Dec. 23rd
Heyyyy y'all, Sister Maughan here from Houston TEXAS!
Oh my goodness I cannot believe it's almost Christmas!! Wow that came up so fast! It's been a crazy awesome week, we've seen miracle after miracle and I have to say my heart is so full.
Ok so we had exchanges this week, which is when we exhange companions for 24 hours. I thought I was going to stay in my area but when Hermana Phillips called (the Sister Training Leader, STL) she's likes "Sister Maughan, you're coming with me!" OOOHHH YEAHHH!! I was so excited, because I knew that meant I would get to speak some espanol :) Ole. The whole time I could understand when we went to lessons, I couldn't say much but I could definitely have a conversation with Hermana Phillips help. (Dad you would have been so proud!) The coolest part of the exchange was when we went to a member's house for dinner, Sister B's. She made an AMAZING dinner, some sort of chicken with rice and homemade tortillas, I was in heaven. Then when it was time to share a message, Hermana Phillips looked at me and said in Spanish "Do you have a scripture you want to share?" and I just said Ok! But I was so excited and I asked for Heavenly Father's help. I read Alma 32:21 in Spanish and then proceeded in my best Spanglish to tell a story that had happened with someone we had taught, how this lady we went to see also spoke Spanish and I read her the same scripture, and she liked it, and found out a week later that her daughter might have cancer in her foot, and she said that scripture gave her strength. Sister B started crying after I finished the story and talked about how her family, especially her mom, were against her in the church and that they had been really awful to her. The spirit was so strong and I knew that Heavenly Father had wanted me to come on the exchange for a reason. Hermana Phillips also gave me a Spanish workbook to take home, so I'm really trying to learn. I understand so much but it's so hard to speak back! So frustrating but I'm working on it :)
The other amazing thing that happened is we have found 4 new investigators to teach this week!! An absolute miracle and blessing from Heavenly Father! Thank you for your prayers and your faith, Heavenly Father reminds me daily of the strength that I have backing me up. I can literally feel the prayers sometimes.
Christmas conference was on Friday and was probably one of the most spiritual meetings I have ever been to in my life, and I don't say that lightly. The program was very inspired and it meant so much to me. President Pingree gave a beautiful presentation about the Atonement, and we watched some of the new bible videos they just came out with. I really love learning about the Atonement. It really means so much to me now that I am starting to understand it, even though I'm just scratching the surface of how deep it's meaning really is. President Pingree is so inspired! That was the first part of the program, and then the Christmas portion was last. Sister Pingree put Hermana Pedersen and I down for the last musical number, I was so nervous! The song was O Come O Come Emmanuel by the Piano Guys, I didn't get a whole lot of time to practice but I just let Heavenly Father know I did the best I could to prepare, and if He would help me. Our mission has some VERY talented people, so by the time we walked up I was a little scared. But I laughed inside as we started to play, because the song was watched already by most of the missionaries, I heard some whisper "It's the song!! This is the best song!!" Which put that much more pressure on me! So I just played my heart out and so did Sister Pedersen. It wasn't the perfect performance but I felt the Spirit so strongly.
Although I miss home, I really cannot express how amazing it is to be out here during this season. As a mission and as missionaries, we are really close and we treat everyone like family. My capacity to love others has expanded so much, I never knew I could feel love I do for so many people. It makes me think about the Savior and how much His heart aches when he sees His children turn away from Him or when they are sad, mad, angry, depressed, etc. I KNOW with all my heart the Savior loves and knows each one of us personally, what a blessing it is that we have this knowledge. Now imagine for a second if you didn't know everything we know about the Gospel. Life would be so sad. Please keep these thoughts in mind throughout the rest of the week. If you feel inspired to share something about the Gospel with a stranger, do it. I love what President Eyring says: "Pretend every person you meet is going through a crisis. Most of the time, you will be right." You never know that by sharing a simple comment, you could change someone's life. My challenge is to JUST DO IT! That is our motto, mine and Sister Tofa's, because sometimes you just need to decide that you will do it.
( On Christmas day we got to Skype and talk to Sadie on the phone)
Dec. 30th
Christmas was soooo amazing, it was very small of course but I have never been more appreciative of technology in my entire life, it was so fun to see y'all and talk to you face to face! It was very hard to get off the phone with you but I cannot explain the immense peace I felt after I sat there for a second. Heavenly Father confirmed to me what I've known all along- because I serve, my family will be safe. It is one of the promises he makes to his missionaries in the Doctrine and Covenants, and I feel so blessed that He always sends those little heart taps (as Nienie calls them) to me. The Grays (the family we stayed with that night) have two beautiful little girls and they got sealed in the temple last year. We gave the girls necklaces that said "Families Are Forever", and I know, I know with all my heart they are.
So I'm staying in Olde Oaks! Woot woot! But... Sister Tofa is leaving :( Ahh! I'm hoping I get a seasoned comp just for this transfer, I feel like I still need some time to figure out what I'm doing.
Let's see what else....Jane M. - said at the end of our lesson about the Restoration- "You know, I think I want to be Mormon. I've been thinking about it for awhile and I've been testing you girls and I really like what I've heard. Yes I think I'll get baptized soon." WOAHH! It was so awesome haha me and Sister Tofa were like "wait what"?? And "yes of course"!! It was really exciting.
I love y'all SOOOOO much and thank you so much for the pics, I don't get too homesick anymore, they just make me laugh and I'm so happy y'all are having such a good time back home. Honestly we have this next year and then the first couple months of 2015, it's no problem, we can totally do this momma :) Besides there are so many adventures I still have to have and tell you about! I'm so grateful to be out here and to serve and to not think of myself. I love this place. I love these people. And I LOVE to be a missionary :)
XOXOXOXO,
Sister Maughan
The Villegas family on the day Rick was baptized.
Sadie's bishop's daughter who likes to tell Sadie about a boy in their ward that wants to marry her:)
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