December 31, 2012

hola familia this week was wondeful it was good to talk to you all we didnt do much for christmas after i called you we went to a members house for dinner then went home. The next day we had to work but we contacted alot of people and i have been practicing my contacting since sometimes i dont say the right words but we contated over 140 people in 3 days and my comp made me do all the talking so it was great i think i can talk perfect now in spanish WHEN I CONTACT but this week was very long we worked really hard.  The family barrios didnt get baptized we went over to the house to have the interviews on miercoles but when the elder interviewed her she was very upset so we all talked to her for awhile and i guess there are a few problems with her husband but dont worry she is still going to be baptized but the husband might have to wait just a little bit longer but they are a wonderful family and very strong.  today for new years we are having dinner with a member ana maria she is single and alot of fun to be around we hve to be home by 9:30 so prob no fireworks,  This change with hermana cruz has been so amazing im learning so much from her and it makes it alot more less stressful.  This week i have been thinking alot about all the many blessings that i have and how grateful i am for the many blessings i have recieved and what the greatest gifts i have, i read in docterine and c seccsion 14;7 and the greatest gift i have is the gospel in my life and how much more happier we are when we are keeping the comandments and enduring to the end.  i also read a tlak in the liahona may 2012 for family night ha read this talk on elder donald L. Hallstom is about be converted to his gospel through his church. Learning the gospel is lifetime we shoud all try to have a desire to learn more everyday doesnt matter the mistakes we have made in our life strive to do better and always know that you have a father in heaven that loves you and wants to hear you.  ¨Repent and you can be forgiven of your sins¨. I love you all make it a better we and strive to do better make new goals for this year and remember serving brings more happiness among us.  I know that we are more happier with the gospel in our lives i have seen it change my life and im so happy that i have this opportunity to be serving that is the greatest gift i can give love you.  Hermana ericon le quiero

December 24, 2012

FELIZ NAVIDAD in panama they celabrate christmas today im excited totalk to you all.  This week was very crazy we had changes and thank goodness im still in my same area with a different companion 4 changes in the same area never happens but president ward felt inspired but honestly im so happy with Hermana cruz she is from mexico in the city she is awesome and way fun its only been 3 days with her and honestly i wish she could be my conpanion the rest of my mission.  It was a little crasy this week with changes as it always is but yay we had 3 more baptisms we have been teaching the guerra family starting my first change here and the kids her finally ready to be baptized the service went really well and we will spend christmas today with them after our p day.  I can tell you that the barrios family the mom marila and samuel will be baptized this saturday i cant wait and one more etna but im not quite sure about her she loves her coffee but maybe she stopped we will visit her and have an interview but im so happy to see these baptizms they all mean alot to me.  Remember the true meaning of christmas and be grateful for todo lo que tenemos.  Tenga Feliz Navidad 

December 17, 2012

Thanks so much for the pictures ha now it seems like christmas.  Not much lights here in panama a few members have christmas trees but not to many.  mom did you get my pakage from the ericsons..   This was a interesting week still teaching lots of lessons and i did teach the first lesson by my self in spanish so yay im progressing a little bit.  We have alot of investigators but our area is so big we only visit them 1 every week which is difficult for them to progress i think especially when the capilla is about 20 - 30 minutes away but more hermanas in feb will come to our area i hope this saturday we have 3 baptisms but not sure how a feel about it they are supposed to have 3 assistencias in sacramental but ony 1 time but the bishop says its fine so i guess its alright im really excited about it.  On sunday the family barrios the dad samuel and mom mariella came to church they are golden im so excited i did put a date with the mom to be baptized but she said she wanted to learn a little more and eventually she will but this week we are going to teach both of them and put another date for both of them by the end of this month they are amazing and very strong.  We had 4 attend church yesterday so thats good and i hope it will continue to get better still not sure if i have changes i find out tomorrow night. hopefully not but we will have to see.  Today we went to the frantera which is the boarder of costa rica and panama it was kinda a waist of time i didnt buy anything just subway but everything is good and im excited to call on christmas i will e mail next week more plans but really i dont know but tell me a time that is best to call.  love you and miss you tonz i sent a bunch of letters out so let me know when you get them.  Make it a better week love ya and miss you tonz. le quiero mucho hermana ericson

December 10, 2012

Hola,  This week was so amazing, best week ever. Yesterday we had 11 investigators in sacrament meeting.  Well, one went to a different ward, I think he was confused.  But seriously, his first time.  Ask Michael and Josh and Shantelle,  it’s not easy to get investigators to church !!  The Cummings family, who I  have been teaching once a week since I arrived here, We went to pick the mom up to come to church and three of the daughters and a brother all came to church.  And the dad we met for the first time yesterday because he is always working in Costa Rica and different places.  So I was so excited !!  Next we picked up one other 15 year old girl, Shadi.  We put a date for her to get baptized on the 22 of December.  I’m so excited finally people progressing.  After the sacrament the family Barrios walked in and stayed for all 3 hours.  This week we are going to put a fetcha with them also.   I’m so happy, and this week I just need to work harder than last.   Still lots to learn but my Spanish is just fine.  I say the wrong words everyday but that’s ok, how many times do I have to mess up before I get it right ?  I don’t know but I’m not too worried.  I hope you have a great Christmas. Honestly I’m excited to talk to you also on Christmas but I have not thought about it too much.  Don’t worry about putting more money in my account. I’ll be just fine my money budget is a lot better ha ha.  It’s because I don’t buy any food  because we have not had a fridge for 12 weeks now so I live on avena (oatmeal) and water.   So I’m good.  I’m sending a package home today to hermana Pettit she lives by Dave and Karen she will probably drop it off on Friday.  Call them and tell Dave and Karen thanks. Not much stuff, I had two shirts that I didn’t want to wear on the mission and a few Christmas gifts for the girls and the boys, not much. Email me  be back if you got it, and lots of pictures.  I have some letters also, will you deliver them for me I think one is for Steph Rallis and the others, I  don’t remember, but I’m trying to write letters. It is  hard because not every p day do I get to the post office.  If  send letters to our house for a different person just make sure you get it to them.  Not sure what my plans are for Christmas I  might have changes on the 20^th, but love you all so much and make it a better week love you hermana ericson