Short and To the Point

Hey everyone!

Sooooo quite a lot has happened this week but I will try to be short and to the point (as I have learned I can talk a lot when giving tours..... I want to make sure they know the gospel ok??) haha but this has literally been the week of the living dead. My trainer was out all week with a sore throat and it turns out she had strep (yay!) So I was on one big exchange this week with a sore throat with my District Leader and Zone Leaders, just being passed around like the hottest freaking potato in the world. Luckily I haven't gotten sick at all which is a miracle. PHRASE! Seriously a miracle as most of our zone was out sick, and our zone is the only zone who covers the Beehive house (jeepers creepers we had to take double shifts and find covers because everyone was out.) But we survived you best believe it we survived. And found a lot of new people to teach as well. 

Okay so perk of serving at Temple Square. For companion study we get media time.... this means we can watch mormon movies in huge theater in the Visitor's Center all by ourselves. We GET THE WHOLE THEATER. So of course snacks area a must (shoutout to my sister Michelle! We made the no-bake cookies and ate them in the theater :). We watched Legacy which is this super cheesy pioneer love story. The closest thing we have to a chick flick. Check it out. For real you'll laugh. You'll cry. It's that cheesy.

Speaking of food hahahahaha.......we have run out. Like no money. Just boxes of cereal and eggs, It's been really cool though to see the Lord provide for us. There are a lot of places out here that offer free food for missionaries (woot woot) and I have never received so many packages filled with food or had so many opportunities for free food in my life. Seriously the Square is never like this.

Mmmmmmm Oh! Today we are going to East High. Thrownin it back to those high school musical days. And we will get to see Sharpay's and Troy's lockers. What team? WILDCATS. GUTTY HEAD IN THE GAME. Super pumped. AH! I'm trying to think of what else happened.... I really need to start writing a list of things to include. I'll start that next week.

PS-- Also I passed off on tours today! (jumping for joy attached) This means I am certifiably able to give tours. It also means a free meal at the Lion House (restaurant). I also got to attend Music and the Spoken Word!

Stay Cool, 

Love, 

Sister Eging

Week Two

Hey everyone!!!!

2nd week in the field and loving every second!

Temple Square is amazing, I feel like I learn something new every single day. Last p-day (p-day is a missionary's day "off") we hiked Ensign peak in a total of 20 minutes sprinting both ways, so this p-day we will take it a lil easier. 

Just a fun story from Temple Square that I want to share...

So as I have stated before, you meet a lot  of interesting people on Temple Square. Some are nice, others are eeexxxxxtreeeeeemmmmeeelllllyyyy sketchy. So I was standing on the ramp by the Kristus (large statue of Christ) and these two kinda sketch guys walk up. I say "Hello How are you!" and they mumble to me "We have to do something real quick." Alright fine. A couple minutes later they both walk down, one continues out of the building the other stops and talks with me and my companion. He starts urgently telling us to open the Book of Mormon. He pulls out his copy and flips to a page and reads pretty much the entire page to us and then yells "Do you know what this means!?" Nope, sorry, nope, keep moving. Another Sister comes over and starts talking and now the guy starts pretending he is a member but doesn't know anything about the church. Like literally nothing. He then all of a sudden looks around and books it out of the Visitor's Center. Flat out sprints away from there. So me, being me, I run out of the Center too. Shoot I'm not staying in some place that could have a bomb or something in it. (Thanks mom for the paranoia lessons.....) So I freak out and refuse to go back in the building, my companion doesn't want to go in either and my District Leader is just trying to get us to chill out. HA. Yeah. Nope. A security guard walks out, asks us what the problem is and then goes to check out the Kristus..... and as you can tell by the lack of news coverage at the Temple Square..... there was no bomb.... Now the security guards think it's so funny that I ran out of the building.....Will probably never live that down. At least now they know who I am so I can announce at the end of the day "Attention Everyone, the Visitor's Center is now closing. Please make your way to the nearest exit. Have a great Day." Which is super fun.

Soon this week. This week, this week.

I have been put on shift at the Beehive House (Brigham Young's Home) Where I  give tours, twice the history to learn and twice the amount of ways to apply it to people. 

Welp not much else has happened. The work here is amazing! This past week we had so many miracles of so many people who wanted to be taught lessons and a couple more who wanted to be baptized. It's amazing how a lot of people are so open to the gospel all we need to do is ask and invite.

Also I taught a lady who was from mainland China today! Unfortunately she goes back to China in a couple of days so we won't be able to teach her. It makes me so sad. She was so excited to read the Book of Mormon and wanted all of the pamphlets and everything. She gave us her information so that when China finally does open for missionaries she can get in contact with them. There are so many people that flood Temple Square from China and they want to learn more, but as soon as they cross back into China we aren't allowed to have any contact with them. 

Well That's all, Love yeah all

Sister Eging

First Email from the Square

First email from Temple Square woot woot! So my p-day is now on Tuesdays so I had to wait a while to email you all! Everything is going great! I left the MTC early at like 4:30 a.m. and then spent the entire day on the square talking to people and preaching the word! I have my trainer, a really nice, Sister. She is from California and is awesome!

We live in Apartments which aren't too bad. There are three different complexes, #1 (infested with mice and all that good stuff), #2 (ehh they're aight), and #3 (pretty much celestial apartments). Oh and guess who is living two floors above me! A elder couple of missionaries. From Chardon, Ohio. I sort of recognized them but didn't realize who they were until I was talking and said I had lived in Ohio. How cool! They are serving a senior mission here!

I have seen Elder Uchtdorf driving out of the MTC and have a picture of him that if you zoom in really close you can totally see his face. Yeah photography at its finest. Also this past week I got to attend Elder Packer's funeral and see the Prophet speak and ALL of the apostles (except Uchtdorf he couldn't make it). It was really cool and the spirit was so strong. 

The work out here is amazing. There are so many people to talk to and contact and though most don't really want to hear it (we tell them anyways) there are those few who really are ready for the gospel in their lives. On Sunday the first man we talked to gave us all of his info and said he wanted to meet with missionaries again! And then there was this family that we took on a tour who at first didn't really understand the gospel or how it could bless lives but after talking to them we showed them God's Plan for Families and they cried and asked to send missionaries and wanted to stay in contact. We talk to everyone so that we are able to find those that are ready for the gospel. 

Oh and on Friday after Elder Packer's funeral some of the Sisters (me included) got to go to Brighton camp, a girls camp bonding thing, and go zip lining and do all those ropes coursey things. It was so much fun! I don't have my camera with me at the moment but will send pictures next p-day! Also we get iPads soon! So I can take pictures on that etc. and make people watch mormon movies! YEEEEETTT! We should also be getting Facebooks soon but I'm not sure when.

I know how to introduce myself in Chinese! And got to speak Japanese to another lady. I have met people from India, China, Japan, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Russia, London, and soooo many different places! Wo Shu E Jai Mai. Watashi no namae wa Eging des. Super cool. This gospel is true and everyday that I live it I just receive more and more confirmation it's amazing. God is good and I miss you all!

Also I have met so many people from Virginia! There was a school teachers conference up here!

Do people still hashtag? Have they come up with new lingo I haven't heard of? Do I sound stupid for using #? That's okay I'll use it anyways!

Fun Fact: The benches and pillars in the assembly hall are actually made of white pine and painted  to look like oak and marble. Also I have gotten to use a megaphone to give tours! 

Well have a good day. 

 I got to work at the Beehive House too!! Man this letter is all over the place! So sorry about that. Anyways love you all! Continue reading the scriptures! Invite people to church all that good stuff! I never realized how much missionaries relied on members but what they say is true. The true missionaries are members. You are able to do so much more to further God's work! Love you!

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE 

Sister Eging!

Arriving at temple Square Mission (Starts in the garage and all their items are sniffed by "bed bug finding" dogs).

At Brighton for zip lining and rope courses.

4th of July with this cool Elder  at the MTC

From the Missionary Momma: (Sorry for the delay of updating you guys on how Melissa is doing) We received a letter from Melissa's mission president and included a link to the Temple Square mission blog 

http://www.slctemplesquaremission.blogspot.com/p/home.html  

Last Week At The MTC

Hey everyone-- This week was my last week in the MTC! I leave next Wednesday and could not be more excited.... Lets seeeee

So we said good-bye to all of our investigators last Friday and one of them shared a really awesome story with me and my companion. It's the story of the bent nail and the basic just of it is that we are all bent nails,  hurt from sin and guilt. We can't fix ourselves or  others by ramming our heads together. That only makes us more bent. But through love and "pats on the back" the nail can slowly straighten out. It was a really cool story I loved it. 

Then on Tuesday morning at 3 a.m.!!! The two other Temple Square Sisters and I walked our district down to the buses as they head of to Indiana and West Virginia. It was so unbelievably sad as we stood outside and watched the buses roll out. Now we are just a trio. Before they left all of the Elders gave us blessings of comfort. It was amazing to hear exactly what I needed to hear from a couple of nutty eighteen year old Elders. The Lord truly does speak through us. What was really cool was that in this blessing Elder Porter said exactly what was said in my setting apart. How cool is that!?!?

This entire week has been spent training to talk with people on Mormon.org and learning how to give walking lessons at the Visitor's Center. We practiced teaching and learned how to politely tell people "No really I'm okay, my soul will be fine." As they would log on to chat and try to convert us. That was a weird experience. Then we got to go onto Temple Square. This entire week has been focused on not being just a tour guide and instead helping everyone who comes to the square have a conversion experience. This means truly teaching by the spirit and letting the Lord guide the conversation experience. What was truly amazing was being able to contact people on the streets. Sister Kratzer and I got to talk to so many people were genuinely interested and ready to receive the gospel. 

Uhmmmm well that's about it. I don't really have much more else to say.... We made a giant blanket fort out of our room.....uhm... in the vents in each room there is usually little treasures hidden. Our vent had like 6 Dr. Peppers.

We now have a new District of strictly Visitor Center Sisters. Most of us are going to Temple Square but there are a few going to Mormon Battalion, and the Washington D.C. Temple!!! The Battalion Sisters have to wear pioneer costumes so I'd say I lucked out in that department....

Your letters are much appreciated and I love every time I get them! (I only get a short time on the computer so I will have a better chance of getting to write you back if you write me the "old-fashioned" way via the US postal service,  however, if that doesn't work for you please keep writing emails, I will try to get back to you as soon as I can.) Here's my new address starting Wednesday!

Sister Melissa Miriam Anne Eging

Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission

50 N. West Temple St.

Rm BSVC

Salt Lake City, UT 

84150-1891

Also I'm going to try and petition for a Temple Square puppy. I'm pretty sure everyone would be cool with it. I'd give up my bed. Ell Luhv ya all a bunch. The next time you hear from me I will be officially on Temple Square!

Love, Sister Eging

Hey Guys

I have seen so many people I know from BYU in the MTC it's crazy! Like a ton of people that I never thought I'd see again. How weird!?!

This week was so filled with so many different experiences I don't even know where to begin. We got to teach our first "investigators" this week which has really been a challenge but has helped me grow so much. My two investigators are both really tough cookies, and it has been really cool to see how the Lord works in mysterious ways. Yesterday me and my companion could not think of anything more to teach our investigators as they have been taught and already both have such a strong faith in Christ. So we prayed and walked in with no real lesson plan truly relying on the Holy Spirit to fill our mouths and I can not even begin to describe to you how strong the spirit was in those lessons. I can't remember what we taught or even what I said but the spirit was so strong it was amazing. Sometimes it is hard to not be discouraged especially when investigators are sooooooo close it hurts! But I just always remember that the Lord works in mysterious ways and maybe for that one investigator my job was just planting the seed or building their faith. You just have to put your trust in Him and He will do the rest. 

Soooooo other cool things of the week. It is Mission President Training week. This means the buildings that we normally use for things like the cafeteria and the gym are apparently no longer a thing hahaha. So we get fed Subway and Taco Bell, the breakfast, lunch, and dinner of champions. But actually it's really cool. There are apparently apostles here to train the new mission pres' but I have yet to see one no matter how hard I stalk or try to see them. SOOO FRUSTRATING. I JUST WANNA SEE AN APOSTLE IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK? Ugh. Well I still got to be taught by the new mission presidents of the London mission which was really awesome. They were so nice and his wife was like a perfect little surrogate mom to give hugs to. (Miss yer hugs momma). Along with the new mission presidents, we had a member of the seventy, Elder Foster, come teach us personally. 

How Cool!? Man to be on that kind of spiritual level. On a whole other note.... I had to move residence halls yesterday. Why you ask. Well indeed I will tell you why. Three letters. They turn into vampires. And apparently they live in the MTC dorms. BATS. They found bats in our dorm rooms so they called us into this emergency meeting and we are all prepared to hear an apostle talk, notebooks out, super excited, emergency talk from an apostle..... Nope just bats and a surprise hour long packing and moving excursion from one building to the next. GUYS. While I was packing and moving I had the coolest prayer experience. So one of the Sisters (she is also going to Temple Square) and I took the longest time to pack. We each had two bulking suitcases, a carry-one bag, and I had my care-package (filled with the most delicious coconut *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*). We start walking down to the elevator and everyone told us to turn back because it wasn't working. Well I said they just didn't have enough faith. Laugh at me they did and laugh at them I did while I rode that elevator all the way down to the first floor. Sister Kratzer's and my prayer worked!!!! It totally worked and the elevator doors opened and we were saved PUHAISE THE LORD!

So with all of that happening you could say its been a pretty eventful week. 

Well mission is going great. It's hard and very exhausting but I love every second that I am here growing and developing in the gospel. Though I had a testimony before I came out here it doesn't even begin to compare to the revelation and growth that I have made in this past week. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and have already been so changed that I can't imagine what the next 18 months have in store for me. I miss you all so much! Remember to write and stuff because I love getting your letters. DearElder.com (Side note from Melissa's mom--If you need her address, email address or DearElder.com info, just let me know).

Love You,

Sister Eging

Welcome to the MTC

Well I did it!

It's so crazy! Everything is moving so fast-paced I feel like I barely have time to breathe, but I love it so much. I love learning about the gospel and I love learning how to teach it so that others may come to Christ.

A couple things to note upon the MTC. 

Everyone smiles, everyone is friendly-You are surrounded by some of the nicest people in the world so take advantage! Talk to them and learn about them. 

Use your time wisely-There is very little free time given here so once again take advantage! 

Write in your journal-Trust me you will want to remember everything about this place, the people, and the spirit. This is a once in a life experience so be sure to remember it!

Dive in with both feet-Seriously just go for it. Pour your heart and soul into the work because it will make the experience 110% better.

My district is pretty much the coolest one around. We have people going to Indianapolis and West Virginia and I've met people from all around the world! Yo also gym time is the bomb dot freaking com. My goal is to get my name on the little board of gym achievements. Right now I'm either gonna go for the long jump or doing over 700 sit ups. I'm here for three weeks I'm sure that's a reasonable amount of time to become a super athlete... no problem. I mean I can always try a 28 minute wall sit... that's not hard right??

Also remember use time wisely! Only 60 minutes on the computer goes by fast so go in with a game plan.

I will be back next week with hopefully some pictures!

*Temple Square Fun Fact- The tallest pipe on the organ is 35 feet.*

Also DON'T drink the orange juice. Just heed this advice. Don't question, just do it.

Into the Fray

Let. the. stress. begin. 

I am down to SIX DAYS before I report and could not be more excited. 

six days and I will be SISTER Eging. Ha how cool.
I am at that point where I just want to be out there.
In the MTC, in Temple Square, just teaching and helping people.

As I am preparing to leave I have been blessed with so much new insight in the gospel
and have felt the spirit so strongly these past couple of days,
even with the stress of duh duh duhhhnnn
PACKING.
I. Hate. It.
and I always seem to put it off.

Word to the Wise
DO NOT put off packing.
Start as soon as possible because
trust me
you will hate yourself.

Although if you shop smart it shouldn't be too hard to figure out what
goes and what gets the boot.
As I was shopping for my mish I compiled a list of stores that saved my butt
and seeing as I relied heavily on other people's lists of stores
I thought I'd share mine with everyone.
So without further ado.

THE LIST

Clothes

Asos- Awesome skirts and dresses

Light in a Box- sizes run a bit smaller so keep this in mind. Also does not always look like it did on       the website but has A LOT of options

Sweet Salt- Skirt Extenders black/ivory for those dresses not quite long enough

Marshalls-Lots of great plain shirts to mix and match, luggage, bras, not many skirts or dresses

Winsome Jones- Anthropology-esque shirts galore! (Love the glamour, tolerate the price)

Piper and Scoot-Kahyuute skirts and dresses!

Target!-Target is my jam. seriously all the basics. get 'em at target. 

Down East- Yes, Yes, Yes. Never thought I would say it but, yes go. here. 

Nordstrom Rack. 

(Look up joggers/zumba pants for cute capri workout pants, you will not be sorry)

Shoes

Born- Great shoes. A lil’ pricey but worth it!

Clarks-okay okay, they don't just sell grandma-y shoes. just do a lil digging its worth it. (Zappos)

Payless shoes- good for some cheaper flats to mix it up with. also get no show socks!

 Bag

Timbuk2- messenger bag size small. its awesome. (Zappos)

Well that takes care of that business. 

The next time you hear from me I will be an official missionary!

So enjoy some pre mission pics

and I'll see ya on the other side!

PHOTO CREDS: Emily Gore Photography