Diane's final thoughts....

Diane here.  I have tears... tears that are not stopping. Today is my last Monday, P-day with my daughter, Hermana Megan Workman. Now, before you sarcastically say "poor baby, your daughter is finally finishing up her mission and coming home". Walk with me over the past 18 months... She has missed Selfies, Hashtags, Candy Crush and the death of my father. She missed her brothers endless teasing, mission call and farewell. Another brothers first prom, break ups and temple trips. Her youngest brothers Eagle Court of Honor, driver license and voice changing. She's missed family dinners, vacations and peanut butter. She has been so missed. However, while serving as a disciple of Christ in Costa Rica, she has "seen" so much! Volcanoes, beaches, majestic waterfalls and miracles at the hand of God... all through new glasses. She has SEEN! She has felt earthquakes, bug bites, heart ache and the Spirit as it touches the lives of her new found brothers and sisters. She has felt. She has had a real sister.... and a second sister, and a third.... She has tasted hand picked mangos, sipped pipa and eaten pig snout with the hair intact. She has tasted a new life. She has lived through hospitalizations, infections and infestations. Her feet have walked the entire country... no bike, no car and rarely a cell phone. She has lived without hot water, indoor plumbing, texting and microwaves. She has lived. She has changed buses, branches, broken hearts and lives. She has changed. So... When I cry that it's the ending... I also realize it's the start of a new beginning. A new daughter is coming home. One I have never met. She is stronger and a stranger. Her shoes and clothes are worn out but she is wearing her smile. I'll know her face, it's never left my thoughts but there is new light in her eyes. "Hermana" changes back to "Megan" and the name she took upon her at 8 is tucked back in her heart rather than on the outside, on a black tag, resting upon it. My heart aches for her. My prayers have been answered. She has been blessed, protected, provided for and carried. Next Monday, P-day, I will have my best friend home. Yes, there are tears... tears that are not stopping.

A Day in the life of Misisonary Meg

April 12, 2014
I was dreaming of my family. My own laughter woke me up. I looked across from me-my companion stares back. I look at the clock. 5:45 a.m. I might as well get up. I go to the bathroom. Come back make my bed, pray. My day has just begun.
We make our way to the bus stop. By this point nobody can tell I straightened my hair or even put on eye shadow, so I pull up my hair into a big boring yet practical ponytail. We keep a prayer in our hearts as we wait for a bus. Any bus will do. But one that is fast. Finally one comes and we pay .255 colones required to ride. I sit across from 2 cute little girls. They´re the bus driver´s daughters. They come over and start talking to me like nothing. They think it´s so sad I don´t have any sisters-just brothers. Looking at the way these two get along, I understand. But still. I wouldn´t trade my brothers for anything. I tell them how cool each of them are. Even though sometimes they don´t write me. Haha. I sit in my favorite seat, close to the window and let the air cool the sweat I´ve collected on my face.
We make the decent into the swamp as we´ve started to call it. It reminds us of Shrek´s house. Our decent into barrio Meco makes me feel like I´m home and soon swarms of kids pop out, cheering and yelling our names. Hermana Worrmun! Hermana Strong! I feel like a rock star, or a celebrity exiting the limo preparing for the red carpet. The kids swing around us and greet us with hugs. It feels good.
Some are slightly less excited to see us. We have to push some along like a slow puppy. Others we have to wake up. ¨Earthquake! Earthquake! Get up sunshine!¨ The whole things is, as my mom would say, ¨Like herding cats.¨ We need to go and get someone who lives even further down in the swamp. Two of our little friends; Mark, our convert and his little brother Harry who´s counting down the days until he himself can be baptized (only 2 more years to go) want to go with us.  They´re dressed in their ironed white shirts and look exactly like future missionaries.
They wanted to take the shortcut which was like music to our ears because anywhere that will get us where we are going faster is like when Colombus discovered the world wasn´t flat after all. Mark said ¨but if you fall, it´s your fault.¨ I thought he was kidding. We start to scurry down the dirt; I realize that this truly is going to be a lot more difficult than I thought. The steeper it gets, the more I slide, and I enter into more and more of a panic. How am I ever going to get down or out of this mess? There was no way to reverse and no restart button.
So I just sit down.
As if I was going to sled.
But without the sled.
I made it to the bottom. It did hurt something real fierce. As I sat there on the ground, I looked up at my comp and told her that we´d need to go back to the house and change. No way my skirt survived that. But I stood up, and nothing happened to the skirt. Just my skivvies took the beating. I got some good road rash. But on we went again.
The investigator was hung over. But for some reason, we felt like we needed to go anyway.  We showed up and knocked and knocked. Nothing. We hollered and made havoc. He was not going to come out. This is when the miracle happened. The neighbor came out and asked out of the clear blue, ¨Do you guys have a Book of Mormon with you?¨ I replied, slightly shocked in the affirmative. ¨Can I get a copy of it? I´d like to study that book.¨ So we gave it away and exchanged information. Everything happens for a reason. We were supposed to be there right at that time. God is so good and truly All-knowing.
We decided to call it and head back up and out. Let´s take another shortcut! As if I didn´t learn the first time. I somehow got shoved to the back of the line. Everyone else seemed to make it up in a breeze. I however, started and realized that, once again, I was completely helpless. Let me try and paint you a picture:
Very, very, white, giant, blonde girl. White shirt and blowy big long skirt. On more than 4 occasions I´ve been told it´s my granny-skirt. I love it though! My feet are slowly slipping to their doom. To try and balance myself out, I place my hands in front of me. My bottom (nalga) high in the air. I start to picture this scene-like an “out of body” moment and instantly any pride I once held slides right off like sidewalk chalk on a rainy day. I just had to laugh. How was I going to do this?? My little 6 year old life-savor, Harry came to my rescue. I realized there was no way to do this with my shoes on. So I took them and my shocks off and walked up like a savage. I´m sure the image of some tall, white, blonde girl, totally helpless was burned into someone´s mind. I´m sure someone laughed so hard they cried. I got up to the top of the hill feeling super savage, yet accomplished. I marched right into Mary´s front patio, turned on the hose, and showered off everything that was covered in dirt and blood. I smeared some alcohol on the wound. Screamed a little and enjoyed the attention my leg and gringa-ness had caused.
The member we had called in charge of picking up our investigators decided not to show up. Nobody could, so we ended up having to call a taxi. Ouch.
Church was great. Hectic as usual. The piano player guy didn´t show up so at last minute, I was asked to play. Not a lot of people here know how to play, so the church has bought a piano that plays the hymns all by themselves by the click of a button. Success! So amongst trying to make sure all of our investigators are here, sitting with someone, have hymn books, know how to sing, understand what it means to sustain a church leader, explaining a baby blessing, keeping crazy kids from screaming, walking them out to get water, listening to a testimony or two, I tried to play the piano. AKA push the button. On the first hymn I couldn´t figure out who had messed up the sound system, but then finally did and literally rocked the house. Picture Bart Simpson on the Organs. Oops. Third hymn, I had the sound figured out but instead of the piano playing ¨La luz de la verdad¨ (sorry I can´t remember what its called in English.) It kept trying to play ¨Silent Night.¨ That´s awkward. But hey. When in Costa Rica. We just sang a capella.
I bore my testimony. It went something  like this:
On October 2, 2012 I was set apart as a full time missionary. And this Thursday, they´re going to ask me to take off my tag and go back to being normal. (Chuckle.) And I don´t know what I´ll do. It will be weird. But I want to take this moment and say before you all today that I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. That God lives and loves us. He is guiding this church. I know that this church has the authority and power of God. I know that this authority was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. I love my Bible because it is the word of God. I also love my Book of Mormon because it too is the word of God. And every time I read my BOM I feel stronger and have more courage to endure. I´m grateful for this chance to be a missionary. This past year and a half has been amazing. I encourage all of you to just open your mouths and share part of the joy you´ve all found here. Who knows what will happen. But I´m sure with your testimonies you can change a life, and even better, your own testimony will grow.

Anyways. After announcing publically that I´m leaving on a jet plane and don´t know when I´ll be back again, everyone wanted a piece of me, so to speak. I was caught up in a wave of people who I could tell actually liked me. And I loved them back. This time I really did feel like a celebrity-almost everyone wanted a photo. I hugged a lot of them and told them to behave and keep coming and helping the missionaries. They all told me they would.
After that, Stroud and I were put in charge of teaching the youth class. I thought of my mom doing the same thing. The small blessing here is that they were actually very well behaved, even though it was a super boring and badly prepared lesson. But as with everything, God helped us through.
After that, we were put in charge of teaching the Young Woman´s class. Man I miss the gringa Sheryl. There were only 2 of them this week because they´re all on Spring Break (!) So we just watched a little bit of Legacy. Hey there´s a young woman in it! (Lazy, party of 2?)
After that, we went from house to house eating and eating dinners in my honor until the food was coming out of our noses.  Miracle: Being able to eat that much rice. If I come home looking like a big panda, please don´t feed the bear.
One of my favorite miracles of the day was when we needed to go from one side of the town to the other. How were we ever going to do it in time? And we were already so late! I said a prayer, ¨God please help us. Please send us a bus fast! Or a taxi that is super cheap!¨ We went and sat and waited and nothing. So we decided to walk down a little ways and wait and what the locals call, ¨La Cruce.¨  The cross. It´s the worst designed 4-way intersection, just so you know. And we waited there. Meanwhile, we started talking to a lady (open your mouth and talk with everyone) who clearly was not interested. She told us how uninterested she was like 3 times. But we kept trying. Finally a car started backing up from his driveway, we had to move. She, being the good Costa Rician woman like she is, and by that I mean this country is so Pura Vida, she just asked this complete stranger for a lift. And he agreed by saying ¨pura vida!¨ And she being so kind and good, even though clearly not interested in our message, asked if he could take us too. We got in and I realized instantly that God answers our prayers. God is so good. This guy took us way out of his way. We made it to our appointment. Didn´t have to pay a thing. Prayer works. Every time.
Anyways, we waddled home. Full to the max. And layed down and slept. And there you have a day in the life. I hope you liked it mom.
Now as for this being my last letter, I´ve kind of been analyzing over what I would say. I want to go out with a bang and leave all of you on a good note. How nerve-wracking.
I was super freaked out until I talked with President Wilkinson for my final interview. He helped me have more peace in my heart and more faith for the future. The greatest counsel he gave was probably ¨don´t take counsel from your fears.¨ So, I´ll trust in the Lord and go home into the open arms of my new, yet old, support system. I´m so different. There´s been pre-mission Megan. Mission Megan. And now I´m about to start a new Megan, returned Megan. I´ve been able to use the Atonement and become a new creature. One who´s slightly too comfortable with pony tails then one would like to admit. One who is just so much more Pura Vida.
I would really like to express my gratitude first and foremost to my Heavenly Father. I used to think it was just kind of spontaneous or coincidence being here. Being a missionary. Like, oh lets try it and see how that turns out. But the more I´m here the more I realize. Idiot. I was preordained and pre chosen to be here at this time with these people. It´s part of my destiny! My specific plan from my Father who´s been preparing me all these years. With the help of my family, my primary teachers, my bishop, my young womans teacher, relief society, gospel doctrine class, strength of youth pamphlets, seminary, institute, personal progress, prayers, etc. etc. I am so grateful for His trust in me. It´s so empowering to know that He´s rooting for me every time.
I´m grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, who comes through for me when I let my Heavenly Father down. My Mediator, who pays the price of mercy and justice. Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me.
I´m grateful for my mom and my dad. I can´t believe I did this without you available on a constant basis. The only explanation to this ¨phenomenon is of course, Heavenly Father´s strong arms that carried me when I thought I couldn´t anymore. I thank you publically for your financial sacrifices, but I realize the sacrifices more painful were the emotional ones. Watching me mount my bike without training wheels for the first time solo after so much practice and protection. Watching me fall. Rooting me on from a distance, helping me get back up. Cheering me on when I got the hang of things. And giving me that root beer float at the end for a job well done. (remember I don´t actually drink soda though, right? I do however, accept peach rings.)
I´m grateful for my baby brothers who have always been the reason I try to be good. I always want to set the good example. They´re my motivation. And all throughout the tough stuff, I´ve thought of them. I´m grateful that they love me unconditionally. What a blessed feeling it is to be accepted, no matter how sweaty you are, how full of rice you are, how many times you´ve fallen down a hill and shat your pants in the process, they just love me. I love each of them so dearly.
Bren, you get a special paragraph, because it will be a while before I´m able to run into your giant strong arms. Dang. With tears in my eyes, I testify that God will carry you too. That this whole mess that you feel like you’re in, one day will end. And you´ll look back and be so grateful that you´ve been able to get in a mess, so that you could work through it with the help of your Big Brother, our Savior, Jesus Christ. You hang in there. You keep going. You don´t give up. I love how much you love laughter. It really is the only thing that keeps us going.
Thanks for all of you who wrote me your testimonies, just a thought or two. You have no idea how much that has helped me.
Ahora si. Tengo que terminar. Les agradezco por todo lo que han hecho para mí.  Para siempre Dios esté con vosotros. Les amo. Mas que mis palabras puedan expresar, en cualquier idioma.
Nos vemos pronto(¡)
Con mucho mucho amor,
Hermana Workman
La Macha.
(it says:
Okay. Now here we go. I have to finish. I thank you all for everything you´ve done for me. God be with you til we meet again. I love you all. More then my words can express in whatever language.
I´ll see you all soon. (!)
With lots and lots of love,
Sister Workman
Blondie.)

Weekly Letta!! "Follow Up" and "It's the Load"

I’m writing this at a different Internet cafe store. where grammar doesn’t exist. oh Costa Rica. I will not miss this. haha.  (Mom did edit some of the grammar)

So there I was. Up against the Dark Lord. We had managed to sneak past the giant 3 headed ferocious guard dog, ironically named fluffy, beat a game of real life human chess, and now here we were face to face with evil himself. 

Now that I have your attention, I want you to know that I wrote this before reading Brens letter. Apparently harry potter was, and continues to be a big part of us. I’ve decided the greatest thing to happen to me this week was my general conference experience. 

After the morning session, we had to decide weather or not we were going to go and pick up our investigators. We had woken up early to go and get them and they had all turned us down. We came back with a broken spirit. We, the Lord, were offering them everything . Answers to questions. peace. Security. Advice. And they frankly wanted nothing. I really wanted a punching bag. I lost it. I just could no longer hold back the tears and the members could totally tell. My comp sat me down and reminded me of someone else who goes through open rejection on an hourly basis. Jesus Christ constantly tells us how we should act, what we should do. He provides us everything we could possibly need. Yet we still let him down. That gave me courage to stand up and do all I could to help each of them come unto Christ. The second we stood up, a member was behind us. He´d found us a member with a car who could drive us there. We loaded up and weren´t going to take no for an answer. We had to beg and push em. One didn´t want to go because he was embarrassed by his shoes. but God totally helped us. We all in a very literal way squished into the car. 9 of us. 5 seats. And my comp and I just had to laugh in the trunk with 2 kids on our laps. We helped 6 souls come to church. With 20 minutes to spare. The whole thing was a miracle. Members gave me hand hugs and pep talks. They reminded me that it was Satan who wanted to see me miserable. I had just learned a very important lesson.  Two of the conference talks I had just listened to came to mind. 1-“follow up”.  It´s important to endure and be strong. 

2- it´s the load that helps us keep going. I truly will not find happiness without the load. God speaks to us. God speaks to me. Great miracles do not produce great faith. Great faith allows us to see great miracles. The trials, the wind, will come-don´t be surprised. STAND STRONG. 

Anyways. That’s about it. I know the church is true. I love you all. I love my family. mom, dad, bren, ry, con. Your all my greatest cheerleaders and for that, I thank you. 

Love,

Meg

I also went to the priesthood session because as a missionary here you can do whatever you want and not get in trouble. haha. plus there were only like 10 guys there and 8 of them were elders. haha. I miss you beedee. hang in there. I love you.

I’m scared. watching conference looks SO DREADFUL. Like WHERE WAS ALL THE GREEN¡¡???

Wa Wa Wa Wa Waterfall...

love the hammocks... I'm bringing a couple home

I love me some hammocks I just bought two in Nicaragua for pretty cheap. SO EXCITED. But we´ll need a stand or some string and trees...........

Yeah this frog is poisonous- It was on my shoe, 

Some really good people who have won over my heart. 

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Check out this tree! I´m pretty sure it was there when dinosaurs roamed the earth. At least when Christ was here.

IGUANAS!!!!!!!!!! eeeeek! 

Gives new meaning to "Snap Yo Fingers!"

Just picture him talking... it's not as bad.

British accent and car insurance.... see, not as scary! 

Bren there was so much mud. I thought of you the whole time. 

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This was on the muddiest hike ever. This is a natural hot springs. Think Dante´s Peak. The water was SO warm. I was so tempted to jump all the way in. You can tell where the river changes colors!!  It´s called, Rio Celeste, or celestial river. It´s SO blue and BEAUTIFUL!! 

Hermana Workman is still the same!! Looking to be defiant by the sign!

We went with Mariano and Sonia. I Love them. 

I think there were crocodiles in this river!!

Good Eye Matey´s!!!

So I can´t really remember much of what happened this week:

1. I went on divisions with Hermana Patrick. We spent about.........8 hours together on the bus. Her area is hot and ghetto. I love my San Carlos. The funniest part of that division was a little old lady we accidently contacted. Now I use the word accidently because we really were trying to find her son, but he ran off pretty quick. So we get to talking to the old broad and we asked her where she met her husband. Picking beans from the field. Then she looks at me and get´s all Mulan-grandma like: ¨Do you know what you do with a seed??¨ She asked. And in my mind I was perplexed. Surely there was something else she was trying to ask.... ¨you...plant it?¨I guessed. ¨EXACTLY!¨She responded and continued, Änd then what happens?¨¨¨.....It grows....?¨¨YES! And then what do you do with it?¨By this point I was really bamboozled....I responded that I didn´t know. ¨YOU EAT IT!¨ and laughed hysterically. I had to laugh too. WTHECK Old lady? Laughter is SO good. Bray´s right. Sometimes we take this stuff TOO seriously. Just make sure we´re not too serious. 

  

We´re standing in front of a volcano, but it´s pretty cloudy.

2. We had a lady whom we´ve been working with for a couple weeks now ask to meet with us. We walk in and before I can even sit down she looks at us and announces HERMANAS YO QUIERO BAUTIZARME! We both started shouting for joy and clapping our hands!!! When? We asked. Tomorrow! But.....then we realized she wouldn´t be able to until she either Left her man, or married him.....she´s going through some really tough trials. We´ve been fasting for her, but Satan is working SO hard. Keep her in your prayers please. 

 3. We got the church attendance up to 117. This is a small miracle!!! (It was at 60 when we got here)

 4. I can´t really think of much else..............Just know I´m super excited to see ya´ll. I promise I´m trying not to be trunky and stay focused on the work. I promise I´m sweatin´ still. I´m so grateful for your many prayers and emails and love. Thank you!!! 

 

I love you Beedee. I love you Ry. I love you Nono. I love you MOM. I love you DAD.

Love you all! I´ll talk to you next week. And then, after that I´ll only have 1 pday left. And then after that I´ll be with YOU! haha I love you!! 

Love,

Meg