We were able to "Skype" Megan on Christmas Eve. Brayden was at work :(  Her camera and mic wouldn't work... So, She got to see us, our snow and our faces and hear our voices. She could type a response to what she saw and we could talk back. It was VERY frustrating. She has to go to an internet cafe and pay for the internet each week and they are all closed on Christmas Day. Since it was a change in the plan she got permission for us to also call on Christmas Day.  That was also frustrating... Basically, it was over 17 hours of trying to get a simple glance and hello. We managed! Her voice was wonderful to hear! She sounds so upbeat and positive. She is happy!!! And being VERY obedient!  We wish you all a wonderful New Year!

December 24, 2012

Hi family!

Good golly I miss you!! But all is well! It has been the best week yet I think.

Thank you EVERYONE for the Christmas gift! I’ve had the paper Christmas tree up all week and loved everyone’s letter (ornaments). Tell Glen the scripture he shared has gotten me through the week and Kara’s too. Tell San I love all her elf quotes. The ones from my grandparents are priceless. I am so grateful.

When I help people learn how to say my name, my companion says, it’s Workman, like Spiderman or superMAN. Then they always laugh and call me WorsMAN. they’re trying. chuckle.

I taught a lesson in 4 languages, ASL, SSL, Spanish, and English. It was so awesome! I was so nervous before going in. We got in the house and the spirit calmed my worries. I was able to teach the message of the restoration! And she accepted my invitation to be baptized! She seemed so receptive! Describing the first vision in ASL was awesome. I could’ve done a better job at explaining the term, Joseph Smith, was a name. oops. She got a little confused there. And it was hard to explain that God and Jesus did not come down with wings. I had never thought of that before. The gospel is being taught to every nation, kindred, tongue, people, and HANDS! haha. The Lord put her in my path. I’ve been given these talents for a reason. It felt soo good to be able to communicate! To really finally communicate! This scripture describes how I felt: “and I was lead by the spirit not knowing beforehand the things that I should do.” 1 Nephi 4:6

 There is a power found in fasting. I know that the only way I’m going to learn this language is with power from on high. I wanted Him to know I’m serious. I desperately want to communicate. It is my testimony that fasting works and I feel like my family must’ve been praying extra hard for me this week, for that I thank you. I REALLY could feel prayers all around me!

I went to San Jose! I got to see some of my MTC friends! It was so nice to recount our experiences, fears, worries, etc. Elder P and I just talked the whole time. He told me about his meltdown, and I told him about some of mine. haha turns out were all human! I like getting together with all the mishies. The president and his family, are also gringos, and are awesome. They put on a skit to “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” and I thought of Bray and “Home Alone” and how much I love and miss him. While I’m on the subject, Bray, this morning I had some granola. You know what I wanted to do in that moment? Watch “Turner and Hooch” with you. Man I miss you. President and his family gave us candy canes. Bray, I cannot eat one without thinking of you.

I was so excited to get out of the heat of Nicoya and return to the normal San Jose, but I got off the bus and was freeeeeeeeezing! Nicoya has changed me! haha turns out, this is the place for me! Ma and Pa I’m looking for some property for you. You are retiring here. This is where you belong! Especially mommy! I like Nicoya. What a blessing! (San Jose is ugly compared to Nicoya)

We went Christmas Caroling in 90+ degrees! For a minute there I felt like I was at home again.

While waiting in a pizza shop, the Simpsons came on in Spanish. It was so tempting. Anyway, it made me laugh! I don’t know why I wrote this one down...maybe because I got a slice of pizza and a slice of home? eh? eh? haha it was nice.

What are you going to do with the puppies? (btw, puppies will be available about the first week of February)

Cultural differences: My comp is very blunt. She told me that I shouldn’t eat bread for lunch because it’s not healthy. I laughed and thought, “Girl if I don’t eat this sammich imma die.” Please share this with Mitch. I told her about our Christmas traditions of pjs, which I miss, and she said that was the dumbest thing she has ever heard. Huh? Welll, as with all things in life that we don’t always agree with, “smile and wave boys, just smile and wave”. It’s a cultural thing.

I’ve never been more grateful for what I have in Utah. The other day we went to a sketchy area of town to pick up some investigators for church. We went to this house that was held together by what appeared to be push pins. Random slabs of wood. Sheets. Dirt floor, etc. They showered by filling up a bucket of water from a well - they had to drop a bucket into a well themselves. A well! I’ve only seen a real well in movies, Snow White I believe. I watched their son bathe in a sink, where laundry was being done. My companion is so Christ-like, she tried to lessen some of their burdens by sweeping. Here I was trying not to touch anything, (I think dads made me a germ-a-phobe after all) and she was scraping up stranger’s garbage and dirt WITH HER BARE HANDS! What a great example. I think I have the best comp out there. She rocks.

Please also send crystal lite packets. They save my life! Also, if you get your hands on a 2011 issue of the October Liahona, guard it with your life.

DADDY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! (Yesterday). You’ve been on my mind all week (all 3 months really) but especially this week.

Chase happy birthday on the 28th and Jess happy birthday on the 26th.

I love you each of you so much. I’ve taken Christmas for granted. Never again! I’m so grateful for my Heavenly Father. He loves me so much! Just as He loves each of you. When I think of Christmas, I think of Mary and Joseph. What a scary adventure for them as well. I can’t even imagine the pressure. I know Christmas time can bring so much stress and pressure. But never forget that that is not what it’s all about; listen to Pres Monsons Christmas devotional talk. Jesus had some amazing earthly parents, just like me. I’m so grateful for their sacrifices, and my own earthly parents. I love being a missionary. I’m not just sharing information, I’m sharing salvation. This message is so important! I love Jeffrey r. Holland’s talk, “Peter do you love me?” This message is for our brothers and sisters. They need what we have. I love my heavenly father, truly love him. I’ve left all I know to FLOOD THE EARTH with the Book of Mormon. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t so flippin true. To those of you not yet of our faith, practice a particle of some desire to know more. I want everyone to know the power of the Book of Mormon and the power of our Heavenly Fathers love for all of his children so individually. I have a testimony that The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored through a prophet named Joseph Smith. I know he saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I know that families can be together FOREVER. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, another testament of his son, Jesus Christ. I love this gospel.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY CANADIAN BOXING DAY! HAPPY CHRISTMAS HARRY. HAPPY CHRISTMAS RON. HAPPY NEW YEARS!

With every ounce of love,

Meg-Hermana Workman