7 April 2014 - Losing myself in Diriomo... literally...

Well hellooooo there! Sounds like everything is going awesome at home! Lots of fun news! Speaking of news, we got some pretty interesting news on Tuesday afternoon...

The district leader came over (because we still didn't have a phone...but we have one now) to tell us that we have EMERGENCY CHANGES. In other words, Hna V was going home. So we spent the rest of the day packing...and she was super sad. She'll probably have to get knee surgery. But she says she plans to come back when she recovers. But when the APs came over that night to pick her up, they also dropped off my new comp...

So remember how I've mentioned that Hna B and I were in the same CCM district...but she went home because she broke her ankle? Well...she's back! Aaaaaand....she's my COMPANION! Gringa number 2! She just got back from the states this past week after being home for 4 months. So technically, she only has 6 months...and I have 10...that's weird. But it's been fun being together! It's funny because she keeps pointing out the culture differences...that I don't even notice anymore, but she notices since she is comparing everything back to her home.It's weird. I guess that means I'm Nicaraguan or something...haha.

Other than that, nothing too crazy has happened. We're working super hard and making the most of every minute, which is AWESOME. I've missed being able to work 100% every day. We do get lost rather often, since we're practically reopening this area..because I only have 2 weeks here...and still don't know many people. But that's ok! It's actually kind of nice, because we have a totally fresh start. Diriomo is great though! Every day, it feels like my area is getting smaller...I think it's just because I'm finally figuring my way around, but it's all good! As far as food goes, for dinner, we usually buy some picos at a little store or some crackers or something little like that. Life isn't too glamorous...but at least I might lose weight! haha.

We had interviews with President Russell on Friday. It was a pretty short interview. He basically said to work Hna B hard and to keep up the good work! So that was great! 

I loved General Conference! We had to go to the Masaya stake center to watch it...so I stayed there for a good 6 hrs on Sat and Sun...haha. This time, I got to watch all 4 sessions. I watched one in spanish with an investigator, but the other 3 in English. I understood the Spanish one perfectly, but if I watch it in English, I get to enjoy their real voices...and the interesting accents! haha. But I loved how they talked a lot about missionary work...and when they talked about family history, I thought ''I bet mom is loving this talk...'' haha. I loved how they talked a lot about the atonement. Our stake here has challenged all the members to study the atonement every day for the rest of the year. It's an awesome idea! I also really loved Elder Nelson's about how we should let our faith show! Because it's the truth! We have to be an example for everyone and act on our faith. It's so important! 

Well, I hope everything is going great at home! Good luck with prom dress shopping for Karen! Enjoy spring break...although I guess that just applies to Karen, huh...weird. Well, love you all! have a great week!

Love, 

Hna MacKay

31 March 2014 - Operation Bomba

Holaaaaaaaaaa! So this week flew right on by. And was rather eventful...definitely wasn't expecting what happened! But it's all good!

So I think that last week I mentioned that we didn't have very many investigators. Well, that definitely changed, thanks to the help of...el socio! El socio is a member of our branch who is from Chile...basically, he's a miracle worker and loves helping the missionaries in the entire mission. He's good friends with President Russell. But anyway...he decided that our district needed some help...and he made a goal to have 15 baptisms on Saturday...even though we only had 3 possibilities. But that changed! That's where operation bomba came in! We all worked together as a district and went around looking for old investigators...and surprisingly enough, a lot of them were excited and wanted to be baptized! So basically, half the week we were running around all of Diriomo...but it was fun! And in total, there were 10 baptisms. It was a MIRACLE! Only 2 were from our area, but there are others that want to be baptized a little later. But K and D, who are siblings, were baptized this saturday! They were so excited! On the way to the baptism, D asked me what it felt like being baptized...and I couldn't think of the way to explain it, so I just said that it was tuanis....and he laughed at me...but then after he was baptized, he said that i was right. You can't even describe it. I love this gospel so much!!

Andddddddddd...other GREAT news...Hna N told me that A was baptized this Saturday too!!! She said he is sooo happy. The Lord definitely put him in our path. We actually had found him one day when we got somewhat lost looking for a short cut through the woods. He saw us pass by and wondered where we were going, because the trail we were following led to nowhere. But then we turned around and asked directions. And then we invited him to church...then 2 weeks later, he showed up! Then we started teaching him. He is so awesome! Apparently in his baptismal interview, he told the DL that he had been a bartender making good money (something he NEVER told us), but as soon as we taught the Word of Wisdom, he quit his job and never mentioned it. And on Saturday, he was baptized! I am SOOOO happy for him! We really did become good friends. I'm so proud of him, though!

Soooo yeah! That was pretty exciting! I've gotten to know Diriomo a little better, but not much, since Hna V's knee is just getting worse. But I'm learning to love Diriomo. I still miss El Rosario sooo much, but I'm ok. Because I know I'm supposed to be here. So a little more info on Diriomo...It kind of reminds me of a beach town, although there isn't a beach super close...but there are all these little mototaxis that zoom around everywhere...they're really cute. I remember seeing them in Guatemala, but they were called tuktuks. My area is smaller, but it is almost all residential..,all the streets are lined with houses and in the middle, there's a park. Shopping options are pretty limited. There's a tiny grocery store and some little pulperias that sell the basics, but that's about it. We have to go to Masaya if we need things like shoes...which i plan on doing someday. A member of the branch cooks us lunch...lots of beans and rice, the least diversity that I've had in my 3 areas, but that's ok. No one feeds us dinner, so we just buy something quick at night. We pay the lady that we live with to wash our clothes...I'm so glad, because the whole hand washing clothes thing is not too fun.

We had zone conference this friday...the zone seems pretty cool...although we're back to only having 2 companionships of sister missionaries...I was spoiled in Jinotepe! But Elder P, who was my DL in Jinotepe is now my zone leader, so that's fun! I also got my package! Thanks so much! It was awesome! The not so awesome part of that day is that my comp got pickpocketted and they stole our cell phone...AGAIN! That is phone number 3 that has been stolen,..but for the record, they always steal from my comp, not from me! haha.

Well, overall, it was a great week! I learned a lot...Hna V and I are having fun together...I constantly remind her that she shouldn't die. No se muera!!! Haha. But I really am grateful for the opportunity to be here and to help people make covenants with our Heavenly Father. I know that John 3 5 is the truth...baptism is an essential part of God's plan...and it is such a blessing to have all your sins washed away...and always be able to repent and partake of the sacrament afterwards! I love this gospel so much! 

Also...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM...tomorrow!!!! I hope you have an awesome day! I love you so much and am so grateful for your constant example. 

Have a great week!

Love, 

Hna MacKay

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)