I can feel God guide our footsteps

Well family, it has been an interesting, heart-changing, challenging and good week. Though I feel like EVERY week in the mission field is like that. I am still in flushing, but I have a new companion. Sis Reid had to go home this week due to some health problems that she has been struggling with. It was heart breaking to see her go, because I know how much she wanted to stay and work, also I really loved being her companion. But nonetheless, I am very grateful that she is recuperating and safe.

So this week was really up in the air. She got a call on Thursday night, that she was leaving Friday morning (She knew she was leaving, but not that quickly). And so on Friday I spent the day back in Rego with the English "traveling sisters” there (Traveling sisters are new in our mission, essentially they act as leadership for the sisters) while president prayed and figured out what to do from there. It was incredible on Friday because even though I had NO idea what was going to happen, where I would be, who I would be with, I knew that God was in it and that this was His will and that He would put me exactly where He needed me. I was filled with so much peace and comfort that everything would be okay and exactly how God wanted it. Also we were able to teach a powerful first lesson to one of their new investigators Dave. He was so moved by this first meeting, that he asked if it would be okay and appropriate if he could take a picture of us, because he could feel that He was beginning an important journey. The spirit was so strong, and I am grateful I could take part of it. I also got to spend the night with the Rego Spanish Sisters, my last companions. It was fun to be with them again too.

After a lot of thought and prayer, President felt that I needed to stay in flushing and keep the "Pool" (essentially the group of investigators we have) going. He called Sister Lee, who is an English Sister and who actually was one of my roommates in the MTC, if she would switch to Spanish for the next 3 weeks and be my companion. She is INCREDIBLE and has a lot of faith and courage to take on the challenge. So now I am the "veteran" here in flushing (only 2 weeks!) and the Spanish speaker. I have been tempted at times to get overwhelmed, but I try to remember that peace and love that I felt on Friday that everything will be okay, and I know it will be. It also makes me that much more grateful that I got to serve Sis Simplicio who taught me to relax and have fun! Sis Lee and I actually did something that I hadn't done with my companions before. Soon after we got all of her suitcases into the apartment, we both felt the need to pray, because we both knew that there would be no other way that we could do this. So we started our companionship with a prayer and called down the powers of heaven to help us. I don't know if I have ever offered such a sacred, clear, desperate and heartfelt prayer in my life, and as I offered it, I could feel the spirit fill both of our hearts and the room. I know God is with us, and I can feel him guide our footsteps. This work is true, there is no other way Sis Lee and I would be able to be doing what we are doing if it wasn't.

I love you guys and am glad you are doing so well. I am so grateful for you and miss you a lot.

Love,

Megan

Ne Hou! ---However you say hello in Chinese :)

 First of all, Stephen, I am SO excited about your mission call and SO grateful that I was able to hear about it the next day. I was still feeling crummy, but that news kept me beaming all day, I am sooo excited for you! There aren't too many argentines here, but their soccer jerseys are everywhere (Learn the name MESSI and you will be good!) Also, Hispanics like to make fun of each other’s accents and Spaniards and Argentines get the brunt of it...so yes, I may be teasing you for your "Como se 'Sh'ama" s ha-ha ;). I am also glad you will be somewhere warm......tonight it is supposed to feel like -16 degrees here!

Oh and where I am serving. I am now in the beautiful city of Flushing, Queens, Just another couple stops down on the 7 train from my last area. My new area is on the other side of the Mets Stadium and Flushing Meadows Park from where I was before. I guess I just always underestimated how "Chino" this area was, until we got to the mall food court and ALL of the stores were Chinese, Korean, or Taiwanese. It is really incredible. We did a street sweep on Flushing Main Street on Saturday, trying to spread the word about the free English classes that we teach, and I felt like we were in Taiwan (not that I would know what that would feel like ha-ha). There are a lot of Hispanics here, and a lot of work to do, we just need to look for them. We would shout "Clases de Ingles, Gratis" into the crowds of people (almost entirely Asian) and one by one some Hispanic would hear our cry and make their way over to us to get the information. In some ways I feel like I am serving somewhere in Asia, Spanish speaking ha-ha, and I LOVE IT!!! Flushing is supposed to be one of the, if not the, most diverse neighborhood in queens, the most diverse city in the world! We had English class this past week and we had 2 men from Uzbechestan (sp?). And they hardly speak any English (Uzbech is their language). Quite the adventure trying to teach certain words.

My new companion is Sister Reid and I adore here. We actually became quick friends and running buddies while we were all stranded at President's during hurricane Sandy. Yes, I have a running buddy! And she is as crazy as I am and enjoys freezing winter runs in the morning...at least she is willing :). She is a Tennis player and Business Student at Southern Virginia University and is only a transfer ahead of me in the mission. We have a lot of fun and many adventures as we try to figure things out and learn Spanish together. She is an incredible missionary and I feel lucky to serve with her :). Also, Elder Carlson (from my MTC district), is in my new district! It’s fun to serve with him again.

 

This week has been a week of miracles large and small. I can finally eat and work full days again!! (Out of nowhere I woke up on Saturday with an appetite and didn't feel sick after eating!) Also, we can feel the spirit work through us and people being have been very receptive to us. We don't have hardly any investigators yet, but we can feel the spirit guiding our work. We have worked very hard, and have tracted almost every night till we collapse in our chairs at 9pm. I know the Lord's blessings are with us and that the miracles will continue to unfold. Thank you for your prayers and love, I sure feel them carrying me through!!

 

I love and miss you all, have an awesome week, and look in the mail, I have letters coming your way (including you chipper!)

Love,

Megan

 

It breaks my heart to leave Rego Park

Buenisima Familia,

Hello again! This email is a little late because I still can't do much and so thankfully a senior couple let me use their computer again.

Also, as of tomorrow, I am officially no longer a "greenie" (new missionary). I have finished my "12 week" training program (even with the delay of Superstorm sandy). I have passed my 6 month mark (crazy!), my trainer has gone home (We sure miss you Sis Simplicio!!!), and I am being transferred out of my first area tomorrow.

I have no idea where I am going, it could be somewhere here in Queens, maybe Brooklyn, or maybe I will get to serve in the Island (Long Island). Wherever it is, I know it is where the Lord needs me. I met with President today and he told me that the Lord was clear and direct about where I needed to go. I am excited, and it is hard to leave Rego, I really have grown to love the people here. And being so sick, I can't say very many goodbyes, but its better that way. I feel like it broke my heart to leave BYU, my heart broke again when I left you guys at home, it broke when I left all the amazing people at the MTC, and it is breaking again as I leave Rego. But there are more people to find, love, help, and lift ahead. It's just like the theme of one of my favorite movies, Meet the Robinsons. Keep Moving Forward!

Oh so as far as health goes, I will be okay :). I received a blessing from President today and already am feeling better. This past transfer has been hard, but I feel it will forever change me. I am excited for the work ahead.

Dad, I love the plan! Sounds like something straight from Preach my Gospel :) It says in the section of working with members (in the chapter of finding) that nothing will fire members more up about missionary work than being taught the doctrine of Christ.

Also just a couple things we have found here. Activities are an AMAZING way to help members invite their friends. The Spanish wards here in some ways survive on activities. Some of them are so good year after year, that many of their non-member friends come every time. If anything Hispanics know how to feed and throw a party ha-ha. Many of the referrals we get in rego are friends of members who come to these activities and want to be taught by the missionaries because of it.

Also, nothing seems to get people excited for missionary work like coming out with the missionaries. At least here, we are always trying to get people to come out with us. Members are often KEY to successful appointments and their testimonies are invaluable. Honestly, I didn't know members were so necessary in appointments until I got to the MTC.

STEPHEN YOUR MISSION CALL IS ASSIGNED????!!!??? How exciting is that? I love how the whole world will know what it is before me ha-ha. Good Luck! I know it is hard to think of leaving BYU (Believe me, I think that was the hardest thing for me), but one thing that helped me was to realize and remember that every blessing (friends, running, good grades, dating) I had at BYU and in my life came from my loving Heavenly Father. What better way to show my gratitude to Him for all that He has given me, then giving that life to the Lord? Even for a little time? I have faith that better things are ahead for us. As we trust in God and turn to Him, we really have nothing in this world to fear. I am excited for you! You will never regret your decision to serve. Get buckled in and ready for the best roller coaster of your life (at least this far into it anyway ha-ha).

Well I love you all and can't wait to hear how your weeks go! And where you will go Chip! This work is true and that call is straight from a prophet of the most high God. Never Forget that.

Love, Megan

The flu is here and I've been in bed for 4 days. . .

Sent Wednesday, January 9, 2013 7:20 pm

Hi! So the flu is here too and I have been in bed for 4 days......and am sitting up long enough to email you guys at the senior couples home. I love you! I am working on an iPad so my email might take a second....ha-ha

 

 

So yes, sis Madsen got the stomach flu on Thursday so we wanted to make a quick trip to the downstairs deli to grab her some sprite....bad idea. Funny story. The deli owners recognize us as from the church and they were asking us questions. Just as I was about to hand them a card, my poor companion ran out of the store and got sick right there on the side walk. I chased after her as my other companion finished buying her snacks. Sis Gonzalez came out, saw what was happening. Thankfully sis Madsen was alright. Of course while I saw it all, one of my first thoughts were yikes! Sis Gonzalez can go and tell them. Though, Sis Gonzalez looked at me and said, "I am awkward! You go!" so I went. Thankfully they were gracious and when we stopped by again today, they were eager to know how sis Madsen was. I am so grateful for the amazing people here in this city. Crazy mission stories ha-ha

 

 

Sis Madsen was down on Thursday, sis Gonzalez was down on Friday. The second sis Gonzalez was feeling bad, we bought sanitizing supplies and attacked the place, I also had been drinking Emergen-c that whole week.....all to no avail (that stuff isn't full proof) ha-ha. Saturday I was feeling really badly, but I needed to play piano at a baptism and we had some critical appointments we really felt we needed to go to. I prayed so hard that this flu would hold off till 9pm, when we would be home. The Lord did just that.

 

 

The baptism was beautiful and it was for a women named Cathy from Ecuador . She actually left her husband Angel a little while back. Angel soon after was introduced to the missionaries and the church though his sister. He quit his drinking and smoking, set his life in order, and soon was baptized. He later sent a book of Mormon with his testimony to Cathy. She read it, felt the spirit, came back to him, saw the changes he made and demanded to meet with the missionaries. Angel was able to baptize her. It was sacred and wonderful to be apart of her baptism and to, in a small way, witness how Jesus Christ heals and saves family relationships. This gospel really is true and blesses families. I am grateful the Lord let me be apart of it.

 

 

Don't worry about me, the Lord takes really good care of his instruments. It has been hard being in bed for 4 days but I have spent almost the whole time watching those church history seminary videos. Really hard to feel discouraged and self pity while watching the faith of missionaries like Heber C Kimball and Brigham Young as they roll out of their sick beds to leave their families again to serve the Lord :). Hurrah for Israel !

 

 

I love you and miss you a lot! Trust in the Lord, he really does know our problems and suffered and died so he can help us and deliver us.

 

 

Can't wait to see where you are going Stephen!!!! I would say dad can check and see if a call has been assigned as early as tomorrow, and after that it will only be till that Wednesday or Thursday. That is if they haven't changed it since the influx of calls.

 

 

Love you and pray for each of you every day :)

 

Megan