Monday, August 24, 2009
Hey,
Its been another great week in Chesterfield! Its been a really eventful week. The youth out here are amazing. They've given us a bunch of referrals and we are teaching alot of their friends. The only problem is that they're under 18 and we've been having a lot of opposition from parents. For example, Mitchell's (he has a really solid testimony and a baptismal date for the 5th) parents dont want him baptized til he's 18 because they don't understand or know anything about the church. When we offered to tell them about it and what we believed they would have nothing to do with it. His parents are divorced and its his dad that is really hard hearted, but he lives with his mom so were hoping for a change in her. They wont even let him come to church anymore and he hasn't been returning our calls. Then we started teaching another youth last week. We taught her a first and got a return appt. and she said that she'd come to church. however, the night before her dad told her that they were going to their church that they haven't gone to in at least three years. There're a few others in the same situation, its starting to become really frustrating. other than that, we have been teaching alot of lessons and have got lots done.
On the good side of things, Adria is getting baptized this Saturday. I'm going to call pres. and see if i can go. He usually discourages it, but since i'm so close to St. Peters it wont hurt to ask.
It's funny how God always puts great trials in our way before He sends the greatest blessings. We were tracting the other day and had just finished talking with probably the rudest people I've ever met. We were a little down but kept on pushing our way through. The next door we knocked on was awesome. A pregnant asian lady opened the door and after we told her who we were, she got really excited. She said that she had been listening to "God music" earlier that day and then asked if we were sent by God. We quickly said that we were and she invited us in. We had to decline since her husband wasn't home, but we set up a return appt. for Tues. and she kept saying things like, "I'll see you Tues." and "you'll be back on Tues. right?" It was a great feeling. Its just so great to be able to testify of Christ and the Restored Gospel every day. And knowing that what you say is being backed up by Divinity. Its just a great feeling.
We live in the McCords basement. its just a big room with a bathroom. The McCords are out of town, actually they're in Rexburg, but I'll get some pics when they get home. They also have this awesome golden lab. He's a great dog.
Mom-see if you can get Ashley's address for me. I don't have it. That's awesome about your friend/coworker. And yes YOU should make the move. Even if we pray that the elders would go back, we have to take charge and do something about it. Invite her and the elders for dinner. You can do it with your elders first and then see how that goes. Then if its good, they can give her to the right elders. That's really exciting though.
Dad- It's really sad to see people who have gained a witness of the truth and fall away. But its only because they forgot/stopped doing the "plain and precious " things like reading scriptures, praying, and going to church. we can have all the heavenly witnesses that we want but even an angel will not convert someone or keep them in the church. Even Alma had to pray to know even AFTER seeing an angel.
Josh-let me know how band is going and how you did at McKenzie.
Anyway, keep strong in the faith
Love,
Elder Egan
The pic is of Elder Nelson and I playing the piano before an appointment. Its was really fun.
Its been another great week in Chesterfield! Its been a really eventful week. The youth out here are amazing. They've given us a bunch of referrals and we are teaching alot of their friends. The only problem is that they're under 18 and we've been having a lot of opposition from parents. For example, Mitchell's (he has a really solid testimony and a baptismal date for the 5th) parents dont want him baptized til he's 18 because they don't understand or know anything about the church. When we offered to tell them about it and what we believed they would have nothing to do with it. His parents are divorced and its his dad that is really hard hearted, but he lives with his mom so were hoping for a change in her. They wont even let him come to church anymore and he hasn't been returning our calls. Then we started teaching another youth last week. We taught her a first and got a return appt. and she said that she'd come to church. however, the night before her dad told her that they were going to their church that they haven't gone to in at least three years. There're a few others in the same situation, its starting to become really frustrating. other than that, we have been teaching alot of lessons and have got lots done.
On the good side of things, Adria is getting baptized this Saturday. I'm going to call pres. and see if i can go. He usually discourages it, but since i'm so close to St. Peters it wont hurt to ask.
It's funny how God always puts great trials in our way before He sends the greatest blessings. We were tracting the other day and had just finished talking with probably the rudest people I've ever met. We were a little down but kept on pushing our way through. The next door we knocked on was awesome. A pregnant asian lady opened the door and after we told her who we were, she got really excited. She said that she had been listening to "God music" earlier that day and then asked if we were sent by God. We quickly said that we were and she invited us in. We had to decline since her husband wasn't home, but we set up a return appt. for Tues. and she kept saying things like, "I'll see you Tues." and "you'll be back on Tues. right?" It was a great feeling. Its just so great to be able to testify of Christ and the Restored Gospel every day. And knowing that what you say is being backed up by Divinity. Its just a great feeling.
We live in the McCords basement. its just a big room with a bathroom. The McCords are out of town, actually they're in Rexburg, but I'll get some pics when they get home. They also have this awesome golden lab. He's a great dog.
Mom-see if you can get Ashley's address for me. I don't have it. That's awesome about your friend/coworker. And yes YOU should make the move. Even if we pray that the elders would go back, we have to take charge and do something about it. Invite her and the elders for dinner. You can do it with your elders first and then see how that goes. Then if its good, they can give her to the right elders. That's really exciting though.
Dad- It's really sad to see people who have gained a witness of the truth and fall away. But its only because they forgot/stopped doing the "plain and precious " things like reading scriptures, praying, and going to church. we can have all the heavenly witnesses that we want but even an angel will not convert someone or keep them in the church. Even Alma had to pray to know even AFTER seeing an angel.
Josh-let me know how band is going and how you did at McKenzie.
Anyway, keep strong in the faith
Love,
Elder Egan
The pic is of Elder Nelson and I playing the piano before an appointment. Its was really fun.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Greetings from Chesterfield.......
Greetings from Chesterfield/Ballwin/Manchester/Winchester/Town and Country/ and Des Peres!!!
(Yes those are all the cities that I cover now). I cover three wards, the Chesterfield 1st, Parkway, and Chesterfield Singles Branch. so yesterday was a busy day. I was at church from about 7:45-4 for the different wards and meetings. They are really good wards. The current temple president and the next temple president are both in my ward.
I also met a girl yesterday in the Chesterfield ward that was in my international class at BYUI, crazy stuff. It is really nice to have a car, we drive a 2006 Mazda 3. We'll probably get a new one while I'm here though. We don't talk to as many people on the streets, but we do get to testify alot to people at the door step, its alot of fun. We went around a few days ago and put our names on list at hosptials and funeral homes as ministers that people can call on for comfort. it was kinda fun. We were finding a place to park at a hospital and we pulled into a spot. Coincidentally it was reserved for "clergy only" so we parked (I'll send a pic) it was really funny. We're teaching a few people (mostly youth). Mitchell is 15 and has a baptismal date, however he had a rough time last night. His mom is not supporting him and his dad just wants to make sure that this is what he wants. His parents are divorced on top of that and so we're trying to calm things down there. Mae is 18 and a friend of a recent convert, Larry. shes been reading and im pretty sure that she has a testimony. We've only taught her the 1st lesson officially but I guess she sat in on some of Larry's lessons. We are hoping to set a date with her this week. (oh and by the way they are both in Chesterfield Ward and both youth referrals!!!). In Parkway we have three investigators, Vita, Colleen, and Merika. Vita owns two snow cone shack things and we teach her out side of them. (I have yet to meet her though). Merika is from Albania and Colleen I don't know too much about (I haven't met her either).
There is alot of potential here and I think that great things are in store for this area. Elder Nelson is great. He is from Nampa ID and went to BYU before he came out. Hes been out about 6 months. No I haven't taken any pics. yet, but I will eventually:) We live with the McCords. They're pretty much awesome! They buy us milk and cereal even before we start to get low and if we try to refuse they pretty much shove it in our arms and send us down stairs. They're just really great people. I forgot to mention that the Temple is almost in our area. It's on the wrong side of the highway. As such, just like in Lake Oswego, the houses out here are really big. With that in mind, we get fed every night and its always delicious.
The service sounded really nice. I was shocked when you told me about Grant, but I vaguely remember him saying something about that.
Love you lots,
Elder Egan
(Yes those are all the cities that I cover now). I cover three wards, the Chesterfield 1st, Parkway, and Chesterfield Singles Branch. so yesterday was a busy day. I was at church from about 7:45-4 for the different wards and meetings. They are really good wards. The current temple president and the next temple president are both in my ward.
I also met a girl yesterday in the Chesterfield ward that was in my international class at BYUI, crazy stuff. It is really nice to have a car, we drive a 2006 Mazda 3. We'll probably get a new one while I'm here though. We don't talk to as many people on the streets, but we do get to testify alot to people at the door step, its alot of fun. We went around a few days ago and put our names on list at hosptials and funeral homes as ministers that people can call on for comfort. it was kinda fun. We were finding a place to park at a hospital and we pulled into a spot. Coincidentally it was reserved for "clergy only" so we parked (I'll send a pic) it was really funny. We're teaching a few people (mostly youth). Mitchell is 15 and has a baptismal date, however he had a rough time last night. His mom is not supporting him and his dad just wants to make sure that this is what he wants. His parents are divorced on top of that and so we're trying to calm things down there. Mae is 18 and a friend of a recent convert, Larry. shes been reading and im pretty sure that she has a testimony. We've only taught her the 1st lesson officially but I guess she sat in on some of Larry's lessons. We are hoping to set a date with her this week. (oh and by the way they are both in Chesterfield Ward and both youth referrals!!!). In Parkway we have three investigators, Vita, Colleen, and Merika. Vita owns two snow cone shack things and we teach her out side of them. (I have yet to meet her though). Merika is from Albania and Colleen I don't know too much about (I haven't met her either).
There is alot of potential here and I think that great things are in store for this area. Elder Nelson is great. He is from Nampa ID and went to BYU before he came out. Hes been out about 6 months. No I haven't taken any pics. yet, but I will eventually:) We live with the McCords. They're pretty much awesome! They buy us milk and cereal even before we start to get low and if we try to refuse they pretty much shove it in our arms and send us down stairs. They're just really great people. I forgot to mention that the Temple is almost in our area. It's on the wrong side of the highway. As such, just like in Lake Oswego, the houses out here are really big. With that in mind, we get fed every night and its always delicious.
The service sounded really nice. I was shocked when you told me about Grant, but I vaguely remember him saying something about that.
Love you lots,
Elder Egan
Monday, August 10, 2009
August 10 First Transfer
Greetings for the last time from St. Peters,
We got our transfer calls last night. I'll be headed to Chesterfield Mo. Its pretty close to St. Peters and the same kind of area except everyone is really rich (so i hear). My new comp will be Elder Nelson. It's a full time car area so i'll be out of the heat for most of the summer. The weather has been warming up these past few days. The heat index was over 100 so a car will be a welcome change. Transfers are on Wed. so I'll be able to wrap some things up here. I'll be close enough to come back for the baptisms though, which I'm really greatfull for. This week has been really good. After sacrament yesterday, Denise came up to us with some awesome news. She's engaged now!! The wedding still isn't for a year but its at least starting to come along now. and with some more of the Lords help she'll be baptized much sooner than that. Adria is getting really excited for her baptism and so is Bro. Gratiot (her husband, it was a part member family) so he'll be able to baptize his wife. Wenton is doing great too. the last meeting with him he told us that he would get baptized! He just doesn't know when yet. He is still looking for a sign to be absolutly sure, It'll come though. We've had so many appointments and so many more coming that we almost have enough to do splits. That would be awesome if we could. We were contacting in a small park the other day and came across this lady in her car. We started talking to her and we quickly realized that we weren't going to get anywhere. She called us a cult, but this time it was different. Usually when people call us a cult it is very negative and attacking but this lady was nice about it and called us her favorite cult. It was really funny. She had been given A LOT of false doctrine but it was hallarious to talk to her becasue she had no idea what she was saying. Anyway, I'm really excited to go to Chesterfield but sad at the same time. this area is great. And typical me, I forgot the new adress sitting on my desk back home. So for now just send everything, if anything, to the mission office. Mom-we went to the temple with some members. it was ward temple night and we had a 7:00 session. No Elder Reese didnt eat any so he didnt get sick. So far i dont think we've had any lasagna, i could be wrong though. Oh, and bytheway, mix it up when you have the elders over and dont just have the same thing (chicken noodle casserole). they'll appreciate it mucho. Chios though, im a bit jealous. Those do sound really good just too bad it wasnt for a better occasion. Dad-take it easy and dont do too much. Josh-sounds like it was a lot of fun. Make sure you get the most out of young men and scouts, pretty soon you wont have it. good luck at band camp. As we ride down past the different schools, i see all the band practices and just get a big smile on my face. Keep up the good work.
I just remembered. I'll be living with members in Chesterfield, so it'll be a new experience. I guess I'll have to make my bed now, (dont worry, i usually...well sometimes do it anyway).
Love you all,
Elder Egan
We got our transfer calls last night. I'll be headed to Chesterfield Mo. Its pretty close to St. Peters and the same kind of area except everyone is really rich (so i hear). My new comp will be Elder Nelson. It's a full time car area so i'll be out of the heat for most of the summer. The weather has been warming up these past few days. The heat index was over 100 so a car will be a welcome change. Transfers are on Wed. so I'll be able to wrap some things up here. I'll be close enough to come back for the baptisms though, which I'm really greatfull for. This week has been really good. After sacrament yesterday, Denise came up to us with some awesome news. She's engaged now!! The wedding still isn't for a year but its at least starting to come along now. and with some more of the Lords help she'll be baptized much sooner than that. Adria is getting really excited for her baptism and so is Bro. Gratiot (her husband, it was a part member family) so he'll be able to baptize his wife. Wenton is doing great too. the last meeting with him he told us that he would get baptized! He just doesn't know when yet. He is still looking for a sign to be absolutly sure, It'll come though. We've had so many appointments and so many more coming that we almost have enough to do splits. That would be awesome if we could. We were contacting in a small park the other day and came across this lady in her car. We started talking to her and we quickly realized that we weren't going to get anywhere. She called us a cult, but this time it was different. Usually when people call us a cult it is very negative and attacking but this lady was nice about it and called us her favorite cult. It was really funny. She had been given A LOT of false doctrine but it was hallarious to talk to her becasue she had no idea what she was saying. Anyway, I'm really excited to go to Chesterfield but sad at the same time. this area is great. And typical me, I forgot the new adress sitting on my desk back home. So for now just send everything, if anything, to the mission office. Mom-we went to the temple with some members. it was ward temple night and we had a 7:00 session. No Elder Reese didnt eat any so he didnt get sick. So far i dont think we've had any lasagna, i could be wrong though. Oh, and bytheway, mix it up when you have the elders over and dont just have the same thing (chicken noodle casserole). they'll appreciate it mucho. Chios though, im a bit jealous. Those do sound really good just too bad it wasnt for a better occasion. Dad-take it easy and dont do too much. Josh-sounds like it was a lot of fun. Make sure you get the most out of young men and scouts, pretty soon you wont have it. good luck at band camp. As we ride down past the different schools, i see all the band practices and just get a big smile on my face. Keep up the good work.
I just remembered. I'll be living with members in Chesterfield, so it'll be a new experience. I guess I'll have to make my bed now, (dont worry, i usually...well sometimes do it anyway).
Love you all,
Elder Egan
Saturday, August 8, 2009
August 3rd
Greetings,
It sounds like the weather here and the weather over there have switched. Its been way nice and pretty cool. It rains every once and a while but I have come to appreciate it so much more now that I have to bike everywhere.
The work has been going really good out here.
Adria is still on track for baptism this month, hopefully i still be here for it. She came to a member baptism on Sat and really enjoyed it.
Wenton finally came to church again. This time he brought his whole family!! It was really neat. They had to leave after sacrament but we were still really excited. He is really close to baptism. He said that he would but wouldn’t set a date. He said that in the past he has had dreams where his dad would come to him and tell him what to do. We're trying to teach him that we don’t always get a dream or angelic messenger to get an answer. He'll be way solid though once he is baptized. he keeps telling us that he hates it when people go from church to church and that he'll never do that.
Denise hasn’t been to church in the last two weeks. We’re going to check up on her today. we think it might have something to do with the boyfriend...work could be another possibility...or maybe a little of both. We told her last lesson that she either needed to move out or get married. That was a fun lesson for sure.
I think i told you about a less active (la) we found a couple weeks ago, Christine Evjen. Anyway, she read the whole BoM in a week and a half! she is way solid and excited to be active.
This week our zone leader got emergency transferred in the middle of our service time. the assistants were picking him up in a few hours and so they had to run home and pack him up. Not sure what happened but quite a few people got moved around.
We've been pretty busy this week but it seems like we've done alot of tracting. We've met a bunch of interesting people a Buhdist, Muslium, Supper devote Catholics who actually knew what they believed, etc. We've learned a lot this week and its been really fun learning about different peoples beliefs (just strengthens my own).
Dad-We have started doing something like that too but for getting appointments. Instead of asking "if" or "when" we could come back we ask "what time do you get off work?" then "would weekends or weekdays be better?" and then give two specific times and POW we've got a return appointment. Keep it easy and dont over do it for your back.
Mom-ran out of time last week to try any. Im planning on it today though. Let Grandpa know he's in my prayers.
Love,
Elder Egan
It sounds like the weather here and the weather over there have switched. Its been way nice and pretty cool. It rains every once and a while but I have come to appreciate it so much more now that I have to bike everywhere.
The work has been going really good out here.
Adria is still on track for baptism this month, hopefully i still be here for it. She came to a member baptism on Sat and really enjoyed it.
Wenton finally came to church again. This time he brought his whole family!! It was really neat. They had to leave after sacrament but we were still really excited. He is really close to baptism. He said that he would but wouldn’t set a date. He said that in the past he has had dreams where his dad would come to him and tell him what to do. We're trying to teach him that we don’t always get a dream or angelic messenger to get an answer. He'll be way solid though once he is baptized. he keeps telling us that he hates it when people go from church to church and that he'll never do that.
Denise hasn’t been to church in the last two weeks. We’re going to check up on her today. we think it might have something to do with the boyfriend...work could be another possibility...or maybe a little of both. We told her last lesson that she either needed to move out or get married. That was a fun lesson for sure.
I think i told you about a less active (la) we found a couple weeks ago, Christine Evjen. Anyway, she read the whole BoM in a week and a half! she is way solid and excited to be active.
This week our zone leader got emergency transferred in the middle of our service time. the assistants were picking him up in a few hours and so they had to run home and pack him up. Not sure what happened but quite a few people got moved around.
We've been pretty busy this week but it seems like we've done alot of tracting. We've met a bunch of interesting people a Buhdist, Muslium, Supper devote Catholics who actually knew what they believed, etc. We've learned a lot this week and its been really fun learning about different peoples beliefs (just strengthens my own).
Dad-We have started doing something like that too but for getting appointments. Instead of asking "if" or "when" we could come back we ask "what time do you get off work?" then "would weekends or weekdays be better?" and then give two specific times and POW we've got a return appointment. Keep it easy and dont over do it for your back.
Mom-ran out of time last week to try any. Im planning on it today though. Let Grandpa know he's in my prayers.
Love,
Elder Egan
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
July 27th Letter
Happy Monday!!
The weather is starting to warm back up, but nothing bad. But even better than that, the humidity has been low.
The brake pads on my back tires are non existint but im hesitent to buy new ones because transfers is in two weeks and i dont know if ill be staying here, hopefully i will though. So i think ill just switch out the front ones with the back and hope that lasts, so if i write back next week in a cast, you'll know why.
This last week started off really slow, but it was all worth it. We had appointments cancel left and right with some of our solid investigators so we ended up doing a lot of tracting. It kinda put me in a down mood, but we diligently went forth every morning not slacking. Then on Sat. we were out and we taught a bunch of lessons and got some new potential investigators and return appointments. It humbled me knowing that the Lord blesses those who diligently serve Him. I thought that the Lord had blessed me enough for the week but boy was I wrong. We had an appointment with Wenton last night. Every time we go over there and ask him how he feels he always says "i feel good about [the book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, etc.]" So the last time we were there we left him to read Alma 32 where they talk about the seed. I asked him how he liked it and he opened up to verse 21 talking about faith. And i took off running with that and explained how the good feeling he has been having is the spirit testifying of truth. Then I asked him if he knew the BoM (Book of Mormon) was true. He said "yes" then i asked him if he knew that Joseph Smith was a prophet. He again said "yes." then i had him open up to Mosiah 18:8-10, "if these be the desires of your heart...what have ye against being baptized in the name of Christ?" (warning: quote may be off). When i told him to read it i had no idea what i was doing. we have been talking about baptism for the last few times and i wasnt going to mention it, i just told the Lord that i was putting my trust in Him and that if i had the wrong impression it was all on Him (obviously He knows what He's doing, i just wanted a scape goat). Wenton read it 3 or 4 times and then sat there pondering it for a few min. and said, "we have to be baptized." Elder Reese gave him a "soft" baptismal committment ("as you come to know these things are true, will you be baptized?") and he accepted!! Then i tried to set a date for Aug 22 but he said that he would have to pray about it. We got him a copy of the BoM in French so now he'll be able to understand it better and recive that witness.
Denise is doing really well except that she is still having problems with her boyfriend (shes living with him still). We talked to Bishop Stephens about it and he said that one of them have to move out if she wants to progress and keep the commandments. We'll be on ours knees a lot this week for guidence on this, thats for sure.
Adria is doing well too. her baptism is still on track so we're preping her for that. We're taking her and a few others on the church tour tonight so that'll help.
You'll have to send some pics of the new car. The bishop was talking about getting a new one as well with all the deals going on but he said it helps when he's counciling people for them to see that he's driving a really old car that barely runs, so they dont need a fancy new one, haha.
Yeah the pic. was with the minni. his name was Caleb Nordwald from Mexico, Mo. I'll have to check on Poplar Bluff when i get home. That'd be cool if it was though.
The other week i ran into a friend from BYUI. He was in my mission prep class last semester. he was going to his sisters ward which meets right before ours. it was really crazy to see him.
Keep me updated on how everyone's doing. My prayers are with you all
Love
Elder Egan
The weather is starting to warm back up, but nothing bad. But even better than that, the humidity has been low.
The brake pads on my back tires are non existint but im hesitent to buy new ones because transfers is in two weeks and i dont know if ill be staying here, hopefully i will though. So i think ill just switch out the front ones with the back and hope that lasts, so if i write back next week in a cast, you'll know why.
This last week started off really slow, but it was all worth it. We had appointments cancel left and right with some of our solid investigators so we ended up doing a lot of tracting. It kinda put me in a down mood, but we diligently went forth every morning not slacking. Then on Sat. we were out and we taught a bunch of lessons and got some new potential investigators and return appointments. It humbled me knowing that the Lord blesses those who diligently serve Him. I thought that the Lord had blessed me enough for the week but boy was I wrong. We had an appointment with Wenton last night. Every time we go over there and ask him how he feels he always says "i feel good about [the book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, etc.]" So the last time we were there we left him to read Alma 32 where they talk about the seed. I asked him how he liked it and he opened up to verse 21 talking about faith. And i took off running with that and explained how the good feeling he has been having is the spirit testifying of truth. Then I asked him if he knew the BoM (Book of Mormon) was true. He said "yes" then i asked him if he knew that Joseph Smith was a prophet. He again said "yes." then i had him open up to Mosiah 18:8-10, "if these be the desires of your heart...what have ye against being baptized in the name of Christ?" (warning: quote may be off). When i told him to read it i had no idea what i was doing. we have been talking about baptism for the last few times and i wasnt going to mention it, i just told the Lord that i was putting my trust in Him and that if i had the wrong impression it was all on Him (obviously He knows what He's doing, i just wanted a scape goat). Wenton read it 3 or 4 times and then sat there pondering it for a few min. and said, "we have to be baptized." Elder Reese gave him a "soft" baptismal committment ("as you come to know these things are true, will you be baptized?") and he accepted!! Then i tried to set a date for Aug 22 but he said that he would have to pray about it. We got him a copy of the BoM in French so now he'll be able to understand it better and recive that witness.
Denise is doing really well except that she is still having problems with her boyfriend (shes living with him still). We talked to Bishop Stephens about it and he said that one of them have to move out if she wants to progress and keep the commandments. We'll be on ours knees a lot this week for guidence on this, thats for sure.
Adria is doing well too. her baptism is still on track so we're preping her for that. We're taking her and a few others on the church tour tonight so that'll help.
You'll have to send some pics of the new car. The bishop was talking about getting a new one as well with all the deals going on but he said it helps when he's counciling people for them to see that he's driving a really old car that barely runs, so they dont need a fancy new one, haha.
Yeah the pic. was with the minni. his name was Caleb Nordwald from Mexico, Mo. I'll have to check on Poplar Bluff when i get home. That'd be cool if it was though.
The other week i ran into a friend from BYUI. He was in my mission prep class last semester. he was going to his sisters ward which meets right before ours. it was really crazy to see him.
Keep me updated on how everyone's doing. My prayers are with you all
Love
Elder Egan
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Presidents and Church's..........
Along with his letter this week, Jon sent this picture that he took . He said to enlarge it and look at the white street sign that is hooked to the light post. Of course I think it's a cool chicken place....Church's Chicken....right in front of a church:) Jon is still the same political guy he was when he left!! 
Bonjour,
(I have no idea if thats how you spell that but i was getting tired of writing the few forms of the word in english).
So I was greeting people before sacrament started yesterday when an unfamiliar face came up to me and asked where i was from. I told him and he said that he served his mission there and was in our ward! I dont know if you remember an Edler Sorensen, he looked kinda familiar but i didnt remember much about him, i felt bad. Hes been home for a while now and going to BYU but working as a sellsmen in the City. He's going to the other ward so ill see him around.
This week has been really amazing. Our minni missionary was the most energetic and ethusiastic person, it was great. We broke most of our weekly goals with his help. He taught both Elder Reese and I alot. He went home friday to show his steer in the fair. Hes from a small country town, Mexico MO. He actually crashed again after the first one with Elder Reese. This time it was into a road sign though. It was pretty funny.
The weather has been wonderful this week. Cool and not humid. If it stayed like this the whole year i may think about actually liking it out here, haha.
Your a genious mom!! After last weeks email (about Adria) I went and look up the dates that the Temple was closed. It just so happens that every year in Sep. that its closed for cleaning. We were able to move her baptism up a month!!! From Sep. 22 to Aug 29! That was pure inspiration. Denise is doing great too! Shes been coming to church for the past 3 or 4 weeks and getting involved in the R.S. activities. This ward is so great. They just welcome everyone in and are super friendly. They remind me so much of our ward back home. Wenton (the guy from Hatti) said he feels it to be true and we challenged him to baptism. He said that he hates it when people jump from church to church and so he wants to be sure that this is it. But he said he'd pray about it. We've also got his son coming to cub scouts and he really likes it. Hunter (the girl whose mom isn't a member but dad is really strong in the church) has been bringing one of her nonmember friends to church! Shes doing more missionary work than the members are, its great!! Larry (the strong Catholic guy) is really coming along. We took him on this "church tour" that i think i told you about last week and i think it really hit him. we talked about the apostacy and restoration. He just has a lot of questions and still clings to his beliefs which is good. He's pretty much solid (along with everyone else).
We've also been working with a lot of less actives. Its harder working with them because most of the time they already have strong testimonies but are to prideful to forgive those who have offended them (i've found that the number one reason that people leave is because someone, usually a bishop, said something they didnt like). Its all good though, they'll come around eventually when they see the blessings that they and their family are missing out on.
Thursday we had a special zone conference. Elder Shoffe of the Seventy came and talked to us along with Pres. and Sis Turley and the AP's. It was a spiritual feast that really pumped us up.
I see Elder Westfall at least every week. they came on splits with us on sat. and it was really fun being out with him in the field. He was born (his first area) was in the ghetto of STL and so its a lot different out here for him.
The plan of Salvation is such a wonderful thing to know about. It makes this earth life so much easier knowing where we came from, why we're here, and where we're going. The Book of Mormon answers so many of life's great questions like those and so much more. If people would just give it a chance and put aside their prejudice they would benifit more than they could imagine.
Dad-its good that your going out with the Elders. I know they appreciate it. Its good that you've been reading PMG, that'll make it easier. Just remember to let the Elders do the teaching unless they ask you other wise. That's the hardest part, some members try to do the Elders job, not conciously, but they're the best at what they do.
Mom-yes i got both packages. Its good that you check here. There have been some elders whose letters and packages get taken. Not in St. Peters that i know but its still good.
Josh-The super activity sounds really fun. Yeah, there isnt any time to think about movies. by the time you get in and finish everything that you need all you want to do is either sleep or study (if there is time...usually not though).
Love,
Elder Egan
(I have no idea if thats how you spell that but i was getting tired of writing the few forms of the word in english).
So I was greeting people before sacrament started yesterday when an unfamiliar face came up to me and asked where i was from. I told him and he said that he served his mission there and was in our ward! I dont know if you remember an Edler Sorensen, he looked kinda familiar but i didnt remember much about him, i felt bad. Hes been home for a while now and going to BYU but working as a sellsmen in the City. He's going to the other ward so ill see him around.
This week has been really amazing. Our minni missionary was the most energetic and ethusiastic person, it was great. We broke most of our weekly goals with his help. He taught both Elder Reese and I alot. He went home friday to show his steer in the fair. Hes from a small country town, Mexico MO. He actually crashed again after the first one with Elder Reese. This time it was into a road sign though. It was pretty funny.
The weather has been wonderful this week. Cool and not humid. If it stayed like this the whole year i may think about actually liking it out here, haha.
Your a genious mom!! After last weeks email (about Adria) I went and look up the dates that the Temple was closed. It just so happens that every year in Sep. that its closed for cleaning. We were able to move her baptism up a month!!! From Sep. 22 to Aug 29! That was pure inspiration. Denise is doing great too! Shes been coming to church for the past 3 or 4 weeks and getting involved in the R.S. activities. This ward is so great. They just welcome everyone in and are super friendly. They remind me so much of our ward back home. Wenton (the guy from Hatti) said he feels it to be true and we challenged him to baptism. He said that he hates it when people jump from church to church and so he wants to be sure that this is it. But he said he'd pray about it. We've also got his son coming to cub scouts and he really likes it. Hunter (the girl whose mom isn't a member but dad is really strong in the church) has been bringing one of her nonmember friends to church! Shes doing more missionary work than the members are, its great!! Larry (the strong Catholic guy) is really coming along. We took him on this "church tour" that i think i told you about last week and i think it really hit him. we talked about the apostacy and restoration. He just has a lot of questions and still clings to his beliefs which is good. He's pretty much solid (along with everyone else).
We've also been working with a lot of less actives. Its harder working with them because most of the time they already have strong testimonies but are to prideful to forgive those who have offended them (i've found that the number one reason that people leave is because someone, usually a bishop, said something they didnt like). Its all good though, they'll come around eventually when they see the blessings that they and their family are missing out on.
Thursday we had a special zone conference. Elder Shoffe of the Seventy came and talked to us along with Pres. and Sis Turley and the AP's. It was a spiritual feast that really pumped us up.
I see Elder Westfall at least every week. they came on splits with us on sat. and it was really fun being out with him in the field. He was born (his first area) was in the ghetto of STL and so its a lot different out here for him.
The plan of Salvation is such a wonderful thing to know about. It makes this earth life so much easier knowing where we came from, why we're here, and where we're going. The Book of Mormon answers so many of life's great questions like those and so much more. If people would just give it a chance and put aside their prejudice they would benifit more than they could imagine.
Dad-its good that your going out with the Elders. I know they appreciate it. Its good that you've been reading PMG, that'll make it easier. Just remember to let the Elders do the teaching unless they ask you other wise. That's the hardest part, some members try to do the Elders job, not conciously, but they're the best at what they do.
Mom-yes i got both packages. Its good that you check here. There have been some elders whose letters and packages get taken. Not in St. Peters that i know but its still good.
Josh-The super activity sounds really fun. Yeah, there isnt any time to think about movies. by the time you get in and finish everything that you need all you want to do is either sleep or study (if there is time...usually not though).
Love,
Elder Egan
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The "Greenie" Dinner
July 13thSo I learned this week that people here don't often pronounce "J". They have more of a "Y" sound instead. Its pretty funny but I'm trying to incorporate it into my speaking, haha. We got a mini missionary on Sat. He'll be staying with us til Friday. He is from Mexico, Missouri, just turned 18, and has an awesome Missouri accent.
We were looking through the ward list to see if we could find some new less actives that we could go and see. We went to see one the other day, but we found out that they had moved. So Elder Reese, being the great missionary that he is, started teaching these people. We got a return appointment and were able to teach her and her husband yesterday. At first it didn't look like they were very interested but as we kept teaching they got more and more interested. We didn't think they'd be open because they hesitated letting us in, she was doing her daughters hair and he was on the computer, and they didn't have any furniture so we were just standing there. It went really good though, and we have another appointment with them next week.
Denise is doing really good. we had another lesson with her this week and she has been coming to church every week. We would probably be getting ready to set a baptismal date but she has to get married first. but that'll come with time.
There is a part member family that we've been working with. The Dad just went to the temple after a falling away, the wife is very anti, and the daughter is investigating. They have an adopted son from Russia and is mentally disabled. The Bishop and Stake President have put it on Elder Reese and me to see if he is accountable. Talk about a lot of pressure. It was great teaching him. We had to teach so simply using wording that he understood like "ghost" instead of "spirit" and things like that. It was challenging but kinda fun. Elder Reese struggled with it a bit, but it went well. Right now we don't think that he is accountable but we'll keep teaching him anyway and praying about it.
Its great how the spirit works. You spend so much time preparing lessons that you think people need but then when you get there you teach something totally different and you don't know where the lesson comes from.
The mission just started using a new teaching tool. I guess the Tacoma mission has had it for a while and started it. Its really neat. We use pictures and lights to teach dispensations and apostacy by going through different rooms in the church. Its really powerful and we will be doing it on Saturday for some of our investigators. You'll have to ask the elders if they're using it too.
The weather here has been really nice. It was supposed to get really hot and humid at the end of last week but it wasn't very bad. The Lord is definitely looking out for us. We have got a couple new investigators and a few more potentials. We have so many appointments some days that we just go from one to the other. Its great.
It was good to here that the reunion went good. Sounds like a lot of fun. I agree little kids are awesome. Last week one of the members kids ran back and sat with us towards the end of sacrament and then yesterday another one drew Elder Reese and I some pics during the day. No wonder the Savior said "suffer the little children to come to me."
No there was no Jello in the green meal. Chicken, Potatoes, Gravy, Mac n cheese, rolls, green butter, but no Jello.
Id send more pics of the apartment but i forgot the camera at home. Maybe next week I'll surprise you (well i guess it wont be a surprise any more...)
Well id better get going. I'm probably forgetting something so you might be getting another email in a few min. but if not ill talk to you next week.
Lots of Love,
Elder Egan
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
July 6th
Aloha,
Its been a very busy week for us out here. There is a Lady, Adria, that the missionaries have been working with for a really long time that we meet with every week. We went over last wed. and she set a baptismal date!! Its not til Sep. 22 though. She figured that you can go to the Temple one year after baptism, and their anniversary is on the 22 so that's when she wanted to be sealed as well. We told her that she could still be sealed on the 22 but baptized much sooner, so we'll see how that goes.
We've also been working with anther investigator, Denise. We contacted her a few weeks ago and began the lessons. Well yesterday was only her second time at church and she got up to bear her testimony. I was really nervous at first because I didn't know what to expect. It was an awesome testimony!! She held up the Book of Mormon and said "This book is changing my life so much" and how she knew it to be true. I talked to her afterwards and she said that she wouldn't have said it if it wasn't true!! It was worth every bit so far on my mission just to hear that and to see her change.
Hopefully we will be setting a few more baptismal dates this transfer and a few baptisms. The Lord has really blessed us, probably more than we deserve. We've been working our hardest and so the Lord makes up for our weaknesses and blesses us with many people to teach.
The weather was really nice last week, but this week its supposed to be hot and humid again. Its alright though, i think i'm getting use to it (if that's possible). The fourth was pretty lame though. It rained most of the day. The ward was going to have a pancake breakfast at a park but with the rain we couldn't. Then we were planning on riding through the different parks to contact everyone that would be out there enjoying the fourth, but no one was there, once again because of the rain. So instead we went tracting. Tracting is never usually successful but on the fourth it was even worse. Everyone was either in St. Louis or not willing to talk with us because they were busy. It was still a good day, just not as good teaching wise. there are a lot of hispanics in our apartments and i usually use my broken spanish on them. they usually don't say much back (gratefully) and we go inside. On the fourth though, we had a member pick us up to take us home. He served in Mexico and so knew spanish. He started talking with some of the people outside and taught them a 30 min. lesson. it was really neat because although we had no idea what was being said, we could still feel the spirit testify to us of the truth of what he was saying. We had to stop tracting/contacting at 6 for safety reasons so the little spanish lesson was good timing. The fourth is a pretty big deal here though. the cities around here have three nights of fireworks displays and on top of that, everyone buys their own and do them throughout the day. Luckily no one tried to shoot us with any (and if they did i guess they missed).
There is this less active lady in our ward that we've been working with. She found out that i was new last transfer and so she had us over for dinner. It was a "green" meal. Literally everything was green. It didn't look to appealing but it tasted fine. Ill send some pics of it but it was interesting.
Tell sister Plessinger that only the best missionaries are sent here to Zion (well not quite Zion but we're close), so be ready.
Dad-We only get an hour for personal study so its hard to study everything that you'd like within that hour and still prepare what your going to teach your investigators. Maybe if you stop working so hard your back would be able to heal better. Just be careful and don't work too hard. I think the last name of the man i met was Evans. Can't remember though.
Josh-that's more than i get to live off of for a month!! How long did you blow up fireworks? With that kind of money it better have been quite the show. Good luck with band, sounds like it will be fun.
Its been a very busy week for us out here. There is a Lady, Adria, that the missionaries have been working with for a really long time that we meet with every week. We went over last wed. and she set a baptismal date!! Its not til Sep. 22 though. She figured that you can go to the Temple one year after baptism, and their anniversary is on the 22 so that's when she wanted to be sealed as well. We told her that she could still be sealed on the 22 but baptized much sooner, so we'll see how that goes.
We've also been working with anther investigator, Denise. We contacted her a few weeks ago and began the lessons. Well yesterday was only her second time at church and she got up to bear her testimony. I was really nervous at first because I didn't know what to expect. It was an awesome testimony!! She held up the Book of Mormon and said "This book is changing my life so much" and how she knew it to be true. I talked to her afterwards and she said that she wouldn't have said it if it wasn't true!! It was worth every bit so far on my mission just to hear that and to see her change.
Hopefully we will be setting a few more baptismal dates this transfer and a few baptisms. The Lord has really blessed us, probably more than we deserve. We've been working our hardest and so the Lord makes up for our weaknesses and blesses us with many people to teach.
The weather was really nice last week, but this week its supposed to be hot and humid again. Its alright though, i think i'm getting use to it (if that's possible). The fourth was pretty lame though. It rained most of the day. The ward was going to have a pancake breakfast at a park but with the rain we couldn't. Then we were planning on riding through the different parks to contact everyone that would be out there enjoying the fourth, but no one was there, once again because of the rain. So instead we went tracting. Tracting is never usually successful but on the fourth it was even worse. Everyone was either in St. Louis or not willing to talk with us because they were busy. It was still a good day, just not as good teaching wise. there are a lot of hispanics in our apartments and i usually use my broken spanish on them. they usually don't say much back (gratefully) and we go inside. On the fourth though, we had a member pick us up to take us home. He served in Mexico and so knew spanish. He started talking with some of the people outside and taught them a 30 min. lesson. it was really neat because although we had no idea what was being said, we could still feel the spirit testify to us of the truth of what he was saying. We had to stop tracting/contacting at 6 for safety reasons so the little spanish lesson was good timing. The fourth is a pretty big deal here though. the cities around here have three nights of fireworks displays and on top of that, everyone buys their own and do them throughout the day. Luckily no one tried to shoot us with any (and if they did i guess they missed).
There is this less active lady in our ward that we've been working with. She found out that i was new last transfer and so she had us over for dinner. It was a "green" meal. Literally everything was green. It didn't look to appealing but it tasted fine. Ill send some pics of it but it was interesting.
Tell sister Plessinger that only the best missionaries are sent here to Zion (well not quite Zion but we're close), so be ready.
Dad-We only get an hour for personal study so its hard to study everything that you'd like within that hour and still prepare what your going to teach your investigators. Maybe if you stop working so hard your back would be able to heal better. Just be careful and don't work too hard. I think the last name of the man i met was Evans. Can't remember though.
Josh-that's more than i get to live off of for a month!! How long did you blow up fireworks? With that kind of money it better have been quite the show. Good luck with band, sounds like it will be fun.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
June 29th
Howdy,
This past week has been really hot and humid, again. Sat. was the hottest of the year so far and the humidity isnt helping at all. The only good that comes from the heat is that people are more willing to talk to us...sometimes. The bugs here are terrible. I got bit 5+ times on one leg in one night. luckily they dont itch too bad. Its funny becasue when we come home at night we go down this hill and if your mouth is open you eat 4 or 5 bugs, gives us a burst of protien to finish the night.
We had two new investigators come to church yesterday. Denise, who we've taught a few times, and Larry who is dating a less active single mom in our ward. Both look really encouraging. One of our older investigators, Adria, said that she had a baptism date in mind but wouldnt tell us what it was. the missionaries have been working with her forever.
Transfers are this week. Elder Reese and I are staying in St. Peters luckily. So im here for at least another six weeks. we find out the sunday before the transfer. Elder Reese has been here just a bit longer than me. Elder Westfall is being transferred into the area next to us though. He called me last night to tell me. it'll be good to see him again.
Mom-just keep the ropes. i dont need them. Aslo, could you send me my baseball mit and a ball or two? We had dinner at a members house yesterday. She made burritos. I know that doesnt sound like anything special, but these were amazing. They were kinda like your Cafe Rio but not really. It had the rice, beans, and shredded meat, cheese and the works, and tasted just as good. I made myself eat a couple of them but later regreted it, almost. Could you get me Lindsay Hoo's home adress. I have her one at school but that doesnt help much when she's not there.
Dad-a man introduced himself to me at church the other day and said that he had Egan's in his line. Come to find out, he is through Marry Adiline (something like that) who was Richard Erastus's daughter or something. I couldnt remember how we were tied in there though. Good job on reading PMG. Its a really good way to focus your study. With only the hour that we have to study in the morning it is hard to study the scripture/pmg/and for the investigators so i havent gone through it as much as i would like.
What!?!? No fireworks at the fort!?!?! they always do that. i guess you'll have to find something else fun to do. There are firework stands all over the place here and it brings back memories of those long, hot days working out there.
Well I cant think of anything else right now so i'll write next week,
Love Elder Egan
This past week has been really hot and humid, again. Sat. was the hottest of the year so far and the humidity isnt helping at all. The only good that comes from the heat is that people are more willing to talk to us...sometimes. The bugs here are terrible. I got bit 5+ times on one leg in one night. luckily they dont itch too bad. Its funny becasue when we come home at night we go down this hill and if your mouth is open you eat 4 or 5 bugs, gives us a burst of protien to finish the night.
We had two new investigators come to church yesterday. Denise, who we've taught a few times, and Larry who is dating a less active single mom in our ward. Both look really encouraging. One of our older investigators, Adria, said that she had a baptism date in mind but wouldnt tell us what it was. the missionaries have been working with her forever.
Transfers are this week. Elder Reese and I are staying in St. Peters luckily. So im here for at least another six weeks. we find out the sunday before the transfer. Elder Reese has been here just a bit longer than me. Elder Westfall is being transferred into the area next to us though. He called me last night to tell me. it'll be good to see him again.
Mom-just keep the ropes. i dont need them. Aslo, could you send me my baseball mit and a ball or two? We had dinner at a members house yesterday. She made burritos. I know that doesnt sound like anything special, but these were amazing. They were kinda like your Cafe Rio but not really. It had the rice, beans, and shredded meat, cheese and the works, and tasted just as good. I made myself eat a couple of them but later regreted it, almost. Could you get me Lindsay Hoo's home adress. I have her one at school but that doesnt help much when she's not there.
Dad-a man introduced himself to me at church the other day and said that he had Egan's in his line. Come to find out, he is through Marry Adiline (something like that) who was Richard Erastus's daughter or something. I couldnt remember how we were tied in there though. Good job on reading PMG. Its a really good way to focus your study. With only the hour that we have to study in the morning it is hard to study the scripture/pmg/and for the investigators so i havent gone through it as much as i would like.
What!?!? No fireworks at the fort!?!?! they always do that. i guess you'll have to find something else fun to do. There are firework stands all over the place here and it brings back memories of those long, hot days working out there.
Well I cant think of anything else right now so i'll write next week,
Love Elder Egan
Thursday, June 25, 2009
June 22nd
Hello everyone,
Well the weather out here is starting to get much worse. Its been over 100 for a few days with between 90-100% humidity, you gotta love it, especially riding bikes. The people are for the most part sympathetic to us and fill our water for us which gives us more time to talk with them. Some days i figure that if i just take my shower with my clothes on ID be better off.
No bike crashes this week, but i have had at least four flat tires. it was really frustrating. The last flat tire i had was my fault though. i left a small tool that takes off the tire inside of it when i put it back on, and it put a bunch of small holes in the tube. I about hit myself when i realized what i did.
We have a new investigator. She's pretty much "golden." we stopped by one day and gave her a bunch of chapters to read from the BoM, when we came back for our appointment the next day she had read all of it, taken notes, and had two pages of questions. She didn't make it to church because she was leaving out of town but she's awesome.
The rest of the people we're teaching are slowly coming along. It would be so much easier if we could just take away their agency and make them get baptized. Oh wait, that was tried once and didn't work out too well for the one who thought of it, so maybe not.
Its interesting how people say they keep the commandments but look right over them for the most part. I'm pretty sure that there is one in there that says "keep the Sabbath day holy," I could be wrong though. We went out tracting yesterday morning because there weren't any meetings in the morning. People go to church in the morning but are then out doing whatever they want afterwards. It reminds me of what the Lord said, "they draw close to me with their lips but their hearts are far from me." (something like that anyway).
Dad-when do you need that scripture? um...I really like Alma 26:12...yeah that would be good.
Mom-My shoes are doing great. I usually wear the first pair i got, they're much more comfortable (i have no idea how to spell that). I serve in the St. Peters Ward. Its pretty much just like the one back home. A little smaller but close. There is some way awesome youth here though. They all have really strong testimonies and a few of the young men come on team-ups a lot of the time which really helps. Sounds like youth conference went good. I bet your glad its over though.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was in St. Louis on sat. we were planing on going but all of our investigators declined our offer (the mission was given a bunch of tickets for missionaries to take their investigators). then on Friday we got a text from the AP's saying we could go without an investigator but we decided to just stay in St. Peters and keep working. We heard it went really well though.
You guys should read a little out of preach my gospel when you do family scripture reading. we are trying to get our ward to do that so they become more missionary minded. it also has a buch of really good study tips/guides/everything in there. so take a look at it!
Have an amazing week and remember that it is EVERYONES duty to share the gospel with people.
Love
Elder Egan
Oh yeah, everyone here says "Warshington" its driving me crazy!!!
Well the weather out here is starting to get much worse. Its been over 100 for a few days with between 90-100% humidity, you gotta love it, especially riding bikes. The people are for the most part sympathetic to us and fill our water for us which gives us more time to talk with them. Some days i figure that if i just take my shower with my clothes on ID be better off.
No bike crashes this week, but i have had at least four flat tires. it was really frustrating. The last flat tire i had was my fault though. i left a small tool that takes off the tire inside of it when i put it back on, and it put a bunch of small holes in the tube. I about hit myself when i realized what i did.
We have a new investigator. She's pretty much "golden." we stopped by one day and gave her a bunch of chapters to read from the BoM, when we came back for our appointment the next day she had read all of it, taken notes, and had two pages of questions. She didn't make it to church because she was leaving out of town but she's awesome.
The rest of the people we're teaching are slowly coming along. It would be so much easier if we could just take away their agency and make them get baptized. Oh wait, that was tried once and didn't work out too well for the one who thought of it, so maybe not.
Its interesting how people say they keep the commandments but look right over them for the most part. I'm pretty sure that there is one in there that says "keep the Sabbath day holy," I could be wrong though. We went out tracting yesterday morning because there weren't any meetings in the morning. People go to church in the morning but are then out doing whatever they want afterwards. It reminds me of what the Lord said, "they draw close to me with their lips but their hearts are far from me." (something like that anyway).
Dad-when do you need that scripture? um...I really like Alma 26:12...yeah that would be good.
Mom-My shoes are doing great. I usually wear the first pair i got, they're much more comfortable (i have no idea how to spell that). I serve in the St. Peters Ward. Its pretty much just like the one back home. A little smaller but close. There is some way awesome youth here though. They all have really strong testimonies and a few of the young men come on team-ups a lot of the time which really helps. Sounds like youth conference went good. I bet your glad its over though.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was in St. Louis on sat. we were planing on going but all of our investigators declined our offer (the mission was given a bunch of tickets for missionaries to take their investigators). then on Friday we got a text from the AP's saying we could go without an investigator but we decided to just stay in St. Peters and keep working. We heard it went really well though.
You guys should read a little out of preach my gospel when you do family scripture reading. we are trying to get our ward to do that so they become more missionary minded. it also has a buch of really good study tips/guides/everything in there. so take a look at it!
Have an amazing week and remember that it is EVERYONES duty to share the gospel with people.
Love
Elder Egan
Oh yeah, everyone here says "Warshington" its driving me crazy!!!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
June 15, 2009
Hello everyone!!
Its been an interesting week here in St. Peters. We've had mucho thunderstorms. They are so much better than back home. The lightening is almost constant at times. So the other day I was riding down the street looking for our turn. I thought we'd passed it so i was looking behind me, it was a little too long though. I veered off to the right and started skidding along a fence. This was fine until I hit the fence pole. I was thrown off, caught myself with my hand and skidded on my shoulder down the sidewalk a bit. Amazing thing is though, i wasn't cut at all. My shoulder is a little red, and my wrist is bruised but no cuts. The Lord is really looking out for me. That wasn't the end though. A few miles down the road, Elder Reese was in front of me. He stopped to cross the street but i didn't brake in time and came running into him. Luckily neither one of us fell off or got hurt.
Our investigators are coming along slowly, but we have truly been blessed this week. I don't remember if I told you or not, but we set another baptismal date, for William. Neither of them are ready yet so were pushing them back and not setting a date again until we see more progress. The family from Haiti though are coming along really well. We saw him yesterday. He had kept all of his commitments and had a lot of questions that we were able to answer.
We just looked at the arch, didn't have time to go up in it. I got both your package and the one from Aunt Debi. Both were great. Don't worry about the ties. I'm fine now that i have some blue pants.
Dad-its just south of 94 right off of parallel lane. We went to the temple last thursday with our ward mission leader. Ware able to go once a transfer but it is recommended to go less than that. Jenny-Hi
A missionary serving from the St. Peters ward came home this last week. He served in Las Vegas. He said he knew Jeff. His name is Elder Coffee. He said that Jeff doesn't slack and always worked hard.
Here's some pics. Enjoy. Ill send more in another email.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Missouri S. Louis Mission
Here is Elder Egan with President and Sister Turley on the day of his arrival in St. Louis. We should be getting some more current pictures next week.
Monday, June 8, 2009
June 8, 2009
Hi everyone,
Today was a really fun day. we went into St. Louis. We went to the zoo and then the arch. The arch is really neat and it is an amazing design. Much cooler in person than in pictures. Six elders went and a member from one of the wards took us. We've got a baptismal date. His name is Dominik, he's 14. We've set the date for the 27th, but arent sure if we can do it then. Most of the youth will be at youth conference, we would like one of the young men to baptize him, and were not sure if we'll be able to teach all of the lessons by then. We'll try though. We didnt tract into the glen beck guy, he had already been taught all the lesson when i came. He knows its true, just doesnt want to be baptised without his wife, and she isnt really interested.
We had seven investigators at church yesterday, it felt great to finally see some "fruits of our labors." The lady who left us the package last week is moving in the next week or so, so we wont be hearing anything else from her. She's acutally moving to Washington, up north i think.
The district training was good, everyone participated nicely. Yes, i usually carry a spanish BoM with me, you never know when you'll need it.
The thunder storms are really cool here. the lightning is so much better than back home.
Dad- good job on sharing/talking about the gospel. people are much more willing to listen to missionaries if they know a member.
Josh- Happy Birthday!!!
I dont know how much more i'll be able to say today, we got back from the city later than we planned and were running out of time. So if i just kinda end the letter, sorry.We are teaching a partmember family tonight. The husband is a member and his daughter is investigating. She would be a member too but her mom is against it. We're working on it though. I think i mentioned the family from Haiti last time. Anyway, we taught a really good lesson yesterday. we watched the restoration dvd and bore testimony afterwards. He came to church yesterday, it was fast Sunday, and he really liked how everyone got up and bore theirs. Everyone did a really good job.
Love Elder Egan
Today was a really fun day. we went into St. Louis. We went to the zoo and then the arch. The arch is really neat and it is an amazing design. Much cooler in person than in pictures. Six elders went and a member from one of the wards took us. We've got a baptismal date. His name is Dominik, he's 14. We've set the date for the 27th, but arent sure if we can do it then. Most of the youth will be at youth conference, we would like one of the young men to baptize him, and were not sure if we'll be able to teach all of the lessons by then. We'll try though. We didnt tract into the glen beck guy, he had already been taught all the lesson when i came. He knows its true, just doesnt want to be baptised without his wife, and she isnt really interested.
We had seven investigators at church yesterday, it felt great to finally see some "fruits of our labors." The lady who left us the package last week is moving in the next week or so, so we wont be hearing anything else from her. She's acutally moving to Washington, up north i think.
The district training was good, everyone participated nicely. Yes, i usually carry a spanish BoM with me, you never know when you'll need it.
The thunder storms are really cool here. the lightning is so much better than back home.
Dad- good job on sharing/talking about the gospel. people are much more willing to listen to missionaries if they know a member.
Josh- Happy Birthday!!!
I dont know how much more i'll be able to say today, we got back from the city later than we planned and were running out of time. So if i just kinda end the letter, sorry.We are teaching a partmember family tonight. The husband is a member and his daughter is investigating. She would be a member too but her mom is against it. We're working on it though. I think i mentioned the family from Haiti last time. Anyway, we taught a really good lesson yesterday. we watched the restoration dvd and bore testimony afterwards. He came to church yesterday, it was fast Sunday, and he really liked how everyone got up and bore theirs. Everyone did a really good job.
Love Elder Egan
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
June 1, 2009
Hey everyone,
All is going well in St. Peters. The food is great and nothing unusual. I got my bike last wed. from an elder who left. It is really nice and expensive but he sold it to me really cheap. The only problem is that it has a "road bike" seat or something and feels like a rock. Its terrible to sit on, but i'm getting use to it.
Yes that was a new tie. We had a tie trade at the MTC and i got that one (it was the yellow one right?) If you want to send me some more of my ties that would be fine :) and if you come across some blue pants it would be nice too. Tell Josh to get use to it. I wake up every morning with sore muscles and still have to ride, haha.
The weather has been pretty nice. Warm, 80's i think, but not too humid yet. We were tracting the other day and we came across a hispanic lady. She only spoke a little english but luckily with my amazing spanish skills i was able to convert her!! Not really but i was able to explain who we were, gave her a copy of el libro de mormon, and got a return appointment. We went back yesterday with a guy in our ward, Bro. Tolbert, who served in Chile and we taught the first lesson to her and her husband. They were really receptive and we referred them to the spanish elders in our area. At the end of the lesson i bore my testimony in spanish which i hoped helped. We are also teaching a family from Haiti, the Jacquet's they're learning english and have a french accent. their a great family. There was actually another family who were from Haiti that was converted a few months ago and they knew the Jacquets from Haiti.
We got home last night and their was a bag hanging on our door. We went inside threw it on the table and started planning (we were already running late because of our appointment with the Jacquets) so we didnt look in it til later last night. It had towels and envelops for each of us. In the envelops was a prayer that a sister in the ward wrote about us. It was really strange. We'd been warned about her because she claimed to recive revelation for the elders before us. She would also show up at their appartment really early in the morning and late at night. the elders had to move because of it. so anyway, after we read these "prayers" Elder Johnsen called (one of the ZL's) who happened to be one of the elders that had to move. He told us some of the things that have happened with her. It was crazy. We're going to tell the bishop and let him know that she's doing it again.
We also have this investigator who is obsessed with glen beck. The jehovah witnesses would always stop by his house and so he would kick the door open and say that he was mormon. they would leave right away. but one day the elders came to his door, he kicked the door open and said that he was a mormon. The elders got this big smile on their faces and since then he has been taking the lessons. the only reason he let them in was because of Glenn beck, haha.
by the way, if you want you can send me the cord for my camera to the computer. I can try to attach some pics. otherwise ill send the card home. Dad you should only speak for five min. and we can make it a family tradition,haha. I'm sure bro hullinger would like that. Thats a great talk by elder hales.
The DL ask if i would give the training in our district meeting on wed. Its on recognizing the spirit and listening to him...something like that anyway. i'm not quite sure what i'm doing considering i've only been to one district meeting so far, but whatever. Pres. Turley said that you could forward emails to me as long as there arent too many.
Ive already been out over a month counting the MTC. It goes by crazy fast. The ward here reminds me of ours back home. there's a brother who i swear is bro brockmans twin, haha. There is a Bro. Hatch here, and says he has family in vancouver. do you know any? The ward is very social and they throw a lot of parties. They've got a good youth program too and we go on team ups with the priest quite a bit. Today we're going to a park and playing some games with some of the other elders in the zone and having a bbq. I cut my hair this morning too. Could you send me one or two more short sleeve shirts. I stained one with blood (not sure if i can get it out completely, from a bloody nose. It was right after we got done talking with a lady. as soon as she shut the door blood just started coming. it was a hot day) and so i've only got five. and wearing long sleeve is killer. thanks,
Love you lots,Elder Egan
All is going well in St. Peters. The food is great and nothing unusual. I got my bike last wed. from an elder who left. It is really nice and expensive but he sold it to me really cheap. The only problem is that it has a "road bike" seat or something and feels like a rock. Its terrible to sit on, but i'm getting use to it.
Yes that was a new tie. We had a tie trade at the MTC and i got that one (it was the yellow one right?) If you want to send me some more of my ties that would be fine :) and if you come across some blue pants it would be nice too. Tell Josh to get use to it. I wake up every morning with sore muscles and still have to ride, haha.
The weather has been pretty nice. Warm, 80's i think, but not too humid yet. We were tracting the other day and we came across a hispanic lady. She only spoke a little english but luckily with my amazing spanish skills i was able to convert her!! Not really but i was able to explain who we were, gave her a copy of el libro de mormon, and got a return appointment. We went back yesterday with a guy in our ward, Bro. Tolbert, who served in Chile and we taught the first lesson to her and her husband. They were really receptive and we referred them to the spanish elders in our area. At the end of the lesson i bore my testimony in spanish which i hoped helped. We are also teaching a family from Haiti, the Jacquet's they're learning english and have a french accent. their a great family. There was actually another family who were from Haiti that was converted a few months ago and they knew the Jacquets from Haiti.
We got home last night and their was a bag hanging on our door. We went inside threw it on the table and started planning (we were already running late because of our appointment with the Jacquets) so we didnt look in it til later last night. It had towels and envelops for each of us. In the envelops was a prayer that a sister in the ward wrote about us. It was really strange. We'd been warned about her because she claimed to recive revelation for the elders before us. She would also show up at their appartment really early in the morning and late at night. the elders had to move because of it. so anyway, after we read these "prayers" Elder Johnsen called (one of the ZL's) who happened to be one of the elders that had to move. He told us some of the things that have happened with her. It was crazy. We're going to tell the bishop and let him know that she's doing it again.
We also have this investigator who is obsessed with glen beck. The jehovah witnesses would always stop by his house and so he would kick the door open and say that he was mormon. they would leave right away. but one day the elders came to his door, he kicked the door open and said that he was a mormon. The elders got this big smile on their faces and since then he has been taking the lessons. the only reason he let them in was because of Glenn beck, haha.
by the way, if you want you can send me the cord for my camera to the computer. I can try to attach some pics. otherwise ill send the card home. Dad you should only speak for five min. and we can make it a family tradition,haha. I'm sure bro hullinger would like that. Thats a great talk by elder hales.
The DL ask if i would give the training in our district meeting on wed. Its on recognizing the spirit and listening to him...something like that anyway. i'm not quite sure what i'm doing considering i've only been to one district meeting so far, but whatever. Pres. Turley said that you could forward emails to me as long as there arent too many.
Ive already been out over a month counting the MTC. It goes by crazy fast. The ward here reminds me of ours back home. there's a brother who i swear is bro brockmans twin, haha. There is a Bro. Hatch here, and says he has family in vancouver. do you know any? The ward is very social and they throw a lot of parties. They've got a good youth program too and we go on team ups with the priest quite a bit. Today we're going to a park and playing some games with some of the other elders in the zone and having a bbq. I cut my hair this morning too. Could you send me one or two more short sleeve shirts. I stained one with blood (not sure if i can get it out completely, from a bloody nose. It was right after we got done talking with a lady. as soon as she shut the door blood just started coming. it was a hot day) and so i've only got five. and wearing long sleeve is killer. thanks,
Love you lots,Elder Egan
May 26, 2009
Hey everyone,
sorry its been so long but yesterday was pday but also memorial day and so the the library was closed. I have about an hour, but no real time limit. Like i said, im in St. Peters mo. well acutally im living in St Charles, but my area is St Peters. The people out here are great for the most part, willing to hear at least part of our message. My comp is elder Reese from Mt Carmel Ut. he's tall and a red head, so we fit in together. we're working with a lot of people however only one or two are really progressing. the people out here are very religious and very content with their beliefs and dont want to change. we've got a few potential investigators though, so hopefully we'll start seeing some results of our work soon.
If anyone tells you that this part of the country is flat, please hurt them badly, just kidding, but seriously, there are a bunch of huge hills here. And on top of that I'm in a biking area. I found out really quick that i was out of shape, but its getting easier. the humidity doesnt help either, however ive been warned it only gets much worse. but whatever. i definitly wont be gaining any weight for a while.
the members have been taking great care of us, the only problem is that there is so many of them i cant remember their names. give the elders a break if they dont remember yours for a while. theyve got lots on their minds. we get feed almost everynight. if we dont have an appiontment we'll just go home or take our dinner at night and get home a little early.
The Lords hand is definitly in this work. there is no way it can be done without Him. I dont think ive ever prayed so much in my life and seen results so quickly. dont get me wrong, not everything is perfect down here, but it is much better when the Lord is your companion and helper.
We live in an appartment. its actually really nice, not that we're ever in it long enough to enjoy it. Yesterday there was a ward softball game and picnic. it was the "old men" vs the "young men." in other words it was those who wore garments against those who didnt. We slaughtered them (if im allowed to say that). it felt really good playing ball again. we then went to the picnic and ate hamburgures and hotdogs and played a few games. it was nice to be able to wear "normal" clothes for a while. we had two appointments after that, that went pretty good. we taught a part member family and a recent convert. we then tracted around the recent converts house and it started to pour. we got soaking wet, but were able to contact a few people.
thanks for the package. i was finally able to enjoy some cereal this morning becasue pday wasnt til yesterday and we didnt have any milk. the fruit snacks were all melted together but there still tasty. right now im borrowing another elders bike who is in a car area somewhere else in the zone. Im buying another elders bike on weds. who is leaving, and so far what ive heard is that it is a really nice bike.
happy late birthday dad!! sorry i wasnt able to send a card or something. hope it went well. pres turley sent a letter to you guys, you might have got it by now, if not there'll be a pic of me with them in it. ill send my memory card home in a little bit, after im able to take more pics. i wake up tired and sore every morning but soon forget about it as the day goes on, until its about time to go home and it hits you once again.
we've got a few appiontments today and were planning on doing some tracting in the mean time. tonight there is another religious group coming and taking a tour of the church building. mutual and stuff is tonight so they'll get to see all of the different organizations, so we'll be at that to help answer any questions.
do me a favor and help the missionaries out by giving them referals and talking to everyone about the church and inviting people to church things. its much easier when members are on the front doing the finding so that we can come in and do what the spirit does best and teach. tracting is long and difficult with little success.
there is alot to learn but thankfully ive got some of the best teachers, Elder Reese, and the Lord. pass along cards are wonderfull. probably to wonderfull becasue all i do sometimes is give them the card and get on my way without trying to teach them myself. so if i can do it so can everyone else. im sure i forgot to tell you something but we've got to get going
Love Elder Egan
sorry its been so long but yesterday was pday but also memorial day and so the the library was closed. I have about an hour, but no real time limit. Like i said, im in St. Peters mo. well acutally im living in St Charles, but my area is St Peters. The people out here are great for the most part, willing to hear at least part of our message. My comp is elder Reese from Mt Carmel Ut. he's tall and a red head, so we fit in together. we're working with a lot of people however only one or two are really progressing. the people out here are very religious and very content with their beliefs and dont want to change. we've got a few potential investigators though, so hopefully we'll start seeing some results of our work soon.
If anyone tells you that this part of the country is flat, please hurt them badly, just kidding, but seriously, there are a bunch of huge hills here. And on top of that I'm in a biking area. I found out really quick that i was out of shape, but its getting easier. the humidity doesnt help either, however ive been warned it only gets much worse. but whatever. i definitly wont be gaining any weight for a while.
the members have been taking great care of us, the only problem is that there is so many of them i cant remember their names. give the elders a break if they dont remember yours for a while. theyve got lots on their minds. we get feed almost everynight. if we dont have an appiontment we'll just go home or take our dinner at night and get home a little early.
The Lords hand is definitly in this work. there is no way it can be done without Him. I dont think ive ever prayed so much in my life and seen results so quickly. dont get me wrong, not everything is perfect down here, but it is much better when the Lord is your companion and helper.
We live in an appartment. its actually really nice, not that we're ever in it long enough to enjoy it. Yesterday there was a ward softball game and picnic. it was the "old men" vs the "young men." in other words it was those who wore garments against those who didnt. We slaughtered them (if im allowed to say that). it felt really good playing ball again. we then went to the picnic and ate hamburgures and hotdogs and played a few games. it was nice to be able to wear "normal" clothes for a while. we had two appointments after that, that went pretty good. we taught a part member family and a recent convert. we then tracted around the recent converts house and it started to pour. we got soaking wet, but were able to contact a few people.
thanks for the package. i was finally able to enjoy some cereal this morning becasue pday wasnt til yesterday and we didnt have any milk. the fruit snacks were all melted together but there still tasty. right now im borrowing another elders bike who is in a car area somewhere else in the zone. Im buying another elders bike on weds. who is leaving, and so far what ive heard is that it is a really nice bike.
happy late birthday dad!! sorry i wasnt able to send a card or something. hope it went well. pres turley sent a letter to you guys, you might have got it by now, if not there'll be a pic of me with them in it. ill send my memory card home in a little bit, after im able to take more pics. i wake up tired and sore every morning but soon forget about it as the day goes on, until its about time to go home and it hits you once again.
we've got a few appiontments today and were planning on doing some tracting in the mean time. tonight there is another religious group coming and taking a tour of the church building. mutual and stuff is tonight so they'll get to see all of the different organizations, so we'll be at that to help answer any questions.
do me a favor and help the missionaries out by giving them referals and talking to everyone about the church and inviting people to church things. its much easier when members are on the front doing the finding so that we can come in and do what the spirit does best and teach. tracting is long and difficult with little success.
there is alot to learn but thankfully ive got some of the best teachers, Elder Reese, and the Lord. pass along cards are wonderfull. probably to wonderfull becasue all i do sometimes is give them the card and get on my way without trying to teach them myself. so if i can do it so can everyone else. im sure i forgot to tell you something but we've got to get going
Love Elder Egan
Sunday, May 31, 2009
St. Louis Missouri Mission
Elder Jonathan R. Egan is serving in the St. Louis Missouri mission. I have started this blog to keep everyone up to date on how he is doing!! I'll post letters, pictures, and whatever else you would like to know!!
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