February 25, 2013

My zone leader, district leader, and companion all left me the same day.  I am in the same house, with a brand new companion, We will get a new cook next week. I´m a trainer now; they told me this would happen in the MTC but I didn´t believe them. Her name is Hermana F, from Guatemala. I´ve got used to a Mexican accent, so I really can’t ever understand her. (It´s really stressful being in charge) *Photo of me doing the stressful papers, in Spanish none the less.  I do all the planning of where to go, what to teach, and when. Setting a good example and teaching her how to be a good missionary. Also, it´s all in Spanish, it was a rough week for me with the Spanish. However, I know that it´s only Satan that wants me to think and believe that I´m no good at it, but grrrr it´s a challenge.  

San Jose was wonderful. It is so pretty. Sorry for the photos just of me, but it was the first hot shower I´d had in a long time. I had a hard time leaving the shower. It felt sooo good. And I couldn’t stop smiling. I actually said a prayer of gratitude in the middle of the shower. I was just so very grateful. Anyway, I left the shower with rosy cheeks. ROSY CHEEKS! And it just felt good! The temple! No, I wasn´t able to go. Hopefully, we will get to go in March. My spirit needs it.  *photo of my trip to San Jose. We stayed in the nicest house I have ever seen! Their son served in the Salt Lake City South, aka our ‘hood - mission many years ago. It was fun to talk to him about the area. My heart loves Utah. *Photo view of San José at night- much cooler in person.

Ready for my spiritual experience?  I was in mission prep not understanding a word. I was just flustered and went into the church kitchen and knew I just needed to pray. I prayed for help to see the Lord’s hand in my life. I asked for Him to show me the things He sends me to remind me that He loves me. I asked for Him to help me to look for the good in others, and not the bad. I felt more peaceful after the prayer and was able to forget some of the frustration.

Later, we were in our house studying when we got a phone call. It was C. He is one of my favorite people here. He´s 16! He´s Ryley´s age!!!!!!!!! I can´t believe it! He seems older than Ryley. (Maybe because he´s taller) Anyway, he told us that his friend wanted to meet with the missionaries. Woo hoo! We practiced lesson 1, the restoration, and headed out the door. We found out that S, also 16, is a less active member. I thought we´d still be teaching lesson 1 but my comp was like, we should first find out what he expects to get out of our visits. Great thinking! Why didn´t I think of that, haha. Anyway he told us that he wanted to come back to church, but was afraid of the members judging him, etc. I kept thinking, what does the Lord want me to say or share? We bore testimony of the power of prayer. Prayer can help us with anything. It’s just a communication with our Father in Heaven and with His help; we can do the hard things. I left him with Heleman 5 to read. (Go and read it. It’s my favorite BOM chapter. All about Nephi and Lehi and less active members.) As he said the closing prayer, I felt the spirit so strong. I knew the spirit was working through me. And I knew that my Father in Heaven was proud of me. As we walked home, I remembered my prayer I said in the kitchen just hours before. This was something that God gave me to show me that He loves me. And it´s not like I doubt that I´m a loved Daughter of a King, it´s just that sometimes, it can be easy to focus on negative things. Anyway, I have a testimony that God answers our prayers in his timetable. He loves each of us so personally and more than I can even imagine. I love the trust He has in me and I don´t want to let him down. And there is one of my strong spiritual experiences this week. After that lesson with S, my sweet new companion told me that she knows I can’t understand her. But she is amazed every time we walk into the lesson because I just BAM! (She clapped her hands together) can really invite the spirit and speak. 

Yeah these bugs were coming out of our bathroom door. *Photo They come out in the thousands only at night. It's the worst. They just fly around and land on you. The other day, hna P found a few in her unmentionables. hahahaha Its been rough. I think we´re learning just to laugh through it.

Brothers, BOOK OF MORMON Youth Conference was THE BEST ONE! I hope you can tell how very excited I am for you. I will never forget that experience! My advice; read all of 3 Nephi before you go. Also, read your entire Book of Mormon. Really put yourself in their shoes. Say your prayers every night. BeeDee, I’m so happy that you got your birthday letter finally! And, I´m sorry that Ryley didn´t get his yet. I´m sorry I missed his surprise party! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HIM! His party sounds absolutely awesome! He will get his letter in about another week. I sent it home with the H family. By the way they are amazing! They hooked us up with A TON of food and supplies. Such angels! *Photo of junk food from H Family.

Mom, I really REALLY miss you. I don’t know why I´m so sad. I have so many good blessings! Why can´t I learn Spanish!!? Why do I miss my family and stuff so much!? How can I just get lost? I really miss you mom!  Thanks for the advice mom. I am going to do that! You are the best mother in the world! (** My advice that she gave me so much praise for came from Sister B and Sister M in Newark, New Jersey.  They started a gratitude/miracle wall with post it notes. It’s just a simple reminder of the hand of the Lord in their lives. I advised Megan and her companions to try that. I told her that she should try to change her focus on the things she is looking at. Look for the greatness there and she will find it. Elder J shared his testimony today of the Anti-Nephi-Lehi’s burying their weapons. I shared that also. Sometime, our gifts can become a weapon or a crutch. We begin to rely too heavily upon certain things. We need to bury them and look for another source of strength. She loved the idea and said they are going to start it today!)

Gotta go! I love you all. Resist temptation. Like Saul´s wife, don´t look back. Just keep moving forward with your eye single to the glory of God.

Love,

Hermana Workman (aka Meg)

PS  I sliced my own huge mango. Chad would be so proud! *Photo