September 28

Well its been another great week in Chesterfield!! I just love this area. The weather has been celestial and its been great to work in.


Our investigators are doing really well. We had an appointment with Chris yesterday. This guy is just so solid. We was telling us that he wanted to move his baptismal date back because he didn't feel ready. Then when we asked him how his prayers were going he said that the Lord keeps telling him to keep his baptism on the 10th!!! He still isn't sure, but the fact that he is recognizing the Lords answers and knows what he NEEDS to do is great, so were still planning on the 10th between the two of us.



Vita is still thinking about baptism. We were on splits the other night and the member I was with asked her about it and she spoke really positively about it, the thing is is that she is scared of water (due to a near drowning experience when she was a kid). No worries though. There is this part member family that the elders have been working with for a while that is starting to show a lot of interest. She is going to have a baby in a few months and was asking questions about them all being sealed. We are trying to get her husband more active so that he can baptize her. We'll see.



We have a new investigator, Kevin, I'm not sure if I told you about. We found him tracting a few weeks ago and have since gone back twice. This last time we talked about authority and the Prophet and Apostles and told him how we have General Conference coming up. He immediately got up from the table and left. We were a little nervous, but he had gone to the TV and was setting it to record conference on the BYU station. Not only did he record that, but everything he saw that had to do with Joseph Smith or the Book of Mormon. It was a really neat experience. We hope that we'll get to teach his wife this week too. We'll call him today.


This week we are going to try and work a ton with the members and get some referrals. We've set some pretty high goals, with the help of the Spirit, and are going to use every tool available to us to accomplish them. Even with that said its going to stretch our faith a lot, but all things are possible to the Lord (1 Nephi 7:12).


Nonetheless its going to be a really good transfer. With General Conference, another special Zone conference with Elder Walker of the 1st Quorum of 70, and everything that's going to happen in our area, how could it not be.


Neat little story:
We were planning one night and were not sure where to go the next morning. We sat looking at the map for ever and nothing came. Then Elder Nelson had this great idea. We each looked at the map and picked five streets. then the other person would do the same. When we had each picked our five we came back together and saw which ones (if any) matched. One did!!! We tracted it that next morning and found a new investigator!!! It was really neat seeing how the Lord guides us when we exercise faith.


Mom-tell Kersie congrats. There was a girl from our ward that just got back from the Boston mission and just loves that area. it will be fun. A name would be nice for Sis. Plessingers niece, but I'll see what I can find out. Is she from our area? I've already got a really GOOD flower tie :) actually its really ugly but a member gave us a bunch and so i got it. You can only get so far with ultra conservative ties, haha. Its also starting to get kinda cold at night, do you think you could send me my BYUI blanket? That'd be great.


Dad-If you see Aunt Marilyn any time soon, let her know that Sis. Parks is in my ward, I said hi for her and she says hi back. I don't know when I'll have an opportunity to write them anytime soon. We are going to the arch today and iIdon't know how much time we'll have after. Get a picture of Mitt for me, everyone out here loves him!!


Anyway, keep us in your prayers (I know you do anyway),
Love,
Elder Egan

I Survived!!

It has been another amazing week in Chesterfield!! Transfers are on wed. and the phone calls were going out last night. We jumped every time that the phone made a noise, but the call never came. We are really excited to serve another transfer together.

So i must tell you about the wonderful food that St. Louis has. Since I've been here Elder Nelson has been going on about this dish that a family in the ward makes. I was skeptical until I had some. Its Chicken 'n Waffles and is literally what it says. You put a waffle down with some fried chicken on top of it and then you pour gravy and maple syrup on top of that. Its actually really good. Then a St. Louis dessert is even healthier, Gooey Butter Cake. All it is is a lot of butter and sugar made into a cake, and if your lucky they'll put chocolate chips in it. Its definitely an acquired taste, it was for me anyway, but it is delicious nonetheless.

Another thing that is big around here is Tropical Sno. It's a snow cone place that is really good. I'm pretty sure that they're back home too, you should look and see. anyway, one of our investigators, Vita, owns it down here and so we get free snow cones every time we go and visit her. That snow cone shack has been our best proselyting activity. Besides Vita, we found another lady that works for Vita that we're going to start teaching, Lisa, and another worker that is a potential investigator, Jessica. Lisa we found tracting but Jessica we see all the time when we get our snow cones. We both had the feeling that we needed to share the gospel with her but then she was never working when we went there. Then finally one night we went and not only was she working, but there weren't any other customers. Neither of us were sure how to bring up the gospel and were praying really hard so we could do it in a way that it needed to be done. But as we were just talking with her, she asked us what we do!! We were more than glad to answer her question and got her address and stuff. Lets just hope her parents are OK with it (She's a Senior this year and you know of our luck with teaching youth, haha). The Lords hand is definitely in this work.

Yesterday we took Vita on a quick tour of the font after sacrament (she couldn't stay the whole time because of work). She said that she would keep thinking about baptism. We're pretty sure that she'll go down this next transfer and are really excited for her.

We also met with Chris yesterday. He is so awesome. The lesson previous we talked about prayer and how we can make our prayers more meaningful. We told him that this is something that we were going to work on with him. So yesterday after we asked him how his prayers were, he followed up with us on how our prayers were!!! What investigator follows up with the missionaries?!? There are going to be choirs of angels singing at his baptism.

We've been tracting a lot these past few weeks and have found a lot of potential people to teach. We have high hope for a lot of them and are looking forward to once again having a large teaching pool.

The weather has been wonderful. Cool with a little rain. However, this week its supposed to rain all week, but we'll see. We may not be dry again till next monday, I'll let you know.
We got our new car last week. Its our baby now. I was going to send some pics today of it and a bunch of other things but I just realized that I left my camera in the car, too bad. They'll come next week. I also parted my hair last week. I never thought it would be possible but i did it!! My head was about 5 lbs. heavier because of all the gel but it worked. There are some pics of that too.

We had this really great experience with a man named Ed. He is some kind of born again preacher but not really a preacher or born again. hopefully that only confused you a little. Anyway we are talking with him and teaching him a little, then he would talk and tell us his ideas. He is an old southern guy that is really funny. at the end, he asked "do you guys hug in your church?" and we're like "of course we hug!!" and he gives us this big hug, and then asks if he can bless us. He grabs our hands and blesses us thanking the Lord for us and all that we do. It was awesome and really funny at the same time!!!! At times during our visit, Elder Nelson and I were just cracking up because of the things that he was saying. We meet all kinds of people and I love it!!

Mom-we eat out every once in a while but not too often, and no there isn't a Panda around here. actually there isn't much chinese around here at all. We keep our bikes. If we were ever to use up all of our miles before the month was over we would have to ride. We're pretty good about staying under though and haven't had to use them yet. Well if you are already sending some stuff out, silk ties are really bad in the rain and that's almost all I have. If you see any non-silk those would be nice. I also have a lot of dark ties. so if you see any bright non-silk ties that would be even better :)

Dad-its fun reading about the pioneers and what they went through especially when they are our family. I would like to know what happened after the Major and Mary Ann divorced. How did we end up in Idaho? Also I was reading and it said that the Major was in St. Louis a little bit getting supplies and what not. Do you know any more about that?

Josh-keep that melloline on track for me and don't let them slack off. When do you start driving? its weird thinking that its almost time for that.

Keep strong in the faith and the Lord will be on your right hand and on your left. He will go before your face and send His angels round about you.

Love
Elder Egan

P.S. can you believe I've been out for almost 5 months!!!!!! Crazy how fast time flies.

Ever Onward

This was in some pictures we recieved a few weeks ago......

Hi everyone!
We just got a phone call from the mission office telling us that we're getting a new car!! It was a good morning to begin with, we both just felt really good and cheerful, and then we got the call about the new car, which made it even better.

We set a baptismal date with one of our investigators and this time we don't have to worry about his parents. His name is Chris. I may have mentioned him in a pervious letter but I don't remember. He is a med. student at SLU and is roommates with a member and has lots of member friends. He went to a baptism Sat. afternoon that the Zone Leaders had and loved it. Then when we taught him yesterday we set the date for the 10th of Oct. He is really solid and we don't have any worries. The only thing that would keep him from getting dunked on the 10th would be if he decided to move it sooner, which is a possibility he was thinking about.

Other than that we still don't have any solid investigators in the Chesterfield ward and depending on the week we have about three in the Parkway ward with Chris being the only one in the Singles Branch. We have done TONS of tracting this past week and it looks like its going to pay off. We have about 12 potentials in Chesterfield and a few more in Parkway and a lot of members have told us that they have friends that they want us to start teaching soon, a lot of them youth again but we'll take 'em.

Mom-you're right. the weather has been wonderful here. No, we have our own music so yeah you can send some if you would like. ....and yes Elder Nelson has the conference cds. Our money carries over from month to month. You know my feelings on dance festival, however, it could be a great missionary opportunity. Speaking of missionary opportunities, have you invited your friend over for dinner yet? Don't let that slip through the cracks.

Dad-I looked through my stuff and couldn't find a pedigree chart. I have stuff about the Major and about Idaho but nothing in-between. I was a little confused about how we got up there and which family we were from (Tuttle maybe?).

Keep opening your mouths and let the Lord guide you in your words. I can't begin to tell you how much easier tracting is when people know members.
Love,
Elder Egan

Tuesday Sept. 8th

They say dogs are mans best friend.....here is a picture of the McCords dog in the basement apartment where Elders Egan and Nelson live:)

It's great that the missionaries are so loved!!

It has been another eventful week in Chesterfield. We had Zone conference this past Wed. It was really good and uplifting, like always. The transfer theme is "getting back to basics" and so all our trainings had something to do with that. We've been doing a lot of tracting this week. Almost all day every day. We're trying to find some new investigators. We were tracting one day and everything was going pretty good. Everyone was polite and rejected us nicely. We thought that it was too good to be true not to have any rude people on a street, then we came to this one house. It started off kind, but quickly went into bashing. Voices were harsh and the spirit quickly left. It took us a while to get it back but we're glad that we did. We came to our last house of the evening and knocked (we hate tracting at night because people are always asleep, but we do). We see this guy get up without his shirt and we just look at each other thinking "oh great." Turns out that he let us in to teach him a first lesson. Then he unexpectedly called his two kids in and started telling them how good we were to do what we do. Needless to say that we were both really embarrassed but it felt good to be praised a little bit. some how it was mentioned that his little daughter was learning the piano and he tried to get her to play, of course she wouldn't, so I offered to play. I played "We thank thee oh God for a Prophet" he really enjoyed it. We're going to go back tomorrow and he said that he'd feed us dinner, so we'll see what comes out of this.

Then on Thursday we taught one of our investigators, Mae, some of the commandments; obedience, pray often, study scriptures, and follow the prophet. The cool thing was though that we were teaching in Bishop Blairs house and Sis Blair is the granddaughter of Pres. Hinckley. It was an intense follow the prophet lesson.

On friday we tracted some section 9 housing. It was really fun. We met all kinds of people. Elder Nelson was a spanish missionary when he first came out, and so we were able to teach all the hispanics that we ran into. We also met an Egyptian Muslim that wanted a BoM in Arabic so he could read it. We also ran into a bunch of Hindu's. It is just a really diverse area out here. There is also a large Jewish population. It was really fun tracting that day though.

On Sat. it was pouring down rain. We were drenched from head to foot, and we were tracting. The only person that let us teach them didn't have a covering over their door so we just taught in the rain. Despite the rain, it was really fun, because who else would go door to door in the rain? no one.

Sunday was kind of disappointing but really awesome at the same time. Only two investigators came to any of our wards. But we are teaching this guy in the singles branch and he is really solid. We started the plan of salvation, then the branch had a bbq yesterday so afterwards we met at the church and finished the plan. He said that things just started to click. he could easily get baptized this transfer (only 3 weeks left). Then, on sunday evening there was a fireside for a RM. She just finished serving in Boston. It is always fun to go to missionaries homecomings. They have great stories and get us pumped for our own work. After it was over we pulled one of the recent converts aside and started teaching him the new member lessons, the restoration. It was really good and the Spirit was already there because of the fireside.

Yesterday. it started off really good. I wasn't tired and had a really good personal study. As we were finishing up our comp. study we got a phone call from Mae. She said that her mom wont let her take the lessons any more!! We were devastated. that's been the 3rd one whose parents wont let them learn. We'll keep working on her and her mom through the members though. So, we were a little down that morning. Then we came to the library to email, not thinking that it would be closed for the holiday, only to find it empty. then in the evening we had our really good appointment with Chris (the guy in the singles branch). Once again, before our greatest joys there is always deep sorrow. I've found that out alot since I've been out.

Anyway, that's how my week has been. Oh yeah. i found out from Elder Reese that Denise has dropped them and has stopped coming to church.

Mom-Yes i do know Elder Hinckley. he's in my zone. we talk when we see each other. We eat normal things but its all been really good. I haven't had anything that I haven't had multiple helpings. My pants are fine thank you very much :) My weight has been all over the place. I lost ten pounds in St. Peters but have put it all back on plus 5 or so pounds since I've been out here (hopefully not all fat either). We get 1000 miles a month on the car, which is fine. We were under last month and are doing really good so far this month. We get about 35 ish a day and we rarely use over 30. Yeah we listen to music/conference cd's/instumental.

Dad-I've read through all the family history stuff that you sent me with. Could you send a pedigree chart going back a ways? and maybe some more stories and things, its nice to read. interesting that the Major came to St. Louis a few times.

Josh-sounds like you've got a full schedule. Keep up in your homework and LEARN A LANGUAGE!! It will help you more than you know later on. I wish I would have worked harder at spanish. And of course you're in wind symphony. All you have to do now is make sure you don't make me look bad :)

Keep reading the scriptures/PMG and praying daily. its those small and simple things that keep you strong.

Love,
Elder Egan

August 31st

Hello,
It has been another great week in Chesterfield!! Lots and lots of tracting this week. The weather has been wonderful so we thought that we'd take advantage of it and find some new people to teach. We didn't find any new investigators from it, but we were able to teach a lot of door step lessons.

So this last Saturday was Adria's baptism in St. Peters. I wasn't able to go. Elder Nelson, who is also the DL, discouraged it and so I decided not to go. I called Elder Reese today to see how it went and he said that she was glowing afterwards. It was a long path for her but she finally made it!!

So we had an appointment with some investigators that Elder Nelson started teaching before i was here, and because of schedules and vacations i we didn't have the opportunity to teach them until this last week. I mentioned that this area is for the most part really rich, well this family exceeds everything i had seen so far. Elder Nelson warned me about it but when we pulled up to their "house" i was shocked. This thing was a gigantic castle. They had like two, four car garages with nice cars in each and our house could easily fit inside their kitchen. It was almost sick how big this thing was. With that in mind, he is in real estate (which isn't doing very well right now) and so they are having to move. The sad part is is that they'll be no longer in our ward. They are really solid too. The dad is a Jew and the mom is Christian, the daughter was kinda brought up in both faiths, and the son goes to a private christian school.

We also got one of our investigators, Vita, who the missionaries have been working with for a long time to come to church. She owns a Snow Cone stand and every time we go see her see gives us snow cones. They are the best snow cones I've ever had. She loves church and even came to a ward activity. We are planning on setting a date with her this coming week.

We have to push back Colleen's date because she hasn't been to church yet. But that's ok because we want to teach her son too and baptize them at the same time. We're meeting with her tonight and figure it all out.

We are still planning on Mitchell's baptism coming up. His mom is still against it, but we know that God is a God of miracles and have faith that it'll happen. If not, we know that Gods will be done.

Last Sunday we started teaching a way sweet new investigator. one of the young men, Sumner, referred his friend Natalie to us. We taught her the Restoration and she really felt the Spirit. We found out that she had been reading every night but when she told her mom that she wanted to meet with us again, she flat out refused. When she told this to Sumner she said that her mom can stop her from meeting with us but she cant stop her from reading the Book of Mormon!!!! We just felt so good after hearing that.

Mae is doing really well too. She is the girlfriend of one of the recent converts. We are trying to meet with her mom before we set a date. We don't see any real road blocks with her though. Her mom has alot of member friends and has even been to a baptism before.

Its just so great teaching the youth because their hearts aren't hardened yet like their parents and they are much more receptive to the Spirit.

Mom-yeah, obedience is a big thing out here. Most of the missionaries are really good but there are always a few who aren't. Pres. Turley is big on exact obedience and has given many trainings on it. Its true what Elder Nord said. You don't get the blessings otherwise. Thanks for the card. I didn't mean to sound so down in my last letter, the work has been going great, just a little slower week last week. The card was good none the less.

Dad- I still look for some of my things where they'd be in St Peters but other than that, i'm pretty well settled in. I still don't know the area very well yet but Elder Nelson has a GPS so we don't really get lost (every once in a while i'll take a wrong turn still ...but that'll always happen, just ask Rachel, ha-ha). Our members have a piano too, so i play every once in a while and sometimes Elder Nelson makes me play at District Meetings. There are only four of us in our district, the two of us and two sister missionaries. So for our meetings the Zone leaders have to come otherwise it'd pretty much be a double date, not good on a mission, ha-ha.

Well the beach trip sounds like it was a lot of fun. Don't spare any trouble having fun while I'm gone :)

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. We were tracting the other day and while we walk from house to house we always wave at people driving by. There was this old lady that we waved to that just got this sour face and violently shook a thumbs down at us. Elder Nelson and I couldn't stop laughing. It was too much.

The weather looks like it'll be in the 70's this next week, so its pretty much Zion out here......well almost.

Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Elders Egan and Nelson August 24th

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.

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

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

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

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

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

The "Greenie" Dinner

July 13th

So 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

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.

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

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!!!

Pictures Sent June 15, 2009

Elder Egan and his companion, Elder Reese

Buddies

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.

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.