AHHHHH!

Mi Familia y Amigos,

AHHHH!!! Okay so I had something planned to write you guys but that all went out the window because one of my converts send me an email that I just read that made me so happy and I want to talk about that instead haha!!

So Hermana Jheizzy Pérez wrote me, she is the wife of one of my converts from Tocumen, Edwin. I don´t know if you  guys remember, but Edwin didn´t want to get baptized for a very long time because he wanted to be sure that this was what God wanted him to do. Well we worked with him for about 3 months and on March 18th of this year he got baptized. I love his family and it was a very special experience for me. WELL Hermana Jheizzy just told me that on the 11th he received the Melchizedek Priesthood (which would have been exciting enough) and then told me that on the 18th he was ordained a high priest and received the calling to be in the bishopbric!!! They are working hard to go to the temple on their one year mark.

I can´t express my joy!! True, 100% joy!! It is something unexplainable to be able to see people come to know their Savior, and follow him. It is so beautiful to see them heal through Christ´s miraculous power, and to see them bring others unto him as well.  

In 3 Nephi 17, there is a verse that I have loved ever since my teacher shared it with us in the MTC. Verses 7 and 9-10 read,

"8 Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.

 9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.

10 And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears."

I love this gospel so much. I am so grateful for the people in my life that have brought ME. I´m so grateful for the opportunity that I now have to do the same for others. But more than ANYTHING, I´m grateful for my Lord and Savior. I bow down at his feet and will bathe them in my tears. He is everything.

I love and miss you all so much!! Look for opportunities to share the gospel and bring your loved ones unto Christ... It is quite literally the best gift that you can give!

Love,

Hermana Van Deusen

We went hiking today.... gotta love Panama heat and Panama views

Mi Familia y Amigos,

Happy Father's Day!!! I hope you all had a great weekend! Here in Cardenas it was a little slow... but we did see lots of miracles! Our investigator Guillermo is progressing really well, and will probably getting baptized at the end of this month! Yesterday my companion and I were walking in an area called Condado del Rey and this guy just randomly came up to us and asked if my companion had been in Santiago (a city in Panama). Well TURNS out, he had gone to church a few times in my companions old branch and is now living here in our area. He said we could come visit him if we wanted, and we are really excited to see what happens! In my experience, good things happen when random people stop you in the street and ask about the gospel (Examples: Robin and Iribel, Gido, etc) haha.

Yesterday my companion and I were studying and she pointed something out that really impressed me. We were studying what it means to endure to the end, specifically what that  means after baptism. WELL she turned to the hymn book and read hymn 85. For our entire lives, we had thought that the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" was written from the perspective of a Saint. That it was a good, energetic song meant to express our desires to keep going. Well... that's not true. Verse 7 of How Firm a Foundation says the following:

7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose

I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;

That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no never, I'll never, no never,

I'll never, no never, no never forsake!

It is written from the point of view of our Heavenly Father!! My mind was blown and I felt so silly for never having realized that before. But now it means so much more to me!! He will not, he cannot desert us! He loves us so, so very much. It makes me smile to know that he is always there for me, and I know that he is always there for each one of you! In the good time, in the bad times, in the terribly awkward times (I have quite a few of those). He's there, and he's cheering us on.

I love you all so much! Read the lyrics of hymn 85, I promise it will make you smile(: Have a fantastic week! Share the gospel!!

Hermana Van Deusen

No pictures this week.. I know, I'm lame!

Re:

1. at the canal

2. the canal

3. the way Panamanians cut hot dog buns....

4. me and my comp(:

On Mon, Jun 12, 2017 at 3:10 PM, Kayleigh Michelle Van Deusen <kayleigh.van.deusen@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Mi Familia y Amigos,

What a wonderful week in Cárdenas! This week we were able to find/work with some really awesome people that we are like 99.9% sure are going to get baptized this month(: I am so excited to see some progress in this area and be a witness to all of the miracles that the Lord has/is performing.

Some food for thought:

In the old testament there is a scripture that we as missionaries us to explain the importance of tithing. In this verse the Lord extends a challenge to us all. In Malachi 3:10 we read,

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there might be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Did you catch it? Did you recognize the invitation?

..."prove me now herewith". 

In Spanish the word "probar" is used. "Probar" means to try or to test. And as you all know, the English word "prove" can mean the same thing, but it's primary definition is to bring forth evidence. I really love this, because the Lord is inviting us to recognize that there is NO limit to his power! In D&C 130:20-21 we learn that when we are obedient the Lord is obligated by the laws of heaven to bless us. He WANTS to bless us. He wants to show us all that he can do! And "all that he can do" is more than we could ever imagine.

So why do I share this with you? Because I have seen so, so many people in need. Spiritually and temporally. And the thing is, is that the Lord wants to help them! He wants to help. He wants to be proved. He wants to open the windows of heaven. So what do we have to do? We have to bring the meat to the storehouse. We have to make the sacrifice.  And what sacrifice does he require? 3 Nephi 9:20 provides the answer, "a broken heart and contrite spirit". Humility. We just have to ask, and take the counsel from his hand.

So let's prove the Lord.  And when we do, when he shows us his hands, let's share it with the world! I testify as a representative of Jesus Christ windows of heaven will be opened. I've seen them!

I love you all!! Have a great week!

Hermana Van Deusen