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:)