Monday, February 28, 2011

Mon, Feb 28, 2011 at 7:59 AM

Daddy and Mommy. I am a big kid now, hahaha. Yep, I am a Senor comp and a Step-mom (Hermana Ochs is her second companion in the field). My new companion came from Arrijan and is now with me in Tocumen. This week was another week of tests. I guess I have had it pretty good always having companions that have time in the mission. Because wow my step-child misses home like crazy. I was not expecting that at all. I was ready to get to work but my comp was ready to go home! I had to council her, President Ward came and ate lunch with us, our District leader is her cousin and is doing all he can to make her happy, the Zone leaders came and taught a lesson to encourage her, the members of the church were giving her advice and Man I was getting pretty worried cause she just can´t handle it. Man but through it all she is getting better little by little. President told me that he was glad that I gave her motherly love and council. Mom was it this hard getting me out of depression?

So now it is P-day and we can have some fun!!!!!

Ok, but besides this I am getting to know the area much better and gaining the love and confidence of the Members!!!!

This Sunday a member from Biancheri was visiting my ward. This kid ran up to me and hugged me. I didn´t recognize the kid at first and I thought to my self, "that´s a nice kid." Then I thought, "wait a second, I know this kid!" I looked up and saw her mom Hermana Midiam. Man there were tears in our eyes and I was hugging them like 50 times. I was soooo happy.

I am sending a few pictures to you. The first is from the Baptism of Zeidy. The next is seeing Hermana Calero off at the bus station to her next assignment. The next picture is a cool picture on the side of one of the buses there.

Well I believe this week will be better!!!!! And thank you for your council. I will remember to be confidant in the Lord and obedient. Don´t worry, me and the President are on good terms and Hermana Calero too. Just some things I needed to clarify.

Hey I love you bunches and bunches.

Chao

Hermana Ochs

Monday, February 21, 2011

Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 8:49 AM

Man, man, man, I love you all so much. I just can´t believe that I have these blessings in my life, when I know that I am not perfect. I make errors everyday but that is life. We learn, grow, change and move on.

You know how I had told you guys that I needed to be more courageous? well I did it, but man it is hard. And of course I didn´t go to long without missing up again. Man. But you guys are my strength. Thank you for always sharing your experiences with me.

Hey, did you guys know that The baptism of Zeidy was on the same day Israel and you guys went to the temple? That day was a hard day for me but ended so good. To think about the people I love and the changes they are making in their lives and the changes I need to make too. Hurray and way way super awesome that Israel had so much support from you guys and Elder Hiatt. WOw wow sham wow!!!!

I am sorry that this email is short but I had a lot to write to the President. We will see what happens in this next change! President told me that I will be going up to Senior Companion and that he was proud of the way I have dealt with my trials. Always have hope and faith and keep for praying for me! Lots of love I send.

Hermana Ochs

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Tue, Feb 15, 2011 at 12:08 PM

Hey hey family guess what? I Love you!!!!

Yes I did get your package awhile ago nice and safe. Sorry I didnt tell you. Thank you so much!!! I love the picture you sent and I shared the candy with all my friends here. They really liked the air heads, and me too.

Well I am just so super happy! We just got back from the Temple!!!!!!!   Pic 1   Pic 2   It is so beautiful and I felt so at home there. Wow and it was my first time in Spanish!!!!!! I am so glad that I was able to go now. I was able to appreciate it way more and understand it all. That was one of my prayers to be able to understand it all! I love the Temple.

I am really trying to have more valor and be courageous. There are things that I need to help my companion deal with. Being an example can go a long way but I need to take a stand now or never. Thank you for always teaching me to do the right and taking a stand against those bad things to protect me. I love you guys.

Guess what, God has blessed us so much. The family we were hoping would come to church last week came this week. Everything is in the Lord's time. I was so happy to see them there. And this Saturday is the Baptism of Zeidy Morales!!! She passed the interview and is excited for the baptism!!! Woooowhoo.

Elder Ochs, I met the Family Talla one P-day when the son took us on a hike to see a cool waterfall. They told me all about their other son on the mission and I told them all about you! And wow you guys are companions one week later. Wow cool. But what happened that there were changes? It wasnt you're guys fault, right? I believe not. Ya I know when there is one change somewhere there are lots of changes in other places. But that is awesome that you guys are getting along great.

Hey Mom and Dad keep up the awesome work. I know that those companionship prayers are pretty powerful and almost always bring the spirit that is so necessary in our lives. So please please keep me in your prayers and send me some more courage while your at it....hehe. Changes are coming, changes are coming.

Love you so so super much!!!

Wow Israel leaves soon! Send him a "Hi Howdy Hola", and super duper luck to him!

Chao my favorite Family ever!

Hermana Ochs

Monday, February 7, 2011

Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 8:31 AM

Hello family! Pretty much you guys are the best in the world! I am so glad to hear that my letters came! I sent one to Ryan too. How is he doing?

Wow and I loved the drink testing video! Want to hear something weird? When it was Hunters turn to try the drink I was surprised that Dad was talking to Hunter to English, like I felt like Hunter was a Panamanian boy. It took a minute for me to realize that Hunter doesn´t speak Spanish. Ha ha. Al did not like it at all, haha. That is the drink de polvo (powdered) which is pretty close to the real thing. I love that there are so many fresh fruits here. Especially because right now it is summer!!!

Ya Dad, thanks for the warning. Really it is something that is very difficult here with many Sisters. I have heard so many stories of relationships and promises to other missionaries. It is not a good idea. Ya I am nice but ignore those flirty missionaries. It really makes me think why some missionaries came here to live the same way like at home. But that is enough of my complaining I will help those that need help.

Wow, OK so this week we worked hard finding families. And our goal was to bring one whole family to church. So throughout the week we visited them, taught them and invited to church. But in Saturday almost all of the families had sick kids and none came. We were sad because we were trying, working, and fasting to complete the goal. But I know that the Lord is going to bless us or already has. For me it was a blessing that our investigator that has a baptismal date came and a few menos activos (Less Actives). This weekend one of my investigators in Chorrera was baptized!!!!!!! Her name is Elena Ramos and we taught her for a long time. I gave her a call Sunday morning to say congratulations and send her my love!

Yes the work is crazy and hard at times but it is so worth it.

Guess what I have been doing lately? I have been making popsicles. My own Duros!!!! and they are perfect for snacks on hot days when we come home!!!

Hey I love you guys keep true to the faith. Hey and Johnny if any girls are giving you a hard time tell them you got's a sister in Panama that can do some pasa pasa moves on them if they touch my bro, haha. Love you guys.

Chao,

Hermana Ochs