No Te des por Vencido‏

Hola!,

Wow what is happening in the world? Blake is rolling into the famous side, my cousin Josh was married, floods in Thailand, Nicole changed her date (dreamt it), Taylor is reading my beloved beautiful books, Brett has finally taken a shower..... goodness! It's all kinds of crazy eh?

So I am indeed alive. Thanks to meds, prayer, and faith. I told the Lord that if he would see mr through my illnesses without therapy, illegal drugs, or jumping into the Canal that I would not curse his name when I am giving birth to my children. Also to prove that he loves me if he would allow my future children to come out like butter. Thank you and praises be.

Leydi was baptized! Our investigator we've been teaching was baptized last Saturday. It was awesome and I truly felt the power of conversion. She says she wants to come live in "my house". That's her new favorite English saying. "My house". She said she would marry an American if they weren't so skinny. She cracks me up. I am sending a picture of her.

This week has been really hard. You cannot even imagine how hard I've prayed for revelation, for comfort, for alot of things. One day this week I felt like I really needed to read some of Bretts letters I printed out in the CCM, and for some odd reason one of his letters was an answer to my prayer. I am so grateful for The Lord, for revelation, family, and friends.

I got letters from Blake and Ashely today and it made me really happy to hear about them. And Blakes line, "Suck it up princess, you don't want to be like those sister missionaries everyone talks about", truly inspired me. Also the poem Don't you Quit ( hence the title of my email) by Ralph Acosta truly inspired me. There is a line I love and I will share it with you. "Stick to the Fight when you're hardest hit, It's when things seem worse that you must not Quit." Mmmmhhhmmm.

There has also been troubles with the work. Our investigator changed her baptism date again and a family is really struggling. It is sad, but we've got to stick with them.

But on the good side, my main woman, Hermana Rafiaela came to church. We have been checking up on her a lot. She is a menos Activo and a barking Ole lady and I love her. She says she loves to hear me speak spanish. Pffff... O Spanish how I don't know you well. It will come. Practicar, estudiar, escuchar, etc....

So during the course of my week I was inspired with an analogy that popped into my head and has grown and grown and I want to share it with you all... And it is a video game analogy. (Of course...:) ) SO Enjoy!

My Video Game Analogy

And how it relates to Missionary Work

By Hermana Channing Jackson

Missionary work is alot like the video game HALO or Call of Duty, but this time we are not killing aliens or evil people. This time we are saving people and securing areas.

I have been given a call (a missionary call), to leave my home country or home planet (Bountiful,Colorado, U.S.A) to help the defenseless and save the people.

(By bringing souls unto Christ)

I am assigend to different areas (Santiago, etc...) where there are people in need of help.

In my training back at Base Camp( CCM/MTC) I was given tools and training to help me fulfill my call/assignment.

Instead of having my usual Alien Hammer, grenades, and a shotgun, I have been given scriptures, Preach my Gospel, and more. My trainers taught me how to hit direct targets and what to do in Situations. (Teaching and Contacting)

For Transportation, instead of my usual alien glider, jeep and tank, I have my walking legs, taxis and a bus.

I have a person on Radio 24/7 who gives me suggestions and directions. (The Spirit)

I have been given a Team (Members, a Companion) who help me secure the area and make it better and stronger.

My team and I are sent to find those (Investigators) who are in need of saving and provide them with the means (Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel) and a way to reach a safe-haven (Church/The Kingdom of God)

We sometimes run across old members (less actives) who once worked with Base and we ask them to join up, remember their past ( Their covenants) and return to Base. (Church)

I have check points (Appointments) throughout the level. (Day)

At the end of each level (Day) I recieve my score (Progressions, contacts, etc..) Then I see how I did and what I can improve on.

After I have secured my part of the Area or beat the level, I report back to Base Leaders. (District, Zone, President.)

Sometimes we don't beat the level, sometimes our scores are low, sometimes we could't save the people in time, or convice old members to return. But we can't ever leave the game, because we keep losing and sometimes think well I will try again later. No. We have to keep trying.

Sometimes I lose, get frustrated, and feel like it is game over. But its not, it can't ever be game over.

I have a call of duty, a mission to fulfill. I need to save the people, beat the enemy (The adversary), secure the area, save the country or planet, and most of all...

I need to win the Game.

And when it comes and I have finished the Game, I will return to my home country or planet, knowing that through all the trials, losses, mistakes, and wins, that I did my best and fought my hardest.

The End

Keep the Faith people, Work hard, and do your best.

Well I love you guys and hope things are going great with you. I miss you, but not enough to come home!

--
Hermana Channing Jackson

Parasites?????

Hola!

I am so jealous that all these people are getting called to England! Lucky! But the Lord didn't put me there because he knew I would worship Idols like Jane Austen and such.

Cambria way to serve it up! Is basketball in your future or being a part of the band?

I hope Papa Dad and Rhonda have a good trip and that Papa is doing ok.

Ok so what is the news on Nicole? Is she getting married or what? I had a dream that she told me she is changing her wedding Date to December 4th or something weird like that.

I have Deja Vu alot here. When I was little I use to dream about this certain park I had never seen before all the time, well the other day I saw it. I was like whooooaaaa I must be dreaming, no it was straight up real. They said I fit in here because I have future dreams all the time I think it is just my imagination and my mental and emotional illnesses that are bringing my childhood fantasies to the surface.

Brett it sounds like you stink and you need to take a bath. Just kidding, but in all seriousness, go run out in the rain in your G's. I am so happy I am not next to squealing pigs. I would die and think I've gone to the depths of Davy Jones Locker straight to the torture chambers.

I had to see the doctor this week for my stomach. So the Doctor "believes" it is Parasites. And they have put me on anti-parasitic drugs. "Flagyl and Inhibitron." I am regretting my wish for Parasites because I haven't lost any weight and I feel like crap. Soooo hopefully this week will get better

But through all this I have kept my spirits high and I am as happy as a worm stuck on a hook. lol

So yeah just fillling you in on another adventure, We will see what happens the next week eh?!

Miss you guys but not enough to come home, unless they drag my sickly corpse over there. Haha Love yah!

Hermana Channing Jackson

A person mumbles something in Spanish..I say SI.....then my eyes widen and my HEAD screams OOOHHHH NOOOO!!‏

Well greetings everyone.

I am alive and still kicking I guess. Mother I am trying to stay healthy in a disease infested place, but it has been quite difficult especially because of the food, dirty streets, etc......... And there is noooo way in heck I am calling the Elders if I got anything going on in the GREAT Down Under if you catch my drift.

Anywho I will get down to the nitty gritty. This week was interesting. Found some new investigators, visited alot of less actives, and walked like you would not believe. Me and my companion are walkers and we walk everywhere. And our areas are pretty far from where we live but it is all good. I love walking and it keeps my waddle butt moving. I hate taking those blasted buses, which reminds me of a story.

So we were heading to our district meeting in Chitre on Tuesday and the bus was jam packed as usual and I sat down by this man. Well as we were driving, I noticed he opened his window randomly and then I smelt it. This most gastly smell imaginable. I started dry heaving. It seriously smelt like the man crapped his pants. And it kept happening. All these smells floated right into my nose. And this bus ride is 2 hours. I was soooo grossed out and I told him in English under my breath to plug his butt.

Ok so the Food in Panama is Citris-y, greasy, oily, fried, and everything that is bad for a Gastritis Stomach. I am sending some pictures. One is Pantones which are deep fried Bananas that I love. They taste like french fries, and then Sugar Cane and Guava, and Lemons! It has been hard to deal with because food here is sooo expensive. Raman noodles are 40 cents per thing. I was ticked! Granola bars are soo expensive and all manner of healthy food is up the wazzzzoooo. Sighhh....

So last Friday we went to a member's house which is 45 minutes away. And she is a nice old lady with a charming house. Well she cooks really good food and this was the first time I ever met her. So she hands me a plate of rice fried fish and some salady thingy and a bowl of beans. I was like whewww here we goo... So I ate and ate and I was yes I am doing great and then I finished and sighed with satisfation....then.... she asked me something in Spanish, and me not understanding right said Si....and then she swoops down and gave me more food double the fried fish and double the rice. I was oooooooo heaven help me.

I was shoving the food down and trying my hardest not to puke. Everything tasted and felt like a brick. I was like I am going to die I am going to die. My stomach is going to explode. My friend in my District, Elder Arbon, told me when I get to a point where I can't eat anymore to put my mind somewhere else and not think about the food. So I watched Hey Arnold Episodes and got the food down. I was like I am going to barf afterwards. But I did not. I swallowed some Pepto and walked it off and had a go at the toilet. But all is well.

Blake, Yes you, Where have you been! I have heard nothing about Idaho, about your blogs, your job, your roommates, nada! What is happening over there!!! Oh I had a dream, a very detailed dream and we will accomplish it when I get back. I am going to film an I'm a mormon Video in Black and White. It was sooo cool and vivid in my dream. So yeah we are going to do it! Oh here is a burns me up moment. ....You know what burrrrnnnnnsss me up....when you finished going to the bathroom and you realize your skirt was in the toliet the whole time. lol

Mother is there a way you and Dad can send some Nexium to me. It's the medicine that I take when my Gastritis gets bad and it works wonders. It is ridiculously expensive here and Guatamalas is way cheaper. Hermana Robinson is going to the States next week so if you want to send me anything that you think I need send it to this Address plus it will be cheaper than sending it to Panama.

Kola Robinson

8860 AIDER Rd

Pasco, WA 99301

So our investigator is getting baptized this week and I am soooo Excited! It is going to be awesome. I love her and she said she wants to come live with me in the States. But she doesnt want to marry a gringo because they are tooo skinny. lol. I will send a picture of her sometime. Her sister is getting baptized next week if she comes to church this week.

The Church members are soooo dramatic. I swear..there was an uproar in Relief Society this Sunday. Arguments and such. It was like a Spanish Soap Opera (People really do act like that). They get offended and say I am not attending church anymore. I am about to print off some David A. Bednar and shove it in their faces and say suck it up... It is crazy.

But anywho..All I want for Christmas is Blake's Old white Ipod full of classical music, Joseph Smith Tribute, Alex Boye, Children of Eden, August Rush, Pride and Prejudice, Instrumental music, Amazing Grace, Bagpipes, and my Speakers in my room. And the charger to the Ipod! NAture Valley Bars the Oats kind. Thats All I want. And abosulely no Mormon Tab... I can't understand a word they are saying it is all random noise to me.

Well I love you guys keep it real! I miss you but not enough to come home.

P.S. SKYPE FOR CHRISTMAS!!! AHHHHH!!!

--
Hermana Channing Jackson

Week 10 - Tengo Gozo en mi Alma HOY! Porque Yo tengo Salud!‏

Hola!l

Well I am pretty sure Satan wants me to die on my mission. So last week was a horrible rainy week and my feet were hurting like mad. I had a blister on one of my feet and it popped during the storm we were walking in. Well, little did I know what that blister that popped, would do to my foot. On Wednesday my foot was soo red and swollen that I could not fit it in my shoes. I was like what is happening. I am in pain here!

I went to Hermana Robinson and she was like what is wrong with your foot! That's what I want to know. Well there is a doctor next door and he came and checked out my foot. He said I have an infection. I was like what!! So he gave me meds. He also gave me some cream that happened to cause a reaction that only 1.5% of people get. My foot felt like it was on fire and it was stinging! So yeah I was out for a couple of days. I was in my sick state when the President visited, so if you see some blog pictures where I look like death, know it was because of the meds.

Conference was good. I watched it in English at the Robinson's. President Monson was chipper. I couldn't even recoginize Robert D. Hales. Is he sick or what? Poor man...Two in the Chair now. Next thing you know we will have conference in the hospital. Geeezz.....

Oh and what, the 2nd Provo Temple!!! That is cool. I was truly inspired by David A. Bednars talk! The new youth family history site is legit! Look into it and do family history people! We've got people who are waiting on the other side. I've been trying to get the memebers here to do it. They are first generation members and their family history work needs to be done.

Brett! Panimanian Hats are legit! They are everywhere I was like ooooo snap I want one. I went to a world cup or something along those lines baseball game today. It was Cuba and Dominican Republic, it was pretty sweet. U.S.A was here the other day.

Well nothing much is happening because of my illness and my poor companion lost a memeber of her family this week, so that was sad. And she is super sick too. Who knows what is happening. The Devil I tell you.

Mom! I cannot believe you bought a card reader. I feel bad because just today I bought an all in one card reader for 5 bucks! Sooooo I don't know what to do about that.

For Christmas I have no idea what I want. Probably a portable hot shower. Because the rules of the package is that there can't be more than three items of food. Unless you wrap it like a christmas present. lol. You can decide.

Blake. Keep it classy.

Cambria way to be a part of the band!

Anywho nothing really happened this week! Love yah! Talk to you later! I miss you all but not enough to come home!

--
Hermana Channing Jackson

Week 9 - Greenie Gringa

Hola!

Yes I am indeed alive and still keeping it all kinds of classy here in a foreign country. Ohhhhh where to begin! I have so much to say and so little time!

First OFF! CONGRATULATIONS TO ASHLEY!!! I had a dream a couple of months ago about her being among asian people and I told her about it. So BAM! My dream came true!! That is awesome she is going to do great!

Brett I am glad you are in Ecuador and eating well.

Ok So Panama! AKA a place where I was meant to be, is like a dream come true for me. I was in Panama City for three days and it is amazing. Skyscrapers galore!!!! I was like o my heavens. It is huge and right by the Pacific Ocean which is full of boats. We went to the Temple and believe me, it is amazing. I seriously love it with all my heart. It's in the jungle. I saw a monkey run across the road and I was whoa, that is random.

I took a ton of pictures, but unfortunately since I have an XD memory card, I can't ever send pictures so you most likely won't see any pictures unless I print them off and send them. All the computers here only take SD cards. BLAST IT ALL!!!

I have seen the Panama Canal and believe me it is breathtaking. I was freaking out. I hope I get to explore more of it sometime while I am here.

So the area I have been assigend to is SANTIAGO! Which is 4 hours south west from the city. It's a rural poor poor place. People live in little tiny concrete houses. No washers here, no stoves, no microwaves, nada. Which is how I like it. I seriously haven't gone through any culture shock yet. I walk down the streets where chickens are everywhere, dogs barking, people half naked sitting in their hamock just enjoying life. It is quite interesting. I love love love the people here. They are my kind of people. They are so nice and friendly. They hardly wear a thing because for one it is sooo blasted hot here. Just big t-shirts like I use to do and they are wallerers. He He.

We have two sisters getting baptized next month and I love them. They talk sooooo fast. I can't understand hardly any spanish here and I found out that every bit of spanish I learned doesn't apply here so I am basically starting from scratch. Which is fine. I just like to listen and learn. It will all go well. I am not even worried about it. I have a latin companion and I can't understand a word. So I act out what I want to say.

It is hotter than hades here and rains like you wouldn't believe. It was so crazy yesterday. I was drenched. I was walking in some pretty deep water it was crazy. I love it! The food here is amazing. But hardly any of it. So I am starving, but it's good because the pounds are dropping. OOOO so I am rethinking about the dressing like a nun thing. Because the men here are crazy. I am kinda wondering if I should dress down. Well there is no point in putting on makeup anyway. It melts off. And my hair gets greasy around 12 in the afternoon. So I am like All is well. I just smile and work it.

I stick out like you wouldn't believe. I am a foot or more taller than these people. And white and blonde so the members like to come up stand by me and touch my hair and look into my eyes. OH and the way to greet is kissing on the cheek. It's been fun to do that, I am getting out of my comfort zone. But anywho, all is well and I am loving every bit of it. It's going to be hard to leave I can already tell.

I have found a purpose and I think one them is teaching children and youth here. I can really relate to them because of.....get ready for it......DRAGON BALL Z!!!! Hahahahha who would of thought that all those days of watching that TV show would get me into houses and really get to the children and then get to the parents. HaHA I knew my cartoon days would come in handy.

I am finding all my answers I've been looking for here. I really do believe that a mission is part of the plan. I am finding the joys in life and our purpose here. And what it means to be happy. I am changing big time I can feel it, I love it! Well I love you guys and hope all is well!

I miss you but not enough to come home! -- Hermana Channing Jackson

It Appears She's Alive!

We haven't heard from Channing since she flew to Panama on Monday, but I checked the mission blog and look what I found!

Week 8 - The Last week in the CCM‏

Hola Familia!

Well it is the last week being in the CCM until PANAMA!! I am so excited and I can't wait to leave this place. That sounds horrible, but it is oh so true. The CCM has been a tough ride. Harder than school or anything I have gone through this far, but it is a great learning experience. I never would have thought that I would learn this much or work this hard and it feels great.

Last night we watched a video of Elder Bednar and he said the words, "You can do this!" That small little phrase lifted my spirits so much. I felt my best friends, my family, my teachers, leaders, apostles, prophet, and Jesus Christ tell me, "You can do this!" It really touched my heart and I know right now I can do this and everybody better watch out because here comes the gringa, Hermana Channing Jackson, about to preach your ears off.

Not much has been happening here. I have just been cramming down the Spanish and the Gospel into my head. My teachers said my Spanish comprehension has improved a ton, which makes me feel good. I know once I get to Panama I will have no idea what is happening or how to communicate, but I know that it will all come in time.

Hermana Hurst and I went tracting on our own yesterday without a latina companion. We were terrified. I was like crap, how in the devil are we going to communicate, but we did ok. There was one lady we ran into who we could understand. She works for Avon and I had alot to say about the makeup I liked. Good thing I learned all the makeup vocab this week. He He. It was the day after voting here and Guatemala's Independence day so it was a party. Gun shots, groups of people, fireworks, the works. So alot of people were out and about.

Mostly everyone would put their heads down and would avoid us. I have found that I need to be more forward which is difficult for me. But while I was walking down a street I heard these words in my head. "Be Aggressive Channing!" And can you guess who's voice it was? Dad's when I heard him yell that at me in the High School Gym at my basketball game. I was like, "Ok Dad.....I got this! " And I went forward and was aggressive.

On Monday I head to Panama so I don't know when I will be emailing. Here is the address they emailed me.

Misión Panama

Edificio Hi Tech Plaza, 5-D

Calle 53 y Calle 50

Marbella, Panama City

Republica de PANAMÁ

Ok so the sisters here have been reprimanding me for not taking certain kinds of vitamins or prenatal crap. This lady I have a class with on Sunday told me that I need to be taking all this stuff in order to have a healthy babies. She said some ginger plant would do it for me. I just smiled and said I will think about it. PFFFFFFHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I was no thanks.....I am not a partaker in herbal nonsense. Don't you know that I BELIEVE IN SCIENCE!!! Ha ha Nacho Libre is quoted quite often here.

The President here was giving a devotional about something, I wasn't really sure where he was going with it, but he came up to me in front of all the north Americans and said, "Sister Jackson I know you want to be a great cook for you family and kids someday". If anyone knows me they would know how I reacted. I laughed and realized the man was serious. I was like ummmmm I think I would rather marry a man who could cook or a man rich enough to hire a cook. Everyone died laughing. Some of the women of course, were blown away at my answer. I guess some people think that all of us women would jump at the chance to cook food for a man and children, wash their clothes, clean up after them and take care of them......WROOONNNNGGOOOOOo. I am stilling working on the vision of me being a Mother in Zion. Maybe I will get there someday. LOL

Well I'm glad that Cambria is playing volleyball, Dad is still hunting, Mom is doing Zumba, and Blake is still kickin. I hope Brett has a great time in Ecuador!

Well I love yah all. And hope you are doing great! I miss you but not enough to come home!

--
Hermana Channing Jackson