Sweet Dreams are Made of This Sept 9, 2013

Dear Family and Friends, 

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This… Wednesday we had a zone meeting and it was really spiritual. (Did I mention Elder P moved into town? He was my district leader in Nicoya and now he’s my zone leader.) This mission is nuts-never one knows what´s going to happen. (Also, President changed how he´s going to do changes. Nobody knows when. Could be 6 weeks or 6 months.)

Our meeting spoke about 4 goals for the zone. One of these was work with members. They called me up to share our experience with President A and M. Miracle with M.   Here is the re-cap: President Angulo, my stake pres. invited us over to his house for like a FHE. We planned months in advance, had investigator and a family ready to come with us. They canceled at the last minute. We called like 5 other investigators and everyone canceled. grrr. We were so ashamed to cancel; here we finally had a member willing to help and nobody wanted to come with us. We called Pres. Angulo to cancel and he said: “nonsense. Come anyway. We´ll think of something.”  We got there and he suggested we pray. We kneeled and waited. At almost the same time his wife and him were like, A and M. In my 6 months here I had no idea who they were. A is a member, M is not. We got in his car and drove up the mountain to the Indian Reservation. We couldn’t see a thing. Seriously it so foggy I could only see grey in front of us TAN TUANIS! I said it was the power of the priesthood driving us. Finally we arrived. The members basically taught the lesson. (EVERY MEMBER A MISSIONARY!) We taught and testified of the blessings this gospel brings to families. M cried. I invited him to be baptized and he accepted.  He has been ignoring missionaries for 9 years. In testimony Sunday he held up his BOM and said; “Years ago some missionaries gave me this book. And I could care less for it. I don´t remember their names but I want to publicly apologize for ignoring them. For hiding when they came over. I am now reading this book. And it is changing my life. And I know it´s true.”

IT´S SO COOL MOM! They´re so great.

I shared my testimony about this miracle, that I truly have learned that members are the only way to do missionary work. Beautiful things have happened here. For my ward and family back home: be that member who is willing to help.

Anyways after this, I sat down and they turned the time over to us. They just had so many good things to say. They were like-who has a question for them? Follow their example, etc. It was shocking to find myself an example for others. I found myself remembering a priesthood session (my favorite part strangely) of Gen Conf from Pres Uchtdorf called, Pride and the Priesthood. There´s this part when he´s freshly called as an apostle. James E. Faust said: “There will be many good things about you. They will treat you very kindly...(Megan), be thankful for this. But don´t you ever inhale it.” When I believe my own “press clippings” that’s when pride begins to corrupt. I must fill my heart with charity. I am here to roll up my sleeves and go to work. I am enlisted to no ordinary task. I am called to prepare the world for the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

At the end of the meeting something happened to me that I never want to forget.

Hermana S (photo of her and I at the castle) came up to me and said, ¨I need to talk to you. Today on the bus ride here I prayed and asked Heavenly Father for the opportunity to learn something from Hermana Workman.” With tears in her eyes she said, “thank you.” And hugged the life out of me. I was and still am in shock. I hugged her strongly. Thanked her. Told her it wasn’t me. I then quoted Winnie the pooh “You´re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”  I hope it was something she needed to hear. How bizzaro. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. But I think the best thing to do is accept that my Heavenly Father was able to use me as an instrument in His Hands. I need to constantly strive to always be sharp and ready for Him to use. I must not “inhale” this day but just be thankful for the kind words and my calling as a missionary. It´s a cool job. I´m grateful for my testimony that has grown immensely. My growing love, appreciation, and knowledge of the scriptures. My Spanish I do know. To be able to stand shoulder to shoulder sometimes with the world´s best missionary, Jesus Christ. To learn to rely on Him and the Atonement is the greatest blessing.

 Thursday, we ate with M, the *servant* of R. After lunch we both felt strongly like we needed to talk to her. I asked if I could give her a message. We talked about her family for a bit then I asked if she was currently attending a church. She surprised me by saying no. She then began to open up. I learned so much from this 30 min conversation:  1. For 6 months she´s been serving me lunch and not once did I share my testimony or talk about religion. When Lehi tasted of the fruit, did he quietly eat it then head back home? Was he ashamed? Embarassed? Shy? Scared? No! He waved his arms about and loudly, boldly invited others to come and partake too. I cannot be shy about this message. How could I have responded to her in heaven? We were together for 6 months. Why didn´t you say anything?! How painful that moment couldn´t been. Boldly invite others to come unto Christ. In this attitude I am showing my love for them and fulfilling my purpose.  2. She has a copy of the BOM and for the longest time has had a lot of questions about it but didn´t know where to turn for answers.

Anyways after this, we headed out. It was raining pretty strong-wet socks and shoes are the worst. Wet skirt and backpack too. I think my body´s used to this climate because I really do feel like it´s winter-slightly chilly.

Oh! Also today for the first time in 11 months, I remembered “hi-low”. Our family dinner game we played back home. I tried to play it tonight, but it flopped. Not for Latinos I guess. I have a good family.

Yes, I have another ear infection. It hurts! (Mission rocks! haha) Today, we went to Pavas for a dentist apt. My ear doctor said I should get my teeth looked at. (Should I title the biography of my life that? haha) Anyways, dentist is a member, said my teeth are good.  No cavities! She told me I need to be better at flossing. I’m the worst! She is making me a mouthguard. Maybe I´m grinidng my teeth at night. Turns out life as a missionary is slightly stressful. Whoda thunk. Haha. And now I’m writing ya´ll. Later tonight we have a FHE with A and family. We´re going to make puposas. A traditional dish from El Salvador. they sound disgusting, but we´ll see how it goes. I LOVE YOU!

Okay mommy dear. I´m off to big and great things. I´ve got a brain in my head and feet in my shoes and I´ll steer myself in the direction I choose. MUAH!

 I LOVE YOU!

Hermana Megan Workman

PS Last night I had a dream that I´ll chalk up to tender mercy from the Lord.

They sent me back to the states because I didn’t have a visa. They even made me head back to the MTC. And I remember thinking, I’ve already done this! I feel too old! Haha. But then I saw Brayden! And I ran to him and we hugged and cried. Then we had to separate and I told him, I’ll see you in 3 years! 3 Years! And away we went.  The hug felt real!! It was so nice to see and hug Bray! BRAYDEEEEEe!!!! Do you have a map up for him??!!! My bet is Tonga, New Zealand or Idaho. Haha  I love you so much!