one was with Melardo! The dude had read one of the folletos we gave him! That literally never happens. During the entire lesson he kept asking about Joseph Smith. At the end of the lesson we asked him to be baptized and he said yes! Sadly he couldn't come to church, but he will come next week!

We did service for our neighbor lady who told me all about her plants for 30 minutes. I caught a little lizard!

We went to a member's baptism which was good! But the kid cried at the end which was sad...

I got to do some baptismal interviews this week which was really fun! The district do be working hard!

Overall I'm really excited for this transfer! Elder Stapley and I have been working really well together! The area is fairly decent, and has a lot of potential! I also already love all the members! It also rains a decent amount here which feels really nice!

We are kinda blocked into our area right now. There's a bunch of fires and protests going on. It's definitely interesting, jaja. But the work still goes on!

My thought for this week has to do with when Nefi broke his bow. He didn't just rely on the Lord for everything, but he did what he could and then went to the Lord for help! We must do the same! God knows our potential and what we can do. Miracles come when we do all we can, but in the end know that we need God to bless our efforts. So we do what we can, and then ask God for more help! This is good because if God gave us everything we wouldn't be able to choose or progress! 

Love you all so much! Please pray lots for Melardo and my area! Bless us to find more people to teach and baptize! Please pray for my district as well! Until Next Week!

- E. Lutze

E. Stapley learning the Smolder Look from the best!

E. Lutze's Lizard

We love the Book of Mormon!

Yes, it rains a lot here!