Waterfall and weekly Photos.

Pura Vida

Feb 3, 2014   Today we got out at 7 and went on a hike to Waterfall Cloud. AWESOME. But hard. It was about 7 miles and all uphill and then all downhill. It was awesome. Connor… it reminded me of you and all of our hikes we went on. It won’t be long and we’ll be hiking again.  Ry, the inactive guy with us took off his shirt to cliff dive and his tattoos are of Iguana’s saying “pura vida”. This country is the best. I´m sunburnt now. Which made me laugh as I read Ash´s email. Poor girl.

______-______--______---_______(heartbeats.)

Wed Jan 28   Happy Birthday Bren!

BEEEEP! Yep. I´m dying. Not from trunky-itis, but exhaustion. We have been working so hard, it´s amazing!

Monday the funniest part of the day was when we got locked out of our house. My companion fearlessly decided to just hop the fence. Now when I say that, don´t imagine white picket gringo fences. But high walls, roofs, dogs, trees, etc. She´s amazing.

Today we went to San Jose to get Hna. Coburn´s new comp, from Colombia. I´m kind of bittersweet about it-turns out the TRIFECTA thing was working pretty well. (Triple the effectiveness!-Love that Brayden)

I studied something pretty interesting about Priesthood blessings and how we should record them from our fathers, our patriarchs. Why didn´t I take advantage of that?!

San Jose was pretty chill. We just hung out talking. I RAN INTO HNA V! The bus ride was super relaxing and beautiful. I love everything about this place.  Well the 3 of them want to get up at 5:30 tomorrow and go running.....I said I´d at least try. Wish me luck.

Thurs Jan 29

Can´t.

           Move.

                       My body.

Man I thought I was dead before. Exercising is fun and all-we´re all joking saying we´re on the LGN diet. Look Good naked. Ha. My comp´s pretty much like a professional trainer-so awesome. And she has a tattoo.

Today was a day full of miracles. Our lesson with Y (*Mary’s daughter) went well. Her little ones were running around all crazy and she seemed so distracted. We did the best we could to explain to her that this gospel is what God wants her to have. It will bring her happiness. She´s progressed so much from the first time I talked to her. Later when we visited with Mary, she told us Y had prayed and felt content after our visit. I really hope she listens to the spirit.

Eventually we saw C and the first thing she told us was, ¨I’m going to go to your church.¨ This my friends was a miracle. You have to understand that months ago I invited her to be baptized and she seemed so uninterested. But she said her 11 year old son, M, who usually always listens to our messages-really wants her to go. I´m so happy for her!

Funny story: middle of a lesson, I feel something prickling my leg. This isn´t super abnormal-after all I am in Costa Rica. But I thought I´d gotten rid of it. Nope. Moments later, I feel it at my thigh. I squished it, calmly stood up and out fell a giant flying thing. Gotta love it! This is my life.

Friday Jan 31   Today was a good day, but a slow day. I don´t know how my companion has so much energy especially because she never sleeps! I just walked around feeling around like such a zombie. We got a little off trail looking for a secret trail way in the jungle. As we were standing there, I suddenly felt one million stings all at once on my foot. So I looked down and saw my feet covered with ants just attacking me. So the funniest part of my day yesterday was receiving about 30 bites all at once. Oops. (It eventually swelled up and grew. I think I now have elephantitis. haha kidding. kind of.)

The Lord works in mysterious, perfect ways. Yesterday R called because she wanted to go and visit people. But those plans ¨Fell through.¨ I put those in quotes because looking back, it was all the Lord. R still told us to pass by so we could talk to her sister, V. Remember her? I’d been teaching with Hna. V, but she got scared and dumped us. Yesterday, the Lord let us talk to her again. I just want to do good. She intimidates me-I think because I don’t want her to fall away again. It was a great lesson. Our focus was about the role of the Holy Ghost and how we can receive answers to our prayers. John 14:26 says that the Holy Ghost is the Comforter and also God´s gift to us. I imagine us up in Heaven so happy about the opportunity to come to Earth. Where we could smell sunshine on the pavements. Listen to waves crash. See the sun setting over volcanoes. But then when He told us we wouldn’t be able to remember all of this-because we’d need to be tested-I bet we were a little scared, sad, nervous. (ps mom, yesterday I went to youth Sunday School with Valeria. We talked about the plan of salvation too. Who knew youth were SO AWESOME? They were asking such good questions like: why would God put Adam and Eve on the Earth just to fail? If God created Adam and Eve, why are there some people out there that think homosexuality is okay? I invite all of you to answer these questions for yourselves.) But He promised us that we would not need to navigate this adventure alone. One of these gifts to help get us through, was the Holy Ghost. My favorite part of this verse is that the role of the Holy Ghost is to “bring to our remembrance.” I want everyone to understand that. As missionaries, the only thing we can do is to invite them to remember. What we’re “preaching” is not new. We all heard this plan before. I think what I´m trying to say is: 1. I love being a missionary and 2.  I know the Holy Ghost is real. I know He is a member of the Godhead. I am so grateful for this gift from my Heavenly Father.

Later, C asked us about baptisms for the dead. Always slightly awkward for a first visit-but she was hungry for answers. I remember she asked us-is there proof of this in the bible? And I said yes-and started to look and look. I thought of the answer Paul gives us (I need to study that better.) I was kind of panicky when I heard in my head a voice that said-Hija. Just breathe. Tell her what you know. And I remembered-oh yeah. I do know this. That´s the great thing about this work-we´re not inventing anything. This is what Jesus taught. We´ve all heard about this before. And through the Holy Ghost, we can remember. So I just explained it and testified. Then she asked a couple other questions about our religion: we sanctify Sundays, not Saturdays, right? Joseph Smith was called to open up the last dispensation, that´s where the church gets its name, President Monson, etc. She was like; do you really think God talks to him? And I was able to look her square in the eye and say, I know He does. Even though I´ve never met him, I know he´s called of God to be His mouthpiece. I really hope her and her family can progress.

Anyways, it’s been an AMAZING week. We worked SO HARD!!!!!!!!! I have seen SO MANY MIRALCES! I love you all so much!

Love,

Megan

Hey Dad!

I bet that is a yes. I´ll die with a gringa companion. My Heavenly Father really does know me. I´m so so so so grateful!!!! Spiritually I feel like I´ve grown a lot. Once someone asked me if I could do it all over again, would I? That’s a loaded question. The mission is so hard. Hard because we have to pretty much strip ourselves down, even though we thought we were perfect, and then rebuild ourselves the way God wants us to be. I don´t think at the beginning I realized that was what was going on. And I don´t think I realized that God didn´t expect me to do it all by myself. I look back and realize that of course He´s been with me all along. I´ve learned a lot of church doctrine. I´m learning a lot about the responsibilities involved with church callings. I´m learning how to make the best out of a rotten situation. I´m learning to see everyone as Christ sees us.

Physically: I´m DYING! haha I am so SO sore. But more on that later. Just know I´m good and PURA VIDA as we say.

I love you pa. 

Love,

Meg

January 27, 2014

January 27, 2014

Greetings ya´ll!! This has been an amazing week. I forgot my journal to tell you all the good details, so it´s going to be very short and slightly sweet. Sorry. I’m good, hot, cold and happy!

First things first: I finally saw the temple video. And wow. I absolutely loved it. I learned so much about what it means to be a woman and a wife. I understood my purpose in this life better. I loved also remembering about the covenants I made. It was a spectacular day. 

Then we went to the conference with Elder Cook. Man was that a beautiful meeting. I´ll make sure and write a better letter next week about that. 

Then I met my 2 new companions. (I didn’t move, I’m still in San Carlos, Cuidad Quesada) My real companion is Hermana S. From UTAH. MY GRINGA!!!!!!!! THE WORLD IS GOOD AGAIN!  I love her already. The other comp is just hanging out with us until hers shows up – tomorrow. She´s also a gringa, Hermana C from Georgia. We´ve really enjoyed laughing, talking about boys, how to make lemon squares, embarrassing moments, and of course, missionary work. Seriously though, I´ve never felt more like a missionary. We are talking with EVERYBODY and meeting AMAZING people. Truly prepared by the Lord. I´ve seen the Spirit guiding us every step of the way. I am so grateful!!!! 

Miracle of the week:  We were doing some visits with the C family. (Christmas Day adventures, Friday the 13^th fiasco, owns the restaurant) They wanted to go to a meeting at the church at 5 about our ward, so we thought well I guess we could go, even though we hadn´t planned to be there at that time. As we were walking in, we heard behind us, 

¨Hey muchachas! When does the meeting start?¨

She wanted to come to church. She was just 8 hours late. But we told her, next week! She told us that she´d always wanted to come, but it was always closed. And she was embarrassed to walk in. (roll) She´s in a  wheelchair. We testified that there was a reason that she showed up at the very moment we did. We testified that she wouldn´t feel out of place. She´d finally feel like she was where God wanted her to be. We got her info and set up a meeting. About 20 minutes into the boring and pointless meeting (for us) I realized that although the meeting might not have been for us. We hadn´t planned to be there. But God did. I was once again reminded that He is indeed involved in every second of our lives. I know He knows and loves me. Something so insignificant and imperfect. He looks beyond all that though. He´s always looking for the good in me. I am so grateful for His love for me. I´m also so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ who atoned for all my wrongdoings and mistakes and sorrows and pains and imperfections. It´s amazing what He did. I truly stand all amazed at the love Jesus has for me. It´s amazing and perfect love. 

I love you all so much!

Connor, I´m doing great. I did have Bro Day in seminary. Dad also took an institute class with him. Small world, haha.

Thanks for reminding me about planting seeds. It´s so true! Today I talked to someone I met months ago in Nicoya. She remembered me and told me how grateful she was for the message I shared. I didn´t even think she remembered me. The Lord works in miraculous ways. (His Quote to Meg: "Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.") Good luck with classes!!!!!

Pa, YOU GOT MY FLIGHT ITINERARY?! You´re kidding?!!? Seriously?! Wow. Nuts. I´ve been praying about it all week and I feel like it will be better for us to come back in August, don´t worry. It´ll give me time to CHILL in my house and then miss Costa Rica and come back. All is well!!  I just hope I don’t forget Spanish by then!

Mom, stop worrying. Your babies are doing just fine. We´re having so much fun, I promise. 

Hey Bren! Happy Birthday! I love you! I hope you have a good day!!!! HUGS AND KISSES!!! (She wrote him a beautiful, birthday poem)

Take care everyone!

Love,

Hermana Workman

“Hooraw for Israel!”

“Hooraw for Israel!”

Thoughts from the week from Hermana Megan Workman: 

Tuesday, 14 January 2014

Today my brother gets set apart as a missionary! Wow. We had a great lesson with M. I just really hope she stays strong in the gospel. I do not want her to fall away. As we left the lesson, we saw an incredible sun set. The silhouettes were breathtaking. Palm trees, mountains, volcanoes, etc. I am so lucky. 

The very last thing we did was stop in la pulpería to grab a snack. The first thing the pulpero said to us was, “I read about Joseph Smith.” (Forgot to mention, he´s my favorite Pulpero here.) Automatically we asked him what he thought. He´d read the pamphlet of the restoration. And he was really quiet for a long time. I knew he wasn’t going to argue, but I didn’t know what he was going to do. And then I saw something that would bring any missionary great joy: a part of the lights turned on.  “God, please forgive me for what I´m about to say...” he said. And started to talk in circles about all the corruption in the world. “But could it be true that the Catholics changed the Bible?” Heavenly chorus insert here. “Yes.” I explained. There were a lot of things changed and taken away. Authority. Revelations, etc. That´s why there was a need to restore the Church of Jesus Christ. I told him to pray about it and he admitted that he didn’t know how to pray. He also said that sometimes people come into his pulpería and he feels something...different. “Like when you two enter,” he explained. “You´re like angels.” The whole thing made me excited to help him remember heaven and receive the blessings that come from obedience. 

Friday 1.17.2014  Today was the coldest day I´ve experienced in Costa Rica. I was, and still am, freezing all day. I couldn´t fathom leaving the house for how cold it was. We left in sweaters and leggings. I don´t know how to measure cold anymore. Especially after reading A´s emails from Russia. But I´d say like......50?? (I now have a flemmy cough.)  Yes I looked ridiculous, but God still loves me regardless. And know what, nobody said anything about it. These people don´t care how you look or what splots are on your past. They just love ya regardless. Imagine if we could all be that accepting and loving. Eternal Perspective. It´s an incredible concept. I´m grateful I can give my burdens to the Lord and I know He´ll carry them for me so I don´t have to. I love my Savior. Did I mention it was raining all day in every direction? It´s unavoidable getting soaking wet. It was the 1st day in my mission that I didn´t sweat. 

Sunday 1-19-2014

Hello there. **Mary got baptized!!! (the .100 colones lady… miracle at the end of email, again.) The most amazing part of her experience was watching her truly progress closer to her Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I saw as she experienced true repentance. She, like most of us, had a past. She had a heavy load to carry and frankly didn´t know where to turn for relief. She had a desire to change-desire is where it all starts. I am so happy for her. 

At her baptismal service as we were running around like chickens without heads, She came up to us and said, ¨I want to go first. I can´t wait anymore!¨  It was beautiful to see how much she truly wanted to be clean. I testify that this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has the authority from God, His Priesthood, to perform sacred and saving ordinances. 

As she came up out of the water, she was full of tears of redemption. It was beautiful to see. 

In gospel principles class, we talked about Jesus Christ and someone commented that Jesus loves the drunks in the streets, the robbers, etc. He loves them so much. I really liked remembering that about my older Brother. I need to emulate Him and love others as He does. 

I am looking forward to the temple on Friday and possible companionship changes and or transfers?? I haven´t been able to do a temple session since April. (Tear drop)  I´m doing good physically. I´ve been thinking about Bren all week. All alone in a big empty MTC. Haha I´m sure he´s loving the food. Wish I could see him there. I didn´t cry when I went to the MTC either, right? Keep up the BOOK OF MORMON STUDY! HOOO RAW! 

I love you!

Meg

P.S. My gringos here always tell me they have to rush home to go watch the Broncos. They´re from Colorado, so yeah. They keep me updated. I sure love them!

**Mary’s Miracle: "We had met with *Mary the previous Saturday and invited her to do whatever possible to go to church. Sunday she showed up. The following Tuesday she had told us how difficult it had been for her to go because she literally didn´t have .100 colones, or about.....30 cents to take the bus. But she told God she wanted to change and be better and go at whatever cost. She asked the bus driver if she could pay him later, miraculously he agreed. She was able to pay him back and thought to herself, before next week, I´ll somehow get back my .100 colones. On the walk to the house, Mary smiled as she told us what she found in the dirty and rocky pathway on the way to our meeting for the next lesson: “.100 colones!” Just laying there for her. It is my testimony that God is indeed involved in every strand of our lives. HE will always provide for us."   

My 30 Cents (.100 Colones) Worth

January 17, 2014

HI EVERYONE! 

I feel like I have so much to say!!! First off… for Brayden, GOOD LUCK on Wednesday! I thought I´d send some good cheer and comfort. (Written scoops of Ben and Jerry’s if you will.)  It´s the hardest thing you’ll ever do. You’ll get there and realize that nothing could’ve ever really prepared you for this. You´ll probably even rethink ever wanting to go. You’ll ache to just hear your brothers arguing in the next room. There will be holes in your heart. Your pillowcase may be soggy with soppy tears. You will clench your fists and maybe even curse them at heaven. You will miss daddy and ache for mommy.  Then one day out of the blue, you’ll find that companion that just gets you and loves to work. You’ll somehow realize that you’re finally living and that you’re someone’s hero. Top dog. Loved. You´ll grow this new appreciation for the Savior that you never expected. After all, we’d grown up reading about Him. But somehow you come to really know Him. You’ll learn how to pray. You’ll hurt when they don’t show up to church. (Suddenly church becomes important. Along with every other little thing we’ve learned since primary.) Sleeping in a bus has never felt so good. The world becomes so much more beautiful. One-day you’ll see someone that really has been waiting for you to invite them to be baptized their whole life. You’ll see the light come back to their face. You’ll finally understand true joy when they share their testimony. And then, I think, that this will all just end. And we somehow just have to continue on. And start life’s next adventure. And suddenly the thought of marriage and children and jobs and the real world scare you, maybe even induce nausea. But we’ll do it because we know about God’s plan and His love for us. We know that He never leaves us to wander hopelessly. He´ll take care of us because He is our Shepard who knows each of us perfectly. 

Transfers should be the day Bren enters the MTC....but I’m not sure because they just called to let us know that WERE GOING TO THE TEMPLE THAT DAY!!!!!!!!! Finally. Finally. Finally! We had interviews with president this week. I had a dose of trunky. Elder C  told us about his flight plans and his last interview with President. It made me think-this was my last interview, well until my very last one. On one hand I really don´t want to leave. My friends are here. They like me here.  I find myself in a very calm place. I´m happy to be alive. I´m grateful for everyday I´m given. I love being a missionary. I want to give my all. But on the other hand, yeah. Super excited for life’s next adventure! President Wilkinson is going to let me stay here to die, but probably with a new companion. I’m okay with that. And it’s weird to think I’m dying - especially as Brayden is just being born. (In the mish that is) Brayden’s talk was the best talk I’ve ever heard. It had me in tears naturally. He is an amazing missionary.  I find that I´ve become a much bolder missionary (person? English word has left me?) And I´d like to thank Heavenly Father for sending me to a place where I can’t “beat around the bush” as they say. Luckily my language skills limit me to more directness. But aside from Spanish, I don´t feel that awkward gulp in my throat when I know I need to tell these people not to drink coffee, and to go to church. I want you to know that being a missionary is a title that I really enjoy. Everyday is different, there´s not really a mundane routine like in the real world. I enjoy learning from these Ticos. I really do love San Carlos. It’s been my area with the least amount of success-the fewest amount of lessons taught and so far not 1 baptism. (By the way guess what I learned yesterday about the prophet Joseph Feilding Smith. Guess how many he baptized in his mission. Not 1. It made me feel better.) I know God knows me. That He comprendes me (understands?). I know He knows what makes me happy. I also know He knows what I need sometimes even before I do. I know I am His daughter and that He cares about me. I´m grateful for this knowledge.

This week we met with **Mary. She´s progressing so well, but is also receiving a lot of negativity for her desire to be baptized. It gives me ¨colera¨ but I know if she is faithful, the Lord will deliver her out from whatever bondage. I wanted to share something she taught me. We had met with her the previous Saturday and invited her to do whatever possible to go to church. Sunday she showed up. The following Tuesday she had told us how difficult it had been for her to go because she literally didn´t have .100 colones, (about 30 cents) to take the bus. But she told God she wanted to change and be better and go at whatever cost. She asked the bus driver if she could pay him later, miraculously he agreed. She was able to pay him back and thought to herself, before next week, I´ll somehow get back my .100 colones. She smiled as she told us what she found as she walked to the house where we would meet for our next lesson. There, lying in the dirty and rocky pathway was .100 colones. Just laying there for her. It is my testimony that God is indeed involved in every strand of our lives. HE will always provide for us. Alma 58:11 “Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him.”

We then went and worked in a little hood called Barrio Meco. I think we finally figured out what meco is: smoke. I truly am grateful for these experiences here in Costa Rica. I sat in a house that did not have the following yesterday: a floor, it was pure dirt, a fridge, a stove, (they burn their food from a fire inside with smoke everywhere) beds, closets, tables, etc. electricity, Nothing. There are people who just truly have no earthly possessions yet give SO much. The sweetest old lady wouldn´t let us leave without taking tomatoes and yuca. Like potatoes but better. This old lady, **Lucy, is very small. About 90 years old and comes up just underneath my bust line. But she gives the very best hugs and is always so happy. What we can learn from her is that our goal should not be to focus on what we do not have, but find someway to make someone else´s day better. Through words of cheer, sharing a tortilla, a squeezy hug that makes you really feel just how much they love you, etc. 

My favorite part of the day was sitting around with some old ladies. They made us an early dinner. Soup. We ate out on her patio and I just loved the moment. The trees were rustling in the wind. Sun shimmering through, talking with some old broads-it was awesome. At the end of the lesson, Olga told us we were her angels. That God sent us here just to help her during this tough time. We read Josue 1:5 (There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.) with her and she just started bawling. She told us God was speaking to her in these words. I thought of the scripture, if you shall bring just one soul unto me...¨ I feel like we´re helping her soul remember that during the tough times we are allowed to grow. 

I want to express how grateful I am for the flood of letters I received today from Bishop Burton, the Yeager Family, Activity Day girls, My family and the Petersen family! I felt so good reading the words of love and encouragement. I feel bamboozled (Dr. Suess word or legit?) that people actually read, and like, what I write. More importantly what brings me the most joy is that some people even draw strength from my words. I loved what one sister shared in her letter. She expressed that she feels at times like she is literally holding on by the fingernails. (Alma 58:7 - some trials can truly last months.) When looking back she realized that God didn´t save her as she expected, but perhaps He just strengthened her fingernails. I think during our trials all we want is immediate relief. But if we look at our heroes in the scriptures, we find that they too had to wait. Some examples I thought of:

-Joseph. Did the right thing and avoided temptation. Yet was still thrown in to prison. Waiting for relief. 

-Alma the younger. Put in a coma for about 3 days. Not only was Alma the Younger waiting for relief, but his dad too. 

-King Lamoni, his wife, Abish. How long had Abish waited for spiritual relief? She was less active for years but perhaps couldn´t tell anyone. Maybe she didn´t know what to do. 

-Joseph Smith had to wait to get the plates. 

-Noah had to wait about....140 years before the rain actually came. 

The point is the waiting process is rarely the highlight of any story. But it´s in that process that we become SO MUCH BETTER. (For more on this subject, see “Claim the Blessings of Your Covenants.” By Sister Reeves.) Even the Savior had to go through Gethsemane and wait for relief to come. For those of you who read my words, hang in there. Don´t you quit. You keep going. Relief will always come. The Savior himself promised that He will not forsake us. I know we can count on Him and His promises. 

I´ve learned that miracles don´t produce faith. But strong faith produces miracles. I read about the scripture that says we can move mountains with our faith. My companion always shares that and adds: so we shouldn´t be surprised if God hands us a shovel to start plowing our way through.

Being far away from my Earthly Father has allowed me to learn that these blessings (promised in a priesthood blessing) don´t come from the men giving them, but truly from Heavenly Father. It’s been a great opportunity for me to truly witness how much Heavenly Father truly loves each of us. His love simply is always there. 

I love you ALL SOOOOOOOOO MUCH. Brayden, I´m really going to miss you. But all will work out. 

Love,

Megan

Mommy, thanks! I love you, ya know? I bet you´re just holding on with your fingernails right now. Virtual hug! I love you SO much. Good luck this week. It will all be okay. Just breathe and do normal things. Like prayer and scripture study. Watch a movie. Distract yourself. IT will all be okay.