Jan 28, 2013 – Costa Rica Week 8 bidness 

How my Sunday went:  Look! The White family! Let´s go say hi! (One of them was one of the first missionaries here from the 70s.) They were so sweet! I told them to email you, expect a photo. Then I turned around and there was Manuel. He had a text from me. Huh? I read it, from the Harris lady -She couldn´t make it to church. Super confusing. But turns out, my mommy had sent me a package! What the what??? I called hotels. I called travel agencies. I called our district leader and asked for permission to go. I got a yes. Tamarindo is 2 plus hours away, by the way. It´s in my area, sort of. It´s technically in the Zone Leaders. But my companion didn´t want to go with me and didn´t want me to go with the other white sister, Hermana Patrick, so turns out I couldn´t go. MIRACLE, Elder Price, District Leader, two weeks before took us to this White family from Utah’s house. I called and asked if they could get my package. Yes. They just happened to be headed that way. Also that hotel is pretty far away, I would´ve gotten lost and been in a rough spot. I wasn´t supposed to go. Our district leaders had a bad feeling about it and I said, I understand. It´s like when your mom says, you can go but I have a bad feeling about it and your bummed cuz u want to go, but trust her. Anyway, there’s a reason for everything! I know I sound like a 7th grader and vague on the details, but that´s only because I don’t have time! Sorry! But, yes the package is here in Costa Rica, and I’ll maybe be able to actually hold it in my hands....next Thursday? It´s hard to get from Tamarindo to here. Point of the story=my mommy loves me. Thank you thank you THANK YOU! Also, yes I could see the hand of the Lord in my life!  

Bray, I want you to know that you have been on my mind every hour this week. I´ve told everyone that I see about your birthday. Happy birthday brother! Congrats on your puppy! You finally got a Xander. I want you to know that on two separate occasions, I´ve cried for how badly I miss you. I have become a bawl baby, I know. But I´ve never missed my baby brother’s birthday. It stinks not being able to see you today! But, I get to email you on my pday, aka your bday! Blessing! I just sent your letter off in the mail.

On the way to an appointment one day, Hermana Patrick (Gringa like me!) and I studied body part vocab in Spanish. Who knows why, right? We were being prepared! We went into a lesson where this one lady had all kinds of problems and asked us to pray for her specific body parts. It was so awesome! Like did we expect to need body part vocab that day? No, but we´re glad we did.

My comp and the rest of the Hermanas got called to be mission prep teachers. Hermana Patrick and I are hitting it off well! We broke down and bought expensive pancake mix and Aunt Jamimah syrup. We had peanut butter sandwiches! The Latinas look at us like we´re eating human babies. It was a good day. Insert office quote here about pretzel day from Stanley. We both feel like we´re camping. Also, we sleep on the floor. It’s been getting hotter and hotter each day. Yesterday was ninety three degrees. My comp asked me why I sweat so much. I didn´t know how to respond.... (We have to keep our deodorant in the fridge, otherwise it melts). Today I showered with a bucket. We wash our dishes in our shower. But this is the best thing I have ever done. I´ve never feel scared. I always know that my Heavenly Father is with me.  HE LOVES ME!

This is an insert from my personal study journal for my brothers who are preparing to enter the ranks and for anyone else out there preparing to go. And for anybody else who´s curious about my personal study, haha:   

“Alma 8. Alma is trying to do missionary work. He wrestles  with God in mighty prayer, which to me means he was trying to really feel the spirit and understand God´s will. He continues. The people completely reject him and even spit on him. He´s totally ready to give up when an angel of the Lord tells him to go back. Can you even imagine? Why on Earth would you go back if this message wasn´t so important. He doesn´t come right out and say it, but he´s fasting which shows me that he has a strong righteous desire to help the people. Little did he know, a stranger was being prepared for Alma, Amulek. An angel visited him too! His story of preparation is even cooler! Anyways, this shows me many things. The Lord knows everything. We need to listen and patiently wait for HIS time table. Alma 10. Amulek preaches. Today I learned that Amulek has been living a wicked life. He had been rebelling against God. But one day was visited by an angel of The Lord. This shows me how much love God has for ALL his children. To love someone who was struggling as much as he, Amulek, demonstrates His mercy. Also it shows me that God sees things in us that we can´t see in ourselves. Amulek ends up being the mission companion of a Holy Man, who is chosen of God. Amulek turns out to be one stellar (baller for the youth out there) missionary. Awesome right??"

Anyway, the church is true. This work is hard. Why? Why does it have to be hard? Because salvation is not a cheap experience. The road to salvation goes through Calvary. I am his loyal devoted soldier, and you can be too. Which means I must have some of his similar experiences, suffering, sorrow, and tears. Expect it on a mission. (Most of this paragraph is brought to you by Elder Holland) It can´t be easy. There is nothing easy about this experience. When push comes to shove, know that I’m bringing, and you can too, the significance of Christ´s suffering so that I can deliver the message, of the atonement, properly. It will cost a lot from me and you too, because it cost a lot from Him. And I think I’ve been making it harder than it needs to be. There’s no real reason for me to be sad or upset. The people here rock! Seriously golden. And I’m surrounded by beauty. I thank all of you for every single sacrifice for me. Every prayer. Everything. Thank you! More love than I can express, love hearing from all you!

Ward family, thanks for your support and letters! Hug my mom. Love my brothers. Slap me poppy on the back. I love you!

Peace and love!

Megan  (Hermana Workman)

pday photos:  Meg n Hermana Patrick playing “UNO” “Don´t you think it should be called “ONE”, in Spanish? Haha”, Meg studying… kinda and making pancakes in her “I love ewe” pajamas (Couldn’t resist. I hope she doesn’t hate me for forwarding that one)

Hello family and friends!! Here is a quick update on Megan:  She had two new Hermana's move into their already too small studio type apartment. One is a "Gringa"!! She said that living with girls is noisier and messier than boys. WOW!~ As you know, she has only lived with her family.  (dad, mom and 3-4 brothers)

She said they have so many investigators and baptisms but they struggle with activity and getting them to keep coming to church. She loves the people of Costa Rica and the culture she has been immersed into. She found her new favorite smoothie spot! She loves all the fresh fruit there. 

If you have been reading the past emails, you will know that we have all been really frustrated with the shoe situation. The ones that she took are not conducive to the streets/dirt roads.  So she asked for us to send more.  After several attempts, she has only received the right shoe... twice! She writes: "Thank you for the right shoes! I love them their perfect!"  (Can you tell she's a missionary?) Someday we'll find that peg legged pirate and get our shoes back. However we knew getting packages to her would be an obstacle. In her email on Monday she expressed again that she NEEDS shoes. It's not just a want. She is just about to start wearing her work out shoes to go out on appointments. (Don't go visual - it's not a pretty sight) With much prayer I ordered another pair of shoes on line and asked if they could mail directly. NO.  They did however waive the fee for express delivery!! And told me they would be here on Thursday. They were. I had a box of necessities ready to go to her but wasn't sure how to go about this part of the task... getting it to her. Now, I do know that our Heavenly Father is indeed mindful of every intimate detail of our lives. I know his love is beyond measure. I put this before him to help us get her a PAIR of shoes. My intention was to mail the package to her on Thursday as soon as they got here. I kept feeling... PATIENCE. I waited. Then, Terry said put it on facebook. My sweet friend has friends in OHIO that have employees that go into Costa Rica.  (My best freind's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. - sorry couldn't resist a movie quote) That was our solution. Send it to OHIO and know that it will get to the mission home in San Jose. From there, it should only take at most 6 weeks to get to Megan. Again, I felt to wait. I did. The next day my phone rang early. It was my boys kindergarten teacher, my friend and co-worker Jeana (Mrs. Garcia) She told me they are going to Costa Rica in the morning. Now, keep in mind, Megan is 6 1/2 hours away by bus from San Jose. She couldn't remember where in Costa Rica they are going so she had her husband call me. Yes, I know... why did I even doubt! Tamarando Beach! Right in Megan's area! It's the pictures of her kissing the crab! Not only did they have plenty of room but she told me to include everything that I wanted to get to her. The other side of this story comes from Jeana. She said she NEVER gets on facebook and didn't know Megan was there. She told me she's never been someone's answer to a prayer before and is so grateful to GET to take it to her. She just texed me from the airport that she LOVES Megan and the gospel and what blessing this is for her. She is taking her a hug from me too... you other missionary mom's will understand the tears in my eyes on that one. Jeana and Megan have never met but, I know that this meeting will be filled with the love from not only a sweet friend, and another mother, but from Our Father in Heaven. He has prepared this miracle for us! He IS mindful of our every need. My gratitude is insufficient. 

I will leave you with Megan's last bit of her email. "I’d like you to go and read a conference talk from Elder Holland when you get the time. I’ll quote one part, then I gotta go. Because of your Faith is the title. To you mom and dad and to all the moms and dads and families and faithful people everywhere, I thank you for sacrificing your children, and for other people s children! For wanting so much to give them advantages you never had and for wanting so much to give them the happiest life you could provide.

I agree. Thank you so much! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Love, Meg"

Much love to you all! Never lose hope!

Hermana Workman and Elder Parry

Alma's tree. The Christmas trees here are so much prettier than in the US

The lemon tree just out of my window. My mom would love this for her Diet Coke~

This is their XBox. Yep, marbles. All the time!

This little friend was just hanging out at our church in the heat!

Rarrhh!

This is the pipa fruit. I actually don't love this one.

PDay at the beach!

The Pacific Ocean. Yeah... I'm spoiled!

Hermana's Workman and Aldana.

There is a heart in the sand. Love this girl!

Big Heart! 

This is her new kitchen. The outside part!

Trying my hand,err my weapon, at cooking.

My new room!!

Our new bano! Shower curtain and all!!

This is our new kitchen. The inside part. Complete with hot plates.

Look ma! They're still attached. Fun lines, swollen but here! (Wonder if she gets pedis?)

Baptism Day! Love this boy!!

Greetings from the hottest place in the planet. I can’t believe the temp is 14 degrees at home. That’s simply not possible (as I sip my fresh squeezed totally natural fruit juice as the sun beats upon my brow). Crazy! I am sweating everywhere!!!!! Seriously I’m in the hottest part of the country. Imagine St George in August plus being constantly wet because it’s so humid. But I really am getting used to it.

I’m happy I’m healthy. I sent ya’ll a package. SUUUper expensive. I wish I would’ve just waited haha I really hope you get it. Nobody has boxes here so that was interesting to find. But I love you!   (I cannot wait for my new shoes!!!!!!) I’m well watched over. I’m eating the food! Our cook is absolutely amazing. I’ve never had food this good before. Calm down Chad, you’re still the best cook out there. But this lady comes in pretty close.  She makes beans and rice every meal. (and some...mysterious...meat). That being said, I accidently bit into some tuna and about threw up. The tuna here is brown and has carrots. Yeah, not really my favorite thing anyway.  The cook has learned to give me smaller portions; I’ll eat all my beans and a lot of my rice though. She keeps trying to give me soda, coke because "gringas love coke" but nah. Not me. Only water please. The milk comes in a powder and it’s not refrigerated. So I eat my trix with water or just dry. I do eat trix and peanut butter every day. Also I found Mac and cheeeeeese!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now...how to cook it is the next chapter. haha

I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOUR TEMPLE TRIPS!!! What powerful women! You are defiantly putting on that armor to protect your families! So awesome! The message of the temple is why I’m here. Families are eternal. How amazing! Keep it up! Thank you for the fast. I know that prayers were answered. Fasting is tough, but what a blessing! I love letting my spirit take over. I could feel the majority of my burdens being lifted up. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for your faith. Honestly, thank you.

So far I’ve only read one or two sentences from Ash and it was about her frozen eyelashes. I couldn’t help but laugh. I literally have sweat sitting everywhere on my body that on hers is frozen. I’ve teared up after what I just read. It’s only a few words but it was like I could hear her. Man I’m starting to tear up again. This is the weirdest thing ever. I don’t have time to really email her this week, but pass along that I think of her constantly. I pray for her nightly. I pray for her to find success, to be warm, and comforted during trials.

Congrats to Aubrey! How wonderful that she’s found her prince charming. Every night before I go to bed, I think of all the things this mission is equipping me with. All the struggles with companions, investigators, etc. are preparing me to be a better student, wife, mother, neighbor, member, sister, daughter, etc. etc. She’s a good example to me to keep enduring. Keep treckin.

I taught English. Actually I teach English every week. The people here are so ready that a lot of them will approach us. One young man, Sandy age 21, in particular came up to us and said: “I would like to learn English”. My comp said, “Perfect. Thursday at the church across from the hospital”. I said, “Bring your friends”. He brought his whole family. All of them look like movie stars, even though they live in what we would consider poverty. That’s something I find interesting. Everyone dresses so nice here. Their hair is always gorgeous. How do they do it?? I try to do my hair nice, but one hour in and it’s in a pony tail. It’s just too hot. Anyway, I taught my first class. It was kind of crazy. Turns out, English is whacko. We have so many different ways to pronounce our vowels. Maybe that’s why Spanish is so hard for me; because it’s actually simple. I just have to change my mind. I HAVE to change my attitude and mindset about it. I remember learning ASL. I loved it and loved learning new words. I was super scared to use them incorrectly, but I only got better by putting it all on the line and trying. I’m trying. I promise. Anyways, I know that we’re planting a seed. We’re gaining trust. I know that Sandy was prepared for us. For me specifically! I know Heavenly Father was working on him, and will continue to do so. (Just like he’s working on me). This week, you should all read Elder Christofferson’s conference talk about As Many as I love, I Rebuke and Chasten. I know my Heavenly Father is my gardener. “Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to hurt me”. Read it, it’ll make more sense! smiley face,  (Copy n paste from here: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/as-many-as-i-love-i-rebuke-and-chasten?lang=eng&query=%22the+gardener%22+(name%3a%22D.+Todd+Christofferson%22)

We had a baptism Saturday! He is 8. Jose Daniel. The coolest part was when he bore his testimony. He said about 2 or 3 words (I only understood thank you) and then he started to cry. The spirit was absolutely amazing. He reminded me of Ryley in that moment. Just so tender and full of the spirit. This kid was 8!!! It was amazing to me, a testimony builder, to see someone so young so full of the spirit. He’s inspired me to work harder. It was amazing!  Each day I am BEGGING my Heavenly Father for charity. Charity to love these people. To learn the language. I want soooooooooo badly to look into their eyes and communicate the glad message of the gospel. The people are very loving and sweet. We’ve baptitized one other person with another 12 on the way. The work here is amazing.

My mom is so good! Here, it’s the responsibility of the missionaries to make the invites. There’s no grand party after, and that’s foreign to me. I think my mom would go nuts if she couldn’t make invites. It helped me realize that she really really REALLY ROCKS. She’s always the life of the party and can transform any situation into a good one. Man I miss her!

I found a super talented painter. He’s the guy who helped us move. He wants to paint for me.

Pahoran is my scripture hero for a reason. Go find out why!

Mindi Meadows Ward Family, is it weird that I miss all of you too? Nah. you are my ward family. I hope you know I think about all of you at the most random of places. I hear the words you’ve taught me as I’ve grown up. I see your faces and families and remember all of your goodness. Thank you for your prayers. I sincerely desire for you to know that you are on my mind and in my prayers. Thank you for being the best ward family I’ve ever experiences. We have a new family in our ward here! They’re from LINDON Utah. Don’t know why that capitalized. Weird. Anyway, they are so nice! They have a daughter serving in...El Salvador? Another son in...New York? And a returned missionary. And also 3 other kids. they’re living here just to learn the language I think. It was kind of awesome to help them translate and realize that I do know more Spanish then I thought I did. Still a ways to go, but yeah. I went to give the mom and handshake and she grabbed me in a hug. How did she know I needed a hug from a mother? A tender mercy. That’s how. I told her to email you our photo. I hope she does.

For everybody. Happy 2013! I read President Uchtdorf’s Of Regrets and Resolutions Oct. 2012 conf talk again and it really motivated me. It’s perfect for New Years. So far in the field, I’ve had the mindset, (and I promise I’m trying to get rid of it) that man if I could just learn this language everything would be better. Or if…, I’d be happier, etc. but no! LIVE IN THE NOW! Life is not a race, it’s a journey. ENJOY THE RIDE! What great advice! So what if it’s one zillion degrees outside. Love it. Be like an iguana and gain energy from the sun. I promise that if you read that talk, you will receive personal revelation on how to be happier.  To everyone whose eyes may wonder across my writing. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answerers prayers. I know He knows me individually by name. I choke up thinking about that. He loves us too much to just take away our pains, burdens, trials, etc. He has given us our agency. It’s up to us to ask. And He will answer in His own time. I know that families can live together forever. There are so many people in this world who are afraid and who hurt. But I testify of our Savior’s divine plan for each of us. He will ease our burdens. What a comfort to know that my family and I will be together forever. Do all you can to enter the house of the Lord. My advice to you; start studying your bible now. Prepare for the tough questions. READ PREACH MY GOSPEL EVERY DAY. Mark the scriptures. Study and pray. I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love always,

Hermana workman.

PS many people tell me that my last name sounds like Wal-Mart....hmmm.

OK week 4 insert trumpet here. HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE. That’s so weird!! My goals: have more charity. Learn Spanish. Be so grateful for every day. Be happy. I like President Uchdorf’s Oct 2012 talk about living in the now and not always looking forward to the end. I need to be happy I’m here and not look forward to 15 months. Which by the way, Wednesday will officially be my 3 month mark. It seems so tiny!

So my companion gave me so many more opportunities to speak this week. She is a Trunkey companion because she leaves in February. It’s tough having so many more months in comparison. “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!” (Thanks ma) Yeah it’s tough, but this life was not meant to be easy. I just gotta keep telling myself that. Anyway, we were in this lesson about the plan of salvation. And I could feel grandpa sitting next to me. I want everyone to know that; A. there must be opposition in all things. Heavenly Father respects us too much to just take away our pains. He will always let us have our agency. We have to ask for our pains to be taken away. That’s what this life is all about. Agency! There has to be bad to really appreciate the good. B. I will see my family again. I know exactly where we’re going after this life. I read this thing in PMG yesterday and really liked it.  It doesn’t matter how eloquently you speak or the tone of your voice. But the heart that’s behind it. I kept hearing this voice as I was speaking saying, open your mouth. (It was the Spirit, just to clarify) so that it can be filled with power! I bore my testimony and it was awesome. I could hear the words from my patriarchal blessing. "Your instinct will be to look into the eyes of those you are teaching and to communicate. You will be perceptive to what they are learning..." I looked into their eyes and bore my testimony that I *know* that they can live with their family again. They can return to their Heavenly Father. They can live in the Celestial Kingdom and all its glory. What power! I am so grateful for my loving Heavenly Father. My goodness is this hard. But thank heavens. What a blessing it has already been in my life and the life of my family.

Photos! We moved to a safer and more modern house. IT’S SO SMALL! ha-ha there are no walls, no doors, not even for our bathroom. We turn on music and tell the other person not to look. Maybe after we pay rent we’ll get doors??

It’s super small. It’s like a flat. Or a mother in law apt. a member owns in and lives next door. Which I like a lot more. Last night she made us the best juice. Hand peeled and squeezed orange and piña, pineapple! Soooooo good. I drank so much I wanted to barf. I am always so hot. I’m always so thirsty.

**Christmas Tree Photo**  A cool awesome Christmas Tree I saw out walking one night. We stopped and asked if we could come in a take a photo. The people here are so chill. The woman’s name is Alma which is Spanish means soul. Pretty cool right? We have this book about another person named Alma! Missionary opportunities are everywhere here!

**Lemon tree photo**  The view from our new flat. It has a lemon tree. Every time I see them I think of my mommy and her Diet Coke. She would love them. I miss my mom!

**Kids photo**  Kids in front of our old house playing marbles. so next time one of you in on the Xbox, be extremely grateful! 

**Large dinosaur/lizard photo**  This bad boy was in front of a chapel at a district mtg. It was about 100 degrees outside and he was just chillin. The elders were trying to get him upset by throwing rocks and poking it. haha it made me laugh. I think I’d lose my mind without elders. 

**Meg holding fruit photo** Actually that fruit is gross. haha its called...pipa. But others are pretty good.

**Beach photos””  Also, on the way to the beach today, somebody had a Skillex song on. Not going to lie, it was awesome!!

Dad, pardon my French, but I think you would’ve pooped your pants if you saw how we moved. First we had to find someone with a truck. We did. Then we had to find someone who could drive it. A complete stranger. Perfect! Come on in and help us move? Thanks! haha literally, we just threw stuff in the truck. No rhyme or reason. Your voice was in my head the entire time. I couldn’t believe it! Then I had two options. sit in the front seat and give this man directions to our new house. no thank you, I don’t know Spanish. or sit in the back, no closing door mind you, and hold the fridge so it doesn’t fall out. HA! It was so insane I just laughed. I know you would’ve eventually laughed with me. moral of the story, I miss my dad. I’m so so grateful you taught me how to work hard. and to work well. man I miss you! One of my fondest childhood memories was when I would hand daddy my brush and he’d brush my "golden" hair slicked back. Today I brushed my hair all the way back and it reminded me of him. I miss you dad.

Mom, thanks for the shoes and stuff. I’m sure they’ll get here. Most likely when I’m in San José on Jan 15th for our conference with ELDER CHRISTOFFERSON! Cha! Super blessed! Anyway, don’t worry. I’ll get it when I get it. The mission house....well the house that Pres and his family stay in is nice. I’m so happy they’re Utahan. I’ve only been there just once, my second day. The house the secretaries stay in is, I hear very nice. Only elders allowed there. There is no real place for sisters. We stay with some of the other sister missionaries. That house is a joke. I’m pretty sure I’ll fall through the floor every time I use it. haha. But all is well. Which reminds me mom, you asked what I could use your help and prayers for? Well, please pray for my investigators desire to learn more. Pray that they will have faith to keep commitments. Thank you. We have too many, I won’t name them out. But pray also for the ward members and their desire to help. And especially the ward mission leader. Help us know how to better work with him. Thank you! Our investigator that is deaf hasn’t gotten baptized yet. You have to go to church for at least 2 or 3 times. But there aren’t any deaf wards here so I don’t know what to do. I can’t translate for her. How can we make this work??  Elder Scotts April 2012 conf talk is about dreams and personal revelation that comes from them. Mom I thought of you!!  Also will you send me some cd’s please. Big band. Hawaiian. Trumpet music like in the Princess and The Frog.

Bray. You’re a better artist than you think. I love you so much. Keep at it!  I was taught that class by Brother Sutton, not Sis Hodgkinson. I miss it so much!!  We have the same class here, but in Spanish. Spanish is so hard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This week was SUPER hard. I think because I was so flippin homesick after talking to the best family in the world. I just cried and cried. I love this quote from the movie “Cast Away”, Tomorrow is a new day. The sun will still rise. And it does. You cry and get over it. I have been praying with every ounce of my heart for more charity and hope. Missions are tough. But, do everything you can to get your butt here. I love you!  My family is so beautiful!

Ryley is tall! Ry, you are the man. Way to take one for the team! Sounds like that movie; Les Mis, was kind of painful! You deserve a gold star! I’m so happy I’m a good example to you. You, your emails, and the family, are why I’m here. You’re what keeps me going.

Con, I’m not sunburned. I just look really red in the photos. My comp said the same thing. I’m just so bloody hot all the time! But thanks for the concern.

To my brothers, do everything you can to be set apart as a full time missionary. To those reading my words and are not yet of this faith. Ask the missionaries. They can help you. Humble yourself. Get on your knees and ask for your Heavenly Fathers help with whatever is going on in your life. To everyone else, I love you and thank you so much for all the prayers on my behalf. I promise you, and I really hope you understand, I can FEEL the prayers. When I feel like breaking down, I receive this unseen force helping me go on. I know your prayers are helping me remember Spanish words, etc. thank you. I love all of you! Thank you so much!

Take care. Thank you for everything. I MISS MY FAMILY SO SO SO SO SO MUCH. I hope all of you know how much I love and miss you.

Mom n Dad, you’ll let the family come here in 15 months, right? Ryley told me about this cruise idea... well, a trip to Costa Rica would be better. I love you! 

-Meg, Hermana Workman