Date: 10 Dec 2012 <yick really<- typing on a Costa Rican keyboard is making me laugh!
Onward Christian Soldiers!
Greeting to the most beautiful family on earth and to the most blessed country!
Oh thank heavens for yawl’s email. First of all dad- I think of you, very specifically, almost every day here because I’m surrounded by...dirt. And I know you couldn’t handle it. Mom and I could, hence why I’m here. He he! Seriously though I’m so scared to eat most of the food and touch a lot of things, thank heavens for the hand sanitizer I brought.
Bienvinetos a Nicoya!!! That is my first area. But first let me tell you how I got here. Airplane. babahjaha so funny. It felt so good to get out of the MTC to be on streets! To drive by 123rd on the freeway! To see Salt Lake! The Temple! awwww amazing! Goodbye snowy mountains! I sat next to people from Germany on the plane and I kept thinking, okay mish opportunity bring it on! What will I say? No se. But the lord knows! Just open your mouth. Anyway, that was fun. Dallas. I spoke to y’all. Also fun. It’s also where I ate my last good meal. A nasty hamburger. But I’d gladly take that any day again. ha-ha We got to Costa Rica at about 7:00 pm CR time 8:00 p.m. your time I think. No daylight savings. We got to immigrations and that was possibly the funniest thing ever. My companion got stuck and they wouldn’t let her into the country. We called president but they wouldn’t let him in. So we all tried to use the little Spanish we knew. They kept telling us we couldn’t be with her but, she’s our companion and we couldn’t leave her! Anyway long, funny, exhausting story later -we left at about...11:00 p.m. then to the temple! San Jose, Costa Rica! Beautiful! We went to McDonalds-Yuck. I’m sorry if I come off negative. In hindsight I miss McDonalds more than anything! Then to the mission office -we had our interviews with the President. Whew it was exhausting!!!!!!! They fed us sandwiches...I did not eat because it was so late! Then at about 1 am we went to some sister missionaries’ house. There were 14 of us in a “two-bedroom" casa. So at about 3:30 am I was allowed to go to bed. The next day, Wednesday, was the changes meeting. Scary! I got a new companion. Hermana Aldana from Mexico, she is the nicest ever. I am so grateful for her! They shipped me off to the Guanacaste. (It’s an area west in the mission, it´s by the pacific coast. A little peninsula near Montezuma… I hope that’s not a sign!) San José weather is beautiful. Breezy. Perfect. Nicoya! I read about your snow and I got a tear. hahaha BE SO GRATEFUL FOR AC AND THE COLD I TELL YA! It is so hot here. My clothes are constantly wet. I don´t sweat like I did in Utah but, man, I feel like I’m constantly right out of the shower. I feel like I’m in Jurassic Park!! Seriously, it’s everywhere! Me gusta!
Every day we eat lunch at this one lady’s house. It’s difficult for me. The utensils, plates and food aren’t as clean as I’m used to. The only thing that cleans the dishes is the water. No soap. Plus I just can’t eat the meat here yet. Especially the chicken because I know it comes straight from the pet next door. I’ve seen too many chickens around here, so I know it’s fresh. And I just...can’t. So I’ve been starving that is until Saturday. I went to the store! Did I just spend six dollars for a box of Trix? Yes. Yes I did. And it was SO worth it. Also there was no Wal-Mart trip but I did find peanut butter. I way over-payed, but I’ll never go hungry again!
Surprise, surpise! I dont´know Spanish at all. None! It’s so annoying. I held it together until yesterday at church. Not being able to communicate sucks. But, I know that so slowly it’s coming. My comp is great and she only speaks to me in Spanish unless I’m really dying. This experience is teaching me more about charity. Read in Moroni ch 7 (the scripture we had on our trailer fridge) it suffereth long, thinketh no evil. That means not always wanting to run away and cry- not being selfish- but being grateful to be where I am and it endureth all things. I’m praying with all the energy of my heart for charity. I know my prayers are being answered. God hears my prayers and loves me. Just know that I really miss all of you!
Brothers, next time you’re bored and go to play Xbox, just know that the kids here go outside, draw a circle with a rock and play marbles in the dirt. Be grateful!! I met an awesome boy named David, pronounced duh veed, who is a future missionary. He’s thirteen, a member and always wears a white shirt, tie, and black pants. Why? Because one day he wants to be a missionary! What an empowering little man. He’s so sweet and reminds me of Connor because he would do anything just to be with his friends. What a stud! I really wish I could understand him. He was on "splits" with us. The people here are very receptive and very kind. We were teaching this one family and before we left the woman went into another room and came back with a Christmas present, a mug, for me. She didn’t even know me! I couldn´t really even talk to her. But I know, at least I hope she knew my spirit, knew that my intentions were good and knew that I came as a representative of the Lord. I’m just super grateful! And Saturday I had my first baptism. Cha!
Oh Friday there was a festival of lights. Not the Jewish thing but a parade of Christmas with lights, minimal lights. I hope you realize how spoiled we are in the US. I mean seriously spoiled. Anyway it was so awesome! Drums, marching bands, dancing, LOUD! So awesome! I felt it in my bones! I loved it! Love the music! They played all these Christmas songs, English ones, that people here don´t know the words to, but I did. What a blessing! And then randomly they played Ozzy Osborn’s Crazy Train. My comp had never heard of Ozzy. How is that even possible? Oh and my comp likes to get up at 4:30 am - in the morning and go to the gym. She’s so patient with me so I go because she is so kind and would do anything for me - like waiting until 6:30 to go like a human being. Today we were in the gym and one of my most favorite Eminem songs came on. tsk tsk. I gotta stay focused! I held my ensign magazine a little closer to my eyes to focus.
A bird pooped on my head. Gross, but great comic relief. *Photo* *Photo* Mom, I thought of us stalking the FB photos. Check out my first shower! Yeah. This is my life now haha at least it’s not showering in buckets. By the way the water is clean! And safe to drink. It’s white though because of the mineral count. Weird! My comp and I at my first baptism.
I am so sore. I think it’s my shoes, or my backpack. I bought a new backpack today, seven bucks, I’ll take it. We’ll see if that works. I have many insect bites despite the constant application of repellant. esta es la mision! haha endure, endure, endure. endure it well? Eternal life. Okay!
I’m grateful to be here. I’ve never relied so heavily on my heavenly father. I sincerely need him every hour. I’m so grateful for the things I have that bring me comfort, sincerely: hymns, scriptures and prayer. I am so grateful for this gospel because it teaches me how to find this comfort and how to live so that I can be happy. Do not ever ever ever give up. Something that keeps me going is Nephi, Ammaron, Ammon, Mormon, Ether and Abinadi. They knew they were fighting a losing battle. Why then did they continue? What’s the point? It’s because they saw my time – OUR TIME. They saw my brothers and knew that there was hope. They knew if anyone could do it, it would be us. Put on that entire armor and protect yourself like none other. We’re going into Babylon to gather Israel. I do not want to let them down. They suffered far greater than I ever will so that I could proclaim this glad message. With every fiber of my being I know that Christ lives. I know that this is the true restored gospel of Jesus Christ. My lips will never cease to proclaim the message of eternal families, of repentance and of our Saviors love for each of his children. I am so grateful for all the scarifies on my behalf and all of the prayers. Thank you every single one of you reading these words.
I love you family! So much that it hurts! Keep the letters coming, they help! You are all so powerful. Mom thanks for telling me about where Elder C’s sister is going. I was dying to find out! Connor, I’m happy you had that experience. It’s making you a better future missionary. Also I’ve decided you are not allowed to date. Our other siblings are gaga, and I don´t want you sucked into their mind voodoo. Mom and dad told you that girls have cooties right? That’s why they shipped me all the way out here ha-ha. Brothers, continue to laugh. Watch all the Disney you can! I’m jealous! Listen to conference talks. Stay strong. Do the things that will make you stronger. Pray. Read the scriptures. Listen to good music. Watch good TV shows and games. Speak only kind and uplifting words. Beg for the Holy Ghost each day and I promise you´ll continue to have good days. Beg for the spirit to be with you before you study and close with a prayer. Thank your Heavenly Father for the inspiration and guidance you receive while studying. Study with someone else in mind and I promise your study observance will increase. Never stop trying. You are reading the words of mighty prophets? What did the Book of Mormon cost? The best blood of the 19th century (D&C 135) and I would add the best blood of all time. Nephi wrote and perished so that YOU could read his words. I’m so happy testimonies are growing! I’m happy I’m a good example. I really did need to hear that, thank you! Sister Dalton said in a conference a few years ago, your Heavenly Father is only a prayer away and the Holy Ghost is always within whispering distance. Me gusta!
Audios Utah!
I love you all!! Hugs and kisses! Muah! Stay Golden! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!
Hermana Meg Workman
P.S. It’s so funny to hear everyone try and say my name. I thought they would have a hard time with the “W”. Nope it’s with the “K”. I am now Hermana WORM-AN. hahahaha funny.
P.P.S.S. Christmas I get to Skype. You tell me the time. Also I won’t get dearelder letters for another...6 weeks so maybe just send them through air mail?? Not sure... I’ll get you my address next week. ??
The address for her mission home is: Hermana Megan Workman
Costa Rica San Jose Mission
Apartado Postal 249-2010
San Jose, ,
Costa Rica
For parcels it’s: Hermana Megan Workman
Costa Rica san Jose Mission
De La Pops de Curridabat
500 Mts sur, Oficina Insquierna
Edificio Trebol, Local #6
San Jose, Costa Rica
Church pouch mail**: Hermana Megan Workman
Costa Rica San Jose Mission
POBox 30150
SLC, UT 84130-0150 **Please fold envelopes according to pouch mail instructions as per church website.
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