24 March 2014 - And the Dynasty continues!!!

Hey there!

Well, the results are in...and...

I had CAMBIOS! Nooooo! But the good news is, my companion is...

HERMANA V! As in my comp when we were in trio in Miraflores! Yay!!! The Rivera Dynasty continues!

So I'm in Diriomo, which is a little town between Granada and Masaya. So I'm in Zona Los Pueblos, district Diriomo, area Diriomo 3. It's a cool little area...slightly like Rosario, but more populated and it actually has stores here...haha. I actually haven't gotten to see much of my area, because Hna V is sick...her knee is busted up pretty bad along with some other health problems. I'm starting to realize how blessed I've been healthwise so far in the mission! But it has been way fun being back with her...reminiscing about old times back in Managua with Hna R. I can already feel like my spanish is getting better, since I'm speaking spanish all the time again. But yeah...from what i can tell, Diriomo is pretty great. It's just a little branch over here, but there are 3 companionships working here. We're the only hnas in the district though.

So we're pretty sure that Pres put us together to help this area get back up on its feet...because we're hijas de Hna R and he LOVED her. This area needs a lot of work, but that's why I'm here! We've got a couple positive investigators, so hopefully they'll continue to progress, but hopefully next week I'll be able to give more details, because I honestly haven't met very many people. I arrived on Wed, but my comp is super sick so we didn't work...then we had to go to the hospital on thursday...but on friday we worked all day! But that was the only full day of working. Hopefully she gets better soon!

Leaving Rosario was SO hard! I seriously miss it so much. Nobody believed me when I told them I had cambios. It's amazing how fast 6 months fly by. I left a lot of houses crying that day saying goodbye to everyone. I think that's one of my least favorite things about the mission...saying goodbyes. So sad. We actually got the cambios call when we were in a cita with A. In the beginning, he noticed how nervous we were, and asked what was up, so we explained, and then a little later on, they called. He was so cute though...before we knew if we had cambios, he said that HE would pray so that I wouldn't have cambios...which was significant because he really struggles with praying. But the good news is that he is going to be baptized this coming Saturday! I'm so excited for him! I'm really sad that I won't be there for it, but it'll be awesome. He is so ready. I am so grateful that I was able to be in El Rosario for so long. It really is mission paradise, and it was so fun being with Hna N. I was so sad leaving, but I know that I'm supposed to be in diriomo right now. And at least I'm with my sobrina hermana, hna V! So that's fun!

So Masaya is one of the most touristy areas, because it's where all the souveneirs are...and way cheaper than anywhere else. The markets aren't in my Zone, but we can get permission to go on pdays! And my zone has a ton of cool places that we can visit...like Mombacho (volcano) and Catarina, so at least Pday activities will be more fun here! Masaya and Granada are both pretty hot, but somehow Diriomo ended up lucking out on the climate. It's still hotter than Rosario, but it is significantly cooler than Masaya. I lucked out on that one, because if I'd gone to a super hot area, I'd die, since these are the hottest months of the year.

Well, I don't have too much to say this week...I'm sure I'll have more details about my area next week! I'm pretty trunky for El Rosario, but I'm excited to see what's in store for me here in Diriomo. It'll be funnnnnnnnnnn. I know that the Lord does everything for a reason, so if I'm here, it's because I did everything I could in Rosario, and now it's time to work on Diriomo. I just have to trust in Him and work my hardest! I'm grateful that I have been able to feel His love for His children in Rosario...and now I'm starting to feel in for the people of Diriomo!

I hope you all have a great week! I can't believe we're in the last full week of March!!! Love you!

Hermana MacKay 

17 March 2014 - Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Holaaaaa! 

Happy St Patrick's Day! I'd honestly forgotten until one of our gringo zone leaders sent out a text saying that we had to wear green today...then I realized it was the 17th! And the sad thing is that I still managed to forget to wear green! Feel free to send virtual pinches...haha. I guess Kiss me. I'm Irish kind of works for me here...as far as kissing cute little nicaraguan ladies on the cheeks goes, at least...haha. Hooray for being part Irish!

Wellllll what can I tell you about this week? Nothing too crazy happened...There's this one member named E that has been helping us a lot lately. He is hilarious! He always tries to speak English to us...he speaks surprisingly well. He is also a shirt printer...so he totally made us these white shirts that say regrese con honor...return with honor...haha. So great! Maybe I'll tie dye it when i get home...haha.But he has been giving us lots of references, so it has been fun working with him and his friends!

I feel like we attract way more attention as 2 gringa missionaries...and we win the hearts of the people faster because they think we're so cool. We are also ALWAYS laughing about something...which is how we got the nicknames Hna. Chistosa...which means funny (Hna N) and I'm Hna Tuanis (which means awesome). Hna N is a total sweetheart, so everyone warmed up to her super fast.

A is doing well. He stilll has lots of doubts, but we're going to see if we can get him ready for baptism soon! He knows that the church is true...he just used to be a scientist, which makes him a little incredulous sometimes. But he's awesome! He went to stake conference yesterday and it was PERFECT! He said it answered a lot of his questions. This conference was the first time they let missionaries go to the adult session because it was about missionary work. It was great! And then the Sunday session was a satellite transmission from SLC. Sister Oscarson, Elder Scott, Elder Martino, and Elder Oaks spoke. It was awesome! I had no idea that Elder Richard G Scott spoke spanish! It was pretty gringoish as far as his accent, but it was awesome!

Let's see...anything else...at district meeting, we had ´´cambios de apostasia´´ and we decided who would have cambios and where'd they go. They said I would leave...nooooooo...and go to Masaya...so I guess we'll see what happens! I really love my district. We're a fun bunch. Hna T and I have the most time being in Jinotepe...it's a weird feeling. Last pday we had a water balloon fight...so much fun! And I forgot to say that last week, we made a bday cake for Hna T...first time I'd had funfetti in a LONG time! So much better than Nicaraguan cake...soooo much better. The member that let us use her oven was amazed at how simple it was to make it. Oh first world products...how we love and miss them!

Well, i think that's about it! It wasn't a very eventful week, but it was rather hot, yet enjoyable. Our necks get a little redder every day. It sounds like the double birthday week went well! Happy Bday Karen and Makenna! Y'all are both on the downhill end of your teenage years! Enjoy them!

Well, I know that I am here in Nicaragua at this time for a reason. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here. I have met so many people who have helped me as I've tried to help them. Even though I miss US culture every once in a while, I really love this crazy little country. It is amazing. The people...the culture...even the stray dogs...everything has its own little personality. I love it! And I LOVE sharing the gospel here! i can feel Heavenly Father's love for these people. It's awesome!!!!

Have a great week! Love you!

Love,

Hna MacKay

10 March 2014 - Coming out of the woodwork

Hey there! It's Monday again! Yay! I feel like in elementary school, one week sounded like an eternity...but really it's only 7 short little days. I guess the secret is staying busy...that's always when the time flies right on by! 

But anywayyyyy...this week. It was a good one. Things are starting to progress a little more. Or maybe it's just me being overly positive. But that's not necessarily a bad thing right?

I really am realizing how much I LOVE el Rosario! It really is mission paradise. I LOVE the people. I LOVE the climate. I LOVE well...almost everything.The only bummer is that there isn't a McDonald's here (just in Managua), but I can deal with that. I really do love the ward here soooo much! The people are amazing. I love them so much. They care for us so well. We had a family home evening on Monday with everyone who lives in the neighborhood called Francisco Gonzalez...there were about 7 members there. The cool thing was that 5 out of 7 of the people there were people who had been baptized this past year. It was awesome. We had a mini testimony meeting and I almost cried when J (was baptized 2 months ago) spoke. He is SOOOOO awesome. He'll be a stellar missionary someday. Anyway,I just realized how much I loved everyone in my area this week. I am so scared to have cambios.

So things are starting to come out of the woodwork. The work has been a little slow for the past few months. A lot of people who have potential, but aren't willing to change or go to church. But A is doing great! He has a few little struggles, but we are doing our best to help him. We've been working with members trying to get references, which has been helping a lot. But we'll see where everything goes! We work with lots of less actives and recent converts, too. I love them. There really are so many great people who have fallen away from the church! We've just gotta haul them back though! Because they have so much potential!

This week, we had a capacitacion with zona carazo...and president Russell! It was intense...all about how we have to be more bold when we teach. They introduced some new tactics as far as teaching goes. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks. 

I feel like I've been progressing a lot as a missionary lately. Spanish is solid (enough). It's easier to be friendly with everyone. I can answer questions more easily. I'm really liking this new stage. I feel a lot more confident. I'm also a lot tanner...haha. It is so hot. I've gotten pretty burned this week...the bummer is that it'sonly my neck that gets affected. Weird. But we're definitely in the dry season now! It's so dusty!

So I've been thinking a lot about the limitations we put up for ourselves. We really are the biggest stumbling block to ourselves sometimes. We have so much potential...and Heavenly Father knows it too. I bet he's up there cheering us on when we knock down some barriers. President told us a pretty good analogy the other day. If you think about a bumblebee, it has a HUGE body, but little wings. By all natural bounds, it shouldn't be able to fly...the wings shouldnt be able to life up a big body...yet no one has told the bee otherwise, so it gets up and flies. That's how we should be. We need to remember that our potential is limitless...so we've gotta lift ourselves up and fly! Ok that sounded really cheesy...but oh well.

I know that we have so much potential. We're here to become more like Christ every single day. It is so awesome. He loves us so much and wants us to be as happy as possible. I am so grateful for that!

I hope you have an awesome week...and....HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN! Dancing queeennnnnn young and sweet...ONLY 17! Have an awesome day!

Love you!

Hermana MacKay

3 March 2014 - March Madness

Hey! Happy March! The crazy winter months are coming to a close! That's pretty awesome...oh wait, it's still about the same for me. One day, I'll come back and die of hypothermia, but until then, I'm enjoying the Nicaraguan heat that increases every day. 

So this week was great! It started out with a bang, when we had to go to Managua on Tuesday...that was interesting. Especially getting to and from the hospital...yep. Have I ever explained how transport works here? Well, let me tell ya...it's not too glamorous. To get to and from Jinotepe, we pay 8 cords to go in a taxi, which is fine. But then from Jinotepe to Managua, everyone piles into a little microbus...and that's when it gets interesting. The micro should reasonably fit about 15 people semicomfortably, but the driver wants to cram as many people as possible, so about 25 people end up in the bus. On the way there, it wasn't too bad...just that they were blasting annoying ranchero music the entire time...it's always a good time...haha. We ended up staying at the hospital for about 8 hours, but not because anything crazy happened...we just had to wait. But now my comp is better! We left around rush hour, which made things more interesting. We had to flag a bus from the highway, but the only one going to jinotepe was really full, but that didn't matter...they crammed us right in there and I stood in a cramped little micro (but practically sitting on a stranger's lap) for a good hour until i could sit down. And since im tall, my neck was touching the ceiling. Goooood times! Pretty funny though. I was laughing about it the entire time. I was never happier to see the Welcome to Rosario sign...haha. I love Nicaragua.

So that was the crazy adventure of the week...although looking back, I feel like the entire week was full of laughter. I'm not sure if I've gotten funnier since going out on the mission or if latinos just think I am absolutely hilarious, but they are always laughing when I'm around...It's pretty funny. I guess I have a Nicaragüense sense of humor...haha

The work here is progressing little by little. It's been pretty slow lately, but it just means we need to work harder. A is doing great! He is progressing, although some of the members have told us some interesting stories about him...let's just say that he used to not be a very good guy. But apparently he has changed a ton over the years...and the Gospel will change him more! We haven't been able to track down Yamil this week...he has been coming home from work late every night...but I'm hoping we'll find him soon! It makes me sad when we can't teach investigators...I remember when I used to get so scared to teach in the the beginning of my mission, but now it's my favorite part! I love helping others learn about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ!

So you asked about my spanish...well, I still don't speak perfectly, but I do get around pretty well! I just need to start speaking a little more latino...or al}t least Nicaraguan. When they talk, they change the tone of their voice all the time. It's like the typical missionary lilt, but it happens in the middle of the word. But I really do love Spanish! I'm so grateful for the chance to learn this beautiful language. I almost always study the scriptures in Spanish...it helps me notice parts that I never paid attention to before. It's pretty awesome. 

So did you hear anything about an earthquake in Nicaragua? Honestly, I have no idea how big or bad it was, but hey, there was an earthquake here at about 3:30 am on sunday morning...apparently it was pretty bad. I wouldn't know...I was dead asleep...and so was Hna N...haha. It had been a long day and we went to bed early and when we got up, the ZL called to ask if we were ok and I was way confused...and then everyone was talking about it at church. It was a bummer that I missed out on a cool earthquake experience, but at least I got a good night's sleep!

That's fun that everyone...well almost everyone...haha..will be together to celebrate Karen's bday a little early! Be sure to take some pictures for me! 

Well, basically, the Church is true! I knew it before, but now I know it even more...if that even makes sense. I love being able to share my testimony with anyone who will listen to me. Lots of times, it falls on deaf ears, but it doesn't even matter. I love this gospel so much! I hope if anything, the people I meet can see that. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! I love you all!

Love, Hna MacKay

(Posted by her Mom)

24 Feb 2014 - The MIDDLE

Hey!!! I hope everything is going super well up north! It's starting to get hotter down here...noooo! I've been so spoiled here in Rosario with cooler weather, but even here it gets really hot in March and April...I'm trying to mentally prepare myself. It'll be...fun...haha. 

But this week was really good. it seriously FLEW right on by...as in it grew wings and escaped me. But from what I can remember, it was good! Nothing too crazy happened, but it was a nice, calm week...full of singing with my companion and teaching the good word...among other things...haha. 

Y is doing well...wow that man seriously talks our ears off every time! We taught about the Word of Wisdom (which can easily be taught in 20 minutes or less) and it lasted 2 hours...I think he just gets lonely. But he's awesome. The issue is that he started going to universidad on Sundays...but he's trying to rearrange his schedule! I hope it all works out! We haven't gone back with F...maybe he'll be a little more receptive in the future...haha. So we've had some issues with bringing investigators to church on Sundays, but we had a little miracle...A (someone we contacted and taught a tiny bit in the street) showed up without us going to find him or anything! It just goes to show that when we pray for help, it always comes...because we were praying all week that at least one investigator would come to church this week!

The house is working out really well. It is much more convenient than our old one...no bats, less mosquitos, and less noise! Yay! The dueña is reaaaaaaaaally catholic, but she's really nice to us...she just keeps her distance just in case we try to convert her...haha. The church construction is going well...slow and steady. I doubt I'll ever see it finished unless I come back after the mission (which I would love to do...we'll see...). 

So another miracle that happened (well, not exactly a miracle...haha) was that I finally got to leave my area when we worked with the Hermana leaders on Friday! yaaaaay! Haha But I decided I actually like staying in my area, so it's all good. But it was a good experience. I got to go to Diriamba with Hna F. We taught some very interesting people...verrrrry interesting...It was way fun, but weird to not know anyone in the area...that hasn't happened for a while...haha. 

On Thurs, the zone leaders stopped by to supervise our weekly planning...it was pretty weird. But the funny part was that at the end, they said that if we contacted 35 people that day, they'd give us a snickers candy bar in district meeting the next day. They said it because they didn't think we would do it...but we totally did...just for chocolate. Yeah...I haven't changed that much. I do anything for chocolate...haha. That day we ran around like crazy people contacting a ton of people...it was pretty funny. 

I can't believe that I'm almost on the downhill slope! So crazy! Soon I'll be closer to my year mark than my 6 month mark...that's pretty weird. Time seriously goes by so fast. Sometimes it makes me excited, other times it scares me, so i guess I'll just focus on making these next 9 months the best they can possibly be! I can't wait to see what will happen in that time. I bet I will meet all sorts of people who will continue to change my life. This time in the mission serving the Lord seriously is amazing and I'm so happy to be here! 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! I love you!

Hermana MacKay

 

(Posted by her Mom)

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)