P A R A D I S E

Sept 2, 2013. Thought from my journal and other musings. 




Monday Aug. 26, 2013  Happy 22nd birthday self. Today we headed to Pres. A´s house and I got to lay in a hammock. Before the mish I thought Costa Rica was paradise. I thought this would be a paradise mission. But as you walk under the blazing sun, sweat and sweat, go barefoot to an appointment to let your feet dry from the pouring downfall, you tend to forget you´re in ¨paradise.¨ As I lay beneath blue sky and clouds, lush greens, with the wind rustling by, I found myself grateful to be where I was. Also today I learned that paradise is where your family is.

Tuesday 8.27.13  Happy Birthday Uncle Scott!

My comps been feeling pretty sick-she says she feels like her eye´s going to fall out... I´m sure it´s annoying for her just as it is for me. We stayed home today. Watched church movies. Around suppertime we´d both had enough of eating garbage (chocolate-all we had in the house after my birthday) and my comp was about to break down in tears. She then asked what American dish I wanted and she could cook it. I strangely could only think of rice and beans (brainwash!) We went to the store and decided to make a Christmas feast budget style. It was actually pretty fun. I made Dad´s mashed potatoes (thank you daddy for teaching me!) Fresco de Mora (blackberry drink), salad (with ranch!), chili (salsa), and my comp made some really cool ¨bisteak¨ beefsteak? With chilies onions and salsa lizano. mmmmm. I enjoyed the day. Feel wracked with guilt for not working too. Take the good with the bad.

Wednesday 8.28.13

Today once again my comp didn´t feel well. We had a district meeting in San José and I decided to put my foot down. She was leaving to the bathroom every 20 min to throw up. I called Hna. W (pres wife) and got us an appointment in the real hospital.  Just before leaving the house I felt like I needed to bring a Book of Mormon. I thought-cool-I’ll convert someone in the hospital. As we walked down our pathway, we ran into an Italian member named Giancarlos. He stopped us and asked if we had a BOM for him to give to a friend. I handed him the one in my hands and we were off. It´s funny how our expectations can be so different from God´s plans. I´ve set the goal to follow the Spirit. I want to know His voice. Boyd K. Packer taught that one of the greatest blessings I´ll receive from my missionary service is the ability to recognize and act on these promptings. I know this was something small, but it´s the small things that lead to great miracles. It´s my hope that every BOM has the power to change a life.

On Saturday, I had a very humbling experience. We went to M G´s house (member) where she already had company. Her house is already so small. My comp headed to the chair. Granted, she didn´t feel well. I took the floor and let Maria sit in the chair. Poor thing told me her feet were killing her. I asked if I could give her a massage and she accepted. It´s gross touching feet. But I really enjoyed this experience for two reasons. 1. I felt like I was really doing the Savior´s work. He washed stinky feet. And healed smelly people. But He didn´t feel any of that. He always sees our potential and not our hairy, stinky, sweaty, and imperfect feet. That´s one of the things I love about the mission. To be the Savior´s instrument. 2. The other thing neat about it was putting her socks and shoes on her. It was like I was with Grandpa Tim for a minute there. I smiled to myself, feeling like He was closer to me for but a moment. We then decided to help her clean her house. Oh.My.Gosh. It taught me a lot. I´m grateful for every time my mom told me how to clean. I always asked her why and she always responded the same two ways: because you´re so good at it! (which always made me want to do a poor job so she´d stop asking me) and so that I learn how to clean. I´m actually surprised but even the Latinos hire Latinos to clean here. My comp really didn´t know how to clean! I´m grateful for my parents and our clean house.

Sunday September 1, 2013 (I MISS GREENDAY. WAKE ME UP...)

Oh what a beautiful day. Love the church, love the members-love Ciudad Colon. We´re seeing many miracles. I can feel this kingdom growing here and I just want to continue being part of it. More people are coming to church, more members are inviting their friend, bishopo is working with us, members are just more happy and excited about missionary work, etc. It just feels good!

I had a good study this morning preparing to go to church. I read about the Atonement, resurrection, restoration, and a little in the BOM. I really like the book of Mark. There´s this part when Jesus is crying out, My God! My God! Why hast Thou forsaken me? He was totally alone. Solo. And I know that in this most quiet moment, He suffered alone so that I never have to. I am so grateful for the Atonement in my life and my knowledge of the gospel. I know things aren´t and never will be easy. But this gospel provides me with the tools I need to make it through it. And happy!

Testimony mtg. was beautiful. People were literally running up to share. A* and M* both shared something-wow! I also felt impressed with how important visits are. Grandpa Glen was a pro at this. He always just popped in to see how we are. I need to do this when I get home. (ya´ll should do this too!) Pop in to see how friends are doing.

In the middle of gospel doctrine class, Bishop called us in his office to talk to an investigator-Edwardo(16)  and we placed a date for his baptism this month which was a miracle because President asked us to fast today for the missionary work in Costa Rica. His goal is 200 baptisms this month and I just know we can do it. After church we talked with Josue´s nephew, (13) we asked him if he wanted to be baptized and he surprised us by saying,¨yes. Actually it´s one of my goals. I really like this church, it fascinates me.¨ But he´s nervous about getting his parents permission, but I have all the faith in the world that the Lord will provide a way. And in fact, He helped us out a lot today.

As we were on our way to lunch, R (J´s mom) was stepping out of a random house with 2 bags in both hands and strong rain. I gladly offered to help getting soaked in the process. We walked to her house where I finally met M and her husband M and their kids (S´s family) We enjoyed a lovely conversation. M speaks perfect English too! It was as if I could see the Lord´s hand touching us like chess pieces: ¨You go here...and you go here...and checkmate.¨ I am so grateful to be just a small part of this. I truly hope this family can accept the gospel!

For lunch to break our fast, a lot of us members ate together. It really felt like Little House on the Prairie. Santos reminds me of Charles Ingles. But I only truly have one Pa. And it’s Pa and I love him. (love you dad. love you mom!) The food was delicious-company too. There´s so much that I don´t understand. A was the star of all the jokes. Everyone was just crying with laughter. ¨smile and wave¨ has become my motto for this mission.

We returned home after this so my comp could puke. Poor thing. She slept for a bit. I felt like we needed to get out and work. So off we went.

We ended the night with the G Family. It was a beautiful Sunday night with good friends and food. We laughed and talked. What more could a girl ask for?

It will be very hard to leave this place. (I don´t know when that will be, if ever.) I will never forget them.

I love you! Thank you for all of your prayers




Love,

Hermana Megan Workman 

(I’ve included a little snip-it from Megan’s email to her brother, Ryley. I think the analogy is “priceless”.)

Ryro, yes, it totally sucks watching people close to you make stupid choices. Take that sadness and times it by 10 and that´s how Mom and Dad feel when we do stupid things. Then take that and times it by 100,000,0000,0009,0005,0004.4 and that´s how Heavenly Father feels when we do dumb things. But, then take Jesus Christ; and the Atonement. He did that for us, and wipe that number away. Like a giant delete button. Beautiful, no? Just keep sharing your testimony with anyone who will listen. And I promise good things will happen because of it. Also, continue being a good example.

I love you little guy. More than you know. YOU ARE ADORABLE! Mom sent me a photo of us on my baptism day last week. It is SO precious!

Missionary opportunities! Keep them up! I promise the next people to get baptized have some connection with the church. Members are the only way to do missionary work. That´s what I´ve learned so far.

MUAH!