My 22 things I've learned so far

August 25, 2013… the eve of Megan’s 22 birthday. She wrote a beautiful list of 22 things that she has learned from her mission. (In no particular order) I wanted to share it:

1.     I only pray for charity when I need it. This is not good.  I should pray always for this attribute. Also, I’ve learned that I came to this mission without charity.  I thought I had it. I hoped I did but, I have learned so much about this 7 letter word. It doesn’t just mean give what you have to others who don’t. It means not being jealous. Nor proud. It means not hoping for your companion to fall in a hole because she is driving you nuts. It means not getting annoyed, especially at the little stuff. It means hoping the best will come from a rotten situation. It means enduring. Putting one foot in front of the other when you think you can’t.  I still have so much to learn about it.  I still need to beg to have more of it, but I’ve leaned that it means so much more than I originally thought. 

2.     There is more than one way to sweep a floor.

3.     If I have 2 apples and somebody needs one, I’ll give them both because the truth is, I’m okay. They need it more than I do.

4.     Strong winds here means Christmas.  I learned that I love snow.

5.     The church is the same around the world. But the operation is different. 

6.     I love my mom and dad.

7.     I miss reading a lot more than I thought I would.

8.     Suffering is part of the work. My recent convert said to me, “This gospel is like exercise. If it doesn’t hurt, you’re not doing it right.” Sometimes we have to hurt before we get better. I’m learning that it truly is always darkest before the dawn. 

9.     I LOVE my Bible. I rarely understood it before. I always knew I could find truth in my Book of Mormon and that was sufficient for me. But, one of my companions inspired me and I wanted to learn and read it all of the way for the first time. I started in the New Testament and WOW! I have learned that truly out of the voice of two or three witnesses we can know the truth of all things.  I have come to know my Savior. I have learned more about the atonement and what it means to me. Elder Holland said it best, “I love my mission because it was the first time I thought about, felt about and used the atonement in my life.”  How wonderful it is! How grateful I am! I am a little nervous for the Old Testament, but I have faith. 

10.  Salt + mangoes = delicious! (with lime and salsa lizano too!)

11.  I cannot believe I am living with the same seven outfits each day. I’ve learned it can be done. I’ve learned that we have SO much.

12.  I’ve learned I love English. I am so blessed to be born and raised in the USA. I’ve learned that they speak a lot kinder here. That we could learn a thing or two from Spanish. When was the last time you were compared to heaven? A heart? A life? Beautiful, No?

13.  I actually feel like something’s missing if I don’t have beans and rice every day.

14.  Mormon Messages become torturous when away from your family for an extended amount of time. They always make me tear up no matter how many times I’ve seen them. 

15.  I’m grateful for my three brothers – to be the only princess is a blessing!

16.  I’ve learned that spicy things are actually pretty good.

17.  I’ve learned to love the sun. I’ve learned not to freak out at cockroaches or lizards, etc. They’re so commonplace now. Also, if you see a rat run across the kitchen floor and point it out, it’s not cause for alarm or panic. Instead it’s a WOW – look – how – fast – it’s – moving! I’ve learned to keep eating and pluck the hairs off of my chicken.

18.  Happiness is key to making it out alive.

19.  Mom was right.  I regret not practicing the piano.

20.  Miracles exist always. Miracles don’t produce faith. But, strong faith produces miracles.

21.  Angels exist in many shapes and sizes.

22.  Heavenly Father loves me and all of His children SO much.