A Sweater Pillow to Rest Her Sweaty Head - Week of: 9-23-13

So, I have to start paying for being on the internet...and I don´t really want to go over an hour. I shall do my best to tell you what I can in the minutes that I have left. I am in Panama! Today is day 50 for being on a mission. What in the world! I can´t tell you how refreshing it is to be on a computer...and in air conditioning, jaja. When people said it was hot in Panama, they weren´t kidding. I don´t even know where my make up is. Also my pillow is made up of totally useless sweaters in a pillowcase. But by the time I lay down at night, its pretty much the best thing in the world. I am in Las Tablas...and my companion and I opened up a new area! I feel blessed...and feel an incredible sense of responsibility. We have a lot of work to do. We live in the same casa as two otro hermanas, but they have a different area, and they´ve only been here for six weeks! The rama aqui is so small. On average, they have about 35 people in sacarment meeting. We meet in a house here in town, right in the square. The rama here is pretty strong, they just really need us for encouragement. Oh! My companion´s name is Hna. Rodas, and she just hit her six month mark. This is only her second area, and already her second time training. When I had my interview with Pres. Carmack (Mission pres.) he said she was a very hard worker, and he thought that we would do really well together. I can already agree with that. We have not stopped since we got here. I haven´t even fully unpacked! We still have to go buy tables, so we have been studying on the floor...which isn´t the best because at 8 in the morning, the cold floor is really comfortable, and I find myself dreaming that I am back at el CCM, jaja. Hna. Rodas is a great companion, and we get along really well. She is a cellist..which makes me the happiest person alive, because if the language barrier hits really hard, we can always communicate through music. She actually knows quite a bit of English, which is such a relief. Its really hard sometimes to go hours without knowing what is going on. Seriously, the four of us will be walking down a road for thirty minutes, and then we walk into someone´s yard..and all I can do is follow! The people here are wonderful and always willing to help me out. I think I am actually going to be teaching an Ingles class. Possibly Piano too. Jaja, when we came in on Sunday, the members were so happy, that one Hermana jumped up, showed us where the keyboard was, and pratically pushed us over to it. I miss a lot of information, but I don´t think they´ve had a pianist in years, if ever. This past week has been a glorious struggle. I´m gaining knowledge and blisters. I am feeling very humbled. This morning was quite an adventure...I had to wash laundry by hand. But not to worry, we do have running water, and an indoor bathroom. Never have I been so grateful for a cold shower. Ja! Today we had Kraft macaroni and cheese, and never have I been so happy to eat powdered cheese. You really do become grateful for the small things. 

I don´t really have pictures this week either...haven´t had time to take them! Also, we are in a tourist area because of the beach...I think there is one like 10 minutes away in a bus. Its technically in our area..I am sure there must be someone near the ocean that needs to meet us. 

Also, something that is hilarious is that I am kind of a celebrity here. Being pale and blonde really makes you stand out. I hear people on the street say "Gringa!¨all the time. So I just stop and say, ¨Buenas!" and we tell them who we are. Its kind of funny, because people will stop and listen to us, so they can hear me talk. Jaja, it seriously is the weirdest thing ever to stand out this much. I am so grateful for the nametag though. Its rough, but I am grateful for the opportunity. We have already had lessons with many people, and there is one family that I love very much. I wish I could say more, but I am running out of time. I love you all very much, and I just want you to know that its beautiful here, and although I am always covered in sweat, I have a smile on my face, because I know that the work I am doing is exactly right. 

Con amor,

Hna. Scott