Temple :)

Mama;

This week has been a rough week for Sister Stewart and I. she just kind of broke down one night and told me that she has no idea why she is out on a mission or why the Lord sent her here and we just talked for a good hour. then a few days later we went to a referrals house for a meeting we had set up with them but they were not home. I had a prompting to go and visit a member couple who lived a few blocks from where we were at. we were at the members house just talking when sister stewart broke down again and we just talked with the member (Sister Boggs) about her mission and how she got through it. It was an amazing experience and the spirit was so strong in that room as we talked. Sister stewart and I went home loving each other more and loving the Lord more. The next day, (Friday) we had dinner with Bro Boggs who is a recent convert and is having a rough time in his life right now. so the elders had the dinner message and they did a great job. we watched the new Mormon message "the hope of God's light" and that helped him out a little bit. then we drove the elders back to there car by our apartment and sat for 40 mins in the car just talking about our missions and what has helped us through the hard times. Elder Nibley and Elder Tripp (elder Collins wasn't there because of exchanges) were telling us all the crappy crazy experiences they have had on their missions and how they learned why they were in that certain area or why they went through that experience. It was amazing. then we all decided to go and get cupcakes  and take them to the Spanish elders who are also having a rough go. It was the best night of my mission. just to see the happy smiling faces of all of us as we got to brighten each others day. We will probably never do it again but at that moment, someone's day was made and everyone was happy.

Anywho... I should also tell you that trainer calls were this weekend.... no I am not training, but sister Stewart is training again... so as of September 3rd I will most likely have a new companion and a new address... so if you are planning on sending me anything, don't send it after thrusday Aug 28th... cuz it will take longer to get to me if I have a new address...

Also.. because next Monday is Labor Day, the library where I am at right now email will be closed so I will write you on Tues Sept 1st instead :}

Now to answer your questions:

So what have you been doing this week to help show your Heavenly Father's love for others? Just listening to what people have to say. I know that is probably not what you were expecting but I have gained a lot of trust from other missionaries and have grown to love them even more.

do you do service hours? if yes what do you do?  We do have service hours but not set ones. we just go and help people clean out their garage, wash someone's dog or help someone move. Just little things throughout the week.

do you read the ensign each month? Do you ever share those messages? We do read the ensign and we are starting to share some of the messages inside with our Less Active members. It seems to be working:}

Because you are in a strong Christian area do they all know they are children of Heavenly Father? Not all of the people we talk to understand that they are God's children but they know who they are and who God is but they don't understand the relationship between us and God... so it is fun to watch as they try to grasp that concept of the gospel.

did your whole mission go to the temple or do you go in smaller groups? We went as a zone which is 4 districts of about 8 missionaries :} It was an amazing experience. the temple is a little bit bigger than the Palmyra one :} it is about the size of our church building back home and the church right across from it shares the same parking lot... as in, the temple and the church share front yards haha. 

What did you learn this week that brought you closer to your Heavenly Father and Savior? I learned how to listen with my heart and really try to understand what the person is going through in order to help them and know that I am there for them, showing compassion like Christ did.

Was there a moment this week that was so amazing that words can not express? the temple was unbelievable! it was so amazing and spectacular and just plain awesome! it did make me a little tunky (aka homesick) because I didn't have my mom to hold my hand during it.

Do you know your family loves you? and do you feel our love and prayers? I absolutely know that you guys love me and I can feel your prayers. I don't know what I would do without you guys :} thank you so much for being amazing examples to me :} do you know that you are loved by me? hehe

what did you learn in your scripture studies? I learned in Alma 1-5 this week about Alma and the Nephites fighting against the Lamanites and the Amalicites :} that was pretty awesome!

Well I hope I answered everything for ya :} love you tons and hope you have a fabulous week!

Love Sister Meagan