tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14193741677906928752024-03-13T12:29:03.542-07:00Elder McKinleyBrittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09233039872557122297noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-35949893605544311612013-06-13T16:17:00.003-07:002013-06-13T16:17:44.903-07:00Final Photo Update 6/10/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Neide's baptism! What a special one!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-56169442686122703822013-06-10T11:26:00.003-07:002013-06-10T11:26:20.669-07:00FINAL LETTER! 6/10/13<div class="p1">
Well, things are winding down, but at the same time, things are picking up pace too! On Wednesday, we were able to go to the temple...what a treat. I really had some good time to reflect on my service and the lessons I've learned these past years. I could feel an incredible peace and sense of satisfaction during my time there. </div>
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On Thursday, I had my final interview with President Lanius....I've spoke a lot about my mission President. He is a very interesting man. He's one of the most dedicated and loyal servants of the Lord I have ever seen. He can at times, give the impression of being very serious and straightforward. There was a good time when I felt that he didn't really stop to get to know his missionaries individually, but with time, I discovered that this man is really a spiritual giant who has a heart bigger than a basketball. Sitting down with my Priesthood leader who personally guided me and oversaw my progress for two of the most incredible years of my life was an experience that surpasses all description. I don't think there's another man on this Earth who knows me so well (not just for having personally known me, but knowing and seeing what I have done, what my companions say about me, what my leaders say about me, what those I lead say about me, what the members say about me, and so on....you could kind of say that he is like a "Big Brother" or that he has an "All seeing eye"...don't think that your mission president doesn't know who you are....).</div>
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During our conversation, I felt like I was receiving the second half of my patriarchal blessing....I knew that the Lord was acting as voice through this man's lips. After about 5 minutes, I stopped him and said, "President, do you think I could take some notes?" He gave a good hearty "Jabba the Hut" chuckle and said "Sim, Elder McKinley, Pode!!!" Just for you guys to have an idea, I usually write about a page per night in my journal....Thursday night, I scrambled to write everything down that was flying through my head....It came out to about 8.5 pages...my new pen almost ran out of ink....</div>
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I was incredibly touched and very reflective after my interview. I felt that this man had looked into my soul. He told me things about myself that I knew were true, but that I had never come around to recognize or completely acknowledge. He helped me to understand just how much potential I have as a priesthood holder and as one who has a testimony of the Gospel and desire to see the work of the Lord go forth (both in my own life and in the lives of others). I felt his love and appreciation. I knew that the Lord had foreordained this man to play an important part in my life. What a special relationship I feel that I have with this righteous man of God. </div>
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The last week is here. I'm not "trunky", like my whole district likes to tell me and joke about....I feel bad for some of them....they are all starting their missions, and I think they are a bit confused, thinking that they'd like to be in my place. I've told them several times that they don't need to worry about clocks or calendars....they are living the best and most exciting time of their lives. 2 years passes by in a heart beat.</div>
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I'm so grateful for everything that I was able to during these past months and years. What an incredible ride it has been. I wouldn't trade it for anything. There's nothing in my life that has personally meant as much to me as my mission. I will forever cherish it in my heart. It was a sacred privilege given to me by the Almighty. I owe him everything I am and have for what he has given me.</div>
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Once again, I turn to the Book of Mormon to better describe my feelings. Ammon, as he reflected on his missionary service, expressed much of what I myself am now feeling:<br />
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Therefore, let us glory...yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, </i><span class="s1"><b><i>I cannot say the smallest part which I feel</i></b></span><i>.....Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, </i><span class="s1"><b><i>there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we</i></b></span><i>, since the world began; </i><span class="s1"><b><i>yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God</i></b></span><i>. (Alma 26:16,35 )<br />
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Enos, as he neared the end of his life, expressed the following in regards to his ministry among our Heavenly Father's children <br />
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<i>I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and </i><span class="s1"><b><i>have rejoiced in it above that of the world</i></b></span><i>. (Enos 1:26)</i></div>
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I give my testimony to all, in addition to those which have been and will yet be given, that this work is true. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is real. Jesus is real. He lives. I have never had so much certainty of this as I do in this present moment. I have never done something as important and special as the work I have been engaged in these last two years. I have basked in every minute of my mission. I know that there is no better opportunity for a young man than a full time mission. I really just can't describe it. My joy is overflowing. It's something that you just have to feel for yourself to understand. It's worth it. It's so worth it. I feel grateful. I feel happy. I know who I am. I know what I want in this life. I know where I want to go. Could there be anything more special than this?</div>
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Thanks for tuning in!</div>
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Love, </div>
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Elder McKinley</div>
Brittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09233039872557122297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-17379282458691764452013-06-10T11:25:00.002-07:002013-06-10T11:26:54.184-07:00Letter 6/5/13<div class="p1">
Wowowow! It's soo good to be an Elder!!!! Why does it have to end!?? I really feel like the Lord has held in reserve some of his richest blessings for me in these last few weeks that I have in the field. I have been feeling the Spirit stronger than ever....I am seeing the Lord's hand more clearly and plainly than in any other time of my life. It's as if everything in my mission is turning into a big huge "replay". I'm seeing how all of this (the difficulties, the miracles, the heartaches, the stress, the prayers, the faith) ties into my Heavenly Father's plan for me. You get to a point where you look back at all the blessings of your mission, and you feel so grateful for all of the things that the Lord has done for you, that you almost want to cry with happiness and gratitude....then your perspective opens up a little bit more and you see that you've been permitted to help countless people at the same time along the way. <br />
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Shoot. If I'd have come all this way and gone through everything that I have without having been able to have helped a single person besides myself, I'd be the happiest 20 year old boy in the whole world....and then to think of all of the special, blessed people that I've been allowed to teach, serve, love, and help during these 2 years (many of whom who are in turn doing the same to others around them)....well folks, thinking about all of this, King Benjamin's words come to my mind, <br />
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<i>"And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you. (Mosiah 2:25)</i><br />
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I feel so UNWORTHY of it all! My mortal mind just can't wrap around the idea...this same question repeatedly has come to my mind during these past 2 years "What did I do to deserve all of this???" I honestly don't think I do deserve it....not even a tenth of it do I deserve. It has really helped me to understand just what the Prophets meant when they teach us that "the Lord thy God is a merciful God" (Deuteronomy 4:31). It helps even more to understand just what is mercy: "Mercy is the compassionate treatment of a person greater than what is deserved" (Topical Guide). What a powerful lesson this is. The Lord is MERCIFUL. He is LOVING. He is GENEROUS. He gives us much, much, much more than we deserve. Pathetic words do nothing to describe my feelings [funny how everything as a missionary relates to the scriptures....I understand so well now what Moroni meant when he said, "<i>And only a few have I written, because of my weakness in writing.</i>" (Ether 12:40)]. I love the Lord for everything he has done for me. Once I asked my mission president what was the most important thing I could learn on my mission. "<b>Love God</b>", he responded. I can say that I feel that I've take a few good steps to understand that essential and oh so important lesson. </div>
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We had Neide's baptism this week. It was a marvelous experience for me. I saw how the Lord hand prepares his elect children to enter into his Kingdom here on earth. We did little or almost nothing in comparison to the spiritual preparation that she has been going through since long before I was born. That's what the Lord means when he says the "field is white, already for the harvest". Our job is not complicated, but is incredibly sacred and special. As she climbed the stairs out of the baptismal font, I heard her say "que água boa" or "what great water that was!". Her son is serving a mission in Campinas, Brazil. I can only imagine how he must have felt to receive the news that his mom was baptized....it's going to be even better on the day that he finds out that his Dad was baptized too! Batista, Neide's husband, has been going through a transformation. It's like watching a time-lapse of Mosiah 3:19 before me eyes...</div>
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<i>"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he </i><b><i>yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit</i></b><i>, and </i><b><i>putteth off the natural man</i></b><i> and </i><b><i>becometh a saint</i></b><i> through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a </i><b><i>child</i></b><i>, </i><b><i>submissive</i></b><i>, </i><b><i>meek</i></b><i>, </i><b><i>humble</i></b><i>, </i><b><i>patient</i></b><i>,</i><b><i> full of love</i></b><i>, </i><b><i>willing to submit to all things</i></b><i> which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."</i></div>
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He said a prayer at the end of one of our lessons that almost brought me to tears. I can't believe how much these people are changing. It's all the testimony that I need that this work is true. The Lord is the Head of this work. He leads us. He changes us. We just need to do as he instructs, or in other words, we need to "submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit". The work is true. I bear my witness of it. </div>
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Until next time, </div>
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Elder McKinley</div>
Brittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09233039872557122297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-53269272882014416972013-05-28T11:14:00.002-07:002013-05-28T11:14:53.843-07:00Letter 5/27/13
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Well instead of using my Internet time to write reports home, I spent it looking up hotel rooms in Recife for when my parents come here....something I'm not very used to....all of this "real life" experience that I've been having lately (choosing college classes, booking hotel rooms, etc.) can be somewhat frightening. I feel like a hermit crab who feels plenty comfortable inside of his little, familiar "Elder" shell...It's time to graduate to a bigger shell soon. </div>
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I don't have a ton of time, but I'd like to share a story about a couple we are teaching, Neide and Batista. Their son, Jonas, is a recent convert and is serving a mission in Campinas. His parents have been taught by many different missionaries, but their hearts were still quite hardened. A few members suggested that we try to go to their home and teach them. We decided to give it a try. The lesson was wonderful....we were really feeling the spirit strongly. When the moment for the baptismal invitation came up, we showed a painting of Christ's baptism....we waited a good 10 seconds for them to respond.....Neide shocked me (and even better was the look on her husband's face!) when she said"ok, I don't have any more questions or doubts about it". We worked a lot with them this week. They went to our ward conference this week....boy was it perfect for them....The ward normally has about 40-50 people present....there 150 at this conference. There was an incredible outpouring of the Spirit there....it's just what you pray for as a missionary so that your investigators can really know and feel what the restored Church of Christ is like.</div>
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I'm super excited to help this couple enter into the church before my time here is up....Let's see if I'll have this privilege!</div>
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Until next time, </div>
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-Elder McKinley</div>
Brittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09233039872557122297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-63222344191793094322013-05-21T11:57:00.002-07:002013-05-21T11:57:13.322-07:00Letter 5/20/13
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What did I learn this week? The scripture included above just about says it all. Learning to deal with difficulties and hardships is a life long pursuit. I think we as missionaries learn in 2 years what would take about 20 when it comes to "endurance". I feel like I really am reaching my peak as a missionary....I've never felt so "lost" in the work....don't get me wrong, the distractions still exist, but I can really feel that my whole body, mind, and soul are consumed by this work. Everything else seems to take a back seat. </div>
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We had some interesting events this week. Our biggest prospect for this week was a girl named Iza. She's 17 years old. We found her and family about a month ago while passing on their street. We stopped, turned back, and knocked her door to follow a spiritual prompting. We started teaching her, her mom, and her sister. They always have a ton of people in their house....it reminded me of "Seinfeld". Every 5 minutes, someone new enters into their house (we got a lot of new investigators from them). Iza went to church 3 weeks in a row. She was well received and liked it a lot, but had a lot doubt as to whether or not she wanted to stay and become a member. We worked a lot with her...the Lord blessed this young woman quite a bit for her to be able to feel the spirit and know that what we were teaching her was true.</div>
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We offered countless prayers in her behalf. On the day of her baptismal interview, she wanted to give up. She said that she didn't feel "ready". We were able to convince that she knew absolutely everything necessary to be baptized and to follow Christ. She calmed down a bit, and said that she would be baptized. When Saturday came around, we started to worry if she would actually show up when the time came around. We had to travel to a few other cities to do baptismal interviews, and it was a little bit out of our hands. We got to the chapel, waited, prayed, waited a little longer, called her, waited a little longer, prayed, and decided to go after her to try and see what was going on....when we got to her house, no one was there....I thought "great, there goes our baptism for this week". Instead of complaining and getting depressed and upset about it, those words offered by the Lord to Joseph Smith passed through my head, "If thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high". I gave it a try, and kept my head up. When we got back to the chapel about 15 minutes later, we were shocked to see Iza, her sister, and her mom there waiting for us! We baptized her and had an incredibly special experience doing it!</div>
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The Lord really did come through for us! I felt grateful for having kept my head up and not "murmured" against the Lord my dark hour of despair. What a difference it makes to not only be grateful and loving towards the Lord in our hour of peace and tranquility, but also in our dark hour of despair. My testimony grows each and every day, mainly because I choose to want it to grow. If we sulk and wine and complain, having a hard heart every time that storm cloud comes our way, it would be a lot harder for the Lord to bless us with special, spiritual experiences. Keep a smile on folks. The Gospel is true. </div>
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Until next time, </div>
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-Elder McKinley</div>
Brittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09233039872557122297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-18205687203411206282013-05-20T08:55:00.002-07:002013-05-20T08:55:31.998-07:00Letter 5/13/13
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We came out the gate with a lot of energy this week. If there's one thing that excites you to get out to work as a missionary, it's being stuck at home for two days with a sick Elder. We easily made up for our lost time this week. The Lord really helped us to make up our lost ground. </div>
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We used a bit of out p-day time to have lunch with an investigator of ours named Daiana. She is from Rio, her aunt is the relief society president here in Vitória, and she is currently living with her atheist "husband". She works a ton as a professional cook (yeah, lunch was good with her). Monday was the only time we had to meet with her. She invited not only us, but the other companionship to have lunch with her too....all four of us. We eased our way into a gospel conversation with them (Daiana is crazy to be baptized....she just needs to marry first....our lesson was more focused on her husband) Let's just say that trying to teach an atheist with 4 Elders isn't the best idea....the lesson took f-o-r-e-v-e-r. Almost 2 hours! I felt so bad for the poor guy. After the other Elders finished explaining the plan of salvation from the creation of Adam down to Adam-ondi-ahman, we left the very tired looking family in peace....you know what blew me away? When we saw Daiana later in the week, she said that her "husband" liked the lesson! How??? This church really must be true folks. </div>
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We found several good people to teach. One lady left me with a big smile on my face....after explaining the restoration to her, she said "do you mean to say that God and Jesus Christ appeared to this boy and called him to establish the only true church of Christ here on the earth???". I love responding to a question like that....you leave people with such a powerful thought in their minds....unfortunately not everyone understands so clearly what we teach. </div>
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Fun side notes: A crazy guy we passed on the street this week asked us if we are those same Germans that blew up the World Trade Center....hmmm. Another lady chastised me for not knowing "the Lord's prayer" by heart....she insisted that we say it together with her before leaving. When it rained a few weeks ago, these giant flying ants began to crash and fall all over the place....what do the people do about it? Run after them, put them into bottles, and then take them inside to fry them and eat them....I passed up that opportunity! We taught Albemar (the voo-doo-ist). He told us of how he talks and receives visits from spirits at times....I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He is starting to the light bit by bit. We made some good goals with him. I don't think I'll be around to see his baptism, but he is an incredibly good hearted man. I think it will happen one day. </div>
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We challenged a 17 year old girl we are teaching named Isa to be baptized this Saturday. She has been to church twice already, but has cold feet in respect to a baptismal date. We talked with her for a good while, and we left her with the challenge to read a few scriptures and pray to know if she should or should not be baptized. Among the scriptures we gave her was Alma 32:16.</div>
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"Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized withoutstubbornness of heart"</div>
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We were confident that she would receive an answer....when we came back, we were sadly disappointed to see that she hadn't even read or prayed....unfortunately, we had to chastise her a little bit and help her to understand just how important all of this is. I think it made a difference. She went to church again yesterday. There was a little 8 year old boy running around passing out invites to his baptism this Saturday. He gave an invite to her....when she looked at it, I think the Spirit touched her heart....she told us at the end of church "who knows, maybe I will be baptized this Saturday after all!" What a great piece of news! The Lord really can work miracles....we are going to see if we can seal the deal with her!</div>
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Elder Santana and I have been growing along together....we are really becoming more and more unified in our teaching and purpose. I couldn't imagine a better way to finish my mission that the way I am now!</div>
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Until next time, </div>
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-Elder McKinley</div>
Brittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09233039872557122297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-47416759777990062592013-05-07T18:11:00.002-07:002013-05-07T18:11:26.257-07:00Letter 5/6/13<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's a funny thing, because Elder Santana's parents
are Pernambucanos (they are from Pernambuco)....they married and moved
to São Paulo where he was born....he visited Pernambuco once before
about 7 years ago and he got real sick to his stomach (maybe food
poisoning or something). Since he's started his mission here, he's been
sick to his stomach....In Brazil, people don't feel even the slightest
uncomfortable in telling you that they have diarrhea (sp?)....it's
really weird....if you ask someone who looks like they are sick how they
are doing, they'll respond, "oh I'm fine, I just have diarrhea
today"....and then people react and respond like it were any other small
conversational thing....so yeah, everyone found out that Elder Santana
has had diarrhea for about 10 days now....it was a bit difficult to work
on the street when we had to stop and run to the chapel or back to our
house every hour or so for him to use the bathroom. It's not his fault
though. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tuesday
at about 1:30 AM, he woke up and was having a lot of stomach
pain....the other Elders got really worried and insisted that we go to
the hospital. We called our branch president here in Vitória whose name
is Elias. This guy is a stud. He showed up within 10 minutes in his
little 1990's Volkswagen golf to give us a ride....the hospital (more
like a clinic really) in Vitória didn't have the right equipment to do
his exams, so we had to go to Recife, which is about a 30 minute car
ride. Let me tell you something about Brazilian state highways....they
aren't lighted. Let me tell you another thing about 1990's Volkswagen
Golf's....their windshield wipers suck....to through some more gas on
the fire, it started to rain....I was absolutely bewildered as to how
our Branch President was able to the road through the rain and
darkness....to make it just comical, the wipers blew a circuit and
stopped working all together....so there we were, flying (Brazilians
have lead feet!) on the dark Brazilian highway, in the rain, with no
working windshield wipers, with my companion cradled up wincing in pain,
and our branch president trying to simultaneously drive and stick his
hand out the window to dry off the windshield with a dirty rag he
happened to have in the back seat....yup. Let's just say that I gained a
stronger testimony of prayer after this whole ordeal. The Lord
protected us until we got to the hospital in Recife. Fun experience
though getting there!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The
exams came out normal...it looks like Elder Santana caught some kind of
parasite. The doctors gave him an antibiotic that solved the problem
really quick. In all, we ended up spending 2 complete days watching the
wall paint peel in our apartment. It's good to get out folks. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We
had to work 2x as hard to try and make up for the time that we lost. We
didn't have the same success that we'd been having in bringing
investigators to church. That little boy Alex that was baptized was as
happy as could when he was confirmed yesterday. You could see his
happiness on his face. He ran to pick up all the hymn books after
sacrament meeting was over, without even being asked. I can only imagine
the happiness that I would feel if a little guy like this makes it to
serve a mission...only time will tell. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I
made a few visits to the other areas in our district. I've been serving
(and will finish my mission) serving as district leader....it's been
fun for me so far. I'm able to apply a lot of the things that I've
learned throughout my mission with these newer missionaries. They are
all really eager to learn, and I'm really eager to pass what I know to
them, so it's a great combo. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There
were a few people that I interviewed for baptism this week...that's
always one of the highlights for me. I love seeing the desire people
have to enter into the church....more often than not, the people have
doubts or get cold feet right before their baptism. We really have to be
in tune with the Spirit to be able to help these people to make the
right decision. Sometimes it's a simple worry or concern that they have,
like "what will my friends think?" or "will I be able to play soccer on
Sundays?". Sometimes, it's a lot more complicated, like "I had an
abortion 15 years ago and I just found out that my husband moved out on
me to live with another woman and I don't have any money to buy food for
my 5 children ...can you help me Elder?" That was the case on Saturday.
After a good long talk, a very spiritually guided lesson, we helped
this good faithful woman see how she could find peace and real stability
in our Father in Heaven's Earthly Kingdom. The teachings and blessings
of the Gospel are really the only thing that could help a woman like
that. She courageously accepted, even in the middle of many doubts and
real concerns, to be baptized. What a privilege it was to talk with this
lady of such great faith. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even
when it looks like things are going wrong, the Lord is always willing
to drop us one of his tender mercies. I'm very grateful for this, and
all of the wonderful experiences that I've had as a missionary up until
now. Let's see if I can't have a few more before my times up!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Until next time, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">-Elder McKinley</span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-24486932427217887012013-04-30T16:01:00.001-07:002013-04-30T16:01:14.500-07:00Letter 4/29/13<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What a week folks! Almost too much to put into one
letter. Last Monday was Elder Santana's 25th birthday...since it was our
p-day, we decided to celebrate a bit. We went to Caruaru, which is
about 2 hours away by bus....it's been more than a year since I was
there....It was sooo strange to see my former area....It felt like years
since I had been there. It was a good walk down memory lane...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We
have been visiting with a man named Allan. Allan is an inactive member
of the church who lives practically in front of the chapel. He was
baptized when he was young, and stayed extremely active in the church
for about 10 years....when the time to serve a mission came around, he
started to get a bit unsure about if he really wanted to serve or not.
To make a short story even shorter, he got involved with drugs and fell
away from the church. While searching for a referral that we had
received from an investigator, we came across Allan and his family. They
very warmly and excitedly invited us in and received us in their home.
He basically told us that he has been wanting to come back to church for
a long time, but just needed someone to invite him. These past two
weeks, he's been at church! He had an interview with the branch
president, and it looks like he's wanting to come back to stay! What a
great joy it is to see him coming back to church with such enthusiasm,
and so easily too....well, easy for us that is....it must be a pretty
interesting experience for him. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We
also had a baptism this week! Coming from the smallest town on earth,
Glória de Goitá, a city that we cover in our area. It's about 20 minutes
away from Vitória, but I'm convinced that missionaries have never set
foot in that town. We got off the bus, and I felt like I had landed on
an alien planet. I'm used to people stopping and looking at me when I
walk by on the street, but this was ridiculous....every nook and cranny
we walked through, the people pretty much stopped dead in their tracks,
stopped talking, and looked at us like we E.T.'s It was hilarious....I
got a kick out of it. We taught Rosana, Abelmar, and Rosana's nephew,
Alex. Abelmar is about 60, and has two sons who are serving missions in
southern Brazil. His first wife died, and now he's on his second one.
She's only 23....So that's interesting....Alex is about 10. Alex and
Rosana showed up at church last week, and we invited Alex to be
baptized. At first, we thought that he might be a little unsure or
childish with his decision to join the church, but with time, and each
one of our visits, he showed that he really does want to make good
choices! You could see just how happy this little boy was to be able to
be baptized. He showed up early at church in a white shirt and tie to
help set up the chairs in the primary room (this is on his 2nd visit
too!) I was shocked. Elder Santana had the opportunity to enter into a
baptismal font for the first time as an Elder. He was just as happy as
Alex. It was a good day all in all. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We
found out that Abelmar participates in Candomblé, which is that weird
African voodoo religion that I talked about in the past. Apparently, he
talks with "spirits" which give him counsel and advice....These
"spirits" told him that if he were to be baptized, that the spirits
would destroy him....yikes...on the other hand, he has a serious problem
with coffee, beer, cigarettes, and oh yeah he isn't married either
(nor does he want to...he receives some kind of retirement money from
his dead wife, and if he were to re-marry, he would lose it all)....this
may be the most complicated situation that I've ever seen, but guess
what, the Gospel has the power to change a man! He told us that he's
lost the desire to drink just with us visiting him and bringing the
spirit into his home. It's going to be an interesting adventure for this
man....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well,
my time is up already....The work is full steam ahead...missionaries
are showing up here by the dozens....it's an incredible thing to see how
the Lord is pushing his work into corners that it's never before
entered! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Until next time, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">-Elder McKinley</span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-4003480945117921092013-04-29T16:07:00.000-07:002013-04-29T16:07:13.056-07:00Photo Update 4/29/12<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mXOMkzElADE/UX78mT65tGI/AAAAAAAAAqU/r9cg18g2j34/s1600/DSC09316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mXOMkzElADE/UX78mT65tGI/AAAAAAAAAqU/r9cg18g2j34/s640/DSC09316.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Elder Santana and I the Day we became companions</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFrW4qjDHVc/UX78q_3aFBI/AAAAAAAAAqc/rVHjvp0TJBk/s1600/DSC09349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dFrW4qjDHVc/UX78q_3aFBI/AAAAAAAAAqc/rVHjvp0TJBk/s640/DSC09349.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Walking on a dirt road in a rain storm results in the following:</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BidrNKY5lTA/UX78x22L31I/AAAAAAAAAqk/QKWdVn62DRU/s1600/DSC09352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BidrNKY5lTA/UX78x22L31I/AAAAAAAAAqk/QKWdVn62DRU/s640/DSC09352.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Alex's baptism...the guy with the cowboy hat is the voodoo guy!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-41268420523950423222013-04-26T16:16:00.001-07:002013-04-26T16:16:18.098-07:00Letter 4/22/13<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well I hope that the experience that I shared last
week set well with everyone. I thought about that experience a lot, and I
wanted everyone to know that I'm definitely not perfect, but that I,
like each and everyone of us, can learn and change after making a
mistake....the Gospel is a miracle isn't it? I like to tell people who
are worried about having to be "perfect" after baptism that the only
difference between us sinning before and after baptism is that after we
are baptized, we commit to show the Lord that it really was a
mistake....that we really don't want to do that again....that we really
did learn and become a better person through the use of our free agency
and the atoning sacrifice of Christ. He's the one "paying" for these
"tutor sessions" if you know what I mean. We can choose whether or not
we are going to pay attention, study, and apply what is being taught. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As
for the work, we had some great miracles this week. There was a flu bug
that went through our house this week....first Elder Medeiros, then
Elder Santana, then Elder Morrey....for some stroke of luck, I was
spared, but our work efficiency was not....we had to get a bit creative
with our companionship exchanges to leave the "ailed Elder" at home
while the others went to work....I wouldn't be caught dead inside of our
house when I could be out teaching and testifying, especially since I
feel like I'm the bottom of the ninth inning of the ball game here. We
had interesting weather....as we went to pick up our investigators for
church sunday morning (the true moment of truth for a missionary....),
it started to rain...I said a silent prayer on the way to their houses,
knowing how difficult it is to convince someone to walk 25 mins with you
to church in the pouring rain. Right as we got to their houses, the
rain let up and the sun came out....it wasn't a huge miracle, but I sure
noticed the Lord's merciful hand....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We
had 6 investigators at church this week! What a relief....our first two
weeks we were basically opening up the area to missionary work, so we
didn't have much to work with. There was a mother-in-law/daughter-in-law
combo, a two sister combo, and a mother and son combo! We got a chunk
of each one of these families to church this week....no we have to try
and go back and pick up the remaining stragglers. Only one of them has a
problem with chastity, so that means we have some people with
short-term baptism potential. The most promising is one of those
sisters. Her name is Isa. She's 17, and happens to be friends with a few
other young women at church. She was a bit unsure if she wants to be
baptized in this church or the Assembleia de Deus....we are going to
work with her. The little son who was at church, Alex, is 10 and agreed
to be baptized! He showed up to church with a white shirt and a Book of
Mormon in his hand! Sweet. His mom, Rosana, and him found the church in
Recife but ended up out here in Vitória. They didn't know there was a
ward here, until they found me and a few other Elders about a month ago
in the train station....they asked us where the church was in Vitória,
and we happily told them. Little did we know, they would show up out of
their own will a few weeks later! Sweet! The Mom isn't legally married,
so we will have to try and tackle that one.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The
work is accelerating here. The members are really trusting in us. We
can see that they are willing to help us out! I'm excited to be a
missionary at this time and in this amazing place! ahhhh.....Why does it
have to end????</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Until next time, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">-Elder McKinley</span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-41002837084496815462013-04-22T09:57:00.003-07:002013-04-22T09:57:19.898-07:00Letter 4/15/13
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Well, I've got a lot on my mind today...I'd like to share 3 main things with you all. <br />
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The first is an experience that happened with me about 3 weeks ago. I was debating with myself as to whether or not I should share this story by email, but I couldn't stop thinking about it so I guess that's the Lord's way of telling me "yes". Maybe you remember me telling a story about a 17 year old girl named Taynar who was <i>almost</i> baptized....I gave a part of the story to you guys. Here's what happened..while preparing her for her baptism during the week (it was marked for Saturday night), we completely lost contact with her....apparently her cell phone broke or something, and she never picked up when we called her. We called her neighbor several times (who is a member of the church), but she didn't have any contact with her either. I'll remind you that she lives in an area that is currently without missionaries, so we were taking a bus and a train to get to her area....it takes about an hour each way to get to her house. <br />
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We tried seeing if she was at home every other day, but with no luck. When Thursday rolled around, we were pretty worried that we were going to lose the baptism. Through some miracle, she picked up when we called her. She said that we could meet her at night. When we showed up at her her neighbor's house (note that we tried to do the right thing by teaching her at the member's home!) to meet with her, she wasn't there....after waiting a half hour, we tried going to her house yet again....she was there, but said that she needed to wait at home while some furniture guy was putting a new dresser together in her house (weird....but whatever). She said that she was waiting for her mom to show up so she could leave to go her neighbors house so we could teach her (I hope you guys are following my story here....) Realizing that we had another appointment that night, we had two thoughts.....teach her right then and there, alone at her house and at the same time breaking a mission rule, or leaving her there and taking the risk of trying to meet up with her again to prepare her for her imminent baptism and baptismal interview. What do you think we did? <br />
<br />
My conscience was functioning very well. I knew that the right thing to do was to wait to teach her with another responsible adult present....my companion and I looked at each other....We reasoned to ourselves that we could justify teaching her alone, considering the circumstances. We entered and taught her for about 10 minutes when her mom showed up (she was drinking when she showed up....little did we know at the time, but that drove her nuts seeing us at her house....she said that we were invading her privacy....it ended up costing us that baptism). <br />
<br />
All in all, the moral of this story is simple. People sometimes tell me I'm crazy for wanting to obey all of the mission rules, but that doesn't mean that I, or anyone else is perfect. My companion and I didn't make the best choice. We thought that we were smart or prepared enough to not need to obey that rule at that time....we were dead wrong. No, we didn't do anything serious and there was no sin committed (thankfully!), but we transgressed a lower law, and we paid the price for it. This girl, Taynar, is super elect. She will be baptized without a doubt, but unfortunately, our act of disobedience cost me the privilege to watch that baptism. I was transferred two days later. I really felt that I learned the price of obedience. I thought myself as an obedient Elder before that day, but the Lord showed me that there is still more that I can do. I feel very grateful for the lesson I learned....I really do feel that it was priceless. It will without a doubt serve me in the future. Absolute obedience is key. Therein lies safety and peace!<br />
<br />
Well now that that's off my shoulders, the other things are rather simple. I've been thinking a lot of how I can show more charity and real love towards those I serve. Sometimes we serve others more as an obligation or as a sense of duty than as a real demonstration of love towards them. It's the more "expensive" option, but it's totally worth it!<br />
<br />
The last thought. We found a man named Sidney. He's an inactive member's buddy. He's about 30. He told us how confused he is by all of the various religions in the world, and how he so desperately wants to find the truth. I know better by now that you need to test an investigator before seeing if he really is committed to following the Lord, or in other words, if he really is an elect. Our first lesson gave all the good signs...he was willing to accept all of the commitments we offered him. This was Saturday night. We were expecting him Sunday morning at church. When we called him Sunday AM, he told us that he went on the Internet Saturday night and found some information about the church that he didn't like, and said that he would rather sleep than go to church....it left me real sad to see someone so desperate and so hungry for the Gospel continue being deprived because of a lack of sincerity. I asked him if he believed that everything he reads on the internet is true....his response wasn't very creative. He told us that he read from the Book of Mormon and prayed, but he was missing the "works" to complete his "faith". He was our biggest hope for this week. We are going to try and keep working with him. The work here is difficult (always was! and always will be!), but it is the battle that makes the victory oh so sweet! The battle against darkness continues! Through obedience and faith, we can and will succeed! <br />
<br />
Until next time, <br />
<br />
-Elder McKinley </div>
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Brittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09233039872557122297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-27937247250187094152013-04-11T11:40:00.003-07:002013-04-11T11:40:38.628-07:00Letter 4/8/13<br />
This week was sweet. I was running around quite a bit with the transfers....I actually didn't end up getting my companion until Wednesday morning. All of the trainers and new missionaries met at the Recife chapel while President Lanius interviewed everyone. After about 3 hours, we were assigned our companions. Of the 25 elders that were assigned to train, I'm the only one that has more than a year of mission experience. It's not common for an Elder to train at the end of his mission. My new companion is Elder Santana from Santo André, São Paulo. He's 24 years old and a great guy. He's really humble and has a strong testimony. He spent a part of his life inactive in the church, but is back to make things right. He has an incredibly strong desire to serve a mission. He's a little bit innocent, if you know what I mean...kind of like Adam and Eve after they were kicked out of the Garden....he knows how to do a lot of things, but it seems like he wants to try an be submissive and learn as much as he can from me. It's different for me....I'm used to companions who come "pre-configured" with their own customs and habits....Elder Santana is a completely blank slate....it should be fun to work with him and pass all of the experience and knowledge that I've acquired these last 2 years.<br />
<br />
We managed to hitch a ride from a member in my old ward, Jardim São Paulo. I will miss that ward a lot. There are some very special people that I met there....I really learned to love the members and converts that I knew there....I will have lasting friendships with these people without a doubt. The church is a bit different here in Vitória. There are two small branches with about 60 active members in each. We live with another companionship, Elder Morrey from Washington, and Elder Medeiros from Rio Grande do Sul. I already knew both of them, seeing that I already served in their zone. Our house is amazing....everything is super new and shiny.....Brazilians love ceramic tiling....and now I do too. We have an awesome setup here. The city is interesting too....there's a lot of dirt streets here (unpaved) with mansions on the side....kind of funny....poor infrastructure, rich people. This is the wealthiest area I've ever served in. The "interior" as they call it here, or inland area, is notorious for having receptive people. Everyone will talk with you, fewer will assume a commitment. It's real hot and dusty during the day, but at night there's a little cold breeze that comes through the city that is awesome!<br />
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The work has been good here. Elder Santana and I are getting along great. With time, I'm starting to see him break through his shell and getting to teach these people with real boldness and authority. I was blown away by the first lesson that we taught here....he challenged the lady to baptism like a pro....I thought he was teasing me by saying that he didn't know how to teach. It's funny, because he hardly speaks any English, but I'm trying to teach him a few things....it's harder than you guys think to remember English now.<br />
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The work progress was pretty slow here. We don't really know our way around the area and spent a lot of time getting to know the neighborhood and the members. I'm hopeful that this next week will be a lot smoother and more productive.<br />
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In other news, thinking that I had my foot out the door as a mission leader, I was called as District Leader. When I told my mission President that I had a desire to train, I never thought that I would end up being the district leader of 4 areas that are all in training....3 Elders have less that 2 weeks in the field, 3 have 2-4 months, 1 has 8 months, and then there's me, the dinosaur of the district. I'm gonna train alright. It should be a good experience for me....it looks like the Lord wants me develop a little more patience before I'm through here. This week should be a fun one!<br />
Until next time,<br />
<br />
-Elder McKinley<br />
Brittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09233039872557122297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-73580525537405418092013-04-02T17:18:00.001-07:002013-04-02T17:18:08.630-07:00Letter 4/1/13<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well, that's the biggest news I've got for you
guys! I was very suspicious that I would train these last transfers....I
had told President Lanius in an interview that I had the desire to
train a new missionary (seeing that I have yet to train a new missionary
on my mission) during my last two transfers. I had a specific area in
mind that I thought would be a good set up for me to train in, but I
didn't ask anything specific from my mission president. Lo and behold,
the Lord granted my desire....I will be serving in Vitória de Santo
Antão, an interior city on the way to Caruaru, a former area of mine.
It's in the same zone that I was already serving in, so I had already
visited the area twice on companionship exchanges....It should be a
great way to finish my missionary service! I'm really excited for it! I
will be staying in Recife for 2 days (until Wednesday) for my companion
to arrive. I don't know who it's going to be, but I believe that it will
be a Brazilian. I'll fill you guys in better next week.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In
my last week in Jd. São Paulo, I was a bit disappointed with the
outcome of Taynar's baptism....after passing a few days without any cell
phone contact with Taynar, we tried going to her house everyday to try
and talk with her and prepare her for her baptism. She was nowhere to be
found, and we ended up only finding her mom at home almost every
time....little did we know, but for some reason our frequent visits left
her mom extremely annoyed....when we showed up on the day to interview
Taynar, her mom exploded on us and told us that she didn't want her to
join a church that makes so many annoying visits to her home....we tried
explaining to her that we were only passing there to try and prepare
her for her baptism, but her mom didn't really have "ears" to hear us.
All in all, she refused to sign the baptism slip to authorize her 17
year old daughter's baptism....frustrating....she is going to eventually
give in, but for now, we are stuck on this note. She will certainly be
baptized (Taynar loves the church....she knows it's making a difference
for her and that she truly does feel close to the Lord there), but
unfortunately, I probably won't be there to see it. All well. That's how
it goes....the Lord has bigger purposes that we know some times.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'll write more next week with the adventures from my "son" and I in Vitória!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Until next time,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">-Elder McKinley</span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-20777929723185185652013-03-26T13:01:00.000-07:002013-03-26T13:01:04.670-07:00Letter 3/25/13<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well
folks, I think I'm on my last stint here in Jardim São Paulo. I had an
interview with President Lanius last week to renew my temple recommend
(I can't believe that I've already had it for two years...) We had a
little chit-chat....he talked about some the funny things that he sees
while trying to iron out the missionaries in this mission. He said that
he knows how to ask very specific questions to get an Elder to confess
his bobagem (Portuguese slang for mischief). I couldn't help but
laugh....he said that he's see quite a few tricks that the Elders try
and pull on him....I told him that I've seen quite a few too. We had a
good laugh together. I'm thinking that I'm going to be called to train
these last two transfers. Opening an area with a greenie would be my
dream come true! Let's see what's gonna happen. Transfers are next
week. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well
we were planning on baptize Taynar on Saturday...the ward was preparing
a party just for her baptism. We found out that her friend who was
responsible for her first visiting the church wouldn't be able to attend
the baptismal service this week end, and as a result, Taynar wanted to
remark her baptism for next week....It was a bit frustrating, but
knowing how it's important to her and how she wouldn't haven't any other
way, we didn't have much of a choice. When Saturday night rolled
around, something happened between her mom and step-dad (probably a
fight or something) and she left home to go spend a few days with a
friend of hers....so now we are in limbo with her....let's see what's
going to happen...we are praying for the best.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That
news left me pretty bummed out...while returning home, we decided to
make one last visit to a less active that we met last week. The Lord had
an interesting lesson in store for us there. We met a friend of this
less active named Marcos Antonio. From the getgo, I noticed that he was
very active and upbeat. He was smiling and joking around with us as we
conversed with him. When we asked him where he was from, he started to
tell us a bit more of his story....he is from Porto Alegre, a city on
the other side of Brazil. He's been living in Recife for about a year.
He met a lady and moved in with her. They bought a house and started
working together....after several months, he noticed that a lot of his
things were suddenly disappearing. With time, he learned that his wife
was stealing his stuff, selling it, and using the money to buy crack
cocaine....yeah...when he found out about it, she had already wiped out
his bank account. He left her in the middle of the night, and had come
to live with this less active member of the church. That was the night
when we found him....As I listened to this man's story, I thought about
how I was walking around with my head down because our baptism got
pushed back a week. This man lost everything he owned and found out that
the woman he loves is addicted to drugs, and was still smiling and
talking with us like it was birthday. The Lord taught me an interesting
lesson....we are the ones who choose if we are going to be happy or sad.
We are the ones who choose if we are going to be blessed or not. We are
the ones who choose if we are going to obey the commandments or not.
The Father's plan comes down to this: You are what you choose to be.
I've reflected quite a bit on this scripture as I've been teaching the
Gospel to others these last months of my life....</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Wherefore,
men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them
which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and
eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose
captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil;
for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. (2
Nephi 2:27)</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">What
an incredible power we have over our own destinies. It really is
remarkable just how much our Heavenly Father loves us....he loves us so
much, that he is willing to let us <i>not </i>choose to follow, serve,
and love him. I think this is one of the greatest insights into the
extent of our Father's love for us. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The work goes on!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Until next time, </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">-Elder McKinley</span><span style="color: #2f393a;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2f393a;"> </span></span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-19106775141924197852013-03-25T08:56:00.004-07:002013-03-25T08:56:52.624-07:00Letter 3/18/13<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well it was another busy one here. We've stepped it
up a notch with our commitment to work within the various areas of our
zone. I've mentioned before, that we are personally responsible for our
own area (Jardim São Paulo) plus two others which are currently without
missionaries (Afogados and Curado). On top of that, we have another 7
wards/branches in our zone that have missionaries....To give a recap of
this week, I went to Curado to teach a part member family (wife and kid
are gonna be baptized!), Moreno for a District Meeting, Boa Vista to
pick up materials, Jaboatão to switch out companions from splits,
Vitória for another companion exchange for two days, Jaboatão for 3
baptismal interviews (an ex-pastor was baptized this week! woo-ho!),
Afogados twice to teach a girl who will be baptized next week and once
to attend the church meetings (we teamed up with some members to be able
to attend two wards), and then to Mangueira to visit Diego, our recent
convert.....The names of these cities and neighborhoods don't mean much
to you folks back at home, but let's just say they aren't all very close
together.....we get around all right. It's a bit hectic at times, but
I've learn to love being busy. It's fun seeing so many different places
and getting to meet so many different people. What's not fun is when
loud, drunk people get on the bus when you're trying to explain the plan
of salvation to your neighbor, but hey it's Brazil. You got to love it
while you can!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'll
talk about this pastor that I interviewed for baptism. He's super
intelligent. He was a pastor of the Assembleia de Deus for about 11
years (that's the church that gives us a lot of trouble....they talk bad
about us, to someone who has recently been meeting with the
missionaries. It's a bit frustrating at times, but it's all part of the
ball game. It makes things more interesting I guess you could say,
especially when one of their own comes over to good side! Just so you
have an idea, while interviewing this man, I explained about how he
could keep the Sabbath day holy by not spending money on recreational
activities. I explained that there are exceptions however. For example,
when you pay the bus fare to get to church. He turned the table on me
and told me that if I really wanted to be obedient, I would walk to
church, no matter how far away it is. Impressed by his desire to be
obedient, but also realizing his "over-zealousness", I explained that
the Lord expects us to use our own judgement. I quoted the words of
Joseph Smith. I told him that we, as missionaries, would teach him
correct principles and leave him govern himself by his own personal
choices. I think he got the idea. It was an interesting
self-thought....I thought about how many little choices we make that
fall into the "gray area" with the commandments. The Lord doesn't give
us a list of do's and don't's, but he does expect us to make good
decisions, regardless of the circumstances. We learn by making mistakes,
and as a result we end up continually refining our character and
lifestyle choices until we get where the Lord wants us to be. This man,
Cleidson, has a profound knowledge of the scriptures, but has yet to
learn some important Gospel principles. Don't we all?Anyways, he, his
wife, and his daughter all passed the interview with soaring colors. A
solid family. Congrats to the Jaboatão Elders (Elder "Hermano" Quinteros
is from Argentina!) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The
Lord also responded to our prayers in a miraculous way. We have been
praying rather fervently lately that the Lord would lead us to prepared
people who can be baptized quickly (without having to be married, give
up addictions, etc.) Well, we got a phone call from our mission
secretary with a referral from another ward. A 17 year old young woman
had invited her friend from Afogados to visit church in Várzea (another
ward out of our zone). She liked so much, that she returned again and
again, for 5 straight weeks. Finally, someone had the bright idea to
write down her address and send it to the mission. We went there the day
after we received her information. This friend's name is Taynar (think
"Tie-a-nah"). She's also 17. She lives with her mom and step-dad. Her
member friend had already invited her to be baptized....we showed up and
marked the date. It was incredible how the Lord put her in our
outstretched hands. We were starting to feel that our hard work and
prayers were going unanswered. Just when we got to the point of
doubting, the Lord came through for us, like he always does. She went to
church this week in Afogados, and loved it. Her mom and step-dad aren't
married, but also don't live together (it's marriage time!). We taught
them as well. They really felt the Spirit strongly during our visit.
They are going to attend Taynar's baptism this weekend....it should be a
family of 3 for the Afogados ward! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The work goes on my friends! Every day counts! Make the best of every one!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Until next time, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Elder McKinley</span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-9443856589621731732013-03-12T14:20:00.000-07:002013-03-25T08:56:04.846-07:00Letter 3/11/13<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">W</span>e are working quite a bit these days. The Lord has
put some special people in our way. We have been a teaching a man here
named Carlos. He is what you call "crentão" here....basically, he's very
active in his evangelical church. It's funny, because after so much
time and experience as a missionary teaching the same kinds of people,
you already know what to expect even before you begin to teach. You know
that, depending on the religion of the person, they are going to have
the same questions and objections. The scriptures that we need to
respond to their questions are engraved into my mind (a few of my
companions even tell me that I teach in my sleep....in Portuguese too!).
Unfortunately, if it were so easy as to simply open a book and read,
I'd have baptized quite a few more people. A convincing argument and
real conversion don't come from words or scriptures. They come from
study, sincere prayer, and an open heart. Sometimes I try and force open
someone's heart to stuff the Gospel in there, but it almost never
works. It took a long time for me to learn and understand this (without a
doubt, I'm <i>still </i>improving in my understanding of this concept,
and will certainly spend many more years deepening my comprehension of
this principle). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Any
ways, back to Carlos. A member her from the ward referred him to us.
He's a good listener. The majority of people who already have other
beliefs usually end up trying to teach us instead of us teaching them.
He sincerely asked us why he needs to be baptized in our church. In his
eye, I can understand his dilemma. He must be thinking: "I don't drink,
smoke, or swear. I fear god, I keep the commandments, I go to church 3-4
times a week, and I was already baptized by my pastor. Why are these
too young American men telling me that I need to be baptized in their
church?" As we patiently explained to him the importance of the
priesthood, you could see that he was understanding how everything rests
upon the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. He accepted the challenge
to read and pray about the Book. That fills me with hope! I feel that
I've been praying for the Lord's help to soften these peoples' hearts
more than in any other time of my mission. It's so hard to mentally,
physically, and spiritually do everything you possibly can, and then
realize that everything depends on two things: the will of the Lord and
the person's agency. I'm hopeful that the sincere and pure in heart will
find and embrace the truth!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Trio!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
are teaching another couple that went to church this week. Their names
are Ismael and Jessica (shoutout!) Ismael must be a mechanical engineer,
because he has to understand everything we teach him. For example, when
we tell him that Joseph Smith was a prophet, he wants to know how old
he was when he died, and compare that with other bible, Book of Mormon,
and Latter-day prophets. Why that's important, I don't know, but in his
mind, it's a critical point. He understands that he needs to be
baptized, but he wants to be perfect before taking that step. We are
working a lot with him. His wife is quiet....too quiet. She just kind of
smiles and listens as we talk. They both liked church, but we got work
to do before we get them into the baptismal font. They aren't married,
so that puts things on another level of difficulty. It's all possible
though!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jc3rv-Z-D8/UT-a8jaBH2I/AAAAAAAAApo/s7sutoP4rkI/s1600/DSC09260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jc3rv-Z-D8/UT-a8jaBH2I/AAAAAAAAApo/s7sutoP4rkI/s640/DSC09260.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Baptisms we had during our stake conference. there were a lotttt of people there<span style="font-size: small;">!</span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
had the chance to go with Ana and her two boys to the temple (her
husband, Pingo, wanted to go as well, but unfortunately had to
work....we are doing everything we can to try and baptize him! He is the
missing link in the family!) She was blown away by the peace and
wonderful spirit that she felt there. I can only imagine what the temple
must mean to someone who has never been to one. I could see the light
in her eyes, especially when she saw another family that was entering to
be sealed. I hope more than anything that she has that opportunity.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
work goes on. There's going to be a transfer April 1st. I'm hoping that
I'll get to train a greenie! Let's see what I can get done before then!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Until next time, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-Elder McKinley</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-37388290192379961012013-03-08T09:07:00.002-08:002013-03-08T09:07:37.853-08:00Photo Update 3/4/13<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8nk_UiAYKE/UToafNKVRcI/AAAAAAAAApE/0epdXD6qMN4/s1600/DSC09213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8nk_UiAYKE/UToafNKVRcI/AAAAAAAAApE/0epdXD6qMN4/s640/DSC09213.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Marta and her family. She's a recent convert that was baptized last month. She's firm as a rock!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PdNJuh_3WE0/UToafjyQoCI/AAAAAAAAApI/WB6w76_2HoU/s1600/DSC09215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PdNJuh_3WE0/UToafjyQoCI/AAAAAAAAApI/WB6w76_2HoU/s640/DSC09215.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Diego, another recent convert. He plays guitar in a band. He's awesome </span></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-86571697833222742442013-03-08T08:37:00.000-08:002013-03-08T08:37:45.065-08:00Letter 3/4/13Well folks, the joyride is over. Elder Fogelman was transferred. It was fun while it lasted. It felt more like a joke than reality being in a trio with 3 Americans. We got some good work done. There was a family of 3 that was baptized this in Elder Fogelman's area. We had to go back there a few times during the week to teach and interview them. I'm glad that we got our work done the right way instead of wasting time like we very easily could have with our given circumstances. This week was a little bit crazy....among the highlights of the craziness this week: 1) an enormous pot hole in the middle of the street that looked more like a natural spring (it was gushing out water....some little girl took advantage of the situation and grabbed her swim suit and went for a dip) 2) a bus that completely side swiped a parked car and just kept on going 3) a man who got in a fight and threw his beer can at the "cobrador" (the guy on the bus who takes people's change) and had to be take our by the cops. Gotta love the "x-factor" here in Brazil....you never know what you're gonna get!<br />
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<br />
We had our temple trip which was fantastic. They needed help in the baptistery, and asked me and another Elder to participate as witnesses and with confirmations. It was a fun change from the normal endowment session that we normally do. We also had our interviews with President Lanius on Friday. Once again, he didn't have much to say to me in my interview. He just gave me the down-low of what we need to change and improve on. It didn't last more than 4 minutes. Being zone leaders, we are always the last to be interviewed. It kind of stinks, because I think that after 15 interviews, he's kind of ready to get the heck out of there. He also asked us to go with Sister Lanius to visit some of the missionaries' residences....we got lost about 3 times when the GPS led us to dirt roads and wooden bridges and we had to take detours. We also ended up blocking traffic when two huge trucks got stuck with the mission car on the street.....fun times with your mission President's wife!<br />
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<br />
We are teaching 2 families right now that have good potential. Neither of the couples are married (but are incredibly faithful and loyal to one another....I will never understand why these people don't just get married in the first place!) One family is a referral from our stake patriarch, and the other we met knocking doors. They both are liking the things we are teaching. One of the men, Luciano, had a dream with a man with in white clothing. He was shocked when I showed him how that we are baptized in white clothing....I think he's realizing that it's what he needs to do!<br />
<br />
We got work to do! I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Every one of them makes a difference!<br />
<br />
Until next time,<br />
<br />
-Elder McKinleyBrittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09233039872557122297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-11893631612855195932013-02-28T10:02:00.002-08:002013-02-28T10:02:21.782-08:00Letter 2/27/13<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well the interesting news of this week is that I'm
now in a tri-companionship! Elder Fogelman who was in Curado, an area
close by in our zone, teamed up with us when his companion was sent home
this week....unfortunately, there have been four missionaries in the
last two months that have gone home while serving in our zone. It sucks.
The worst part is wondering what a difference these missionaries could
have made if they had properly applied themselves in the work of the
Lord. It's something that really weighs heavy on me, especially since
one of them was a former companion of mine, I lived with the other two,
and I had gone on splits with the other. I tried what I could to help
these guys, but I don't think things went right. On the other side,
there have been some really fantastic Elders that have served in our
zone. While four have gone home with obedience problems, another four
have since become Zone Leaders in the mission. It just goes to show that
there is always a balance in these kinds of things....the good
outweighs the bad fortunately! Anyway, President Lanius asked us to work
with Elder Fogelman here in Jardim São Paulo and visit Curado from time
to time. There is a family of 3 that is being prepared for baptism this
week there, so we are constantly running back and forth between the
areas. To throw another pancake on the stack, we are also responsible
for another area called Afogados, which is also closed to missionary
work. In all, we are serving 3 areas. It was supposed to be the opposite
with the influx of new missionaries, but there seem to be a ton of visa
problems these days for the Americans (been there, done that). The
result is that several areas in the mission are without missionaries,
and we have to respond to keep the work going in these areas! It's a
challenge, but the Lord is doing his part for sure. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Walking
on the street with three Americans in sunday clothing must be a funny
sight. I can only imagine what these people think when they see us. It's
been fun talking to people and teaching in trio. It's a bit different,
but I think I like it. Elder Fogleman is from Chico by the way....he's
also red-head! Haha, what a combo huh? He's pretty funny. We've had a
lot of good laughs at the funny things that people do and say
here....for example, while trying to talk with a lady on the other side
of a metal gate, she said that she could open the door because her dog
was loose. After asking her a second time, she said she was about to
leave and wouldn't have time to talk with us. Elder Fogleman responded
"oh, so the whole dog thing was really just an excuse?". It was pretty
funny. We aren't sure for how long Fogelman will be with us, but I'm
happy with it for now. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We've
been busy as can be these days. I'm positive that my mission has a been
a progression of busyness...I honestly think the last day of my mission
will be the busiest, craziest day ever, because I feel like we are
being stretched more and more thin every day to get just one more thing
done....I can't believe how much stuff we do in one day....it's really
only possible with the Lord's help. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We
taught a man who was about 30 years old. During the lesson, his mom,
who lives next door, popped in to listen. After a while, she started
yelling at us telling us that she wouldn't accept another denomination
teaching her son. Then she told us that he son has free-agency, but that
if he has a religious question, he has to ask her and only her. That
sounds like the same free-agency that the the North Koreans have. I felt
bad for the poor guy. He's married and is in his thirties and his mom
controls his life....tough luck. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We've
been in a pinch lately to bring people to church. We made a goal to
have three people at church this week, and we went to work to find these
three. The Lord rewarded us with just that. A man named Marlom, who I
had taught several months ago, and sine stopped teaching, showed up at
church. He was very impressed (spiritually impressed that is) and was
receptive to our baptismal invite after church. Another family (aunt and
nephew) showed up. We found them this week as we passed through a tiny
little alley and felt impressed to stop and talk with them. They are
pretty simple folks, and don't understand a whole lot of what we say,
but they liked church quite a bit. It looks like the aunt usually goes
to another baptist church. We will have to explain authority a little
better to her, but it's kind of difficult. She's one of those people
that likes to interrupt you as you teach to talk about how her brother
doesn't go to church or how her daughter isn't responsible with her son
or gets up to run after her 3 year old grandson riding his bike (with no
training wheels too....a 3 year old on a bike without training wheels?
já pensasse?). It all comes in the normal wind and grind of missionary
work. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We
are going to the temple today! I'm stoked. It's such a spiritual
refreshment. I'm excited for this week. I'm going to a city in the
interior called Vitória to work with Elder Morrey from Washington for a
few days, and on Friday we will have interviews with President Lanius.
On Sunday we will have our stake conference, and apparently there will
be a visiting 70 there. It's fun to be a missionary folks. The work is
rolling forth!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Until next time, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Elder McKinley</span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-2872764762487840142013-02-19T08:58:00.000-08:002013-02-19T08:58:15.548-08:00Letter 2/18/13<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well this week was complicated. Carnaval did a
great job of screwing up our week, along with some kind of cold that I
caught that w-i-p-e-d me out. It was the first time I was really sick on
my mission. It was a bit rough, but at least my body chose a less
productive time of the year to get sick (I actually thanked Heavenly
Father for that one). There were a few "blocos" of Carnaval parades that
passed through our areas. It's a strange holiday. A big excuse to drink
and commit sin. Everyone walks in the streets as cross-dressers (did I
ever mention how many homosexuals there are in Recife? It was one thing
that I never expected here....I'm not sure why either but any-whoooo).
There was a huge party outside of our investigator's house. It was a bit
difficult to teach by the spirit with Brazilian rap shaking the entire
house. Carnaval lasts for an entire week. We had to stay in our
apartment if we were in earshot of the party music, and regardless of
what was happening outside, the entire mission had to return home at
5PM. I'm glad to say that I'll never again have another Carnaval! </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SifFGiJAdR8/USOuJT41BeI/AAAAAAAAAog/K987T8ZNiAg/s1600/DSC09204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SifFGiJAdR8/USOuJT41BeI/AAAAAAAAAog/K987T8ZNiAg/s640/DSC09204.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Us with José and Dora and their son Tiago. He's been living in Holland
to study for his PhD in Physics (sounds like he's pretty smart huh? I
think the smartest person I've ever taught in my mission). We gave him a
Book of Mormon and he was enjoying reading from it....it'll be fun to
see what happens with him. He was visiting here in Recife just for this
week....he already retruned back to Holland.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We
had lots of time to plan for zone and for our own area. We had a zone
meeting which was really really successful. We talked a lot about goals
and why we need to really feel personally responsible for achieving
them. It's not a "covenant" with the Lord, but it is an agreement that
we make with ourselves and with him. After all, we owe it to the Lord to
be the best we can be (it doesn't matter if we are members or
missionaries, we all owe this same thing to our Father in Heaven!). It
is the least that we do to show our gratitude for our Savior's atoning
sacrifice. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We've
had some really cool experiences with our recent-converts, which are
all rock-solid. Marta, Ana, and Diego have really gone through some
incredible changes in their lives. They are feeling the difference that
the presence of the spirit is making in their lives. Marta wrote us a
note this week thanking us for having brought the blessings of the
Gospel in her life. It was an incredibly special moment for me. It
really is the greatest joy there is. Nothing beats being used by the
Lord to change someone's live like that. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URBDIFxoerc/USOuJIrl76I/AAAAAAAAAoc/NlithpRylgI/s1600/DSC09209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URBDIFxoerc/USOuJIrl76I/AAAAAAAAAoc/NlithpRylgI/s640/DSC09209.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Marta and her 3 cute little kids. Really a special family. </span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I
apologize for my letters which seem to be continually shrinking. I want
to share more of my experiences, but the increasing devotion of time
that I give to our other weekly mission reports is always limiting my
time to write my family. The experiences that I've been having here are
incredibly special. One day, I look forward to being able to share them
with all of you in their fullness! After all, there's a time and a
season for working and planting, and there's a time and a season for
rejoicing and reflecting!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Until next time,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">-Elder McKinley </span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-43318535440230339172013-02-16T09:26:00.002-08:002013-02-16T09:27:17.013-08:00Letter 2/11/13<br />
It's soo weird how the weeks all just blend together. We get so accustomed to everything. Incredibly Spiritual Experiences in the beginning of our mission become routine lessons more towards the end. It's a good thing and a bad thing. I almost feel a little bit numb at times because I am on such a spiritual high. It's going to be a rude awakening when I have to descend from above "cloud 9" and come back to reality.<br />
<br />
I wanted to comment a bit about Diego. He was an incredible blessing to both us and the Afogados ward. There's a big need for priesthood holders in that ward. Diego came into the picture at an opportune moment, just as the current bishop asked to be released because he feels "overwhelmed with his calling". Diego is going to have to be strong to protect his bold yet fragile, new testimony. We met with him after his baptism and could see the difference in his countenance. We explained to him about the priesthood, and how will one day be able to serve others in the same way that we served him (hint hint....Mission!!!!) He takes care of his mentally ill mom who takes care of her physically ill mom....it might be difficult for him to get out to the field, but I'm sure the Lord will open the doors for him. He's a fantastic young man. I really feel that I have a strong link with him.<br />
<br />
On Wednesday, we our Zone Leader Council with President Lanius. He told us how he has received instructions from church HQ that the pace of missionary work has accelerated. Starting with the age reduction announcement last year, the Lord has started to make the necessary changes to better and more quickly prepare the world for his 2nd coming. Our mission will jump from 180 missionaries to 220. There will be missionaries arriving pretty much every week (usually they only come once every 6 weeks). Pres Lanius said that he doesn't intend to open new proselyting areas, but rather strengthen the already existing, weaker wards and branches (there's a lot of those here....) putting 2 companionships in many of the wards. It was so weird to hear these announcements coming from my mission president. I thought to myself "the second coming really is closer than I think"....I also thought to myself how I have the sacred opportunity to participate in this work in this time and day so critical in the Lord's eternal plan. I can only imagine how the urgency will be when my children are serving missions. Needless to say, I left that meeting excited and ready to roll.<br />
<br />
We went straight to the interior (they call inland "interior" here) to a little city called Moreno (or "brown"). I spent two days there with Elder Schmutz from Virginia (actually his family moved to Nebraska recently....cold climate to cold climate). He's a good guy, and it's the 3rd or 4th time that I've been able to work with him. We were able to do a lot of good work and visit a lot of good people. We had a good chat about some of the difficulties that he had with his past companions. I feel that the same subject of obedience and sacrifice just keeps coming up as a missionary. It's like that nagging cough that never goes away! I've learned so much through the experiences that I've already had on my mission. I feel so happy that I can use my past difficulties and experiences to help others who are passing through the same things.<br />
<br />
Saturday was the best of all.....baptism day! Marta was baptized this week! I've talked about her and her story several times. Of all of the people that I've taught and baptized on my mission, Marta is one that stands out to me. Her faith is absolutely incredible to me. She lives by herself with 3 little kids. She's had two rough relationships in the past (one was made right....a legal marriage that went south....the other was a "strong friendship" as they say in Portuguese, or in other words, they never legally married.) She got cheated on twice....what luck huh? She was suffering with the hatred she had for these two men....it was almost getting to the point of consuming her. We introduced the Book of Mormon to her, and started marking stories for her to read. She admitted to us up front that he she hates reading, but accepted the invite. The more she read, the more she felt the spirit, and the more she was able to make incredible process. We could see the Spirit working within her, dismantling the "natural man" piece by piece. It's an incredible thing. One of the most special experiences I've ever had. It wasn't anything loud or flamboyant, but it was without a doubt the power of God working within her. She asked me to baptize her. What a privilege! After I took her up out of the water, she stayed in place with her head silently bowed down and let out an enormous sigh of relief.....you could tell that in that moment and in that place, a daughter of God came to understand and personally know the power of the Atonement. Wow. We are sent to teach these people, but we're the ones who are having heavenly experiences and gaining an eternal understanding of things. A scripture in D&C 76 came to my mind as I recounted this story here.....<br />
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Marta's baptism! The Lady in black is a member who is one of Marta's friends. She will help her a lot for sure, as she already has!</div>
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For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory. And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom. Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations. And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught. For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man.<br />
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I Love my mission. I love this special time that I have to really come to know the Lord and serve his children.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
<br />
-Elder McKinleyBrittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09233039872557122297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-89059523526742754002013-02-04T12:30:00.000-08:002013-02-04T12:30:42.100-08:00Letter 2/4/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well it was another fantastic week here on the battlefront. The best
event was Diego's baptism! I might have even surprised you guys....I'm
not sure if I've spoken much about Diego. He lives in Afogados (which
comes out to mean "drowned" in English.....haha) which is a ward in our
zone that is closed to missionaries. Until the mission sticks a
companionship there, we are responsible to take care of the
investigators that live there. There was a 22 year old man named Diego
who had visited the ward there when his girlfriend who is a member. He
liked church a lot. We taught him in about 4 visits to his house. He
accepted everything that we taught to him....the word of wisdom,
chastity, tithing, without the slightest resistance. He actually had a
lot of questions and doubts as to whether or not he would be able to
live these commandments, but we testified to him that he would be
greatly blessed for obeying these eternal principles. From that point
on, everything we taught him accepted and put into practice. At times, I
forget how difficult it must be to make such radical changes in your
life so quickly. As members of the church, we think of it as we think of
the commandments and Gospel principles as teachings that are so
obvious. It's usually something very foregin and unusual to someone who
is not a member. I have so much respect for the faith shown my people
like Diego. I personally think that I would cause such a big headache to
the missionaries if I were to be taught by them. It really is a
demonstration of true faith. Diego asked me to baptized him. He said
that I'm the first American that he can call a "real friend". He's an
awesome guy. I'm really excited for the journey that he's starting right
now. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />We had another cool experience. Several months ago, I
felt inspired to make a contact with a man on the street. It turns out
that he is an inactive member who has some real drinking problems. We
saw him last week and asked him to indicate a few people that we could
visit. Not understanding very well that we wanted to meet his nonmember
friends, he took us to the house of one of his other inactive friends
Issac. With time, I realized that all this was part of the Lord's plan.
So this man named Issac said that had a dream the night before. He
dreamed that he was inside the church and that he saw another member of
the church there welcoming him in (it's funny, because this member that
he dreamed of is full out albino....maybe he confused him with me!). He
said that he felt so good inside, that he woke up with an immense desire
to return to church. Not even 12 hours later, we showed up at his door.
We had a very interesting chat with them. We called them to repent and
come back to church (i'm going to miss spiritual moments like this). The
Spirit was certainly with us. He promised us that he would be at church
next week. He even showed up at a baptismal meeting we had! It's
amazing to see how the Lord coordinates these things. <br /><br />We are
busy at work to try and find more people to baptize. It's great to look
at the fruits of your work, but if you stop and look for too long, you
run the risk of forgetting to plant the seeds for the next season's
harvest! Ana paid her tithing for the 1st time this week. She was
THRILLED to be able to pay real tithing for the first time in her life.
It's amazingggg to see the light and change in these peoples' lives. I
feel bad that you folks back at home can't see these things. Carnaval
(or the festival of the "flesh" as my mission president likes to call
it) starts this week. I hope I'll survive this week without being
kissed, squeezed, abducted, or anything of that nature. The Enemy is
busy at work this time of year. We got step it up too! <br /><br />Until next time, <br /><br />-Elder McKinley </span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-20363337780449947742013-01-28T11:35:00.001-08:002013-01-28T11:35:25.544-08:00Letter 1/28/13<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lots
of good things happened this week! We had 2 baptisms this week (I
almost feel like Elder Johansen!) Their names are Jeniclea and
Elisabete. I think I have mentioned them in the past. They are from an
interior city of Pernambuco called Custodia (no, not custodian, but
almost!). Jeniclea and Elisabete are sister-in-laws. Jeniclea's husband
is Elisabete's brother (his name is Jose). We met them about two months
ago when their cousin brought them to church. They had come to Recife to
be close to Jose who had entered into the hospital for a surgery. We
started teaching them. As time went on, Jose's health went south. It
became a huge trial for both of these two women. We taught them a lot
about the purpose of this life and why there exists so much suffering
and pain. We taught them the plan of salvation and explained what is
going to happen after this life. I've never taught someone in a
situation like this. It got to a point when we knew that Jose wasn't
going to recover. It's in that moment that the question of "what happens
to us after we die?" became very real and important for both of these
sisters. It was not a coincidence that they showed up at church at this
critical time of their lives. In short, on thursday, the doctors took
Jose off of Life Support. Even with this difficult moment, Jeniclea and
Elisabete bravely responded to us "we'll be at the baptism friday night,
even we show up at midnight, we will get there." I was really impressed
by their faith. They ended up being baptized friday night at 7pm by
their cousin's husband. Later that night, Jose died. What an incredible
demonstration of courage and faithfulness to the Lord. They really
special people. We are going to set them up to enter into contact with
the church close by to where they live (it's about an hour bus trip from
their home, but they both said that they are willing to make that
sacrifice to be able to be at church Sunday morning). What special
people. I thank the Lord for the sacred opportunity to have been able to
help, know, and teach them. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Janiclea and Elisabete's baptism!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
also have been helping another lady named Marta (I have also written
about her). She raises 3 children practically by herself. Her first
marriage didn't work out when her husband cheated on her and we found
out a very "peculiar" tidbit about her current husband this week. They
aren't married, and actually don't even live together. Her husband,
Hernandes, is a truck driver and spends about 10-15 days away from home
at a time. When we taught her about the law of chastity, she asked her
husband to marry her. He refused, but his motive was fishy. After a
little bit of digging and what was undoubtedly the revealing Hand of the
Lord, Marta found out that Hernandes was cheating on her (with whom I
won't say, but needless to say, this isn't any ordinary marriage
infidelity). She told him that she never wants to see him again.
Although it's an incredibly difficult situation for her, the Lord really
did bless her so she could find out that she was being cheated on. She
did what was undoubtedly the best thing for her and her family. We are
going to continue visiting with her and showing her how the Gospel has
the answers for the all of the probably numerous questions she must be
asking herself right now. The Lord plans everything folks. I saw his
hand work here. One day I'll be able to explain better. It wouldn't be
appropriate to explain over email. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
find myself writing more and more about the people I'm meeting and
working with and less and less about myself in my emails and journal
entries. I think it's natural change that happens inside of a missionary
with time. You literally forget yourself. I think that's one of the
reasons why I'm so un-excited to finish my mission. I like helping other
people. It's great to not be selfish! I think one thing the Lord will
continue to help me to learn is how I can help others by helping myself.
Spiritual, mental, physical, and financial self-dependence really is a
principle of the Lord. We should be self-sufficient so we can raise up
those around us. D&C 81:5 says it best: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white;">"Wherefore,
be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto
you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down,
and strengthen the feeble <span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">knee<wbr></wbr>s</span></span>."</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the way we serve the Master! I testify of it!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Elder Doyel with his sleepy friend!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Until next time, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Elder McKinley</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-19860117398908964112013-01-21T11:23:00.004-08:002013-01-21T11:23:35.173-08:00Letter 1/21/13<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wow. What a week full of miracles and incredible
experiences. It was seriously one of the most incredible weekends of my
mission. First off, It's been good being companions with Elder Doyel.
I'm training him as a zone leader which is surprisingly not easy. You
have a lot of the weight of the entire zone on your shoulders.
Presidente Lanius has been putting more and more weight on the shoulders
of the Zone Leaders, especially when it comes to baptisms. I'm teaching
him everything I know about being a leader....it's exhausting, but it's
fun to take a step back and see how much I've learned over the past 18
months. Elder Doyel was sick on Wednesday, so we got stuck in our
apartment for the day (you can bet it was spotless after the day was
through!). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">First
miracle is Marcos. Last week, while walking to an appointment, a rather
large hefty man flagged us down. We stopped and turned around to speak
with him to find that he wanted to give us 10 reais to go and treat
ourselves to a snack. I tried explaining to him that he didn't need to
give us money and that we already have funds to buy food and whatnot. He
insisted, saying that he felt prompted to help us out as he saw us
walking by. I told him that if he really wanted to help us, he would let
us teach him. He didn't have it. I then asked if he knew someone else
we could teaching. He told us that we could visit his brother. We wrote
down his address and paid him a visit. That was when we found Marcos. He
told us that he was baptized 20 years ago, but had since fallen away
from the church because of word of wisdom problems. He told us that he
learned the hard way that the Gospel really is true. He said that in the
end of 2012, he told God that he wanted 2013 to be a different year. He
wanted to change his life. 2 weeks later, his brother felt inspired to
give two young men 10 reais to buy a salgadinho, but ended up instead
sending us to his brother in need....coincidence? Not a chance. He
showed up sunday morning at church and loved church. He sat down with
the bishop and made goals with him. Wow. What a miracle. I wonder what
it's like for you guys on the other side to read a story like this
without knowing or meeting these people....I feel bad for you guys at
times. Words on a screen don't do it justice. It's soo good to see these
things first hand. There isn't a better feeling, like President Monson
once said, than knowing that you served as a tool in the hands of the
Lord to answer someone's prayers. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The
other miracle is Ana! She was finally baptized! Boy, what a special
baptism this was for me. It's been about 3 months since I started
teaching her. I passed through 3 companions during that time....it looks
like the Lord wanted me to see this baptism through. Her story truly
was a conversion story. She overcame so many obstacles and challenges,
many of which came from within her own family. I saw the light of the
Gospel turn on inside of her and increase in brightness with time. It
was a very special experience for me. We had her wedding friday night.
We had a chaotic week working out her wedding process (marriage is super
complicated legal process here in Pernambuco....it's a no wonder there
are so many people that don't even bother with it). There were several
miracles that came through that made her wedding possible (in a few
months, you can get the deets....just know that the Lord set up the
stage so that every little detail worked right to open the door for her
marriage). There were a ton of her friends at the wedding. Nothing
better than a chapel full of people that aren't baptized (yet!). Many
commented at how good they felt during the baptismal service. It was a
very special experience for sure. I said to Elder Doyel "Elder,
everything went right this week....this never happens!" Seriously, I
almost had to pinch myself.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm
very grateful for every single experience that the Lord permits me to
have as a missionary. I cherish my mission. I cherish the things I've
learned. My journals are like gold to me. The records and thoughts and
feelings that I've had here are priceless to me. I'm so grateful for
everything the Lord has given to me. When everything goes right, we have
the opportunity to be thankful and humble. That is our task and duty.
It really is a great day to represent Jesus Christ!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Until next time, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">-Elder McKinley</span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1419374167790692875.post-29477462233191370282013-01-08T08:31:00.002-08:002013-01-08T08:31:32.320-08:00Letter 1/7/13
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Well New Years was pretty uneventful. I went to bed early...only to be woken up (ear plugs and a pillow on top of my head were no match) by an Evangelical party underneath our apartment. Nothing better than Evangelical beats at 4 AM in the morning! I generally don't enjoy holidays here. It's hard to find sober people, and when you find them, it's hard to hear and understand what they are saying because of the drunk neighbors' loud music. But that's Brazil for ya! Someones always having a good time, even if it's at your expense! </div>
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We planned to visit Jeniclea´s husband New Years Day. We've been teaching Jeniclea for a good time now. She's making great progress towards baptism, but didn't show up at church on Sunday. The ultimate missionary frustration: When your investigators don't go to church. Her Husband has been in the ICU at a local hospital for about 2 months now. I never really understood what's wrong with him, but he's not doing so good. He's more in less in a coma. We explained how a priesthood blessing works, and asked her if she would like us to give him a blessing. She was enthused at the idea. We fasted and prayed the day we marked to bless him. Generally, the hospital only allows one visitor at a time to see a patient, but we pulled out our ministerial certificates and told him that we were ministers there to visit him. I felt like a big-shot showing off my "badge" to that little Brazilian doctor. They let us in to bless him. It was a spiritual moment. We could definitely feel the presence of the spirit there with us. This poor woman has been praying (along with several other family members and friends) for several months for this man to recover and return to full health. I could feel the faith of those people as we used the authority of the Priesthood to anoint and bless that frail man. A special experience for sure. Up until now, his progress has been little. We can take comfort in knowing that in whatever happens, the Lord is in always in control.</div>
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We had a bit a of a rainy week here....it's not so bad with an umbrella, but unfortunately I lost my 3rd umbrella a few months ago in Abreu e Lima and have been stubborn to buy another one. We even used that to our advantage, knocking doors and relying on peoples' pity for us to let us out of the rain. It surprisingly worked several times. Look how the Lord helps us to create a positive situation out of a seemingly negative one! </div>
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We've had some interesting teaching experiences lately. We taught interesting combinations of people in the same lesson. Last week it was the son who was a member of the Camdonblé (that strange animal worship religion that came from African slaves) and the Mom, who was a "crentona" from the the Assembléia de Deus (an evangelical church). This week it was a Jehova´s Witness and an Agnostic couple! Talk about tricky! Something I'm finding more and more with time is that it really doesn't matter what people believe or how they worship. The Book of Mormon (accompanied by the Spirit) is the only thing that will convert them to the true principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was saved for these Latter-days for that specific purpose. Our job as missionaries is to teach those principles with the power and authority of the Holy Ghost and invite others to read and prayerfully ask the Lord if those principles are true. Unfortunately, there are seemingly few people who seem willing to do that. As simple as it is (even as simple as it was to look at a brazen serpent in the wilderness), few are willingly to "Look to the Lord, and Live".</div>
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We had a fun experience at church. We taught a real humble family Saturday PM. The parents weren't too interested, but the 11 year old son was. Regardless, they all agreed to go to church Sunday AM. When their neighbor (who's a member) went to their house to pick them up Sun AM, the parents were physically beating one another...not knowing what to do, she let them be and headed off to church. When she told us the news, my companion said "Let's go get the kid". I looked at him like he was crazy, and a bit reluctantly, I agreed. Turns out that he ran out of his house when his parents started fighting, but was watching from the distance to watch for when we would come to get him. My companion turned out to be inspired alright. The kid loved church. His name is Giovani. He already told us that he wants to be baptized (some of the other primary children told him about baptism). We are going to try and help his family out!</div>
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By the way, we haven't been able to get in in contact with Manoel...he's fallen of the grid. We try and try but it hasn't been working out. I'm still convinced he's going to be bishop one day....let's see what the future holds!</div>
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Until next time, </div>
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-Elder McKinley </div>
Brittyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09233039872557122297noreply@blogger.com0