Pictures of the Last 6 Months

We finally recieved the past 6 months pictures....that seems to be about how often we get them. He will more than likely be bringing the next pictures home with him in late April...early May.This is the Tia family....He was Ward Mission Leader in Columbia....we sent all his mail to their house because his apartment wasn't safe enough to get mail.
Here are some energetic Elders....at The Botanical Gardens in St. Louis.
This is Jon with President and Sister Clark at the Cardinals Game.
Had to get this in.....remember the tow truck story??? Jon promised he would get a picture of one just for me:)

Staying Put

Its been another great week in Oakville! and it will be for another six weeks!

Transfer calls came Saturday night. They were really quick this time because no one in our zone is moving! We were really suprised (me especially, because I was almost certain that I would leave. I'm glad I'm not though, especially over the holidays). So at the end of the transfer I'll have been here for seven and a half months, my longest area. The ward was excited that all four of us were staying too. The mission is really excited, with the holidays and Elder Bednar next week, there is a lot to look forward to.

We were also able to see almost all of our investigators this past week. Margret is still coming and doing great. Hopefully she will have a date soon. Steve and Shelly are also doing great. Shelly more so, she is reading and praying everynight. Steve on the other hand is letting life get in the way. We have another apointment with them tomorrow and we're bringing over someone from the ward, so hopefully that'll help out a lot. TJ is doing well too. He and his mom came to church today with a bunch of their cousins. He has a date for the 21st (sunday) but we're planning on moving it back. We still have a little bit to teach him and we want them to be more consistant coming to church.

A couple of weeks ago we got a call from the office telling us that a teacher wanted us to come to her class and talk about our beliefs. We're going tomorrow morning. The best part is that it is a private Luthern School. Missionaries do things like this all the time, but this will be my first (I've had the opportunity, but have always passed it on to other missionaries). So it'll be an experience having to "go back to high school."

Mom-sounds like everyone is pretty busy, thats good though. Oh, we'll be moving back to the other Bankheads here pretty soon. not entirely sure when, but I'll let you know. Dad-wow 11 gallons! thats a ton. I'm sure it does good though.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about our hunting adventure. So Pres. Bankhead is a big bow hunter. He goes out most nights to try and get a deer. Well, he hasn't had any luck yet this season. He is always telling us that one of these times he's going to need our help pulling out the deer. So last monday we were eating dinner with them and pres. Bankhead was late coming in. he finally hit something and so he came and got us. Thing is, is that it was dark when he shot it, he wasnt sure where he hit it, or where it fell. So we looked all over for it for a little while and were about to head in, when Elder Hendricks found some blood. We followed the blood trail for a while longer but then went in for the night (it was heading towards someones property and we didn't want to chase it any further if it was still up). So after some meetings in the morning we came back home to help him. We looked for a while longer but we eventually lost it.

Anyway, have another great week.
Love,
Elder Egan

The Spirit is Strong

Its been another great week in Oakville!

It was a busy week for us again. On Tuesday we had a special team up with a Bro. Steward, who works for the missionary department at the MTC. We went out that night to a couple appointments with Shelly and also Margret. We had some really good lessons and were able to invite the spirit really strongly into them. We stressed the importance of the Sabbath day to Shelly, and then went over the story of King Lamoni's dad's conversion with Margret. Then on Fri. we had another training meeting with Bro. Steward and another man that works at the MTC. It was really good. Wed. we were in the city again, but luckily this time nothing happened to our car. Fri. night, we had another lesson with Margret in a members home. It was probably the most spiritually intense lessons I've been a part of. Both Elder Westfall and myself were just as enlightened and edified as anyone else there that night. We've been working with Margret to be baptized, (she knows everything and has a strong testimony) but this time we really just sat back and let the spirit work. It was great.

Then Sat. we had our ward trunk or treat. Elder Westfall and I opened our truck and decorated it. I must say that for a couple of Elders, we were pretty creative (if thats saying anything). There was also another baptism up in the city that we went to. The stake/zone had a really good month for baptisms, 6, and next month is looking just as good, I think we have 7 dates right now.
Something else exciting is happening next month. Elder Bednar is coming and holding a mission conference right before Thanksgiving! He has a son that lives in our mission, so he's really coming for that, but decided to come and talk to us since he's here. After that I'll have two down and ten more to go before I finish up, haha.

Mom- The zone p-day went really well. We ate alot and played some games. Then some elders went and played Bball and others carved some pumpkins. It was really fun and a good activity. Thats too bad about Bro. Green...... they were on the trek with me. Thats good to hear that Jeff is doing well. You'll have to let me know how he gets back into the swing of things.
Dad-sounds like you've had a busy week too. I only just finished my ballot the other day, and due to the fact that there isn't much time before it needs to be in, I just mailed it from here.
Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Angels on Both Sides of the Veil

It's been another great week in Oakville!
There were two baptisms in our ward yesterday! The other two Elders have been working with a mother and daughter. It was really great to watch them make that covenant and there were a lot of people from the ward there to support them. The ward is doing a really great job reaching out to all the people that have been coming. It was also neat because it was Elder Hendricks first baptism and the girl asked him to baptize her. It was really good for him to finally see some fruits of all his labors. We also had a really good meeting with all our district leaders right after the baptism. It was definatly one of the best I've been at. Today we are having a Zone p-day. The sisters in our zone are putting it on. We're really excited and hope that it goes well. We are in charge of the grilling so hopefully we don't mess up.

Mom-its good to hear that your doing better. What was it that they finally did after we talked? Did they just tell you to take the meds and come back? I opened a new box of contacts the other day and they don't seem to be working as well. I think they are some older ones, so do you know if contacts "expire" after a while?
Dad-I'm glad to hear that everything worked out with you too. I don't remember, but did you say that you had work off?

Well I'm not sure what else to say, since I've already told you what's been happening. And I know for sure that angels are always watching out for us on "both sides of the veil."

Love you,
Elder Egan

Tine is Flying By

Its been another great week in Oakville!!
We had a really good week. We got a few new investigators. There is a man that we started seeing that is friends with a few families in the ward. So we took a recent RM who knew him over and were able to make a lot of head way and we have a return appointment for this wed. We also finally got ahold of this Part Member family that we've been trying to teach the whole time ive been here. We were able to teach her son, they came to church, and we have another apointment wtih them today. He turns 12 next month, and the big push is to try and baptize him so he can get the priesthood soon after. We'll see how it goes.

We've had some really great lessons with Margret too. When we taught her last friday she still didnt feel ready. She tells us she wants to be baptized but just not yet. We're teaching her today as well and we're planning to talk about prayer some more. The other two elders in the ward have a baptism this weekend. We're really excited for them. They have a lot of work and the ward is really excited for everyone that is coming. Together we had eight investigators there on sunday and that has been about average for the past month or so. The great thing is, they all want to be baptized, we just have to work out a few "road blocks" (Word of Wisdom, and marriage mainly).
We have another really busy week this week. We have another training meeting tues, exchanges wed and thurs, zone leader council fri, and then a district leader meeting sun and in the midst of all that, apointments with our investigators and what not. We're going to get a lot done so it should go by fairly quick.

Mom-Yes I'd agree, time is flying by way to quick. We're being "observed" next monday. There was an Elder here last transfer who went out to Smithton Ridge. I had him say hi to everyone for me and call a few back to repentance. It's always good to keep in touch with those you teach, even though its hard.

Dad-We usually do baptisms on Sat so that they can be confirmed the next day in sacrament. I think that the church discourages same day confirmations, but its up to the bishop (he has the keys and authority over the confirmations). Yeah, I've heard of Sis. Shumsky, has never been in my zone though.
Josh-tell Ms. McMaster hi for me and then make some smart comment about "house wives." She'll know what your talking about.

Anyway, have a great week.
Love,
Elder Egan

Training from Salt Lake

Its been another great week in Oakville!!

We had an interesting weekend this week. We had three baptisms in three different areas! We went to all of them. We have 9 more before the end of the month. We are trying to make as many as possible to show our support to the Elders and Sisters. Its really fun to watch. One of them this weekend was with the 100 year old lady. It was a really neat service. When she was baptized, she was gently set in under the water and very carfully brought back up (normally it seems that they are "thrown" under the water). It was just a really neat experience. Then after another baptism we had to correct some Elders. That is the worst part of our job. Although it was done in the spirit, it is never fun.

We had a really good sacrament/testimony meeting as well. We had two people there and the other Elders had seven! Margret came, like normal, and Steve and his five year old son came. It was really kinda funny. Johnathan (the son) didn't want to leave his dad for primary, so Steve stayed in Primary for the last two hours. It looked like Johnathan made some friends though so next week Steve will be able to go to gospel principles. We still aren't sure about if Margret will get baptized this weekend. We'll find out tomorrow. She doesn't have a problem with the doctrine (from what we can tell), so we're trying to figure out how we can help her out still.

You may remember me talking about how the Church has revamped missionary work a few months ago. With that came these training meetings every other transfer. Well it's that time again, but in addition to that we are having an "offical training meeting." I guess two men are coming from "Salt Lake" (we say that anyone/anything offical comes from Salt Lake) to train us. As a part of that, they are going to follow around some missionaries a few nights before the big meeting. Well, we were chosen. We weren't sure that was good or bad but it sounds fun.

Mom-Yeah, my full name is fine. No I don't need anything, thanks though
Dad-We now have eight zones in our mission. and iIthink we have around 170 missionaries (give or take a little).

Anyway, it seems that we have another good week in front of us. There was an Elder who just came home in our ward and he is excited to come out and work with us. we're looking forward to it.

Have a great week,
Love,
Elder Egan

Transfer Call Never Came

Its been another great week in Oakville!

So transfer calls were supposed to come inbetween sessions on Sat. but the call never came. We figured that the Assistants were just busy and would call us after Priesthood. Well, no one ever called. We finally decided to call them and it turned out that they had completely missed us. Elder Westfall and I are staying another one. At the end of this next transfer, I will have been in Oakville for six months (just as long as Chesterfield).

I'm really excited because we were finally able to set a date with Margret! Its only tenative for the 16th right now, but with a lot of prayers, hopefully it will happen. We are starting to meet with her twice a week to help out and she is doing great. She came to both sessions on Sat. and hopefully watched sunday at home.

Conference was great yet again. Each time I think that it can't possibly get any better it always does. I loved Elder Hollands, and both from Pres. Uchtdorf just to name a few. Pres. Uchtdorf's talk in Priesthood was especially good about pride. I learned a ton and Elder Westfall and I are trying to apply it. We watched all of the sessions at the church. I'd much rather go to someones home, but Elder Westfall prefers the Church. The benchs get really hard after the first three sessions.

Going back to transfers, there is a lot of change in the zone this time. All but three areas are being moved. However, I have served around almost every one that is coming in. I'm really excited for most of the areas, but a little nervous for a few. It'll all work out though.

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

Investigators and Friends

Its been another great week in Oakville!

We had an amazing day at church yesterday! Well, not so much us, but the other elders. They had eight of their investigators at church, then we had one, and there were a few people that brought friends. in total we had 13 nonmembers at chruch and all but two stayed all three hours. We had a really good appointment with Margret, the older lady we've been teaching, on Sat. Our appointments are usually Friday but she called up Friday morning to reschedule for Sat. We are pretty sure we have found out why she hasn't been baptized yet. She's been telling us all along we just werent "listening" with our spiritual ears. She has had this tradition in her family that they associate themselves with a church, live it and all that fun stuff, but never join it. We finally realized (she more so told us) that she didn't want to "belong" to anything but Christ, not a church. Then it finally clicked for me and we talked about how all the church is is His fold here on this earth. Then when she came to church on Sunday, there was a difference about her. We are planning on setting a baptismal date this coming Friday, because NOW she is ready!!!!!!! We have also had some great lessons with a couple that we found a long time ago, Steve and Shelly. They didn't make it to church so we went by Sunday night and caught him heading to the gym, so we just taught her about prayer. She was so appreciative about it, and that she can now talk to her Father. It felt great. We have another appointment with them on Tues and we want to bring them to the church so they will be comfortable coming.

Transfer calls are this week. I have no idea what is going to happen to me. It could go any which way. I'm actually pretty nervous about this one, I'd love to stay one more, but it isn't about what I want. There are a lot of possibilities this transfer so we'll see.

One of the Elders tore his ACL in his knee this past P-day. He was really bummed out because he goes home this next week and can't work very hard to finish his mission. He stays in the office with one of the Assistants to the Pres. til five, then goes out to "work" as much as he can in his area from five on.

Mom- Yes we got the package, the cookies are great. They aren't helping me to stay in shape though (but that's alright).
Dad-I'm looking forward to conference too! Elder Westfall prefers to watch it at the church, and I like to watch it in the members homes, so we'll probably do both. It will be interesting to see what the focus is this time. I've started a study on Forgiveness, maybe I will be able to get some insights from some of the talks.

Love,
Elder Egan

Be Fully Engaged in the Work of The Lord

Its been another great week in Oakville!

Just when I thought that summer was over we had a fairly hot and humid day yesterday and it sounds like it will be like that for the rest of the week. Luckily we have quite a few appointments this week with investigators. The work is really starting to get going again. Hopefully by the end of the month we will have three or four baptismal dates. We had a really fun time last week at the zoo and arch. Luckily we didn't get towed, we did however, get a parking ticket!!! It wasn't really our fault though, there were three signs all saying different things, so we just decided to park. Lucky for us, it wasnt quite $400, only $25. I have decided after that, that I refuse to drive/park in the city anymore.

This past weekend was really great too. We had another leadership training, a zone leader council, priesthood leadership meeting, and a special zone conference with Elder Richards from the second quorm of seventy. Oh yea, we also had our stake conference in the middle of all that and one of our area authorities was there. Needless to say, we had lots of meetings this weekend (thats also why we are having P day today, because of zone conference yesterday). We got some great council from Elder Richards. He talked about how to have effective councils, becoming sanctified, leadership, and a bunch of other stuff that I cant remember right now. We also had our team ups with the assistants last week. I reminded Elder Nelson how long I've been a zone leader, nine and a half months, sounds like I might go another transfer though. I wouldn't mind, but we'll see what happens.

During stake conference the area authority, Elder Deshler, talked about "multitasking." he said that when someone multitasks they only focus a little bit on everything. He then related it to the gospel. if we are trying to include the gospel in our "multitasking" we won't get very much out of it. Instead, we need to make sure that we are fully engaged in the work of the Lord in every calling we have, every time we read the scriptures, or every time that we pray. It was really a good reminder.

Mom-My mouth is doing good. we have a ton of dentist and orthodontists in the ward if anything were to happen.
Dad-I dont entirely remember the bishops son referring us to anyone, we did have our ward mission leaders son introduce us to one of his friends. nothing really came of it though. We'll get big rain storms here too, but in about 5 min. everything will be dried up though.

Anyway, have a great week.
Love,
Elder Egan

Going Through Hard Time???....Shake a Hand!

Its been another great week in Oakville!

We were on a bunch of team ups this week with the zone. We were up in the city again (we made sure to get a parking pass this time) and then the next day down in Crystal City. Team ups are really tiring but I love being able to spend the time with the other Elders. We had a really good week otherwise, when we were able to work our area. Most of our stop bys and appointments all worked out. It was a well needed "tender mercy." It seems that the work is starting to pick up again and people are getting more excited about missionary work.

We had a really good day at church yesterday. In our PEC/ Ward Council we focused on not only missionary work but also retintion and reactivation. The Bishop challenged everyone to make sure and greet everyone they see, active members and everyone. You never know when someone is going through a hard time and just needs a simple hand shake and hello. He also said that we should make sure to shake at least 15 peoples hands. We made is sorta a game between the four of us elders, and we saw a huge improvement on everyone we saw. It was a nice little reminder from Bishop. One of the talks was something about "purity" and how the pure only see pure. I think he read from Titus or something like that but he talked about how when we're pure that we only see/look for the good or pure in everything/everyone else. The deaf couple wasnt there today, but we still pray for them. Today is E. Ipsen's birthday, so we're going down town to go the the Arch and the Zoo, so its going to be really fun, and on top of that, its a great day. The sun is out, and its not to hot or humid!

Mom-yeah, the Bankheads got home Sat (well Pres. Bankhead did. Sis. Bankhead is still out for another week) and we got our mail. Thats crazy to think that Ryan is already home and Jeff isn't too far behind. And I guess now that I think of it, my time is coming much faster than I want.
Dad-I've been hearing alot from Ether 12:27 this week. I guess I should study it again, maybe the Lord is trying to tell me something. It's a great scripture and one that you can never read too many times. I've been reading lately in Enos, Jarom, and Omni and even though they are not very big, they sure are full of great things.

Love you lots and thanks for everything,
Elder Egan

Busch Stadium and The Cardinals

Its been another great week in Oakville!

Lots of meetings at the begining of the week and then the Cardinals game on Sat, so we weren't able to teach a whole bunch of lessons. It was really fun though. Busch Stadium is really nice and since everyone was there, we had a lot of fun. Then after the game we stayed in the city to see a baptism. It was a great way to end the night, even though the Cardinals lost. It has been a great weekend weather wise too. Then today it started raining again, oh well. We were tracting yesterday and we found a new person to start teaching. He's been Catholic for his whole life but was really open, let us in, and accepted a Book Of Mormon. Then before we could ask for his number he offered it to us! it was really neat. Then on Sunday, two people walked into sacrament. She is deaf and her boyfriend interperts for her. As we were talking with them, we found out that they've been looking into the church for a while on their own. We asked if we could come by and teach them but they said not yet. So hopefully they'll come back next week.
Mom- When does Trevor report to the MTC? Has Tyson already left? Doesn't Jeff get home next month?
Dad-Sounds like your having fun. We'll try to have a baptism for you to report for next month. Thats our goal anyway.

Anyway, we had to work yesterday and only have till 3 today to get everything done.

Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Another Interesting Week

Its been another great week in Oakville!

It was another interesting week anyways. Friday morning we got a called from a ward member and they asked us to help them move some things that evening. I said yes not realizing what I was getting us into. They drove us about 15 min. outside the zone to an office building, where we loaded up two trailers full of stuff, big and heavy stuff. After the first one was full E. Westfall and I jumped back into the truck and drove to the new office and unloaded the truck. Then when the other trailer came (with the two other elders) we unloaded that one as well. there wasn't an elevator so we had to carry everything up two flights of stairs. one of these items was a side by side freezer/fridge. we had it strapped on the dolly and I was pulling from the top (taking it up the stairs) and the other two elders were pushing from the bottom. Well, it came off the dolly and fell on my leg, luckily they got it off quick but it still wasn't very fun. Then later as we were carrying up a really big desk, I tripped going up and the desk fell on me too! By the time we got home it was about 12:30 that night! We were dead.

Then Sat. our ward mission leader calls up and invites us to breakfast (he lives across the street). The thing is, that John Bytheway and his wife were also staying over there. So we ate breakfast with the Bytheways. It was really neat. Then he gave a youth fireside that afternoon. It was great. He had a lot of great insights. some that I really liked were about the Sabbath. He said "Our great grandfathers called it the Holy Sabbath, Our grandfathers called it the Sabbath, our fathers called it Sunday, and we call it the weekend." It really shows how the world views the sabbath day. He also talked about Charity and what it was. He said that Charity is "the love for God, the love from God, and love like God."

Then last night we went over to a couples house to eat with one of our investigators. She is a proffesional pianist and plays for Walt Disney. She asked for a hymn and she made her own arrangment right there on the spot! it was way good!! The lesson went really good too, it was all in all a really fun night and "weekend."

Mom-E. Westfall and I are doing really great. Sometimes we get a little distracted because we'll remember something from the MTC or something, but like i said, we're doing really good. Its going to be a fun transfer. Yeah, he's the one from BYUI. My clothes are fine. Everyone gets those rubber bands in the MTC. I never used mine and gave it away. Depending on the area you do different things. In St. Peters we just did push ups and stuff you can do by yourself. In Chesterfeild we had limited weights to use. In Columbia we had a full bench and a ton of weights, (it helped having two football players living with you). Then at Brent Bankheads, we had a full workout room where we lived downstairs. Now im back to just a few weights and pushups. Exciting stuff.

Dad-the Bankheads are out of town right now, I'll have to get more info on the Egans later. I know they're somewhere in Idaho.
Anyway, I'm trying to read the Book of Mormon this transfer with another couple of elders. I've slowed down though since I've got to Isaiah. I still can't quite get a hold of what he's saying. I'll have to take a class or two on him when I get back.
Have a great week,

Love,
Elder Egan

Worn Out Shoes

Its been another great week in Oakville!!

Transfer calls were Sat. Yeah, Elder Jenkins is going home and you'll never guess who I'm getting, It's Elder Westfall, my MTC companion! Its going to be a fun transfer. We are also getting a lot of other really good Elders in the zone, its going to be a really great transfer. Speaking of a great transfer, the whole misison is going to a Cardinals game on the 4th. The mission arranged for a "Mormon night" at the stadium. It's going to be a lot of fun.

We were sitting at church yesterday and I looked at the bottom of my shoes, and the heels were starting to peel offI was kinda mad because they are really good shoes. I'm pretty sure that they'll last the last 8 months but if not I have my other pair.

Our investigator finally stayed for all three hours of church yesterday, we were really excited and she loved it.
We were able to go to the temple on Sat morning. It was great and I got a lot of neat insights that connected a bunch of my studies dealing with the Tree of Life vision and "mountains" in the scriptures. However, I also came up with a ton of questions that I really want answered, but it will be hard especially only going to the temple once a transfer. Oh well, good thing there are plenty of temples to go to when I get home.

Mom-No, i wasn't able to go to Linda and Seans baptism this weekend. I wanted to really bad though. I interviewed Sean for baptism and Elder Jenkins interviewed Linda. We were planning on going, but we had to do some team ups with some elders that we had kept putting off. We were really disappointed that we missed it. "Have you been to Forest Park?" YES, the zoo and everything is there. "Route 66?" YES, thats were Ted Drews is. "Ted Drewes restraunt??" YES, its delicious. We're going again tonight. "Have you tried Fitz's Rootbeer?" YES, its alright. "People have raved about the Botanical Gardens...which I know you went to...then of course there are alot of museums." Yes, working on all those. "Have you been to the one with the bus hanging halfway off the roof?" YES and no. The building is the City Museum and its crazy fun, but the roof was 5 more dollars so we didnt go up there.

Dad-I was looking through a book that the Bankheads had about their family history and came across some Egans that live out somewhere in Idaho. Wade William Egan and his dad William Alva Egan. Wade married one of the Bankheads Nieces. Crazy who you run into out here.
Anyway,
Love,
Elder Egan

Uneventful Week....Sorta

Its been another great week in Oakville!
Its been a fairly uneventful week, sorta. A couple weeks ago one of the other oakville elders crashed on his bike and landed on his arm. well he was having trouble with it this week and still didn't have a full range of motion. So on Tues we took him to the urgent care. Turns out that he broke his elbow. Luckily for him, it had already started healing and was healing right. He has to go to therepy now every once in a while. He's doing good though. Then on Friday we met with the lady that has a baptismal date for the 21st. we talked alot about convenants and ordinances, and asked her to pray about baptism once more and call us on Sat. She did and doesn't feel ready, so we pushed the date back and will re set it for another time. She is doing really well still though, reading and coming to church.
Mom-thanks for the letters/ballot. I sent it in already.

Not much else to say this week.

Love you lots,
Elder Egan

This Too Shall Pass

I'ts been another great week in Oakville!

As i said last week, we had our three day meeting this past week. Breakfast started at 8 am and we didn't leave the building til 9 pm. So...needless to say, it was really, really long. Learned alot though. Pres. and Sister Clark trained along with the Assistants. The church is putting another emphasis on Preach My Gospel, but this time focusing on Teaching skills. There are eight main ones; the doctirne of Christ-our purpose, the Holy Ghost, revelation through prayer, the BoM, Church attendance, teaching people not lessons, how to begin teaching, and something else I can't remember. Almost all of my past companions were there (everyone but the two that have gone home and one other person). So it was fun to see them all again.

You might have seen/heard (maybe not) the new ads the church is putting out. its called "I am a Mormon" they are really good and just show normal everyday people talking about their lives. Then at the end they say "and I am a Mormon." they are really well put together. Pres. Clark called up the head of Church PR or something like that and he was able to tell us a little more about it. It goes along with the updated mormon.org where members can create profiles sharing their testimones and what not. it sounds really neat, you should look into it.

Then on Sat. we went on team ups with the assistants. I went to Frontnack with Elder Nelson. It was good to work with him again. Then Sunday was really neat. There is a family in our ward, the Branhams, who we talked to last week about some of their friends. We had already started teaching the daughters friend and we were trying to set up another time to teach her. Then their three kids got really excited and started inviting a bunch of their friends. The daughter had three friends over and each of the two boys also had a friend over. Then bro. Branham had his nephew over too! All in all there were 7
non members that we taught and each took a Book of Mormon! It was great!! We'll be going back by to set up another time to teach them.

Then today, Pres. Bankhead asked us for some help. He was having his septic tank cleaned out, so we had to dig out the hole to get in there. It smelt terrible, even with the lid closed. now we have this permi stinch on us, oh well, this too shall pass. We were going to go up to the zoo and arch with some of the new elders but its supposed to be in the 100's so we thought it would be better to go next week, hopefully.

Mom-Sis. Bankhead is a big quilter/sewer too. She's always making something. No, my contacts are fine. I think ive changed them maybe three times...so yeah I'm good on those.
Dad-yeah, from what I understand the whole church is starting this new focus on PMG.
Josh-Wow. that's a busy summer. I don't know if I can say that mine has been quite that exciting...well maybe, in a different way though. Have fun at band camp.

Hopefully this is our last crazy week of the transfer. all we need to do is finish up our team ups and then we can focus more on our area.

Love,
Elder Egan

Oh and thanks for the package :)

Another Crazy Week

Its been another great week in Oakville!

So we've had another crazy week, this time it was good though. We spent tues and wed in Crystal City on team ups. We originally we planned team ups on wed, and we were going to do a baptismal interview while we were there. But then the assistants called up and moved their team up with us to wed, so we had to go down to Crystal City on tues. Then while were down there they cancel our team up wed. so we had to go back down wed. and used a bunch of miles. it was really frustrating, but oh well. Then because the assistants kept moving our team up around, we had to cancel a bunch of stuff to try and work around it and we still havent had it yet. On friday we walked around the temple with our investigator with a date. It went great. We went with a couple from the ward that are working on being temple ready by the end of the year, so it was a double great thing. Tonight we have all of our district leaders and the one trainer in the zone coming down to stay with us for 3 days. We have a leadership training in Chesterfield tues through thurs. our meetings are all day for all three days. Not quite sure how it'll go but I guess I'll find out.
This morning the same guy that took us out to eat while we were in the city took us and the city elders to the Botanical (sp?) garden. It was pretty cool. Then after we are done emailing we are going mini golfing with the other Oakville elders. It'll be a fun day.

Mom-Sounds like camp was fun. I'll try to get a pic of a tow truck just for you guys.

Love,
Elder Egan

What's a Parking Pass?

Its been another great week in Oakville!

So story time...
Once upon a time there were two Elders that had to go on team ups with some other missionaries in down town St. Louis. Going on team ups downtown is always fun, there are great elders there and your bound to see something funny happen. (So last transfer we parked in the parking lot and got a warning sticker. We went and talked to the Appartment managment and got a parking pass). Well we parked once again in the parking lot, at about 9:30, and went upstairs to get the pass out of their room. Well, as tends to happen when Elders get together, we started talking. When we realized what time it was 10:30-11
(yes we were up a little late) we ran down to put the pass in the car. By this time, one of St. Louis' wonderfully awful thunderstorms hit. One of the other Elders, E. Tanzie, ran outside with to the car but couldn't find it. So then E. Jenkins runs out too. Then we realize that it had been towed. So after the District Meeting in the morning we call the tow company and they tell us that becuase they got it at 10:00 they'd be charging us for two days since it was there over midnight! So it was $35 per day and a $300 flat fee!! The lady tells us to call back an hour before we are going to get there, so they can make sure someone is there and have the car ready. We'll we wait outside (in the high 90's plus humidity) for another 30 minutes after we told her that we were going to be there. Even though the charge was ridiculous what really got to me was the condition that the place was in. I could have easily broke down the door and got our car back. the roof was leaking, there were old, beat up recliners, and it was just filthy. So we finally get our car back. (E. Jenkins tried getting his money out but all he had was a credit card and we couldnt figure out how to get any money, so thats why I took the punch. He is in the process of paying me back for his half though). Anyway, so our day is just about all spent. But the other elders made it up to us. We ate with a man who is an ER doctor and is single. so in other words he has mucho money. He took us out to a sushi place, and of course i wasn't too happy when I learned that. But after eating I changed my mind. It was delicious. Before we ordered though he said something like this. "so i want to get this being modest out of the way. I have a certificate here for $100 off our ticket, but in order for that to happen I have to spend $200!" so we did. We not only had sushi, but steaks and dessert too. Then afterwards he had us do a "wasabi challenge." It was the craziest experience. Its a whole different kind of hot. I got it on video, you'll just have to wait to see it, its hillarious.

So that was pretty much the exciting part of my week this week, I think. It's the only thing that stands out anyway. Oh wait. I forgot, we set a baptismal date last Friday! It's for Aug 21st. It's really great for many reasons but one of them is because it will be E. Jenkins last one, he goes home on the 26th.

Mom-we get a call from Sis. Clark Fri night, but because we were setting the date, we obviously didn't answer. When I listened to the message it said "E. Egan I need to talk to you. Your mom just called. Give me a call back." Well, i wasn't sure what I'd done wrong so i wasnt sure what to expect when I called her back. When she told me that you'd called I just laughed, as did she. It was funny all around. From what it looked like, I don't think I overdrew too much. I knew there was almost that amount in there, I couldn't remember though. (hopefully this letter is long enough). Oh yeah, I tried to activate my new card but it won't let me. Do I have to wait till my old one expires? Just let me know when you can.
Dad-I finished the book of mormon again last night. It was great! there are so many wonderful things in Moroni 10 other than his promise like spiritual gifts and grace, just so much to learn!

Anyway I'll try to avoid tow zones this week. Can't promise anything though.
Love,
Elder Egan

Work Hard...Play Hard

Its been another great week in Oakville!

We had a really great lesson with Margret, the investigator we've been working with. We talked about testimonies and then pointed out that she had one as well. It was neat. she said that she was coming to church. The weather was a little nasty so that may have prevented her from coming. Then on Sat. Christian Bankhead, the ones we use to live with, brought over one of his friends so that we could teach her. It went really really well. We taught a 1st lesson gave her a BoM and commited her to read and pray. She accepted and we have another appointment for next Sunday. We're really excited for her. Hopefully we'll be able to see both of them get baptized this or next month!

We had ZLC this past weekend. It was really intense with the two new zones. It was crazy trying to figure out all the new policies and what not, even the language between us was different. We now have to wear our suits to ALL of our dinner appointments. that means that we either have to run home and change before we eat or we have to tract/work in our suits all day (it was something the other mission did). There was a lot of heavy "council" about it but we decided to try it for a transfer and we're planning on bringing it back up next transfer. Pres Clark is also trying to see if, for next year, he can get permission to go up to Navuoo for the pagent! that'd be great except I'll be home before that happens (crazy to think about). He has a policy of "Work hard, play hard." It'll be good for the mission.
We also had our monthly meeting with the Stake Pres. and high councilor over missionary work. it was really good too. We are rolling out a new member program that we are going to try in the stake We're really excited for it.

Mom-yeah, Elder Jenkins and I are still together and we're doing good. Yes I got the package.

Dad-sounds like you all are busy and are enjoying all of it. Hopefully I'll finish the Book of Mormon again this week. I just started Ether. I just love that you are always learning and drawing closer to our Savior each time you pick it up.

Love you all and have a great week,
Elder Egan

Good Week

Its been another great week in Oakville!

We had a really good lesson with one of our most progressing investigators this past Friday. We watched a movie about the prophet Joseph Smith and then extended a baptismal commitment. she said not yet but is definitley thinking about it. She's come to church the past three weeks. Other than her, we're doing a lot of tracting and trying to get the members more into Preach My Gospel. So far the member work is going pretty well and they're getting excited.
We just moved all our stuff this morning. The younger Bankheads have had Elders for about six months which is about normal time for a family to house the Elders here. The room we're in is a little smaller but we're excited to be there.

Dad-We do a lot more district things. Its hard to get the whole zone out and we're supposed to avoid gathering in large groups of missionaries, so doing district things are lot easier to pull off and handle.

Mom-Our meeting with Pres. Clark went really well. He is sorta a mix between Pres. Turley and Pres. Briggs. He also told us about a few changes that the church is making in the missionary program. We're not having any more zone conferences and we are only going to get interviewed once a quarter. They are also starting a three to four day leadership training thing once a quarter as well. we're not sure what that'll entail but we'll see. I got the envelope with the pics and stuff, it was great. They are probably holding anything else til after transfers. Ill send you my new address this week (hopefully)
Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Week of Faith and Humbling

Its been another great week in Oakville!

It was a week of faith and humbling from the Lord. We had a baptism scheduled for sat evening. and before that on friday we were to have a lesson with her to resolve some last concerns (I dont remember if I told you last week but she comes from a Muslim background and had a few questions about still believing in the Koran and "Alla"). Well, we show up sat. but her mom said that she was out with her dad. I was a little concerned thinking that maybe he was trying to "keep her a Muslim." So then sat rolls around and we still haven't heard anything from her. We finally get through at about 2 and she said that she wouldnt be able to make her baptism that evening. She was having family coming in from out of town and her mom wouldnt let her leave.

So in the meantime we had said many prayers in faith and went out and worked. As we are stressing about the bapitsm, we checked on a family that we'd tracted into last week and taught a really solid lesson and they were almost speechless when we talked about modern prophets and apostles! They didnt make it to church but we have high hopes for them (they have a little five year old, Johnathan, that just makes it that much better to teach). We still havent heard at this time about our baptism so we call Christian Bankhead (we live in his basement) to text her about it. He finally calls us back and tells us we're on. So we run home change and finish filling the font (there was a baptism earlier so the font was already mostly full). So we're all ready and everyone is there when we get a call from her saying that she can't make it. We tried to reschedule for sun, then tues, but couldnt and finally she said next sat. SO, we have a baptism this sat. and hopefully her younger sister will be ready by then too. Despite all that, we were reminded to put our trust in the Lord and that this is HIS work and not ours.

Anyway, there was a musical put on last night by the Navoo Pagent people. We were all invited to it. The play was alright, but the best part was probably seeing everyone. It was for all the St. Louis stakes so all of my old areas, except Columbia, were there. We also got to see Pres. and Sis. Briggs one last time before they leave on Thurs.

Mom-Sounds like dance festival was great. Do you get a break now? or are you already doing something else? Wow, Lauren's already home, thats crazy. Ryan should be getting back pretty soon now too, right? There was a missionary that just returned in our ward who just got done serving in Vegas, Elder Bronson, he said that he knew Jeff, not well just knew of him. Speaking of which, there is another kid who will be leaving for Vegas next week, Elder Dixson. and yes I called columbia and talked to them about it. It'll be taken care of.
Dad-yeah, we have a pair of sisters in the zone. one I served with in Chesterfield and the other one is sorta kinda new, she came out the transfer after I trained. I dont remember Sis. Plessingers cousins name. I may have met her, dont know though. There are lots of people that I dont know now.

Love you lots,
Elder Egan