Transfer 4 Week 6

Oh happy day. Week 6 of transfer 4. My last week in South Zone? Perhaps. That’s why I know I have to work my tail off for the next week so I can make sure that if I leave, I leave on a good note.
Anyway, can you gimme a “glory halelujah” for the Relief Society General Broadcast?? It was so amazing. And I am completely in love with our Prophet Thomas S. Monson. What a wise man the Lord has blessed us with to lead us now. It’s brilliant. I’ve had the opportunity to watch “On the Lord’s Errand” [a documentary on President Monson’s life] with some recent converts as of late and it totally made my experience watching him speak to the women even more amazing than I thought possible. I feel like he and I are really friends—legit. He may not know my name, but I know that he loves me and he prays for me and I know he has a testimony of the Savior. I really liked his stories that he told, too. One in particular I found very charming. I don’t remember it word for word, so pardon any mistakes regarding characters involved. But he spoke of a gardener who planted a beautiful chrysanthemum in an ugly pot. When the gardener was asked why they planted such a gorgeous flower in a disgustingly ugly pot, the gardener explained that the flower is so beautiful that it doesn’t matter what it’s planted in—it’ll shine through. He likened this to us judging people, and how Heavenly Father probably puts choice and beautiful spirits in bodies that don’t necessarily reflect the inside. It was beautiful. Great talk—y’all should watch highlights if you missed it on www.lds.org aka a missionary’s favorite webpage.
And WOO who is pumped for General Conference?!?!?! I AM!!! I remember I would always be excited for it because that meant that I got to sleep in on Sunday and watch it from home, probably dozing as I did so. But now I recognize General Conference as the blessing that it is—a time to hear people talk to us about what Heavenly Father wants us to hear. General Conference fact: Did you know that none of the speakers are assigned a topic? They pray about it and then speak according to the inspiration they received. Brilliance, right?! I thought that the last GC had a theme about family—which was brilliant because Satan is attacking the family unit. I wonder what the “theme” will be this time. I encourage all of you to pray about a question that’s been on your mind and watch General Conference, seeking an answer to the proposed question. I can’t wait to sit and watch it. For the Sunday morning session the Walkers have invited us over for their family pancake breakfast and watch Conference. It’ll be great. AH I can’t wait!!!!!!!
This past week has been nice. We had some moving lessons where I feel I learned more than I taught. I witnessed the Lord’s hand in softening the heart of a recent convert who had recently decided to shut us out. 4 of my 5 recent converts will be attending General Conference this weekend. Adam and Julianne came to church for the first time on Sunday and met some awesome people. I have grown closer to Heavenly Father through prayer and scripture study. I’ve been blessed with the rediscovery every week about how intimate and personal our prayers can be with our Father in Heaven. Every time I kneel to pray in my personal prayers it hits me again that He and Jesus Christ are real. They live. And they want us to draw near unto them. Silvia H. Allred from the Relief Society General Presidency spoke about four things that will bring us closer to Heavenly Father—Prayer, Scripture Study, Obedience, and Service. I know without a doubt in my mind that what she said is TRUE!!! As a missionary I am blessed with opportunities to do all those things every day. I am so thankful for the time I have to really focus on those things. She also said, “Our best effort is all He requires.” Legit—that’s such great news because Heavenly Father and Christ don’t expect perfection—they expect us to try our best. And we can all do that!!
Missions are amazing. My companions, who came out together and only have 6 months left, have been talking a lot about how close they are to going home, and how these next 6 months will pass before they know it. This weekend I hit my 6 months since I’ve been out, and that’s so weird for me. When I first came out Sister Cockrell told me how fast time flies. I was tired, my feet bleeding, confused, and felt overly inadequate. Needless to say I didn’t understand her at all when she said that time flies. Now I look back and wonder where these past 6 months have gone. The sense of urgency is real. The message that we have as members of the church is real. And we need to feel the urgency to share it with our friends. Pray for missionary moments.

I love all of you and pray for your safety.
love love LOVE
Sister Mack
D&C 29:5-6
Ps—Vanhin Gamblin—I look forward to Finland pictures!!! :o) And Brother Gamblin, I really hope your home and family are safe from the fire!!! I'll keep y'all in my prayers.