Life in Hollywood

(Mom's a little behind schedule with posting....)

Good morning family!

Okay so I thought 24 lessons was crazy... try 28. We have been so blessed and so busy!

This week in the Book of Mormon I loved reading Alma 7. I am growing in my understanding of the atonement. I did not realize (until this week) that missionaries need the atonement the most in this world. I loved Alma 7 because it reminded me that the atonement is a precious gift that we have. We must utilize it every day of our lives. I am seeing that the busier we are, the more I need the atonement. Getting up at 6:30 is so hard, but the second that I kneel to pray I wake right up. I know that is the mantle that we have as missionaries. We are given extra strength. I love serving and being a missionary. It really is crazy how my eyes are soooo bloodshot and I am so tired, but somehow, I have the energy to run hard in the morning, and then work hard all day long! I know that it is a blessing because the second that we walk in the house at night, I feel like I can straight up fall over. Not doing so well at my nighttime work outs.

Sister Gardner and I are doing well in our area. We are still very busy, but we will work on cleaning out our teaching pool this week. We have been blessed with many investigators and referrals. This week had to be the best week of my mission. We are getting so much work done, and we are being incredibly blessed. We hit the highest KIs that I have ever hit, and it brings us so much satisfaction and joy to be doing the Lord's work with all of our focus and energy. We were blessed with a baptism yesterday. It was the most stressful Sunday, as we were unsure if she would be on time to sacrament. She made it! Her baptism was so special and I love seeing her whole eternity change. Round up is the time in between ward council and sacrament meeting where we go to our investigators' homes, remind them about church, and tell them see ya there in 30! It is usually super effective, but sometimes they are SO SLOW. Mom: I am so incredibly sorry for ever making you late to church. You should have spanked me I was the worst. We brought the kids pancakes (talk about torture, I made 15 pancakes on fastSunday... couldn't eat one!) and they were hilarious. That was their first pancake ever. They were so fascinated with the taste, texture, etc. It was priceless to watch them. 

We had the most amazing miracle yesterday at church. We were so busy preparing for one baptism, that we were unable to visit other investigators (we only called/texted them). We were sitting with one of our investigators in sacrament when in walks a huge family! We talked to them after and they loved church. I was so glad, because with Baptists sometimes this church is very different for them. She even wanted to share her testimony. She was too shy, but she will next testimony meeting. This Jamaican family is the coolest. 

So run through of my week... because I kind of realized I never give you a day to day, I just tell you funny things that happened... so here you go:

Monday: We saw A. Remember her? Her sister died 2 days before we met her and she needed a prayer. So she has totally come around and was so touched by the spirit as we talked about personal revelation through the Book of Mormon, SHE CRIED. Cool experience.

Tuesday: P DAY so this zone kinda really stinks at smash face, so that's a downer. We harvested and had correlation and this ward is a riot. Take Jerry Springer and The District, combine them and that is correlation. Always a good time.

Wednesday: A member gave us a lasagna and her husband is a nonmember and reminded me of dad. Super supportive and kind, goes to church sometimes.. super cool guy. I told him he reminded me of dad and we bonded. It was cool. Also we met S. my favorite woman ever. She did not even hear us knock, she just felt like she needed to answer the door... crazy... and did and said we made her day. She is 29, a newlywed, from Washington and we are going to help her spring clean her house this week. She is the kindest person I have met here!

Thursday: T. - Oh my, have I told you about this woman? Okay so we prayed with her husband, then we found her and loved her so started teaching her. We went to see someone else, I put the wrong address in the gps, we get out of the car (neither of us noticed we were on the totally wrong street) and walked like 4 houses down, still neither of us realized, and then guess who drives up? We had a great visit with her, and it was very good fortune for us that we got lost and ended up with her.

Friday: Taught these two children whose parents are in the ward and both parents are deaf, so they feel that their children do not get enough gospel nourishment. I love these children and gosh it makes me miss studying el ed! We also met our referral, M. who is super kind and wants the gospel for her family HOLLA HOLLA

Saturday: We had a lesson with E., he is doing well. Receptive to the lessons especially about the restoration.

Sunday: BAPTISM also yesterday we met our referral who is getting her PhD. 

Okay parents: dad, do you know someone named G.M.? Recently passed. We met his daughter and it was so cool to meet someone who could talk about the huge swell at the Wedge. Also, mom I forgot workout clothes, perfume as ideas for Christmas. All I need. And I need to send you back the black skirt still sorry! Also, have you tried TJ's oatmeal, with a spoonful of melted peanut butter and 1/2 banana cut up? Heaven.

So that was this week. I hope that everyone's back to school week was the best! I cannot believe that our family is scattered across the US. I miss you all so much, but I know that I will be home soon enough. Feed the missionaries and read your scriptures. 

I LOVE YOU ALL! I really can never say that enough. Mondays are the best because I so look forward to writing you all!

xox

Hermana McCormick

Transfers came, my companion completed her mission and went home, and now I am in Hollywood, FL.!

 

OKAY so my companions are Sisters Weiland and Gardner. Sister W is a visa waiter, going to Brasil tomorrow! And Sister G is from Utah. She reminds me of Amanda Stephenson, so needless to say it is a good time. Love her.

 

I am in an English ward... boooo... but I am needed here and I am loving it. I LOVE it when I see a bienvenidos welcome mat. You bet I knock til they answer so I can use my Spanish. Exciting thing, my Spanish is better than I thought. I taught two Cubans the other day and understood it all. I am amazed and humbled that I have been able to communicate when I really need to. 

 

So I live with Sisters Jackson and Coates. Love those girls to death. SISTER JACKSON IS ALLY and has gotten me way homesick. She is a blonde babe from CA who swam and played polo in high school!! She walks just like Al and is super tan and cute and goofy. I love her. I am incredibly, incredibly grateful for my time with the Sister Trainer Leaders (my roommates in Miami). They taught me to be bold, exactly obedient, and happy. 

 

I MISS MY TREADMILL, but Sisters G and Jackson take turns running with me and I run like m would run with her comps. Out and back and out and back. I think for Christmas I will ask for a watch that can track my mileage and my times because these runs are only like 2.5 miles.

 

I saw Elder Swensen at transfer meeting and it was awesome! He is doing so well. You can tell that he is a great missionary.

 

DAD your letter was so nice. I got it on transfer day and it was just what I needed. Definitely helped me combat homesickness. To answer your question, I love anything from TJ, but I love steel cut oats, their gluten free oatmeal is good, too, (big blue bag) and also their dried mango and coconut cashews are good. Basically any healthy snacks because they save me. I love Think Thin bars. I love Lara bars too but they have a lot of sugar. I like bars with around 10g sugar since 30g/day is max. OH and quinoa is the best! Healthier than rice and I make some and steam veggies for lunch and an egg and it is the best.

 

This weekend we found so many amazing people! I love the people here. They are so humble and receptive. We have tons of return appointments today. We also have a Haitian family getting baptized next week. N. has 6 kids and is so spiritual and sweet. Her kids are hilarious and crazy. Teaching them is always a good time.

 

I love teaching. I love feeling my testimony. I love feeling the spirit when I speak of eternal truths. I love my calling as a missionary and being an instrument in the Lord's hands. I love growing each day and pushing myself to be better. This time on my mission really is so short and special. I am in awe that my Heavenly Father would give me this gift.

 

I hope that school and work is all going well. I cannot believe that Al is on her way back to BYU... time is flying.

 

P.S. I love photos! They really motivate me.

 

I LOVE YOU FAMILY

I LOVE THE GOSPEL

You are too good to me.

xoxo

Hermana McCormick

Wonderful People in Miami

Shan and Elder Swensen!!

Into August

This week has been so awesome and stressful and I PRd on the treadmill 6:58 mile and 3 in 22 min. But today was 3.5 in 27 but that is beside the point. I am just stoked because I am defying the mission norms and LOSING weight in the field. I have lost 10 pounds in the last 5 weeks but if it does not look like it in my pictures that's awkward don't tell me.

I got my photos off of my camera and onto the USB so I finally can take more photos yay!

M your letter was much needed and I love you so much. Crazy how a letter changes my day.

OKAY family and friends you have to try ThinkThin bars... they are the best and so low in sugar and fat it is amazing. Also PB2 it is 45 cal/13 cal fat and like no saturated fat per serving and I might just eat that straight for the rest of my life.

So the haps in Miami:

I am starting the Book of Mormon over again, and I am aiming to finish it by the middle of next transfer. I love all that I pick up and mark each time I read it. I was reading in First Nephi how our Heavenly Father loves us so much, that when we keep his commandments and endure, he promises to protect us. I love 1 Nephi 10:18-19. It talks about how God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I love reading it each day along with the Bible.

Sister Espinoza and I are having lots of success with visiting families and inviting less-actives back to church with us. We had the best Sunday yesterday as D. got baptized. The spirit was so strong at his service. I miss working at the beach and lifeguarding...a lot... but as I sat there, I realized the importance of this type of work, and here is where I am needed at this time in my life. I have felt such a connection with those that I have met. I had been told that so many times before I got out here, but this week it clicked and I believe it. Holla holla time is passing and I have felt like I have been running in place for 3.5 months, then boom, progress and I am feeling the need to use my time and efforts more diligently here.

So remember my triathlete soul sister? She is awesome and gave me snacks from Whole Foods and we talked about clean eating for like 20 minutes at church yesterday and I love her so much and she is so cool and opened up and told me about how she went to the Biggest Loser Ranch last year and was 302 and lost 120 and is shooting to get to 150 and she is such an inspiration! I am so grateful for the people that I am meeting. I sit in RS and just think how much I love my ward here. Seriously, they are so awesome and I am glad that I have a feeling that I will be in this area for a while because I love them all.

I love you all so much and am feeling the love from the 38 emails in my inbox ahhhhhh!

I hope that you all enjoy the rest of the summer because we will blink and it will be next summer, and then dad will have his 30 mile crazy race and then I will be home.

I will never get tired of saying it I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

xoxo

Hermana McCormick  

Some recent summer pics

July so far

HI FAMILY!

How was this week of summer? I hope that you are enjoying the beach for me. 

Basically Sister Johnson leaving made me realize how much I rely on her and love her. Jeeeeeeez it's like I was saying goodbye to family all over again. She really got me through. This week, I am learning to rely even more on the Lord and it is hard but I am trying to grow.

First things first, when the new missionaries came from the CCM, they brought 2 pieces of mail. One from FFLM, and the other from Denise Baker!!! She had written it weeks ago, but when I got it was perfect timing. Oh boy did I need those words of encouragement. Also, grandma Bev sent me stationary and stamps and that was so kind of her. And mom, the package... my goodness. I felt like Shannon there for a few minutes. I got my TB flats and skirt and could not be happier. Little things like those REALLY help. Thank you a ton. Also the TJ's whey powder made my life. I mix it with a banana and ice and almond milk and am almost as happy as I am after a beach run. The prunes and trail mix were divine. I love that you included baggies so I could make snacks on the go. Those snacks will be perfect for in between meals. 

Two things... Katie, would you be able to print out that photo of us at your wedding? The one of us smiling at each other. I do not have it and I want it because I miss ya! And mom/Al... if you happen to find my short sleeved black Caslon shirt (round neck, not V), would you be able to roll it up and send it in a padded envelop? I am so sorry I keep asking for things. please do not feel inclined to keep sending packages. I know those are expensive! You are the best family. 

So yesterday, Anayh got baptized! Her mom has been coming back to church and she is 9 and decided to get baptized after we taught her these past 7 weeks. She is adorable and I love her so much. The mom, Daisy, is my favorite. She cooks Peruvian food and I love it.

Our friend Judy passed away this week. So, so sad. It was great that we had the opportunity to visit with her four times before she passed. Very sad for both her daughter (who is visiting from out of town to be with her mom) and her son.

We met a mother and daughter from Cuba. The daughter was speaking spanglish for me, and then when I spoke Spanish to her, her eyes got all wide and she looked at my name tag, then back to my face, then my name tag... She cracked me up. She will come to church next Sunday and I know that she will feel that she has found what she has been looking for.

I am so glad that the World Cup is over. Try knocking on Argentinians' doors yesterday... yeah right.

I know that I am here for a reason. I had Sister Johnson last transfer for a reason, but apparently now I can do this alone, so that is what I am going to do. It has been a lonely week... to be totally honest... but I am working to appreciate this time that I have to just focus on spiritual things ONLY. No worldly things at all. It is such a blessing, and I sure need it.

I love you and your letters so much. Mom, that part about missions being hard was perfect. I got it on my hardest day and had a good cry. Then I cried some more in the shower and went to bed, determined to make the next day better. I love that we have so many tomorrows to be better and be happier and nicer. I am working on it. I love you and miss you all more than you know.

xoxoxo

Hermana McCormick