27 de Junio

Dear Family,

This week we had interviews with President Ward and his wife. I always love it when they come here because they are such special people, and I can tell they love us so much. President Ward is always smiling and does everything to keep us pumped up. Sister Ward always cooks delicious meals for us. It is always a relief to eat some really healthy food with her. I did not realize how much I miss stuff like carrots and broccoli. For dessert, she treated us to homemade Ghirardeli brownies. My interview went well. He is always very encouraging. I just read an email from him that said I am getting transferred this Wednesday. I was really disappointed because E. Alvarez has been a great comp, and I have gotten along best with him. It seems like I am with some of my favorite campanions for very short times. I was with my trainer E. Voss for only one change, Elder Peña two weeks, and E. Alvarez three weeks. Even in this short time I have learned a ton from him.

I was hoping that you would not notice that the money in the picture I sent was fake but oh well. I guess everyone knows missionaries are super poor. It is really just some money for a board game here. I sent the picture of the bike because I thought it was really cool. They put flashing lights, speakers, radio, air horns, and more on their little bikes and somehow manage to still pedal them around. I always have to stop and admire some of the crazier ones.

Mom, your packages have still not arrived. I did however receive a package from Sister Mullen. Please let her know it got here and give her my thanks since my thank you letter will not arrive for a while. I have been having so much fun with the clown balloons she sent. They came with a pump and a couple step by step books. I have only been at it for a couple days, but I can already make tons of stuff like swords, hats, snakes, and a few of my own inventions. They say you figure out what you want to do on your mission, so we will see. There is a section in the back of one of the books that explains in depth how to make money at it. Haha just kidding, but I think I have been shown a fun hobby anyway. At the least, the kids here enjoy smacking each other with their swords. I could not believe my eyes when I saw a little electric fan in the bottom of the box. That thing is going to save my life here. Sister Mullen put a bunch of funny notes on everything she sent that made me laugh. I really miss her.

Congratulations to the Brocks for their new addition to the family. I highly approve the name chosen for her. I hope she is able to recover well, and I look forward to seeing photos of her.

Love,

Elder Whiting

[the following photos are lifted from the Panama mission blog - interviews in Chorrera, which are referred to in the email above.]

20 June 2011

Elder Whiting sent a short email with wishes for Father's Day. It was touching.
And a couple of notes about his work. [see below]

I of course wanted to call you and wish you a happy fathers day, but it is not allowed. The streets were very full here on Saturday as everyone was out busy shopping for last minute gifts. I scored some cheap cologne and a tie to gift myself. Panamanians are very family oriented. I saw more family get togethers than during Christmas but less fireworks.

Elder Alvarez and I have had a very productive week with lots of teaching and finding people. This week we found a family that is very positive.

I hope you had a great fathers day and that you have a good week.

Love,

Elder Whiting

The above pictures - no labels or identification was included. We assume that Elder Alvarez, his companion is in one with him. And the large amount of money is not his or theirs.

So we assume it is an investigators or members.

And no guess, yet, on the interesting tricked-out bike - however again they do not have bicycles and it is not theirs.

So these pictures raise many more questions than they answer without captions.

Neil

June 13

Dear Family,

Elder Alvarez and I have had an interesting and successful week. I feel like we are able to work really well together, and it is paying off. We started our time together preparing four people for baptism and now find ourselves with ten! I have a feeling that June will be a very good month for the great start we are having. We are in second place in the entire mission for lessons taught with a member present. I have definitely noticed the difference in the work when we have their support. Sometimes the members just say crazy comments in the lessons or talk about topics the investigators are not ready to hear, but for the most part it is a positive addition. I feel like one of my responsibilities is to help them make friends within the church so they feel more important. I always think about what Pres. Hinkley said about everyone in the church needing a calling, friend, and the nourishing word of the gospel.

Saturday night a bunch of inmates escaped from the prison we live by. Policemen were running around everywhere in stealth uniforms knocking on doors and looking in vegetation. I thought the inmates were going to come kills us because they are always shouting stuff at us as we are walking by the prison. My companion always laughs his head off, so I thought he would be first to die. I have not heard anything about their capture.

During the week I had the rare opportunity to teach a man that had never heard anything about the gospel. Usually people have somewhat of an understanding of baptism, repentance, the Holy Ghost, etc but he was hearing all of this for the first time. I felt like the one chosen to tell him he had just won the mega jackpot in the lottery. I thought of Jesus Christ!s admonition to become like little children, innocent and teachable. He is so eager to learn everything, and is taking the necessary steps towards baptism.

Love,

Elder Whiting

June 6

My companion Elder Estrada was taken out of the area for emergency changes, and Elder Alvarez from Nicaragua was sent to work with me here. He is a really funny elder and makes me laugh all day. There are so many bitter feelings for the elders involved in these hectic swaps. I saw the same thing when Elder Del Angel was taken out of Tocumen and Elder Peña was swapped in. It is usually to escape a rumour that some little girl started, but they have to take them out anyways and does a lot to disrupt the missionary work. I am trying my best to hold the companionship up, but I am not an endless fountain of enthusiasm either. We are working hard, but I can tell he is hurting for the people he was preparing in Bocas.

I have been introducing Elder Alvarez to all of our investigators, and we have been working to take care of the ones that we have set baptismal dates for the 18th and 25th of June. It seems like there are always problems and doubts that pop up as people are getting for baptism, but I keep thinking about how happy I was at past baptisms. There are miracles happening in this mission. Last month we had record baptisms.

Mom, I have not actually received any of the packages you mentioned, so I cannot tell you what was inside, but the zone leaders said I have a package in the office. Thanks for sending those, and I am sure I will really enjoy them when or if they get to me. I am so proud of your service to the missionaries in California, and of Dad teaching the gospel essentials class. It is so relaxing when we have someone to help us out by teaching the investigators and recent converts.

Morgan, you mentioned that you moved to the apartment below you, so that would mean that I no longer have your address. Could you please send that to me in an email or something? I am going to try to be better about writing letters to everyone.

Take care,

Elder Whiting