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