Blistered Fingers and Butcher Knives

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Teamups, Football and Investigators......

Its been another great week in Columbia!

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

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

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

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

Miracles Always Happen

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

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

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

Anyway,
Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Tender Mercies

Its been another great week in Columbia!

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

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

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

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

Love you lots,
Elder Egan

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

Its been another great week in Columbia!

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

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

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

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

The Gospel Is True

Its been another great week in Columbia!

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

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

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

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

I forgot about this experience that happened.

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

Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Big Smile on My Face

Its been another great week in Columbia!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Time Flies!!

It's been another great week in Columbia!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love,
Elder Egan

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

The McCords

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

Busy Week in Columbia

It's been another great week in Columbia!


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


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

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

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

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

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

Love,
Elder Egan

Combining Missions

Its been another great week in Columbia!

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

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

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

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

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

Love you all,
Elder Egan

Baptism Saturday!!

Its been another great week in Columbia!

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

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

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

First Week in Columbia

Its been a great week here in Columbia!!

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

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

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

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

Love you lots,
Elder Egan

Last Week in Chesterfield!!

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

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

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

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

The Gospel Does Wonderful Things!

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

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

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

Elder Falkner and "Dwight"

We received some new pictures from Elder Egan that we will be sharing from time to time.....ENJOY!!Here he is with his new "greenie" companion, Elder Falkner. This was just before Christmas and before all the freezing temperatures hit.
Apparently, the Elders have a friend named "Dwight" who they practice teaching to. Dwight is the "best" listener:) I like Jon's hair, though he's cut it since then:)

BRRRRRRR............

Its been another great week in Chesterfield!

Yes, its been really cold out here but we are staying warm (for the most part). When its this cold you don't care as much what it looks like you just want to be warm but hopefully the worst is over.

We went over to MacKenzie's last night and finalized the plans for the baptism. Everything is on track and we are really excited.

So we were at dinner the other night (it was delicious, Eggs benedict/sausage/waffles/etc.) and we were just finishing up before dessert and there is a knock at the door. The neighbors had just backed into our car. so I went outside looked at it and filled out the church's paper work for that kind of stuff (It made us miss one of our appointments with james and mackenzie). We called Elder Grossarth to make sure we did everything right, we had, and then finished up at dinner. So today we have to take it in and get an estimate. Its not really bad at all but since we already told Elder Grossarth we'd take it in, we will. The people that hit us were nice about it too.

Mom-its really funny you said that about the frostbite. we were at the distribution center the other day and that's exactly what the lady there said. The package was great. Thanks a lot!!

Dad-Yeah, I put our investigators names in the temple every time I go. More prayers never hurt.
Could you ask the Elders there about Elder Ballard Contacts (EBC's). If they know what they are could you ask them when Elder Ballard talked about it and get me a reference.
Then if you could write me this week and let me know (if you see them sometime this week that is, if not just email it to me).
mucho gracias,

Josh-Good luck in DECA. If Mrs. McMaster is still there, drop in and tell her hi for me (and tell her Mitt Romney is looking better every day, hehe).

Anyway love you all,
Elder Egan

Oh yeah, yes we get our new Mission President this week. Maybe even today.

The Warmth of then Gospel Can Warm Even the Coldest Heart

Its been another great week in Chesterfield! (Besides the fact that I'm probably the only missionary whose family forgets about them...haha)
We've been really busy this week. Lots of tracting and finding. We haven't found any one yet but we have been able to teach a lot of people.
With the new year the units that we cover all changed times. Last year the two wards met at the beginning and end of the day with the branch in the middle. Like that, we were able to go to both wards and the meetings in the branch. Now, the wards are at 9 and 11 with the branch at 1. So after our morning meetings, we have to split up to make sure that there are missionaries in each ward. I enjoyed being able to go to church twice last year and get to see everyone, but this years schedule is good too and we'll make it work.
We met with MacKenzie last night. I cant say it enough, but they have changed so much. The baptism is just about all planned out and ready to go on the 16th. It has been a long, long, long time coming but worth every minute of it. And on top of that we are going to try to teach one of their friends (They rent three rooms in their house and this friend is one of the renters). He has already sat in on some of the lessons and came to church once (it just happened to be one of the weeks that Elder Payne was sick, so we weren't there). But we're really excited for him.
I almost forgot. On Saturday we went over to an investigators house to do some service. In order to understand what we were doing I'll have to give some background. This lady raised four boys on her own after her husband left. Her youngest one killed him self and another one does heroine. She also has had just about every type of heart surgery just short of a transplant. She's had multiple bypasses, a pig valve put in, and multiple stints. As you can guess she was in the hospital for a couple months at a time. While she was in the hospital, her son that does drugs stole all her money and broke into her house destroying the basement. Now her son is in jail but the basement and everything is a mess. We went over on Sat. thinking that we were just going to replace a few light bulbs. We were wrong. We started cleaning up the basement. It is sad and hard to believe how people can live in such a place and why they would live like that. We took out a few mattresses that were filthy and threw out a bunch of old clothes. Next week we're going over to paint over all the filth that had been written on the walls. What is even harder to understand is that next to all this "filth" there is a shrine to the Lord and the Virgin Mary. I don't understand. We are excited to help her get her life back in order and clean this place up.
Mom-Yes it is freezing out here. the sooner you send out more thermals the better, and maybe some warm socks would be nice. Oh, and maybe another blanket. What's grandmas new address? We are going to do a bunch of much needed cleaning too. Maybe you'd get more pics if I wasn't forgotten...haha. And if your thinking I'm going to ever forgive you of this...maybe, haha.
Dad-Elder Falkner is doing great. Its almost like I'm not even training him. Our teaching pool is getting smaller and smaller but that's alright, we're doing all that we can. Yes, MacKenzie's baptism is in this transfer so I'll get to see it as long as I'm not emergency transferred out, I don't see that happening though. She asked us last night if we would say the prayers and be the witnesses. We are really excited!
Anyways, even in the cold, the warmth of the gospel can warm even the coldest heart.
I love you lots,
Elder Egan

Is it Ho Ho or Ha Ha??

Dear Family and Friends,
We had a great visit with Jon on Christmas Day, in spite of the fact that I accidently hung up on him as I was taking it off of loudspeaker. He told me I'm probably the only mom who hung up on her missionary! They were having a white Christmas, but nothing like the Arctic Blast 2008 which we had last Christmas here at home.
I was curious to know how many ties he has....for those of you who don't know.... Jon LOVES ties:) I sent him a tie hanger and he said his ties filled it up plus 2. That means he has 26 ties. I asked him if he burned a tie at his 6 month mark and he said no...but some Elders do. (he just didn't want to part with any)
He's gained about 15 pounds.....but he did fit into the pants we sent him for Christmas.

We woke up on Monday morning and realized right away that we had all forgotten to write him his weekly emails....We ran down to the computer and quickly pulled it up (it took FOREVER for the computer to boot up)...only to see that he had sent only a sad face for his weekly letter. Talk about being mortified!! I couldn't believe we had done that to our one and only missionary. I quickly sent off a reply on the chance he was still there....only to have another sad face pop up. We wrote him anyway...the fastest letters we have ever written on chance that he would check it one last time. This was his reply. You can imagine the relief we felt at knowing he KNEW we loved him and hadn't completely forgotten him!

Subject: haha
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:02:52 -0600

Its been another great week in chesterfield!
I was just getting off but decided to check one last time :)
On Christmas we went to Bishop Blair's in the Chesterfield ward and had breakfast and played games. Then we went to the Blacks. It was a lot of fun. Our appointment with MacKenzie went really well. We pushed back her baptism till the 16th. We feel much better about this and its their date, not ours. Its great.
Well, got to get headed out.
Love ya lots,
Elder Egan

Merry Christmas From St. Louis

Here is the Christmas card we recieved from Jon. It looks a bit funny because of the way it scanned....but you get the drift. We love it!!