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