Oakville

Its been another great week in Oakville!

We've been running around all week. Our area was split in two, so there are four of us in the ward, and we've been trying to find them places to live, and get them all situated. But after a full weekend we were able to settle down. On Friday, we had our last Zone Leader Council with Pres. Briggs. It was really good and we were able to discuss a lot of things going on. Then when we got home we started to do our zone planning. About half way through it though, we got a call from Pres. Briggs. He said that there was a big scouting thing going on at Forest Park (I think its the biggest park in the country, even bigger than the one in NY) and that he needed all the Elders in the zone to be there to volunteer. You can imagine the pain that caused. Everyone having to cancel appointments and so on. After a lot of stressing and worrying about it though it went really well and everyone got there.

So Oakville is a lot like Chesterfield. We live with the Bankheads. They have three sons, Christian (18), and Samuel and Spencer (15, twins). Bro. Bankhead is an Orthodontist and has 6+ offices. Needless to say, we live in a really nice place. Christian is really neat though, he comes down and hangs with us when we're home.

Since the area got split, all of the people that were being taught in the ward are on the other side of our line. So we are going to be doing a lot of finding, luckily I've been doing that for 13 months. You'd think that by now I'd be good at it or something, guess not. The other two elders in our ward are great though. Elder Ipsen has been a Zone Leader for about a year before he came here and his companion, Elder Hendricks, is fresh from the MTC. They're both great though and fun to serve around.

Dad-there are ten companionships in the Zone, so a little smaller than Columbia. Geography wise, we are really small. most of the areas are 20ish minutes away so not too much driving.

Josh-sounds like a lot of fun and a good way to end the year.

Anyway love you lots,
Elder Egan

Transfer Day

Some pictures we received recently
It was another great week in Columbia!

Transfer calls came. I'm headed back to St. Louis. I'll be in the south stake this time though. I'll be serving with Elder Jenkins. (He was my District Leader when I first came out. What's even funnier is that he was Elder Hoggs companion at that time). I'm really sad to leave here though. I was pretty upset when the call came because I didnt feel that my work was done here. I didn't sleep very well sunday night because of it. So in the morning I called and talked to Pres. Briggs about it. He told me that he was planning to leave me here for another transfer but there was a situation that came up in the south zone and was impressed that that's where I needed to go. After talking with him I felt much better about it and am looking forward to it, sorta. It'll be a new experience for sure.

Other than that our week was all over the place. We had to get new tires on the car which took a lot of time. Then over the weekend the AC in our appartment went out. Of course the landlord isn't in the office over the weekend so we have to endure it. It was 85+ in there. Then someone finally came on Monday. But they fixed everything but the AC! We were not in a good mood. Then when they did fix it, it took another day or so to finally cool off. We're still alive though.

Mom-yeah, Sis. Rider was in my district. I don't know what she's talking about though. Elder Nelson and I would always play the piano, while they were in the back laughing at us. But yeah, Elder Nelson is also from that same area. They knew each other in High School. Then along with that Elder Hogg is from that area too. I've had alot of companions from the Boise area. On of our recent converts was wanting to know how to get the Church History Books. I tried finding them but couldn't. How do you get them?

Dad-Ive been thinking alot about teaching with power and authority lately. Then on Sunday there was a talk about preisthood power and how it is service. Then I started rephrasing my thoughts to teaching with service and authority. I've been meaning to study more on it but my studies have been interupted lately with the transfer. I just thought that it was an interesting way of looking at it.

Anyway
love you lots,
Elder Egan

Another Busy Week

Its been another great week in Columbia!

We had another busy week, but this time, unlike most others, we were actually busy working our own area. We went tracting just about every day and talked to lots of people. It was fun getting out again. We had a really good lesson last night. The bishops daughter is dating a nonmember, so they invited us to "drop by" last night when he was over. We taught the "cups" lesson last night which teach the first and third lessons. The spirit was really strong there and both Elder Hogg and I testified strongly of the truthfulness of what we'd taught. It was a great way to end the night.

Transfers are this coming Sunday, not sure what'll happen. I'm hoping for one more though.

Mom-yes I got the money, thanks. Tell Gideon and Trevor congrats for me.
Dad-sounds like conference was good there too.
Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Great Conference Weekend

Recent Zone leader Conference

One year mark burning shirt and tie April 29,2010

Its been another great week in Columbia!


This weekend was one of the best ever. Elder Richard G. Scott was in town to reorganize the Stake Presidency. There was a YSA fireside Friday night that we were invited to. It was a question and answer session. Obviously there were a lot of questions on dating and what not (knowledge that I can store away for now) but good advice all together. Afterwards he shook everyones hand. He is suprisingly really short but when he looked into my eyes it was full of warmth and love, it was really a great thing. Then on Sat we went to the adult session. Once again it was a very powerful experience. He spoke a lot about his wife, who died 15 years ago on the day. It was very touching. Sunday was probably the longest one but well worth it all. After announcing the new Stake Presidency and when everyone was done talking (both the stake pres, Pres. Houseman and the 1st counciler, Pres. Mingus are in our ward. Pres. Mingus was the stake high councilmen over missionary work, so we met with him every week, and we are teaching a couple in the Pres. Housemans home) Elder Scott bore a very powerful testimony of the reality and divinity of Christ. In brief he said, "I can testify of Christ because I KNOW Him." He bore testimony in every session but Sundays just hit it home. Elder Lawerence of the 2nd quorm of 70 was also there. He gave just as good insights and remarks. He talked about how we dont have to go to the Holy Land to walk where Jesus walked, speaking about how we need to go to the Temple as often as we can. I thought it was a great reminder that the Temple is truly the Lords house.

Other than that we had another crazy busy week. We were on team ups with the Jeff City Elders again on Thursday (they live about an hour south of us) when we get a phone call from the assistants telling us that we need to be in St. Louis on Friday! We were really tired with all the driving and not being able to be home for more that a couple hours. We got alot of good council from Pres. Briggs and we talked a little about the change in Mission Pres. and Mission boundaries. It'll be an interesting July, thats for sure.

Mom-no the flash floods haven't really hit. We did get some amazing thunder storms. I'd live out here just for that reason alone. Its been wet all week but nothing too bad.
Dad-that's too bad to hear about Lyle. Is his wife still going to live there or are they going to sell the house?

Anyway,
Love you lots,
Elder Egan
I'm confused!! I thought I was in Missouri???

Busy Week....But Not Much Happening

Its been another great week in Columbia!

We were in St. Louis for most of the week. We had transfers on Wed. so we drove up tues night. Then we stayed the night again Wed because we had a meeting at the mission home Thurs. That went most of the day and so we didn't get back home til about five or six on Thursday. Then friday we had to plan most of the day. With all that, we didn't get too much work done. It was good nonetheless. Thing is, Elder Hogg got food poisoning in his last area and hasn't been able to eat much since. We're excited about this new transfer though.

Then we had a meeting with all the District leaders last night. It went well. And we came up with some good ideas on how to help the zone out.

Mom-yes I got the packages and every thing was in one peice. Thanks. The weather has been really wet. A lot of the roads have been flooded. It's all good now though. Don't worry about the backpack. It's not worth the hassle.

Dad-I'm not really training my comp. he's been out longer than me. All I have to do is show him the ropes of being a zone leader. Nothing too much different than normal, just more meetings.

Anyway, not too much happened this week.
Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Blistered Fingers and Butcher Knives

Its been another great week in Columbia! Great and crazy and really stressful.

So to begin. I'll be staying here for probably another three months. I'll be training a new Zone Leader, Elder Hogg (yes you pronounce the "O"). He was in St. Charles when I was in St. Peters, so he's been on team ups with me. Second, there was this family that we started teaching a few months ago. Well anyway they are in the midst of a divorce and so she moved out. Then he went off the deep end and moved in with his crazy sister. Well they have been harassing her and really making her life miserable filing crazy law suits and what not. Well the other day, they started harassing us as well. Obviously we aren't answering but they leave us nasty messages. If you'll remember though, Pres. Laton in the mission presidency is one of the best lawyers in the state and really high up in the government, we talked to him about it and told us what to do. Its a whole lot more complicated but thats the run down, oh yeah, now he's on the run from the cops. Anyway prayers are always helpful.

We've been on a bunch more team ups this past week trying to get to everyone before the transfer ended. We've also done service just about everyday this week. I have seven blisters on my hands three of which are all around my left thumb. It took a while to get use to them all but as long as I don't get any more, I should be fine. During all that I edged someones entire yard with a butcher knife. The edger stoped working and she really wanted it done, so I did it.

Mom-I sent the thing about my bag along with Nicks letter. I'll resend it though today I dont have it with me right now. Then if you could have them send it to the Tia's that'd be best. Tell Tyson congrats thats really exciting. As for my birthday....maybe a new tie, hehe. As for my ipod. if you cant figure it out dont worry about it.

Dad-just remember not to let Josh drive with mom (if you know whats best for both of them).
Oh man. I almost forgot. some of our members, the Palmers, were having a late easter party with their family and neighbors. Turns out that Bro. Palmers family grew up in Vancouver. His mom's sister was Marline Archer. She said that she grew up with all your sisters. She also married Kipp Poyfair and now lives in Colorado. Then Bro. Palmers mom said that she graduated in 64 from Hudsons Bay. I couldnt remember if you went there or not before your senior year. She recongized your name when I mentioned it. Of course by now I've forgot her first name but oh well. She also mentioned that she knew Marvin and Alberta Egan that lived there too. Those names didnt sound familiar so I thought I'd swing them by you.

Josh-good job on everything. Don't let all this affect your grades now.

Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Teamups, Football and Investigators......

Its been another great week in Columbia!

Our week was crazy. Like I mentioned last week, we had two team ups at the beginning of last week. One with one of the District Leaders and the other was with the Assistants. You learn so much when you get to work with other missionaries all on different levels. While with one of the Assistants, we were talking about prayer and got a lot of good insights about not praying in vain and how prayer, like baptism, is an outward expression of our inward commitment to God, just something to think about.

Saturday was a fun day. We woke up and went and played football at the university with a bunch of people, members, nonmembers, and missionaries. it was a lot of fun. Then we went and taught a lesson to our Korean investigator. We went and did yard work for our recent convert, Hollie. We were cutting and raking the yard. It was a lot of fun, even though I got burned and multiple blisters. That evening Pres. and Sis. Briggs were up here in Columbia for a spanish fireside. We took our Brazilian investigator with us. It went really well. After Pres. Briggs was done we were talking with some of the members and found a family that was from Brazil and some others that served in Portugees speaking missions.

Mom- I've got enough contacts right now. I'll double check for next week though just to make sure.
Dad-thats great about the temple. It doesnt look like we'll be able to make it this transfer. I was so use to being right next to the temple in Chesterfield that it was easy to take it for granted. But now being so far away, it is truly a blessing to be able to go.
Josh-make sure that between everything that your doing you make sure to take time and read your scriptures.

Well, transfers are next week. We're not sure whats going to happen. Anything and everything is possible right now, so we'll see.
Love,
Elder Egan

Miracles Always Happen

Its been another great week in Columbia!
Conference was great like always. We watched it at the Ti'as. Their great people and do so much for us. It was also Elder Taylors birthday yesterday, so we celebrated that there too. On top of all that, we were under tornado warnings last night. The rain and lightening were awesome. We were driving to go take numbers and I could hardly see the road, it was raining so hard. We saw some people walking in it, so we pulled over and gave them our umbrella. The rest of our week went really well too. We found some new people to teach and tracted quite a bit.

Oh, and by the way, our stake president was called to be an area 70, Michael J. Reall. We heard his name and just looked at each other. Funny thing was, is that we were supposed to have a stake meeting on Thurs. We showed up but no one was there. So we gave him a call and left a message. He calls us back later that night and tells us that he was in Salt Lake for some kind of meeting and apoligized and we didnt get the message. Needless to say that there is lots of excitement about it and who the new stake president will be.
We've got two team ups this week. one with the Columbia ward elders, and then the Assistants will be down towards the end of the week. I always look forward to team ups. You get to learn alot and miracles always happen.

So just my luck. I took off my suit last night only to find a huge whole under the back pocket. So I'll be needing some new ones for my black suit. Anyway, I was thinking the other day about how my one year is up this month and couldn't believe how quick it's gone and was wondering where all the time went.

Anyway,
Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Tender Mercies

Its been another great week in Columbia!

We had team ups with the Jefferson City Elders again this week. They needed a baptismal interview, so we went up for that and our team up. The new Elder up there is great. His name is Elder Horlacher, from Vegas. He is just a really great missionary and Elder Westfall and him are getting a lot done.

We also had Zone Conference on Friday. It went really good and since then the Zone has been on fire. We've just about doubled our baptism dates and our numbers were really good. Elder Taylor and I had a little bit of a slow week, but good nonetheless. Last night some members invited their friends over for dinner and then we had a lesson with the dad after. It went really good, he is really open and wants to learn. His kids also were intrested.

In order to save miles we decided to ride bikes/get rides two days a week and park the car. Its been really nice for most of the week too. So on Tues we were riding down a narrow road and a car came up behind us. We switched lanes really quick to let him pass. I saw the truck go by and I started getting back into our lane. I didnt see the trailer that he was pulling though. His wheel well was sticking out a foot or so and ran right into me. I flew into the air a good three of four feet before I hit the ground. I'm fine, but it scraped me up just a little (talk about tender mercies). It was all fun though. We finished riding to our appointment and taught a good lesson. But then on the way home my gears weren't working right so we had to call for a ride home.

Dad-There are 22 Elders in the Zone and 4 districts.
Mom-don't have too much fun on spring break.

Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Brother Egan and Elder Egan............

Its been another great week in Columbia!

Its been really crazy though. On Monday we went to our appointment with the Brazilian and his wife. Bro. Egan came along. It went really good. Were going back over today with Bro. Egan and we've been thinking about maybe setting a baptismal date. Only if the Spirit is right obviously. Then on Tuesday we went to a district meeting in Moberly and had a few appointments throughout the evening. Elder Taylor wasn't feeling too well, so we took it kinda easy. Then on Wed. we went to some more district meetings here in Columbia but then Elder Taylor couldn't keep working so we came in. I had some nice studies and learned a lot, but by the end of the day I was ready to get out of there. Thursday we were back out working. We had interviews with Pres. Briggs in the morning. He is such a great man and is really in tune to the Spirit. We are really lucky to have him, even for such a short time. Afterwards we went to help out some other missionaries who were having trouble with his bike, then had appointments for the rest of the evening. We ate dinner with a family who had some of their kids friends over, so after we ate we went into the back and played baseball. It felt great to play, even the little that we did. The weather was perfect for it too, that is until Saturday. We were in the high 60's Thurs and Fri, but on Sat we woke up to a couple inches of snow. It's finally almost gone, but it wasn't fun. Then on Sat. we taught a Korean lady. We took a sister from our ward who is also from Korea ,which helped out a lot.

Mom-yeah, we get the Ensign. Its great everything that's going on. It made my day.

Dad-Sounds like there's alot happening for when I get back, haha. Isn't Gene Moultrie the Patriarch too? Thats fun though. Hey, I talked with Bro. Egan and I'll hopefully be getting that stuff to him tonight, If I remember. Could you also type up my line of authority for me? I have it written out, but it would be nice to have it typed up and if you made it small enough (4x3ish), I could put it in my white handbook along with my ministrial certificate. and if you could take my patriarical blessing and shrink it down for me and send me another copy that'd be great too.

Well anyway, hope all is going good.
Love,
Elder Egan

The Gospel Is True

Its been another great week in Columbia!

We had a really great week this past week! On Tuesday we got a media referal for a couple, Moises and Julia. We went to go visit them and taught Moises. He is from Brazil but speaks pretty good English. Then we set up a return appointment with him and his wife. We went back on Thursday and taught them both and watched the Restoration DVD. It went really well. She had some great questions that have to deal with the creation and who "we" and "us" are in the creation story in Genesis. She said that no one has been able to give her a satisfactory answer. We promised that we could and set up another time (today). Bro. Egan is coming with us (he served his mission in Brazil) so that'll be really fun. Then ealier in the week, we were tracting and found another new investigator from Korea. We went over again on Sat and taught her. She has a pretty crazy religious background. She attends the Baptist church, studies the Bible at the Lutheran church, but has a hard time believing in God and Christ, and to top it all off, now she is meeting with us. Problem is though, that she doesn't speak English very well. We think there is a Korean in our ward, so we're going to call her and see if she can come with us this week.

On Thursday we drove to St. Louis for Zone Leader Council (ZLC) on Friday. Its always a great experience and the spirit is always strong there. We stayed over with the McCords (Elder Taylor was one of the first missionaries to live with them) and then went and saw James and MacKenzie (Elder Taylor first got the missionaries in their door and I was one of the ones to see her baptized). It was great to be there and see them still strong in the gospel. She was joking how she will have to drag him into the Celestial Kingdom, haha. Anyway, this transfer is going to be really good. We have three new missionaries to the zone and one straight from the MTC.

Mom-tell Jared hi for me. Yes I got the pants and they were the right ones, thanks. My birthday? When have I ever known what I wanted. Maybe a few ties? or a CD or two (or you could just put it on my ipod. Pres Briggs said they're OK. If you do, I'd need my speakers and some kind of car jack).
Dad-sounds like you've got a lot on your plate. Have fun for me and get some pics. I'll talk to Bro. Egan tonight while he's with us to see what he's got.
Josh-good luck on everything. Sounds like your super activity will be lots of fun.

Anyway, this transfer the mission is working on becoming a divine companionship. Its based off a training from Elder Holland during a mission president seminar. He talks about the ultimate divine companionship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Then he goes on to say how the Holy Ghost needs to be the Senior companion in our companionships. Its really good and a great thing to work on.

I forgot about this experience that happened.

We went to see an investigator that we have. She wants to be baptized but is living with the father of two of her children. He isn't a very good guy and her and her family are in a poor situation. So, we go over to teach her and she is having a really bad day because of some things that have been going on. Her kids are very undisciplined and unrespectful (the oldest is eight). And on this particuar day there was not a good spirit in the home. We were there for a while trying to help (we did a little) but we left really up tight and contentious. Then we went to our dinner appointment with Sis. Honovi So we go over there (Hollie, Jerry, Grandma Edie, and a nonmember were there too) and right as we come in, Jerry brings us some water. The spirit that was there was so amazing. To see the difference between a home were the spirit is in abundance and a home where it isn't even present, is night and day.
The gospel is true,

Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Big Smile on My Face

Its been another great week in Columbia!

Transfers were last night. Elder Taylor and I will be staying together. It will probably be his last transfer here. He's been here going on seven and a half months and he goes home in June. I'm glad he's staying though because I'm not ready to take over quite yet. There are only a few changes happening in the zone. Elder Westfall is going to train again and Elder Lefler is coming to Columbia. He is the only Elder from my MTC district that I haven't served around yet, so I'm pretty excited.

We were on team ups with the Jefferson City Elders this week. We got there for P-Day and left on Tues. But since it's the capital, we took a tour of the capital building. Best part was, is that Pres. Layton (in the mission presidency) works for the Attorney General. The Gov. of Missouri is the old Attorney General and is close to Pres. Layton. So...we got a "VIP" tour. We took the elevator up as high as we could, and walked up a ton of steps. At the top was a really little door. On the other side we realized that we were standing on top of the capital building looking out on the city. It was really neat. Then Pres. Layton took us to his office and the Supreme Court building and took a tour of that. It was a lot of fun and I just had a big smile on my face the whole time, haha.

We've been working with a lady who has gone through a lot in her life. She knows the church is true and wants to be baptized but she is living with her boyfriend. She would have already left but he is the dad of two of her kids. For a long time we were trying to push a separation but it wasn't happening because she would have just gone from one bad situation to another. Then we switched our approach to just having her pray every night with her kids and reading the scriptures, and she has been. Her boyfriend doesnt speak much english and has not been really supportive. But on Sat we were teaching her about temples and he came in at the end and listened for a while. We've also been able to carry on small conversations with him, when before he would barely say hi.

We've also been working with another family. He was excomunicated as a teenager, has a son who is a member, and was just recently remarried. Orignially we were working with him but then we met with his wife this week and she told us how much she loves the church and whatnot. Then she asked "Im not saying I will or anything, but if I would ever want to join your chruch would I have to be rebaptized?" It was amazing. Elder Taylor taught again how the Savior established a church, the apostacy, and restoration. We're seeing them two times a week now to help them out.

Mom-Im still a size 32, despite my eating habits. I also had to buy something from Deseret Book for my scriptures. If anything comes out your way just send it on. It should come to me though.
Dad-I can't believe its already time for conference again. It seems like just yesterday we had it. We can't wait though. It's an amazing opportunity to listen to all the council. While we were in the capital there was a painting of the starting of the Pony Express (since it started out here).

The weather is great out here sunny and warm for the most part. Hope you are having the same.
Love,
Elder Egan

Time Flies!!

It's been another great week in Columbia!

The baptism went really well. A little scary at first though. We'd forgot to get Jerry a ride to his own baptism, ha ha. We had a really long nite on Friday. We drove to St. Louis to go to the Temple. We did baptisms with some of our recent converts and the youth. Elder Taylor and I were the wittnesses, it was alot of fun and much needed. Our session started late because there was another ward in there, lucky me though because it turned out to be the St. Peters Ward, so I went in and said hi to everyone. It was great to see everyone again.

At Jerry's baptism both his parents came and so did 2 of his friends. We're hoping to start teaching his friends, they live a few houses up, and give his parents phone number to the other Elders.

Sunday was good for me too, except for the fact that we were up at five and didn't go to bed until around one. It was a long day. Other than that it's been a pretty normal week. Transfers are next week, we're not sure what's going to happen. Elder Taylor only has 3 months left and has been a zone leader for 6 months, usually the time to be released, we'll see though.

Mom- Yes I got the package, thanks. Do you think you could send me some new blue suit pants? I wore a hole under the back pocket and I don't think they can be fixed. It's been pretty nice here the past couple days, it was even above 40 for a little bit.

Dad- Sounds like you're staying busy. I haven't been able to talk to Brother Egan much, he's a news reporter and is really busy and on top of that they are changing the ward boundaries and he's changing wards early this month. I'll keep trying though.

Anyway, hope y'all is gonna have a good week.

Love,
Elder Egan

PS I just realized that I've been out 10 months today, wow! Time flies.

The McCords

This is a picture of the family Jon lived with in his last area....The McCords, and Elder Falkner. I will copy his most recent letter soon, but blogger won't let me copy and paste for some reason, so I'll type it up when I have time:)

Busy Week in Columbia

It's been another great week in Columbia!


We had Zone Conference this week. It was really good. I had to give a training on commitments. It went too long, but it was still alright. Elder Taylor and the assistants also trained. Then afterwards, the assistants came on team up's with us. We were able to find 12 new investigators! The Lord really blessed us this week. We haven't been able to get back in contact with them yet, but we're working on it.


Funny story. We pull up to an appointment with Bro. Tia and were walking to the door, when a car zooms up and two men ran out. They were dressed in shirts and ties, one was even wearing a suit. At first we think that they're members coming to our appointment for some reason. Then one says, looks like we got here first. Turns out that they were Jehovahs Witnesses. Elder Taylor walks up to them and says "I don't think so, lets go in together". We were confident that our appointment would be able to feel the Spirit with us. So we all go knock on the door, but he wasn't home. We had a good conversation with them anyway, though, and left on good terms.

Jerry is doing really well, he had his interview last night and his baptism is this Saturday. We finished up all the lessons and he is just pumped!

When we were at zone conference I asked President Briggs about the mission thing. Turns out that the members who told us, grossly misinterpeted what they read. The Peoria Ill mission is being dissolved and we are just taking one or two of their areas. It's exciting nonetheless.

Mom, yes I got everything. We'll always have 4 of us in this apartment. It's 4 bed and 3 bath. We have 2 study rooms and then our bedrooms.

Dad- sounds like you've been busy, I'm sure the Elders appreciate all the help.

Love,
Elder Egan

Combining Missions

Its been another great week in Columbia!

The baptism went really well on Sat. On my way into the font though, I slipped on the step and fell the rest of the way in. It was really funny.

In other news the mission is being combined with three others; Omaha Neb, Des Moines Iowa, and the Peoria Ill, missions. We'll probably hear more about it this week at zone conference, but other than that so far we don't know anything else.

I can't remember if I told you but we have another baptism coming up on the 27th with Jerry. We have been teaching him everyday for the past week or so. He is on fire and loves the gospel. We went over this morning and did a puzzle with him for about four hours. It was fun.

We were out of our area about three days this week, teaming up with other Elders to get their areas going. It's been alot of fun seeing different areas.

Mom- No, teaching bobbleheads and anything other than our imaginary investigators got banned. With our updated email, I should be able to send more pics as attachments, so look for them next week, maybe.

Love you all,
Elder Egan

Baptism Saturday!!

Its been another great week in Columbia!

So our email has been up dated and so this is my new email adress.
We've been quite busy. This last week we went on team Ups with the Elders in Moberly. It went really well and we were able to help them find a lot of new people. We also set another baptismal date with a man named Jerry. He has come so far. He had already said that he wanted to be baptized before I got there, then we started formally teaching him. The Bishop went and visited last Thursday and Jerry handed him his cigarettes and told him that he couldn't smoke them if he didn't have them. He hasnt touched any since and is really excited for his date on the 27th. We were visiting Hollie this week too, the lady that is getting baptized this Sat, and she asked me how many people I'd baptized, I told her and then she asked me to do it! I was really surprised. She had her interview on Sat. by Pres. Briggs and we're all set.

Dad-yeah, Bro. Egan comes through Richard Erastus. The Egan blood obviously has cowlics (sp?) in it because his little boy has the same ones I do, haha. I'll find out what he has about the Major. I've met Pres. Briggs a few times now. We had a Zone Leader Council at the mission home that we drove down to, we stayed the night at the McCords, and got to know him there and then he came down to interview all the missionaries on Sat. He is here til June when we'll get our "permanent" one. But he told us that if they think that he's only staying til June they're wrong, we'll see, haha.

Mom-yes the blanket is great! Elder Taylor is jealous, haha. We had fun watching people on Sun night too. We have to report numbers for the zone every Sunday night from the insitute building on the University of Missouri campus. We drove through the frats on the way home. fun stuff. Anyway, I've got to get going. Love you lots,
Elder Egan

First Week in Columbia

Its been a great week here in Columbia!!

It is much different than Chesterfield. Columbia is a big college town and everything that entails. For the past week there have been six elders at our place. Two of them live with us and two finally get their apartment today (there was a new area opened up, so we've been trying to find furniture for them). Elder Taylor is from Kennewick, small world eh? He's been out 20 months, so I am learning a lot. The other two elders we live with are Elder Holt and Elder Fuller. Elder Holt has a scholarship to play as BYU's tight end when he gets home (he is about 6' 5" and could snap me in half) and Elder Fuller is from Arizona.

We've been really busy; getting the apartment ready, we had a Zone leader meeting in St. Louis on Sat. and then every Sunday we have to take numbers so we don't get home until past midnight. We have quite a few investigators though. We set a baptismal date my second night out here and we are looking to set at least two more in the next few weeks.

Mom-yes I still have my bike but no I won't use it for a while. For now just send any letters to the mission office, they'll work it out. I serve in just one ward, Smithton Ridge. Its really nice. Turns out that one of the Bishopric members is Bro. Egan, haha. He's related to the Major too, he pronounces it "Egen" though. I'll work on it, haha.

Dad-yeah I got the card from the Sims. Tell them thanks for me. It might be a while before I get another letter out.

Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Last Week in Chesterfield!!

Jon with Makenzie who was baptized last week, and James her husband.
Its been another great week in Chesterfield! It will also be my last. I am being transferred out to Columbia Mo. I'll be serving with an Elder that served in Chesterfield about a year ago, Elder Taylor. I will also be a Zone Leader, so keep me in your prayers (I know that you don't anyways, ha-ha). I hear you can't send mail directly to me because people will steal it. Just send it to the Mission Office. Speaking of which, if anything has been sent there recently, I'll get it on Wed. at transfers.

We found three new investigators this last week. The work as been pretty slow recently but it is finally picking up (just in time for me to get transferred, haha). We started teaching this couple yesterday, Patt and Patrica. After we taught them a first, we found out that his uncle had just passed away. So I told him that we had another message about the answers to life's great questions; Where we came from, Why we're here, and where we're going. And guess what, he has been thinking about these questions, great huh?! So we got another appointment with him later this week. Then while we were at the Singles Branch a guy just walked up to us and said that he wanted the lessons!!

This morning we went to the "Old Court House" it is where Dread Scott was tried (it was a really important supreme court case). It was really neat to be there and get some really neat pics. Then afterwards we went to Mass at the Basilica (one of the biggest cathedrals in the US). It was crazy, but some really neat art on the walls. It took 84 years to build, there are some really neat things in there.
We had one of our investigators at church yesterday. it was the lady that we've done a lot of service for (one of her kids are in jail). She really liked it. Hopefully Elder Falkner will keep it going great with her (I know he will).

We had a special zone conference on Wed. and we got to meet Pres. Briggs. He is really intense and has a great spirit and got us all pumped. He's been in the Dominican Republic for the last three and a half years, so every once in a while he'll speak spanish. He has worked for the missionary dept. for over 40 years though so he knows what he's doing. He was also Pres. Monson's stake president back in the day!
Mom-I'll be sure to vote and I guess I'll try to help you keep your job, haha. When is it officially due?
Dad-That's great news about Adam getting baptized, I'm really happy for them. I've been studying Jacob 5 for that past few days. I'm really trying to understand it and when you really try for it the Lord opens up your understanding and pours inspiration into you. Its a great feeling.
Its been a long and busy week but for some reason the library is really full today and busy (probably because we're later than normal) so I've got to get running.
Love you lots,
Elder Egan

The Gospel Does Wonderful Things!

Its been another fantastic week in Chesterfield!! Since yesterday was MLK Day, the library was closed. so your getting a late letter. But most importantly.......MacKenzie got BAPTIZED!!!!!! It was amazing!!!!!! A little stressful at first because right as the service was starting, Elder Nelson cracked the door open and motioned me to come out. Turns out that the spanish elders were having a baptism in another building on the same night but had forgot to get baptismal suits for the lady and there weren't any at that building. I had to grab some suits and stuff them in a bag so they could run in and grab them. In the mean time, they had sung the opening song (I was supposed to be leading the music) and Elder Nelson was supposed to say the prayer (but he was out trying to figure everything out) so I ran in to say it. I was really anxious, So I couldn't really pay attention to the talk. Luckily I was able to calm down enough to feel the spirit for the rest. Elder Falkner and I were the witness'. Her foot came up and so James had to do it again, but we got it that time. Then we had the confirmation on Sunday. It was an amazing experience. The gospel does so many wonderful things.

We were also on team ups with the Zone Leaders. It was good to serve with Elder Nelson again, even only for a few hours. He's a great Elder and person in general.

We got a new investigator. His name is Durrell. He's about 14 or so and a friend of one of the ward members. The lesson went great and his member friend, Conor Black, was great too. Then we had dinner over there and we were able to get to know him more.
Mom-yeah we got our new President. Its Pres. Briggs. He got in Friday night. He actually made it to our baptism, but I didn"t get to meet him because I was talking with some non members and he had to run to the spanish baptism soon after. But we are having a Zone conference tomorrow to meet him and ask him questions. 3 wards eh...sounds a lot like my normal sunday. It can definitely be tiring but you get to hear lots of good talks.
Josh-Good job at DECA. I can"t believe that all my wonderful cars are gone. What's up with that?
Anyway, have a good week.
Love you lots,
Elder Egan