Hola Todos!
Okay, I have a new adventure I must tell y'all about.
So, since I have been home, I have attended my family ward with my dad--which I LOVE! It is such a great ward with awesome people. The downside? Well, there aren't many young single adults in this family ward. (that must be why there are YSA wards!!) jaja. Anywho. I love YSA wards. They are so much fun! I attended one after high school, another in college, and then back to the first after college. About 3 years ago, I stopped attending the YSA ward, and returned to my family ward. (Which worked out well, because I left on my mission a bit after that.)
Anyway, like I said before, since I have been home, I have been attending my family ward. It has been a lot of fun, especially now that I have a calling in the Primary. But for the past little bit, I have felt the need to mingle with more people of my own age. Right now, I don't think it is the right time to move over to the YSA ward, but I decided I would start going to the YSA ward sacrament meeting and activities.
This last Sunday, I figured I would start! My own ward doesn't start until 1 pm, and the YSA ward starts at 11 am.
Now.. This was the weirdest experience *thus far* of my RM life. I was nervous like no other time in my life!! Why?? I'd been to this singles ward before..Why was I so nervous to go now? I still don't know why. Jaja. But it really was nice to go again.
For those of you readers out there who have never gone to a YSA ward, I'll tell you: they are a little different. First of all, it is so quiet. I mean q~u~i~e~t. During the passing of the sacrament, you don't hear anything but the footsteps of the priesthood holders. My ward had to start lining the water trays with paper towels so that the cups didn't clink so loud. Crazy, right? You don't see that happening in a family ward. I mean, it is different. In a family ward, there are little kids and not-so-little kids who might be a little more noisy during the passing of the sacrament. It was quite different to go back to that. It was refreshing!
There were a ton of people there that I hadn't met before--which is understandable because it's been 3 years since I went. But, there were a couple friends there that were there with me before. It was fun to see them again!
Overall, I loved going back to the YSA ward. I am excited to continue meeting new people and going to fun activities.
If any of y'all are thinking about switching over to a YSA ward, I would highly recommend it!
Well, I think this is all for now!
Until next time,
~Megan
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Monday, May 16, 2016
Return to Snowy Utah
Hola Todos!
I'm so sorry for not writing sooner. I have been home from the mission since March, and am still trying to get my life all back in order.
Whew! SO much has happened since I have been home: my brother, nephew and I went to Comic-con (which was an experience and a half! I LOVED it.), we went to Vegas, my Mother graduated from the University of Utah with her Bachelor's degree in Nursing (after 14 years of hard work! SOO proud of her!), I was called as the Primary Pianist in my home ward (a little nerve-racking because I don't play very well...), and I got offered a job as a Nanny! Whew! I told y'all. A ton has happened.
But before I get on all that, I'd like to take a different turn. Now, I'm going to be 100% honest. Before my mission, I did a lot of reading on Sister Missionary blogs, much like my own, trying to understand just exactly what the mission life would be like. It was really hard. Most of the blogs I found were wonderful, very inspiring, but they didn't seem to include everything. Just the highlights, the good things that happened. Which was wonderful! I loved reading them. But I wanted something a little more real. I wanted to know about the hardships, the tough times, the cry-yourself-to-sleep experiences. I wanted to know what I should expect. I knew then, and most certainly know now, missionary work is not easy. I had doors slammed in my face, people who insulted us, called us mean names...There were some very hard times.
So, my hope is that this blog becomes what I was searching for--Full of the wonderful, Spirit-filled moments, but also including the hard times, for they are truly what make the good times so sweet.
I'd like to continue with this, but on the subject of being an RM-The great life!
One thing that has been on my mind a lot since I have been home is how easy it is to fall back into old habits--not necessarily bad habits, just habits that haven't been a part of my life for the past year and a half. It is so easy to just fall back into old routines. It certainly has been a fight to keep up the habits formed on my mission--morning and nightly prayers, daily scripture study, etc. I'll be honest, I haven't kept up with them as much as I would have liked... but that's okay! I can change and start now.
---
Okay, so back to all the things that have happened. The night I got home, my brother took us all to see Star Wars VI. I LOVED it. Although, it was quite the culture shock. I was sitting there, watching the movie, loving it and cringing at the same time. Quite the experience. Well, the next 3 days, we went to FanX in Salt Lake. It was awesome. Just before I left for the mission, we went to Comic Con, so it was quite fun to go again and get my geek on.
A couple weeks later, we went to Las Vegas to have a break. My brother has a convention he goes to every year, and we all take a trip for the fun of it. The drive is pretty long, but it was worth it. We stayed in Excalibur, which was a lot of fun! The themed hotels are pretty neat. My favorite part of Vegas is the amazing food! Pretty awesome favorite, right? :)
That weekend, my Mami graduated! After 14 years of blood, sweat and tears, she graduated from the University of Utah's College of Nursing with her Bachelor's degree. I cannot express how proud of her I am!! She has worked so hard for all these years and most definitely deserves this.
Hmm. What next? Well, I have been substitute teaching at Quest Academy, which has been a blast. I don't know yet if I want to be a teacher, but substitute teaching has been so much fun.
Well... I think for now, this post will suffice. I hope y'all are doing well.
Until next time!
-Megan
I'm so sorry for not writing sooner. I have been home from the mission since March, and am still trying to get my life all back in order.
Whew! SO much has happened since I have been home: my brother, nephew and I went to Comic-con (which was an experience and a half! I LOVED it.), we went to Vegas, my Mother graduated from the University of Utah with her Bachelor's degree in Nursing (after 14 years of hard work! SOO proud of her!), I was called as the Primary Pianist in my home ward (a little nerve-racking because I don't play very well...), and I got offered a job as a Nanny! Whew! I told y'all. A ton has happened.
But before I get on all that, I'd like to take a different turn. Now, I'm going to be 100% honest. Before my mission, I did a lot of reading on Sister Missionary blogs, much like my own, trying to understand just exactly what the mission life would be like. It was really hard. Most of the blogs I found were wonderful, very inspiring, but they didn't seem to include everything. Just the highlights, the good things that happened. Which was wonderful! I loved reading them. But I wanted something a little more real. I wanted to know about the hardships, the tough times, the cry-yourself-to-sleep experiences. I wanted to know what I should expect. I knew then, and most certainly know now, missionary work is not easy. I had doors slammed in my face, people who insulted us, called us mean names...There were some very hard times.
So, my hope is that this blog becomes what I was searching for--Full of the wonderful, Spirit-filled moments, but also including the hard times, for they are truly what make the good times so sweet.
I'd like to continue with this, but on the subject of being an RM-The great life!
One thing that has been on my mind a lot since I have been home is how easy it is to fall back into old habits--not necessarily bad habits, just habits that haven't been a part of my life for the past year and a half. It is so easy to just fall back into old routines. It certainly has been a fight to keep up the habits formed on my mission--morning and nightly prayers, daily scripture study, etc. I'll be honest, I haven't kept up with them as much as I would have liked... but that's okay! I can change and start now.
---
Okay, so back to all the things that have happened. The night I got home, my brother took us all to see Star Wars VI. I LOVED it. Although, it was quite the culture shock. I was sitting there, watching the movie, loving it and cringing at the same time. Quite the experience. Well, the next 3 days, we went to FanX in Salt Lake. It was awesome. Just before I left for the mission, we went to Comic Con, so it was quite fun to go again and get my geek on.
A couple weeks later, we went to Las Vegas to have a break. My brother has a convention he goes to every year, and we all take a trip for the fun of it. The drive is pretty long, but it was worth it. We stayed in Excalibur, which was a lot of fun! The themed hotels are pretty neat. My favorite part of Vegas is the amazing food! Pretty awesome favorite, right? :)
That weekend, my Mami graduated! After 14 years of blood, sweat and tears, she graduated from the University of Utah's College of Nursing with her Bachelor's degree. I cannot express how proud of her I am!! She has worked so hard for all these years and most definitely deserves this.
Hmm. What next? Well, I have been substitute teaching at Quest Academy, which has been a blast. I don't know yet if I want to be a teacher, but substitute teaching has been so much fun.
Well... I think for now, this post will suffice. I hope y'all are doing well.
Until next time!
-Megan
Monday, March 21, 2016
Forever a Servant of the Lord
Hola todos!
These last 18 months have been so wonderful. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve the Lord on a full-time mission. I have learned so much, but more importantly the Lord has changed me so much. I am so humbled to have had this opportunity to learn and grow, to share in the joy felt as others choose to come to Christ through the waters of baptism.
This last week was amazing!
We received a referral for a lady that lives in Waelder (Pop 1064)... which is even more in the middle of nowhere than Lockhart. We hardly ever go out there, due to mileage limitations. So, we planned on going out there to meet Brittany. We called her, and she was so sweet. We set up a lesson for the next day. We got there, and met Brittany and her friend, Richard. Brittany has been through a lot, and is really searching for God. She said she has always believed in God, but now she wants to get closer to Him. She and Richard had wonderful questions, and were so excited to get a Book of Mormon.
Little things like this are what I love about being a missionary. Really, about being a member of the church. Seeing people begin to change, and seeing the "light" go off when something makes sense--not only in their head but in their heart. It is such a wonderful thing to witness. The Gospel of Jesus Christ truly is wonderful!
--
One of the hymns that has become my favorite here on the mission is: Placentero Nos Es Trabajar. Sadly it isn't in english. but it is a beautiful song. Here are the lyrics:
"Placentero nos es trabajar
en la viña del gran Rey Jesús,
y honroso nos es predicar
a Su pueblo Su ley y Su lluz.
La palabra de Dios escuchad
con ahínco, lealtad y fervor.
Para siempre jamás recordad
Su pureza, verdad y amor.
¡Oh hermanos, adiós, pues, adiós!
El momento de ir vino ya.
Si guardamos la fe en el gran Dios,
nos veremos aún más allá."
It is a little hard to come to the end of my mission. But that doesn't mean my service to God is over. I have made a promise to God. Like our TSAM purpose statement says, "My decision has been made. I've put my hand to the plough. I've crossed the line." Returning home doesn't change any of that. My decision has still been made, and I will continue to serve my Lord with all that in me is. I will forever be a servant of the Lord.
I love you all! Have a marvelous week.
Hermana Megan Dean
Monday, March 14, 2016
Hallelujah!
Hola Todos!
This week has been so wonderful! I know I probably say that in all of my emails, but it is true! I can't even begin to tell of all the wonderful miracles I have seen over the course of my mission. Some were more drastic than others, and some were sweet, tender miracles that testified to me, personally, that my Heavenly Father loves me.
As my mission comes to a close, I ponder about all that has transpired over the last 18 months. I have seen the Lord change me so much. Some changes have occurred through tears-of both joy and regret. Many changes have been made through sweat and hard work. (Let's kill that myth right now. Yes, sister missionaries do sweat.) I like the me that the Lord has made so much more than the me I used to be. I testify of the truth found in Ether 12:27:
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
Christ has shown unto my my weakness. It has humbled me. In many cases, I have seen those weak things become strong. There are still so many things I have to work on, but I have so much hope in the strength of the Lord--that He can change me.
----
Easter is coming! It is here! Yesterday, the Church came out with a wonderful video titled, Follow Him. Y'all should watch it if you haven't yet, and then watch it again, and then share it with your friends. It is so beautiful, and can all be summed up in one word: Hallelujah! God be praised. Peter sums it up as well: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.." (1 Peter 1:3) Christ has saved us. He is the only way to salvation. There is none other way! Without Him, we cannot be saved.
I know with all my heart that Christ lives! The words spoken by the angel long ago bring so much joy and comfort to my heart: " Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here: for he is risen." (Luke 24:5, Matthew 28:6) The garden tomb is empty. Christ was the first to resurrect, and because of this, all of us will be resurrected too.
What a glorious gift this is! "Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise" (2 Nephi 2:8)
We have a task, you and me, to make these things known to all those on the earth. What comfort, joy and love it brings us. Imagine that comfort, joy and love being felt by all those we love.
Truly, all that comes to my lips, "Hallelujah!"
I love y'all so much!
--
Hermana Megan Dean
Monday, March 7, 2016
Follow the Prophet
Hola todos!
We have had a great week.
This last Tuesday, we met with Sister Rickman. Sister Whitman came with us. We had lunch, and talked about the Book of Mormon, and the power it has in our life. Sister Rickman loves the Book of Mormon, and wants to keep reading it regularly. The Book of Mormon truly is so amazing! I love what it teaches us about our potential as sons and daughters of God.
Sister Whitman invited Sister Rickman to the upcoming General Conference session for the women of the church, and she said she would go and is excited for it!
On Friday, Sister Gibson and I were invited to attend MLC-Mission Leaders Council. It was really neat to see our leaders working together,teaching how to help other missionaries and how to help our investigators. Something I have noticed about all the trainings I have seen, or even given, is that they aren't about something crazy and new. They are basics. They are found in Preach My Gospel. They are essential for a missionary to be successful. Going to MLC really pumped me up to give even more and do even more than I am these next couple weeks. I don't want to slack off right at the end. I want to "cross the finish line" (of sorts) giving all that I can.
Saturday, we went over to the Barnes' house for dinner. Sister Barnes loves us so much that she said she wants us to come over for dinner every Saturday. She is such a sweetheart, and has such a strong testimony of the Gospel.
This Gospel is so true! There is nothing on earth that could ever make me deny it. Through Joseph Smith, Christ restored His doctrine and His Priesthood Power to the earth. It is here today! We have a living prophet. He was chosen by God to lead us and guide us throughout our life here on earth. If we follow him, we won't go astray. I am so excited for General Conference. Think of it. Not only do we have a living Prophet on the earth, but we have the chance to see him and hear him speak the words of the Lord twice a year! I am so excited to hear the words of our beloved Prophet and the Apostles. We will truly be blessed for following the men the Lord has chosen to lead us.
I love you all so much! Have a most amazing week.
Hermana Megan Dean
Monday, February 29, 2016
The Fullness of Times
Hola Todos!
This week was so wonderful!
On Wednesday, we had exchanges! I went with Hermana Collier to Riverside and Hermana Gonzalez came to Lockhart with Hermana Gibson. It was such a great exchange. I love Hermana Collier! We met at the airport on the way to the Mexico MTC. We have followed each other around the mission, and have had many opportunities to work together. She was amazing when I first met her, and it has been so cool to learn so much from her throughout the mission. We had a couple of lessons with their investigators and part member families. Hermana Collier really leads by example and is such a powerful teacher. I really learned a lot from her.
Thursday was Zone Conference! We learned about the importance of working with members. We reviewed some of the training we had received during the World-Wide Missionary Broadcast about working with these members. It was really neat to see the vision of our leaders. My vision was definitely raised, and I am so excited to use these new ways to work with our members here.
Yesterday, David accepted a calling! He is the President of our Gospel Principles class. He is so excited to give his all in this calling. He was a little nervous, but said he is so thankful for this opportunity to serve others. We had a lesson with him that night, and we talked about Prophets. We watched a little clip from President Monson's address this last conference. David said he hopes to be able to meet him and his counselors and the 12 apostles someday. He told us that he has noticed such a great change in himself. We told him that we have seen that change, as well as the members of the branch. Many members have commented to us how proud of him they are and how different he is since learning more about the Gospel. It warms my heart to hear this and see the Gospel in action!
I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve the Lord. I know with all my heart and all that I am that this is His Gospel, restored once again to the earth. How very blessed we are to live during this time when the fullness of the Gospel is here on the earth!
Hermana Megan Dean
Monday, February 22, 2016
True Doctrine
Hola todos!
This week has been so wonderful, and so full of amazing things!
We had a meeting with all of the Sister Missionaries in Austin, with our Lead Sister Training Leaders and President and Sister Slaughter. We were so spiritually fed! I love learning from my leaders. I always learn so much, and leave the meetings with so much fire and desire to continue doing good, and to change in ways that will make what I do better.
One thing that President Slaughter talked with us about was being overwhelmed. He used the example of the Apostles with Christ in the ship. They are all in the boat on the water, and suddenly, a storm arises. The Apostles begin to fear, and go to find their Master. They find Him asleep. Their natural side arises, and they ask, "Master, carest Thou not that we perish?", and the Master's response: "Peace, Be still". After these words were spoken, the waves and the winds ceased. As did the fearful thoughts and feelings of the Apostles.
In this account, the Apostles were very overwhelmed. They saw the winds and the waves, and feared. Maybe later on in their life, as they looked back, they felt silly for being overwhelmed. They were in a boat with the Creator of those waves and winds.
The point President was getting at is that there is no use to get overwhelmed. We too will look back on those moments, and feel silly for overwhelming ourselves, rather than trusting in Him who is in our boat.
It was a wonderful meeting, and did learn so much from my leaders.
----
This week was so great! We had a lesson with D and D. They are doing so well. They read in the Book of Mormon together every morning. We invited them to be baptized, and they said yes!
David is doing so great! We had a lesson with him and a Sister from the branch yesterday about Tithing and Fast Offerings. David is so excited to pay his tithing. He has seen a change in his life, and we have noticed changes too. When he first started coming to church, he would sit in the back of the chapel, with the hood of his hoodie up. In classes, he would sit in the back too, and wouldn't say much. Now, he sits closer up in the chapel, with members of the Branch. He doesn't wear a hoodie, but a white shirt and tie. In class, he volunteers, and asks questions, and shares his thoughts on the subjects with us. Conversion is real, and it is so powerful!
One of my favorite quotes, which also is found in Preach My Gospel, says, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitude and behavior" (Said by President Packer). I have seen this on my mission. In myself, as I have come to understand better the Doctrine of Jesus Christ. I have also seen it in so many other people, as they have learned true doctrine. Their attitude and behavior have changed. David is just one example of this, but there are so many people that have experienced this.
I love you all!
-- Hermana Megan Dean
Monday, February 15, 2016
The Ten Teachers
Hola todos!
This week has been SO AMAZING!
I need to brag a little about my companion. Hermana Gibson is SO wonderful. She is such a wonderful missionary! She is so focused and such a powerhouse teacher. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be her companion. For whatever reason, we have grown so close this week, and have seen the power that comes from increased unity in our companionship. She's so great! I hope you all have the chance to meet her someday.
We have seen so many wonderful miracles this week. On Tuesday, we went to an appointment we had set up with one of our less-active members, Esther. She is such a sweetheart. Her husband, and two of her children aren't members. When we got there, M (the husband) was out working, but we met J and T, their kids. We sat down, and got to know them just a little, and J told us she wants to be baptized! How awesome. T wants to also. We were about to say a prayer when M got home for his lunch break. He joined us for the prayer, but then had to go back to work. He seems very nice. Esther is such a great lady. During the lesson, she helped teach her children about Joseph Smith and why it was necessary for the Doctrine of Jesus Christ to be restored. She has a very strong testimony of the Gospel, and wants to be a better example to her kids.
We also had a lesson with RJ and his grandma Margie. They are both such sweet spirits. RJ has been coming to church since October or so on his own, and we have just began teaching him and his grandma. They are so sweet! Tiani came with us, and is such an amazing teacher. She got back from her mission in December, and is still such an awesome missionary.
Last week, President Slaughter invited us to participate in a study of 10 Teachers in the Book of Mormon. Even in just this first week, I have learned so much! These are chapters of the Book of Mormon I have read before, but it has been so wonderful to study them with the perspective of who the teacher is and how he teaches. It has increased my testimony so much of the power of the Book of Mormon, and that it was indeed written by holy men, men called of God. Here are the 10 teachers and their teachings. I hope you all are able to study them and get to know them as well.
-NEPHI: 1 Nephi 21-22,2 Nephi 30-33-JACOB: 2 Nephi 9-10, Jacob 4-MORMON: 3 Nephi 11, 3 Nephi 27, Mormon 9, Moroni 7-8-MORONI:Ether 12, Moroni 10-LEHI: 2 Nephi 2-3-BENJAMIN: Mosiah 2-5-AMULEK: Alma 11, Alma 34-ALMA: Alma 7, Alma 12, Alma 39-42-ABINADI: Mosiah 15-16-SAMUEL: Helaman 14
I am so grateful for this time I have had to be a full-time missionary. I have seen myself be changed and molded into a better person. I am excited to take everything I have learned and everything I have become back home and use it to continue in the Work of Salvation. I will forever be a missionary. I might not always have a nametag, but I will forever declare the truth I have come to know. I will do all in my power to be an example to all around me. There is so much more to missionary work than a year and a half. There is enough for a lifetime and more!
I love you all. Have a wonderful week!
--
Hermana Megan Dean
Monday, February 8, 2016
The Joy of Families
Hola Todos!
I just want to start off by saying how much I love this Gospel and the Restored Church of Jesus Christ. I know with all my heart that it is true and living it is the only way to return to the presence of our Father.
This last week has been so great. We have met with some great people.
Earlier this week, we had a lesson with David, and he shared with us something he had written in his journal. It was about his journey to the truth. He testified of how he knows Joseph Smith is a prophet, that the Book of Mormon is true, and he knows that he did what the Lord wanted by being baptized. He recognizes that he has joined a huge family and support system. He is grateful for the help he has received and the support the branch has given him through this journey.
He shared this yesterday as part of his testimony during Fast and Testimony Meeting. It touched many people's hearts, and they went up to him after and thanked him for sharing that experience and testimony. It was so sweet, sincere and heartfelt.
This Gospel is so special and dear to my heart. There is so much comfort that I have in my life because of it. One of my most favorite hymns about Missionary Work is "Go Forth With Faith". The second, in particular, brings the most comfort. It says,
"Go forth with love to tell the world
The joy of families--
That we may be with those we love
Thru all eternity."
The joy of families--
That we may be with those we love
Thru all eternity."
I LOVE this truth. I know that families are central to the Plan of God. They are not just for this life. Through the power of God, we can be sealed together in a family unit. As we each do our part, we will be able to enjoy the blessings of a forever family. This truth is so near and dear to my heart. I love my family so much, and I know that I can be with them forever, as we continue forward, faithfully and firmly taking hold of the Iron Rod, all the way to the Tree of Life.
I love you all. Have a wonderful week!
--
Monday, February 1, 2016
Reconoce quién eres y actúa como debes
Hola Todos!
--
This week has been fantastic!
This morning, we received our transfer information. Hermana Gibson and I will be staying here in Lockhart for this next transfer. I am so excited. Lockhart has become one of my favorite areas. I love the people here so much, and have learned so much from them.
David is doing so great. He is still reading the Book of Mormon-- he started Mosiah the other day--and he is participating more and more in our Sunday classes. He loves the gospel, and loves everything that he has learned.
Tracy is doing well too. As of right now, she no longer has a date for the 13th of February, because she has some habits that she wants and needs to quit, but doesn't think she can do it before then. She still wants to be baptized, and wants to continue coming to church and meeting with us. She has such a sweet spirit, and loves learning.
This last week, President Slaughter invited us to study in depth the Missionary Handbook. I have personally LOVED this study so much, and have learned even more. I have seen how much of the Missionary Handbook has to do with obedience. Really, all of it does. One of the phrases President uses all the time, which really is the underlying principle, is "Know who you are , and act accordingly." If we do this, there will be no misunderstandings about rules or standards. As we learn and know who we are, we begin to see a greater, grander perspective. We understand that we have commandments for a reason--that God loves us and wants to protect us. As we understand this, we act accordingly: We keep the commandments because we love God, not because we fear punishment or simply want the blessing attached.
I know who I am--I am a daughter of Heavenly Father, who loves me, and I love Him. I am a servant of the Lord, called by Him and assigned to serve here, in Lockhart, TX. Because I know this, I will continually strive to act accordingly.
I love you all. Have a most wonderful week!
Hermana Dean
The Page family has a couple of donkeys. This is Eeyore.
Over the course of my mission, I have kept track of the companions I have had and the areas,and zones I have been in....Now it is all filled in!
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