Megan's 10 Random Missionary "Fun Facts"

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WHAT A HUGE STEP WE HAVE TAKEN AS A FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WE NOW HAVE GRASS.....  NO MORE WEIRD LOOKS FROM PEOPLE DRIVING BY THINKING... WHAT A STRANGE FAMILY!!!!!!! ;) hahahahahahahahahaha  But sounds fun and those pictures of Beckham are so dang cute!  He is growing and he better be able to recognize his favorite aunt!!!!!!!!!!! :)

 As for us & our week, we are doing great!!!  Studying lots, eating more or less healthy, and serving the Lord!!!!!!!  WHAT IS BETTER????  I had been thinking about some things that maybe I haven’t told you about my misión life....  (I feel like I tell you a lot, but I bet you guys (mom) wants to hear a little bit more....) so here is a list of a 10 random things about my misión!!

1-MY EYES HAVE CHANGED COLORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It is the weirdest thing; you know how before they were like a weird brown/green combination??  Well yeah, that is the past and the light green is in.

2-I always hold the bible in my hand!  Usually the right one, but sometimes I switch.  I think I am weak, so my back gets sore when it is in my bag!

3-MY LEG HAIR HAS STOPPED GROWING!  I think I am a pretty good trainer... it is this thing, when you don’t shave for so long... they don’t grow back!!! (now don’t think I am crazy mom.... I think it is genius!!!!)

4-I only eat natural yogurt!  Before I thought it tasted like cardboard, but now I have found my love! :)

5-We find ourselves quite often at a little restaurant that sells 2 burritos and a coke for 25 pesos!!!!!  OH YEAH BABY!!!!!!!!!

6-We talk to a lot of people in the Street... last week we found a gay hairdresser... he may or may not be trimming my hair today!!!

7-I MAKE BEANS LIKE A MEXICAN.... NUF SAID!

8-My name for EVERYONE is SOOOOOOOOTON!!!!  Thank you president, the first day we got here! SOOOOOOOOOOOTON!!!!!!!

9-Every Wednesday we have a “cooking party” with an hermana from our Ward and some of our investigators!!!  It has been working great....  Now everyone that goes to the thing is working for a baptismal date!!!!!!!

10-I AM FAT.

Now your questions.....

…. 1 ….  Did you get you boxes from  Jennifer & Grandma Reva for your birthday? 

YES, I GOT THE BOXES AND THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I APPRECIATE IT SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The Halloween bags she sent us work perfect for our groceries!!!  And Jennifer knew exactly that I needed a Little taste of BOX ELDER!!!!!!!!!  Also, I got a letter from Holly!!!  Thanks for everything!!!!

 

…. 2 ….  I was thinking about sending a cute, red, felt-like jacket I bought to your mission president’s wife for Christmas?  

I think that would be sweet of you mom!!!!  She and I are really tight!!!  She is a sweetheart, and I think she would really appreciate that!!!!

 

…. 3 ….  Have you sung in church lately and/or do you have a job in the ward?

Yeah we sing every once and a while!!!  OHHHHHHH and yesterday was the primary program!!!!  AND I PLAYED THE PIANO AND HERMANA ELLSWORTH THE FLUTE!!!!!!!!!  IT WENT SOOOOOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)  As for a job.... just piano for everything!!!!!!  I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!  (thanks for the piano mom!!!!!!!!! sorry for never wanting it...... ;)

…. 4 ….  Amanda & I noticed in some of your pictures you wore a “rust” colored dress in some and a “rust” top only or a “rust” bottom only in others….did you do a little sewing and separate a dress and make into 2 separates?  (We were somewhat impressed if you did.)

OHHHHHHHHHHHH - AREN’T I JUST THE SNEEKY LITTLE MISSIONARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I didn’t cut the dress, but I have a sweet story about how I found that dress.....  One day I will tell you!!!  But I just use it separately to add a Little spunk to my wardrobe!!!!  HAHAHAHAHAHAHA-clever mom and Amanda...... ;)

 

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!  I AM DOING GREAT!!!!!!!!!!  AND LOVING BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I KNOW THIS IS TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Hermana Sutton

 

Baking Queen

Hermana Bunderson (Baking Queen)

25 Peso Lunch

1-Coke, 2-burritos

 

Juarez Zone Missionaries

If You Want to be HAPPY - Serve Others!!!

ONE MORE WEEK IN HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't have asked for a greater week; I sometimes feel like the Lord is blessing me with more miracles than I can handle!  I AM SO GRATEFUL to be here on my misión and just to be enjoying it.  I see so many missionaries that just miss all of the amazing things because they are getting caught up in “THEIR” amazing experience & they forget that when we focus on others, that is when we see the miracles in our lives!!  And that is what I have been trying to do, and I know that it is working!  IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY.... SERVE OTHERS!!!!  It doesn't matter who it is, just go out and be like JESUS!  hahaha

The greatest miracle that we had this week was with the family Patlan, and I think that I mentioned a little about them last week.  This family is probably the most amazing, (or one of the most amazing, cuz I have met so many great families here) I have met in my misión!!!!  Hermano Patlan is the secretary of the Ward; he is so great and is like the behind the scenes miracle man!  He is always searching for ways to help us, and he also makes the most amazing FRUIT WATER I have ever tasted!!!  He even makes papaya taste good, and that is hard.... hahahaha  Hermana Patlan is the sweetest, most humblest person I have ever met; she grew up being the "mother" of all her siblings and never got to go to school or really work.  She is a little quiet, but the crazy thing is the more she learns about the góspel the more willing she is to talk and to participate at church and just to everyone and share the gospel!!!  OHHHHHHH and JUANITA!!!!!  My heart will always have a special place for Juanita.  She is 20 years old and the sweetest angel I have ever met!!!  She has autism, but LOVES LOVES LOVES music, and dancing (especially to “Mama Mia” when I sing!!!!)  She and I have a special bond, and we really have since day one!!!  To be honest I think that is why we gained the trust of her mom so quickly!!!  Juanita really is a light in my life!!!  She is my little angel sent from heaven to remind me of the amazing things of this life!!!!!!  But the Hermana Elena and Juanita got baptized this last Saturday!!!  They both were SOOOO excited words just can't explain it!!!  (I’ll send some pictures so you can see them!!!!)  I told them I would be back here in 1 year to see their sealing.... we'll see how those plans work out!!!! ;)  hahahahaha

But really this family has worked so hard to be where they are at right now!!  The whole family has grown so much, and they have so much hope for the future now!!!  When I talked to the hermano after, he said “nothing has felt this amazing in my whole life!!!!”  (I think that is kind of how we felt when dad got baptized!  The happiest day of my whole life!)  I told him one more year and you will see a day even happier!!!!

This is TRUE HAPPINESS!!!!  Nothing beats the true and amazing power of the atonement that changes lives!!!  NOTHING!!!!!!!  There is no way I can deny that this is all true; I know it!!  I feel it!!  And I am living it!!  And I truly have been changed by it!!  Jesús lives!  He has prepared a way for us!!  WE JUST HAVE TO FOLLOW IT!!!!!!!  IT IS SO WORTH EVERY SACRIFICE!!!!!!

I love you all!!  It is so good to hear that everyone is doing great!!  Remember to stay busy!!  But not too busy then you will turn into a missionary!!! (hahahahaha ;)  wouldn't that be great!!!!)  But remember to keep your goals high and do what you know you should do!!!

Hermana Sutton!!!

the Mexican  :)

Familia Patlan's Baptism Day

Hermana Bunderson, Hermana Patlan, Hermano Patlan, Juanita, Hermana Sutton

Hermana Patlan's & Juanita's Baptism Saturday!!!!

I THINK THE COLD IS AROUND THE CORNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WE AREN'T QUITE TO THE POINT OF USING SWEATERS EVERYDAY, BUT I HAVE NOW PUT A BLANKET ON MY BED.... THIS IS BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!  I don't know if I am ready for the cold yet????? ;)  Of course I am kidding!!!!!  I am ready to not be sweating 24-7 and to use my coat Hermana Jacobo left me!!!!!!!!!!!! (ahhhhhhh - Hermana Jacobo!!!)  Just so you know she is getting married in December!!  But anyways, things are going great and we are killing it here in Juarez... well not killing but teaching lots!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahaha

Sounds like you guys had a great week too!!!!!!  The usual plants in the ground and preparing everything for the huge snow storms!  I would really appreciate it if you could send some of it my way!  I MISS SNOW!!!!!!!!!  But worth it to be here; everyone always asks me if I am just going to stay here and find a Mexican to marry and start my family here...  Of course I tell them yes!  But on the account that I can go to Utah to see the snow every year! hahaha   Wouldn't that be great!  But don't worry mom, I am coming home some day! ;)

First off I know that mom is worried....  BUT YES I GOT MY BIRTHDAY PACKAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  AND IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WE HAD SO MUCH FUN WITH ALL THE DECORATIONS AND THE PRESENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  HUGS AND KISSES FOR YOU GUYS!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My birthday turned out great, the hermanas threw me a "surprise party" and then a few families made me cakes, and then for the leadership meeting this weekend everyone sang to me!!  SO no worries - it was a birthday I won't forget!!!! :):):):):) (pics to come)

Also, this is great!  We are helping the Hermana Patlan (the sweetest, cutest, best, most humble, amazing hermana I have every met) for her baptism this Saturday!!!!!  WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!!!!!  AND SHE IS TOO!!!!!!!!!!!  She said her only fear is that the Elder that does the interview will think she is dumb if she says something wrong!!!!  SHE IS THE CUTEST THING IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!!!  Also her daughter, Juanita, is getting baptized too!!  Please just keep them in your prayers that everything turns out the way that it should!!!!

Also Rafa y Jose finally committed to a day to get married!!!  They are super excited!  And we are too!  They are seeing the miracles in their lives from reading the scriptures and prayer!!!  We even ate lunch with them yesterday (the 4 sisters) and they were so sweet and loving the góspel!!! 

…. 1 ….  Is there anything you are craving?  (Susan & her girls want to send you a belated b-day box and wanted to know if there was anything you would love.)

HMMMMM - I think just maybe some peanut butter!!!  Oh and I miss the good Candy!!! ;) hahahahaha  But I am doing good!!!  Clothes are always good, and also things to give to the kids!!!  But I am not in need of anything MAJOR!!!

…. 2 ….  We saw a picture of you standing (I think) in your room….  Do you get the big bed or the little one?

I MOST DEFINITELY GET THE BIG BED!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I KNOW I AM SPOILED!!!!!!!!!!!!  AND OUR HOUSE IS SUPER NICE!!!!!!!!!!  I am just enjoying it, because I know that it means my next house will be a dump and I will be sleeping on the floor ;)

…. 3 ….  Are you still keeping up with the running every day?  Is Hermana Bunderson athletic enough to keep up with you or is she an “athlete”?

YUP!!!!!!!!  I still run every day!!!  Hermana Bunderson doesn't love running as much as Andy, but we usually go to the park and then I get to run there!!!!!!! :)

SORRY I GOTTA GO FOR THIS WEEK!!!!!!!  But just so you know I am doing great and I am loving being a missionary and helping others to receive the blessings that we have in our lives!  Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!!!!!!  I know that I am receiving those blessings already!!!!!  I know I am a daughter of God and I know we are going to see Him again!  I know this is true..  For all those who may not know, who are reading this, ask the Father and I know without a doubt in my mind you will receive an answer and you will know this is true!!!!!  HOW COULD IT NOT BE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Hermana Megan Sutton (weird, my first name)  :)

Patlan Family's Birthday Party

Birthday with the Sisters

Birthday with the Bencomo's

Happy Happy Birthday to Megan..... ;)

WOW WHAT A WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  First of all I am glad you are enjoying my birthday and that you ate breadsticks and pasta........  (Sad day for Hermana Sutton!!!!!!  Hahahaa)  So far it has been a great birthday!!!!!!!  My companion made me breakfast and we went and bought groceries and I got a little bit of chocolate to celebrate!!!!!!!!!!! hahahaa   So far so good ;)  The only thing I am missing is a little bit of Dr. Pepper, but we will see what we can do about that!!!!!!!  But this week was a great one too!!!!!!!!  It was full of a lot of changes but you know all is well here in beautiful Juarez!!!!!! hahahaha  Let me explain!!

WE HAD CHANGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My new companion is from Plain City (even closer to our house then Hermana Anderton).  Her name is Hermana Bunderson (ya - I know like the best elementary school that ever existed!!!!!!!!!)  She is super fun and super relax; we get along pretty great!!!!!!!  Actually if you want to know how she is, she is like the twin of Rachael Bierer...  Like EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!  The way she talks - the way she acts - it’s just like Rachael!!!!!!  She is pretty great!!!!!!!!  BUT A LITTLE SURPRISE WITH THE CHANGES!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha  Just a little switch swatch!!!!!  BUT WE ARE LOVING BEING TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But this week was full of a lot of miracles and blessings!!!!!!!!!  First of all the sister that we live next to, has been preparing to go to the temple for a long time and she finally got all her interviews done and she went this Friday!!!!!!!  I was so excited but even more excited and honored when she asked me to be her escort in the temple!  WHAT A BLESSING!!!!!!!  So on Friday we headed off to the temple and it was an experience incredible and she absolutely loved everything!!!!!!!!!!!  It just amazes me every time I go to the temple how powerful the spirit is there!  There are no restraints for it, the filthiness of the world can’t come in!!!!!!!!!  And wow, how blessed we are to have temples here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

….. 1….   Where did you watch conference?  (in Spanish or English – or – what kind of a question is that – hahaha)

General Conference was amazing wasn’t it????????????  WE JUST SAT IN AWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We didn’t want it to ever end!!!!  I watched it in Spanish, and my companion and Hermana Ellsworth (she is in our área) watched it on a laptop in English!!!!!! hahaha  But it was great!  I missed a little bit hearing the voices of the people!  But I loved it in Spanish!!!!!!  How was your experience with Eduardo Gavarret?????  DID YOU UNDERSTAND????? hahahahahahaha  But the whole two days were amazing!!!!!!!!  I know without a doubt in my heart that those men and women are called of God and that the Lord truly shows his love for us because he has called these amazing leaders!!!!!!!!  I loved so many of the talks; I couldn’t begin to explain!!!!!!!  But just remember conference doesn’t stop then, we have to study and share everything that we have learned so that these messages really change us!!!!!!!!!!!!

…. 2 …. How many elders are in your mission?  (I have a plan for a gift for you to give them a s well…..  I’m thinking I can get donations of ties from the ward and other friends and family members.  Your brother and Eric thought they would like that…..  Oh, I found your Hermana’s gifts on e-bay for a good price and they were shipped and delivered here last week – you’re going to die because they are really cute!!!!)

YOU ARE AMAZING MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!  But there are a billion elders.....  I think in total of the whole misión we are almost 200 missionaries....  A LOT HUH!!!!!!!!!!!  Do what you can, but no matter what I still will love you!  You don’t have to go in to debt to show me your love!!!!!!! ;) hahahahaha  Unless you won the lottery, in that case - keep it coming!!!!!!

Hmmmmmmm  I think I should tell you guys another story.... but that will just have to wait until I get home! hahaha  I don’t have enough time, because all of a sudden I turn 20 and all of my long lost friends remember me!  I have to reply to them so that they will stay my friends ;) hahaha  I’m just kidding!

But I am learning so much!  Can you see a change in me??  I know it is only through words, but I really think that I am becoming a better daughter of God; I think you guys would be proud of me!  And I am doing my very best so that we can be together as a family FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!  I know that the Lord always keeps his promises!!  Keep doing what you know you should do, and you will be surprised by all the WONDERFUL BLESSINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hermana Sutton (the 20 year old)

Hermana Teresita's Temple visit

Rafaela and Jose got engaged

General Conference

Hermana Bunderson & Hermana Sutton (front row)

Hermana Bunderson, Suri and Hermana Sutton 

Hermana Bunderson, Suri, Jose, Rafaela and Hermana Sutton