Week #41: Life is crazy but amazing!

Hey hey!!!

              Thank you for the package first of all. I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!! Everything is so awesome. I have worn something new every day which is so nice. Sounds like everyone is just busy as ever with weddings and missionaries and life! Kiara - Captain of colorguard! Wahoo! And Seminary is starting soon! You will have to be captain of seminary too! Captain of everything.. that is so exciting! And Aubrey in trouveres this year! That is exciting! You will have to record both colorguard and trouveres for me so I can watch one day! How are all the babies?? I hope you will keep sending pics! I have had a crazy great week. The weirdest thing is that I feel like I just emailed you yesterday.. yet soo soo much has happened!! 

             So first of all I just want to say that I am being tested and I am growing so much at this time. I love the feeling of just being exhausted every night knowing you have tried to give your all to the Lord that day. Another thing is that the Lord truly takes care of us. We are getting about 4-5 lessons in our area now with our new and exciting schedule which is great and we are so thankful for those hours we do get. It is amazing how the Lord uses experiences to help us completely rely on the atonement. I am so thankful for everything that I am learning every day. So last Tuesday we met with David and he was on the fence with a lot. He is a lot like me in that he thinks through everything way too much. I told him that and we were able to tell him pretty boldly with love to just do it. He knows it is all true now comes the action part to show our willingness. There was a huge long pause and he agreed and said yes I know it is what I need to do. We are so proud of him. He is such an asset to the ward already so we are so excited that he is getting baptized and will soon hold the priesthood. He is getting baptized this Saturday and one of the converts in our ward will be baptizing him. He is so great. ?He is in one of the other pictures. Also Andrea came to church Sunday and wow she is doing amazing. Her countenance is just shining and you can tell she has really made a commitment to come unto Christ. She was a little discouraged for a while because her family did not agree with her decision. Well one day we went to her home and she was not there and we were able to just chat with her mom about what it really means to be a mormon and how it means we are entering into promises to be  committed to God. Andrea said that her mom's heart has been softened ever since and that she is now excited about the baptism and will be there. It will also take place this Saturday!! Wahoo!!! The Lord takes care of His prepared people. 

               We have also been blessed with referrals like crazy and really solid referrals who are planning to be baptized. Helix is continuing to see an increase. President Schmitt came to our ward on Sunday and it was so fun to have him there. He is just great. Reminds me so much of dad. Just cares so much about people on an individual basis and does not put himself above anyone at all. We had a mission presidents fireside this week and it was so awesome! Andrea and David came and the spirit there was so strong. We are losing members of our ward soon for school so that is sad! However we are building it up as well! 

             Last week we had MTE's - Missionary Training Exchange. I was able to go and serve with Sister Lehmitz and Owens for the day and it was amazing! These sisters are so great and the taught me so much. They are so prepared and ready to work. We have MTE's for the next couple weeks so I will be gone. Sister Xia is so patient and willing to go with other companionships as this is taking place. I love her! We also have training meeting every Thursday morning. Sister Bermudez and I taught about being a consecrated missionary and laying everything on the alter. The spirit was super strong and we threw everything that is holding us back into the dumpster outside. We will be talking more about that this week at training meeting. If any of you have fun ideas for trainings let me know! I love the ones from Nashville. It has been fun to implement them into this work. 

            Well the church is so true. That is all that matters and because we know that we know that everything we do makes a difference as we focus ourselves on Jesus Christ first. I know that the atonement is real and that the Lord makes up the difference when we just do what he has asked of us. A lot of sisters have a hard time being at the Mormon Battalion. We get comments often about if this is a real mission or how easy our mission is. That is hard to hear when they work so so hard and it is hard just in different ways. And We also know that is does not matter because what matters most is that we are doing our part and giving the Lord our all. Whether we serve in the Library, Bishopric, or General Relief Society. It is what God has asked and that is what we are going to do. We also follow our leaders because they are inspired for us specifically. I am so thankful that I have a knowledge of the gospel and that I get to share it with the world. I know that miracles happen every day. I also know that trials happen every day and as we see the blessings in the trials they will always be there. I love you all. I love the sisters here at the Mormon Battalion. I have such a deep love for them. I know the Lord will qualify who He calls as He has been doing with me. I love my mission. I know our Savior lives.

Love, 

Sister McKee

Week #40: 9 months down-9 to go!!

Hello Family!

           Thank you again so much for the birthday wishes! I love them all! As you can see from my pictures I was not at all deprived on my birthday. Everyone spoiled me and I felt so guilty all day. Everyone here is amazing. I am so thankful. I am also so thankful to you all. I was unable to get the package however I think it will be here today. That is just so nice of you. Thank you so much. The work is amazing! Sounds like everything was great with the blessings and weddings and business as always! 

           Well my mission life has changed this week pretty drastically. I have been asked to serve as the new sister training leader here. It is crazy and a lot of fun. It is time consuming, but I am loving it! I am learning more to completely rely more and more on the atonement and on the fact that We are not alone in our companionship. Something else pretty weird is that I have also been asked to train a new sister from China - Sister Xia! She is called here on a Mandarin speaking assignment and she is amazing. She is seriously the Chinese version of Sierra haha. It cracks me up! These new assignments are going to be a big test for me with meetings and trainings every week while training Sister Xia. However I am so thankful for mom's email when she reminded me that we do hard things. and this is what reminds us that we are not alone in our assignments. Just please -- pray for me. I have been so humbled this week and feel extremely inadequate. I appreciate all of your love and help! I do not have a picture of my new companion.. Just imagine Sierra with a chinese face haha! Done. That is all. She is adorable though! Oh wait. On the pictures that I sent of all of the Mormon Battalion sisters, she is standing right next to me. She is a cute girl. She lived in Hawaii since she was 15 and she joined the church only 4 years ago. I have already learned so much from her and she is so patient with me. I feel so thankful. That would explain the pictures at what we call the Lighthouse. The directors took us to eat and discuss with the new and old sister training leaders. It was way more fun then we should be having on our mission. It was so kind of them though! I hope you got those pictures, the view was amazing. 

           

           Well even though we have not had time in our area this week, we are still seeing miracles every day. Adrian is getting baptized this Saturday! Wahoo! Finally!!!! It is almost for reals to.. We have to have his interview tomorrow and then it should be all good! This is interview #2. We have a former investigator that comes to church every week and we are going to be meeting with him soon! We are so excited because he contacted us this week. We will keep you updated. We have 4 with a date right now and they are pretty solid dates so that is exciting! Sister Xia has got the whole tour down at the Mormon Battalion and she is just such a blessing here. I love that girl. Our ward is doing awesome. People are really pitching in and fulfilling callings so well. I am so thankful. We have made a plan of action this week that the ward will focus on reactivation while the missionaries focus on teaching all of our investigators, especially with our lack of time. It has worked out so well already. Miracles are happening for sure. Most of our ward are recent converts which is great! 

           

            6 sisters went full proselyting this week including Sister Baker and Larson. So it is weird not having them around. As you saw, Elder Huffaker came by this week Also Gary Longmore and the Merrils who know dad. It has been a great busy week! When does school start for you all? I cannot believe it is the middle of August... Whoa... So crazy!!!

            This week will be exciting. We have what we call MTE's! Missionary Training Exchange. It will be an awesome time. We get to go and serve with the sisters for a whole full day of proselyting after meeting with the President. He will give us a training on what to focus on that day and We get to help each companionship work on those specific things for the day. It is awesome. Miracles always happen. That will be going on for about a month. Which is awesome! We had MLC last week and It made me miss ZLC's at the mission home in Nashville. MLC is at the church here haha so a lot different. We learned so much though. New rules being implemented and new goals. We have a goal to baptize in our zones every week! It will happen. The other day at the Mormon Battalion a lady walked in named Angie ( haha) She was so so nice. She told me that she had 10 minutes so I took her to the back and we talked about her life. She said she lives by a bunch of mormons and started to read the Book of Mormon. She said she loves it but has tons of questions. She loved being in the tour and committed to read the Book of Mormon every day and to pray about it. We were also able to give out a ton of Book of Mormons!

           Temple was awesome we got like 5-7 referrals and Sister Xia taught so much! there was a couple that was making fun of things and by the end they were crying and accepted missionaries. Super great! Well I love you all thanks for all you do. I will keep you updated. Seriously pray for me. I appreciate it! I will pray for you all too. The Atonement is so real!!! Use it!!!!! It is for everyone. 

I LOVE YOU

Sister McKee:)

We took a 9 month picture!

Week #39: Thank you!!

HEY!!

             First of all.. We just got Transfer calls! Hard to believe it is already another transfer! Well Sister Baker is leaving Helix AND the Mormon Battalion. She will be full proselyting. Crazy! I will miss her!! She will do great things with full time in her area though. I am going to be staying here in Helix YSA and training a new sister. I will meet her in the morning! I am excited. I think training is so fun. We are getting two new sisters tomorrow so I will let you know who it is next week. I will keep you updated. 

 

Thanks all for the great birthday wishes. I seriously had such an amazing birthday. I got way too spoiled here. I took a million pictures on Sister Baker's camera, but it is not working so I will have to send those next week sorry!! Sister Baker worked so hard to make sure that I had a good birthday. She is such an angel. I love her so much. She made me cupcakes and a bunch of the sisters surprised me in my apartment after running! It was just a great day.I got taken out to lunch by Elder and Sister Robinson a senior couple here. They took me to a super nice place too. I also got surprised with so many gifts and goodies from all of the sisters at the Mormon Battalion. People in my ward have done so much too. Also Elder and Sister Barnes the director gave me a couple meals at a restaurant in old town. I feel so blessed with cards and the Rasmussens made me amazing cupcakes as well. I am so blessed!!! I got WAY more than I should have that is for sure. I had a blast though. I have had such a great week! It was even better because we saw so many miracles at the Mormon Battalion and in our area. I took a japanese tour and they accepted a Book of Mormon and were interested. Also at night we met two amazing families. One family who grew up in Utah but are baptist! They said they know mormons and a lot of them and they like them. We talked for a long time and they started crying when we left they were so grateful. We also met a lady who is taking care of her parapaledgic ( I tried spelling that like 5 times.. ) niece and she just cried and cried to us. She was so thankful to us and she said, " I will always allow mormons to come in you are all so nice!" Small and simple things. Then to end my day off just right... I love to wave to people here and no one likes it haha! People are not like people in tennessee here. Well I was driving and a guy out of the middle of no where just waved to us! Seems like such a little deal but I was so excited! We also had a zone goodbye prayer last night as out zone leader  left today! so sad! 

            Sunday was such a miracle day! We had fast and testimony meeting and about 6-7 people came that we had invited .. most their first time or first time in a long time if they were less active. Well almost all of them bore their testimony and I cannot even tell you how strong the spirit was in that chapel. We were all in tears. It was incredible and the Spirit carried with us to all 3 meetings and everyone was so happy. We saw so many miracles that day and people who really truly had used the atonement in their lives and are ready to come back. I have been quoted over again by people after my testimony who said. "Just like sister McKee's parents say.. The gospel is a gospel of second chances." That has really rang true with so many people who have messed up but are ready to come back. That is what the true church is about. Using that atonement and improving ourselves every single day. I have felt so thankful to be a missionary and to teach people about this. Almost every single person got up and talked about how grateful they were for Sister Baker and I helping them in some way. It humbled me so much because I have not even felt like I have done much at all and it was such a testimony to me of how the Spirit works. We be obedient and do what is right and the Spirit will be there. I LOVE MY LIFE!!!:) 

I know the church is true. I love being a missionary and I hate how fast the time goes. It is insane! I love you all! Keep smiling!

Love, Sister McKee

Week #38: Hello!!

Hello family!!

            Happy Wedding to Sierra and Brady!!!!!! I cannot believe that my best friend is getting married. It is surreal I am so happy she has all of you to be there for her!! She is amazing. Give her a HUGE hug from me this weekend!!  It has been a great week and sounds like it has been so exciting for you guys! I was so excited to finally find out the name of Kaydri! That is adorable! So Caroline, Tanner, Kaydri.. and another cute baby boy!!! I am excited to meet all of them. Try to keep them small! 

            Well this week there were a lot of people who I got told to tell people hi to! I love it but I have to right it down because the Battalion has been insanely busy haha. The first ones are Derrek and Stacy Sharp who lived in Pocatello and were in Jim's ward when he was the bishop. They said they love him so much! Then The Wawra family who know Justin Dabell and their daughter works with him at the PLay Mill! So if you see him tell him hi from them haha! Also the Matthews and Carlings from Filmore, Utah. They know Elder Lund and Elder and Sister Christensen very well. Especially when Elder Christensen was in their Stake Presidency! By the way.. Tell Elder Lund hi!! I would love to email him sometime. He will always be such an example/ big brother to me along with the other great elders in Nashville! And Elder and Sister Robinson who served in Hartford, KY in our mission came to the Battalion. The said they have so many other connections with playing in a band with Roy and Grandpa. And then the Jenks family whose brothers family lives in Riverton, WY and know Michelle and Travis! Also super fun because they know my friend Tyler from American Fork. So as you can see busy Battalion week! Which is so fun! Oh and I found out that a girl in our ward, Rochelle Leavitt, who is awesome, served with Aaron Horton in Chile! Crazy!

                We have seen miracles like crazy lately! Yesterday it was about 102 degrees and super humid. We noticed a name on our list that we hadn't seen yet and so we decided to walk to his house. Well we got there and he goes, "Sisters!? Come in!" We talked with him and he grew up in Utah and got baptized when he was 17 years old. When he moved to California he went to a family ward them stopped for 3 years. He said he had been praying to figure out how to get back to church and he decided to take work off yesterday because he was sick. Well we came right when he was normally at work. He was elated and he is so ready to come back to church. He said, "Don't worry sisters I am really ready to come back, I am not flaky with commitments like a lot of people are. I will be there Sunday."  It was such a tender mercy! 

               It is amazing how many people really are prepared. Andrea is going to be baptized next week! She has been inviting everyone from the ward to it and she is so excited. Adrian will also be baptized this month. We have seen a miracle with his debt that needs to be paid off and he will be eligible soon enough. We did a blitz last week for our Zone where we go and contact a long list of names for a specific ward. Well we were able to street contact a lot and we found 3 people who have been less active for years and their records are lost so we were able to refer missionaries over. God is so aware of us and the little details. Another miracle is that almost every single lesson we have taught for the last couple weeks has been with a member. It makes such a huge difference! We have been going on splits almost every day. It is such a good way for us to meet members one on one and help them get inspired to do mission work. I love it all. 

               Part of our calling here at the Mormon Battalion is each Saturday 2 sisters get to go down to old town and serve with the volunteers in old town and help them with whatever they need. Last week Sister Baker and I got to do it and we made a homeade stew on the first with biscuits and homemade cheese. Ya it was pretty awesome. I felt like a chef. It was such a good way to talk to the volunteers and visitors about the church and the Mormon Battalion. Dad - you would LOVE old town. Every single employee and volunteer have to wear old pioneer clothes and they have to live as if it were the 19th century. So literally we have to drink out of china, cook any food over the fire and make our own cheese and butter.. Which we did. It is the best. We get quite a lot of members who come there, but also a ton of less actives! They always recognize us with the tags and get reminded where they need to be. I committed a lot of them to go back to church. They will. 

              Wow so many miracles. I will end with this one. Another part of our mission is that we get to answer the chats for the people that have questions on mormon.org. Well Sister Sanchez and I got to do it last week and there is a guy who I had a great conversation with who accepted a book of mormon and missionaries. He lives in Utah and he has been curious about all this mormon chatter. He loves it and he just emailed me today! He has a lot of questions, but he will definitely be baptized soon. I am excited for him. I would love for you all to go to that baptism - maybe it will fall on a day where you are at a doctor's appointment. I love my mission. I cannot even believe it is August this week. Holy Moly!! Time is insane. Well I love this work. I love you all. I have been reading so much about the details of Christ's atonement and the pain he went through. It is amazing. I am in awe at all that he did for us. It is a shame to know how many people choose to disregard the fact that we are saved because of His ultimate sacrifice. I am so thankful that I know that and that I am able to use that atonement every day. I make way too many mistakes, but I know that I am progressing and that is what matters. We are all progressing and as we choose to be a little better each day we will see an increase. I love this gospel. It is true. If you are questioning that at all get down on your knees. He is real. I love you all. Thank you for being such an amazing family. I see the world in such a new light here in California. There is rarely we find an investigator who does not have a broken home. It breaks my heart, but gives me such a gratitude for what I know and where I was born. 

               Also, I heard about that Texas family. So sad. I have been keeping that 15 yr old girl in my heart and prayers. I hope that Jensen and Ean will get to talk to her someday. Good this the church is true. 

Have the best week! Tell Sierra that I love her so much!!

                                                             Love,  Sister McKee:)

Week #37: Hello Family!

 Congrats to Jared and Brittany! I cannot wait to see more pictures of that sweet girl! That is just so exciting! 3 new babies and almost 4. That is just exciting!! It also sounds like New York is such a blast! I love it there. It would be amazing to see the Newsies there. Part of my tour we talk about the Battalions march to Santa Fe and everytime I talk about it I think, "Sante Fe are you there..." Haha I love it. I miss the good old times with the cousins watching Newsies in Grandma's bed haha. Sounds like things are all going well and Destini is doing awesome!! Wow that is just amazing. She is going to be famous. Try not to buy anymore $30 hamburgers haha that is crazy! not even a cheeseburger haha! The Fishers came to the Battalion yesterday, Jan, Dallin and Amy and their families. It was so fun to take a tour with them. Jan showed me pictures that Rachel had sent her of baby Tanner! It made my day! I also took a tour with the Ulrich family from Farmington, UT who is neighbors to Dan and Lindsay Snell. It was funny how it came up because they said, "Oh we have a family who moved from Pocatello a while ago, but you probably don't know them.. Dan and Lindsay Snell!" Haha I was so excited to tell them they are my cousins. They said their girls had just gotten done with girls camp with Bailey on her first year. I can't believe she is that old! 

              We got a Ward Mission Leader this week. It was such a tender mercy. He is such a hard worker and ready to work. We are in contact every day and it has been 2 days and we can already feel the work progressing. It is amazing how drastic of an impact the WML makes on the ward. I was thinking about Scott and how great I am sure he is as Ward mission leader in Boise. That is great. We have such an awesome investigator right now haha. His name is Adrian. He is going to be baptized just has a few law issues first. He is hilarious though. He prayed last week and he goes, "Dear God.. This is Adrian speaking. I know it was you that sprained my ankle and I am thankful for it.. even the toe jam..." Haha it was so great!! Also he has Schizophrenia and the other day we taught about the holy ghost and he says, "Sisters.. I need to be honest with my doctor and tell him that I am going to be Mormon and because of that I am going to be hearing more voices than ever now." He is just the best. We have had about 3 members who have called us telling us they have a friend they want us to teach. That is a miracles because we all know that is the most effective way to do missionary work. 

                We had interviews with President Schmitt last week. He is amazing. It was a very sacred experience for me. He is definitely called here for a reason and many reasons, but I am so thankful he is here. I have already learned so much from him. Crazy Story from last week!! So we have been trying to contact this less active girl. Well we were on splits and her grandma came out and told us that she really wants us to come back, but to not come back when her boyfriend was there because he would not be responsive etc... Well we went back a couple days later and her and her boyfriend were there. The boyfriend was in the other room and she was talking with us. She said that she is ready to come back to church and that she knows it is true still ( She was baptized 5 years ago) Well halfway through her boyfriend came and sat down with us and we asked him some questions. He was very responsive. Then he says to his girlfriend,"Wait.. You are baptized mormon??" She goes "Ya. I was baptized 5 years ago.." and he goes." I am mormon! I was baptized when I was 8 but I haven't gone to church for a long time!" It was so crazy. They were both so excited and they committed to coming back to church. It is so crazy!! 

           Well we are just having a blast in Helix. We will be losing about 8 people in a month for school but we are building up the ward. I have been teaching another less active piano and lessons and his testimony has grown so much. He is coming to everything now! Miracles! Well I love this gospel, I have been really praying hard to be bolder with people. Sometimes I get too worried about pleasing people, but I know that you can still be bold in a Christlike way and that means that we love them while we are bold. I am striving to work on that and improve. I strive every day to be a better more consecrated missionary. I think of the assistants and missionaries in Nashville who were consecrated and such good examples to me. I wish I was more like them and I am trying every day. I love this work!! I do! I am definitely not the best but I am learning to become more like the Savior and improve every day. I love it. I know the church is true. I know that this is the only church we can make those sacred covenants here on the earth, because this is the Lord's church. It is His way and His authority. I love you all!

Keep being awesome. Go tell everyone in New York about the church! 

Love you

Sister McKee:)

Week #36: Hello!!

Hello everyone!!

               I hope that Jaren and Brayden had great birthdays!!! They are the best. What great nephews I have ( and niece now:) ) Sounds like crazy things are happening home with New York, sacrament meeting excitement, babies, cows, Sports etc... That is so fun though. I love hearing about all the hard work you all are doing!! And missionary work!! You are all the best. That is so great that you have been inviting non-member friends to assist in the firesides. What a great idea! This week I saw Kathy Stephans from Pocatello - she said she knew mom, dad and Scott I think . They own Party Palace! I also met an Elder Stone who served with Hayden McKee in California. And I also met the parents of Elder Sherard Lier who served with Scott in Costa Rica. So that was exciting! Also I just wanted to remind you of Angie's story with the mouse.. That is why she got called to Ecuador and that is why I did not haha. Just kidding, but seriously that would have been hard for me. 

              This week we have been able to go on splits with the members a lot which is just awesome for so many reasons. They are able to teach and testify and get fired up to introduce their friends to the church. This week I went with a member, Stacey , who is leaving for her mission in 2 weeks to Provo, UT - Spanish Speaking. She is awesome. We went to see a referral who is named Clay. Well we were walking down the street and we see this huge 6'6 guy walking toward us and I go " Hi! Are you Clay??" He goes, " Uh.. Ya... How did you know?" Anyway we kept talking and he is awesome. 27 years old and he loves the Book of Mormon. He knows it is true. He would be baptized, but he works every Sunday! So.. He is trying to find a new job and we know it will happen as we continue to have that faith. Another cool miracle. Adrian is still set for baptism! He he on fire and already a missionary. Our less active who wants to play the piano is awesome. He is learning so fast ( It is so much different teaching an adult piano vs. children ) And more importantly his testimony is growing fast too. He has come for 2 weeks now and has been a huge help in the ward. My tours this week have been incredible. Book of Mormons have been given out like crazy and many members who are visiting! 

               This week we have been reorganizing our ward because there are so many ward lists/ papers/ teaching records. We cover 2 stakes El Cajon and Sweetwater which is a total of about 12 wards. There is about a 2 hour span East to West and about a 45 minute span north to south. It is a huge area. We are trying to figure out the best way to go about with organization with half the time in our area. It is not easy haha but we are working hard. We are calling every bishop about the YSA's in their ward and we are about to see a miracle here in Helix!! We know that as hard as it is with half the time that if the Lord wants us there we will do what we can because He qualifies who he calls and I have seen such a testimony of that. 

              I know this church is so true. I know that we are given the Book of Mormon as another testament of Jesus Christ and I know that as we read from it every day we will find strength that no man could ever find without it. God is so aware of each of our needs and he is looking to us to be an example to everyone we see. We are all wearing His name and have since we covenanted to do so at Baptism. We must wear it well and represent Him in all that we do. I love this gospel and I love the opportunity I have to be a missionary. I have the best family and I get to be with you all forever. I know that is true. 

Keep up the good work!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

Be safe!!!!

Love, 

Sister McKee

Week #35: Fourth of July!

Hey family!

      Wow it has been a great week!  Mary Jane and her husband Stirling came to the Battalion! It was so fun to see her. The Little's from my old area also came and it was so great to give these tours!! I feel so blessed with the great influences I have in my life! Sounds like the 4th of July was great for you all except still no baby for Britt haha! Hopefully she will come soon!! I am loving all these pictures of Tanner and Caroline!! What beautiful babies! We have been adding people a lot this week. We added twins this week and they are both very christian and they actually were curious and requested a Book of Mormon online. The love learning and they are coming closer and closer to a date! Adrian should be baptized pretty soon just waiting for some things to be taken care of! Cool thing too, Some Elders got a call last week from a guy who wanted to learn to play the piano, well come to find out he was a 25 year old who lives in our area and he got baptized with he was 16. His whole family are not members except for his dad who has been less active. This 25 yr old hasn't gone to church is a while! So we went over and met him and he asked who we know that he can take piano lessons from. Well I am the only person that I know that plays the piano in our area haha so we called President Schmitt and we are going to teach him piano with the lessons again! Super great and exciting! He came to church Sunday and he will be a huge asset to the ward. We tried contacting a referral this week and she was not home but we ran into the worker at these apartments and he is so nice and is excited to learn from us! He is from Iraq but is Christian and has been looking for a church! Miracle! 

              We serve in some way sketchy areas. Fights happen all the time and we get yelled at more and more. A lot of people are on drugs, in fact we serve in the meth capital of the world, El Cajon. So sometimes that is crazy but I do not really know when things are sketchy ( Like that time that I let a guy get into my car in Nashville..) I do not know what my problem is, but it really is amazing how the Lord is always with us in whatever we are doing. I am so thankful for that. 

             Our 4th of July was actually amazing. We were able to go down to the Old Town Square and help little kids with games going on ( The dream!)  I love those kids. It was amazing because I talked to so many people who recognized my tag and said that they "used to be mormon" So many less actives! I challenged them to come back to church and let the missionaries in. They said they would. I am excited for them. Miracles everywhere! That night was the most awkward night because we wore jeans and watched fireworks. It was so fun but it is really hard to not think about mission work haha! 

              Andrea is still set for baptism! Wahoo!

                    Well we have to go but I love you all so very much! Thank you for your love and sacrifices. Thank you for all taking care of the missionaries!!! The work is progressing every single day. I am thankful for the lessons I learn from trials and for my amazing family!

 I love you all! 

 Love, 

Sister McKee:)

Week #34: July!!

Hey!!

            Happy July! Can you believe it is July?! Wow... That is amazing. Time is insane. 2 new babies!!!!! Wow Welcome to the family Caroline and Tanner!! The pictures look so great and how fun to have new babies the same day!! I cannot wait to meet them:) It has been another great week! Many emotions this week as President and Sister Clayton went home. We love them dearly and they will be missed, but just as dad always says when new people come in it is not good or bad just different and perfectly different for the needs at this time. President Schmidt and his family got here last Saturday! They have 4 kids who are so cute! David is 14, Tyler is 11, Ellie is 9 and Clayton is 6. Our zone was able to meet them yesterday and it was the most amazing thing to be a missionary when they were introducing themselves. So many memories came as you can all imagine. Our first day in Nashville was almost exactly like it. Kinda funny to because the assistants called me the night before and asked if I would sing a musical number and play the piano for the meeting. It was special to me because of all the times we sang together at missionary meetings as sisters. I miss that. It was a blessing that they asked me. The Schmidt's are so great and I already have a deep love for them. It is fun to have kids too:) They said they are going to come to P-days every week! Wahoo! Just like old times. Sister Schmidt asked my advice for her and the kids after I have experienced it. I told her to let her kids go to everything with missionaries! That is where I learned so much. Even on P-days! They will be a great asset here in San Diego. 

            Our ward is amazing! We had 7 nonmembers at church on Sunday. One of which was brought by our less active. We taught her and her friend that night and she is praying about a date to have tonight! Miracles. She is so ready to be baptized and she loves the gospel. She has been going through a lot. We will meet with her tonight. Adrian is on a great track to baptism. Just a few things to take care of which is good! He is so funny though! Gospel Principles class was so funny because our investigators teach each other and it makes us laugh. He made a comment and said to our atheist investigator ( Who has been coming to FHE and church for over a month now:) ) " How can you not believe in God man?? He is everywhere. We all just need to come together more and help each other as we believe in God, because He is real, that is all. Can you just imagine all of us believing in God holding hands in a space suit around the world?" HAHA We were dying. He is so awesome and funny. So prepared too. I had an awesome experience this week! I took a couple from Manchester England for a tour. At the beginning of the tour they said, "Wow Mormons are just so nice." And by the end of the tour they just kept going," Wow this is amazing and there is such a good feeling etc..." Well we started talking and they are from the Church of England but love history and were fascinated with the Book of Mormon. We talked forever and it was such a great conversation. They ended up going out to lunch with the Mormon Battalion Director, The Barnes and we sent missionaries this week. They loved their experience and left in tears. They told me that I have a place for them in England always and that I will forever be their, "American Daughter" It was so sweet. I sent you that picture with us. I LOVE THEM! I would love you to stay in contact with them. It is so exciting. 

            I ran into quite a few people this week. I hope I can remember them all. The Johnson's from Laketown knows Gary's family really well. They also said that they know the Seegmillers our last director. Gary - Do you know them too? If so tell them hi from me! That would be crazy! I cannot remember if you already told me that. There was the Gagnon family that came from Boise. Their dad used to teach seminary at Eagle and they are cousins with the Gagnon's in Pocatello, Keith and family. They also grew up in the same ward as Elder Huffaker! Super funny! Also Rachel and Joe Chandler from Nampa knows Seren really well and said she taught you in YW! They had the cutest baby! I told her you were pregnant! I also met Paul and Bonnie Titus from Idaho Falls who said they knew mom and dad! I hope I remembered everything. Patty gave the Rasmussen's money for me this week. Please tell her thank you. That was so nice of her and needed especially that day. It is amazing how when you need something the Lord will take care of you. Please tell Patty that was the biggest tender mercy. We also got fed by a member last week - Stacey who is amazing! She bought us each a pair of shoes and a shirt. It was so nice and they are so cute! I cannot even believe she did that. I love them too! If my camera starts working again I will take a picture! 

          I have such a strong testimony. I know this church is so true and that we are where we need to be for a reason. I know that I am learning every day and I am thankful that I am learning to rely more and more on the atonement every day. It is amazing how when people are struggling they accept the gospel so fast. I have thought about that and it is because they have truly humbled themselves so they are submissive to receiving an answer. The questions is whether we continue to be humble when times are good. That is the hardest. When life is going our way we find it hard to find a need to rely on the Lord. I challenge each of you to notice that this week when times are good and bad if you are humbling yourself. I definitely am working on that and you are all good examples to me of that so thank you all. I know the gospel has been restored. I know God is here for me and each of you specifically. He is in the details of our lives. Keep praying , reading and coming to church! Satan knows how to get us down and he is sneaky. I love you all so much! Keep me updated and I want to see these babies grow! Good luck Brittany if she comes this week! I am so lucky to be part of this family. Keep smiling and helping everyone. In our Mormon Battalion packet it tells us our first responsibility is to strengthen the testimonies of members and second to introduce the gospel to all who come into the battalion. Interesting right? As I have pondered this though I have realized that we are all in this together and we are missionaries to every single person no matter if they are atheist or have been LDS their whole life. Everyone needs us. I love you all and thank you for being such a great family. I hope Alisa is doing better and tell Josh congrats on the wedding! 

I LOVE YOU

Love, 

Sister McKee:)

Week #33: Transfers!

Hello!!

      It is transfer week once again! Sister Baker and I are staying! I feel so blessed to still be in a Young Single Adult Ward! I absolutely love it and the work here in Helix is booming. We love being missionaries too and being companions! Sister Baker is such a great missionary and I learn so much from her all of the time. 

        This week was so great! There was a Regional YSA conference here in San Diego so YSA's from everywhere were here! It was really cool because we had 4-5 investigators participate in a least 1 or 2 of the activities. They loved it! It is so great too because the members have been acting on their own and inviting people to hangout and inviting people to come meet with us and it is just a miracle! Last week we were contacting a referral and on the street we saw 3 YSA guys. They were just hanging out and we got out of the car and started talking to them. They were awesome! All of them are Christian and love God, but have some crazy lives. We taught the restoration and the plan of salvation and they asked a lot of questions. It was really cool and hopefully we can get them to church soon. Our biggest problem as YSA missionaries is finding rides for people because so many people live so far away and when they do pick them up you never know how solid it really will be so we are praying to figure out a better system! We would love any suggestions that you have seen work before. 

         Sunday was awesome because we had the Regional YSA Sacrament meeting. Our investigators loved it and there were a ton of people there! It was just a great spiritual meeting. Sister Hendrickson who served in TN said the closing prayer and she is actually attending Santee which is so funny. I was able to see all of the amazing people from Santee this weekend too and they are just doing so great. Adrian is doing awesome! He has his interview last week and he is progressing like crazy. He still has a few things to get worked out which is great! This week we added 5 new investigators. One of them is named Kevin and he has read the Book of Mormon and he loves it! He is figuring out a few things but he should be with a date this week. It was so amazing to talk to him. He was quoting Book of Mormon scriptures better than we were! I got a cute note from Sister DeBoer this week. She came to the Battalion and I missed her.:( This family came into the Battalion this week that told us a cool story of them gradually all getting baptized basically because they kept being told not to be Mormon so it intrigued them. Eventually their whole family was baptized as they learned about the church. They are getting sealed as a family this week. It reminded me of Emma and Emily in Nashville how they withstood all of that opposition from their other church. They are such good examples. Tell them hello!

              It sounds like everyone is so busy!! I cannot believe that about Grandpa.. That breaks my heart!!! Tell him that I love him so much and he is in my prayers. Also that is crazy about Alisa Woodland. Wow That girl is such a great friend. I hope she is doing better. I would love to email or write her. Tell them all I love them too. I want to see pictures of this shower too. Sounds like so much fun. I am so thankful to you all for being such a great support to me. 

           This week is President Clayton's last week. It breaks my heart because so many emotions come into my heart for the Clayton's when we went home last year and how hard it was, it felt like a dream and now it has already been a year. And then even more emotions come when I think about President and Sister Schmidt coming and the feelings that went through me when we found out that we would be moving for 3 years and our whole lives would be changed. I remember coming home from Salt Lake in December my senior year and coming home to the family waiting for me and I was freaking out, I had a death grip on Steven's arm haha! And then making what I didn't know would be the best decision of my life to come along with you to TN. I remember the first day coming to the airport and we were all so nervous! And then we found out later the assistants were spying on us haha. Oh man and now 3 years later who knew I would be here on my own mission. And because of the experiences I had they have shaped me to become who I am today. I am so thankful for that and I am excited for the Schmidt's to come with their children!! It is going to be awesome to know exactly what those children are feeling. I am excited for them. New changes are always good because we learn and get to implement those lessons into our lives at different times. I have learned so much from all of you!! I LOVE YOU ALL!

                    Thank you for being such a huge help to me. I love you and I love that we are all hastening the work together at this time! Keep smiling:)

  Love, 

Sister McKee:)

Week #32: Happy Father's Day!

Hello!:)

       HAPPY Father's day to the best father in the whole word!! And also HAppy Birthday to the best father in the world!!! I feel so blessed to have you as my daddy!:) It has been such a great week. I am so grateful for my mission. I have been so humbled. I love every aspect of my mission. There is a difference of being a good missionary, being exact obedient etc...  vs. being a missionary that has truly and completely given themselves to God. given everything, their will, their thoughts their heart. It is easy to go through the motions and I get caught up in that, but I am truly now learning how to completely give up my will to Him. It is all about constantly changing and improving every single day. We all have the ability to change as part of our nature and that is why we are here on the earth to change and to grow and to become like Him and let Him lead us in every way. Being here in San Diego has truly shaped me in ways that I am so thankful for. 

          Sister Baker and I have seen blessings and miracles unfolding every day. Yes there are discouragements and hard times and we know that as we are doing our part to do His will that it will all work out. Sunday we had a couple new people at church and the members of the Helix ward are the best! They welcomed them right in and invited them to come over after and we came to Family Home Evening last night and they were there! It just reminds me how important fellowshipping is and not just to those whose first time it is, but those who have been there for every. We never know when someone needs a hello or needs to talk to someone and as we always strive to talk to people as if they are having a hard time we will always be able to help them. 

         Sunday morning we were at the Mormon Battalion and a couple walked in. They were not mormon and we started talking about the Book of Mormon. He said that he had been given a Book of Mormon by a co-worker a long time ago and had read the whole thing. Next he said, "How can I join your ward?" We had just been talking about the war for the Battalion so I said, "The war??" He said, "No your ward, so I can go to the temple." It was a  neat experience. He had never met with missionaries before and in fact he didn't open the Book of Mormon for years after his co-worker had given it to him. But he did at some time and because of that his life will be changed, not in his co-worker's time, but in the Lord's time. It is all about inviting. Inviting to do something. Whether that is coming over for dinner, coming to church, being baptized or just watching a mormon.org clip. These invitations will help them progress more and more. It is all about change and us helping others change for the better. We have added a few new investigators and Adrian's baptism is next week, he is so funny. I just want you all to meet him. He cracks us up and Sister Baker and I are Always laughing! For example... He was talking to his dad the other day and he goes,"Dad are you going to come running with me tomorrow?" Dad- "Ya I think I can come." Adrian - "Are you sure? I don't want you to pull a Banana and Ice cream?" Dad - "What??" Adrian" You know, All of the sudden Split and then think it is all cool..." Hahaha so funny. I also laugh at everything but I just think he is great! I will send a picture of us with him soon! 

          We have been thinking about some cool trainings that could be done for the sisters at the Batallion. I remember some great ones from Nashville like lay it on the alter, the blindfold etc.. but I was wondering if any of you remember any cool inspiring trainings from your missions of anything else. I would love to hear some cool ideas. I know Scott  and Steven are always coming up with cool stuff so that would be awesome! Not that your busy with new babies coming in or anything... But if you ever get the chance I would love it! Speaking of babies! I am excited! I love this gospel. I have such a testimony of this work and I know it is true. I know we have trials for a reason and it is okay to make mistakes as long as we let them change us for good. I love you all.! Keep being the best family ever. 

Love,

Sister McKee:)

Week #31: 7 months!!

Hey!

          Happy Birthday Collin yesterday and Travis today!! Wow another birthday, Travis how old are you now?? 37?? 38?? I should know this. but Happy birthday! This week was quite a week! I wish you could all come to the Helix ward and see the miracles that are happening, wow it is amazing. The members are incredible here and they are working so hard to bring this work forth here in Helix. Last week we got a call from a former investigator who wants to meet with us. We met with him and set a date right away. He came to church Sunday and afterward he went and hung out with all of the YSA's at one of our awesome members house. We met with him later and he is just so excited. With tears in his eyes he said that he could not wait to have the Holy Ghost as a gift and to be part of the Lord's true church. He said that he was almost baptized before but he could not stop smoking so the missionaries had stopped coming over. He said that he has stopped and that is is so ready to commit to the truth. He is a great guy! We also met with Michael who is an awesome investigator getting ready to get baptized! We met with him and he is working on his testimony of this being the Lord's true church, however he has agreed to progress to a date and to coming to church so he will get an answer. We are excited for him. Also, Joe came to church! Joe loved church and asked questions like crazy. He will hopefully be getting baptized in a couple weeks! Miracles for days! :) 

        Last week we got a call from a LA and he wanted us to come and meet his girlfriend so we did and she said that she is universalistic and does not really know about a God. We taught the restoration and the Spirit was super strong. We told her that she will know for herself as she asks God. The spirit was so strong and after silence she says, "I got my answer already, I had a dream that I got married to Jorge in a building that was white and with stained glass windows and the week after this dream he talked to me about the temple and I knew it was that." We got her with a date and that is awesome. She is prepared! So many more miracles. 

        This week I have also seen people like crazy! Including Hermana Hendrickson who lives here is CA, Elder Monson at the temple which was such a shock! I also saw Beth and Courtney from My Nashville YSA ward who some of you know! I will send a picture! I also got a cute note from Sister Murdock who came to the Mormon Battalion, I missed her but I was thankful for that cute note. 

         I have been very humbled this week. My whole life I have had a constant battle with trying to be the best and realizing that I have a long way to go to be the best. I have realized so much on my mission that this life is not about being perfect at all. If we were perfect we would never learn, never grow and never be able to become like our Heavenly Father one day. This life is about tests , trials and rising above opposition. And it is hard, but hey we can do hard things right:) As soon as we realize that Christ is truly our companion then the atonement is truly made manifest in each of our lives because he isn't waiting for us to get to a certain point and then he will take care of the rest, no way, it is about us using that atonement in EVERY aspect of our lives. We are not meant to do anything alone and as we turn to him our burdens will be made easier. I love in Matthew when it talks about His Yoke being easy and Burden made light. Now we get to act, we get to choose who is going to carry that yoke with us. It is so easy as we act. I know this church is true and I know that I am so weak and that the Lord is with me always, if I ask. So ask. I know he will answer as we act in faith and apply the teaching that we learn to our lives. I love the Lord with all my heart. I feel so blessed each and every day. I have made so many mistakes as you all know, and I know it is all okay because they have shaped who I am today. 

Keep smiling and reading your Book Of Mormon every single day. 

I love you:)

Sister McKee:)

Week #30: Life flies!

Hello Family!!!

            HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO COLLIN AND TRAVIS!!!! Hope it is awesome!!  You are all just so great, thank you for the many emails and letters! I love every single one of them and they each mean so much to me so thank you! Sounds like things have been busy busy!! Destini - That is so awesome that you are headed to New York!! Good luck, and remember not to forget about the little people when you get famous;) (Seriously- don't forget me:) ) And Kiara got asked to be captain for flag team next year!! Wahoo!! Man all of you are just incredible that is amazing. And Aubrey feeding those cows eh?? 6 new baby calves!! So much fun! It looks great! I would love to see pictures of the land! Crazy, Dad you just work way too hard that is awesome though I cannot wait to see it all. And human babies coming soon!! YEy:) Every baby that comes into the battalion I get so excited! Babies are the best!  Looks like lagoon was a blast! Michelle looks soo great!!! I just love my family, wow I feel so blessed. You are all such amazing examples to me. And sounds like Angie is just helping every single person she sees down there in Ecuador. What a great missionary you are. I am just so thankful.

           This week has been a great week. We are seeing miracles everywhere here in Helix. It is exhausting covering two stakes and the Battalion/ Temple shifts, but it is great! There is never a dull moment and we are finding prepared people like crazy! Last week was Kim's baptism! I will attach some pictures! It went so great! She is so prepared. She is moving to Wisconsin today so we are sending her records there! Brent from Santee baptized her and I was able to see quite a few YSA's from Santee like Buddy, Holly, Collin and Erin. It was awesome. I am LOVING Helix!!! It is a progress for sure but it is so heart warming to see these miracles and the ward is acting and fulfilling their callings and coming out with us! In fact we had a LA come Sunday and bare his testimony and kept saying how thankful he was for the sisters reminding him his responsibility and privelidge to now be a member missionary. He challenged every single person to do the same and boom! People have been awesome. We have truly gotten to know so many of them really close and they love serving with us. So many street contacting miracles lately. Last week we felt like we should go to a referrals house and we got there and we both just felt awful and felt like we needed to leave right then. We left and we were walking down the street in the dark and there was a man on the steps and Sister Baker screamed so I did too haha and this poor guy goes, "Wow am I that ugly?" haha! It was so funny and we started talking to him and he was so excited because he said that he had been going through a huge trial that day and just came out 1 minute ago for a break and there we were. It was such a miracle that whole night was. Another miracle is that he is in our district leaders area and they are teaching him and he is getting ready for baptism! Crazy how the Lord knows exactly where we need to be! Anna Kaelin( was)  and her husband Tristan from Nashville came to the Battalion yesterday! It was so fun to see them! Crazy that they have been married over a year now! Church on Sundaywas just great. There were so many people who sat with other people and got to know people they didn't know! Wahoo! So Joe our investigator came to church last week and we met with him this week. He said he was going to think about a date. We talked to him about it last week and asked about his thoughts and he said, "I know it is what I need to do, can we set a date!?" We asked for the end of June and he said that was too far away! We are excited to see him get baptized in a couple weeks! Angel is getting baptized next week too! Sister Baker and I are having a great time. We love being companions and we love it when people ask us where we are from. It is great! She is such a hard worker and we laugh all the time. She is dedicated and obedient and we love this work. It is fun too because this week we had a YSA training and Sister Barfuss was there so we all got together. The YSA training was awesome! President and Sister Clayton led us in a discussion. There were about 18 missionaries there and we all got to talk about what works and what doesn't work. YSA is a different work ( Not that I really know how a family ward works yet hahaha..) I was thinking about it and I have been part of a YSA ward every since I was 17. Super funny. I am okay with that though I love the work there! Well I hope you know that this work is amazing. It makes such a difference when the members are the majority of the work though and I hope you all will think about people to invite to something this week. Remember the eternal perspective of everything and that the sooner people have the truth the faster they will be able to share it with others and help the work of God hasten even more. They are also missing out on so many blessing awaiting them. I love this work. I know it is so true and I know that I am not alone. In Alma Ch. 13 vs. 24 it talks about angels preparing hearts to receive the message. That is all of us as members! We are all that angel to our friends, acquaintances and even those on the street and stores that we have never met! President Clayton always tells us to help the members see how easy it is to strike up a gospel centered conversation even at the clothing store! Invite invite invite! Just like dad always says!! Keep being awesome and do not forget the eternal pictures. I love you all. HAve a great week and write me plus I love pictures!!

:)

I Love you!

Sister McKee:)

Week #29: Helix YSA

Hey!:)

          Happy 17th birthday AubreyAnn!!! That is so exciting! 17, wow! I hope you enjoy your last summer of high school.. That is weird.! Sounds like it has been a busy week of Lagoon, Missionary sleepovers, weddings etc... That is great! You all just never stop! We have seen so many amazing miracles this week. First of all it is such a miracle that Sister Baker and I are companions. It is so fun to be serving with a friend from before the mission. We have gotten to know each other so much better and We have such a great companionship! She is such a hard worker and has taught me so much. She is a great missionary and we really teach in unity! Must be a Pocatello thing, we are also both terrible at making decisions, which we also blame as being from Pocatello haha! She is super great though. We laugh all the time. Well wow it has been such a transfer of miracles!! Remember Kim who I taught in Santee? Well she is on fire and is getting baptized this weekend! However she got kicked out of her house on Sunday ( I feel like that is happening to everyone) They promised her she could stay until the summer and then they just decided they need her out early. It was a huge panic and what a tender mercy because the 2nd person we called we asked for their suggestions and they said that she is more than willing to stay with them. It was such a huge tender mercy!! Kim will be baptized this Saturday and Brent from Santee will be baptizing her. We are so excited for her and she is so happy! I love that girl. We also have 2 more baptisms coming up in June! Angel and Michael. We added 6 investigators this week and it already feels as busy as we were in Santee. We have 11 investigators right now! It is great and we love this work! Sunday we had 4 investigators come to church and they were participating a ton in class! They all asked some great questions and had awesome comments. In fact one of them asked if he could come every week and of course we said yes! He loves learning.

                We went to a less actives house last week and talked to him. He now lives in an agnostic home and literally every person there ( 12 ish people) are agnostic. However they are extremely open to learning and we had the best lesson on the restoration and we added 3 investigators from that home. We literally started out just teaching the less active and slowly a roommate would come and join us every 10 ish minutes! IT was awesome! They all think there is a God but they want tangible evidence so we talked about faith and its importance. It made sense to a lot of them and they all committed to first praying to know if God is really there. One of them came to church Sunday and he also went to Family Home Evening Monday! Miracles! Angel is another investigator who came Sunday! He is a golden investigator and loves this church. He will be baptized next Saturday! The work is flourishing here in Helix! 

                We have not had much time in our area with Mormon Battalion/ Missionary Training Exchange. Last week I coached The Black Mountain Sisters and it was so great!! I love MTE's miracles happen like crazy! We visited their members homes and challenged them to share a Book of Mormon with someone and they claimed they did not know anyone and we literally walked outside and there was one of their friends who was interested in the Book Of Mormon. So cool how the Lord just provides! We also had Mormon Battalion training this week. Brother Rasmussen came from Salt Lake to give it and it was AMAZING! It really helped a ton to remember that imperfections are necessary and that the most important thing is that we bring the Spirit into the lives of every single person that comes into the Mormon Battalion. This weekend we have a Young Single Adult training too! I love these training's! Well The work is awesome. I met a guy who served with Braxton Buffat in Honduras and Braxt was his district leader! Super cool. There was a guy who came in last week and said that I am related to him. He was a Petersen from Preston Idaho but He did not know us directly, but he is related to Spencer Condie and we figured out we are related somehow! Well the work is progressing every day!

                Weird to think how fast time flies. It is June this week! Wow!! Keep me updated. Sounds exciting getting ready to go to New York! That is one of my favorite places! That would be cool if you saw Cassidy there!

Well I love you all so much. This church is amazing. We are so lucky to have to truth and to share it. We are literally living in the restoration and this is an amazing time to be on the earth. Keep sharing it with everyone. We got reminded this week that members and non members need to be reminded of this. All of us our in it, not just those who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints, but every person here on the earth!! We are so lucky that we are the ones who know and we are the ones who get to tell everyone else! Keep that in mind as you meet and pass by so many people each day. Try to just invite someone to something each day.  I LOVE YOU ALL!

Thank you for everything!

 I will attach some pictures of our Missionary Training Exchange!

Love you!

Sister McKee:)

Week #28: Transfers!

Hey family!!

             I hope Kirst had a great birthday! Wow what a crazy week it has been! First of all, Santee is now a full proselyting area which means we both got taken out last week! I am so sad to be leaving Santee, but I know that this is what is needed as we were super busy! I know the missionaries who are now there will take good care of it! I am excited to go to our baptisms there coming up! So my new companion is......... Brittny Baker from Pocatello!!!!! Isn't that crazy?!?! We are having WAY WAY too much fun and I love her so much. We already have such a connection and it is fun to talk about people and we both know who they are. We were super happy when we got that announcement! Now for the crazy part. We are serving in the Helix YSA Ward. That is the YSA area right under Santee. It is the biggest area in the mission besides the missionaries that cover the chinese/ ASL. So there are usually 2 sets of missionaries there because there are 2 stakes. Well we found out at transfers that they took the elders out because the work is so slow and just Sister Baker and I are whitewashing that area! Ya wow It has been a huge crazy week!! There is so much work there too and we have already seen so many miracles. Helix is struggling right now with leadership. It feels almost like everyone has given up on the work and given up on their callings. There were less than 20 people at church on Sunday and everyone was super spread apart and no one knew who each other were. There is a lot of chaos right now. We have decided to meet with every single member of the ward and to get their insight and help remind them of their ultimate responsibility being a missionary to everyone! We met with two last night right before FHE and they were awesome. They came up with so many great ideas and all 4 of us implemented them that night. I cannot tell you the amazing feeling it was to see everyone get to know each other! They came up and thanked us after and it was so sweet. They are all excited now and They want to come teach with us. It will still be a huge process, but we know that with their help and especially with the Lord's Helix is about to grow so fast. I am so thankful that Sister Baker is my companion too because she works so hard and is so obedient and ready to do what the Lord wants of her. We also teach in unity and we love this work! It is such a blessing and we cannot wait to see the miracles here!!! PLease keep Helix in your prayers. Now some amazing miracles, remember when I was in Santee and we passed of about 8 referrals?! Well half of them were to Helix! So I am now teaching my old investigators! We have 8 investigators right now and 4 with a date! We know this is going to help the ward get fired up! Kim and David are two that I was working with for weeks in Santee so I am excited for them! 

             This week we are starting MTE's or Missionary training experience. That is when each companionship is coached by another missionary for a day according to the teachings that President Clayton gives us at our meetings. I feel super humbled and excited, but I was asked to be a coach and I am very excited because I get to be with another YSA companionships for 2 days and help them with their needs, of course I am sure that I will learn more than I could every teach, but I am so excited! Miracles always come from MTE's! There are two of us coaching so we just drive together and then stay with the companionship we are working with for those two days. It will be great! We added a new investigator Lara yesterday! She is amazing! She is so ready for the gospel. We are so happy for her.  The Family that I met last week that knew the Bells and McDermotts was Cynthia and Sayth Stone and their son Gonzalo Villarreal who served with Brennan. So if you see the Bells or Brock tell them! I also got a cute visit from some friends this week. I got a cute note from Heather Shirley who I knew at BYU-Idaho. I also received some money and a note from my friend Haylee DAy. That was so nice!!! It is the best feeling to know I have such great friends and I great family! Mom- Greg and Cindy Montgomery came a while ago and said she was your room mate at BYU! So many crazy things. Also there is an Elder in the mission from Nashvile who knew you and a nice couple that came from Spring Hills! Super fun! Oh and Chantell from Nashville came too!! I hadnt seen her in so long!!! I will attach a picture!

              I have been down on my knees more then ever this week and I just want to bare my testimony of prayer. Prayer is so powerful. I know that because we put the Lord's will over ours that miracles happen. I know that prayer is here for us and that we are not alone. God gives us challenges to shape us and to make us become the best we can be. That does not mean they will be easy, but they will always be good if we put our trust in the Lord and seek to learn from them. We met a man today on the street and he said that he took all of the missionary lessons, but he was told he could never be mormon because he smokes. He said he believes everything and even knows it to be true. I was so thankful I was able to testify to him about the power of prayer and I told him the story of Kyle Cherry and was able to testify to him that with that same power, he too could stop smoking and continue to progress. He asked to have missionaries come over again and we are so happy that his life will be changed for the better. Thank you for all of your examples to me of faith even in hard times. I think about last year often and the hard times that came as we were told day after day that mom had no chance to live. The world's perspective was that there was no chance and somedays it felt like we were just waiting for her to go. I am so thankful that we have such an amazing Dad who had the faith to help us have that same faith and eternal perspective. I know that if it was not for him and his testimony of prayer I would not have known for myself that everything was going to be okay. Thank you dad and mom for helping me to expect miracles every day. Because of that experience I am who I am and I am the missionary that I am today. I definetly have a long ways to progress in this process, but because of that experience I feel like I have been able to understand so much more. I love you all. I have the best family in the world, and I do not just say that. I pray for you every night and day. I know this church is true and miracles are happening everyday. Keep the faith! Read, Pray and Go to church!

I lOVE YOU!

Love, 

Sister McKee:)