Monday, March 25, 2013  Hello! 

Happy Saints Week.  (I sent a photo from Palm Sunday. I’ve never seen anything like that.) Is Easter next week by the way? Whoa. All the palm leaves were cool like when Christ came and they threw palms down so the dust wouldn’t get on him. Cool! Saints Week is rough for missionary work. Nobody’s home. No work, no school, it’s like spring break but times 10. Everybody’s at the beach or hiding… I don’t know where. But, Happy Easter, Ron.

This is the hottest I have ever been in my life. Remember in January when I said I was hot? Apparently I was only kidding. I´d take January any day over this. This. Is. Miserable. Such a distraction. One of the ways Satan tried to get me down. I have never been so physically uncomfortable in my life. Its funny all of us get home at night from being dressed to the Nines then strip into the gees. We keep the fans blowing on us from all directions. Miserable. Just. Awful. I left a lesson the other day, and just dumped my entire water bottle on my face and hair. It felt great for thirty seconds, then dried up. But I know God is with me every step. (I want my land Shannon! If you could say that in an Irish accent, that would be great) 

All the Hermana’s and I get along SO good - almost too good. Too good in that sometimes it’s hard to get stuff done. My companion reminds me of Nicki Minaj. Really small and cute and dramatic and DO NOT piss her off. Ha ha. But she’s one heck of a missionary. She’s the one training me really. I really have a hard time understanding her. Her accent is very different from what I’m used to. Very slurred. slurrrrrrred. Thankfully, Hermana P can speak Spanish – oh, I’ll REALLY be sad to see her go- maybe. We have transfers next week on the 3rd. This means that on the first of April, next p-day, I’ll be on a bus. I don’t know when I’ll get to email. But I think Monday? If not Tuesday? I don’t know. But temple next week OOOOSH OOOSH! Yeah!  I really do love all the Hermana’s here. I’ve been blessed.

I got a call the other night at 9:40 pm saying that my companion’s visa has expired and she’s here illegally and needs to evacuate to Panama immediately. Also, Hermana Q needed to go to a doctor in San Jose, so off the Latinos went. GRINGAS STORMIN THE CASTLE UP IN HERE! Hermana P and I were alone for 3 days and 2 nights. And it was AMAZING to be able to speak English.  I was a little nervous at first. But it was so great. I wrote you a long letter about it, but just know that we went around looking for address- which are like non-existent here. Finally we found a secret passageway that lead to a ton of houses. We knocked on the fences and asked everyone we saw if we could share a message with them. Two women let us in and we taught them about the restoration. It was really fun. I know the Lord protected us. We passed a bum on the street and once he realized we were gringos, he stuck his hand out like he was about to die and stuttered for a moment… He was trying to do...something.. Then, (light bulb moment – he remember the word) MONEY! He yelled it in English. That’s why it was funny.. Sorry bum, but you are now our inside joke. I’m not a harsh person, but he just wasn’t ready to use that money for something good. Don’t judge us. It was funny.  

We found that when it was just us, it was easier for people to talk to us. So many people stopped us and asked us questions about the church. Here are two that I want to focus on;   1. E let's say his name is Eddy. Came over to us on the bus to Mansion and said, “I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told anybody before.” We both were so nervous. (He spoke English by the way) He told us that every time that he tries to follow God that something bad happens in his life. “Why?” He asked. He looked so desperate for an answer. We shared that there must be opposition in all things. That God wants us to be happy. Satan’s plan is to make us miserable like himself. It’s all part of Gods plan. We testified and asked if he wanted to hear more about our message.  He said that we couldn’t come to visit him in his neighborhood because it wasn’t safe, but that maybe one day he would meet us in the church. It was one of those moments, ya know? I hope that he´ll read the pamphlets we gave him. That he will one day be able to draw nearer unto God and withstand temptation. Which brings me to a scripture I found today in Isaiah 47:10 “Behold I have REFINED thee, but not with silver, I have CHOSEN thee in the furnace of affliction”   I like this. There is a refining process going on here. And it’s not just me. All of us are in the furnace. Trying to become what our Heavenly Father wants us to be. I know that it’s tough. But I also know that all this*crud* that we go through will make us stronger. Better. More Christ-like! What a good promise!  2. M let's call her Mary. This man called out to us, after a lesson one day. (I feel it important for you to know that the majority of our lessons are outside houses, and not inside) “Hey! muchachas! I know your Mormonas because I heard you singing!”  He then asked, “When are you going to visit me?” Originally I thought he was drunk.  I’ve learned not to judge people.  This man had been meeting with the elders for a while and was about to get baptized, but the elders got transferred or something. He wants us to come teach him. He also speaks 6 languages and he lived in Europe for a while. English, Hebrew, French, Spanish, etc. he is a tour guide and invited us to go horseback riding, turtle beach night watching, spelunking, zip lining, etc I don’t think we can do any of these things, but he seems way nice, and it will be fun to help him come unto Christ.

Matty is home?¡ TWINNNNN!!!!!!!!!! Holy Moly! Write me all about EVERYTHING and just give me so much advice! The good kind, not the Hallmark kind. Haha!

I know the church is true I love all of you. Thank you for the support and love I get all the time. I love you!

Meg

Please thank Marnie T for me. Her letter was real, and beautiful. (Also, thank you Amy H! Uncle Scott and family! Mom! Ash.)

Okay. Hasta Luego.  Muchas personas preguntar me, ¿Como esta su español? Y es dificil responder. Yo no se como esta mi español. solo se que es dificil hablar y expresar todos de mis pensamientos y todo que yo quiero. pero, estoy tratando. es todo que yo puedo hacer. mi padre celestial conoce mi perfectamente. El puede ayudar me en tiempo de nesisita. I spelt that last word wrong. It took me a good chunk of time to write that. Yo SE que este iglesia es verdadero. Se que soy un hija de un amoroso Padre Celestial. Se que tambien yo puedo vivir con mi familia para siempre! Que gozo es! Te amo mi hermano. ANd just know that I’m never usually allowed to use the tu form of Spanish but it’s true, I really do love you.

Hasta Luego!

Its mango season! Everywhere you go a mango is falling from a tree. We did service the other day. We helped a lady clean up her mangos. The next day there were about 100 more. They’re delicious! The church has 4 mango trees and I’m learning how to chuck one mango up, to get another one down. It’s fun and delicious! It’s amazing how they eat them here like ice cream. I am such a greanga when it comes to it. But I’m learning. Pipa fria is gross by the way. 

I’m attaching photos of Playa de las Conchas, aka seashell beach. SO PRETTY! It’s like God gathered up all the seashells in the world and dumped them here. 

 We spent like 6 hours today on a bus to get to this beach and I am so dizzy now! Photo explanation, there’s some sort of sea creature in this shell. The member, G, went with us kept telling me to eat it. Yeah right lady, I’ve already tried fish this week. 

THAT’S RIGHT C, YOU HEARD ME CORRECTLY! You must’ve read a verse in the Book of Mormon this week or something, because I did. And naturally, I didn’t know what it was before I ate it. It looked like a meat patty pancake thing? And I won’t lie, I went in for seconds. Not too shabby. But I’ll never do it again. haha Sombromas. And if you didn’t read the BOM, do it. 

We played Monopolio??¡? (Monopoly) Trust me, that game is 10 times more stressful in Spanish. Also pretty funny. VAYASE A LA CARSEL! Jajaaja

Movie night. We’ve been trying really hard to have more activities so that our investigators and members can become friends and have a desire to learn more, etc. all that jazz. So during our comp weekly planning, we felt inspired to plan a movie night. 7 hours later we wanted to tell the other Hermanas that they should invite their investigators too. They told us that they were inspired to do a movie night Friday too! (Same day, time, and movie!) God works in mysterious ways! So we invited everyone and bought popcorn. Friday at 7 nobody is there. 7:10; (Mormon standard time, right? Hehe) 4 of our investigators and their families are there. NO MEMBERS. Stressssss! I thought I was going to die. Where were they??¡¡¿¿ 7:30; 2 members show up. So we just trucked on. The projector screen fell down multiple times. There was a baby screaming for the majority. I was on pins and needles. But I kept hearing something whisper to me, “Someone in this room will feel the spirit. This movie will change the life of someone in this room. Don’t worry.” I know that was the Holy Ghost and I’m grateful for this guide and comforter in my life. I know the Holy Ghost is one of Gods greatest gifts we have in this life. I am so so grateful for it! Anyway, the video ended and we talked to our investigators. They were all really Impressed with it.

One day we felt prompted to go to C’s house. Remember C- 16, one of my good friends? Anyway, so we did. We didn’t really have a reason. They’re all members. We didn’t have a lesson plan or anything. But we went to his house. And about 20 min later, C and his friend, B show up. B is 17, really smart, and he plays like 6 instruments. C has been coming to mish prep so we handed him a pamphlet of the restoration and told him to give it (as a lesson) to B. They sat out on the front porch as we were inside listening. Every now and again they’d ask, what does this mean? And we’d help, or encourage C to explain. It was awesome. We haven’t been able to have a lesson with him yet. The timing has been off. But he has the Light of Christ, and we’re excited to help him understand and be able to receive the fullness of the gospel.  

B said that he really liked the movie and that he’s never seen anything like that and that at the end he felt like crying. He couldn’t explain it. He came to church Sunday, faith. Faith. Faith. He’s never even had a lesson. He came to church Sunday and the lesson was about the spirit world, spirit prison and paradise. Again, I’m on pins and needles. But The Lord knows everything. There’s a reason for everything. Maybe he needed to hear that. And now here we are. The work here is good. The people here are good. What a blessing it is to be part of it.

I spoke in church yesterday. I don’t know if people could understand me. It was about missionary work. I hope it helped someone.

Short and sweet is right, pa! I feel like I just got a text from you. Very short. Too short for my liking. But THANK YOU!! For everything.  Mom I’ve been thinking about your email last week. About “the saints” leaving New York to go to Ohio. About Me, B and all the other future missionaries leaving our own versions of New York to go out to Ohio… or Costa Rica. Here are my thoughts; Don’t worry! Don’t rush it. I’ve learned, or at least I’m trying to, that this is God’s work and Gods glory. That means it’s His timetable. We get to do things His way. Don’t worry. Be happy. “And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.”  Matt 4:22. Saints; Don’t dilly dally to discipleship. Aka, leave New York. Hold on to that rod, and don’t let go.

To the most handsome brothers, 1^st to B!  I’m trying to get Hermana Q to choose you to marry over Hermana P’s brother.  I showed my companion a photo of you yesterday and she was so confused. But...he's moreno! She said. And you´re...milk. haha all in Spanish and it made me laugh. So they call you Hermano Moreno. (dark brother) They all love your hair. We drew a photo of you on the white board and Hermana Q walked over and drew your beautiful headband. haha I couldn’t stop laughing. Then F, an old kooky lady in the ward, who doesn’t know you, said, he’s African! (I drew your curly hair, haha) Point of the story is all the ladies love you. And I love you the mostest.

R, I don’t think I properly expressed how sorry I am you didn’t make the soccer team. I promise I know what rejection feels like. I don’t think I’ve ever tried quite as hard at training for anything like you, but I know what it feels like to put all your guts out there, really, really, REALLY want something just to fail. But, Thomas Edison didn’t find the answer until he failed about 100 times. Also, did you know that our 16th President Lincoln (heck of a guy I tell you) tried to be president for years and faced rejection a bunch of times before he became one of the greatest legends of the 18th century? Cha. So, just know little bro that I love you. And I’m so proud you tried. A lot of people let fear keep them from playing the game, but not you. I know our Heavenly Father has a plan for everyone. I know that everything happens for a reason. Keep the faith, just keep pushing on. “It’s the Climb!” (Mylee Cyrus song there.) Also, remember that one short story we read about the future and everyone has equal problems? Like if you’re smart you have to carry a weight of 20lbs everywhere you go? I LOVE YOU!

Hey chick pea!! (C)

Cali!!! OOOOOCH OOOOCH! That’s awesome! I have good friends serving there. I’m glad you have a desire to serve the Lord. And I’m happy I can be your good example. Keep that desire to read and study Preach My Gospel and the scriptures and I know you’ll do amazing things! Also, maybe this week you could pray for a missionary opportunity. I know someone is out there just for you. Dang I love you kid!  YOUR AIRSOFT PARTY THING SOUNDS AWESOME!!!!!!!! Keep telling me about all the fun stuff you do! I love to hear it! And what’s this about R and prom? MY BABY!!! C, tell me about the good books you´re reading! Also, I have a good suggestion for you, it’s called, The Other Side of the Island. I know you’d like it!

Okay well family and friends from the northern part of the Americas. And to those of you around the world, thank you. Thank you for everything. For your love, support and prayers.  I know that this church is the true and restored church of Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is a record of the people that lived in ancient Americas. That this most precious book, The Book of Mormon, is true. I know that it happened. That Christ came to the Americas and that he will come again.

I love this gospel.

I love my family!

Thank you for everything!

Hermana Megan Workman

Use an English accent and this photo will crack you up!! LOL

Special thanks to the following; Britt K, Tonya H, Corrine M And Y’ALL for my valentines letter! Very thoughtful! Thank you!

March 11, 2013

Hey! How are y’all!?¡  Here is this week's Top Ten in Costa Rica!!

1. We baked cookies at the church for our ward leaders. We want him to help us pick a mission leader and we hope this helps motivate him. We ended up eating all of them ourselves, we did share them with a stranger on the street and the branch president, don’t worry. But there were 4 women in one hot house with delicious chocolate cookies just staring at us. What were we to do?? Ha.

2. None of our investigators came to church yesterday. The most bummed I’ve felt as a missionary. Not as Hermana Workman, but as a missionary. 6 of them said they would. We went to 4 of their houses. Not even S I couldn´t figure out why. What´s keeping them? And how can we help them understand the importance? We´ve taught the doctrine. I´m a little lost at what we should do at this point. I know we´re going to pray for Heavenly Father to lead us to those who REALLY are ready for the gospel.

3. After moms post-it note suggestion and A’s amazing email last week, I started out the week looking for the miracles. Have I been blind because it turns out they´re all around me? We were walking and walked past this lady with a bucket on her head and both hands carrying bags of mangos. My companion nudged me and said, “We should help her!”  Which by the way, we are one step closer to understanding each other. I think the Lord blessed me with a love of sign language because He knew that one day I’d be unable to use my voice and would have to rely on my hand gestures and facial expressions. We do have a lot of fun. Hermana P tells me that I’m funny with em. But hey, it gets the point across. haha. Anyway, we carried her stuff back to her home and talked a little, turns out she’s a member of the church! Very inactive! We were able to set up a return appointment, and I know the Lord put her in our path. Or, He at least helped me to see this great opportunity.

4. While randomly eating dinner the other day, Hermana P told me, “I want to meet your mom” and I thought that was sweet. I told her that she’s way cooler than me and that if y’all (I am now talking to all the Hermanas) ever meet her, you’ll naturally like her better. She’s just so much BETTER than I could ever hope to be. They all think the world of you, mom. Also every time they see that picture of you around the truck, they tell me how young and pretty and happy and beautiful you are. They all want to meet you! Thank you for praying for them specifically and that temple jazz. You are so flipping amazing. How do I deserve you!?  I love you Dad! Thank you for the words of support and wisdom that I crave and need each week. You are hilarious and amazing! And know EXACTLY what I need to hear. Tears of joy up in here. I love you both SOOOOOOOOOO much!

5. Okay I just attached a picture of the frog outside our door. My prince? Perhaps. But I was too scared to pick it up. Hermana Q, naturally had no problem with it. What a champ! So I may´ve let my prince slip away, but he started leaking white stuff out of his neck. We have a hunch it was poison so we all ran away. Hilarious!

6. Okay so cover B’s eyes for this one. We were about to enter our house when we saw the biggest spider I’ve ever EVER seen in real life. The photos just can’t do it justice. He was right by our door. We tried to capture it in the photos, and then the Honduranian, haha Hermana Q grabbed some hairspray and a lighter and took care of business. We had our little reading flash lights, felt like a wand from harry potter, and then Aragog (bahaha forgive the movie references. Did I just hop into LOTR??) And burnt him to smithereens. It’s these little things in the mission that can turn a rough hot day into a great happy evening. I really love these Hermanas!

7. So I was at D’s house, his parents just got married, using the restroom, which is outside by the  way, and also I’m tall enough to see out of it, does that make sense? When I stand up, people can see my head. Anyway, D comes by to use the shower, which is right next door. It was weird and funny. He kept saying, don’t look, and I don’t think I’m doing this story justice. This story illustrates a few things. I’m freakishly tall in this country. I was going to the bathroom outside, and it’s actually not that bad. Peaceful if you asked me. Until the 13 year old pops by and starts showering. Funny.

8. Mom, please send me a Spanish edition of Charley. And if it doesn’t exist, send one in English. I told Hermana Q about the story, she has the soundtrack, but doesn’t know what it is, in Spanish mind you. I was pretty impressed with myself. Another example of how the hand gestures really help. Ferris wheel transfers pretty well in Spanish by the way. Anyway, I wouldn’t tell her the ending, that’s not my style. I told her to wait and read it. Thank you!

9. M C, you make Hermana Q´s week! You are her angel! Thank you for writing her. I’m so blessed to have a ward so willing to serve and help. You are amazing!

10. So the other day we were in a lesson and we got on the subject of nicknames. What are your nicknames, etc. This one man, G, said, They call me tres tetas. I was slightly confused. Don’t worry; he lifted up his shirt to clear up the confusion. He had three nipples! Two normal tetas and a medium little une underneath! bahahahaha funniest thing. Gotta love the people here.

So there you have it. My week summed up in 10 bullet points. But if you really want to know how my week went, go read, Alma 28:8  [This is an account...of their sufferings in the land of Costa Rica, their sorrows, and their afflictions, and their (get ready! you´re not expecting this part) INCOMPREHENSIBLE JOY...]  

I really do love this work. I´m trying to get lost. To just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I can feel every prayer. Every special prayer helps me. Thank you so much for all of your support.

To everyone reading these words, know that I have a strong testimony of this church. It is TRUE. And I know that if you don’t already know it for yourself, you can too. Ask the missionaries, they can help you. Just have the faith, even if it’s a little bit of faith, or a desire to learn more, let that faith or desire grow. Pray and ask for help. The Lord is always more than willing to answer!

I love this gospel. I´m working on receiving His imagine in my own. Alma 5:14.

I love all of you! Thank you for everything!

Hermana Workman

P.S. The food is good again! We just got a new cook. Today she made us steak and, of course, Rice and Beans. I really like rice and beans now. I think, no, I KNOW that I’ll miss that when I return to Utah.

I have officially been on my mission for 5 months! But I’m not counting it until I have 6 months actually in the field.This week has been awesome! My most favorite.

S! He read his pamphlet, usually people don’t do their reading assignments, and we taught him about the restoration of the gospel. He really liked the part about Jesus being on the earth. We talked about the first vision and he said it was beautiful. We taught about the BOM and he was very receptive to everything. It doesn’t hurt that his English skills are amazing as well. At the end of the lesson, I felt like I needed to invite him to be baptized. So I did and he accepted! I REALLY hope he can continue to desire to progress. He is so funny and I love hearing him speak English. He’s pretty much learned it all from TV and urban dictionary. Really funny though. The other day he said, “you´re cheating me!” Hermana P and I did not hear the word cheating with his accent. That was awesome. The spirit is strong. I love this gospel! I know this church is true!

I planned my first wedding. It was my favorite day. I think it was because it was a slice of normal from my old life. Just the high stress of trying to get a party ready or something seemed so normal. My body had missed it. The next day my body hurt from over stimulation (people, smells, food, stress, noises, etc.) but I’m getting a head of myself.

M& R,  J& W all got married. It was beautiful. So so so sosososososo awesome! But I want all of you to know that no amount of earthly beauty can compensate for the beauty of an eternal marriage in the temple. As I sat in that chapel, my testimony grew. A temple marriage is the only way for me. Because it is the only place with the proper authority to seal, (bind) my family and I forever throughout the eternities. And not just for this life. Like my friend, Mitch, reminded me, this life is not the end. And I know that our Heavenly Father is close just waiting for us to do the things that will get us to the temple and keep us there. Do all you can to attend the House of The Lord often. Do all you can to make the temple a top priority each WEEK. I love to see the temple. I haven’t been able to go to one for a while, and I know that I am so fortunate to have one in my mission. Spoiled really. And I’m grateful, so grateful for them! 

Planning for the wedding was a mad house. I made my first fresco, with fruit and high fructose corn syrup all over. 

I really only held the machete, Hermana Q took care of business. One of my favorite things is watching her slice fruit. She’s such a warrior.

We used the cookies the H family gave us. Thank them again! Hermana P had the good idea of letting the kids cook them. I would’ve just power-housed that but I learned something way more important. These kids had never seen an oven.

 They´d never cooked a pastry item like that. She could see the bigger picture. It kept them entertained for hours. Literally they were stirring that dough forever. The cookies were slightly questionable, but we´ve eaten way worse. In fact the other day, she ate pig brain. I couldn’t. But she’s way more brave than I’ll ever be. ANYWAY. I really love the ward here in Nicoya. I’ll be sad when I have to leave them.

After the wedding was the baptism of M. W J had to wait. But that was awesome! One step closer to Heavenly Father! yay! 

Our new cook is good! Today for p-day she made us hamburgers. The real kind!! She is a returned missionary, so she knows how it is!

I love all the hermanas in the house. Yesterday we had a fashion show and danced around to corny EFY music. I’m happy. It really has been a good week. 

Thank you for all your prayers, I could really feel them this week! I just attached photos of me eating watermelon on my “couch” (She’s sitting on the tile floor) and Hermana Q holding a baby snake and keys next to the baptismal font. She found him in there and said, although I don’t hold the right keys, this little guy wanted to repent. 

hahaha also, she loved the letter from M. It seriously it brightened her day, week really. Mom, thank you for writing her. It’s really amazing the strength she has. I’m happy y’all love her too! (photo of us with C. he’s 16, hilarious and my homeboy)

We did a service for a less active lady. I know we say her name super LaFawnda like but it’s something like yo cawn duh. yocanda??¡ Hermana P and I have a good laugh every time we say it. We are never alone together, always with our Latina comps. No worries mom.(Also, please tell dad to expect a good letter in response to his question. Tell him he’s absolutely hilarious and I love him so much.)
Thank you for your support! 

Wow.

Wow.

Wow.

Mom, I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a long time. I am so impressed by your passion to do family history. It’s been something I’ve noticed pretty strongly on my mission. Which is a shame because I can’t do much about it on my mission. My patriarchal blessing has specific things about family history in it. But usually every time I read it, I groan a little. To be honest, it was more of a chore. But then I read your words and am just full of passion to be right there with you, working hard to help those beyond the veil. Also, my testimony of it has grown. And I’m excited that when I get home you can teach me all you know. I hope you realize that you’re helping your grandkids fight off the fiery darts. Go read my patriarchal blessing if you don’t believe me.

Please thank the S family for me. I don’t deserve such good amazing friends to fast specifically for me. And how kind it was that she would care so much for me. It brought tears to my eyes I was so touched that she would care. Thank D for helping me see this perspective! I love my ward family so much and I miss them every Sunday and everyday really.

K and your experience in the temple sounds awesome! Meeting Barbara Thompson!! Wow! And it’s amazing to know that each of us has that potential in us. That’s how our Father in Heaven sees us. What a joy! I love you mommy!

That’s all I have time for this week. THANK YOU FOR THE EMAILS THE LOVE AND THE PRAYERS. I love this mission buiz.

Thanks for all of your motivating words. You get me through the week.

Love you! Love the church!

Hermana Megan Workman