16 Dec 2013 - Another Cambio bites the dust

Hey! How's it going? I'm doing great! This week has been pretty good...we gave this week all the energy we had! And because of that, I am exhausted. But it's a good type of tired...it's satisfying...if that even makes sense.  

Well, Surprise (not really)! I'm still in El Rosario with Hermana R! We'll be here together at least until the next cambio on February 5th. More time to work hard and learn from one another! Our companionship has improved a ton over the past almost 3 months. It's pretty weird not having a church chapel though! They have taken out the outdoor basketball court and are working with the land right now, but soon they'll start demolishing parts of the building. For baptisms, we'll have to go to the stake center in Jinotepe. But P has bragging rights...she was the last baptism in the church before reconstruction! 

I am so glad that I am in El Rosario for the summer (well, Nicaraguan summer) because even though it's supposed to be dry and warm, Rosario is super windy and cool. Cool is a relative term...the Nicaraguans say they're freezing and wear sweaters, but for me, it's comfortable...haha. Supposedly it was supposed to stop raining when November started, but it has been raining on and off this month. Proof that humans are not very good at predicting the weather...haha 

Something else that happens in December is that everyone and their dog paints their house. Seriously, every day, the houses change colors. And of course, the house colors aren't plain. They're all vibrant and fun. I think that Aunt Jennie would go crazy taking pictures here! I have to admit, El Rosario is way more picturesque than Managua. I love both my areas...but they are very different! 

Well, this week has been pretty uneventful. The work continues on! T is doing well! All the neighborhood kids are already calling her ''la mormona'' to make fun of her, but she doesn't listen to them. She resists peer pressure really well. J came to church on Sunday! A lot of the young men from the ward already knew him from school, so he has a nice group of friends, which will help a lot. When we were contacting the other day, we met a man who is half gringo and half Nica. It was really interesting to talk to him. He was very...animated. He reminded me of Steve Martin...haha. But he told us that his house has a name--Idaho! Apparently there's another Quinta in Jinotepe called Pennsylvania! Pretty funny! So Idaho is part of my area! 

My district changed a little because of cambios. All the hermanas are the same, but we have a new ZL from Sandy, UT and the comp of the DL changed too. The district has a different dynamic now, but I'm sure it'll be great once we get to know each other...I actually have to teach district class for the first time in 2 weeks (it was going to be this Fri, but I was saved by zone conference...haha) So that'll be interesting... 

This week, we decided to really focus on the people when we taught. We always try to, but it's really easy to fall into a routine. But because every person is different, every lesson will be a little different. And as we concentrated on the people we taught this week, I could feel the Spirit more and also felt my testimony grow. It's amazing how sharing your testimony can help others, but also yourself. When I share my testimony, I feel like I'm sharing a part of me with the people I teach. I love it!  

I hope that all the Christmas preparations are going well! It's coming up so soon! In Central America, they actually celebrate Christmas on the 24th...I don't really know why. But basically the entire month of December is a party here, so I guess the exact date doesn't really matter. But I did get a package this week! All accounted for! A Christmas miracle! Even though I'm missing the corny Christmas movies and music, I am glad that I am here. It'll be a Christmas to remember, that's for sure! 

I hope all is going well! Love you! 

Love, Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

9 Dec 2013 - Week 2 of Christmas preparations

Hey! Happy...December! 

Well, this week was great...went by super fast as always! I'm pretty sure i'm living life in fast forward...just a theory...haha. But cambios are this week! So crazy! It's a 4 wk cambio so that the missionaries going home can go home before Christmas. The next cambio will be 8 wks long. I don't think anything will change. I don't want to leave Rosario, so I'm fine with that. My guess is that Hna R will have cambios next time...in Feb.  

This week was a bit of a struggle. A mix of trunkiness, sickness (Hna R once again), and who knows what else. But we still were able to see the blessings that came. T is still doing really well. She feels ready to be baptized in 2 wks, so it's just up to whether her grandma will give her permission. T even fasted with us on Sunday...she's pretty pilas. We started teaching a new investigator, J, who is another 16 yr old! He's really receptive...but likes to sleep in on Sundays. So we'll work on that...haha. 

P was confirmed on Sunday! She's officially a member! She didn't tell many people about her baptism to keep the news from reaching her anti-mormon sister, so when she was confirmed in church, there were lots of surprised looks. It was pretty funny. 

So Rosario has progressed a lot over the years. The ward started out about 25ish years ago in the home of a member. Then they moved into a little house...then finally they built a chapel. And now, we barely fit, so they're going to enlarge the chapel! The construction is going to take 8 months...which means we'll be meeting in a house once again. But at least this time the house is bigger. It's still a bit squishy, but at least we don't have to go all the way to Jinotepe each Sunday. That would've been difficult.  

This weekend was...interesting. Part of Nicaraguan Catholic culture during the holiday season happens on December 7th...La Purisima! Which is basically Halloween, but the kids go around singing to altars with statues of the Virgin Mary. They sing songs about Maria and receive candy like trick-or-treating. It was pretty weird. There were also lots of fireworks involved...until very late at night. Teaching was really difficult because no one was in their house. We actually had to return to our house early because things got a little too crazy. Apparently it was even worse in Managua. But the members told me it gets even worse in January, when they celebrate the patron saint of el Rosario...basically it'll be like alpine days, but with lots of alcohol and crazier people. Yikes.

Did you watch the Christmas devotional? We watched it in the Bishop's house. It was so awesome! It made me feel a bit trunky, especially when the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang, but I loved the messages! Especially the one from President Monson. I've heard messages similar over the years, but this time, when he talked about how we need to give ourselves to the Savior, it really struck home. I'm trying my best to do just that. We all need to focus ourselves on dedicating ourselves to the Lord and serving His children. It is so important! I love this Christmas season because of the unity that people feel, but most importantly because it's a time to refocus on what's most important. I know that Christ is our Savior. He came to this earth to teach us and give us the perfect example. He died so that we can live with Him and Heavenly Father one day. I am so grateful for His life and example! 

It sounds like all is going well at home! I hope Karen recovers quickly! I can't wait to see what the house is like! I should be calling on the 25th...still not sure if it'll be skype or just a phone call. Pres. Russell has been going crazy changing all sorts of rules in the mission. But either way, it'll be awesome! Have an awesome week!  

Love, 

Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

 

 

2 Dec 2013 - Happy December!

Hey there! I can't believe December has already reached us! Where did November go off to? My week went by super fast! 

So P wasn't baptized on Wednesday...when Bishop told us that, we were super sad, until he told us that she would be baptized the day before! Yay! Everything went really well on Tuesday. P has a sister that literally hates Mormons and has a heart condition, so P was worried that is the sister found out, she'd have a heart attack...so her baptism was a secret. Just a few of her family members who are members of the church. She was so happy when she was baptized! I can't even imagine how her daughter will react when she finds out! She'll be so happy! I have come to love P so much! She is such a sweet lady.  

The rest of the week went by like a blur. Partially because I was sick. I've had a nasty cold since last Monday, but it got worse (and turned into a flu) over the week. But no worries, I'm almost better now. Just normal cold symptoms once again. Hna R and I are so united that when one person gets sick, so does the other. Although in this case, she sprained her ankle. So that makes walking difficult now, although it's starting to get a little better.  

Thanksgiving was...good...haha. Our zone had plans to pay someone to make a real Thanksgiving meal for us, but it fell through. So instead, we went to Terry's Diner...an American food restaurant that sells hamburgers and sandwiches. The sad part is that I was the sickest on Thursday. But I didn't want to miss out...and would've felt bad if I made Hna R stay with me in the house. So we went! I was feeling a little better, so I at half a turkey sandwich...but then I didn't feel so great. Afterwards, I went home and slept almost all day. But at least I can say I ate turkey! Haha. Thursday was the only day that I didn't leave the house to work. I am VERY thankful that I normally have good health.  

On Fri., we had zone conference. It went well. One of our ZLs is going home next week (Cambios are Dec 11th...this is only a 4 wk cambio), so that was kind of sad. We now hve to wear our nametags on the right side. They told us to do it in the CCM, but when I got here, no one else was wearing it on the right, but now it's official. It feels really weird...but I do what they tell me! 

They've been decorating the park in front of my house this week...every night more lights appear. It seriously looks like Las Vegas! It's crazy. But it's very...festive. I maintain my opinion that white lights are better. The Catholic church in front of my house has been going crazy with the bombs and blasting music. The members here tell me it doesn't stop until January. I don't think I'll get much sleep this month...haha. 

This week, I've had a lot of good experiences while teaching. On Saturday, we were on a roll as far as teaching with the Spirit goes. We taught a less active family and felt the spirit so strong, and then the rest of the day, we were able to keep that feeling with us. It was awesome! We really have to focus on finding new investigators...I know that with time and hard work, the Spirit will help us out there as well.  

We had stake conference on Sunday. Pres. and Sis. Russell came and spoke. It was fun to see them. They both gave great talks about how the gospel is light and we need to share it. I felt kind of bad for my investigators that came with us, because they were pretty bored, since it was 2 hrs of just sitting down, but I think overall they had good experiences.  

I love this Gospel so much. I really do. It has brought so much light into my life. And I'm working hard so that I can be a source of light for other people. I know I can do it with the help of the Holy Ghost. I have one more year to be a floodlight for all the people around me. I've just gotta fuel it up with scripture study, faith, prayer, and hard work.  

I love you all and hope you have an awesome week! 

Love,

Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

25 Nov 2013 - Thanksgiving Miracles... a little early

Buenas tardes!  

I hope you had a wonderful week! I know I sure did! It was full of little miracles! Starting with Tuesday...when we had divisions within our district...and I finally left Rosario and worked with Hermana C in Jinotepe! So that was a nice little miracle...haha. It was awesome to work with Hna C. She has 10 months in the mission and is from Solola, which is where I went when we went to Guatemala with my seminary class! She's right by Lake Atitlan and when she showed my pics, I recognized it all. It was awesome. And of course, she's an awesome missionary. We has some interesting experiences explaining that polygamy is not legal and the church does not support it...that was a strange lesson. 

Another miracle is that we passed the crazy turkey that always chases us...and I remained unscathed. Success! but the animals are still out to get me. Every night at about 3 am, a ton of roosters get into an argument and crow their little hearts out...and the the dogs join in. And I can't forget the bats. They're talkative little creatures too. Actually, I think the bats are especially out to get me. 2 nights in a row, there were murders in our house. I have learned how to kill bats, though I don't think I'll ever have the courage to do it. But both times, the bat flew straight towards me. It's my gringa charm...sometimes I forget to tone it down...haha. But the miracle is that I don't have rabies, so that's good. Any tips on how to get rid of bats? 

Another (early Chrismas) miracle...I recieved 2 packages! Way faster than before...I don't know whymy bday one took so long. So thank you! Our little Christmas tree looks so cute now. It sounds like your Christmas plans are coming along! There will be quite the crowd in Utah this Dec.! Oh! So although my upcoming Nicaragua Christmas doesn't look anything like Utah, there are these really cool Poinsetta trees! They're so pretty! Just a random fact about Nica foliage...moving on. 

So my clothes are holding up pretty well. My shoes are starting to die though...my Keens have a hole in the mesh that is expanding, but I'm trynig to figure out where to go to get it fixed. But to soles of my skechers are running thin...and I think my Crocs are starting to go downhill as well. But for the time being, I'm not worried. I still have plenty of contact solution, as I barely wear contacts here in Rosario. I also haven't used KT tape yet! That's pretty surprising, I know. My little knees are still going strong! 

T is doing great! Before, she had hesitations about being baptized but now she wants to be baptized! She shared her testimony of the Book of Mormon with us yesterday. She is so awesome!! She reads everyday and always tells us what she learned. The not-so-awesome part is that her abuela is going to make things difficult. We met her last night and she said she supports T, but first she has to see a definite change in her granddaughter...which would be fine, but her requirements are that she practically becomes a nun...so we'll work with both of them...haha. 

But the GREATEST miracle of the week occurred yesterday. I seriously almost cried, which coming from me is saying a lot! I don't think I've ever mentioned one of our investigators, P. She's a 40-something year old single mom of 4 grown up kids. Her daughter joined the church about 4 yrs ago, but no one else in their family ever wanted anything to do with the church. Right now, her daughter is serving a mission in Rosario, Argentina (isn't there someone from our ward in that mission right now?). Hna R actually reported to the CCM the same day as me! And I've been teaching P ever since I arrived here in Rosario. She has received missionaries in her home in the past, but never progressed. But when M left for Argentina, P started going to church! But never accepted an invitation to be baptized. Actually, in my first lesson with her in October, I invited her to be baptized and she just laughed at me and said that she had already explained to all the other missionaries that she had already been baptized in a different church and had faith in her pastor. But little by little she has been progressing. And yesterday, she told us she was ready to be baptized! When we asked her when, she just told us, ''oh, you'll find out.'' I got a little scared because I thought she was playing some weird game with us and she expected us to guess...but when we ate dinner at the Bishop's house, he told us that P wants to be baptized this Wednesday! We totally freaked out and are soooo happy! I love P so much and am so excited that she has finally made this great step in her life.  

I love being able to help people make these life-changing decisions. I've been able to see that what seems like a simple action of being baptized changes a person's outlook on life. Of course there weill always be challenges, but that's why the Gift of the Holy ghost is so important! If we always do our best to endure to the end, we will be happy not only for the time being, but FOREVER!  

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! There is a good chance that I will be there with you next year! So hard to believe! I'm almost a third of the way through my mission. Wow. Have an awesome week!  

Love, Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

18 Nov 2013 - Another Week Bites the Dust

Hey! How's it going? Life is great, though I don't have a specific reason as to why it is so wonderful.

This week flew by. I'm not even sure what to tell you. I read through my journal to see what happened, but as I forgot to write in my journal...hmm. But first of all, I'm still here in Rosario! With Hermana R! But the other hnas in Rosario changed. Hermana G is now training Hna V from Guatemala. It's weird being the only gringa in Rosario now that Hermana E is in Managua. that means the drunks only have one gringa to fall in love with. How sad for them. Anyway...haha. My district changed a little. A ton of missionaries went home this cambio, and only 20 of the 30 who were supposed to come came. So Pres. had to close a lot of areas because of lack of missionaries. So Hna Peña and Hna Bliss both left and their area is closed, which is really sad. And the Zone Leaders are training...so they're in a trio! I don't really understand how that works, but apparently President has been making a ton of changes in the mission.  

So on Wednesday, we went to the other hermanas' house to plan a ward missionary activity that is going on this Saturday. When we were leaving, I randomly burst into James Bond spy mode and started crouching around and doing other dorky spy type things...singing the James Bond theme song under my breath of course. Everyone was laughing at me...especially when I reached the gate...because the dueña's dog thought I was a thief and almost attacked me. It was pretty hilarious,,,after the fact. Proof that dogs now hate me. Especially when I sneak around life a spy. Who'd have thought? Just thought I'd share that experience to let you know I still do dumb things and make people laugh at me...haha. 

After district meeting on Friday, the Sister Training Leaders called us and said that we should meet them in the park in Jinotepe (where we have district meetings). We were freaking out because we thought that 1. something happened in one of our families or 2. Hna R was going to be called as a second mission nurse (she studied medicine) or 3. we did something wrong. But when they found us, Hna F was holding a travel bag and said, ''ready to go''? It turns out that we had divisions with the STLs...they sent us a text to tell us, but as our phone doesnt receive text messages....haha. And once again, I stayed in my area. But it was an awesome day! Hna F actually served in Rosario for 7 months, so she was really helpful. The funniest thing that happened was that we started teaching an investigator, but a ton of people entered the house carrying a statue of virgin Mary...the investigator said, ''oh! they want to do a Rosary with me...you can join us if you want...'' haha. Sometimes people invite us to be Catholic.  

T is doing great! She still says she needs to receive an answer, so we're helping her learn how to listen to the Spirit. But she told us she wishes we could teach her every day! So that's a good sign! We also invited an investigator to be baptized. We've been working with him for a while, but he's an alcoholic, so it's difficult. We're helping him to set goals to change and he has been doing really well...the only bummer is that we received a list of members yesterday...and his name was on it. We asked his parents, who are less actives and they say he hasn't been baptized...but we asked him and he said yes. But we'll still work with him, but it'll be a little different now. Little surprises everyday...haha. 

Well the house looks awesome! I don't think I'll recognize it when I get home! It sounds like the holiday plans will be full of family! That's awesome! So Scott and Stacy will be home for Christmas? Pretty hard to believe that it's only a little over a month away! The post office closed early last week, but I have a little package to send...who knows when it'll get there though! Maybe it'll be more of a happy Valentine's day box...haha. My zone is going to have some sort of Thanksgiving lunch...who knows how it'll turn out, but hey, maybe we'll eat Tom the Turkey that chased me last week. That's awesome that Courtney is home! And she met Mitch? Wow small world. 

Well, I know that the Church is true. I don't have any dramatically spiritual experiences to share, but I do know that through constant scripture study and prayer, we receive strength. The Lord is on our side and He will always be there to help us. I'm so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have seen how it can affect the lives of everyone. It makes me sad when people reject it! But I'm here to help them understand why it's so important.  

I love you all and hope you have an awesome week! Next week will be a month until Christmas, when I talk to you on Skype! Yay! 

Love, Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

11 Nov 2013 - Buenas!

Hola! Como estan todos? Espero que esten super bien. Esta semana fue tuanis! 

So the Nica words are finally starting to stick. At least the expressions that I usually didn't use because Hna R didn't use them. I now say the word tuanis all the time. It's pronounced too--ah---knee--s. It's a fun little word that looks funny spelled out. But it means cool or awesome. Anyway... 

This week was a whirlwind. I feel like I say time flies every week, but wow. There are cambios this week! So hard to believe. I am 99% sure I will stay here. Hermana G is going to train, so most likely Hna E will go to a new area. So sad...maybe she'll go to Miraflores with Hna V, since Hna R goes home this week! I don't like cambios week...it stresses me out because even though I'm used to constant changes now, it's still sad. But I know that it's all in the Lord's hands.  

So I don't have too much to report from this week...partly because I didn't do much. Hermana R is still sick, though she's starting to get better. On Tuesday, she was so sick that she couldn't work. Each morning, we tried to go to our citas because she's stubborn and hates staying in bed...but by midday every day, we had to go back to the house because she was about to faint. The policy on sick companions is that the healthy companion can go on splits if there are willing members to stay with Hna R and someone to work with me. But the majority of women in our ward are nurses that work, or go to school in the day. So I spent a lot of time reading scriptures and watching Doctrine and Covenants videos. At least I learned a lot! But in the hours that we were able to work, we were able to help a good amount of people!  

This week, I realized how important it is to trust the Spirit and not the doubts of other people. Maybe that doesn't make sense, but we've been trying really hard to find new investigators, but every time we asked members for references, they say that there isn't anyone in their neighborhood who would receive the Gospel. We could've trusted their doubts, but we aren't here to prejudge people. I'm here to share the Gospel with EVERYONE! We've been working hard in a neighborhood called LV, where everyone says that we won't have success and that it's full of ruffians. Yet almost all of our investigators that are progressing live there. Lots of times I have doubts about my area and think that there aren't more people to find, but that's never true. As the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants goes...doubt not, fear not. And I have no fears that the Lord is on my side. 

We are still teaching T, who is doing AMAZING! She is super pilas. After we teach a lesson with her, she always summarizes what she learned and asks us to leave a reading assignment with her. And when we come back, her scriptures are marked up and she has questions ready for us. She has a baptismal date for December 7, so hopefully all goes well with her!  

This Sunday was pretty crazy. We had to have divisions with members so that we could bring our investigators to church. I went with a future missionary named K (yep, I like her name...haha) to meet up with an investigator in an area really far away. Guisquiliapa is about 30 min from church and F lives 30 min away from Guisquiliapa...so we decided to meet her halfway in the park. But she arrived really late...which meant we arrived 30 min late. But hey, she came to church! And so did T and her sister! It's the best feeling to help people come to church, especially when they have good experiences and finally understand why we'd been nagging them to come before. T left church with a Gospel Principles book, For the Strength of Youth, and a printout of the YW theme. She was pretty happy. It was awesome! 

Later that day, a member took us to his cousin's home. They're Catholics...that aren't a huge fan of Mormons. The only reason the let us in was because 1. C L didn't give them a choice and 2. out of respect for C L. But it was pretty sad. They flat out denied everything we shared, which made me feel sick...not because they hurt my feelings, but because I felt bad for them. They don't understand what they're missing! But I sneakily slid a folleto that talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ under where I was sitting. Who knows...maybe someone will find it one day...haha. 

So I'm convinced that animals here hate us. Seriously though. I've been chased by horses...cows...dogs...mosquitos...and most recently...a turkey! It was a huge turkey like the ones in Thanksgiving images. It was super creepy...and pretty funny, not gonna lie. I don't understand why animals here have the desire to chase us constantly. Maybe they just want to learn more about the Restored Gospel...who knows? haha.  

The weather here has been cooling off a little...at least in the nights. I may have to actually buy a blanket. So far I've just been using my sheets. It's still hot during the day, but nothing like Managua, or even how it was when I first got here. It's awesome. Y'all had daylight savings already, right? Here, it doesn't exist! Which means we're in different time zones now! That's crazy about the Phillipines! I have a ton of friends serving over there. I'm sure they're all safe, but so sad about the typhoon! Has is snowed anymore in Utah? People here get a kick out of hearing about snow. It sounds like the house is progressing! And yall got to have a nice little sleepover! haha. What are your plans for Thanksgiving? and Christmas, for that matter! I'm planning on sending a little package today for Christmas, although who knows when it'll get there. I'll send letters separately! Have you started the Christmas letter yet? 

Well, I hope you have a wonderful week! The Church is true! Never doubt it! I know it, I live it, and I LOVE it! 

Love,

Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

4 Nov 2013 - My week of Halloween shenanigans

Happy Monday! I hope that everyone is doing well! Once again, this week escaped from me super fast. It's crazy that it's already November 4th! I can't believe it snowed in Utah! Especially since it's still pretty much the same weather here. Although it did rain a ton. And it was rather toasty. Good stuff.  

This week was crazy! On Tuesday, we had divisions once again, but this time with Zona Carazo. And once again, I stayed in my area. One of these days, I'll actually get the chance to see what other areas look like...but for now I'll just have to enjoy the responsability. This time, I was with Hermana E. She's actually still in my zone, but Rivas is really far away. She is awesome. She teaches like she has been in the mission forever...yet she has 5 months in the mission just like me! But she left the CCM the day that I arrived, so I never overlapped. We had a pretty successful day full of contacting and teaching. We're teaching a 16 year old named T. who is pretty positive! It's weird teaching her, because I realized it's like teaching Karen. Weird. But she said she wanted to be baptized, so that's awesome! I learned a ton from Hna E about how I should open up more with potential investigators. It has helped a lot since then.  

On Wednesday, we decided to set aside a day of only contacting all day, because of our lack of investigators. Our ward leader worked with us all day. ...Scott--I hope that you help your missionaries in your ward as much as possible! But anyway, we got stuck in a torrential rain storm. I was the only one with an umbrella, as always...I tried to be charitable and share it with R and Hna R but...we all ended up getting soaked to the bone. It was pretty funny. We looked like pathetic wet puppies.  

Here in Nicaragua, they don't celebrate Halloween. But I still had plenty of Halloween surprises. For instance, the night leading to the 31st, Hna R woke me up with a scream in the middle of the night. She told me to turn on the light because she thought there was a mouse in her bed. Well, she was right...there was something in her bed, but it wasn't a mouse. When I turned the light on, a BAT flew right towards me. So I ran and hid in my mosquito net. It was super freaky. We're not really sure how it got inside Hna R's mosquito net...but yeah, I can say my companion slept with Dracula...haha 

Then on Halloween, we went to our lunch cita like usual. The hna that feeds us has a big fence surrounding her house and 2 huge dogs. I don't know what got into them, but when we opened the gate, the biggest dog, Azlan, pushed Hna R out of the way and he and Bella darted out. Therefore, we had the responsibilty to hunt them down. But those dogs run FAST! So just imagine 2 Mormon missionaries chasing after two crazy dogs...for over 20 minutes! We seriously ran all through the town of Rosario. Azlan decided to enter a cow pen and started fighting with a bull. I was convinced he was going to die. But luckily we caught them and someone gave us leashes to lead them back to the house. It was exhausting...and embarrassing. Happy Halloween to us! 

On Friday, I received my birthday package! I also received 3 birthday cards. Happy Birthday to me! Thank you so much! It was perfect! I love the music and the clothes work well, too! I'm wearing one of the skirts right now. And I absolutely love the letters that Grandpa Mackay sent to dad when he was on his mission. So many words of advice that I needed to hear. And I know that Dad was saying them to me, even though Grandpa wrote them. So thank you!! Luckily I received the package in the morning, because if not, I think my enthusiasm for the day would've been a little low. I managed to slip of loose dirt and fall...but that's not the worst part. I also managed to land in a cow pie. As in my arm, shirt and skirt suffered the effects of said cow pie. It was lovely...haha. But as usual, I just laughed at myself. Gotta enjoy every minute, right? 

On Saturday, I had divisions again, but they were unofficial. I joined up with Hnas E and G for the day because Hermana R was really sick. But she's at least a little better now! I felt bad for her because all she wanted to do was get out of the house, but she couldn't. That's how missionary work goes. There are times when you just want to stay in the house and sleep, but when the opportunity arises, all you want to do is go work with the people! 

I've really tried to focus on the people this week. One of the quotes from a letter from Grandpa helped me a ton. He said ''You must never judge people on the mundane experience of what your mind th8inks is the answer...for the mind is very finite and very limited...and that's why we need to work closely with the Spirit'' Amen! It's so true! You never know who needs your help until you meet them and talk to them. So that's my new motto for contacting. Who knows who is ready. I just need to give them the chance to find the truth! I know that this church is 100% true. It makes me sad that so many people don't know what they're missing out on. I know that the Priesthood is the authority to act in the name of God given to worthy men in the church. That, along with the Book of Mormon, set the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints apart from the rest. It's amazing.

 

I hope all is going well with remodeling the house, school, work, life in general. I love where I am, but it makes it easier to be away from home when I hear what's going on. I love you all! 

Love, Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

28 Oct 2013 - Five years (months) old tomorrow

Hellooooo! 

I can't believe that it has already been a week since I last wrote. I seriously have no idea how the week went by so fast! But it was great! I don't really know why, but I guess that's what happens when you're serving the Lord! It's pretty much the best. So right now, as I'm writing, there are a ton of Catholic ''bombs''...like fireworks that only make noise...going off. I think I might go deaf. haha. But anyway...this week! 

We had divisions within our district this week on Tuesday. Hna R went to Dolores and I stayed here in Rosario. I was with Hna G...she didn't have to travel far...just to the other side of Rosario! But she is awesome! She's from El Salvador too and was classmates with Hna R in high school! So it was fun to hear about my mission mama pre'mission. We had a lot of success with divisions. First of all, I didn't get us lost! Yay! But we found some potential investigators...the issue now is finding them again. Here, the members feed us dinner, but on Tuesdays, we don't have a fixed dinner cita. So we decided to eat with the other hnas from my ward and make food in my house...but our resources are limited. I'm pretty sure the weirdest things we eat here are the things we make ourselves! Haha. 

As far as our teaching pool goes, we have to focus on finding new investigators...especially after our last cita with... 

 It seems like our most positive investigators here are all teenagers. It's interesting. We are teaching someone named Itsy...please tell me someone immediately thought of itsy bitsy spider..haha. But she's awesome.  

Yesterday was pretty crazy...we went to visit an old investigator who has vision problems...I'd never met her before, but Hna R and F had a month or two ago. When the hermana saw me, the first thing she said was. ''WOW you've grown a lot! What happened?'' haha. Then later, I started teaching and asked her a question and she said ''look, I'm very simple minded. I don't speak English, so maybe you shouldn't be teaching me''. Ouch. Apparently she though I was speaking English. But when I spoke to her later on, she understood me perfectly...haha. That same day, a drunk proposed marriage to Hna R...so ya know...crazy stuff going on here in Rosario...haha. It was pretty funny.  

My zone here is good...It's a little less animated than my zone in Managua, since there were a ton of characters in that zone. But there are lots of great missionaries...and tons of hermanas! I still can't wrap my head around it. President decided that we need to teach 12 lessons a day, so we're doing our best to fulfill that goal. It's difficult, but at least we always have something to do! Changes are in 2 weeks! Pretty crazy. I'll probably be here at least until Feb, so I'm not too worried. But Hna R goes home so soon! I'll be an orphan in the mission!!! 

Halloween is this week! Wow! There are a few halloween decorations in Jinotepe, but here in Rosario, no sign of it. But there are already Christmas decorations in the grocery store! 2 months! Hard to believe. This week, I realized how important prayer is. I mean, I've always known how important it is, but this week, I made an extra effort to be specific in my prayers and I have been able to see evidence that Heavenly Father is always listening. He isn't going to take away my challenges, because they will make me stronger, but He will always be there to comfort me. I know that we are all children of God and that He loves us so much! I love being able to feel His love for the people I'm teaching! It's so awesome! 

Well, I hope you have an awesome week! I love you all and love hearing about the happenings of the week!  

Hurrah for Israel!

Love, Hna MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

21 Oct 2013 - Livin la vida misional

Hey!

How's it going? Today I was super scared that I wouldn't get to email because the power went out for about 4 hours. Luckily, it came back! Today, we had a district Pday activity and played volleyball...my arms are going to be bruised tomorrow for sure. I love playing sports with latinos because they're about the same level as I am...no professional athletes in my district, that's for sure. But it's more fun that way. Afterwards, we made cookies (betty crocker premade mix...yay!) using the oven of an hna who makes bread...therefore the oven was HUGE and used real fire. I took pics...hopefully one day I'll send them. But it was fun! My district is really fun. There's Elder P (DL) from Nicaragua Norte, E. H from Costa Rica, Hna R (el salvador), me, Hna B (Texas), Hna P (Costa Rica), Hna E (Texas), Hna G (el salvador), Hna C (Guatemala), and Hna T (Texas). Oh and the zone leaders are Elders P (Texas) and A (El Salvador). So...lots of Texans...and hermanas!! Also, I have a Zone conference this Friday, so hopefully my package will come!!! 

This week was good...it was pretty weird. There were lots of up's and downs as always, but I only pay attention to the up's.  

On Tuesday, we went to Santa Teresa for what may be the last time (I'm explain that later). Santa Teresa is so awesome. It's like a little California beach town. It was suuuuper hot though. We had some positive contacts. I'm honestly not sure what people there do to work. I think most of them own little pulperias (convenience shops) or go to Managua to work. The people there are pretty receptive, but we aren't allowed to go there anymore. We had interviews with President on Thursday. I was kind of nervous to see what he'd say, since now I'm not a little innocent missionary in training. But he was super nice, made me cry because he asked about the family and what they're probably saying about me. He also gave me advice about my companion. The only machetero part of the interview was that we aren't allowed to go to Santa Teresa because it's too far away. He wants us to focus on El Rosario, where the chapel is. So that's sad, since there were positive people, but now we're going to work harder in El Rosario.  

So Thursday was pretty crazy. A ton of our citas fell through, so we contacted a ton. Which is getting a lot easier! It's now natural! I am no longer the super shy Lisa who was scared to ask for directions. We'll see what happens when I get home. But the crazy part of Thursday was...when we were contacting a house, someone brushed past Hermana R and when we arrived at our next cita, her bag was open and our cell phone wasn't there. Yup. We were robbed by a little pickpocket kid...yikes. But we now have a replacement, thank goodness! Then later that day, we were chased by a scary dog for about 2.5 blocks...it was scary. I had my umbrella ready to defend myself.  

On Saturday, there was a stake activity where the missionaries taught little workshops for every lesson, then at the end, there was a cultural event. We weren't supposed to teach, but the teachers for the ''Gospel of Jesus Christ'' group didn't show up...so before I knew what was going on, Hna R and I were in front of a big group of people teaching about faith, repentance, baptism, the holy ghost, and enduring to the end. It actually went pretty well. My ability to teach without notice has definitely improved.  

My ward here is awesome. The members are always willing to help. They always say ''this is your house, feel free to drop by anytime.'' So sweet. On Monday night, I almost had a birthday party...it was actually for an Hna in the ward, but when they brought the cake out, they made me go up and sang to me too. I felt bad to take away from her moment, but she wouldn't have it any other way. There's a YW in the ward named Karen! I like saying her name...haha. Oh! There's an RM in my ward who served in Chile...and Bro. L was his mission president! His name is L B. That was a cool connection.  

Here, there are always people in the streets selling things. There's a man who walks past our house everyday selling fruit...and he shouts what he's selling, but the way he says it sounds EXACTLY like the monks in Monty Python. It kind of made my life when I realized that. Also, the duena of our house knocked on our door one morning and gave us 2 coconuts to drink out of. And afterwards, she cut them open for us and we ate the meat. I love this country. And SURPRISE! I finally like coconut and pineapple. I know, you're probably thinking ''who is this girl?'' haha 

This week, I have learned a ton about patience. When I have patience and trust in the Lord, I can make it through anything. Especially when I receive strength from reading the Book of Mormon. There seemed to be a ton of verses that seemed to be just for me. I love Alma! Alma 26 is an awesome missionary chapter and has way more significance for me now. And I was reading in Alma 31 today, which helped me a ton. I LOVE the scriptures so much! I've also been reading in the New Testament. The Bible and Book of mormon are the word of God! Maybe they were written in different places and by different prophets, but said prophets were inspired by God. I know it. I can always feel the power behind the verses I read. I always study in Spanish, which makes me concentrate more. It's awesome. 

Thanks for the update! I always love hearing about the happenings in the ward and in the family. Hard to believe I turn 5 months this week. Time seriously flies. Next month, I will stop having repeated months. Craziness. Well, I love you all and hope you have an awesome week! 

Love, Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

14 Oct 2013 - Happy Birthday to me... I'm officially Nica!

Buenaaaaaas! 

Hola a todos! I hope this week has been marvelous. This week I was blessed with the chance to get a little tanner, have my hair change color (don't worry Mom), have super sore muscles most of the week, turn 20, and become a Nica (well, resident...). It was...interesting. But as always, it's great! 

Well, El Rosario, as previously stated, is GORGEOUS! It's how I imagined all of Nicaragua would be. The drive from Managua to Jinotepe is so pretty! I learned that Jinotepe is in Carazo, but near Rivas. Maybe one day you'll find it, because I still haven't. But my sources are very limited. My area is huge. As in, it takes about 20 minutes to walk from cita to cita...minimum. My area is El Rosario, but includes other little neighborhoods (for lack of a better word) Some have houses that are really spaced out that look like Coalboro Rd. Others have houses clustered together like a real neighborhood. but almost all require that I walk a ton to get from place to place. In Rosario, there are cobblestone roads, but for the most part, there are just dirt roads...which means when it rains, there's lots of mud. I may or may not have slipped in the dark in the mud this week. My leg was caked with mud and now has lovely scratches all over it. Whoops. It's awesome!  

We live in the house of members in the center of our area. It's super nice, actually. Our area isn't connected to the members' house, but if we ever need anything, they're super nice. And a major perk is...we have an indoor bathroom! Yay! And we also don't have to wash our clothes! We pay a member to do it. But now I know that if there's an emergency, I can wash clothes without electricity. Future useful skill for college? haha The bats are still there...but I have a solution to evade the bat droppings...and the mosquitos. You know how I always wanted a bed canopy when I was little? Well I finally have one! It's called a mosquito net. But it actually does look like a canopy! Haha I'll have to send a picture sometime. 

This week was a blur. Yet it felt way longer than just a week. We decided that because our teaching pool is very, very small, we'd begin from square one...contacting in all places! But Hna R really doesn't like contacting, so I had to take a lot more initiative. But it's good for me. We also decided to explore our area more and reopen Santa Teresa, part of our area. It looks like a little beach town, although there's no beach nearby. It has a ton of possibilities, but the only issue is that it's really far from El Rosario, where the chapel is. The first time we went there, I was amazed that Santa Teresa could possibly be in our area, because it took an hour and a half to walk there! I'm not even exaggerating. From our house to the very beginning of Sta Teresa is a 5k, but all the houses are another 2 miles away. The first day we visited, we walked about 20 kilometers. It was so crazy! but it's so cool! It could be the Nicaraguan Disneyland. There are sidewalks with colorful canopies and even an abandoned castle with a moat (mote?). We taught the owner of the castle. Apparently it used to be a park/zoo. We also found out that there's a beach (chococento) and hour from Sta Teresa that's still in our area...next Pday activity? I hope so!  

The family that I mentioned last week, A and J S, are really positive in the doctrinal aspect...well, we thought so. We were super excited about them, until A gave us a note that asked us to talk to our congregation to find...and buy...a house for them because they don't have money. And she said that if we would get a house for them, they'd go to our church and keep OUR commandments. Yikes. We need to clarify who gave those commandments...and that it's the Church of Jesus Christ...not of Hna MacKay and R. So...you know...we'll see what happens next time we meet with them.  

Let's see...what else happened? Oh! I turned 20 yesterday...that was pretty cool! Haha it's weird that I've left my teenage years in the dust. Now on to bigger and better adventures! How weird is it that Karen is the only MacKay who is a teenager? Live it up, Karen! haha. Well, my birthday was pretty uneventful, actually. Due to the fact that I am one of those people who don't go around telling everyone that my birthday is coming up, not many people knew about it. But when they found out, they all felt bad and promised to do something in the future. But I don't feel bad. I got lots of hugs and birthday wishes. And for lunch I ate a fish that still had its eyeballs in tact. Happy Birthday to me! Good thing I love fish now. 5 years ago, I'd never have believed that I'd eat fish for my birthday. Hermana R and Hna V called me in the morning to sing happy birthday to me, which was great. I miss them so much! And then, last night, President and Sister Russell called me to sing happy birthday! That was awesome! 

The government of Nicaragua also gave me a birthday gift...which involved requiring that I woke up at 4:30 am this morning to receive it. But hey, I got to go back to Managua for a few hours! It felt like going home. But the reason I was there was to go to immigration and receive my Resident's license...idk what it's called in English, but it's called a cedula in spanish. So now I'm documented as a resident of Nicaragua! It was an adventure. Hna R, Hna E, and I went. Hna E's comp couldnt come because she was sick, so we were a trio for a while. The best part was that they sold doughnuts inside of immigration office, so of course I took advantage of that. Also, today we went out to lunch with E and G, the other hnas in our ward. They're so great! I love them! And we're getting ice cream afterwards, so happy belated birthday to me! I still haven't received my package...but it'll just be a birthday surprise! 

Also...HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Rachel tomorrow! I have plans to send something, but with cambios and everything...it will just be very belated. But I hope you have an awesome day, Rachel! Love ya! 

Well, I hope all is well in the States! I heard the national anthem the other day because someone was watching a baseball game. Good stuff. I miss it, but I love Nicaragua, so it all works out. I know that I'm here in Rosario to help speed up the work. There's a phrase in spanish, ''echando fuego'' which means throwing fire literally, but when we use it as missionaries, it means that we're having tons of success and doing all that is possible to get results from our labors. That's my goal. I will echar fuego...haha. And I know that the Lord is always nearby to help out. He is preparing the people here to receive the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. And those lucky people are going to have to hear it through me and my imperfectly pronounced testimony of a perfect message. I love this Gospel! 

Love,

Hermana MacKay, the 20 year old!

 

(Posted by her Mom)

7 Oct 2013 - Changes... oh, man.

Buenas!

 

Well, I have some interesting news...my trio is no more. And in Miraflores, neither am I. Que triste. But yeah! I had changes! Tuesday was super sad, saying goodbye to everyone! It was way harder than I expected. One super positive family, Alberto and Yelbi, sent someone to the store to buy treats for my sendoff when I told them. The Espinozas were so sweet. They were super sad that I wouldn't be there for my birthday, so when we went to their house for dinner, they surprised me with a cake and a little gift. That was fun, but bittersweet that we had to celebrate early. On tues, we kept singing the first part of 'Can you feel the love tonight', where timon and pumba say, ''our trio is down to 2.' On Wed. Morning, 2 hnas from our district who had changes picked me up and we went to the capilla. I was pretty bummed that Hna R. and V. couldn't come.  

At changes, President announced all the changes, and of course mine was the VERY last one to be announced. But...I'm now in El Rosario 1 in Zona Jinotepe! Which is awesome because that was Hna R's very first area in the mission. Everyone remembers her here. My new comp is Hna R. from El Salvador (I just can't escape those salvadoreñas) but grew up in Logan, Utah ntil she was 14, when she moved to El Salvador. She didn't go to changes, so I didn't meet her till I arrived in Jinotepe. My district is insane. There are 4 elders...and 8 hermanas! So crazy considering that in Managua, there were 4 hnas in my zone.  

El Rosario is great. It's way cooler (in temperature) than Managua and actually gets cold at night. Well, cold is a relative term. It's SO pretty here! It's super green. a lot of the time, when we're walking, I feel like I'm waliking the streets of Virginia, but with more tropical trees. My area is HUGE though. Sometimes, it takes over 45 min to walk to a cita, because my area is composed of lots of little pueblos that are really spaced out. I come home muddy and exhausted every day, but it's awesome! The members here are amazing. They always want to help out, which makes a huge difference in the obra misional. Our investigators actually have friends in the ward! What a strange concept...haha. But I really miss Miraflores. It was my birthplace afterall. 

Rosario is SUPER Catholic. I mean, look at the name...it means Rosary, as in rosary beads. There are constantly bombas going off to celebrate some Catholic holiday. My alarm clock is church bells calling people to mass...15 min before I have to wake up...haha. My house here is pretty sweet though. We rent from members. Our house has a loft, which is where our beds are. The only issue is that there are bats in our house...and I have woken up a few times to find little bat droppings all over my sheets. You're welcome for that image..haha  

The work is moving pretty slowly here. Our positive investigators are few and far between, but I plan to change that asap! We invited a family to be baptized this week and they're pretty positive, so we'll see where that goes. The most notable news is that we had a baptism on Saturday! A 17 yr old named K. was baptized. It went pretty well, but was really rushed because the men had to leave for priesthood session quickly. K. is awesome and already wants to serve a mission! Can't wait to see how he progresses! 

I loved General Conference! The only bummer was that we didn't get to see all of the 2nd session on Saturday because there's a mission rule taht we have to bring an investigator to one of the sessions each day to be able to go to both. So I didn't get to see Elder Holland! So sad! But otherwise, it was great! I loved Sunday afternoon the best. I got to watch the sunday sessions in English, so that was nice. I can't even pick a favorite talk though, because they were all so great! 

Well, I think that's it for now. It's so nice to not have to speculate about changes, though I still need to adjust to my area a ton. I know I'll love it here more and more each week, I just have to get rid of my trunkiness for Miraflores! Haha but I know that this transfer was inspired by the Lord. He has a plan for me here and there are people that I have to find that only I can reach. I love this Gospel and love that I have the opportunity to share it!

Love you all! 

Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

30 Sept 2013 - I'm officially a normal chela!

Buenas! Happy last day of September! Pretty crazy. Especially because the weather doesn't really change here, so I lose track of the seasons. Here, there's winter and summer. Winter starts in June...and I think summer starts in January. The only difference is that it rains more in the winter, though it's still way hot. Gotta love this Nicaraguan heat! I can't believe I'm still about as pale as I was when I got here...weird. but this week, it rained a ton. We started having umbrella fights on multiple occasions...and it's possible that I was the one who started it almost every time...haha.  

This week was great! It went by so quickly though! We had divisions with the capacitadoras (the sisters who are like the assistants to the president but work with the hermanas) on Tues/Wed. And once again, I stayed in Miraflores to direct my area. At least I had Hermana V with me this time. I think it's a sign. I'm about 90% sure that I'm staying in Miraflores, since the house payment money was in my mission account...so we'll see what happens. But anyway, divisions were good, though Hna G kind of intimidates me. but she's really nice. She gave us good tips. The difficult part was that almost all of our citas didn't go very well. I don't know what got into our investigators that we visited, but they were all really difficult. One of them, who had been pretty positive, said he could never believe in the Book of Mormon. That was the first time I've been dropped by an investigator. That was pretty sad. It didn't affect me attitude towards missionary work, but I just felt bad that he doesn't realize what he's missing out on. But on the plus side, we also had a ton of great experiences this week. We invited a lot of our investigators to be baptized, and if all goes well, Oct. 26th is going to be a REALLY good day!  

I don't know if you remember J, but he was baptized my first week here in Miraflores. Well, his wife isn't a member and was one of those people who believe that Mormons have 7 wives and do all sorts of crazy things. But we've been teaching her (A) and she has been coming to church with J and their kids. On Saturday, we visited them, and felt the Spirit very strongly telling us to invite A to be baptized. We invited her, and she said that she would, assuming she received an answer to her prayers! If all goes well, she'll be baptized on the 26th! It was such a special moment, because we've grown really close to their family, and it makes me SO happy to think that they're on their way to becoming an eternal family!  

We were able to watch the Relief Society Broadcast on Saturday in the stake center...in Spanish! Yay! It was awesome! I loved how they focused on baptismal covenants! I felt the spirit so strongly. Though it was pretty funny, because there was a Catholic celebration outside, so there were some interfering noises. Then halfway through, a crazy storm hit and cut the satellite connection, so we had to crowd around the family history center computers. but it was great! I loved seeing the Sister missionary choir from the MTC, too. I saw 2 of my friends in it! That was awesome!  

I love working with Hermana R and Hermana V. It's weird that I'm not the inexperienced one anymore. I actually help with Hermana V's training. We have cambios this Wednesday, so they'll call us tomorrow to let us know who's leaving. The ideal situation would be that no one leaves and that we 'kill off' Hermana R, since this is her last cambio. But I have my suspicions that I'll stay here and continue Hna V's training program. There has been a little too much speculation here this week. Finally we'll know tomorrow! We celebrated what may be our last Pday together by eating Pupusas-- El Salvador is famous for its pupusas. They're SO good! Also, there's a drink called Cacao that is amazing.  

fun fact...Hermana R just said ''Tengo una chela divertida'' Which means she has a fun gringa. Haha. She's always saying that I'm normal and that all the other chelas are weird and have a ton of quirks that don't blend in with Nica culture. I'm trying my best to be Nica, because it makes life easier...and more fun. One of the Bishop's daughters said I'm true pinolera, which is another way to say Nicaraguan. Score! Although I'm pretty sure she was part joking...haha. Mom asked about the water situation. Well, the bishop's family uses purified water to cook with, but they buy ice from little stores...I try not to think about what kind of water they use. But I haven't gotten sick from it!  

Well, I hope all is well at home! I hope you enjoy General Conference! I can't wait to hear what the prophet has to say! We're planning on bringing investigators and less actives to it, so hopefully that works out. I know that Thomas S Monson is a prophet called by God and that he has the authority to recieve revelation to guide this church. It's hard to believe that almost a year ago, he made the announcement that changed my life...which is why I am now in Nicaragua!  

I love you all! 

Love, Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

 

23 September 2013 - Now A Trio!

Buenas Tardes! 

Well, this week was AWESOME! As always, but this week was especially great.  

I love working in a trio. Hermanas V., R., and I make a great companionship. Hermana V has only been with us for a week, but I feel like we're best friends already. All three of us are always joking around. But we make a pretty good teaching team as well. Although it's true...it's way harder to squeeze into the little rooms that our investigators live in. It makes it more entertaining that way...haha. We decided that we're like Charlie's Angels.   

 

But Hermana V is awesome! She only has a month in the mission, but is doing really well! There is definitely a huge difference between the progression of a Norte who has to learn the language and a latina. Our training schedules are pretty funny. I'm on my last week now, so there won't be many issues, but every week of training, there are specific goals we have to complete...and this past week, I had to direct all the lessons and planning sessions that we had...but Hna V's goal was to begin taking turns in daily planning and also to initiate teaching the Plan of Salvation. But it all worked out! Haha Hermana V said she was scared to return to Miraflores after her first day with us...mostly because we seriously flew from apt to apt because we were running really late. And she said Hna R scared her...which is understandable. She can be pretty intense when she's stressed out. At least Hna V wasn't scared of me...I smile too much for people to be scared of me...haha.  

Well, as a ''Welcome to Miraflores'' gift for Hna V on Tuesday...we woke up to...no running water!! Oh man, it was rough. We decided to study first and see if the water would come back later on in the morning...but it didn't. We had a little bit of water in the pila where we wash our clothes...so each person had to shower with only a gallon of water. Not even exaggerating...it was quite the experience. Then the water came back on once we were all dressed...of course. Haha but it was pretty funny.

 

Then, later that day, Hna V received another encouraging gift when we visited a less active hermana. She always gives us a fresco and picos (bread) after our lessons...so when she offered a drink, we accepted. But this drink was a little different. Here, they love to drink chicha, which I have no idea to describe. Usually, it's chicha de maiz, which is pink. But this time, it was brown and looked more like tamarindo...which I just realized that you've probably never heard of that either. Anyway, when I drank it, I really had to try hard not to spit it all out. It was horrible. It was like drinking vinegar. I tried to drink it super fast so that I wouldn't have to suffer more, and when the Hna noticed, she said ''Oh! Hna MacKay really likes it because she's drinking it faster than the rest!'' Luckily she didn't offer me more. She told us that it was Chicha de pelo de maiz y cana agria...corn hair and bitter sugar cane. It was terrible. But I struggled not to laugh because Hna V seriously looked like she was about to throw up. Apparently that type of chicha is really good for the kidneys. So at least I have healthy kidneys now...that's a relief. 

It rained a ton this week. I think it's finally winter here in Managua. Before I left home, someone told me I'd be eternally wet here in Nica, and now I understand. I'm either wet from the rain, or I'm drenched in sweat. There isn't an in-between. It's a good thing I love it here. In our zone pday last week, we had a ''most likely to...'' activity. Guess who won ''Most likely to be the mother of 15 kids'' without contest? Yup. You should be very proud of me...haha. Cambios are next week and I'm getting a little anxious, since it's really likely that it'll affect my area. Who knows what'll happen. I thought I wanted to leave MF after I finished being trained, but when Hna V came and we realized we're probably only a temporary companionship, I thought about the possibility of leaving my area and the people here and it made me sad. It'll be interesting to see what happens next week, that's for sure!  

We had divisions with Zona Universitaria otra vez this week. And once again, the Lord entrusted Miraflores in my hands. Hermana R and V went to the other zone to work with those hermanas. And I worked with Hna S. (the mission nurse) and Hna Va. (from the CCM). It was an...interesting day...full of tracting, conflicting ideas, and aggressive teaching (not on my part). Since Hna Va. is from Managua, Nica, but the Northern part, she had the idea that I had no idea where I was going and tried to lead us everywhere we went...She didn't trust my ability to dirigir our area. But one thing I learned is that I need the balance between being aggressive and passive when I'm teaching. Because one of my comps almost prompted a few arguments during lessons, and the other just sat there and didn't talk. There was some bible bashing involved. It was bad. When my normal trio was reunited the next day, we were very happy to be with eachothers otra vez. I realized how blessed I am to have Hna R and V. They're great.  

Well, Miraflores is beginning to improve. The area was pretty much dead when I arrived in July because Hna Rivera's comp was sick and they couldn't leave very much. But our agendas were seriously packed this week. If we met someone on Wed, we couldn't set an apt until Thurs of the next week. It's pretty crazy! Our family stalking is beginning to pay off. We had a powerful lesson last night with a new family that we're teaching. They're friends with a menos activo who joined the church last december. They weren't interested in the church at that point and avoided the hnas when they came to teach Danilo. But not, they're super positive. It's true, the Lord prepares people in his own time. They keep calling us angels. They're so awesome! I've definitely learned the importance of smiling and always being happy in lessons. Smiling is natural for me, so when I'm not smiling, people notice. We're in the process of teaching Hermana V how to smile constantly. Haha. But really, we have so many reasons to be smiling every day. I feel so blessed to be here serving the people of Managua. I feel the Spirit daily and meet so many great people every day. Every person is a child of God. I love having a chance to meet as many as possible and introduce the Gospel to them. It's so awesome! 

Well, I hope you all have a great week! I'm sure Karen will have a great time at homecoming! and Good luck to Rachel working in the Primary. Mom- Congrats on the family history success! So awesome! I showed Hna R my pedigree chart that I brought with me...she was really impressed. So fun to hear about the wedding plans for December! It's coming up fast...ish! If I'm still here in Managua, Hna R told me that I'll skype from the family history center. Pretty crazy that by then, I'll have been in the mission for 7 months! It seriously goes so quickly. I turn 4 on Sunday! And I turn 20 in real life so soon! Weird that I'll say goodbye to my teenage years once and for all. 

Love you all!  

Love,

Hna MacKay

(Posted by her Mom)

16 Sept 2013 - Buenas tardes!!

Buenas tardes!! 

Well, this week we had a pday activity as a zone, which was actually just sports and pizza hut. But it's way too hot outside to play sports, but the pizza was so good! I love Nica food, but sometimes I crave American junk food, not gonna lie. Speaking of which, I got a package from Natalie this week...full of chocolate. She's pretty much awesome. Anyway...now for the more interesting parts of the week... 

The craziest thing that happened occured on Saturday night/this morning. On Saturday night, we were leaving our dinner apt and the ZL called. Hna R answered and her reaction scared me a little bit, because they were similar to the times when she told me news that gave me more responsability (like divisions where I lead my area). But luckily this time, it was a little different. Hna R is training again!! While training me! haha it's pretty crazy. A hermana had to go home for knee surgery, but she was training...Hermana V! I don't know if you remember, but she was the newbie that worked with us her first day in the field. So now, we're working as a trio! Mama, hija, and nieta/hijastra (stepdaughter) (the hna that went home was hna R's first hija). Hna V arrived this morning. Our house is pretty cramped yet. Hopefully we'll get a second fridge, because ours is tiny. But Hna V is awesome. It'll be interesting to see how it works to be in a trio. There are only 2 more weeks until cambios, so one of us will probably go somewhere else. There are a few scenarios we've thought of, including me finishing Hna V's training, or possibly going to a different area. It'll be interesting to see what happens.  

This week was crazy. There were days when we were in desperate need of divisions with members because we had too many citas, but other days when all our citas fell through. We've been focusing on contacting, because we're in desperate need of new investigators. We have 7 or so people that we're teaching, but none are progressing. We're obviously going to keep working with them, but we also need to find people who are more positive. But we're working hard! We are still stalking families and are in the process of finding their houses to teach them. So far, no crazy success stories, but that's all right. At least we're planting seeds. We go tracting when our citas fall through. I'm getting better at contacting, but sometimes, I still get stuck. Luckily, I have a very experienced companion to help me out. But I am starting to take more responsability in lessons. Progress! But I still feel like I'm a complete newbie. We'll see. 

The ward is doing well...well at least it's progressing. We had ward counsel yesterday and went pretty well. We still don't have a ward mission leader...but the bishop is very supportive and is working on it. I have yet to speak in church...I think the bishop has his eye on me though. There is an RM who is teaching Gospel Principles now, so that's nice! 

We had divisions on Thurs. with the DL and his comp. They worked with 2 hermanos from the ward and we worked with 2 hermanas from the ward. I was with a returned missionary (one of the bishop's daughters). The 2 companionships of hnas went to all our citas and the elders contacted for 4 hours. I hope we'll be able to see results from that. A. and I contacted a house that was way nicer than the average Nica house. Usually the people in that type of house aren't very nice, but the people answered the door and rushed us in. We were pretty confused until they ushered us into a room where a 100 yr old woman was laying on a bed. She was dying...and her family wanted us to pray for her. So we shared a message about the Atonement and prayed. It was a pretty strange situation. I felt like the woman was going to pass away any minute.The next day, we taught a family with a 11 day old baby. I felt so close heaven in both cases. First, with a woman whose Spirit was about to go to heaven, and next, a new Spirit who had lived with God 11 days earlier. So cool! 

I think that was everything that happened this week. It was a pretty mellow week. It rained a ton! We had a little flooding problem in our house...the windows let in water. Great. I wore my crocs pretty much all week. Good investment. Um...what else...well, the Gospel is TRUE! 

I know that our prayers can be answered if we ask with faith. Muchas veces, the answers don't come right away, but we have a promise that they'll come. We've been teaching the Plan of Salvation a lot recently. I'm so grateful for the blessing that we have to know where we came from and why we're here and where we go after death. I'm so grateful for the blessing to have an eternal promise. I get to be a MacKay forever! Such an awesome blessing...even if I will have a different last name as well. haha. 

I love you all and hope you have an awesome week!  

Love, Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

9 September 2013 - Hola!

Saludos a todos! 

How's it going in the US? This week has been awesome. We had the Multi-Zona on Tues with 2 other zones. It was so fun! But it was way longer than anticipated. We got there at 9 and got back to our area around 5:30. there are a ton of Hermanas in the other zones. There's a district where there's the DL and his comp, and apart from them, there are only hermanas. President Russell machetero-ed (was really harsh...idk exactly what the translation is...or if there is one) us about church assistance and progress in our areas, but overall, it was good. Our video was definitely the best. Lots of funny clips...one of which Hna R and I are shouting/singing into the camera dramatically. Twas grand.  

In other news...A. was baptized on Saturday! And he and R. (yeah...he's a little late) were confirmed on Sunday. So awesome! Everything went pretty smoothly on Saturday...except the Hno who referred A. to us and was going to baptize A. almost pulled a Princess Diaries on us. He said he'd meet A. at the church, but never showed up. We had to go to his house and bring him. He was super nervous and didn't want to baptize A. . But we built up his confidence and all went well! And A. is going to be a POWERFUL member in our ward. He bore his testimony after he was baptized and almost made me cry. He talked about how the missionaries (aka us) were guided by the Lord and always showed up when he was feeling low and vulnerable to his addiction. And he has a super strong testimony. I love this gospel! It's so true and I love helping others realize that.  

So that was the most exciting part of the week. Our other investigators aren't progressing very much. We're trying to contact more people to fill in the holes now that we're not visiting A. quite as often. Our new tactic is pretty much stalking. Our mission is putting a lot of stress on finding and teaching families, which is difficult in our area. But we have found the solution. We just have to wait outside the grocery store at night and when a family walks out, we wait for a minute and the perseguir them. While singing the mission impossible theme song...haha. We like to pretend we're spies. It's pretty fun. haha.  

So I realized my taste buds haven't changed too much. Hna R. is always commenting on how I drink a ton of milk. And we discovered something quite wonderful. Batidos de banano con leche. Basically, it's an ice shake with bananas, like I made all the time at home. The only problem is that I always am craving them now. So I was thinking...what is typical for american food? Other than hamburgers? I couldn't think of anything. 

I learned a new phrase this past week. It's 'Oh, mis azules!' Which translates to 'Oh my blues!' and is referring to their eyes when there's sun shining really brightly into your eyes. Because lighter coloered eyes are more sensitive. Except it isn't as funny when I say it, since I actually have blue eyes...haha. But I still say it for fun. someone on the street called out to me 'hola pelo de maiz!' He called me hair of corn. At first I thought, 'No! I'm not a blonde!' But then I realized he meant the little hairs on the top of the corn...strange comparison...haha.  

So I sent off a stack of letters that have been culminating over the past 2 months...it's so cheap here! 10 cordobas for a letter to the US...which is about 50 cents. Granted, who knows if it'll actually get there. We'll see. We went shoe shopping today...Hna R. for necesity, me just for fun. It is now a fact. I am a giant here. All the workers in the shoe stores gave me really weird looks when I asked if they had shoes larger than a size 9...haha.  

I only have 3 more weeks of training, then I'm a normal missionary and am expected to know the majority of missionary related things...so crazy! Potentially I could have a new comp on Oct. 2, but I doubt it because Hna R. only has one more transfer after october. So crazy! Time flies here in the mission. It's pretty crazy. So far (from missionary friends) I've only heard from sister Ernenwein. She's doing really well. She's a trainer! So far Melissa and Erica are trainers. So awesome! I love this work! I honestly haven't had a bad day so far. And I don't plan on having one. I've learned that it all depends on perspective. Obviously I'm going to have a ton of hard experiences in the next 15 months, but I plan on making the most of them. We're on this earth to learn from our mistakes and progress. It's a very important part of the Plan of Salvacion. I love it! 

I hope everything is going well at home! How exciting about Bro. Drake! And Wedding plans...woohoo! haha. And the house looks awesome! So weird to see it different! I'm going to come home and all sorts of things will be different. But I'll be different too, so it's all good. I love you all! Hurrah for Israel! 

Love,

Hna MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

2 September 2013 - Saludos de Managua!

Dear familia,  

Hola! How is everything at home? Weird to think that everyone's back at college now. I left when summer started. Now it's over. Time flies! I'm now a 3 yr old! Progress! 

Well, when I was thinking about what happened this week, only one thing came to my mind, and it wasn't particularly spiritual. Here it is... 

I ate COW TONGUE yesterday. As in...tongue...from a cow. Yup. On Saturday night, Hna J called me over to see what she was making for Sunday...there was a full-fledged cow tongue boiling in a pot. And I ate part of it the next day. It actually wasn't that bad. The only gross part was the texture. I kept thinking about our Virginia cows and what they did with their tongues. But hey, it probably won't be my last cow tongue in the next 15 months. I'm becoming more and more Nica every day. Eating meat off the bone, or with my hands.... I realized that gallo pinto in fact is not overrated. It's so good! Especially with tajadas (deep fried plaintain chips). Gotta love Nica food. 

In other news...the work is progressing as always! Lots of sharing the Restored Gospel in all its truthfullness and glory. We've been teaching a lot of lessons, but the results haven't been particularly encouraging. But we always have hope that something will change and the people will be ready to receive our message! We have a handful of people that we're helping progress to baptism, but so far, they need a little more help. But the best news of the week... A. is going to be baptized this week! Assuming all goes well and he keeps his compromisos. But he is so ready! Yesterday, I was thinking about the fast and testimony meeting from the month before, when A. showed up drunk. Yesterday, he was attentive and had his scriptures with him. He has come a long way. He has a really strong testimony and understands the gospel more than a lot of the members in our ward. I'm so excited for him to progress and make sacred covenants with Heavenly Father.  

This week, we were really popular. We went to 3 different birthday parties! Latino birthdays are about the same...cake, piñatas, the works. Haha. It was awesome, though we were obligated to buy gifts for the 2 kids whose birthday parties we went to...that was difficult. For the little girl, we bought a bouncy ball with Sleeping Beauty on it...in honor of Karen. haha. We had plans to go to the parties and contact the people who weren't members, but it didn't work out very well. But this week, we're going to have a ton of Family Home Evenings with members and are inviting them to invite nonmember friends, so hopefully something will work out there. FHEs are really fun with the members. We've made a lot of good friendships with members that way. 

Honestly, not much happened this week. The only other exciting thing that happened was that our district is making a video for a multizone conference tomorrow. It's to the song of You Raise Me Up, but we're all doing crazy or at least funny things. We had Zone Conference on Friday, which was really fun. We have a new ZL who is very animated. Oh! I went to the distribution center today and ran into Hna Merrill, who is from Alpine! Though I never met her...I know that a few people have told me to look out for her. I also met an Elder whose mom I met in the Provo temple last semester. That was pretty random. Haha 

to answer some questions... 

The Spanish is coming along really well. I study almost completely in Spanish and consult my English scriptures when I don't understand a verse. I love personal study. I wish it were more than an hour. There's so much to learn! I also need to learn to play hymns better, because it's still a little clumsy. Sometimes, when the bishop chooses songs that are too difficult, I just lead the music a cappella...haha. Hermana R and I are buddies now that we can communicate. We're always joking around. Someone called us cafe con leche because I'm white and she's latina...so that's a nice little joke now. She only has 2 months left! So crazy!  

Oh! And I found a map of my area and have some more info...it's a little rough though. I'm near Iglesia Señor Lezcano, a little west of it. But that's the closest landmark. Calle 4 de Noviembre goes through my area (the western part). Acuahaulinca is NW, as well as the US embassy. And I'm NE from  Laguna de Asososca. It's like Where's Waldo! 

But that's about it for now! I'm doing really well here in Managua and can't believe it's already been 3 months since I left home! The gospel is so true and I love sharing it! Prayer is real. Heavenly Father hears each and every prayer and will give us the knowledge we need if we ask for it! 

 I hope all is well with you all! I expect engagement pics pronto! I hope Karen is enjoying school...at least tolerating it. Thanks for the update! I love hearing about everyone, even if I don't have time to respond to it!  

Love, 

Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

26 August 2013 - Baptism!

Hola!  

Well, I had my first cambio in the field this week! Now we have a new District Leader and Zone Leader...and now I'm the only chela (white person...) in my district. I didn't go, since only the people with transfers go, but it means I have over 6 weeks in the field! Pretty crazy! 

This week was awesome! After I emailed last week, we went to my chapel and played sports with the district. We started out with baseball, but someone hit the ball over the gate (I wasn't too bummed...baseball isn't my sport) and then we played...basketball! It was so funny playing basketball with a bunch of latinos, since they don't play very much...and they are significantly shorter than the nortes in my district. It was great. I also got a ton of letters that day...so awesome! But it'll take a while to respond to them all.  

On Tuesday, we got to adopt a new missionary for the afternoon! there are 6 new sisters in the mission now! And rumor has it that 10 more are coming next transfer! Hermanas are slowly taking over! We worked with Hna V, who is from Guatemala. She is already an awesome missionary. But I think she may have had a misconception about missionary work in Nicaragua after her day with us...because all of our citas with people involved drunks. A collapsed to peer pressure and when we went to teach him on Tues, he was chilling with ... buddies. But he was still coherent, so we talked to him for a while. It was pretty disappointing, but we aren't giving up on him! The perk was that he was calling out to all his friends that passed by to have them talk to us...we have a potential investigator thanks to that. Haha. Then afterwards, in a lesson with a member, a drunk came into their house and started talking to us. That was a strange day. Hopefully Hna V has had better experiences in her own area...haha. We had a lesson with a recent convert this week and his friend was there when we arrived. His friend was...interesting. When he shook my hand, he said, "You're beautiful, beautiful, beautiful" (in english). I thought he was trying to practice his English, since lots of people like to test out their English phrases on me. But then during the lesson, he kept getting closer to me. Rather creepy. Then, he had to leave early, and when he shook my hand, he said "I love you" and I just ignored him and said "Adios!" But then he looked me in the eye and said, "No, I LOVE you!" Luckliy the recent convert cut in and sent his friend on his way. Oh the blessings of being a Norte in Nicaragua! Haha there are definitely some characters over here. But there are also tons of people ready to receive the gospel! 

This week, we taught a lot more lessons than usual! It's still to early to tell how positive they all are, but September is looking rather full in regards to baptisms! E isn't progressing very quickly, since we had trouble finding her this week, but she went to R's baptism on Friday...speaking of which, R is now a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latterday Saints! He had to work on Saturday when there was a Stake baptismal service, so instead, he was baptized on Friday! It went really well! There were a ton of people there to support him, even lots of less actives and investigators! The only nerve-racking part was when R showed up 30 minutes late! We were getting pretty nervous. But all went well! He bore his testimony afterward and it was really powerful. I felt the Spirit so strongly. It was so awesome to have the entire experience of working with an investigator and helping them toward their goal of baptism. This Gospel is so powerful and it's amazing to see how the restored gospel of Jesus Christ can influence people's lives. 

This week was so hot, but it also rained more that usual. I love it when it rains, because it cools off for a least a little while. But on Saturday, it was insane. We were teaching a lesson and suddenly, there were huge strikes of lighting and super loud thunder. Then it started pouring! The woman we were teaching was scared to death because her abuela passed away because she was struck by lightning. She wouldn't let us leave until it calmed down a little. But it didn't stop raining until morning. We walked to the stake center that day to support the people in our zone who were baptized in the Stake baptismal service. Pres. and Hna Russell were there! I started talking to Hna Russell and after a few sentences, I realized she looked really confused and that I was speaking in Spanish. She still doesn't understand very much Spanish. I feel bad for her. But she's really sweet! She was amazed that we walked in the rain...haha. It's a normal ocurrence for us. But the baptisms went really well. There were about as many people there as there were for R's baptism, which is pretty sad since it was a stake activity. But overall, it was awesome! 

That's pretty crazy about the flooding in Alpine! Rain in Utah? Unheard of! I hope that Karen is enjoying school...enough. Now she has less time to think about how much she misses me...just kidding. So weird to think school is starting up for everyone. I miss BYU, but I know I'm supposed to be here in Nicaragua right now! I love being a missionary. It's such a blessing to be able to serve as a representative of Jesus Christ. People really do recognize that we're here to help them...random strangers that we meet feel comfortable telling us their life stories, to which we respond with doctrine. It's amazing! I'm trying to participate more in lessons, and I'm starting to feel more comfortable as I find the balance of listening and teaching. I have a long way to go, but I'm getting there! I know that the Book of the Mormon is the keystone of the gospel. We focused on that aspect a ton this past week in our studies and it helped me a ton.  

I hope all continues to go well at home! Love you all! 

Love, Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)