I feel that I should clarify about my mission experience. I realize that I may have been giving off the wrong impression that the missionary lifestyle and workload is easy. This is not the case. I have written about some of the amazing blessings and capabilities I have received since I have been here, but those are 100% contingent on countless hours of preparation, studying, pondering, and searching. I'm not just talking about the last 4 weeks that I've been on my mission either. I have invested thousands of hours between church, seminary, and personal study previous to my mission. It was not always easy or fun, but I am sooo grateful for every second of that time that I had to grow and increase my stock as a servant of the Lord. Just wanted to set the record straight, that my success as a missionary is heavily dependent upon my attitude and commitment to this work.
This past week I had a pretty rewarding experience. Once a week we have an opportunity to teach missionary lessons to volunteers from the community. My companion and I taught a woman named Elena who lives in Salt Lake City. We taught her about the Plan of Salvation and how her Heavenly Father wants her to return to live with him. I thought we had done a pretty good job of simplifying and explaining the doctrines to her, including making the lesson personally applicable to her. This lesson was in English by the way. I didn't think too much of the lesson until after we said a closing prayer. She had tears in her eyes, and told us that out of all of the many visits and lessons she had listened to at the MTC, she had never heard such a powerful message. She continued to say that she had been going through rough times lately (she is LDS and a returned missionary by the way) and that our message was the answer that she was looking for. She also said that she wasn't planning on making the trip to Provo to volunteer at the MTC (her sister had just had a baby the night before), but for whatever reason, she decided to go. It was an extremely delightful experience for me to have a real, reinforcing experience that all of the hard work we put in as missionaries does really pay off. I know that it was not a coincidence that Elena was in that room that morning, and that out of 10 different rooms, we picked hers. Sometimes, we realize that we are a lot more important to our Heavenly Father than we ever though....times like this one especially.
Time continues to fly by here. We had the opportunity to go through the Provo Temple for the first time since we've been here. It has been closed for maintenance. I pulled my hamstring playing soccer (I know I sound like an old man...) on Friday. I had the physical therapy people look at it....it's nothing serious, and with time I should heal completely. We got to go to the BYU health center, which is about as far away as you can get while still being at the MTC. Always nice to see real people.
I have another installment to the story of my roommates. They had just finished teaching a lesson in Portuguese when they were walking back into our classroom. Someone asked how the lesson went. The one companion responded, "Good!", and the other Elder, without missing a beat and in front of the entire district said, "Yeah but you struggled a little bit". Such a thoughtful Elder to keep his companion so humble. This is how I get my comedic relief at the MTC.
Our district has been doing a little bit better job of staying focused. Elder Skousen, our district leader, asked me and Elder Apeland to give a lesson on serving with all of your heart, mind, might, and strength. The main point that I was trying to make in the lesson is that we all as missionaries will have different attitudes at the end of our missions than we do right now. I asked my district members what was preventing them from having that attitude now....the answer, of course, is nothing. We only need to make that decision once, and the results are immediate and lasting. I hope that maybe that will stick with some of them.
The work of the Lord is moving forward. I know it is. I am excited to get to serve in the field and to start blessing people's lives. Remember that no matter what happens, to keep the faith! Heavenly Father Loves YOU!
Until next time,
-Elder McKinley
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