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.

Transfer 11 Week 4

Holy night, guys. Can I just tell you what an AMAZING WEEK we've had???? We worked ourselves to the bone, literally collapsing in exhaustion at the end of the day, only to wake up, still tired, with a day full of lessons. We humbled ourselves before the Lord this past week, gave up some vices, and BAM we were blessed. We went from averaging 11-13 lessons a week to 18!!! We would've had 19, but one cancelled last minute. This next week we have 2 new potential people to teach and a possibility of having 20+ lessons!!!!! HARD WORK PAYS OFF!!! Speaking of work...

We were at a sweet less-active lady's house this week, reading Alma 34, and the concept of work just hit my brain. Jeffrey R Holland said that salvation was not a cheap experience for Christ. Why should it be for us?? We have to WORK for our salvation--and work hard!! We have to do the seemingly little things, which aren't little at ALL!!! One of my Zone Leader's father said that any two good people in the best of circumstances can fail by not attending church, praying, and reading their scriptures. HOW TRUE!!! Our sweet Jacqui told us on Wednesday that she was having serious doubts. I was prompted to ask her how her scripture study was going, to which she answered "uhh...." and I replied, "that's the only answer I need!" She said that she had been reading since she had the doubts, and I asked her if she reading leading up to the doubts. Again, she said no. I told her that she will have doubts as long as she doesn't do what she's supposed to. I was pretty bold as well--one of her fears is going inactive once she gets baptized. I straight up told her that if she didn't live the commandments, she would. But as long as we're doing what we're supposed to, Satan will have less power over us. He only has the power we give him, and we give it to him by not reading the Book of Mormon and not being in communication with our Father in heaven. MAN!!! What a simple thing we're supposed to follow. How much smoother our lives would be if we all took time to read out of the Book of Mormon so we can more fully have the companionship of the Holy Ghost with us!!

Jacqui is downright amazing, though. We have some hurdles with her to jump, but God puts them there not to make us trip, but to challenge our strength and faith in Him. We can leap over them. We're here to guide her and help her, along with the spirit. I'm just so in love with this work and what it does for me. I've never been more exhausted emotionally and physically at the end of every day, yet when my head hits the pillow I'm smiling, excited for what the day ahead of me has.

Today in District Meeting we focused on the Atonement and the parts that justice and mercy play in that. Justice is the fact that we must answer to every deed we do on this earth, good or bad. Mercy is the fact that Christ has already paid the price if we choose to accept it. The atonement covers all things. Nothing could shock the Lord in the degree of sins. I've had the humbling experience of meeting so many different people from different walks of lives--lives you couldn't even imagine. And it's amazing what the gospel can do to heal each one of them. Prime examples are those we've been teaching here in Reno. Each one of the people we're teaching have problems, some way more severe than others. And yet they each find comfort and peace in the Atonement. Partially because every time we sin we distance ourselves from God just a little more, weakening our spirit. Folks who don't know about the gospel may not recognize the weight of the burden, but we all carry it. What burdens are we bearing now, not realizing it? Through the Atonement, though, we can have those burdens of sin removed. It's completely possible. It's so refreshing, too. How amazing is our Savior? He's paid the price for EVERYTHING!!! That way our Heavenly Father can have justice whilst we get the mercy. We are so lucky to have a loving Father and Savior.

I also got amazing letters this week, probably my favorites ever. My mom sent me letters that my dad had written as a missionary and that my grandparents had written as missionaries in Hawaii. Being able to read their excitement though it happened 23 and 31 years ago was incredible. I am so thankful for the example of those who have gone before me. I treasure those letters just as much as I treasure the Book of Mormon.


Y'all, this church is true. I can promise you that YOU can know. For yourself. You really can. And even if you think you already know, I challenge you to know again. Gain a witness all over again. Read the Book of Mormon and pray about it with a sincere heart. That's all you have to do. Read it, and God will tell you. You may just feel peace in your heart. You may get tingles, or feel warm. You may just feel love, or comfort. But you will know. I promise you.

I love you, each and every one of you.

Love love love,
Sister Mack

some pictures!!!

1- Reno Zone at Lake Tahoe
2- Me wearing fur boots and holding Gracie, the 20 lbs cat in Virginia Highlands
3- Fourth of July Parade Leaders with...Uncle Sam?

1- Reno Zone on top of some mountain in Stead
2- Us on some random couches in the middle of nowhere!!

Transfer 11 Week 3

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many things to write, but not enough time to write them all!!! I'll do my best.

We had a great week this week. Can I just start off with Calvin's baptism and how grateful I am to be a part of the greatest work in the entire world???? Legit. I'm so thankful for everything. I was a little stressed about the baptism, seeing as we were expecting SO many people (70 showed up). We arrived with the font FULL of cold, gross water. So, I pulled up my skirt a tad and entered the font to pull the plug. It took 30 minutes to get it mostly drained, and then we filled it back up. The little complications of baptisms!!! But as soon as I saw Calvin and Tanner Chatterley in their whites I just wanted to lose it. We have all worked SO hard for so long for this!! Calvin really is my miracle boy. I'm so proud of him. During the opening prayer my heart was filled with gratitude for being a part of this work. I struggled with controlling the tears as Connor, one of Calvin's friends, gave an amazing talk on Baptism, sharing the experience he had when we all watched the Joseph Smith movie back in March. And then as Calvin and Tanner entered the water, I was done. Tanner got emotional and in a humble voice, said the prayer and baptized Calvin. It was beautiful. Calvin came up and said, "Well, that was easy!" While they were getting ready again some of the youth went and bore testimonies that just ROCKED THE HOUSE!!! Honestly, this was the most spiritual baptism I've ever been to. All of our Reno baptisms have been amazing. Ben, Elizabeth, Calvin, and soon Jacqui. Jacqui came to Calvin's baptism and told us how excited she was for hers now. I'm so excited for her. This is the greatest work in the world, guys. Even better, for me, than being on stage. I'm so thankful for Heavenly Father's patient persistance with me. I love Him and my Savior. I know they live more than anything else. I have a knowledge.

Jacqui is doing AMAZING. I am in awe of her every day. She eats up the gospel and just wants to learn more and apply it in her life. We taught her the first 1/2 of the 10 commandments and finished it up for Gospel Principles class with Jo and I asked Jacqui to explain in her own words what the first 2 commandments meant. She totally took that to heart and explained with PERFECTNESS!!! She laughed when she looked at me because I had my "dork smile" as she called it (the one that takes up my whole face). I just can't help it!!! I HAVE TO SMILE!!! THIS IS THE GREATEST GIFT ANYONE COULD EVER RECEIVE AND I'M HELPING TO DELIVER IT FOR A LIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How could I NOT smile my "dork smile"????

On a more hilarious note, we met dear sweet Arthella this week. This 78 year old special lady is hilarious. We got a referral for her from our Zone Leaders, and on Tuesday we went and saw her. After meeting the "boys" (her 2 boy puppies), getting a tour of her house (should be on the TLC show "horders"), going through her backyard, hearing at least 17 times that she wanted to come to church, and renaming her dogs "Po" and "Jo" (for which she threw her arms around my neck and thanked me, because I came up with the silly names), we said we'd be back Thursday to help her get a ride to the Relief Society activity. Uh, little did we know that if you add sweet Arthella with about 25 beers, she ain't so sweet anymore. She left us a note at her house that was very difficult to read, we gave her a call to see what was going on. 13 minutes later I hung up the phone, laughing harder than I ever have in my entire life. She antied us and cussed us out, called us cowards, and I just can't even tell you the rest. This is definitely a mission story to be shared a laughed at. It's not nearly as funny without my drunk voice impression.

Anyway, I love this work. Oh, and I love Tahoe. We went there as a zone today and it was beautiful. I can't wait to come back next summer for some sealings and head up there, freezing cold water or not. I'll send some pictures.

I love you guys so much. So much. I love this work even more. I'm almost at 15 months, and time has just flown. I can't even believe it. Freaks me out. It's so great, though. This is the singlemost greatest decision that any young man or woman can ever receive. I love you guys. Feed a missionary.

love love love,
Sister Mack

Transfer 11 Week 2

Can I just start off with a little blurb about how amazing my dad is? Being that it was Father's day yesterday, I find it completely appropriate. My dad has always been a fine example to me. When the times got tough for my family, my dad got tougher. He prioritizes the gospel in his life and shares it with everyone. He truly takes to heart something that a member told us she said to an Elder in the MTC when he said he was worried about offending people. She said, "Why would they be offended?! I'm giving them the greatest gift they could ever have!!!" My dad has always been an example of scripture study and prayer. I'm thankful for him and glad that Heavenly Father allowed me to come down an be apart of my parents' family. They're both amazing.

This week was a little slower than normal, but still good. Our new District Leader was shocked when we read him our stats and I quickly followed them with "We had ~4 cancellations so we'll do better next week" and he was in shock. He said that we were doing amazing. Of course, you never let that go to your head because you're only doing as amazing as Heavenly Father blesses you to do. So I always have to keep that in mind. Always be humble because I'm not responsible for any of the work that's going on. Anyway, we got a couple new investigators and we're going to start having "group discussions" with all the teenagers we're teaching--so 4! They are all pretty excited and receptive to the idea of being taught together so it's "less awkward" to be taught on their own. Actually only one of them felt awkward, but we thought they'd all benefit from lessons taught together. We're super excited, too.

PAUL! Let me just tell you what a little miracle this guy is. When we met with him this past week he was a total GEM and you could see the change in his countenance!! So when he said, "oh, I've been reading the Book of Mormon" I KNEW it was true because the light in his eyes. Even though he has cancer and is struggling with being a single father, he STILL is sooooo eager to learn. I'm so thankful for little miracles like that. HE'S SOOO GREAT!! I'm so thankful for him. I wish I could show y'all a before and after picture. I also couldn't resist making the comment to him about how different he looked. He's just grown and changed and I'm so proud. He also said, "Please don't give up on me, ladies. I'm trying so hard and I really want to know." So we taught a lesson on faith by reading Ether 12 because he told us he wants nothing more than to know what we're teaching is true. He really felt a connection with Ether 12: 27 and was touched by that and decided to mark it right away. I'm so thrilled!!!!!!!!! AH I JUST LOVE RENO!!!!

Jo is also doing AMAZING!!! She is just so full of life and questions. Brian got sick this week, so we had to cancel. Jacqui also got really sick, so we went over there yesterday and made Morgan's dinner and cleaned her house for her while she was sitting on her couch wrapped up tight in a blanket. We got a couple members of the ward to come over and give her a beautiful blessing--and one of them happened to be a DOCTOR!! So he prescribed her medicine and called it in this morning. AND we got in contact with the relief society and they're going to bring her a couple meals today so she doesn't have to worry about it. Isn't our church just amazing? Me thinkest so.

I love absolutely everything I've learned this week. We had dinner with an older couple where we talked about the difference between knowing and believing. We just need to believe initially, and then we need to add faith to the mix. Belief + faith = knowledge. Our Heavenly Father will bless us for our determination to know. It just takes constant work. The "little" things. I also realized how important relationships are between parents and children in reading Elder Ballard's 2009 October General Conference talk. Read it, and apply. We can all improve. Heavenly Father put us in our specific families for a reason. We're here to strengthen each other ALL THE TIME!!! Family is the greatest!!!

I'm so thankful for this Gospel, for the joy it brings in my life. I'm thankful for my mission and how it's helped me recognize my potential and how I can achieve my salvation. I know God lives and He loves us. I know He's aware of what is going on in our lives DAILY. Everything is possible with God. He has a divine plan for each of us. Never forget that, and strive to share it with those around us who aren't as fortunate to know what we know.

I love you all so much. I hope you know that.

Love love love,
Sister Mack