HELLO FAMILY!
So I got the news that I was going to
be changing companions again….that was great because it helped me stress only
on Friday and now I am calm and excited. So nervous, yeah, but it will all be
good.
This week has been the best of my
mission, and even the best of my life. It topped Katie's wedding. That good.
Yeah okay I am kidding but really this week has left me in awe. So let's talk
about the Christmas Conference. Way too much fun. We had skits and got to hear
the testimonies of the departing missionaries and we had a white elephant gift
exchange. Just too much fun for one day. I was actually socially exhausted.
Like I almost fell asleep at home when we ate dinner before working. So my
favorite thing is listening to the testimonies of the departing missionaries.
So much wisdom!!!! I just love how they motivate me. I always leave with a
favorite quote/thought. This one is: there are power and miracles in the extra
mile. This is so very true! I look back at my favorite moments of growth and
clarity, and they are always when I am beaten down, absolutely exhausted,
pushing on, praying fervently for strength-for the atonement to carry me. I am
going to do my best to go the extra mile always.
Okay so then the mail room. WHAT THE
HECK FAMILY WHY ARE YOU SO GOOD TO ME!?!?! I literally got like 10 packages and
was in shock. Most people get 1-2... maybe 3... I was walking out, arms full,
just like "ha.. I am blessed... dunno why... no it's my birthday on Sunday
that's why!!!" When everyone would ask. Anyway, you are all amazing.
SYLVIA sent a miracle in a package.
Speaking of, they have all been answers to my prayers. As a poor missionary,
KK's package and the 2 I have opened from home (make up and dresses) are EXACTLY
what I have needed. PS mom had to send 2 of the dresses back to ASOS because
the slit makes it go above my knee, but they should refund you. YOU ARE THE
BEST. K so back to Sylvia, we had a noche de hogar with Jairo and his family
last night and he is the best member missionary ever. He had the elder's investigator
family AND Robert and his kids over. Sylvia sent two adorable crafts and we
taught about service and it was the best FHE of my life.
These weeks are definitely trying my
faith in the best way possible. I keep getting my best friends' "last
missionary letter" before they return home. As much as I desire to be home
with them, having completed my full-time mission, I know that
I am here in this exact area, at this specific time for the Lord's purpose. I
just know it. I know that each person that I meet, each door that I knock, each
card I hand out is inspired. I did not know this before my mission. I did not
understand how truly inspired each mission call is. However, now that I am
learning this, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for this experience and
this tremendous blessing my Father in Heaven has given me.
And last night, exactly that
happened! We were harvesting and we decided to knock the first street. We asked
the first woman we prayed with for a referral and she pointed us across the
street. We decided to deviate from our plan and knock that door. No one
answered, but I felt that we should go back at the end of our harvest, so we
resolved to do so. We actually found 2 potentials which is AMAZING as a Spanish-speaking
missionary. We got one new investigator and he actually said yes to baptism.
Not just hmm if I am in town, etc. He said yes and it was great. Anyway, we
finish harvesting, we are late to see our RC family, but we knock the ref
again. We knock four times and nothing. We walk across the street only to hear
the door open. We left her with a He is the Gift card and told her that if she
wanted a special blessing for her home to call us. She showed some interest so
we handed her a chapel card. To our surprise, a wave of shock came over her and
she began to cry. She was speechless, as were we. We felt the spirit so
strongly. Sister Bradley just said calmly, "We know that God sent us to
you." Finally she explained herself (the suspense was killing me). She
said, "They always find me. This is the third time." We chatted with
her and she explained that she had been baptized years ago, along with her 4
children. They had fallen away and the elders had stopped by twice before (so
that is a while ago if elders were trying to bring her back because it has been
a sister's area for years). Then, we knocked into her. How crazy. She was so
touched. She could not believe it, and neither could we. It was amazing that
the Lord led us to harvest there, to find her, and even more amazingly, she is
so ready to come back. She told us to come back and visit her and we are going
tomorrow. I cannot wait to get to know her better. I have so much love for her
and I hardly even know her. She will be an incredible addition to Relief
Society and the Lauderhill ward.
Mom, you would die. This ward took
greaaaaat care of me for my birthday. So they had a surprise birthday party
with VERY authentic Mexican food. I treated myself to some tacos and a
tamale... first time I treated myself in 6 months. It was great. I am good
though... no desire to do it again for a while. Happens when you eat 5 tacos, 1
tamale, and 3 cups of juice (some sweet juice I am sure Jake had it lots in
Mexico. It is from a plant and tasted like a Jolly Rancher to me). But no
cake... my stomach legit can't do gluten so well. Is this what getting old is
like? Anyway, it was great because they decided to celebrate Sister Bradley's
birthday on the 27th too since she is leaving. It was SO MUCH FUN. I could not
believe how they spoiled us. And how dang good the food was. Dad would have loved
it.
We took one of our investigator
families on a temple tour and they loved the peaceful setting. I love temples.
So fun to teach about them on the temple grounds.
I was reading Moroni 7 yesterday and
loved how much it talked about angels. Funny timing, because there is an
incredible article in the Ensign about angels, and the reality of their
existence. Everyone should go read the article, and then Moroni 7! I know that
the Lord helps us every step of the way. I know that even if He cannot be in
every place at once, His angels minister to us.
I am overwhelmed with gratitude for
my Savior... for my mission... for this transfer in Lauderhill with Sister Bradley.
I treasure how much I have learned from her. I know that my next companion will
have much to teach me as well, and I am thrilled to meet her.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY LOVE!
I love each of you so much. You all mean the world to me!
xoxo
Hermana McCormick
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