Transfer 12 Week 5

"FOR THE LOVE OF BROWNIES!!"--our loverly investigator, Thaddeus.

Everyone. I have an announcement to make. I've been a FOOL!!!! I have been focusing on the thorns of mission life as opposed to looking at the beauty of the flower. HOW COULD I BE SO SILLY???? But alas, I've repented and moved on. Thank goodness!!! I'm so thrilled to be here. First things first:

Thaddeus: 20-year-old investigator of ours who is ridiculously hilarious. He says the strangest things, laughs louder than myself, but has a true blue desire to come to know our Savior, Jesus Christ. He prays more often than anyone else I know, reads his scriptures, and shares the gospel with everyone. All of his friends have ditched him because he doesn't want to drink or do drugs anymore, but he doesn't even let it phase him. He honestly is such a gem. He has been telling everyone that he has a baptism date of September 17, and we're excited because he really wants this more than even we want it for him. The only thing holding him back are his cigarettes. So, we have been trying to get him to give him some boosts or something, so my companion offered to make him brownies every week he doesn't smoke. And he said, "For the love of brownies, I'll quit!" Of course he was joking, but he was really being serious about us making him brownies. So alas, we are about to start our journey in making him brownies. But honestly, he is a true miracle. His gramma talked to us the other day while he was in his bedroom for a minute and told us how much he had changed. He's more patient, more loving, his reading has improved, amongst other things. This gospel is a gospel of miracles, and amazing things can happen if we live it to it's fulness.

Other miracles have happened too. We found Heldder and his girlfriend, Ashley. I had taught Heldder's sister the new member lessons and stuff in my first area oh so long ago, so we had the instant connection. He was baptized last summer but went inactive shortly after, and his girlfriend he lives with isn't a member. So we asked her if she'd like to learn and she agreed. They're both amazing and so sweet. They made us ribs last week at it was quite delicious. They're both culinary students. We also got in to another inactive man's door, and he and his poor wife had literally just lost a child. The day we called they were in the hospital, and he allowed us to come over because he knew we were an answer to his prayers. So after talking briefly of our Heavenly Father's plan of Salvation, we asked her if she'd e willing to learn more about the gospel, and she's all for it. His work schedule is going to be a little tough to work around, but I know it's meant to be. Heavenly Father has been preparing all of these people to hear about the gospel. How blessed am I to be here right now?????

I love this gospel. I'm so thankful for this time I have to work on Christ-like attributes that I need so desperately in my life. Man. So fortunate.

So last week? I think I mentioned going on a hike. Well, it turns out I'm allergic to Las Vegas dust--or at least the dust on Lone Mountain. So I got a rash that started just on my arms, but then spread to my legs. FINALLY the red is almost gone--but not after I had to take steroids and hard-core benedryl. It was funny because when I got the perscription for the steroids the lady was like, "these will cause you to be anxious and a little angry at times." SO TRUE!!! We left a lesson on Thursday night and I don't even know what I was mad at, but I ranted to my companion for like 15 minutes about how angry I was at nothing, throwing my hands in the air and being dramatic. Later we talked about how ridiculously hilarious that was because I had no cause to be angry. Good thing I have a patient and understanding companion.

We also had Zone Conference this past week. It was my last one, so I was asked to give a departing testimony. Uhh...well, let's just say I was a tad emotional. It was so embarrassing...I stood up there in silence for like 15 seconds, and then I was about to sob out loud, so instead I started talking (or yelling in all actuality), and said, "I'M AN UGLY CRIER AND I'M LOUD WOW THAT'S EMBARRASSING" and then there was a wimpered cry at the end too. And then I laughed, and everyone was laughing...and it was embarrassing. Not my finest moment, but I was able to pull it together and share my testimony. Time flies. I'm so fortunate to be here. I can't get over that.

Anywho, I love a scripture in James 1:22--it talked about how we need to be "doers of the word, not hearers only." or something. It made me reflect and apply that to being a doer of the word and not just a teacher. How can I better live my life in a way where people can receive a testimony of the things I say by watching me do the things I do? How can we all improve?


I love you guys. So much.

love love love,
Sister Mack

Transfer 12 Week 4

I am in transfer 12, right? Man, it's not fair. Time is going by too fast. Ugh....

Anyway!! I had some amazingly spiritual experiences this week. Monday ended kind of tough. We found out that part of our area was smaller than we realized, and 2 investigators that we were going to set with a date dropped us. Everything that could have hit me did, and I was at a loss. Usually I can stay strong and get to the end of the day and turn to my scriptures and pray and be better, but then my companion told me she wanted to give up too, that she had no idea what to do with the area and everything we seem to be trying is backfiring. So, we stop our nightly planning session and found ourselves on our knees. I prayed with all the intent of my heart I could muster, my companion's sniffles letting me know that she was just as emotional as I pled with Heavenly Father to show us the way. We can only give so much--everything. I've been learning to give up everything to Him--my pride included. I've learned that I've been too prideful, neglecting to thank my Father for things He's blessed me with. But after the prayer, I felt the greatest sense of peace. My companion was still upset, so I comforted her to the best of my ability before finishing up our planning session and hittin' the hay. The next day at Zone meeting she was a little cold towards some of the Elders, but I went through zone meeting searching for an answer to my prayers. I knew it was coming, so I had to be on alert. The Zone Leaders did a nice little training that involved an obstacle course and some other nice things, so we went along with it. But my answer came at the very end. President Hyer, in the Stake presidency, came to our meeting and took a couple minutes at the end. He was so humble as he stood before us. "I know how hard you are all working. And I know work isn't going the way that all of us would like it to go. What you do doesn't go unnoticed. The rewards may not come here, now, but they will be reaped in the years to come. We support you, and we love you, and we want to help." I couldn't help but tear up as my prayers were answered. The work I've been doing isn't going unnoticed. The boldness with which I have been speaking isn't in vain, and the doors I knock aren't being knocked just for fun. I'm here working my heart and soul out so I can help people. I do it because I know the joy that can come from the Gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Truth has been restored, and the healing powers we can find within are beyond our ability to fully comprehend. But it is where we find true joy. We contacted a man on the walk in to the library and he read my nametag and asked me if that's why I'm happy. I smiled and said, "There's nothing to be sad about when you're serving the Lord." There really isn't. I am so fortunate for this time. It breaks my heart that it's all going by so quickly. I don't know how it's already P-day again and I'm sitting here, writing another email home. I will not take a moment forgranted.

This gospel is the answer. It's the answer to any problem. I wish I had known this before my mission. I think I would have been spared some heartache. We can all use it--even if we feel that we already have it all.


I love you all so much. thanks for the letters of support and encouragement.

love love love,
sister mack

picture one: Vegas sunset :o)
picture two: We went hiking and we took a picture with the "minorities" in the mission--sisters (10 of us out of 170) and Spanish speaking Elders (30 of 170).

Transfer 12 Week 3

Holy night, y'all. Fun fun week full of lots of tracting, walking, laughing, singing, frustration, and joy!! This work is the greatest work there is, no matter what.

So first things first. Sister Knighton and I have a goal to tract our whole area in a transfer, which means we have to tract @ least 2 streets a day. So far we're falling behind a tad, so it may take us a transfer and 1/2, but that's okay--it'll be done. We have an appointment with Edgar, a man the Sisters found via tracting just before I got here, on Wednesday. I pray it goes well--we met him this past week and he seems super nice. Clearly he was made for the gospel :o). We have some potential investigators, the son of a less-active family that fed us this past week. They reminded me of Brother Tedjamulia, always putting more on my plate. When I was finished she would ask me if I wanted more, and I'd say, "oh no, thanks, it was delicious." And she would say, "what?! You didn't like my food? Please, please have more. It makes me happy when you eat more." So, my companion and I left feeling like a pair of baby balugas. I laughed when we got into the car and told Sister Knighton that Sister Russo reminded me so much of Brother Tedj. Oh the memories of growing up. Sometimes when I tell stories from college or high school I forget that I've been on a mission for a year, and then I realize that life has moved on. I think that'll be weird when I come home--folks having changed since I've been on my mission. Weird. But I've changed too, so it's okay. It's just so crazy how fast time has flown. I relate to Jacob when he says, "...I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream..." (Jacob 7: 26). My life truly has passed by so fast since I've been out here. He puts it perfectly. I wake up still sometimes and can't help but smile because I'm really doing this. I'm really putting my all into this. I'm so thankful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with an even stronger desire to be 110% obedient and diligent. I collapse into bed exhausted at night, sleep like a rock, and wake up at 6:15. Funny, I never thought 6:15 in the morning would ever again seem like a normal hour to me, but I can honestly and finally say that it's not difficult to wake up at 6:30. Sure, I'm still tired, but my mind is alert. I'm ready to go. It's awesome. It makes me sad that I can't serve 24 months, though. I would love to kill it for 8 more months.

To continue from last week:

3. We're not here for us to become who we want to be, but for us to become who the Lord needs us to be. I realize more and more every day that I'm here to help others. Each of us is. There are specific people placed in our lives for us to help find the light that the gospel brings. We as members of the church have the light and knowledge of the gospel--the true and living waters. I compare us to the stones that the Lord lit up for the Jaredites in Ether 6: 3--"And thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women, and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness." It is our job to be that guiding light to those around us through the great waters of life. It's up to us to make our light brighter by doing the things the Lord wants us to do--including prayer and scripture study and attending church. We can all improve in all three of those things, even if we do them all the time.

I'll do a fourth next week since I'm running low on time.


I love you guys so much. I am so thankful for everything the Lord has given me. I'm excited to be here in Vegas and to do what the Lord needs me to do. I'm working hard, kicking butt to the end. I'm going out with a bang.


love love love,
sister mack


"smiling is my favorite"
-elf

Transfer 12 Week 2

Well y'all, I'm surviving the heat of Vegas. I forgot how exhausting it was to go tracting in the heat. WOOO baby it's awful!! We met some interesting people, an old hippy lady who invited us in for water and we ended up talking for about 20 minutes with her, then we tracted into a man who said he was waiting for us. I felt a little sketch about it, and with good reason. He talked our ear off for 30-40 minutes about how false the church was, blah blah blah, and it took everything inside of me not to laugh. He seemed genuinely concerned for our souls and told us to make sure we had a foundation and testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. So we bore testimony about how we know He is our personal Savior and told him that we were thankful for his concern. Man. Vegas!!! How I've missed thee...

OH!! Today we went to the temple (beautiful of course), and I SAW LEA GLENN!!!! She was a RC from my first area and it has been almost a YEAR since I've seen her!!! It was so incredible. Man. I love it.

So we have a couple good investigators. Jeremy is good, we'll be hopefully setting him with a date soon. Thaddeus has turned around and is doing well. But other than that, we don't have much work going on. President Black came to our disctrict meeting and told us a story about a pioneer young man carried his four-year old brother across the plains for 16 hours and arrived at camp, and collapsed, dead from exersion. So I've decided I'm going to collapse dead from working so hard as opposed to "dying" simply because my 18 months is up. I've been sent here to work, and to work hard. I plan on it. I ache for it. I'm so thankful for this opportunity.

Dad requested I do a "top 10 things I've learned on my mission" thing and so I thought I'd get started and do a couple every email session.

1. Jesus Christ is the head of this church. This is HIS work I'm doing. That really hit me the other day when everyone was pretty rude while we were tracting and all our appointments either cancelled or didn't show up. It would be discouraging except this isn't about me. I feel sad for the people because they don't understand what they're missing out on. I feel sad for the Savior who is trying to do everything He can to help us return to Him. He is putting people in our paths, thoughts, scriptures, friends, family--everything. Why don't we listen? Fear because the lifestyle changes that will have to happen? Because we're not sure what others will think or say about us? Fear is the opposite of faith, and perfect love casts out all fear. Pray. Just pray to know. I promise promise PROMISE He will answer. Jesus Christ leads and guides us today. His mouthpiece is Thomas S. Monson, and we would do well to listen and heed his counsel. If we follow the prophet, we are promised we will never be led astray. What an incredible blessing.

2. The fight in this life isn't with others--it's with ourselves. I love that because I have a hard time trusting others. I've learned to take the focus off of others and put it back on me. This is a journey that I'm making with my Savior. This is a battle against my natural man, against my natural desires. I can't rely on others reading their scriptures and others prayers on my behalf for my salvation. I must do those things, be an example to those around me, and move forward. I can't lift others higher than I am myself.


I love my mission. I love everything it's taught me. I'm so excited that Justin has put in his papers and made the choice to go. I am so thankful that the prayers have been heard and he has heeded the call of our Savior. He wants all of us to come unto Him, and be perfected in Him, and show others the way.

Who could use the light of your testimony this week?


love love love,
sister mack


picture 1: me with Meow Meow (or mr bigglesworth)
picture 2: Sis Knighton and me outside the Vegas temple :o)

Transfer 12 Week 1

HOLLA HOLLA HOLLA (my newest phrase)

Well family, it was bound to happen. After being seperated for 10 months, I've come back and joined Vegas once again for the rest of my mission. It was so hard to leave Reno. I truly put my heart and soul into that area. I love the people there so much and am so thankful for the love they so freely gave me. I have witnessed so many miracles, and made so many dear friends. I hope they all know that I'll be back, and this past weekend wasn't the last time they'll see Sister Mack. I love you guys so much, Reno folk. I really do.

Aaaaaaaand now on to Vegas!!! IT IS SO STINKIN HOT DOWN HERE!!! I almost forgot what it was like to be super hot....almost. My new companion is Sister Knighton, and she's from Colorado. She came out with my first greenie baby, Sister Dixon, so she's been out just about 6 months now. So crazy!!!!!! My new area covers one ward and a singles ward. The work here is apparently goin okay, but I'm looking forward to tracting my whole area in one transfer just so I can say I did it, and then getting the members a bit more involved. It was so awesome, though, coming down and seeing some of my most favorite people again. There are some missionaries that I haven't seen in a while, so it was awesome catching up briefly. The only thing I'm worried about is the Singles ward. How the heck do you serve in a singles ward???? How do you build up relationships of trust of whatevs?? Weird. I'm excited though. I'm serving in the same stake that President and Sister Black live in and that means that we'll be going out with Sister Black a lot. I'm DEFINITELY excited about that. She's such a hoot and a joy to be around.

Worries? The place we live in only has a swamp cooler that takes an hour to really do something. AKA it's SO hot when we get home. And it's been humid as well (it rained for 3 minutes today!!). But I can't complain because I'll be getting a sick tan for when I come home.


BEST THING EVER, GUYS!!! I had the AWESOME opportunity to go out to lunch with a convert of mine, KENNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's been almost a year since he's been baptized and 10 months since I've seen him!!! I also got to see my favorite person in the world, Sister Johnson. It was so nice to see them both, it felt like home. It hit me when I saw the two of them how indebted I am to the Lord for serving a mission. He has graciously brought so many amazing people into my life for me to know and these people will forever be in my life. I am so thankful. I'll attach some pictures.

we are so blessed, y'all. I can't get over it. I'm excited to be loading on the sunscreen, drinking 6 gallons of water a week, and pounding the pavement in order to spread the word of the Lord. It's so true. I cannot deny it. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what keeps me knocking on doors in 110 degree weather.


sorry this is short, next week I'll have more to say I'm sure.


love love love,
sister mack.

ps, Sister woznow and I went to a pioneer day picnic this past week and competed in a pie eating contest. We both lost....miserably. But here's a picture of us before hand!!!

Transfer 11 Week 6

Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamily!!!

This could be my last week in Reno or it could be the first of the next 12 here. Who knows. I hope that doesn't sound trunky. I'm fully aware of when I go home, and I think that's a blessing from the Lord because I know my time is short and I want to work so hard. I've been feeling burnt out from the past three weeks because we've been kicking our own butts. The Lord has set forth high expectations for me and I will do everything in my power to reach them. Thank goodness there is repentance for moments when I fall short of the calling and lose my patience, lose faith, or lose energy. He is here to pick me up the SECOND I ask Him to. How great is my calling.

JACQUI'S BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!!! Can I just tell you how blessed we've been here in Reno to find and teach such amazing people?? Jacqui's baptism was amazing. She looked beautiful, the spirit was perfect, and there was absolutely nothing I would change. She has her nonmember friend Jodi there who felt the spirit so strong. We've revamped the way we do baptisms in our mission--one person giving a combined talk on Baptism and the Holy Ghost followed by a special musical number, then the ordinance of baptism, a brief welcome to the ward, and then it's over. President Black wants the main focus to be the baptism, of course. Watching Jacqui go down into the water was amazing, and my breath was taken from me. It never gets old to see someone in white be baptized and follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. While she was getting ready we also did a new thing they're starting to encourage--the missionaries doing a brief lesson on something (Restoration, Book of Mormon, etc etc). I felt inspired to have us do it on the Holy Ghost, and boy was the Spirit there!!! I spoke directly to Jodi most of the time, who was listening with apt attention. We explained 1-Who the Holy Ghost is 2-What he does and 3-How we can recognize him. We then bore bold testimony. I told everyone there that the Holy Ghost was present because what Jacqui did is true and right. I felt the Spirit strong as I said, "I bear witness as a humble servant of the Lord Jesus Christ that He lives." I felt it truly then. I know it. I know He lives. I know He lives more than anything else I know in life. He lives and He loves us. So much so in fact that He has restored His church on the earth today. It's here. It is here for our benefit. It is here for us to apply and use in our lives. The Atonement is here for us to repent. It is here for us to use in our lives. I simply cannot get over how fortunate we are.

Our other investigators are doing well. I can't complain except they're all getting baptized. Don't get me wrong, I feel so blessed that the Lord has sent choice people into our lives who want to follow the Savior. Now we just need to find more to replace the ones who are being baptized!! Chelsea was supposed to be baptized this coming weekend, but due to health reasons she won't be able to for a couple weeks. Bless her heart. Heavenly Father put her in our lives so we could help her feel of His love. She's such a sweet girl. She needs loves more than anyone else I've met. She's had a rough life, but that's why I'm so thankful for the Savior and His atonement. He can comfort her with exactness. How blessed are we to have that knowledge.

I love my mission. So much. Ugh, it breaks my heart to even think of being released. Poor President Ernst won't know what hit him when he releases me. I'm pretty sure he should have paramedics waiting just in case my heart stops beating. But that's still a ways off. I just wish time wouldn't fly so fast.

I love you all so much. Really.

love love love,
Sister Mack

Transfer 11 Week 5

Famawhamily!!

Great week. Holy, who am I kidding--every week is a great one when you're serving the Lord. I am just so fortunate to be out here. I remember when Julie and I were I think 14-15 we wanted to serve missions. That idea for me barely lasted a month and I didn't ever seriously consider it again until I knew I was meant to go, which was September 24, 2009. It was almost 10:00 and I knew. I remember the first thing I did was call Julie and tell her. Ha. Man. I knew more than anything else I had known to that point in my life that I was to serve the Lord. What an incredible feeling.

Another incredible feeling? Jacqui is getting baptized Saturday at 3:00!!! We are so excited for her. She just glows. All the members approached her on Sunday and congratulated her. She legit is just so wonderful. She is looking forward to this like no other. She's strong. She's praying and reading daily. She bore her testimony to our mission president's wife on Thursday. She's solid. She asked us the other day who would be taking her to temple prep class and to the temple. She has eternity in sight and knows the steps to make her family last forever. What an incredible blessing, to have our families forever!! I have my amazing parents and my brothers forever!! And thanks to temple sealings and marriages there, I also have my brother's wife in my forever family. Ties that death cannot break are made in the temple. BAM!!!!

Other awesome moments: My comp, our investigator Jo, and I were volunteers for the American Council of the Blind on Saturday. From 10:00-2:30 we picked up blind folks from the gate in the Reno airport and took them to get their baggage and took them to their shuttle that would be taking them to their hotel. Can I just say how fortunate all of us are with our abilities to see? I was escorting a scholarship student who was getting a teaching degree from Columbia (she already has a degree in psychology). She went blind in high school unexpectedly due to a virus and had been blind ever since (she's 24). She had such an amazing spirit about her. I, of course, asked her quesions about her adjustment and how she took it. She said it was hard, but everything worked out. I'm just amazed at how most of the folks I came in contact with were just lovely and had high spirits, even though they couldn't see. Their example is great.

We also had some awesome spiritual experiences in lessons. Sunday night was awesome. We had our "lesson plan" and at dinner, this awesome member was talking about the importance of the Holy Ghost and reemphasizing with us how we should make sure we're teaching our investigators how to listen to the spirit. We took mental notes and then jumped in the car and talked about switching up our lesson plan a bit encorperate what we had learned just then. That lesson was so spiritual. The member challenged us to be bold, and so I was. I straight up told the girl that when we would be teaching, she would feel the Spirit of the Lord testify to her because what we were teaching was true. We stopped the lesson and acknowledge the presence of the Holy Ghost on several occasions. We were worried initially about her, for her investigating for the wrong reasons, but man, now she knows. Baptism is something she wants, it's just her deciding when that will be.

I love Reno. Every single person (except the guy who was in the car ahead of me on the drive over here and would NOT go the speed limit). It still amazes me that I can love so many people so much, but I know Heavenly Father blesses me with that so I'll work hard and give up anything for my investigators. I'll give up anything for my family. I'll work for my salvation, and I'll work to help teach others how they can attain theirs.

This church is true. How could it not be? And I'm not just saying that. It makes more sense than anything else. Read the Book of Mormon daily and you too can know. Read and pray daily. That's all you need. The Book will speak for itself, and you too will receive a witness you can't deny. The only thing is deciding what you're going to do with it.

I love you all. Keep being awesome. I love this work more than anything and can't believe 15 months have flown by. Before I know it I'll be steppi airplane...ugh. I'll just work hard so I don't think of it. Feed a missionary.

love love love,
Sister Mack

1-me and my boo, Breckyn Curtis.
2-me and a dog chew toy some elders left us as a surprise on a stop sign by our house
3-me and the Chatterley's and Calvin.