On Saturday, Sister H (currently in Costa Rica) emailed me and asked if I wanted her to relay a message on to Megan. I replied then she replied again. This is a bit of that letter: “It was a joy again to see your sweet Meg! She looked so beautiful today and she had her pretty hair down. I have a few pictures that I will send. I was able to sit next to her in RS. I pulled up my email - and there was your very wise, loving, letter. We read it together. As I read your thoughtful, caring words, I wondered if you wanted me to relay those things to Meg and not have her read all of it...but I know I couldn't have put it as eloquently as you did or get the same point across.

I like how you said it best: "fake it till you make it" and “Smile”...she said that she and her companions' smiles, have literally opened doors for them - doors that the elders were not able to get thru. I thought about the part you wrote about missing Meg...I understand your worries about missing them too much and letting them know. I'm in that same boat. But I think it was heartwarming for her to know that you miss her but that you embrace the big picture. (Sister H has two of her children out serving as full time missionaries)

Meg looks like she is doing great - she seems to have some good friends in the branch. She seems so wonderful and full of smiles at church. She is just such a remarkable young lady! I am constantly astounded by her gratitude, her great sensitivity for those around her, and her humility. She answered a question in RS today, granted I'm not the best judge because of my poor Spanish, but she handled herself with great confidence, and it seems to me, she used great Spanish!

We laughed a little about the TP because we ran out of it this last week ourselves, and had to make a quick run to the store.” 

From Meg: Mom I got your little note yesterday in church and it made me tear up. I needed to read it. You know me so well. These past few days have been really tough. Thank you for your advice. Don´t cry or be sad. I love you so much! Sister H gave us a huge bag of just stuff. Care package stuff. Makeup, deodorant, card games, a robe, umbrella, stickers, note card paper, and Ensigns. She made me and  Hma P cry. Her kindness is just too much. Please take her out to lunch sometime. She is my angel forever and I will never forget her kindness.

Happy Valentine’s Day!! Love is in the air! We had 3 investigators finally decide to get married! (This means they can get baptized!) March 1st is the wedding and March 2nd is the baptism! woooooooot wooot! It´s hard to get married here. Expensive for a lawyer. Hard to find all the legal documents. J, W and their six beautiful children (two are over the age of 8) My first family! They are so so so golden! Just so ready. We really haven´t had to do anything. They have such amazing faith. They come to church (Yippee) and when my companion was saying goodbye to them forever, the lady just bawled. She´s only met her once! It was amazing that she could feel her spirit. I love this family. They´re wonderful!

The other lady is named M. She´s been living with R (a member) for years. He wanted her to propose. She wanted him to propose. Finally, on Valentine’s Day he proposed! yay!!!

It´s great to see these miracles. I´m so happy to be a part of it. But, I´m nothing- Of my own strength, I know I am weak. (Alma 26:11-12.) But with God, I can do hard things forever. “But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, not in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.”

For Valentines, we had a district meeting. It was my companions last one, so we went to a members house in this place called Chimico and had ¨pino¨ it´s just rice and beans. But delicious!!! (photos included.)

Okay one of these photos is with A and L and their daughter, M. They made us dinner yesterday. (The chickens that I´m holding in the photo just a day before.) Oops. But it was delicious and kind. A is an innactive member of over 18 years. L is so so kind and funny and giving. M is ready for this gospel. She wants to be a missionary someday too. They too will have to be married, but I know that it can happen! yay! 

I now own 3 pairs of comfy crocs! Thank you! About the toilet paper; I may have exaggerated a bit. There was only like...2 days we didn´t have any. No biggie. And yeah, there tons of plush leaves, and yes it´s crossed my mind. (Brayden suggested thick plush leaves with a minty fresh smell) I’m sorry I scared you. It´s not all that bad, I mean it does get bad, but I’m never too “bummed” about it.  However, today, we pulled out our mop to use it, and a family of maggots’ squirmed out after one streak. Like thousands of them. I didn´t know whether to laugh or scream. That’s kind of my life here. Haha. I promise though, it´s not as bad as it seems. After all, I went to the beach today! (I can’t wait to actually be able to hop in the water in about 16 months!) We took a German girl with us. She speaks perfect English and Spanish. Lucky girl! (More photos)

Cantaloupe story: Bray you will love this country. Everyone has cantaloupe. Well, you know how they´re not my favorite? Well I decided just to suck it up, be grateful and eat it. “Like a champ.” Next house, cantaloupe juice. Strait cantaloupe. Okay. Just swallow piece by piece and you can reward yourself with water in the end. Again, I nailed it “like a champ”. Next house. Oh no! Cantaloupe juice. I just couldn´t finish it. I couldn´t. Neither could Hermana P. My cup was between my legs. She went to dump the remainder of hers into mine and I moved the cup away. “No way man!” But alas, I was not fast enough. It spilt all down my leg and I just had to take it “like a champ” and not make a scene. It was hilarious. It’s a great missionary moment in Costa Rica; hot sticky cantaloupe juice spilling down your leg as you talk about the plan of salvation. You can handle all of life´s little challenges with laughter and a friend by your side. (Share this with Hermana P ma. She and Elder P just got their mission call; He’ll be the mission president in Canada! woot wooot! Tell her that her daughter is a saint!) Also, I’m attaching a photo of our bus ride to Santa Cruz. It was PACKED! There was nowhere to sit and like 40 people standing. The other two Hermanas were sitting on the stick shift. That´s right; no automatic busses here. It was hilarious! And then somebody threw their beer out the window, and it threw itself back in and hit Hermana P. She got beer spilled all over her. She took it “like a champ”.

CONGRATS KENNY THE JET!!! My comp from Mexico says Kenny is lucky! Okay here are the things I’ve heard about missions in Mexico. You can´t wear a watch. Buy a carabineer to attach to your belt loop, Elders are lucky like that, and buy a face of a watch to keep in your pocket for safety. Also, I hear you get to sleep on hammocks! woooo hooo!!! When they smile in photos they say tequila, not cheese. haha I´m excited for you!!! People tell me that because my trainer is from Mexico, I’ve picked up a bit of a Mexican accent. (Quite frankly, I don´t know how I feel about that.) When you get back, we´ll be able to order at CafeRio and speak all kinds of Spanish at mish prep as RM´s!!! WOOOO! Congrats man!

Yesterday I was having a bad day. And I knew I could find comfort from Nephi. I read the part where he and his bros had just gotten wives and on the way back to their tent life, their bothers get hissy and angry and tied him up. So what does Nephi do? He prays. He prays for strength to overcome this difficult time. He doesn’t run home. Or call his folks. Or cry. He prays. So yeah, Nephi rocks and I love my scriptures. I feel like my Spanish is getting a little bit better this week too. I know it’s because I really started reading my Libro de Mormón. Also, I can feel your prayers for me.  Thank you, I love you!

The church is true. I’m excited for ward missionary month! Can´t wait to hear where ya´ll be headed! MUCH LOVE!!  I LOVE MY FAMILY SO MUCH!! (I have the best one in the world!)

MUAH MUAH MUAH!!!

Hermana Workman (Meg)

Years ago, when Megan moved her bedroom downstairs, Brayden became her landlord and would leave random “letters” on her door. It’s been a fun banter they have had; “You’re out too late” “You owe me a frosty and a talk” “Rent is past due” etc.  I have a feeling there will be more years of this.

From Brayden to Megan: This is a friendly reminder from the Workman household that your room has been sold to a new customer. Due to the urgent need of the space and you having not paid your rent in over 4 months, we have sold all your stuff to Big Bird and your room belongs to Dora the Explorer. We're sorry for the inconvenience. Have a great day :) 

Megan’s reply:  Landlord, look I’m good for the money, you know I am. Don´t make me give Big Bird the bird flu.  Just you look what I can do with this keyboard! ??¿ Woa upside down one. Beat that!  Bray. I miss you. It´s tough out here in the jungle and not because I´m in Jurrassic Park, (haha be jealous). Just cherish our family. I miss you all.