Dec 26, 2016 - Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had just as good of a Christmas as I had this year. Christmas' on a mission really are special, unique, experiences. I'm so glad I have been able to serve on Christmas twice!!

This week was pretty crazy and busy. We had Zone Conference all week which means Sister B and I were giving trainings about half of the week. It was really nice as the subject and topic of Zone Conference was on the Atonement. I can't think of a greater subject to study during Christmas than the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This is why we celebrate Christmas. Without the ultimate sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ we would be stuck in a sinful state forever unable to return to God. But, due to His willingness we have been given the grand opportunity to change, to become more than what we are.

After Zone Conference was Christmas! What a treat it was to be able to Skype home and see everyone! (Don't worry it wasn't too crazy for me). And my mission president got a kick out of the VR goggles Will. After that we had a Christmas Program that Sister B and I were frantically putting together in between Zone Conferences. Up unto the very last second before it started we were still finalizing details. The cherry on top of that program had to be Elder Spencer. Elder Spencer is one of the senior couples that serves here and to be honest he is quite the character. For the Christmas program Elder Spencer was able to talk the folks in charge of the Savior of the World performances into lending us costumes. And so as a special guest we had a shepherd with a massive tangled beard read from his personal scroll the story of the Savior's birth.

Comedy doesn't get much better.

All in all it was a good week to learn and grow. We never stop serving or being asked to grow. This was a week were I once again was taught to look on the positive and happy side of things. Every person has a choice to make in this life. They can either go through life as a victim allowing the world to dictate their emotions, thoughts, and decisions or they can choose happiness. Choose to not allow the situation, attitude of someone else, or hardships dictate how you will react. We are agents to act, not be acted upon. And the moments when we truly find ourselves are the moments we fight for ourselves.

I love you all so much and hope you find yourselves. Find the gospel for yourself, find your purpose, and find your happiness.

With much love,
Sister Eging

Dec 19, 2016 -- Christmas Bells Are Ringing

As well as my head, my head is ringing and spinning. I can't believe another week has come and gone and that I am soon to be entering Christmas day! How amazing is that!

I absolutely love Christmas on Temple Square, despite the crazy look that seems to enter into every sister's eyes as the sleep deprivation really starts to hit home. In fact the weeks leading up to Christmas are so busy that we could only now start writing our email because we have been helping with various situations that have taken place on the Square.

Seriously, I feel like I've been run over by a truck....not once, but at least four times.

This afternoon we were involved in supervising a tour and interview with some of the sister missionaries on Temple Square.

And this week starting tomorrow will be the beginning of Zone Conference! I'm so excited! President is going to be teaching and speaking on the Atonement. Which is truly the reason that we celebrate Christmas. Without that event there would be no reason to celebrate the birth of a lowly infant but because of the immense sacrifice that the Son of Man endured we have reason to celebrate. Beyond that we have reason to rejoice that full access to the Lord's atonement has been granted to us through the restoration of the fullness of the gospel. Of this I rejoice and it fills my heart every time I am able to bear my simple witness of the truth.

I hope that you may all find joy this Christmas season and be able to find that truth or bring others to it.

With lots of holiday cheer,
Sister Eging

Dec 12, 2016

Well this one is going to be a pretty quick and short letter.

This week was filled with spiritual contacts and really strengthened my testimony of the power of teaching the restoration to members of the church and non-members alike. There is just something so sacred about seeing others feel the Love that God their Father has for them and their families. Being able to serve in an area where visitors from everywhere come we are able to see and explain the pattern that God has established to help us find peace in our families and return to live with Him again, the only way is and always has been through the Messiah, the Savior of the world whom our Heavenly Father sent to Earth roughly 2,000 years ago. And this peace filled those who followed Him. But sadly even with the Messiah on the Earth people still rejected those truths. And that gospel, in its fullness was lost. What a time of confusion we entered into! And what a time of light we found as our God and our Savior descended and appeared to a young boy in a quiet grove. There is no more meaningful and powerful message nor importance to the world today than that of God's activities in our lives today. He has called prophets and apostles to guide us back to Christ. And I'm grateful to share this message with all the world.

In celebration of our Savior's birth much of the mission was able to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's annual Christmas Concert, this year the guest performer was Rolando Villazon. It was a pretty special event and meant a lot to be able to see it.

We then wrapped up the week with an amazing lesson with B, our new investigator who already believes the Book of Mormon to be true (he was raised reading it). He is spiritually connected and knows that God is wanting him to join the church at this time in his life. It's been amazing to be able to teach someone who already knows and believes in the Restoration but had been lost for a time. He has already set himself a baptismal date for January 7th! I am so happy!

Oh we were also to take a reporter for the Toronto Star on a tour of Temple Square with Elder Clark of the Seventy. It was pretty cool. And after Elder Clark left we were able to walk her back to her ride and explain in greater detail about the Restoration and invited her to read the Book of Mormon, she was able to receive a copy and I'm grateful for the opportunity to help someone else understand a bit more and seek for them self.
I love you all! And Merry Christmas!
LOVE Sister Eging

Sprint! - December 5, 2016

My motto for the last 6 months of my mission has been to sprint.

I have been running, working, teaching, testifying, the whole nine-yards and it is the most rewarding feeling to see how the Lord blesses us when we simply try our best and also to see how the Lord will allow us to suffer in order for us to be taught.

This past week was transfer week, which is a very busy, very hectic week and, not to mention all of the Christmas programs, and events that are being coordinated,(I never realized how much coordination went into these things before). But it was a week of Divine strength and miracles for my new companion Sister B and I.

We have found some really remarkable people these past couple of days. The one I want to mention is E. We were walking on our way to the North Visitor's Center so that we could have teaching center time, away from the distraction of the office, when we saw J, a recent convert from Sister B's outbound, about to go into the Temple. We stop and start talking with her and her husband E. E has been studying the church on his own and when J asked if he would like to go and talk with us while he waited for her he said no. He said he didn't want to and was going to explore on his own and then his wife told him about this short video about the first vision we could take him to. And he agreed. As we started talking to E he told us about dreams of his father that he had been having and of this feeling that he needed to know more about the Mormons. So he started watching videos and things online and kept wanting to learn more. We taught him the restoration and asked what it would mean if he knew there was a prophet. As we took him and watched the first vision film with him the spirit filled the room. Afterwards we invited him to pray and to ask and he said he already knew that this was true. Long story short, when we left him he had committed to pray about a January 7th baptismal date. I know God had allowed us to find E.

It was a very good week. I look forward to seeing what other blessings God has every single day for us.

I also enjoyed attending the First Presidency Christmas Devotional yesterday. It was one way to really remember the reason why we celebrate Christmas. This is not just about the Savior's birth but His life, mortal ministry, and ultimate sacrifice that we celebrate.

I'm so grateful to have access to His never ending love and to be able to share that with all that I can.

Lot's of love, Merry Christmas, Happy holidays, Feliz Navidad, and all that good stuff.

Love
Sister Eging
New Companions!
Locked Out of the Square

Nov 28 -- These Are The Days

This past week was absolutely fantastic with finalizing transfers,
and Thanksgiving, and the start of Christmas schedule and then
announcing transfers! Woo!

Thanksgiving was absolutely amazing! We were able to go to our mission
president's wife's sister's home for Thanksgiving with our Mission
President and his wife of course. It was so much fun and such a
spiritual moment to be surrounded by spiritual Giants and given the
opportunity to share a message with them. And of course bring back all
the sweet potatoes and apple pie I could carry.

Then Christmas schedule has begun. This means we wake up at 7 and
leave the square at 10 pm. Unless it a day like yesterday, just before
transfer calls, then we have to stay a bit longer -- but don't worry
security is always really nice about it ;)

I just want to briefly mention how I have been able to see the hand of
the Lord in my life this week. There has been much that Sister
S and I have been expected to do and sometimes it can feel
like the weight of the world on your shoulders, like your swimming and
fighting for air. Then I have started to make the decision to choose
to trust God. Trust in his timing, in his will for me as his
missionary and realize at every single thing I do He is aware of and
will work towards my good. I serve a loving and merciful God. He has
numbered all of His children and I have been able to see Him lead us
to them or lead them to us. I am so grateful that He is allowing me to
find the prepared, allowing me to teach all in my path and simply
allowing me to be an instrument in His hands.

With all that the Lord has prepared for us to do it is important to be
worthy of the call. This Christmas is a time to become more like our
Savior Jesus Christ, acting as He would act and living the most
fundamental principle of the gospel, to love others as Jesus loves
you. With the coming forth of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus
Christ through a living prophet we live in the fullness of times where
we can access every bit of Christ's atonement. What better way to come
unto Christ than share this message with those around you. Reach out,
pray with all your hearts for ways to serve and then act.

Also take a look at the 25 ways in 25 days to serve around you on mormon.org and scroll down to the bottom to find it.

Oh sorry, by the way, my new companion will be Sister B from North
Carolina. She will be killing me... Yay....

I love you all lots! Have a happy happy Christmas and holiday season!

Love,
Sister Eging
Companions for only one more day! Going to miss her!

Nov 21, 2016 - Breakkkk

The week of breaking. It is the week before transfers which means transfer planning but on top of that there were also Savior of the World performances, an office remodel, designing and planning a surprise, helping with Thanksgiving dinners, missionary department meetings and much much more. So it is no shock to say that I am tired. Down right tired

It was a hard week for Sister S and I as we both are struggling feeling like we are doing enough so we try to run a little faster and that doesn't help. So we broke a little bit, got ice cream and shared the gospel along the way.

This week I came to learn about the reality of the adversary. That is Lucifer, Satan, the devil, and whatever else you may refer to him as. When we as imperfect people start changing ourselves to become like Christ, to help others become like Christ, when we reach for a new level of righteousness there is always push back. Feelings of inadequacy, exhaustion, despair, Satan will use anything he can to get at us but that is precisely why our Savior was sent. I know who I can turn to. He has sunk beneath the lowest points of despair and felt the most intense pain imaginable. For me, for you, for literally every single person who has lived and who will ever live.

So reach out He's there to help. Don't try to be perfect and then ask for help. Ask and do your best.

Lots of love sending your way!

Enjoy our pictures because it snowed! And share a smile with someone today :)

Love Sister Eging

Nov 14 - Companionship Unity -- A Double Testimony

This week was a CRAZY week! We had Zone Conference all week meaning little time on the square which tends to make us sadder and more irritable sister missionaries. But they were wonderful meetings (my companion will talk more about them) (Also Sister Risenmay hates it when people use the words 'double testify' so I had to throw that in there....don't worry we never actually say it to people).

From my companion, SISTER S:
This week we had Zone Conference (Sister Eging and I plan and make the agendas all the meetings when the whole mission is involved)

It was quite the Zone Conference the Spirit was strong! President Risenmay went and taught the doctrine behind the Plan of Salvation, I learned so much. More then I have ever in any plan of Salvation lesson when circles are drawn on a board. I was able to receive a lot of inspiration!

We gave two training's 2 days and three on 1 day. It was a lot but together we were able to teach and testify to help the mission improve skills. We gave a training on how to use the area book better and on inviting and promising blessings, the one day we did a role play at the Temple Model teaching the plan of Salvation and the restoration while testifying of it to each other.

ME (Sister Eging)
After Zone Conference this Saturday we also were able to go and see N baptized which was such a sweet and lovely experience.

So around this time last year my companion at the time, Sister C went on exchanges with another sister, Sister D. While they were on exchanges they found N and her boyfriend, and took them through God's Plan for His families, a little presentation that shows here at the visitor centers. And it touched her heart a lot. Now because of different circumstances and hard things it took N, a little while to get to the point where she was ready but, it was amazing to see the light in her face as she stepped out of the waters of baptism. The spirit filled the room and she made a covenant with her Heavenly Father.

What a great way to end the week.

I know that God is aware of each one of us and truly is noticing all of the details of our lives. He knows exactly when we are ready to hear the gospel and will continue teaching us throughout our lives regardless of whether we are receptive or not. I'm so grateful for such a loving God and I'm grateful to know the fullness of His plan for me.

I've also come to stand face to face with many of my weaknesses and am truly grateful that there is a way for me to overcome them. I'm not perfect, and will never be in this life, but I'm grateful for the plan that has been given to us that allows us to always progress and become better.

Hope you all are working on your missionary commitments.... I'm looking at you family!

But seriously if you sincerely ask God who is ready to receive the gospel around you and are quiet, and listen for that answer, you will receive it. Just act.
Love,
Sister Eging

Nov 8 - Happy Halloween!

Well I will just say that I am exhausted! It has been quite a week. Last, last Friday I got to go to a sealing in the Provo Temple and it was such a special experience. This is what the gospel is all about, families.

It strengthened my testimony of the eternal and loving nature of God. As God has given us our families and those that make us happy, He also gives us the gospel through His son Jesus Christ, restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, so that our families can be sealed together forever. I had to step back a moment and consider just how blessed I truly have been to be a part of this great work.

Then after the sealing, for Halloween our mission had a surprise! Usually we all go to the Temple on Halloween but because it was Monday the Temple was closed and so we had to do something else. Our amazing mission president decided we would all watch a movie as a mission and so we watched The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. What a powerful movie. I loved watching it with what I call my new 'missionary eyes.' The symbolism was strewn throughout that movie and it put the Atonement of Jesus Christ into a little bit more of perspective for me. (However the movie in general freaked my companion out... hahaha her transition home's going to be a little rough but... so will mine.)

The rest of the week we have been working a lot on helping our investigators progress towards baptism. We have a couple that are working towards baptism at the moment, but there is this family that I'm very excited for. They are living in Texas but originally from Burundi in Africa. The man is on fire for the gospel and his first Sunday to church he brought 5 friends. Now to help all those that don't live around him he is using us. We have two separate households we are teaching and getting in touch with missionaries in Burundi and he is slowly giving us more and more of his family and friends. I'm so excited for them to receive the gospel and become converted.

Conversion truly is a choice, it is not something that just happens to us. But, as we make the conscious effort to read the scriptures, to pray, to open our mouths and share the gospel, the Lord will make up the difference and our conversion will be sure. It doesn't mean there won't be hard times or tests of your faith but it means that God is watching over you and there are angels round about you. At the moment where you face giving up or enduring and your heart holds on, in that moment God endows us with power. Keep holding on to the faith and don't allow the winds or waves of the world to shake you.

I love you all. I know that this is the true church. Please share it.

Love you!
Sister Eging

D&C 6:34
34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock,they cannot prevail.

Better Late Than Never - Oct 24, 2016

So sorry my weekly email is getting out a little late today. Just as
Sister S and I were leaving for p-day we received a tour
request from Guest Services for Bishop Gerald Causse, his wife, and
niece, from the presiding bishopric. It was such a powerful experience
as we were able to teach them the restoration and hear their
testimonies. His niece is planning on serving a mission so we were able
to help her begin her missionary work.

This week has been a blessing. It was transfer week so we were able to
make sure all the new sisters arrived safe and sound and that they
were all situated the first day. Then the rest of the week went by
fast as we took every opportunity we could to get out on the square.

At the end of the week we had a wonderful little lesson over the phone
with a small family that we found. The daughter is 8 years old and at
the end of the lesson she was so excited to go to church. We then had
a kneeling prayer over the phone and it was the sweetest thing in the
entire world. I know that we have been given this gospel so that we
and our families can be happy. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the way.
There is no other. We have to be willing to share this message. I love
the gospel.
Sister Eging

The Cat's Outta the Bag -- Oct 17, 2016

All beans are spilled!
Transfers were announced this Monday so Sister S and I don't have to keep anymore confidentiality things. It has been so much fun to see the sisters get so excited about their companions and everything.

Sister S and I get to stay together for another transfer woot woot!!

There has been a lot of busy-ness going on over here which is good. It keeps us on our toes. The new sisters will be coming to the mission on Wednesday and we should be having two baptisms this Saturday.

One crazy cool thing! Remember the general and his wife from Lebanon that came for a tour of Temple Square during general conference? Maybe? Maybe I didn't mention it. But he is a very high up general for all of Lebanon that came and he is a less-active. His wife expressed a lot of interest in the gospel. As we taught her about the prophet and about God's love for His children she began to lighten. Her face turned brighter and she shared her experiences that she had during general conference as she listened to the prophets and apostles speak. She couldn't remember the words they spoke but remembers the sweetest feeling washing over her in waves. Well after the tour we said good-bye and asked her to meet with church representatives in Lebanon. We then had no way to contact her until this week.

We were in the Teaching Center taking church headquarter referrals when a call comes in and I take it. This man starts speaking and explains how he needs to order two Book of Mormon's in French and in Arabic. He tells me that he had just taken his friends to Temple Square that were visiting from Lebanon. As we talk I tell him that we were the sisters that took him and the general on the tour! And we keep talking about how they are progressing in the gospel. Long story short he gave us her and the general's emails and asked us to email them during our preparation day to just reach out as friends.

So cool!

The gospel really is reaching every nation and the work of salvation is hastening.

My mission just keeps getting greater and greater. I'm so grateful for my Savior and the example He set. I'm grateful for the fullness of the gospel and how it has been restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. I'm grateful for the plan that God has for His children and the guidance He gives us.
Lots of love being sent your way!

Work, Work, Work - Oct 10, 2016

THERE IS NO SATISFACTORY SUBSTITUTE!!!

ESPECIALLY IN MISSIONARY WORK!!

Wow what a week,

We have had so much fun, as Zone Conference is now over, we had so much time on the Square and in the teaching center so we have been able to find and contact a lot more of our investigators. We were able to find out that one of our investigators had been baptized! And we are so excited to see the many other miracles that will be coming to the mission in the upcoming months/ this month.

This week we have also been able to help with Transfer Planning which is an amazing experience to literally pray over each and every sister in the mission and what the possibilities are for next transfer.

Other than that there has not been much excitement going on.

Yesterday we had a meeting with a Chinese branch around Salt lake City and Sister S and I had the opportunity to kindly explain the role of Temple Square missionaries to a whole room full of not very happy members. But all in all I think, hope and pray by the end of the meeting, they now know just how much teaching does go on in Temple Square. We teach constantly and talk to people all day everyday.

Not much else funny has been happening. We have this family that lives in our apartment complex that we have been friend/stalking. Missionaries are like the best stalkers.... seriously. But its all good, they're cool with it and they love us! haha Today is our Mission President's birthday so after this we are going to 'break-in' and decorate his home and leave cake for him. Pictures will follow!

I love you all so much!
Sister Eging

Me and my companion!

Oct 3, 2016 – Blurry

Well our week was quite the blur. So much happening. We had three days straight of Zone Conferences. This is where we are able to help the President and his wife train all the sisters in the mission. The focus for Zone Conference was on personal conversion and also on increasing our faith.

The Zone's have increased their vision and with the next month of October are looking to help even more people enter into the waters of baptism. They were wonderful conferences with some really amazing trainings.

And then the week ended with GENERAL CONFERENCE!

I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE!

It is one of the best weekends ever and some of the greatest times of my mission have been running around Temple Square at Conference time. What a wonderful time to remember the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everything that God desires for His children. He loves us and so He called prophets to give us the scriptures. He sent His son to die for us and show us how we can return to Him. Then as Christ and His apostles were rejected, God in His love for us, called a prophet again in the 1800' to bring back that same authority that Christ was baptized by. This same authority is held by the prophets and apostles today and we are able to learn from them. What a privilege to know these things for myself. To be able to study the Book of Mormon and to gain my own witness from the Spirit.

I love you all!

Keep building your testimonies and helping others build theirs. Our testimonies grow as we bear them!

(Also we pushed a piano across Temple Square today, it only took us two hours because we were contacting people along the way)

LOVE,
Sister Eging
(taken from the Temple Square blog, http://slctemplesquaremission.blogspot.com/)

Sep 26 – There Can Be Miracles!

This week as we had encouraged other sisters to set stretching goals and especially as we have raised the Standard of Excellence for baptisms per month Sister S and I revised our own baptismal goal. Though it was the last week of the month our goal has changed from 2 to 5. And we started the week with a fast. As the week went on we prayed and searched our area book for those who may have been baptized and we reached out and taught everyone on the square about the blessings that come from baptism in the restored church. Then the Lord worked miracles.

By the end of the week though we weren't able to have 5 of God's children baptized our number of individuals on date for October went from 1 to 5. This is a miracle. Also we taught Relief Society:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h7WoJM1PbUvBLcNn2ouWAf5Y8-SgGKWgiyranvi9cfg/pub

http://slctemplesquaremission.blogspot.com/


Sorry this is a pretty short and lame letter but we are preparing for Zone Conference this week as well as Conference Conference so it will be busy!!!
Love you all!

Christ Stands at the Head of This Church -- Sep 19, 2016

Hello friends and family!
What a week it has been and I can say that I am certifiably exhausted. But that's the best feeling in the world so I'll just keep rolling with it.

This week has just been spiritual experience on top of spiritual experience and I am just amazed at the tender mercies that the Lord has shown both Sister S and I. We don't really get a lot of time on Temple Square contacting so every second is precious and a spiritual experience. We are being led to those who are truly ready to learn and act upon the message of the restored gospel and I have come to gain an increased testimony of how this work is directed by Jesus Christ. There is no person that we talk to that we were not meant to. We are led to every person be they member, guest, or anti. Every person is a child of God simply on a different place in their path back to Heavenly Father. Of course there are things that are necessary for everyone to return; faith, repentance, baptism (by proper authority), the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring, but everyone is able to know for themselves that this is the Church of Christ. It is all about connecting others to heaven. and who wouldn't want that?

This week we were able to work closely with the Mission President and the Zone Leaders to discuss the raising of the standard of excellence for baptisms per month per Zone. There are more people who have been baptized this year than in the history of Temple Square and in less than a month we should be hitting our annual goal of bringing 1,016 souls unto Christ through baptism in the year 2016!
How amazing!!!

We also went and spoke in a ward this Sunday and Sister S and I whipped a musical number together real fast where she 'plunked' the piano and I sang "I Stand All Amazed".

I forgot just how much I LOVE singing. It was one of the best feelings in the world. I was a little nervous and rusty but it was fun!

Well that's all for this week.

Love you all. And take extra time today to pray for the opportunity to show someone God's Love. Pray, and then Act!

Love,
Sister Eging

Assistant to the President Life --- lots and lots of time in an office. . . .

And So It Begins . . . Sept 12, 2016

There sure has been some craziness happening this past week of
transfers but it has been a blast and a half.

So sorry if we don't have a lot of time to write but I will be sure to
hit the highlights of our week with my wonderful new companion SISTER
S FROM CANADA!!!!! And in case you didn't know...it snows in
Canada!

She is the best and has already taught me so much!

The first day we had interviews with all of the new sisters which was
an awesome way to get to know them and to see the wonderful spirit and
influence that these sisters are bringing with them to the mission.
They are on fire and truly are here to hasten the Lord's work.

After Tuesday President and Sister Risenmay left for a mission
President's seminar that went until Saturday afternoon so Sister
S and I were running around trying to do the best we could
to hold the mission together while they were away. We've had a couple
of scares and sticky situations but all in all it went pretty
well....but boy were we glad when they came home!

This week we were able to actually sit and discuss goals together as a
companionship and there is something to be said about developing and
increasing our faith in the Lord. I see this calling as such a test of
faith as I am not able to be out on the Square as much as I would like
to be; it is important that I can develop my faith and learn to rely on
the Lord that all things will be done in their proper order. There are
many things to learn and much patience to develop but I know the Lord
is preparing people for us to find everywhere we go.

I love you all and I love this work!
Sister Eging
Sent from my iPad

Note from Sis Eging's mom -- Aug 30

So she warned us in last week's email that she wouldn't have time to write this week, however, she did shoot off a quick note to let us know that she was called as an Assistant to the President. From what I understand her and her companion help the Mission President with things, such as training new missionaries, etc. For those of you who know Sister Eging well and her "not so quiet" side, you may be asking if I am sure I understood her correctly. I was told that she was "pretty sure that this is proof that the Lord uses imperfect people to further His work hahaha" So, we are pretty excited for her. This should keep her busy as we back home look forward to beginning our "100 Days Until Melissa Comes Home Countdown" in October (we decided counting down any sooner might make it seem to go longer so we are going to start at 100 days). Thanks for those who have been praying for her, writing her, etc. We appreciate it! Thanks, Melissa's mom

The Week of No Sleep - Aug 24, 2016

And no personal study... and no companion study.
It was a very busy week here on Temple Square as Sister R and I went on exchanges with all the sisters in their first transfer here on Temple Square and we also had ZONE CONFERENCE

Which was amazing.

This week I want to reflect on commitment.

In Preach My gospel it says

"Your success as a missionary is measured primarily by your commitment to find, teach, baptize, and confirm people and to help them become faithful members of the Church who enjoy the presence of the Holy Ghost."

This week has been harder for Sister R and I to find new investigators for ourselves as we have been on exchanges all week (serving with others for training purposes). This was a great opportunity to reflect and to learn from the other sisters as well as to reflect on our own commitment. When things get difficult usually the first response is how do I get out of this situation. I think commitment is being so focused and determined that it changes from how can I get out of this situation to how can I use this situation?

The situation then turns into a productive learning experience and we are able to grow.

It comes from an inner desire to reflect more of Christ's character, a desire to be more like Him and to change the world one smile, one principle, and one invitation at a time.

Zone Conference was also amazing as a lot of the focus was on developing these Christ-like attributes within ourselves. We can not ask anyone to change beyond our own transformation. I loved the trainings (one of them given by yours truly and my wonderful companion) and also the remarks from our mission President. He taught us more about Joseph Smith and the trials he went through and how he responded in a very Christ-like manner.

Well I hope you also enjoy the pictures of me and my trainee and trainee's trainee haah at East High oh and of course my companion.

Love you all so much! I will probably not be writing you all next week as it is my companion's last p-day so we are going to help her pack and things!

Lots of love
Sister Eging

East High (of High School Musical fame)

Aug 16 - Busy As A Bee

Hello one hello all. I can officially say that I am living at the Beehive house . . . haha, it is my official residence.

I have spent exactly 21 hours serving in the Beehive house this week through exchanges with the other sisters in our zone and covering the assignment for sisters who are sick; it has been great and I feel like I have been best friends with Brigham Young my entire life.. (or maybe I've just gone crazy?) Either way it's been great.

Speaking of exchanges, its the part of the mission that I used to fear the most but since I've been back from Outbound (3 months serving in San Diego, CA) I love them so much! There is so much to learn from every sister that I get to be on exchanges with and I love it. I also love my companion this transfer and have been so blessed to be with her. She is such an example to me of hard work and dedication to the Lord's work (as well as simply having joy serving, I love it)

Sister R and I have been work. work. working. as we do our very best to talk with EVERYBODY we have been able to see a lot of miracles of many people who have been prepared to meet with local missionaries.

There is just something about helping every single person who comes on Temple Square connect in some way to Heavenly Father that brings such great joy.

Not much else to report this week. I love you all. We will hike Ensign Peak today (Sister R has never been so of course we have to go).

Love
Sister Eging :))

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

Aug 9 - Consecration

Wow this week has just flown by!

With so many people on Temple Square it has been amazing and wonderful to be able to stay busy all the time. I think the hardest part being back is not landing in a pattern or taking all of these amazing people to talk to for granted.

Which I think is something that happens in every happy stage of our lives. We grow comfortable and with that comfort we begin to stop growing and progressing. This is my fear. What comes from stagnant water? The drone of mosquitoes, disease, decay, death. That's disgusting! I don't want to be some stinking pond in the middle of no where! That's not what the gospel teaches!
The gospel is about eternal progression. Making mistakes along the way but ultimately improving daily.

Sister R has been a huge help. This past week we have talked about some of the goals we want to accomplish in this transfer together and it all comes down to consecration.

Consecration. This means devoting all of my heart, might, and mind to the service of God. This means recognizing the things within my missionary service that drive the spirit away and avoiding them. This means every second of every day I am focused on the work of the Lord and in bringing about the eternal life of mankind!

Kind of a lofty goal but it's one step at a time.

And my wonderful Zone helps out immensely. I have learned so much from the other sisters in our zone. Enjoy the pictures from Zone Activity, Zone Training Meeting etc.

Love you all so much! Sorry there was very little time to write today (so this was my best shot at what I've been thinking a lot about this past week)!

LOOOOOVVVEEEE
Sister Eging

Aug 2 - Home, Sweet Home

I'm back home!!!!! (on Temple Square just to clarify)

And it has been the most amazing week so far. There has been many a changes that took place in my 3 months away from Temple Square but I feel as if I am adjusting quickly to the new change of pace :)

My new companion is the wonderful Sister R from the Phillipines! My first Filipino companion and I am so very excited. We have been busy busy busy running around the square, taking tours, teaching the restoration of the gospel, it's been amazing.

Despite the extreme dryness here I am so happy to be back on Temple Square. There is such a spirit here that is truly unable to be felt any where else in the world.

I just want to speak about how blessed we are to have temples and to worship within them. What a wonderful practice and what a wonderful event that allowed this practice to be restored. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith, and the many pioneers who gave their lives so that we may have living prophets and temples today.

It was so great to be able to see all of the wonderful sisters again.

I am serving in the Beehive house and have been called as a Zone Leader.

BEEHIVE HOUSE!!!!!

So this is Brigham Young's home and I have never been able to see my testimony of certain aspects of the gospel strengthened in such a way. My past companion told me that a testimony is like little rays of light. You may have a strong testimony of one thing and a weak in another area but you can considerably strengthen your testimony by working on those weak points.

So may I say my testimony of polygamy has never been stronger haha.
No we do not practice polygamy but it has been amazing to see how I have had to teach people about it and share that it was practiced as a commandment from God, how my own testimony of the validity and reality of the prophets has grown. I know that Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were prophets called by God and that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored on the Earth.

I love you all!

Love,
Sister Eging

Saying Goodbye to San Diego

July 26 - Red Hot Chili Pepper!

Well it wasn't red, and it wasn't a chili pepper, but it was hot.

Has anyone tried a Habanero pepper before? If not. Don't do it. If so. Why?

Easily one of the worse decisions of my life, was eating an entire, raw Habanero Pepper. These small, yellow monsters are the definition of a burning, fiery pit. Not only were my eyes, nose, and mouth watering but I'm positive internal damage was done in the form of burnt holes now in my stomach. [see video at https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByKSi-io4OzOVGVHTFFtX3J4ejg/view?usp=sharing]

If you would like to try one of these things I suggest having a gallon of milk nearby and not planning on doing anything the rest of the day (I played chair soccer right after...not wise).

And It's not like I could back down or not eat it.....all of the Elders (okay like three of the Elders) were eating them too! So of course I had to. . . .but now I'm thoroughly convinced that there is a reason I was called to a mission with no Elders!

Though this week was hard - exhausting mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually draining, it was also a miracle week because at the end of the week, after a lot of hard work and searching for names and rides and everything we were able to go with T. to do baptisms at the San Diego Temple!

It was so amazing, and to think that a few short weeks ago T. was preparing for his own baptism and now he is happily and excitedly calling all of his relatives so he can get his ancestors info to do their work. It was a very spiritual and moving experience and what was amazing was how T.'s family reacted to his request to baptize his distant relatives. His father and cousins were moved to tears at hearing that there is an opportunity for their loved ones to receive the saving ordinance of baptism even after they have passed.

This is a beautiful gospel and beautiful doctrine. The power to bind things on Earth and in Heaven. I know that baptism is not the end goal, it is merely the beginning. We should not see others in the white of baptismal clothing but picture our loved one in white entering into the house of the Lord so that they can receive of these sacred and saving ordinances.

It truly has made me think and ponder a lot on just how merciful God is to every one of his children. He expresses such kindness and love to us every single day. I love this gospel and I love being able to see my own testimony grow and change. I know that this work is true and that God loves us, no matter what we do. His love is unconditional.

By this time tomorrow I will be landing safely back to my mission in Salt Lake City Temple Square. I wouldn't trade my experiences here for the world. Though they were some of the hardest times I have experienced on my mission so far I know that I grew the most through them.

I love you all!

Sister Eging :)

Zone; Temple with T!

July 19 – Lord Increase Our Faith

"And In the Morning...I'm Making Waffles"

Name that movie....

If you can't name it we can't be friends....okay I guess we can. But seriously it's one of the greats so if you haven't seen it go see it and if you have....go watch it again.

In honor of meeting Donkey, the world's friendliest donkey, I had to title my letter home one of Donkey's best moments. So this donkey we met was a champ. We saw him as we were driving out of Jamul along with a giant goat....sorry no picture, and Sister G, being a champ herself, looks at me and asks if I want to go say hi....... OF COURSE!

SO we get out and the Donkey starts trotting/running towards us! It was a miracle and definitely brightened up my entire day :)

The rest of the week we had a couple of really great/interesting things take place.

First was exchanges with our wonderful STL's Sister V and Sister P. I stayed in our area with Sister P (who is a blast and a half) and Sister G went with Sister V to Santee. It was loads of fun, we picked oranges, contacted people on the streets and almost died a couple of times.... (the people of El Cajon did NOT like her driving hahaha but it was great)

Then to end off the week there was a HUGE Mission President's Devotional that we were able to go and sing at and who, of all people, was there??

ALEX BOYE

(see his "I'm Mormon" profile/video here -- https://www.mormon.org/alex)

It was really hilarious and super inspirational. I love hearing the testimonies of converts, those who have truly and genuinely been touched by the spirit and have left all behind for the gospel.

This week has been a big week of growth and change for me as I have had to use my faith in Jesus Christ on whole different levels.

I have learned for myself that Christ is there, that He loves us and will never leave us. And that it is our duty out of love and gratitude towards Him to always do what's right NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES

We can always increase our faith and Christ has shown us how.

Here is the talk that has been the focus of my study for about a week

Lord, Increase Our Faith
by Elder John K. Carmack
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2002/03/lord-increase-our-faith?lang=eng

I pray that you all are able to find Him and to be willing to never let go. Following the Savior is not an easy thing to do. There will be persecution raging all around you and sometimes you may feel as if you are drowning, like there is no light at the end of the tunnel and you are stuck (at least that's how I feel sometimes).
But I'm here to say that all of those thoughts are not true. Though you may not be able to see the light at the end or imagine a time when things will be easier I know that they will.

For anybody struggling don't give up, don't draw away from the Savior, just step a little closer and He will carry you.

I love you all so so so so so very much there aren't even words to express it :)

I hope you can all take the time to find the joy in the little things today.

With lots of love (and internet hugs)
Sister Eging

The size of the burritos in San Diego!; Worlds Friendliest Donkey; Watermelon -- My Favorite!; Investigator's Puppy

Eye Swear -- July 12, 2016

Hello One and all! Well this week had a slight hiccup as my left eye had proceeded to swell to the size of a golf ball. For two days the only questions we got were, "Is she okay?" "What's wrong with your eye?" But hey good conversation starter am I right?

Other than that we have our investigator K on date for the 23rd just before I leave! AAAANNNNDDDDD
The Arabic speaker, M, who Sister G and I found when we were at Starbucks (for clarification it was outside of starbucks....teaching a lesson....but he did get us hot chocolate!) IS ON DATE!!!

He also will be baptized on the 23rd of July! What a great weekend!

But since we have passed off both K and M for the Elders in our ward to teach, that leaves Sister G and I still working hard to find, and baptize one soul into the true church before I leave!

And with the focus of this week being on Faith I truly know that faith can move mountains.

Ether 12:6
"6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."

Dispute not because you don't always see the end or the way but rather press forward with faith knowing that as we try our hardest the Lord will do the rest.

We've recently as a mission been asked to read the talk "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ," by Gene R. Cook.

I encourage everyone to read this talk. The Lord will do miracles through us. We are to be his hands.

"He desires you to be one who causes things to happen. He desires you to draw upon the all-powerful arm of God and the power which resides in you to do things in God’s own way. He desires you not be deeply involved or absorbed by worldly, temporal, superficial, or secondary things. These things must be dealt with, but even they must be handled spiritually.

To enrich and accelerate the growth of your faith, you may wish to measure it by the number of your predetermined righteous desires that are fulfilled. However, you must always remember that, when you pray and exercise faith in something that does not occur the way you hoped it would, your only object in view must then be to redouble your faith the next time."

When something doesn't turn out the way you had hoped, worried, and worked for. Self-evaluate and double your faith for the next time.

I love you all!
Sister Eging

There is this donut shop we always pass so we stopped for lunch . . .




Chased down the ice cream truck and gave him a pass along card (and got some ice cream!)

July 5, 2016

(note from Sister Eging's mom -- rough week for Sis Eging; no weekly email but she wanted to post this poem. If you have a moment to drop her a note I bet she'd appreciate it, extra prayers would be great too).

The Champion
By Vaughn J. Featherstone

The average runner runs until
The breathe in him is gone,
But the champion has the iron will
That makes him carry on.

For rest the average runner begs
When limp his muscles grow,
But the champion runs on leaden legs.
His courage make him go.

The average man's complacent when
He's done his best to score,
But the champion does his best and then
He does a little more.

After tennis with an investigator on PDay.

June 28 -- ZZZZzzzzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzzzz. Zone Conference‏

Just Kidding zone conference was cool. And Super inspiring and I had
to recite our purpose in front of the entire zone and President and
Sister Schmitt!

*for those unfamiliar*
Our Purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them
receive the restored gospel, through, faith in Jesus Christ and His
Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost,
and Enduring to the end.

I won't tell you how long it took me to memorize that.......You'd
think it'd be simple right? But nahh it's been imprinted into my brain
for a long time now :)

Well Zone Conference was a blast and a half and there were many
nuggets of knowledge to be learned from there. I think the main thing
I got was that as missionaries we are called to "thrust in our sickle
with all our might." This means consistent and diligent effort to
share the gospel with as many people as we come in contact with. I
think often times we can confuse this with if we try our hardest
everyone is going to accept the gospel and then be baptized. This is
not the truth. Not everyone will accept the gospel and that's okay!
Heavenly Father's plan isn't to force us or make us follow Him but
rather to allow us the opportunity to choose.

We then went on exchanges with our Sister Training Leader, Sister
P from Sydney, Australia!! She is awesome and really talks with
everyone. There is so much that I was able to learn from her but I
think the main thing was just being real with everyone you are working
with. We are real people too :)

Sister G has been pretty sick this week, as has been Elder
M and Sister M (they're the senior couple we live with).
SO it's just me up and running!

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying life!

Love you all very very much!

Enjoy the pictures of me in a face mask :)
(With the time that Sister G needed to rest I cleaned... And found
face masks.....and yeast? So I made bread.....or at least tried).

LOL
Sister Eging

Zone Conference; Face Masks

Everybody was Hot hot HOT!! (Insert that song if you're familiar with that one song...)‏ -- June 21, 2016

Well another week has come and gone in the good 'ole San Diego Mission.
For those of you who were not aware we had a massive amount of heat
this past weekend and it got up to 114 F (something Celsius for the
rest of the world). We slathered up with some good ole sunscreen and
went out to work (die, melt, you get the gist) and of course we also
had to make some home made sun baked cookies! (See pictures.....yes,
it actually worked).

Also this week marked me being out on my mission for exactly a year!
No way! I honestly can't even believe just how fast this past year has
flown by. There's ups and downs but it seriously feels like I blinked
and somehow landed here......

In other news the week has been really slow and it has been really
difficult finding people to teach but, we persevered and kept chugging
along. Nothing that a huge helping of overloaded optimism won't fix
(fake it till you make it). But we did have an amazing miracle of
being able to find T.

During one of our crazy Jamul days, that are spent 99% of the time
just trying to figure out where in the world a house would possibly be
out in the middle of the desert, we had just driven away from a
potential investigators home and down this street. Off of the street
was this little house with a pretty long driveway and this old woman
sitting outside by herself. So just before we drive away we decide ‘hey
lets go try talking to her’ (which normally doesn't happen out here in
Jamul). Well really we didn't decide but the spirit pretty strongly
(but not overbearingly that's the key haha) pressed us to go and talk
to her. We U-turn it and go to talk to her. As we approach we can
tell she is clearly not speaking English and we keep trying anyways
(hey I know how to say mucho mucho calor (though no...I don't know how
to spell it or anything else)). And all of a sudden her 20-ish year
old son walks out and he speaks English!!!! As we talk to him he tells
us that he has recently found his own spirituality but continues to
tell us that his girlfriend T is a member of the church! (Yeah
not on the list at all). T invites us in and she has been
inactive for years but has always driven past and wanted to go back.
We listen and teach and give her a copy of the Book of Mormon and will
be going back to keep seeing her and helping her come back. What
really struck me was when T was explaining how her grandpa was
such a huge part of her testimony and her being active but then he
passed. She said that she knew her grandpa had sent us to her.

Biggest lesson....follow the spirit. Even the little promptings, because they lead to BIG miracles down the road.

Love you all so much!

Happy Father's Day Dadddd and Happy Birthday mom!

I love you both!

LOVE
Sister Eging



Sun-baked cookies; Driving; Got to do some mission yoga!; Mission cat; Fires in our mission but not near me.

Transfer numero 9‏ -- June 14, 2016

Yeah. Another day, another Transfer, another week, month, year flies by.

So in way of updates I am staying with Sister G for my last transfer here in San Diego and we are staying in the Hillsdale/Jamul area!
(not nearly as many changes occur out here).

This week was pretty good....service, lessons, taught relief society, the works.

Oh and I experienced my very first California earthquake!!
It was the middle of the night and everything started shaking and got all loud all of a sudden. I was in this dream daze state, woke up, fell back asleep, and totally forgot it happened until the next morning when Sister G asked me if I felt the Earth quake!!! I thought I had dreamt the whole thing!?! I felt a little silly after that but it was still cool to say that yeah...I survived an earthquake (even if it was just a baby sized one).


This week however, there seemed to be a lot of reflecting on families and the importance of protecting them, and providing them with a safe, happy, spiritual atmosphere to grow in.

We have been so blessed to be welcomed into so many homes of members of the church who have their families centered on the teachings of Jesus Christ. There is no other way, no other pattern, no other source for which families can find as much happiness and peace as they will be able to have through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I just want to invite everyone to think of their families and think of 5 things that they’re grateful for. Share the love with your families (especially your dad this week :)
And look for families around who may not have the same foundation, may need someone to help or someone to guide them and offer that help. Look for service and missionary opportunities; they both go hand in hand.

I love you all so much and want to say Happy Father's day to my great dad who helped me get out on my mission.

I remember the stories of New Zealand, and your love for the food, the people, and the gospel. Thank you for your encouragement to read my scriptures and say my prayers, for reading the Book of Mormon with us over dinner, for providing us with much needed advice and correction.

For those who don't have the same kind of memories, who feel as if they're lacking in earthly parental figures take some time to appreciate and develop your relationship with your Heavenly Father. He knows you, He provides for you, and He loves you.

Lot and lots of love,
Sister Eging

Think Outside the Border – June 7, 2016

Hey Fammmmiiiilllllylyyyyyy and friends and whoever reads this weekly
letter. I don't have a lot of time to write my weekly email so I will
stick with the important things of the week. First off,

T GOT BAPTIZED!!!!

Did you hear that!?!?!?!?!

Baptism with a Capitol B!!!

He is an amazing guy and has made so many changes in his life that
have lead him to this point. (We had a little scare an hour before as
he almost cancelled due to a lack of ties, pants, etc. But he showed
up!) What made it even more special was he was baptized on his 40th
birthday. What better day to be baptized on?

Then comes the epic story........ SO we cover two areas....Hillsdale a small nice community and Jamul, a large massive, mountainous range that stretches down to the Mexican border. SO often times we run into these crazy trails that we need to drive on in order to reach someone's house way out in the middle of no where and this Sunday was one of those times. Not only was this house way out there but you could see the Mexican border from our car (keep this in mind....it will be important later on in the story). We're driving along, have to pull down a dirt road and it's no problem. In fact it's beautiful straight out of a Lord of the Rings movie. We're chugging along and the road starts to get rough...like really rough. I'm hopping out throwing huge rocks out of the way and Sister G is maneuvering around them and many times we should've turned back but 1. No turn radius 2. We had already come so far and 3. This man needed the gospel! We get to this slightly steep crack in the middle of the road and I get out to direct Sister G on how to straddle the ravine with the car.
And it is at this moment that Border Patrol catches us.....

Big guy in a uniform walking down the ravine calling out to us "Are you crazy?"

"Yes sir, I feel slightly crazy"

"What are you two doing here?"

"We're missionaries!"

And then we explain just what we are doing out here. Then a second one walks down. They explain that this road just leads to the top of a mountain and that if we had gone any further we probably would've turned the car over. Then they tell us that they work with a Mormon. Awesome! As we talk they are trying to figure out what to do with us and a third border patrol man walks up. He looks at us shakes his head and says "sisters" then proceeds to shake our hands. Well these nice officers direct us how to back up and turn the car around and then escort us back to the main road and actually take us to the house we are trying to find WOOOO!!!!
They had all left their cars to go and get us because their jeeps always got stuck.....In fact they were amazed we had made it that far. Yeah Corolla power!

And moral of the story. When you see the border you've gone too far.

Love you all!!!!

Stay safe.

Love life, love the gospel.

~SisterEging~

Too Blessed to be Stressed (well okay maybe a little stressed)‏ -- May 31, 2016

Stress is my big topic for this week and something that I am learning
slowly and steadily to control and manage. This week was jam-packed
with events and lessons and many other stressors that would be enough
to make anyone crazy but we survived :)

What made this week so amazing though was the oh so wise council from
an apostle of the Lord. No, really, a living apostle in fact one of
(in my opinion) the coolest apostles, Elder Holland!

You heard correct, Elder Holland came to visit the mission. How's that
for some real luck! He came and on Friday we all woke up, put on our
nicest dresses, and drove to hear him speak and shake his hand.
To be brief what struck me the most was his overwhelming love for each
of us and his address focused on the love we need to have for
ourselves (or at least that's what I got from it) that we need to love
and enjoy our missions. Love the Lord and be obedient because we love
him. But, don't beat ourselves up over every little thing. It will all
work towards our benefit and as long as we have been converted than we
are successful missionaries. He also spoke on just how impactful
serving a mission is. It can and will change the very course of our
lives if we let it and if we let go of what is holding us back from
serving..... If you're thinking about serving a mission....take it to
the Lord, and FOLLOW HIM. Just do it if He tells you you need to.

Also in case you were wondering when the second coming is....
"I don't know, and you can quote me on that" -Elder Holland

Later that week we met M and S. Now how did we meet them?
Well we have been teaching T and sometimes we have to teach him
outside of Starbucks.... Which is the ultimate hang out for Arabic
speakers. After the lesson they stopped us and asked about the church
etc. We ended up having a pass-off lesson with them the next day to
give them to the Arabic Elders but, they were amazing. M was golden
and for so long had been studying the different Bibles wondering why
there are so many differences between religions. As we left that
lesson M asks about our badges. After learning that we spent only 2
weeks in a "training center" he turns and says "I will get that badge
in one".

Lastly I just want to leave you with my testimony that the Savior is
always there when we need Him. He will always lift us up and never cut
us down. We don't have to be perfect, we don't have to be successful
in the world's eyes because as long as we are trying, we are
successful to Him.

Also..... Please READ THIS TALK (it's what Sister G and I taught
to relief society on Sunday)

“One Thing Needful”: Becoming Women of Greater Faith in Christ
By Patricia T. Holland

"We must have the courage to be imperfect while striving for perfection."
Patricia T. Holland

Love you all so much!!!!

(Enjoy the pictures of me frolicking in the California fields and all
the horse and llama love <3 )

SISTER EGING

(S)He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named‏ - May 24, 2016

This week has been a very very VERY interesting one to say the least. Don't worry the cat and horse are still alive and are doing well. (Tippy ((the cat)) and I have our nightly waltzes after planning so the relationship is blossoming beautifully).

We had what is called "MTE's" this week. Missionary Training Experiences (I think) for anyone not with the San Diego lingo. This is where we take like 2-3 zones and switch companionships up. All companionships are divinely inspired and for a whole day I was with Sister W, our Sister Training Leader (which is like a Zone Leader for those who have never heard of one before...because I hadn't...) and I learned SO MUCH!!! She was awesome at talking with everyone and had an almost fool-proof way of asking everybody if they needed service done on lawns, houses, moving or if anyone in the neighborhood needed something done! It was awesome because then people weren't immediately turned off by the name-tag and would actually stop to talk!

T, our investigator is doing well and is preparing himself for baptism. It's been amazing to see the changes in him. And we have found a couple of new investigators who really seem sincere!

This week we did a lot of trying to contact potential and former investigators that had been left behind or forgotten, they did not know the true meaning of Ohana.... for those of you who haven't seen Lilo and Stitch... I'm sorry..... It's a great movie.

And we ended up at this one house and they weren't interested so we ask "Who do you know?" Ah that famous question. "Well the next door neighbors go to church a lot." So we go to try them.....

And that's when we met her. She cracked open the door and stared at us with sunken eyes and in a low raspy voice asks "Can I help you?" SO we go on and explain and talk and she opens her door to show us her statues of Jesus Christ and then explains that she is a deacon. And as if to show us evidence rolls up her sleeve and shows off the meanest and baddest dark-mark tattoo on her forearm. She followed Voldemort! (Not really but it was a pretty cool tattoo).

Well that's my story for the week. Wish me luck in the missionary efforts this week! I love you all so much and have loved seeing the change in people's lives as they come unto Christ. I know that this work is true and that missionary work would NOT be successful without the help and support of the wards and members. You are all the heart of the church and you can touch and change the lives of so many. Don't ever underestimate your impact or your testimony and invite others to learn more. This is the fullness of the gospel! We should be sharing it :)

Give the missionaries in your home ward a little love and buy them a pizza or something :)

Lots of Love
Sister Eging

May 17, 2016 -- From (sometimes) Sunny San Diego‏

SO we went to the Temple today and got home about an hour ago so if my
email seems really brief I'm so sorry but hey at least you know you
got the important stuff right?

Temple, is awesome. Like seriously the San Diego Temple is gorgeous
and looks straight out of a sci-fi movie, I love it.

We found some really cool people to teach this week. One of them was
a referral and she has already committed to be baptized on June 11th!

There's been a lot of adjusting of the last two weeks because with new
mission and new mission president comes new way of doing things but
I've learned a lot and really been able to grow and stretch a lot.

Also today is month 11......Yes I've been out for 11 months. This is
insane and the world is coming to an end.

The gospel is true and every day I receive a firmer witness of the all
encompassing plan that Heavenly Father has for each of His children.
Everything is part of that plan!

Love you All
I'll send more next week!
Sister Eging