Transfer 11 Week 1

BAM Transfer 11 is going to be the transfer of miracles.

First miracle? THAT I'M IN RENO AGAIN!!! 6 months at least will be spent here and I'm just plain ol' stoked. We got 3 new investigators this week, TONS of lessons, and just miracles happened left and right. GEEZ!!!

So our new investigators: Brian. We tracted into him on Thursday and he invited us back on Saturday morning. He asked us questions like, "why are there so many Christian churches?" "Did God give us free will for us to make our own choices?" "I don't think that our after life is just us sitting around...that's boring. What happens when we die?" etc etc. You can just imagine the excitement my comp and I were filled with as he asked each of these questions. We had another appt to get to, so I gave him the message of the restoration in 2 minutes, gave him a pamphlet, and scheduled a time next week where we can answer his questions. This is a grown man who has had these questions since he was 13!! How thankful I am that Heavenly Fater directed us to him.

Geneva: a 16-year-old girl who's super cute and a good friend of one of my favorite families, the Guthries. Yes, they are related to the pitcher for the baseball team the Oreals...or whatever. It's Bro Guthrie's younger brother. Anyway, back to Geneva. She played basketball with me once and we were on "team awesome" so we instantly became BFFs. That was like 2 transfers ago. And anyway, we were making cookies for service at the Guthries and Geneva was there and I was like, "Geneva, why don't you ever come to church?" and she looked at me and was like, "I don't know, but I want to come." And I was like, "BAM you're coming Sunday." And she was there. And then I asked her if we could teach her more (because she said she wanted to be a missionary and travel...haha) and she agreed!! There was a bit of confusion though and there were a TON of people there...but Geneva came up to me after and was like, "I wasn't nervous or anything with all those people, I just want you to know." She's such a sweet girl. I'm excited to see her grow.

Our other investigator is the son of a lady who hasn't been to church in YEARS. He's 9, and super precious, and his older brother (11) wants to learn too, but we didn't get to meet him because he was camping for the weekend when we went over. BAM.

Potentials for this next week? We have a couple--one being a child of an inactive couple who wants them to be baptized, so we are going to try to meet with them tonight or tomorrow. Hmm...yeah. Jo's doing amazing, Jacqui's great, Calvin's baptism got pushed back to the 25 and pushed back HOPEFULLY for the last time. One of our investigators has cancer again, bless his heart. So we're praying extra hard for him. Emily is sweet and came to a fireside last night. Geez, everyone is just doing amazing!!

Funnies of the week: So the Chatterleys' invited us over for lunch after church and we had quesadillas. Well, I decided I wanted hot salsa...don't ask me how it happened, but as I tried to open it (it was brand new) the thought came "I should just have Bro Chatt do it..." and then BAM I opened it, it bounced off the island I was standing at and shot across the kitchen before hitting a cupboard and then falling and shattering on the ground. Needless to say there was Salsa quite literally everywhere...even on Bro Chatt's white shirt, and he was sitting 3 feet behind me. I included a picture of the destruction.

I was also trying to share a spiritual thought after dinner by singing a song "How Can I be?" (youtube it). We happened to be outside and our Zone Leaders happened to be at the dinner as well...and as I was singing, quite literally a hawk got in a fight with two birds and they collided in the backyard , about 10 feet from where I was singing, before bolting away. So here I was, jamming, "How can I be forever? Like the promise to the three Nephites..I wanna be Samuel the Lama..what?" It was funny and awkward because I didn't know if I should continue or not. I just love this work. I love the ups and the downs. The ups remind you why you're here and the downs remind you who to rely on--the Lord. He knows what's going on. He knows how I work, how my comp works, and how everyone we're teaching works. He's just down right amazing.

I'm constantly in awe of the world and how it works, how people work. I'm thankful for the education I'm receiving here. I'm thankful for the righteous examples of missionaries that have gone before me--my dad, my grandpa, my friends. I'm thankful for the example of companions, of district leaders and zone leaders. Some of my favorite Elders have left this past transfer, and I'm so thankful for the opportunity I've had to know them, for their examples of diligence and working 'til the end.

I love this. I love y'all. This is the best work ever.

love love love,
Sister Mack

oh, and the other picture is of me with one of the Fisks' baby puppies!!!!

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

Transfer 10 Week 4

Family.

What a miracle baptism is!!! Elizabeth is now officially a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a beautiful baptism with a great turn out of people. This is also the first baptism Galena ward has had in just over a year. Crazy, huh? Elizabeth had some of her kids who weren't members come and a couple friends, too. Someone told us one of her friends in particular was next to be taught. We'll cross our fingers :o) And the lesson we taught with her this week was fun--we did the 10 commandments and using a "fence" to teach it. We put a commandment on each little thing that goes horizontal and it gave the visual that we need all commandments in our life in order to have full protection from the outside world. Literally the idea came to me as we were driving back from a missionary meeting. Heavenly Father prompts us randomly--so we must always be on our toes so that we can be prepared to respond :o).

Saturday was actually an overall AMAZING day. Brother Chatterley shared with us a story about how Tanner (his son) and Calvin bore testimony and talked about the gospel to their friend for 2 hours late into the night. Calvin is on fire. He has prayed and knows that there are folks here that need HIM to come into the gospel. How amazing is that? I'm so thankful to be a part of his life and to have taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I can't wait for June 11!!

Jacqui is ON FIRE!! We had dinner at her house Saturday and had a discussion and saw that she had bought multiple things from the "Mormon Bookstore," not just scriptures! She bought a quote by President Uchtdorf, she bought a "Families are Forever" sign, "There is no place like home," and a 10 commandments thing too. She also had a friend over and without realizing it, bore an amazing testimony about the truthfulness of the church--about how it makes sense that there would be another testament of Jesus Christ because it makes sense that God would talk to all His children. AH it was amazing. I wanted to do a backflip, except I'm pretty sure I would've severerly hurt or killed myself :o).

Friday...ah!! We met with Jo, a new investigator. She's GREAT!!! She is VERY blunt, has a bit of a potty mouth, but is amazing none-the-less. She called us upset Friday night and we didn't hear an explanation until Saturday, but she was upset because of someone's lack of faith in God. And she called US for comfort because she knew we'd understand. I was touched by her trust in us already. She's so great...just like everyone else we're teaching.

Sunday night we met with Paul, an investigator we hadn't seen for a while. It was nice because we taught the apostasy in a way we hadn't before. We committed him to baptism in the first lesson, and he agreed, though we didn't set a specific date. He is excited to receive answers to prayers. We are too :o)

Last night we went to a Fireside with President and Sister Dyer (future mission presidents in Bolivia) and two other couples. It was such a touching experience because when President and Sister Dyer got up there to talk all they could talk about was Elizabeth (they have been the ones fellowshipping them). I was moved to tears on several occasions, including one where Sister Dyer read from her journal about our first encounter with Elizabeth and she mentioned me!! They have been too kind with complementing us and our teaching, and I was further humbled to know and recognize the growth I've experienced as I've tried to align my will closer to the Lord's. He has changed me and made me better. I've been able to enjoy the blessings of that growth, too. I am more in tune with the spirit--more likely to follow it's promptings without worrying about what will happen. If the Lord wants it done, who am I to not do it? I've enjoyed the amount of knowledge He has blessed me with as well, but realize how little it is in comparison to what it could be. I look forward to a lifetime of learning in the Gospel.

I love this gospel. I love the opportunity I have to grow closer to my Savior. I'm thankful for the growth I've been able to have and for the continued growth I'll get to experience. Life is awesome.

love love love,
Sister Mack

Transfer 10 Week 3

Can we get an AMEN?

We are so excited. First and foremost, Elizabeth is being baptized on Saturday. That's just a few days from now. We've had dinner with them (there's currently snow at their house) for the last time prior to her baptism and we ate DELICIOUS ribs. We meet again with her Thursday to go over to the church building and try on baptism suits. Man, it's been too long since of these!!! The last baptism I've been able to be a part of was February 12. But the Lord has been generous with opportunites to teach and by July we should have 4 baptisms. We haven't found lucky number 4 YET, but he or she definitely out there, waiting to receive the restored truth. We'll find 'em :o)

And it's also May month of Miracles. We've been able to witness so many!!! My comp made a brilliant suggestion that we tt miracles that we've been able to witness daily. That's been a cool thing to do--it helps us to be aware of how much the Lord is involved in this work.

Ps, we got to go to the Reno Temple today. It was absolutely beautiful and the clouds were beautiful. It was awesome. I love the temple and feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to go while I'm a missionary. Everyone is so nice there and they just love the missionaries so much!! It's such a beautiful place.

Calvin is still doing well. He's such an amazing young man. We had an awesome lesson last week where everyone told Calvin how important he was to them. It was hard to keep my emotions under control as I told him how much I cared about him. It's amazing how you just love these people with every fiber of your being. It's a little scary when you first realize how much of your heart you're giving away, but in the end it is more than worth it. This is the most satisfying work, outside raising children probably, that cossibly exist. Mainly because in a way these folks are my children. I love this work so much. Every day that slips by my fingers I wonder if I did my best that day. And as I climb into bed utterly exhausted, I know the Lord has accepted my days work. I know as my time is getting shorter how important it is to give the Lord the heart and a willing mind. Crazy. Only 5 months left.

JACQUI holy night. Can I just tell y'all how amazing this beautiful woman is???? She texts us today asking if we have anymore church movies. "Yes of course, why? Do you want to watch more?" Was my simple response. "Yeah! I went to the Mormon book store today but a lot of the movies were too expensive...and I doubt they have them in redbox :)" WHAT?! She went to the "Mormon Book Store" to look at church movies?! Amazing. BUT IT DOESNT END THERE!!! "I may not have bought any movies, but I did buy a $60 bible!" ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? She has already purchased scriptures??? ALL ON HER OWN INITIATIVE!!! I am soooo stoked she is in our lives!!! I want one more transfer in Reno so I can witness the miracle of her baptism. We're going to talk about a date with her on Saturday when she's feeding us :o). She and her little girl are just so amazing. I never want to leave my mission!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I know Mom wouldn't be very pleased.... :o)

Allow me to tell y'all now about a sweet old lady who likes us to call her "Oma." She's so fabulous. She's a heavy smoker and loves her coffee, but loves our visits and the thoughts we share with her about the gospel. She was baptized way back when with the dinosaurs (jk) in Salt Lake and loves to tell us stories....including how her 22 year-old cat died. One evening she was trying to call her cat inside, to no avail. "Fine you stubborn fool," she said to the cat, closing him outside for the night and trudging to her bed. Around 2:30am she hears his woeful cries and she decides to resist his calls...until she heard some rustling in her front yard. She decided to check things out...and what does she see when she opens her front door in Reno, NV? A black panther's rear end!! She said, "oh!" and apparently the black panther got spooked, grabbed her old cat in its mouth and took off running. One of our favorite stories she tells us...hahaha. She did say the black panther escaped from Washoe Valley where a man had them as pets. Hahaha...oh man. We also have been weeding her yard a lot lately and some Elders who were helping us found an old horse or really large man's bone. It was hilarious.

I also learned a lot from the weeding experience. Oma's yard was a reflection of her life. It was full of weeds and needed a good effort put forth to remove the weeds. She has fears, addictions, and worries that rule her life in such a way where there isn't really room for joy (which could represent flowers or other nice shrubbery). So we, the missionaries, come over and try to help her pick some weeds. We try to teach her how to pick weeds on her own (by reading scriptures or praying or coming to church). And no matter how many weeds we remove, it is not effective if she doesn't remove some on her own while we're not there. And then she would need to call the ultimate weed killer--the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the only one that can permanently remove the weeds from our life. And the best part of the Atonement is that it NEVER runs out! We can always call upon it when another weed pops up in our life. What a beautiful thing it is. But it all has to be our doing--our reaching out to Him.

I'm sorry if that analogy doesn't make sense...but it worked in my mind. I love this gospel so much. I long for my friends and family to really take hold of it and learn of their great potentials. We all have such great things that lie in store for us--if we seek them out.


Love y'all. Be good, do work, and feed a missionary :o)


love love love,
Sister Mack

Transfer 10 Week 2

Hi family and others.

I spent the day in Fallon on Monday and most of Tuesday. It was an experience to have, that's for sure. That place is soooo small, and yet it has 2 whole stakes full of wonderful members!! We ate dinner @ a single mom's (a recent convert) and it was pretty sweet. We had FHE on prayer and then played a board game. Tuesday was a day to behold--we got $1.00 ice cream that was delicious, saw a camper that was camoflauged and that had a moat around it in the middle of no where. Literally that place is in the middle of no where. The biggest thing that has happened there ever is Wal-Mart. But it's half-way pretty and smells like cows.

I got my greenie, Sister Woznow (pronounced was-no) on Tuesday, and can I just tell you how INCREDIBLE she is??? Like, holy smokes y'all she's amazing. She came pre-trained, so I don't have to do much. All I feel I need to help her learn is to trust the spirit to guide her to what to say. But even still she's great and already knows how to do that essentially. She's hilarous, legit, and has that greenie fire to work. It has literally been rekindled in myself and I'm SO excited for the transfer(s) that we'll have together!!! And she's exactly who I needed when I found out Gramma passed away on May 5th. President Black called me and told me and it was really bizarre to hear that. I just got a letter from her 2 weeks prior and was about to send her a Mother's day card. I have felt that through my mission I have gained a deeper understanding of the importance of family and knowing their history. I am sorry to have her physically off the earth, but I know with assurity she's not gone forever. She's back with Grandpa who has been waiting patiently for her to finish her mission here on earth. I know she's with me now, helping me to do this work. This is a crucial time on my mission--my last stretch. I need all my grandparents helping me and pushing me forward to find these people I've been sent here to find. I am thankful for the Atonement and the plan of Salvation, where we know with assurity that life and relationships don't end here--they continue for eternity. I truly felt that as I was at a leadership training meeting (and out of 30 missionaries I was the only sister there besides sister Black). One of the APs was testifying about the atonement and the spirit world, where our loved ones are waiting for the return of our Savior, and I felt so assured that everything is okay. It will always be okay. I honestly cannot say it enough--I absolutely know what I teach people daily is true. It has been confirmed to me over and over. And it takes one simple act to find out for yourself--one simple prayer. Ask. Ask and learn for yourself. I know God answers prayers and will answer yours. He has answered mine. He has answered the prayers of numerous people I've taught. It's such a simple thing, and yet the hardest thing for people to do. Why is it so scary to ask with real, pure intent if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true? I wonder sometimes if folks are merely afraid of the answer and of the changes in their lives they'd have to make if they found out that it is true. And it is :o).

Jacqui, one of our new folks, asked us how our church is worldwide. I simply told her that it's because people have discovered the truth that this gospel contains. It speaks to our hearts. It is true. How else would or could you explain such a huge, world-wide organized church? It's the absolute same everywhere. She understood and it was a wonderful time spent with her. We also took her a Mother's Day treat yesterday and she told us that she had gone to Costco to start her "food hording" aka food storage. She was like, "It's great. have enough toilet paper and paper towels to last years!! I like this food-hording thing!" She's soooo awesome.

I'm excited for the next 6 weeks. I feel that amazing times are coming. "Expect miracles" they say. And I think it's about time I begin to expect them every minute of every day. I'm ready, finally, to fully submerge myself in the work, leaving all inhibitions behind and truly becoming a servant fully dedicated to the Lord. I'm putting full and complete trust in the Lord. My fears? They don't matter. My desires? Simply to do as the Lord would have me do. And I'm excited. I'm excited to be bold and hold nothing back--to tell folks exactly what the Lord would want me to say to them.

This church is true. I cannot say it enough. I know it. My parents know it. My gramma Ruth and other grandparents know it. I am certain of this. I love you all so much and pray that you will allow this message to prick your heart. All you need to do is ask and listen.

love love love,
Sister Mack

Transfer 10 (double digits WHAT?!), Week 1

Whoops!!! I just realized I have zero time. So I have like 10 minutes to do this and a prez letter. So my apologies about this--next week will be GREAT!!

Sister Dixon got transferred--she's opening up a Sister area with a girl she was in the MTC with and that's in Vegas. I'm training again, Sister Woznow. I'm obsessed with her name. I'm excited--she's walking into a very good situation and I pray it keeps getting better (2 baptisms, 2 strong investigators on their way to baptism, and 2 referrals to contact!!). The Lord is blessing us TONS!! I'm obsessed.

I'm excited for Mother's day calls.

Uhh....what else. I have no time. MAN I'm so sorry. But I love this work and I love my Savior. I'll remember funny stories and hopefully have time today to finish some letters. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! Especially my parents. I love the life changing experiences that my mission has provided me with and for the solid relationship I've been able to build with my Savior Jesus Christ. Never lose hope, He's always there.

love love love,
Sister Mack