first thing is first-- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RYAN PEGRAM! what a stud. am i allowed to say that?

so this past week was a LITTLE hectic. on tuesday one of the leaders called and said "hey bond, you have immagrations this friday". so our work week was cut down because we had to leave Puerto thursday night to be in Panama City friday morning, then turn around and get back on the bus to return to Puerto Saturday morning. but all of the missionaries that came with me from the CCM were in immagrations, too. so we had a nice little reunion. Hermana Wilson and i were also able to go to the temple in Cardenas; it was my first time going here in Panama, and it was beautiful! i had a really special afternoon in the Lord's house, and received the strength i needed to march back to Puerto and get to work!

i started the Young Women's Personal Progress this past week. can i just say that i am SO stoked to be working on this program! i know it will teach me a lot about what it means to be a daughter of God in these latter-days. to all of you who have completed, or are currently doing it, could you write me a letter and tell me about some experiences you had while completing Personal Progress?

i received a phone call last night from my Zone Leader. "Hermana Bond, vas a entrenar", which means i will be training this upcoming change! i just finished being trained this past week, and now i turn around and train a missionary who is entering the mission on wednesday! which ALSO means, i will be traveling to Panama city AGAIN. Presidente Ward leaves next week, and we will meet our new presy sometime within the next change!

be good, do good! love you all!

(the second picture is with a temple worker who fell in love with the "fulas")

WHAT A WEEK! what blessings! tuesday i had divisiones with Hermana Bustamante, who was Hermana Fraga's trainer. she is so humble and so sincere. i learned a lot from her! then we had our interviews with Presidente Ward on friday. he made some changes for the next 2 weeks, and Hermana Vargas left to work in Volcán, and Hermana Wilson came back to work with me! we had "stake" conference in Bugaba on Saturday and Sunday, and i learned so much from the inspired men and women who spoke. on Sunday night the temple president and his wife, Presidente and Hermana Richardson, came to Puerto Armuelles to hold a fireside for the branch. it was brilliant! AND they know the Townsends (a family in Austin who i love dearly, they work at the Institute where I attended classes when I first got baptized).

Hermana Wilson is teaching me so much, and we are working hard to be instruments in the Lord's hand. everyone here loves that there are two blonde gringas walking around talking about Jesus. hope we can share our unique message with those who have been prepared by the Lord!

i love you all!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY! well, its on wednesday here. so, just know that all of you wonderful dads are on my heart this week. also.... I AM ALIVE. calm down, ya crazies! it was just a little allergic reaction, but i am going to the private hospital in Chiriqui today to get an Epi pen.

well, we had divisions this week, and i spent 3 days with my soul sister Hermana Wilson from Massachusets. i learned so much about myself, and we have started to plan a grand adventure for when we get back from our mission. to celebrate our last night together, we bought a pumpkin pie and ate that for dinner. it was glorious.

I officially have no shoes. i have been working as hard as i can, and my shoes have definitely paid the price for that. hopefully i can find some today to hold me over.

I received a perfect package from a special someone this week which had sweet baby ray's bbq sauce, so i am really happy. i also got awesome letters from Amber Miller in the colleyville stake, Maryann Shipp who received her mission call to Brazil Ribeirao Preto, and Haley Tucker-Noble who is ENGAGED! wow, what blessings, you guys! i am so fortunate to know all of you.

the work moves forward, and there is a lot to look forward to this week in Puerto Armuelles! word has it that i get to stay here for another change! i am excited!

i love you all. be good, do good.

Niel Young once said "its better to burn out than to fade away."

This week i learned how to direct hymns, so thats what i do now at every church gathering. I studied Alma 36 in the Book of Mormon a lot this week. I also studied the Atonement, because Preach My Gospel says when we have a deeper understanding of the Atonement, we have a greater desire to share the gospel. All is well, the sun is shining, and the work moves forward. On a lighter note, i nearly died with an allergic reaction. Cool story, and i dont know exactly what i ate to trigger it. So im being careful. I love you all. Happy summer. 

And congrats to Eduardo Cavazos who got his mission call to CALIFORNIA! 

random thought: i miss film-- all of you buy a disposable kodak this summer and take wonderful pictures. love you!