Transfer 10 Week 6

Holy holy, holy moly. First off, I just heard the "f" bomb at least 5 times in the past 3 minutes. And they're talking about smoking and fighting...and the mother is encouraging her son to fight this other guy. I'm shocked at the world. I am so thankful for the missionary life style where I'm away from the grossness of the world. Gross. Thank goodness for a gospel that teaches children manners and how we're supposed to treat each other!! But in the same breath I have to be careful not to judge. Everyone is a child of God with great potential. This gospel is made for absolutely everyone. No one is left out of Heavenly Father's great plan of Salvation.

So this week has been GREAT!!! Well, really, what week isn't great. I'm thoroughly impressed with the caliber of the people we're teaching. Honest to goodness this is the best I've been doing my whole mission. First off, we met with two folks that have been baptized since I've been here, Mike and Elizabeth and then Ben and Nancy Clark. THEY ARE ALL SO AMAZING!!! They love each other and have their eyes set on the best place in the world: the temple. I've already made commitments to be at Ben and Nancy's sealing in the SLC temple in April, and then Mike and Elizabeth's sealing in the Reno temple in May/June. I am so thrilled for them and their progress.

Calvin is doing great. We find out tonight if he'll be able to be baptized on Saturday. We've fasted for understanding and faith, and so no matter what happens we'll know it's what God wants done. We've just been so blessed with him being in our lives. I love him more than life. It's kinda scary how much you love these people. Jacqui is continuing to do AMAZING!! She recently received a Priesthood blessing for strength and faith with giving up coffee. It was an AMAZING experience because everything Brother Steimle said in the blessing just spoke straight to Jacqui's heart. She was wiping away tears throughout the whole thing, and I only knew that because I was busy writing her blessing down. God loves her so much. He had so much to say to her in the blessing and it was just wonderful. I am so thankful for the knowledge I have of the Priesthood power of God. Miracles are possible here on earth today still, through our faith and through the Priesthood. Her baptism date of July 16 is still a go, and she's really excited. We had an awesome lesson where we taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ (faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end) while making smoothies. It was delicious and Jacqui's friend, Kris, and her daughter Olivia literally ate it up. ...wow, that's a lame joke. But that's okay. Oh, speaking of Jacqui--week 1 of me with no chocolate has been a struggle, but I'm doing it!! After the first day I decided it was going to be too easy so I added soda to the mix. I have never wanted it more in my life, but alas, I'd do absolutely anything for Jacqui. Our other investigators are doing well too, progressing slowly but surely. We're thankful for the trust Heavenly Father has in us to share the gospel with His children He loves so much.

I absolutely love this work. I am obsessed with General Conference issues of the Ensign. I'm thankful we have our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, here on the earth TODAY. What a huge blessing it is to have that direct mouthpiece from the Lord? Why wouldn't we have a prophet now? Is is because we don't need one? Because He doesn't love us anymore? Or because He simply has lost the power? OF COURSE NOT!!! We need a Prophet who speaks to God more now than we ever have ever before. He could never stop loving us just like a parent could never stop loving their child. And it would be blasphemous to say He's lost the power.

God lives, He loves us, and He speaks to us now. Just open your ears to hear, and you'll know just as I know.

love love love,
Sister Mack

Transfer 10 Week 5

Hola familia!!

This week? Fun. It all started off with the world's greatest p-day activity of dodge ball. Now, let's do a little background information. We play dodgeball every dad gum week. I don't know what it is about boys and throwing balls at people, but they absolutely love it. Pero anyway, this past week was invaribly hilarious. I can't even begin to explain, really, but we ended up playing "war ball" which is dodge ball, but every man for himself. Sister Woznow and I were a team initially and...wow I can't explain this via email. Well everyone, you'll just have to wait until I come home for me to tell this story.

The rest of the week was kinda a blur. I got a stomach flu of sorts and was pretty much out. But I refused to let it get me down Thursday night when Sister Black was coming out with us. So I sat down at dinner with the Liddiards and looked down at my plate. I took two bites of potato before I had to lay down. Later, 1/2 way through the lesson I excused myself. Let's just say the potatoes were never meant to dwell in my body. Oopsies. The next lesson we went to with a brand new investigator I had to leave for the last 30 minutes. Don't worry, I was miraculously healed 1/2 way through Friday. It's sad because this week had potential to be amazing, but it was instead just great.

Can I even begin to express how much I flippin' LOVE my mission? Probably not. We had zone conference on Friday and we listened to a talk by Elder Holland that was down right ah-mazing. Legit. President Black prefaced it with "If you allow the spirit to enter your hearts, his message will change your mission." I loved the very first thing Elder Holland said--"Every good thing that will ever happen to you is because of your mission. I agree 100%!!! What have I gained from the last 14 months? Better question--what have I NOT gained! I've witnessed the change in folks' eyes when they come to realize who they really are; when they see for themselves that they are literally a child of God, as each of us are. THEY CHANGE!! You can LITERALLY see the change in them, in their smile, in their appearance, in the way they act with others. And when they come to realize that families can be together forever and there's a prophet who talks to God now and warns us of modern day floods (which could be the onslaught of pornography, drugs, debt, etc etc), THERE IS INCONCEIVABLE change and I am just beside myself!! I have learned and recognized my own personal salvation and what it means to get there. I know the things I need to do and sacrifice. I know that it's up to me. The fight in this world isn't agains others--it's against ourselves. I think it's a nice realization to have. The battle is within.

Oh...and Jacqui has a baptismal date!! July 16!!! She told us on Sunday that she took a leap of faith by setting a date, but she was rewarded with a very spiritual confirmation Saturday night. She's amazing and I'm so proud of her and so thankful to be in her life. I hope to be here in Reno one more transfer, then head down to Vegas for my last two. Honestly that'd be a dream come true. But anyway, Jacqui. She texted us to tell us that she was starting day 1 with no coffee. So in order to support her I decided to give up chocolate--something I love and appreciate and could very well do without. My companion gave up desserts at members' houses. She was thankful that we decided to join her on this. So I'll keep y'all posted as to how my dedication is working out :o)

Today's district meeting was amazing--and on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Again I was just beside myself as I watched a video depicting the Savior's last days. We read a scripture that talking about how Christ offered Himself a sacrifice. He willingly gave Himself for our benefit. What have I given, but not willingly? I think about the commandments, or the mission rules and evaluate my motive for obedience. How many things am I offering to the Lord to take? I need to become more humble so that I can become a more effective tool in His hand. I absolutely love Him. Daily I feel that I get closer to understanding who He is in my life. I can say now that He not just my Savior, but my best friend. I didn't even know it was possible to have such a relationship with Him, and yet, it is. And I'm not just a special person--we can ALL have that same relationship. He's there for all of us. Our district leader asked us to share our testimonies about the atonement and I talked about how much comfort I get from it. I talked about the lonley women we visit who feel like they are disposable, the investigators who are losing friends or sacrificing things in order to come closer to the Lord. I talked about the hardships we each face as individuals on a daily basis, and the COMFORT that is there for each of us. Christ is there for every single person. Jeffrey R. Holland said something to the effect of we (as missionaries or individuals) need to understand and apply the atonement--and it will lift us up. Then we can help others get to where we are through the same healing power of the atonement.

Today I've been on my mission for 14 months. I love reading my journal entries from this time last year to see how far I've come. It's so cool to see physical evidence in my own handwriting about the profound effect my mission has had on me. I know that it's just a launching pad--missions never end. My job will never be over. I will constantly be finding folks who are ready to hear about the gospel. I will offer it willingly and gladly to all who desire to find peace and permanent joy in their lives.

I love you all more than you could possibly imagine. Be good, feed a missionary.

love love love,
Sister Mack