Meg's Mission Miracles

My Miracles…  Week of miracles! Did all this really happen?! First of all, let me tell you that I know my Heavenly Father loves me-so much.

I didn´t have a lot of ganas to get out and work today-it happens. But we did. There was so much sun. But I was content. Living in Guanacaste changes you. I don´t think I´ve ever been so hot in my life-I think even the devil had compassion on me.

My companion and I were waiting at a bus stop and one thing led to another-my companion ticked me off. I could feel the spirit leaving and I knew we couldn´t go to out next cita with this energy. My natural woman thought-humph. “Well, I’ll just let her think for a moment and realize what she did.” But in reality, I needed to think for a moment… to ponder and reflect on my actions. I remembered something I read and felt in 1 Nephi today. I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions. (1n18:16)

This scripture made me stop and think. Nephi´s been shipwrecked, humiliated in front of his wife and children, publically mocked, beaten and tied to a pole for 4 days. I imagine they were tight because we´re told that he was a big man (please keep your eyes out for my Nephi, haha) Anyways finally they release Nephi and what does he do? Does he yell at his brothers? Hit them? Give them a nasty look? Anything? No. He falls to the ground and prays. All day long for his many blessings. What?! Wow. What did I learn from Nephi today? When the trials and tribulations come-when life truly sucks, pray. Be grateful and offer up that gratitude for all the good that you do have.

So today when I got annoyed, I remembered Nephi and closed my eyes and said a little prayer. I listed all the good I was grateful for. Then I thought of my companion´s strong points. (Do you think Alma ever got a little fed up with Amulek?) Finished the prayer and swallowed some pride. I told my companion I was grateful for her. After that, all was well again.  I love her and I’m so very grateful for her. I´ve never had a Gringa companion. The Latina’s don’t share my culture or my language but, I am learning a lot. And my bacon is saved more than 1zillion times in a day because this language is natural for her.

Afterwards, we headed to the church. We had our “Stop the boys (in my case, sisters) on the Bike Moment” (refer to the talk by Elder Russell Nelson) This man was exercising just outside the church house. Now, as a female missionary, one has to be on high-alert; bum? alcoholic? Hijo de Dios? He pointed to the church and asked us what we do in there?  The two of us were stunned and it was like jumping into auto-missionary - I wasn´t myself. I know now everything I said was the spirit-exactly what this man needed at this moment. He told us that he always sees us walking around and has recently wanted to come to church with us. He said he smokes and drinks a lot but wants to quit and I promised him we could help him. I told him that he could be clean of all this and have the peace he was looking for. Again, not me, the spirit. We exchanged numbers and with tears in his eyes, we shook hands, and he left. I´m still in shock at the miracle that happened.

Other miracles this week happened when Mop brought C, an atheist to play ball. (Ry, Ima be so good at soccer when I get back!) He prayed with us. Wow! S brought his non-member friend (he, his wife, and son now all have baptism dates for the 24 of august) to do family history. Wow! R cooked us dinner. (we´re out of money-yet I honestly knew we wouldn´t go hungry this week. The Lord would and is providing.) There are miracles all around and I´m so grateful to be a part of them.

As Hermana Hernandez and I walked up the stairs to our apartment, I paused to enjoy this moment. In front of me was the city with all its twinkling lights (cue Journey) AND all I could think was: “Am I really in Costa Rica right now? Was it really one year ago that I held in my hands a letter from President Monson saying that I´d be serving a mission in Costa Rica?” As I looked up at the brilliant and radiant glowing moon (mom, thought of you) I felt so much love from my Heavenly Father. I love this country. I love this gospel.

Hermana Workman

After an amazing, fun activity at the church this week focusing on temples and family history, (that made me miss my grandparents and family) we decided to wait for R and S (investigator and lifelong member) who were talking with Bishop. Suddenly bishop called us in his office where he told us R was ready for a baptismal date. August 24th. He accepted finally. FINALLY! I pray I´ll be allowed to stay and see!

Friday, my comp was talking about how messy and gross our house is, but we don´t have money to buy things to clean. We were eating lunch with the Z family and Hermano Z said if you don´t accept this I´ll be offended. And whipped out his wallet and gave us 20 American Dollars. They have an RM. Their children are all studying. I know they don´t have extra money. I know this money could’ve gone a long way for them. I´ll never forget their kindness or sacrifices. (Today for Pday we SHINED our apt. it´s so beautiful! finally!)

 I´m going on divisions today because my comp and I have too many appointment. MIRACLES. THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS. One FHE with 3 people who have a baptismal date. My comps off to R’s house to have a FHE with H AND V! That´s right. Finally they accepted our invitation to listen to us, mas o menos again. Word on the street the house I’m headed to is cooking BBQ!. I want to cry. Haha. (with joy.)

R has a mother named Y who is 87 and will be baptized, only if we head up the font. I can´t tell you how hard that´s going to be. August 10th pray for me to be here. What fun! haha.

At the end of the day Friday, we wanted to visit K, but were a little hesitant because she told her member friend that she didn´t want to keep listening to us. We didn´t know how she´d react. But Alma and Amulek worked with just a ¨might¨ of hope that some good would come. We brought her a letter and a scripture, Ruth 3:11 and she started to cry. She´d had a rough day. We comforted her. And got her to laugh. At the end, she gave us 2 pounds of cheese that her mom made herself. (Once again, we were given food although we had none. miracle.) I was able to see 2 things from this experience.

1. God loves all his children and answers their needs through other people.

2. Each of us can be an instrument in the hands of the Lord and in turn an answer to someone´s prayer.

The Lord only asks of us a willing heart. We´re all so far away from perfect. But imperfect is all he´s got after Jesus Christ. How frustrating that must be for him. But ¨He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name.¨(Uchtdorf.) I know that is true. I know He loves EACH of us. I know he wants to hear from us. I love this gospel because I know that it is the same gospel Jesus Christ established when on this earth restored once again for our time. I love my Bible. I love my Book of Mormon. I love my family. I know that we can be together forever. I know the Lord blesses us with extra miracles when we put all our faith in Him and walk with a happy attitude.

Thank you for your love and support. Thank you for your prayers. Your sacrifices. I promise there are SO many angels protecting me. I want you all to know that I love this work. I LOVE being a missionary. It´s weird and difficult and uncomfortable but I LOVE it. (luff it.)

I love you all so much, it hurts!

TAKE CARE!

Love,

Hermana Meg Workman

P.S.

Transfers are next week. Please pray for me to stay. I want to see these people get baptized.

Love you daddy, You have no idea what I would do just to have a day with daddy right now. If I could choose, we´d go to a movie together. Then he´d try and teach me how to drive a stupid old stick shift. We´d laugh. Then I´d end up crying and going to my room. Then he´d come in and teach me one of life´s greatest lessons that I´ll never forget and share constantly here in the mish. Never EVER give up. Even when life truly sucks. (Seriously every time I show our family photo with the truck I tell that story.) I love you dad. You make me laugh. And don´t worry. PURA VIDA!

Brayden… don’t worry about it. 3 ½ years is nothing… we´ve got eternity together.

Read the poem. I´ll paste it in a journal. Thank you mom!

Read as in past. Why is English so weird! We have the same word that means read present and past and also the color red. Que Loco! Love my mommy!

PHOTOS:  A reenactment of a crappy umbrella I was gifted. It finally gave out and I was a little flustered. I beat it, then saw a family pass by, and we needed depends from laughter. Ha ha.

By the way…We’re able to watch THE DISTRICT. I strongly dislike those “district missionaries” from KBYU for the following reasons:

They have an oven, a fridge, a car, cell phone, a companion who speaks their language, and a ward… (supportive none the less) to name just a few. Not cool, not cool. I love something one of the missionaries says that´s like; “It can be really hard after a long day to write in the area book.” I just think to myself, Oh. I´m sorry. Was it difficult driving home?

I´m just waiting for them to make the District 3: Foreign Exchange. Where they go outside the states. And the missionaries are sweating from every joint. Cockroaches threaten them at every turn. Every appointment cancels. It’s the norm to put mayonnaise on pizza and ketchup on your salad. (think about that for a sec…)  And let´s not forget a bathroom with no toilet paper or hot water… sometimes just no water in general. This is my life now. But I love it.  Honestly, I do also feel the spirit and learn stuff. They do inspire me to be better.

Que Tal Mormones!

QUE TAL MORMONES! Haha What´s up Mormons?

Hello family!

Wow I have a lot to say. It´s easier for me if I just quote my journal. I hope you don´t mind. Okay here goes.

Tuesday July 16, 2013 Today we felt a good energy for the work in Ciudad Colon.

The majority of our plans fell through-and I didn´t get discouraged, but I was a little annoyed that my plans weren’t working the way I´d wanted. We had 3 members willing to help us, yet nothing, (side note, we were served mystery meat, ate every bite and felt sick for the rest of the day.) There were many moments when Satan was working so hard. My comp said, “let´s just go play one game with the Relief Society, I need to relax.” And as much as my natural woman wanted to, our spirits are always stronger. “No.” I said. “We’re trying to improve this area. These members will remember where we were at-playing games or working. Let us live worthy of their confidence.” And out we went. I testify that when we´re obedient, working, and doing what we should, when we should, Heavenly Father pours out his blessings. We were blessed with the ability to finally contact *John (less active youth) and his mom (deaf and mute) I´ll admit, I´m usually scared to talk to her because it´s hard to understand. But I need to remember the talents God has given me-to communicate in Spanish and with my hands.

Also, when we were walking home, *Jack (favorite taxi guy) honked and said, “where’re ya going?’ to the house we replied. Get in! (No charge-Preach My Gospel moment!!) We asked him about the W of W pamphlet, talked about it, and then we arrived at home, but we didn´t get out. He then said, “ teach me something else about your religion.” The two of us were in shock. Where would we even start? The Book of Mormon. And the conversation ran from there. It was my first lesson I’ve had;

a. Talking to the rearview mirror

b. in a car

c. Without a woman present.

It was in reality a miracle. The spirit was so strong. I left with a burning in my frame. This man is prepared! I hope that he can trust the impressions he´s feeling from the Holy Ghost.¨ This is EXACTLY how I felt yesterday, and most of the time here in the mish. ¨Behold, I am full of the Spirit of God, insomuch that my frame has no strength.¨-Nephi. (1nephi 17:47) My little body just can´t handle this spirit! haha

Saturday Morning

*Joe and *Jane. He´s an r.m, she´s catholic. They’ve been together 6 years. I personally cannot imagine going through all this as a missionary and come home to marry someone outside of the temple. Anyway, my comp and I felt very strongly like we needed to visit Jane-who as legend has it, will not talk religion. We asked Joe what we could do to win her heart and he said we could bring something to plant. So we set off, went to Pastor´s house and bought a box of planted things for four bucks. It was a really haggard looking mix of things-but a symbol of peace and love. So Mop (Marco), comp, and I headed out. Turns out, this box was heavy. We knew our destination was far, but we didn´t know how far. We decided to call Jack (taxi guy). Let me first describe his car: 4 doors, 5 seats. But small. Like the kind of smart cars you find in Italy. Our directions for Joe´s house were up the street and all the way until you´re at the last house. So we´re trudging along and Jack´s tiny car is struggling. I’m frankly dying of laughter because of the ridiculousness of everything: the scraggly plant (they told us later that one of the plants was a marijuana plant), the 4 of us crammed in the world´s littlest and bravest toaster, and the steepness of the hill. We eventually had to get out of the car as Jack headed up solo. I was just crying with laughter. Finally we made it! We scared her a little as we showed up with a box of stuff from strangers-but eventually we got to talking, and I think we´re now friends. It took us an hour and a half just to walk down the hill. (Ouch!) But it was one of those moments where I found myself surrounded by green luscious jungle with good friends on the Lords errand and I was overwhelmed with joy with where I was. Costa Rica is beautiful. Life is beautiful.

The following day we had interviews with President and that was a good experience. He told me he truly trusts me and made me feel good. I´m through the mid-mission life crisis (I hope) and will now move forward.

Yesterday, once again I couldn´t sleep. (Night number 3 now.) I feel awful. Something was not right and my ear was killing me. I called the new nurse and I kid you not, her suggestion was: water and Beptobismo. I went to the church to get a blessing from *Jim and Hermano *Smith. It was Jim´s first blessing-and in English. He was nervous, but I told him to use the blessings God gave him. It was a wonderful, very spiritual blessing. Afterwards we headed over to bishop´s house where I tried to sleep with pain, but couldn´t. I was in good hands though and I´m very grateful for them. (Angles are all around me, mom.) **Tender mercy moment when my mom just happened to email the bishops wife and find out I was there at that moment in pain, wanting my mommy.**

I slept last night! I feel better. Not 100 percent, but hay vamos.

Sunday July 21, 2103

I can count on my one hand how much edible food we have in the house (peanut butter, syrup, rotten bananas, and mac and cheese.) I do not have 1 mil. I have eleven days to go without more money-And I´m getting sick of people dumping us. Satan is real and strong. But I´m always stronger.

However, Today was a very beautiful day in church. We spoke in sacrament and I felt the spirit very strongly. (I shared my experience in being a missionary for *C the day before his sister passed away. A lot of people were touched. Basically I know Heavenly Father answers our prayers. And the opportunity to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord is incredible. And I know families truly can live together forever.) The piano music and hymns were so beautiful. I love this ward. We spoke about Relief Society. And it´s true that my mother is very far away right now. But there are moments when she´s here. I´m grateful for Relief Society because it´s a sisterhood of angels who I know will help me with whatever I need.

We came back to the house to study and I got a little bummed out. No food. I´m tired. (OUR PETS HEADS ARE FALLIN OFF! I actually said this out loud, in English. Then had to explain to my confused companion. Hilarious.) Someone else dumped us. And I was just bummed. I put my head on my desk and remembered the words of my mother telling me I can choose my attitude. I realized in that moment I had the power to be happy. To see miracles. So we put one foot in front of the other and walked with faith.

First off we headed to the *Johnson family (who are all members) to teach her 80-year-old mother wants to listen to us and be baptized, maybe. Her returned missionary son, *Mark told us to give granny a baptismal date and I’ll admit I was pretty nervous. The atmosphere wasn’t quite right. As we were about to start, the phone rang. A family showed up out front for a visit. A big band of people entered their home-some even entered playing the guitar. I couldn’t stop laughing. This moment was just too ridiculous. I am never bored in this mission. It was as if I were part of a Griswold Family Night or something-absolutely a blast. Anyways we jogged out as soon as we could and headed to our next cita with Stake President *Anderson and his family-even though we had nobody to bring to our FHE.

We entered his house with a lot of anxiety. Here was a family ready to help us-yet we had nobody. President said we needed to kneel down and pray. I´ll admit. I thought-vamos a ver. In his prayer, he expressed his desire to help other families come unto Christ. Help us know who needs our help. We finished and thought for a bit. Finally he suggested we go to (I love this name:) Quitirrisi (pronounced like Take it easy) We left following the spirit now knowing beforehand what we should do or say. I´m grateful for the help of members. We couldn´t have done this without them.

We went to *Ann and *Mike’s house. She´s a member-he´s not-they just had a baby. Right off the bat the spirit was so strong. We talked about the blessings the gospel brings to an eternal family. I then asked him if he would prepare to be baptized. He said he wanted to, but didn´t want to commit, and then back out. In his final prayer, he accepted his date. It was a miracle. He told us that today he had desires (ganas) to go to church, but didn´t. Yet the church came to him. I wanted to scream and clap my hands for joy. Pres. Anderson on the car ride (which now make me super sick. I´m so not used to cars.) said he felt like a missionary again. He felt that rush. He said it didn´t matter if they had no food or walked through the rain all day. If they only had someone willing to listen-a willing heart, all was okay. And it´s true!

I am dirt poor. We have NO money. NO food this week. (Don´t worry, mom, I’m emailing president, my comp too. And we´re going to call him. DON´T WORRY! LOVE YOU!) I am exhausted. I have 2 ear infections, (My ears are tender, but are better!) a staph infection, 2 lumps on the back of my head from stress, I want to throw up, but I could not be happier. This is real joy. ¨For whosoever will save his life shall loose it: and whosoever will loose his life for my sake shall find it.¨-Matt 16:25 I am finally living.

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, He is the best example of how to love and serve others. I love my family. I love my scriptures. I am so grateful for all my blessings!

Love,

Hermana Workman.

P.S

I saw a tarantula today that really made me say “holy schnikees!” It was huge, hairy, scary, and from the jungle.

I wrote that yesterday.

:)

P.S.P.S.  We accidently bought rum cake to celebrate something. Ha. We gave it to our neighbors. Take into consideration that in Costa Rica, THEY DON´T COOK THEIR CAKES! It´s called 3 milks because they just pour 3 different milks-liquids on it.

Gotta love it baby.

Ello Govn´a!

Thank you for the update on the garden. For a moment there, It was like I was there. Congrats on all the bloom! Something that I will REALLY miss about Costa Rica is the fruit. Fresh. WHENEVER you want it. CHEAP. Seriously. Think of all the McDonalds we´ve got going on in the states. Times that by 10 and that´s how many places offer delicious fruit here.

Pa, I love you!

Love, Meg

Love you mom!

Today I went to the bank and found more money than expected.

ONE MILLION AND ONE THANK YOUS.  When I was sick, mom, I held that white blanket you packed me close to me, like we were snuggling. Love you! Don’t cry for me Argentina. Today I bought beautiful scripture case. Photos to come in about a week.

Meggie

Hermana Workman Hastens His Work!

Journal Entries for the week: July 8 - 15  MY HIGHLIGHTS 

“This morning we went walking-jogging and although my body was fighting it each step of the way, I looked up at the trees surrounding me and realized that this could be the only time in my life when I can just go out and run in the sun, whenever I want, surrounded by palm trees. I´m grateful to be here.”

Met a lady tracting... She wanted to do my hair!

“Today was a really good day. I´m pooped! President gave us the goal to have 30 lessons each week. (Read it´s a miracle by Elder Anderson) I knew if President gave us the goal, it was because we could do it. But it’s been really tough. But today alone, we had 10 and honestly, I feel really good. Always happy, never satisfied. We´re working so hard. We only sat in the lessons. We wasted no time. And usually when we have a ton of work in the real world we´re grumpy. But it´s so much more fun in the mission when we work. (I write this as I eat my lucky charms. I put my bowl down for 3 min and went back. There were 4 drowned ants in the milk. That´s a little awkward. I walked over to the bag of cereal, opened it up, and saw it was crawling with bugs. How did I not see them? Protein said my companion. Protein. This is my life now.)”

Right?? IT'S SO beautiful here! 

My daily view... be jealous! It's gorgeous!

¨Elder Holland told us the best doctors are the ones who spent hours studying with feet in a bucket of cold water-and that´s what we do everyday to be the best missionaries for our investigators. We´re studying like crazy. And I love it. My comp shared E. Holland´s conference talk “Lord, I Believe” I love what he shared about the 14 year old boy who confessed I’m not really sure yet if this is really true. But I believe it could be. My companion taught me how to apply that for our investigators. Chances are when they hear about a 14 year old boy who saw angels from the sky, they´re not going to believe all at once either. 

Alma teaches us that it starts as a desire. Like a seed. And let that desire-seed grow in you until it becomes something truly grand.

Yesterday we truly taught with great power and authority. I know the Holy Ghost was with us. I know our prayers were answered.

Before we left the house yesterday, I said we should make cards for some of our friends here in Ciudad Colon. We made one for A, a 15 year old member who wants nothing to do with the church. We went to her house yesterday where we found her laying on her bed drugged-apparently in the night, she had a lot of stomach pain (I don´t have the vocabulary to truly explain what happened) and had to go to the hospital. When we whipped out our card for her, I could feel the spirit very strongly. I know she was touched. She couldn´t believe that we honestly had no idea she´d had health problems, that we just felt inspired from the Holy Ghost to do so. 

I´m grateful we listened to that prompting. I´m grateful the Lord trusts me to be His instrument. I testify that He loves each and everyone of His children. I know He answers prayers-usually through another person.

It will take a lot of patience and love to help her return to activity in the church. I can tell she´s fighting really hard with the Holy Ghost. But I have faith that it´s possible.”

¨We did it! We got 31 lessons this week! We worked really hard and that feels good!¨

P took out his endownments?! That´s nuts. Wish I could´ve been there. So proud of him. What did he think? His family? He reports in August, right?  

I’ve yet to get a package. I’m so sorry. I love you Brittany and Tonya!! I’m  sure it’s nearly here… Mom, call the office or email them or something. bug them. Ask them where it could be. I’m  sorry things are so confusing.

Wow. How fast time flies. You´re all missed too. But in a good way. I show everyone who will tolerate it the photo of us gathered around the truck. Literally someone asked me yesterday, ¨you´re father doesn't live with you then?¨ huh? I asked. ¨because you have 4 brothers. ¨They think you´re my brother because you´re so young. And everyone thinks mommy is my sister because she is really young too. They all say we look like we come from a magazine and basically I have the best family.

I’m doing well pa. Loving the work. Loving all the parts of it. I remember you told me to love even the sucky stuff and that really helped me. Because you were the first person to acknowledge that it´s not always a rainbow here. But we should love that anyway. Thank you for always making me feel loved and stronger. I love you pa.  

Some exotic fruit...

BROTHERS! I am SO proud! Thank you for sending me a photo of you in a holy place.  Send it to the New Era! PLEASE! 

Mommy, I wish I could've been with you at girls camp! The night you told me to look up at the moon, I did. And then I laughed. Because know what, there was no moon. Haha. So ironic. But each night after that, and still,  I’m  looking up at that bright smile in the sky and think of you.

Anyways, that´s what´s been going on.

I really am happy. It´s great being a missionary. I want you to know I’m learning so much. I love you each so much!

And I love this gospel!

Love,

Hermana Workman

¨This is pure snow! Do you have any idea the street value of this stuff!

 And also

¨Burn my dust. Eat my rubber.¨ 

Yes!! We would love to paint your fingernails! 

Eating delicious tortillas and cream cheese :)

Futbol with our youth!