17 Feb 2014 - Life is so good!

This was a great week....really great. There were also some unexpected surprises, but that's a normal part of life. It makes it more interesting, right?  

It has been super fun working with Hna N. I still kind of feel like we're just on divisions, and then it hits me that we'll be companions for at least one more month! I hope it'll be longer...! She has actually had a few gringa comps before. We've been having lots of fun together! She is super musical, so we've been singing a ton. Also, another crazy connection...she was roommates with Kristen Grant! That was pretty crazy! 

So Tuesday was pretty crazy....during companionship study, one of the APs called and said that they were going to work with us all day! Usually APs only work with ZLs and DLs, but for some reason they decided to work with us. It was actually pretty fun! They came in the morning, but then at lunch, Presidente called them and said he wanted them to work with the other Rosario hnas too....so they did divisions! It was super weird because Elder A worked with us...and his comp with the others. But it was way fun...E. A was actually our zone leader until this last change. It was pretty nice having him to threaten all the flirts away! He said it was really hard to work with us because there are lots of people who just want to flirt with us...now he understands our pain...haha. But it's all good! 

We had zone conference this week, too. It was super weird because pretty much everyone is new! I'm one of the missionaries who has been in this zone for the longest time...it's weird! But we have a new ZL, Elder V, who was actually my first ZL in Managua! I think I've changed quite a lot since then...haha. 

So we've had a lot of great teaching experiences this week! Hna N and I teach really well together...it's awesome! We've been working on being more direct (something I've always had a problem with growing up) and it's been really helping our investigators understand more! We taught a man named Y who has been going to church for about a year. The missionaries taught him a year ago, but stopped teaching him a long time ago. We randomly found him one day and started teaching him. He knows so much! But he said he needed to know more before he could be baptized...so we read 2 Nefi 31, which talks about the doctrine of Christ, and he loved it. He summarized the purpose of baptism and everything, but said he still didn't feel like he knew enough. So I kind of interrupted him and said exactly what he needed to hear (that he was more than ready)....and he got super excited. Apparently he just had some insecurities...haha. It was awesome. So hopefully he'll progress even more!  

We also taught a contact named F...which in english means fruit...not even kidding. I really wanted to be able to say that I helped don fruto be baptized...but he just wants to marry me. So if you want a 50 something year old son in law named F, it's totally an option....haha jk. Happy Valentines day to me, right? I just celebrated the pure LOVE of Christ that day....haha. But actually, that's a pretty great type of love. I know that charity is something really important. I am literally a representative of Jesus Christ, so I need to help others feel the love that He feels for them. Because when I talk to investigators, I really to feel an instant love for them. It's awesome! I know that each of us are children of God and that He loves us so much!  

And I love all of you too! I hope you have an amazing week! I can't believe we're over halfway through Feb. already! It's so crazy! We're coming up on March so quickly! I saw a ''kiss me i'm irish'' necklace today in the market...it made me laugh...haha. But I hope all is going well with everyone! Love you! 

Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

10 February 2014 - Gringa power!

Holaaaaaa! So this week was rather eventful...we had cambios! And Hermana R left! Actually every companionship in our zone (except for one) had cambios....it was pretty crazy. So everyone left together early on Wed. morning and I stayed in Jinotepe with Hna T and Hna V, eagerly awaiting to hear who would be my new companion!  

And she is....drum roll please... 

Hermana N from Salt Lake City, Utah!!!!! 

Yay!! She is so awesome! She has 11 months in the mission and is super bubbly and fun. I love her! We're gonna have a lot of fun together! We have so much in common...it's great. Although it's really weird speaking English together...and people give us really strange looks! haha Our district has changed so much! It's really weird...there are way more gringos now (before there were only 2). But it'll be good! Hermana R is in Masatepe now, which is actually still in our stake, but a different zone. All the ward members have said that I am super happy now...and I really am! I think I'm more fun when I'm with Hna N! But for the record, I learned a lot from Hna R. She is a good missionary. 

So another eventful thing happened...we're living in a new house now! Yaaaaay! I seriously sleep so well now! There aren't any bats, there aren't men making a ton of noise next door at 4 am...life is good. We made the switch on Saturday. We live in the other area in Rosario, so we're a little farther away from the church and our area, but it's worth it! Our house is smaller and doesn't have any furniture or counters, but it's cozy. I felt really sad leaving the owners of our other house (they're awesome members), but it had to be done.  

For most of the week, I've been showing Hna N around. She feels pretty lost, but I felt the same way. Our area is waaaaaaaay bigger than her last one, so she had some lovely blisters after the first day...haha. But we teach really well together! I've been able to feel the Spirit in all our lessons. We are teaching a new family who are super awesome! R and S are so cool and want to progress! And they are so fun to teach! We also taught a new hermano who doesn't have any arms because of a freak accident with an electric wire. It was really humbling to see him and know how much he has gone through, but he is really strong. It's so true that the harder that the wind blows, the stronger the tree is. It's amazing to see how much that some people go through and how patient they are in their trials. You've gotta find joy in the journey! 

This week really has flown right on by. But was a really great week! We're working hard to find the people ready for the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ change their lives. It really is miraculous that Jesus Christ came to this earth to teach his gospel, but to ultimately suffer for our sins and die for us. I am so grateful for his sacrifice! I have started to see some easter candy pop up and it made me think about Easter and what the Savior did on Passover week so many years ago. I am so grateful for Him and his infinite love.  

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Enjoy the cold...it's starting to warm up over here! Ahhh! Apparently March and April are the hottest months of the year in Nicaragua...I hope I'll still be here in Rosario, where it's at least a little cooler! Hna N came from Managua and she has had to wear a sweater each night because she thinks it's cold...I remember when that happened to me! And now it's totally normal...haha 

I love you all!

Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

3 February 2014 - Happy February!

Hola! How's it going! This week was great! The Spirit was really strong this week...always a great feeling! 

Well, the good news is...I haven't been quite as worried about the house situation. The bad news is...I still live with bats. But after 4 months of it, I'm used to it...haha. We were actually able to find a few options...but the problem is that Sister Russell has to approve our new house...and the zone leaders STILL haven't sent the pictures. But we didn't have to change areas this week...so that's good! I really love El Rosario and the possibililty of changing areas with the elders was really sad.  

So we've entered clementine season here! Yaaay! I remember when I was at BYU, I'd buy a ton of clementines and at one point, the orange-y smell stuck to my hands for a week...I may be in danger of that happening again, because the beauty of living in Nicaragua is that every other tree produces some kind of fruit...and luckily for me, the majority of members have mandarina trees in their yards! And as they love the missionaries...they all give us bags full of mandarinas!! Yaaaaaaaaaay! Happy day. But the weird thing is that the mandarinas here have a green peel...but inside is orange like normal. Same with oranges...the oranges are green...how ironic. 

I turned 8 months this past week! I ate baby food appropriate for 8 month old babies to celebrate...hahaha. There's this stuff called Nestum that tastes sooo good! But it's technically for babies....yup. Hermana R got me hooked on it. Don't knock it till you try it! haha 

On Friday, we went to Managua yet again! This time it was a multizona with Elder Amado from the area seventy. He is super intense, but I learned a lot! It was awesome! In the beginning, he talked about how we needed to be focused on the impressions we received while he talked, and that we should continuously pray in our hearts to learn the things we needed to know. The capacitacion was supposed to end at 3 pm...but ended at 6 pm because he kept saying...''i can tell you're still praying to learn more, so I'm going to keep talking until I say everything that you need to learn!' It was awesome. I learned a lot about the basics about the gospel, but he also kept branching off into random topics that were completely unrelated...like marriage. Yeah, he gave marriage advice to a bunch of missionaries...haha. 

But while he was talking, I realized how much I love my mission. I really do love being a missionary. I LOVE being able to teach the gospel and watch how it transforms into the people that God wants the to be. I know that I am supposed to be here in Nicaragua at the time. The work I'm doing now definitely isn't easy, but it is SO worth it. I'm grateful for the time I have to be able to share my testimony with my lovely Nicaraguans. I can't believe I only have 10 months left! But I'm so excited to see what these next months have in store for me! 

It was great to hear how life is going up north! Congrats to Byron and Erica! Sounds like it was a good time! I hope you all have an awesome week! Love you all! 

Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

27 January 2014 - What a crazy week...

Buenas Tardes! 

Wow I can't believe next time I'll write, I'll have 8 months...and it'll be February! How did that even happen? Cambios are next Wednesday, but I won't know the cambios until the day after I write next week. This 8 week long cambio has felt eternal...but really it's only 2 weeks longer than the normal cambio! I have a feeling that my district will change a lot this cambio...so sad. I love my district. There are a lot of unique personalities which make meetings more interesting. But cambios happen and life goes on. It's the circle of life...well...the mission life...haha. And yes I just sang the song from Lion King in my head. Good stuff. 

Well this week was great...lots of good things happened. But also...some things that brought intense stress into our lives happened as well. But I just keep telling myself that it's all good and whatever happens is what is supposed to happen...I think my attitude is annoying my comp, but it's keeping me sane...haha. But anyway... 

This week started out like normal. We worked really hard and were able to see some results...nothing too dramatic, but its the little miracles every day that make everything worthwhile. Little by little we are finding people to teach, though it's a process!  

On Thursday, we had interviews with President Russell. When we arrived, the zone leaders asked for our house keys...we (and the other missionaries waiting with us) were all really confused, until Sis. Russell told us that she and 2 elders would go check all of our houses...supposedly our district leader had told us, but...that didn't happen. So that was kind of embarrassing...but at least I'm tidier than I used to be. So they headed out to check our houses while Pres. interviewed us. It went really well.  

But the stressful part came when Hna Russell came back and said Hna R and I have to change houses. Apparently she didn't find the ladder leading to the loft where we sleep acceptable...nor the inevitable bat droppings...So she told us we had a week to move. But the issue is that there really aren't any houses for rent in El Rosario. So we've been pulling out our hair trying to find a place...and if we don't be Thurs, we have to switch houses with the district leader and possibly change areas. NO!!! So I guess we'll see what happens next week...and if I still have hair...haha. 

But Friday was awesome! We went to Managua for a conference with everyone from both the North and South missions in Nicaragua! Elder Soares (who spoke in General Conf. in May) from the Seventy came and spoke to us. He passed on a message from Elder Cook, who was supposed to come, but couldn't. He talked a lot about establishing the church here in Nicaragua, because it's still really young here. It was awesome! And afterward, our zone went to McDonalds...so lovely...but the funny thing is that one of the side dishes they sell in McDonalds is GALLO PINTO! haha it was rather hilarious.  

Well, not much else has happened! Just lots of house hunting mixed into the usual routine of the missionary work that I love so much. I know that whatever happens is part of the Lord's plan. Sometimes it's difficult to accept that I don't know what will happen, but that's when I start singing ''don't worry be happy''...haha. Life is good. I love being a missionary. I love Nicaragua. I love life!!! And...I also love my family! Thanks for all your support! 

Love you!

Hermana MacKay

(Posted by her Mom)

20 January 2014 - Hola!

Hey! I hope everything is going well on your end! This week was great! Honestly, I can't really remember what happened, but I don't remember any really bad experiences, so that's a good sign!

This week, we had divisions once again...but this time I switched over to Rosario 2 and worked with Hna V, who only has about 2 months in the mission. It was pretty weird working with someone with less time than I have in the mission. I guess I'm growing up or something...weird...haha. But it was really good. The funny thing was that last week, Hna V and Hna G were attacked by a swarm of bees...and so when I found out I'd go to Rosario 2 for the day, I was joking about how I'd need to be careful because Hna V attracts the bees...but I didn't think it'd actually happen! When we were waiting for someone to answer at the door, a swarm of bees came out of nowhere and attacked! Luckily, I survived with only one sting. But apparently the next time they visited that house, the person said she'd be baptized! Sacrifices bring blessings...haha. 

I now have a new nickname here...aside from gringa, chelita, eldera...yup. Now I can add gatita to the list. Gata means cat. I met a woman who started saying ''Hi pretty kitty'' and things like that...it was pretty funny. According to Nicas, I have yellow hair and my eye color is like cat eyes...haha it's great.

P, T, and J are doing great! T has some challeges because her grandma still isn't supporting her, but we're trying to figure out how to help her continue to progress. P is doing really well. She has plans to go to the temple with her daughter when she gets home from her mission! Awesome! We weren't able to find J to teach him this week and remind him about church...but he showed up right on time! That boy is pilas.  

We visited F again this week. She is great...the problem is that going to church will be a struggle because of her house repair issues. The builders always deliver the supplies on Sundays and she has to be there. But she's awesome. We were talking a little about how we all lived with God as spirits before we came here and Hna R asked F if she'd ever felt as though she'd already met someone even though it was the first time she'd met the person...she said yes...and that she felt that way with me! That was a cool surprise. I do feel like a had an instant connection with her. It's really cool!  

We had a really good zone conference this week. We talked about Peter and his change after Christ's death. At first, he didn't know what to do, so he returned to what he knew how do do and went fishing...but when Jesus appeared, Jesus told him ''feed my sheep'' various times. It's so important that we avoid the norm and do what the world usually does. We are here to do what the Lord wants to do. Right now, I'm a representative of Jesus Christ. I am here to feed the sheep of Nicaragua...good thing I was raised to like sheep! Haha jk. But I really love seeing the change that happened within Peter...and after the Day of Pentecost, he became a bold missionary...that's my goal! 

That's so awesome about Anna's mission call! Zambia?! Wow. Craziness. Any other recent mission calls? Jodi went into the MTC this past weekend. Wow. The work is definitely hastening!!! That'll be fun to have the Mackays staying at the house for a while.  

Well, I know that la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos dias es verdadero. I don't have a single doubt. I know that It was restored through Joseph Smith, and that he was called to be a prophet of God. I'm so grateful for the gospel in my life! 

I hope you have an awesome week!

Love, 

Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

13 Jan 2014 - Wherre do I even start?

Well, this week was awesome! It seriously flew by...yet I feel like Tuesday was forever away. I feel like I really progressed as a missionary this week. It was pretty great. But I can't believe that we're already almost halfway through January! How did that even happen! 

So my crazy week started on Wednesday, when we had inter-district divisions...and as usual, I stayed in my area and Hna R left. Hna C came to Rosario. She is really fun! I learned a lot from her. I felt kind of bad because we had to walk a ton that day...we had a lesson with F...I don-t know if I've mentioned her, but she's an investigator who lives really far away. She's really positive, but she has had a ton of challenges lately and we haven't been able to teach her very much. For example...her house collapsed. As in...literally collapsed. It is no more...yep. Luckily no one was hurt. She's living in a large tent with her family right now. It makes me so sad to see her circumstances but she's a trooper! We had to end divisions early because half our district had to go to a meeting in Managua in the morning...but it was a good experience.  

But then on Friday...we had divisions AGAIN! And once again, I stayed in my area! This time, we had divisions with the sister training leaders (the equivalent of ZLs, but specifically for hermanas). This time, Hermana A came to El Rosario...she's awesome! And it was so weird...and fun...being with another gringa! Haha. She goes home this cambio. People are "dying" in the mission left and right!! But I learned a ton from her. And she made sure that I was the one who took control in the lessons...I feel a lot more independent now. It's a good feeling. But we saw a ton of miracles that day! First of all, we found 3 very positive investigators that day...and all three accepted fechas bautismales!! But also, we were walking through the woods...more or less...and passed a group of drunks that started calling out and saying who knows what to us...and we just walked really fast...but a man in a bike caught up to us and said ''God must be protecting you...because they were waiting to assault the next person who passed''. Wow! Maybe we have some angel stripling warriors protecting us! Haha. When we arrived in the center of our area, there were a ton of people there...and a marching band...and lots of beer cans. And we managed to get caught in the middle of a Catholic procession. Yup. I was kind of scared for my life...there were tons of people dressed up as devils and who knows what else...and of course a ton of people were carrying a huge Catholic statue...it was...interesting...haha. But aside from all the crazy things that happened that day, I was really able to feel the spirit and follow the guidance it offered...and because of that, we were able to find new people to teach. The Spirit is AWESOME!  

So on Saturday...J was baptized!!! Although preparing for the baptism was super stressful...oh man. The caretaker of the stake center in Jinotepe called us to say that there was no water in Jinotepe and that we needed to go to the chapel in Diriamba for the baptism. So we were super freaked out, but were able to figure everything out...and just when everything was worked out, the Hermanas from Jinotepe called to say that the font in Jinotepe was filled...and that the water had come back earlier. It was pretty embarrassing when we had to call everyone to tell them the plans were back to normal. But the baptism went really well. I felt the spirit so strongly. J is going to be a powerful member. He isn't too talkative, but he has a strong testimony. I feel like he's my little brother! He was confirmed yesterday and all went well! So happy for him!

Yesterday was the rodeo part of the Rosario days celebration. In the morning when we were walking to church, we seriously saw thousands of beer cans being arranged to sell later on. Usually, there are men who go around with little trollies selling ice cream....but yesterday, they filled the trollies with beer. It was disgusting. I seriously wanted to go up to every person and teach them the Word of Wisdom. Ugh. I hate alcohol and how it influences people...and how it makes the people here even more flirty with us during the day. Gross. But we survived! 

And that was my week. It was great. We taught a lot of great people and felt the Holy Ghost...and also saw Satan's attempts to ruin people's lives. How sad. One day, I hope they all receive the Gospel in their lives. I know that this gospel blesses the lives of everyone who receives it and applies it in their lives. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I am a daughter of God with a divine purpose here on this earth.  

I hope you all have a wonderful week! I loved seeing some of the pictures from the wedding...and our house! Wow. Everything is so different, but great! I love you all! 

Love, 

Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

6 Jan 2014 - Bring on 2014!

Hey!! I can't believe we're almost a week into 2014! It'll be a great year! 

Well, this week passed by quickly, as always. I can't think of anything too crazy that happened, though! This week, las fiestas del Rosario started, which means that there is an increased amount of drunks hanging around and lots of rodeos and a few carnival rides. It makes life a little more interesting.  

Our New Years Eve was pretty uneventful. We worked as usual, although it was difficult to find people in their homes. I learned about a Nicaraguan tradition...on New Years Eve, they make life sized dolls stuffed with hay...kind of like scarecrows...and put them out in the street all day...and then at midnight, they burn them! It's like they're burning their old selves and starting over in 2014...cool, but kind of creepy. The first dolls I saw that day freaked me out because I wasn't expecting it. Hermana R and I bought a few sparklers and lit them in the little courtyard type place in our house. And that was the extent of our celebration...haha. Apparently at midnight, there were tons of fireworks and noise, but I was dead asleep...typical...haha. 

T is doing well. We're still trying to integrate her into the social aspect of the church...it seems that no matter where you go, the teenagers stay the same...haha. J is progressing also! He has changed a ton...and his mom gave him permission to be baptized (way easier than the battle we had with T's family), so if all goes according to plan, he should be baptized on Saturday! Woohoo! 

This week, we discovered lots of areas that we'd never gone before. Our area has some beautiful places...the bummer is that I never have my camera with me when we find them! There are lots of hidden rural areas with little tiny houses...the funny thing is that Hna R is scared of cows...and there are constantly people taking a herd of cows to pasture...haha. I'm trying to help desensitize her, but it isn't working. The perks of growing up in Virginia...haha. 

I hope everything goes well with the open house! I expect pictures...even if you have to rob Jennie's camera! Haha. It'll be fun to come home and have another sister. My brothers have good taste....Stacy and Jill are pretty great!  

This week, I've been thinking a lot about goals. I made my New Years Resolutions...and made me think about last year. My goal was to go on a mission...and hey, guess what? I did! Haha So this year, I plan on being the best missionary possible. I want to love the people more and help them recognize the truth! And then, I'll return with honor at the end of this year, but I'm not focusing on that. I've still got lots of work ahead of me! How did all the family resolutions from last year end up? 

Well, I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the one and only true church. There is so much confusion in the world because Satan wants to ruin the lives of as many people as he can...but when we stay close to the teachings of our Savior, and heed the warnings of the prophets and scriptures, we have no need to fear! I love this gospel so much and am so grateful for it in my life! 

I love y'all! Have an awesome week!

Love,

Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)