I probably should have learned this sooner....

Hello all! 

For starters, here is some  fabulous news: (drum roll please) DAVID IS GETTING BAPTIZED!! How wonderful is that? He is so excited, and feels ready for this step. We were talking about the temples yesterday with him. Sister Garcia came with us, and bore a powerful testimony of temples. David is so excited that we can do ordinances for our family members who have passed on. He told his siblings that he is getting baptized, and they are all so happy for him. He is going to invite them to the baptism.

This week was just wonderful. There were so many miracles seen and lessons learned. Here are just a few:

1.)Members are amazing!

So our miles per month that we have been allotted have been reduced significantly. As a mission, we are trying to be more obedient in every way--including in keeping within our miles. At first this seemed IMPOSSIBLE, because David, our investigator who is getting baptized, lives in Gonzales, which is 32 miles away from Lockhart. There and back is 64 miles, which is a lot to go a couple times a week. So, we have asked help from our members, and they have been such a blessing! Last Tuesday, we arranged for one of our members to take us from Lockhart to Luling (a town in between) and another from Luling to Gonzales, and for in the evening, one to take us from Gonzales to Luling, and a fourth member to take us from Luling to Lockhart. Initially, we didn't think it would be possible, but our members answered our prayers. Sister Rogers and Sister Barnes helped us out with rides in the beginning of the day. We got to Gonzales, and were able to walk around and met so many awesome people! And, we were blessed to run into another member as she was picking up her kids from school, and she gave us a ride to the other side of Gonzales, that would have taken us a solid 30 minutes to walk. At the end of the day, Brother and Sister Cochran offered to take us the whole way home to Lockhart. I told you. They are so awesome. 

2.) Allergies and colds are not so amazing.

On Thursday , Sister McBride got sick, we think it was a cold. I didn't feel to well myself, whether it was a cold or just allergies, I'm not sure. But we did part of our weekly planning, and when neither of us could think straight, we thought it a good idea to take a nap, in attempt to save our minds. We were both out cold. For like 3 hours. We got up long enough to get some food in our stomachs, but didn't have the energy to do much else. Back to bed we went, and were out. All night long. The next day, we were both so much better, and able to finish what we hadn't been able to the day before. Sleep does wonders to a sick/allergy afflicted body.

3.) Texas has the most random rainstorms

Yes, this I did know, but it was reaffirmed on Friday. We were headed to a lesson with Lori, and parked a bit down the street from her house. As soon as we got out of the car and walking to her house, the skies decided this would be the perfect time to open and pour out as much water as they could in 5 minutes. We got soaked! But hey. They lesson with Lori was amazing! She is so sincere and wants to learn more and teach her kids.

4.)driving in mud in a sedan is not a good idea.

We had great intentions. Really. We did. We were going to see Rhonda (one of our investigators), who lives out in the boonies. We should have kept in mind that it had down poured the day before...but I suppose that slipped our minds. We wanted to see Rhonda before church, so we headed out to her house. She has a big dirt driveway that you have to go on before you get to her trailer house. We thought our little car could make it. Well, she did for part of the way....and then she got stuck. So, we put on our thinking caps to try and figure out a solution. In the end, we decided to go and see if anyone was home. There was a pickup truck in front of the house, so maybe someone home could help us. We walked up the rest of the driveway, and knocked on the door. Jeff, Rhonda's husband answered, and told us she wasn't available. Then he asked if we got stuck. Yes, yes we had. He offered to help us out. I'm so thankful for pickup trucks and tow hitches. They are life savers. I don't know if we had that experience so that Jeff would have the opportunity to help us out, or so that we learned a lesson.... Perhaps both. Either way, it was a great experience.

5.) the Lord truly pours blessings upon us

This too, I have known for a while, but it has been reaffirmed so many times in my life, including this last week. We had so many lessons with so many wonderful families. I stand all amazed at the miracles that happen when we do our part and follow the commandments of the Lord!

I love you all! I hope you are doing well. 

Have a most amazing week!

Hermana Dean 

Megan.dean@myldsmail.net

http://www.mormon.org/me/C0MJ

Fwd:

Yo y la Hermana McBride, mi nueva compañera! 

Hermana Dean 

Megan.dean@myldsmail.net

http://www.mormon.org/me/C0MJ

Fwd:

Yo y la Hermana McBride! Mi nueva compañera!

Hermana Dean 

Megan.dean@myldsmail.net

http://www.mormon.org/me/C0MJ

Why hello, all my lovely friends and family!

I hope you are all doing well. This week has been super great. Kind of a crazy beginning... Let me tell you why!

Last Monday started out pretty normal. We went to get our hair cut, we went shopping, and emailed. A pretty normal P-day. But after we get home from working, it all changed. We see that we have a missed call from the Assistants. We called back, but they didn't answer, but three seconds later, they were calling us again. Hermana Cannon answered the phone, and they asked for me. They told me that they were making a few changes in the mission, and that I would be transferred to Lockhart, and that I would be companions with Hermana McBride.They said we could meet up with them at the Kyle Zone Training Meeting, on Wednesday. (Which is more notice than I have had before. The other two times, it was the night before I needed to leave.) Cool! I was excited. A little sad, yes. But excited. So, the rest of Monday evening was spent packing all my clothes. Which is the easy part when it comes to packing. Jaja. All the other stuff--books, study papers, etc. are the difficult parts. But, by Tuesday night, everything was packed and ready.

This was the third time in my mission I have been emergency transferred (transferred before the end of the 6 weeks). Which is crazy, but I'm glad I am able to serve the Lord--no matter what area I am assigned to... Or re-assigned to.

And, now I'm here in Lockhart! We cover a whole bunch of little towns, like Luling, Gonzales, Dale, and a whole bunch more... I haven't even been to all of them yet. Also, our church building is in a strip mall... which is super cool. But the work here is so wonderful!

We have an investigator, David, who is preparing to be baptized on the 31st of October. He is doing so great. This last week, we saw him two times, and were able to help him understand the Word of Wisdom, and the Law of Chastity. We only have a couple more things that we need to teach him before the 31st. He is so great! He came to church this last week, and had also gone the week before when it was Stake Conference (I was still in Lake Austin for that). I'm so excited for him. He has most definitely been prepared for this.

We also have an investigator, Rhonda. She is the sweetest lady ever. One day, when she was nine, she decided she wanted to go to church, so she got dressed up, and walked until she found one. It just happened to be one of our churches. She walked inside, and asked someone where she needed to go, and they asked where her parents were. She said, "At home sleeping." jaja. and so, they took her to primary, and she loved it, and went to church for a couple years, but didn't ever end up getting baptized. She then went to a whole bunch of other churches, but none of them ever felt right to her. And now, at 50 years old, decided to come back to the LDS church. Her parents are now members, but they haven't come for a while. She came to church for the first time with us yesterday, and felt the Spirit so strongly, and made so many new friends. One of the members of the branch leaves for his mission soon, so he gave a talk, and also sang "Oh Lord, My Redeemer". Rhonda was touched so much by the Spirit, and started crying. She was a little embarrassed by it, but we told her it is completely fine, and to not worry; that that is how some people feel the Holy Ghost testifying to them. She loved the rest of church, and asked if she could come again next week. :) She is just so amazing.

This week, I have been studying President Uchtdorf's talk, "It Works Wonderfully". I just love it. The Gospel really doesn't have to be complicated. Toward the end of his talk, he says: "God will help you become something greater than you ever thought possible, and you will discover that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed working in your life."  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect! It can and will work in our lives if we allow it to. Sometimes we complicate things, but if we follow the counsel from President Uchtdorf, and step back, he promises we will see the beautiful simplicity of the Gospel, and we will see it working in our lives. 

I love you all! I hope you are all doing well.

--

Hermana Dean

megan.dean@myldsmail.net

http://www.mormon.org/me/C0MJ

Our Church building:

What happens when you leave your EOS's in the hot car in hot Texas, upside-down...

What's in our backyard? Yup. A high school, complete with football stadium...

​Saying Goodbye to Hermanas Cannon and Marble....


Yes. I have a picture of Hermana McBride and me, but they are on my Ipad... and the Library we are at doesn't have WiFi... so I'll send it later. 

Love you!
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My Heart Pondereth Them Often

Hola todos!

This week has been so wonderful!

On Monday, we had a lesson with Chámilie, one of our investigators. We were going to teach her and Edwards about the Plan of Salvation, but Edwards was busy getting their kids ready for bed...we have another appointment tonight and we are hoping he'll join us. Anyway, so he wasn't available, so we talked to Chámilie about General Conference a little. (The week before, we had talked about it, and showed her where she could watch it, and she was really excited that we have a living prophet.) She told us she had wanted to watch it, but she couldn't find it. We found out she had been looking on the Gospel Library app, instead of LDS.org. We showed her on the website where she could find it, and she said she would watch some of it.

As part of the lesson with her, we also read the introduction of the Book of Mormon. She told us she knows the Book of Mormon is a guide, and that she feels good while reading it. Really, y'all. She is so amazing--she and Edwards. They are so wonderful, and I am super excited to visit with them tonight.

We also have started teaching this super cute little girl, Ali. She is the granddaughter of a member in our Ward. She is the cutest little girl ever, and she wants to get baptized. We have another appointment with them on Tuesday. 

How amazing it is to live in a time when the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to its fullness! Seeing it in action last week with General Conference was so amazing. This church is true, and Jesus Christ is at the head. He has called men here in earth to lead us and guide us safely back to Him and our loving Heavenly Father. We can trust them, for they cannot lead us astray. 

I love you all! I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Hermana Dean 

Megan.dean@myldsmail.net

http://www.mormon.org/me/C0MJ

Hermana Marble & Hermana Cannon

My Ponderizing scripture- Alma 26:22

The Work Moves On!

Hello all of my lovely family, friends, and fellow missionaries!

Oh. I just LOVE General Conference. It is my most favorite Holiday of the year! And even better, it is TWICE a year. I just love it so much! How glorious it is to know we live in a time when the fullness of Christ's church is here on the Earth, with living apostles and prophets. How wonderful it is!

This week has been so wonderful! Transfer weeks always are. Hermana Cannon and I are both staying here in the lovely Lake Austin, and we also have a third companion, Hermana Marble. I am so excited, and so blessed to be able to work with these wonderful Hermanas. I know I will learn so much from the both of them.

General Conference was absolutely amazing. Through the Spirit, I received answers to many of my questions. I hope the same was for you. There were quite a few talks about how to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. These talks have made me want to start studying this more. What does it take to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ? Many answers to this were given to us in General Conference.

I am equally excited to begin Ponderizing a scripture every week for 20 years, and then for another 20, and another. How much of a blessing will that be to begin writing the scriptures on your heart? This week, I have chosen Alma 26:22.

I love you all so much. I hope you are all doing well.

Until next week!
--

Hermana Dean

megan.dean@myldsmail.net

http://www.mormon.org/me/C0MJ

The joy of Families

Hello! This week has been wonderful. We had a lesson with Chamilie and Edwards, who are just wonderful! We went over, and they let us right in to have a lesson. Edwards was eating, and said he didn't want to come over right then. So, we talked with Chamilie about her belief in God, and why she wants to raise her kids to have faith in him. We started talking a little bit about prophets, when Edwards finished eating. We invited him to join us, and when he came over, Chamilie explained everything we had just taught to him. She told him what a prophet is, and why it is important to have one. Wow! It was really neat. She was very sincere in it, and you could tell she wasn't just repeating what we had said. The rest of the lesson was amazing. Edwards said there was a question he has had for a long time. Before we could say anything about how answers come, Chamilie told him he should pray, just like Joseph Smith had, and that he would receive an answer. Wow!

The hard part with them is that they can only meet with us on Mondays, because of their work schedules. So, we have an appointment with them this evening. I am so excited. You can just see the love they both have for God, and the desires they have to raise their kids with righteous morals and values.

---------

During the General Women's session, we sang "Go Forth With Faith". I love the words that are found in the 2nd verse:

"Go forth with love to tell the world

The joy of families--

That we may be with those we love

Thru all eternity..."

(Hymns 263)

 

Have you ever thought about the significance of these words? How wonderful it is to know that we can be with our families for all eternity.  "The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally" (The Family: A Proclamation to the World). God has given us our families, not only for this life, but for the eternities.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we are taught of the plan our loving Heavenly Father has for us. We know of this plan through the scriptures, as well as the teachings of our living prophets and apostles. In the scriptures, this plan is called the plan of mercy (Alma 42:15), the plan of salvation (Moses 6:62), the plan of redemption (Alma 18:39), and the great plan of happiness (Alma 42:8). Mercy. Salvation. Redemption. Happiness. All of these are things that we want to receive. And we know that it is only through Christ that this Salvation comes unto us (Mosiah 3:17).

We are also taught that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children" (The Family: A Proclamation to the World). The family--your family, my family, all families--are central to this plan of happiness, mercy, redemption and salvation.

I am so grateful for the family that I have. I know it is not by chance or coincidence that we have the families we do. I feel so blessed to have been born into a family that loves and treasures the Savior's teachings. This fuels my fire to share this restored Gospel with all those I come in contact with.

I hope you are all able to watch General Conference this up coming weekend. How amazing is it that we have living prophets and apostles in these days, and can hear them speak to us. I know as we listen with open hearts and minds, questions we have been pondering can and will be answered.

I love you all! Have an amazing week!

--

Hermana Dean

megan.dean@myldsmail.net

http://www.mormon.org/me/C0MJ

Hola todos!

Goodness. This week has been so great!

On Tuesday, we had exchanges. Hermana Clark came to Lake Austin to work with me, and Hermana Cannon went to Palm Valley with Hermana Hancock. Goodness. I just LOVE exchanges. They are such a wonderful way to learn and grow. Truly inspired.

Hermana Clark and I met some amazing people. First, we met Juliet. She is such a woman of faith. She has had some health problems in the past, but doesn't let that get her down. We shared "Because of Him" with her, and she just loved it. We set up an appointment with her to come back with her whole family.

We also met Reyna and Angel, and their cute family. They live in Manor. We went over to their house, and Reyna was home with her kids. We told them we wanted to come back when their whole family was home, but that we did want to share a video with them before we left. Just as we were starting the video, the husband, Angel, got home, and joined us. They loved it. They also have such strong faith in the Lord. They said we could come back, and share more with them.

Sadly, with both Juliet and Reyna and her family, we weren't able to have a second appointment. We went for our appointment with Juliet, but her daughter answered and told us she had just left to got to the store. And with Reyna and Angel, we called to confirm our appointment, and Reyna told us her husband would be at work until 5 in the morning, so we rescheduled. These two families are so wonderful! I am so excited to meet with them, and to help them see the blessings of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Another family we have been teaching is the Hernandez family. Oscar, and his two daughters: Veronica and Isel. We had a lesson with them the other day, and invited them to be baptized,  they told us that once they learned a little more, then definitely.

How wonderful is this Gospel! I know it is true with all my heart. I know the Lord loves us, and wants us to progress, to continue learning and growing and changing for the better.

I love you all! I hope you have a wonderful week!

-- Hermana Dean

megan.dean@myldsmail.net

http://www.mormon.org/me/C0MJ

BLUE BELL IS BACK!!!

Exchanges with Hermana Clark

Round Rock Donuts. Yummmm!

How do you celebrate in Texas? With Blue Bell, of course!

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I'm really bad at coming up with subject titles....

Hola familia!

So from last week, I completely forgot to tell you. Gabriela, one of our investigators, had her baby blessed in sacrament meeting. How cool is that? It was such a sweet blessing. It talked about Gael--her son--growing up to be a missionary and sharing the restored gospel with others. It was so sweet!

This week has been superb. We have found & been able to talk with so many amazing people.

Yesterday, we went by a former investigator, Ray. He was not really interested in continuing learning about our church, but when we asked him who he knew that needed help, he immediately pointed to his neighbor across the street. So, we went to go talk to his neighbor. We knocked on the door, and a lady answered. Susan was very nice, but told us they were really busy with some things right then, and didn't really have time for us.  So, we turned and walked away.

As we were walking to the car, we hear someone whistle and say, "Ladies!". we turned around, and the lady was out on her lawn, and waved us back. We went back, she invited us inside, and brought out her husband, Todd. He has had some serious health issues the last couple months, and has had a really hard time seeing the good in life. He told us about himself, how he used to be a really optimistic person, and would always  think positively, but since having so many surgeries and health problems, and near death experiences, he just doesn't see the point anymore. Susan, his wife, said she would really appreciate it if we talked with them and prayed as well.

Todd told us more of his story, which reminded Hermana Cannon of a scripture--Ether 12:4. We talked about how our Faith in Jesus Christ leads us to have hope for a better world. That because of all Jesus Christ did, we can live with God once again. Todd talked some more about how much he hates being sick. He feels demeaned by his health. He sometimes doesn't have the strength to get up off the floor. He wants someone who understands. We shared with him Alma 7:11-12, and talked about how much the Savior truly loves us and knows exactly how we are feeling in every moment. He began to cry , and told us how much he wants to know and feel closer to God. We talked a bit about the Book of Mormon, and he said he wanted to read one. We had to go out to our car and get one in English, and when we returned and gave it to him, he started reading it right then and there.

There was so much love I felt for Todd and Susan--two people I had never met before, nor do I know them very well, but what I do know, is that God loves them, and knows them perfectly. It was quite amazing to feel just a smidgen of the love God has for them.

I know this Gospel is true with all my heart. I know it can and will help anybody with the trials they are experiencing in life.

I love you all so much! Have a wonderful week.
--

Hermana Dean

megan.dean@myldsmail.net

http://www.mormon.org/me/C0MJ

7 Septiembre 2015

September??? Where on earth did August go? Wow. I just can't believe how fast time flies. 

This week was super great. We have been challenged by our leaders in the mission to not hesitate to invite people to be baptized. As we have taken this challenge, we have seen many miracles, and we have been able to meet some amazing people. I am so excited for our investigators. 

One of them, Zoila, has been meeting with the missionaries for a couple months. We were able to meet with her, and talked a bit about the Restoration. She remembers a lot, and has still been reading her scriptures. We invited her to be baptized, and she said she wants to find out if this is true, and something she needs in her life. She knows it is good, but she wants a witness that it is true. Which is great! She works on Sunday's, and it is really hard for her to request them off, because nobody wants to work Sundays. But she said in two weeks she should be able to come. She still is reading her scriptures. She is so amazing. 

Another is Thelma. She is super great. She says she knows the Book of Mormon is true. She just wants support from her family. We also invited her to be baptized, and she said when she knows the church is true, then yes. So we will be visiting with her and her family, trying to help them understand and know the truth for themselves. They are so great!

Another miracle. We were headed to a lesson, when the person we were going to have a lesson with texted us and said they weren't home. So, we had already gone to the neighborhood, and we had some other people we wanted to go by. We went by one family, who had met with the missionaries previously, but weren't acting, so the missionaries stopped going by. When Apolonio, the dad, answered the door, we told him we were the missionaries. He said, "you should come back. We need to learn more. Why did you stop coming by?" He and the family had still been reading in the Book of Mormon, and didn't know why the missionaries stopped visiting them. We have an appointment with them later this week. 

Another miracle

Sister Cannon and I were meeting with a member, Victor. We were taking about the sacrament, when his son, Steve, who isn't a member, came and joined us. Steve has visited with the missionaries before, from the YSA Ward, but had stopped for a while. He did tell us he has still been reading the Book of Mormon, and that he feels peaceful when he does. We set up an appointment for this last Saturday with Victor and Steve to read from the Book of Mormon together. When we went for the appointment Steve was asleep. So we still met with Victor, and read the introduction to the Book of Mormon with him. Just when we were almost done, Steve came out. He said sorry he had just woken up, but wanted to join us. He said he has been making more time to read from the Book of Mormon, and really likes reading it. He then told us, "I think you call it the comforter... Yeah well I've felt him and I really like it". We talked a little about the Holy Ghost, and the gift of the Holy Ghost that comes after baptism. We asked if he had any questions, and he said, "yeah, so how do I go about asking to be baptized into the Mormon church?" Just like that, my friend, just like that. We gave him the number for the missionaries in the YSA Ward, and he said he would go to church that Sunday. Oh my goodness, it was so amazing! 

The miracles are truly out there. I know it, I have seen them. I know there are so many people who are just waiting for the truth, but are "kept from the truth because they know not where to find it". We are working hard to find the elect. The most repeated promise in Preach My Gospel is that Heavenly Father is preparing people to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. 

I do have to say, I just LOVE my companion. She is so wonderful, and helps me become better everyday. She is so close to the Spirit, and so in tune with the spiritual promptings. I have just learned so much from her in these three weeks we have been together.

I love you all! Have a most fantastic week!

--

Hermana Dean

megan.dean@myldsmail.net

http://www.mormon.org/me/C0MJ