January 4, 2011
Well another week down. We didn’t really have a whole lot this week. One we couldn’t leave the house until four on New Year’s Day because of all the drunks in the street. Another day we couldn’t leave because Elder Brixey was sick (got to give him a blessing though and that was pretty cool). Two other days we went to Telchaquillo and so we had bus trips there and back. Every trip takes an hour or so to get there and an hour back. That’s rough and takes a lot of time. It would be nice if I was there all the time. The cool thing that happened there is that even though they didn’t get their ten baptisms President is going to make it into a branch. The people there are so humble and just want to do what they are supposed to. We had an investigator that after the first lesson where we had the word of wisdom he handed us his cigarettes. How much faith is that? These people need daily visits and lessons but we can’t really and there’s only one family that feeds us so it would be hard on them. I really don’t know how it’s going to work out but I hope it does. It’s funny that you talked about getting the momentum that we needed because this week has been really chaotic. I want things to work better but it’ll take more time and more patience.
Nice work everyone downstairs (and foreman Brayden - How does he always end up with jobs like that?) Anyway how about we do that next Christmas too eh? Looks like a lot of fun. That’s one of the things I didn’t think about before, is I really miss working with my hands. The only thing that we can do is clean (which I did a lot of this week while we were stuck in the house). You'd be impressed mom. You can really feel the difference. I used one of the sheets and put it over my desk. It’s a red sheet and I have a brown desk. When I get my camera I’ll try to send some pictures. Elder Brixey did it and it really looks classy. Now that our house is free from all the clutter you can really feel all the difference.
Studies are going way good. The hardest thing is getting everything in that I want. I was thinking one day how much “Preach my Gospel” really is a missionary manual. I wish I would have studied more in that. That’s one of the things about a mission, is that it teaches you things that you should do after. When I go I have no reason to not do things because I know now. And I suspect that this is just the beginning. Just a little side note two kids on horses just walked past. I know you’ll call me an air head and say where did that come from but this still is Glenn but version 2.0.
Hope you all have success and know that I love you.
¡Espero que segamos adelante!
Elder Mackay
December 27, 2010
So... I already said all that happened last week. Not a whole lot happened more. Except our family that has been doing really good didn’t go to church this week. We played with their family a minute on the twenty fourth but they had a mini fight afterwards. The wife wanted to stay in the house because it was the first time in Kanasín, but the husband wanted to go visit family. Eventually as always the wife won but there was a lot of contention in the house. We went and visited them and you could feel it. Some other things I finally remembered…
When I was telling that story about Telchaquillo, the punch line that I totally forgot was that I threw up later that night. Mom you asked if I had been feeling better. Yes and no. This week, is New Years and we have the same rules as Christmas, which we have to be in the house on the thirtieth and have to stay in the house until four the next day. Kind of blows our numbers and our goals but we’ll see. Our goal for this week with lessons is that we have 10 lessons with a member present, fifteen other lessons, and five lessons with less actives. We have a lot of ideas of how to do it, but we just need to be super diligent with our time. That’s one of the things with Mexico is since its so calm and tranquil its hard to put fire in people, and when none of them have fire it’s hard to feel it too. We played soccer this morning and the gringos got their trashed kicked. It’s still fun though. One of the things that I got to keep telling myself is that I just barely got here and that I need to be more patient with myself. My trainer told me that the first six months of your mission is really to get you in to the language and the role of things. As always I want to go faster but time doesn’t go how we want.
The work goes but its rough this week and next because of all the drunks and the Holidays. I don’t know if I told you or not but we got contacted by a drunk guy. Even he knew that we were representatives. He said that he wanted us to teach him about Jesus. We said we had to teach sober people. So we left him the address and the time of church…. Didn't show up.
I’ve been sharing the caramels with Elder Brixey. He says thanks and really likes them. Not a whole lot more. If you or anyone that reads this has an idea about how to get people excited about the gospel (specifically going to sacrament meeting) please share. Getting people to the church for the second and third time is one of the hardest things in the mission right now. People don’t see the need to go every week. Any ideas that you have would be helpful.
Les amo! Gracias por sus oraciones
Elder Mackay
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Friday, December 24, 2010
December 20, 2010
So before I forget, I got your dear elder that you sent. I got it last Monday after I wrote. We get letters and packages every week in district meeting. It’s kind of sad but it could be worse. I wish I could know more about how it works. I’ll do some research in my “spare time”.
Man another week. This one has been real tough because we don’t have a guide anymore. When we came here, Elder Parra had already been here for a few changes so he knew where we were going. We had changes this week so he’s not here anymore. He got moved to an area and is stake president with only four months in the mission. Also he is senior companion. Hopefully he hasn’t cracked under the pressure, or inflated his head. I wonder if he thought he knew everything from here and thought that the mission wasn’t so hard. While we were in the bus station, I got to see elder Calvert (my companion in the MTC and Elder Fuller who was in my district. It’s nice to know that I’m not super behind schedule and that other elders are in the same situation as me.
But anyway, we’ve been really lost this week. It’s been tough trying to do a lot. We went to our little pueblo and tracked about a sixth of the pueblo in like four hours. I don’t know what’s going to happen. We got a couple of investigators there, but every day we go there, we take about three hours out of our schedule and thirty pesos each. It’ll be interesting.
Also a lesson I’ve learned, when tracking, it usually doesn’t work in the mornings. There are a couple of (here they call them colonies) that don’t usually have anyone home in the mornings. Luckily we’ve been blessed with a way to use our time successfully in the mornings. We got a reference from a couple other elders and have been teaching a super sweet family. The mom is inactive but has probably one of the best reasons I have ever heard. She got so tired of going to church and seeing so many good things, but never doing them throughout the week. One of the worst at this was her own mom. It was super sad to hear that her mom and her really butted heads and basically made her move out. She said she felt more comfortable with her mother in law than with her own mom (which is really saying something because everything that they don’t like here in Mexico they generally call it “mother in-law”. So like for example if you were going to use a knife that you didn’t really like, but knew that you needed to find it you would ask, “where’s the mother in law” and your companion would know what your talking about) anyways… oh yeah, the husband isn’t a member, but the have three kids. One is already baptized (12) one is 9 and we are teaching him and the youngest is seven. We usually have a standing appointment for eleven in the morning unless we know before hand.
We had a Christmas activity on Friday as a zone. We had the youth of the stake in a choir and while they were singing to a crowd we contacted the people around. We had a table of pamphlets and some hot chocolate (which tasted kind of weird) and Santa for the little kids. We went around inviting people to come and listen. We did it in what would be the equivalent of a mall in America. Except here they call it a plaza.
The biggest difference in this week was that I’ve been kind of sick. Monday morning Montezuma was trying to get at me. Wednesday night I got a sore throat. Friday I threw up while on the bus. And I still have a sore throat. Yes mom, I’m drinking tons of water. It’s actually kind of funny. That water that you and dad use to drink with lemons and ginger and all that stuff? Well the purified water has about the same affect with me as that water did with dad. I usually drink two liters in the morning that is mixed with a packet of tang (which come in some pretty crazy varieties)
With the Christmas call, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ll do my best to try to call when we can, but I don’t know when. I’m super excited to find out what’s been going on there.
I attached a few photos.
First is us playing around on a moto taxi of a member. They are really popular her. It’s kind of surprising because you wouldn’t think that they would be in America but here it’s pretty normal
Second we went to a member’s house for lunch one day and the member is pretty well off. My companion (elder Parra) is holding thirty thousand pesos which is a little less that three thousand dollars. This is what the brother made this week and it was a slow week!
Next is a picture of us after a pday of exercise. The humidity makes you sweat a lot its crazy but it was a lot of fun. I felt like a little kid when we were playing soccer.
The next is what a normal moto taxi looks like. Looks like fun no?
The next are a couple street shots of Mexico. They have real cars here, but most often you see Volkswagen bugs. It’s pretty funny when they got blue headlights and the bass vibrating the whole thing. That’s the “gangster” version. In reality though most are kind of older cars. I have seen a nice mustang here though. Who would have thunk?
Well I got to write some more stuff, hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas. Close your eyes and I’ll be there”.
Con amor,
Elder Mackay
So before I forget, I got your dear elder that you sent. I got it last Monday after I wrote. We get letters and packages every week in district meeting. It’s kind of sad but it could be worse. I wish I could know more about how it works. I’ll do some research in my “spare time”.
Man another week. This one has been real tough because we don’t have a guide anymore. When we came here, Elder Parra had already been here for a few changes so he knew where we were going. We had changes this week so he’s not here anymore. He got moved to an area and is stake president with only four months in the mission. Also he is senior companion. Hopefully he hasn’t cracked under the pressure, or inflated his head. I wonder if he thought he knew everything from here and thought that the mission wasn’t so hard. While we were in the bus station, I got to see elder Calvert (my companion in the MTC and Elder Fuller who was in my district. It’s nice to know that I’m not super behind schedule and that other elders are in the same situation as me.
But anyway, we’ve been really lost this week. It’s been tough trying to do a lot. We went to our little pueblo and tracked about a sixth of the pueblo in like four hours. I don’t know what’s going to happen. We got a couple of investigators there, but every day we go there, we take about three hours out of our schedule and thirty pesos each. It’ll be interesting.
Also a lesson I’ve learned, when tracking, it usually doesn’t work in the mornings. There are a couple of (here they call them colonies) that don’t usually have anyone home in the mornings. Luckily we’ve been blessed with a way to use our time successfully in the mornings. We got a reference from a couple other elders and have been teaching a super sweet family. The mom is inactive but has probably one of the best reasons I have ever heard. She got so tired of going to church and seeing so many good things, but never doing them throughout the week. One of the worst at this was her own mom. It was super sad to hear that her mom and her really butted heads and basically made her move out. She said she felt more comfortable with her mother in law than with her own mom (which is really saying something because everything that they don’t like here in Mexico they generally call it “mother in-law”. So like for example if you were going to use a knife that you didn’t really like, but knew that you needed to find it you would ask, “where’s the mother in law” and your companion would know what your talking about) anyways… oh yeah, the husband isn’t a member, but the have three kids. One is already baptized (12) one is 9 and we are teaching him and the youngest is seven. We usually have a standing appointment for eleven in the morning unless we know before hand.
We had a Christmas activity on Friday as a zone. We had the youth of the stake in a choir and while they were singing to a crowd we contacted the people around. We had a table of pamphlets and some hot chocolate (which tasted kind of weird) and Santa for the little kids. We went around inviting people to come and listen. We did it in what would be the equivalent of a mall in America. Except here they call it a plaza.
The biggest difference in this week was that I’ve been kind of sick. Monday morning Montezuma was trying to get at me. Wednesday night I got a sore throat. Friday I threw up while on the bus. And I still have a sore throat. Yes mom, I’m drinking tons of water. It’s actually kind of funny. That water that you and dad use to drink with lemons and ginger and all that stuff? Well the purified water has about the same affect with me as that water did with dad. I usually drink two liters in the morning that is mixed with a packet of tang (which come in some pretty crazy varieties)
With the Christmas call, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ll do my best to try to call when we can, but I don’t know when. I’m super excited to find out what’s been going on there.
I attached a few photos.
First is us playing around on a moto taxi of a member. They are really popular her. It’s kind of surprising because you wouldn’t think that they would be in America but here it’s pretty normal
Second we went to a member’s house for lunch one day and the member is pretty well off. My companion (elder Parra) is holding thirty thousand pesos which is a little less that three thousand dollars. This is what the brother made this week and it was a slow week!
Next is a picture of us after a pday of exercise. The humidity makes you sweat a lot its crazy but it was a lot of fun. I felt like a little kid when we were playing soccer.
The next is what a normal moto taxi looks like. Looks like fun no?
The next are a couple street shots of Mexico. They have real cars here, but most often you see Volkswagen bugs. It’s pretty funny when they got blue headlights and the bass vibrating the whole thing. That’s the “gangster” version. In reality though most are kind of older cars. I have seen a nice mustang here though. Who would have thunk?
Well I got to write some more stuff, hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas. Close your eyes and I’ll be there”.
Con amor,
Elder Mackay
Monday, December 6, 2010
December 6, 2010
December 6, 2010
What a crazy week!
So this week was different. An elder in another zone had problems with his kidney so since I was only about a half hour away, and in a trio, I went to work with his other companion. The sick companion is Elder Parra. The elder that I get to work with is Elder Paz. The funny thing about these guys is that one, one of my other companions was Elder Parra. The other is that ``paz´´ in Spanish means peace. But they are really great guys. They are zone leaders too. With Elder Paz, it’s a little bit different tracting. We try to feel more by the spirit what doors we need to knock on or who we need to contact. It’s a lot harder, especially for a newbie but its possible. It’s good that I have two years to do it.
Where I am now is called Canek. It’s in the middle of Merida, so lots of people. I felt a little out of place when I was going to my ‘new place” because there were so many people sometimes! I miss my small towns. The best lesson we had this week was with a less active sister. She didn’t understand why she had to go to church so many times and things like that. I shared 1 Ne 3.7. Then later I told her why I do things that I don’t want to. Then I turned to D&C 45.5 and explained how I want to hear this at the last day. My companion did most of the teaching but those were my tidbits. Also my first night in this area, me and Elder Paz went to a recent convert’s house. This guy is probably sixties or so. It’s been a month or so since his baptism and this past Sunday (5th) he blessed the sacrament water. The thing that we helped him this week is reading the sacrament prayers. He practiced from Moroni 4 and 5. It’s crazy how easy the Spanish comes when the spirit is there and you’re teaching.
Haven’t had any real crazy food since last week. I did have a drink that was weird. It was made with grass, water, and pineapple. It looked nasty but it didn’t taste that bad. This area is a lot better off than Kanasin. That’s where I was before. The cool lesson we had there is with Staycy, her friend Grisela, and the husband of Staycy (can’t remember his name). We taught as a trio the first lesson and it all went smooth. I recited the first Vision in Spanish to a real investigator without messing up anywhere. That’s one of the things that I kind of don’t like is that not a whole lot of people like to start with the first lesson. For me it’s called the first lesson for a reason. I do know though, that when the Spirit says that we need to teach something different, we teach something different. But we need to have a game plan first no? Any ideas? No answer is a bad answer.
What else…
So remember that I haven’t seen too many crazy bugs here? Well I did some service for a lady (cutting grass and weeds with a machete) and I saw a spider a little bit bigger than a silver dollar that was yellow and black. Then later I found a Praying Mantis on my arm! Also this week I’ve seen a couple iguana type things that are about two feet long (this was in Kansin).
The weather here is kind of interesting. In Canek, it’s a little bit colder, but in the day its not to hot but some nights it’s kind of cold; especially in a hammock with no bedding and air circulating all around you. The other night it was like 12 Cº which is like between fifty or sixty I think, plus the humidity changes how it feels (which by the way I don’t hardly even notice any more. My companion Elder Paz was freezing! It was funny but not so funny when he told me to wait until May when it’s roasting hot. =(
As far as the package goes I’m super excited to see what it is! With the egg timer, I’d still like to have it because there isn’t really any type of a timer here. If I want to set aside a set time, I need to know when it’s done. I can do it with my watch but it would be a lot easier with an egg timer. Another crazy random thing that would be nice is cloths pins. We have a line in our apartment but we’re poking whatever through the threads in the rope. What else… Ramen noodles? Oh yeah you asked about the food here. The schedule is kind of different. We have breakfast first thing in the morning. I usually just have yogurt or cereal (which are super cheap here). Also we’re supposed to have two bananas every day with breakfast so we don’t get cramps. Every day for lunch it’s at two and we eat with one of the members. My companion Elder Brixey said that if the ward doesn’t do it, you just eat gas station type stuff and get refunded later. Then for dinner… well… we don’t really have dinner. We have a little snack like soup or something in the evening but not like a formal meal. It’s not that bad. One thing that Mexico has that is really cool is like ten different types of tang. I’m ex cited to try cantaloupe flavor! Also there is a pop that tastes like bananas, or even apple (carbonated too!). Also sometimes it’s like Mexican Kool-Aid, it comes in a bag pre- made but it’s basically juice. It’s different but still tastes good.
I don’t know what to say. I want to hear from all of you! Yes that means you! Hope you all have a great week. Mexico is good and so am I.
Elder Mackay
What a crazy week!
So this week was different. An elder in another zone had problems with his kidney so since I was only about a half hour away, and in a trio, I went to work with his other companion. The sick companion is Elder Parra. The elder that I get to work with is Elder Paz. The funny thing about these guys is that one, one of my other companions was Elder Parra. The other is that ``paz´´ in Spanish means peace. But they are really great guys. They are zone leaders too. With Elder Paz, it’s a little bit different tracting. We try to feel more by the spirit what doors we need to knock on or who we need to contact. It’s a lot harder, especially for a newbie but its possible. It’s good that I have two years to do it.
Where I am now is called Canek. It’s in the middle of Merida, so lots of people. I felt a little out of place when I was going to my ‘new place” because there were so many people sometimes! I miss my small towns. The best lesson we had this week was with a less active sister. She didn’t understand why she had to go to church so many times and things like that. I shared 1 Ne 3.7. Then later I told her why I do things that I don’t want to. Then I turned to D&C 45.5 and explained how I want to hear this at the last day. My companion did most of the teaching but those were my tidbits. Also my first night in this area, me and Elder Paz went to a recent convert’s house. This guy is probably sixties or so. It’s been a month or so since his baptism and this past Sunday (5th) he blessed the sacrament water. The thing that we helped him this week is reading the sacrament prayers. He practiced from Moroni 4 and 5. It’s crazy how easy the Spanish comes when the spirit is there and you’re teaching.
Haven’t had any real crazy food since last week. I did have a drink that was weird. It was made with grass, water, and pineapple. It looked nasty but it didn’t taste that bad. This area is a lot better off than Kanasin. That’s where I was before. The cool lesson we had there is with Staycy, her friend Grisela, and the husband of Staycy (can’t remember his name). We taught as a trio the first lesson and it all went smooth. I recited the first Vision in Spanish to a real investigator without messing up anywhere. That’s one of the things that I kind of don’t like is that not a whole lot of people like to start with the first lesson. For me it’s called the first lesson for a reason. I do know though, that when the Spirit says that we need to teach something different, we teach something different. But we need to have a game plan first no? Any ideas? No answer is a bad answer.
What else…
So remember that I haven’t seen too many crazy bugs here? Well I did some service for a lady (cutting grass and weeds with a machete) and I saw a spider a little bit bigger than a silver dollar that was yellow and black. Then later I found a Praying Mantis on my arm! Also this week I’ve seen a couple iguana type things that are about two feet long (this was in Kansin).
The weather here is kind of interesting. In Canek, it’s a little bit colder, but in the day its not to hot but some nights it’s kind of cold; especially in a hammock with no bedding and air circulating all around you. The other night it was like 12 Cº which is like between fifty or sixty I think, plus the humidity changes how it feels (which by the way I don’t hardly even notice any more. My companion Elder Paz was freezing! It was funny but not so funny when he told me to wait until May when it’s roasting hot. =(
As far as the package goes I’m super excited to see what it is! With the egg timer, I’d still like to have it because there isn’t really any type of a timer here. If I want to set aside a set time, I need to know when it’s done. I can do it with my watch but it would be a lot easier with an egg timer. Another crazy random thing that would be nice is cloths pins. We have a line in our apartment but we’re poking whatever through the threads in the rope. What else… Ramen noodles? Oh yeah you asked about the food here. The schedule is kind of different. We have breakfast first thing in the morning. I usually just have yogurt or cereal (which are super cheap here). Also we’re supposed to have two bananas every day with breakfast so we don’t get cramps. Every day for lunch it’s at two and we eat with one of the members. My companion Elder Brixey said that if the ward doesn’t do it, you just eat gas station type stuff and get refunded later. Then for dinner… well… we don’t really have dinner. We have a little snack like soup or something in the evening but not like a formal meal. It’s not that bad. One thing that Mexico has that is really cool is like ten different types of tang. I’m ex cited to try cantaloupe flavor! Also there is a pop that tastes like bananas, or even apple (carbonated too!). Also sometimes it’s like Mexican Kool-Aid, it comes in a bag pre- made but it’s basically juice. It’s different but still tastes good.
I don’t know what to say. I want to hear from all of you! Yes that means you! Hope you all have a great week. Mexico is good and so am I.
Elder Mackay
Saturday, November 20, 2010
November 19,2010
November 19, 2010
So this week has been just a roller coaster! Monday was kind of a rough day. My roommates that I’ve had for nine weeks left that morning. They are headed to Paraguay. Then a new district came in and I had to say goodbye to one of my teachers. The next day I had to say goodbye to my other teacher. They have to go in order of when we were supposed to leave so our teachers were up next. We moved just next door, but it was still hard. Then Tuesday was devotional. It was good, but kind of presented in a funny way. He was super intense about not trying to do, but just do. For some of the new district, that was hard for them to hear. They didn't realize that they are doing all they can.
So then the really crazy stuff happens. We went to a temple session on Wednesday morning. When we came out some of us went to go pick up our backpacks from the residence and some already had their stuff in the class room. While we were in the residence, the elders that just went to class had said that our district had been called to the travel office. As soon as we could, we booked it to the travel office to see what the news was. When we got there, only the elders in our district that were going to Tuxtla Gutierrez were going to the consulate. It was depressing. Then about two hours later, the other half of us got called up! We were going to be leaving for the consulate at about one fifteen. We went there and did papers and everything. Another surprise is that we got roommates when we were told that we weren't going to. They are good kids and all, but it just made me miss my old ones all the more. So yesterday my companion is on a table outside, enjoying a little bit of warmer weather while we are doing companion study when he taps on my shoulder and runs inside. I was reading my Spanish ‘Preach my Gospel’ so it was super hard to focus on anything else. I jumped up and followed him. Over the loud speaker in the room they said, "Is this Elder Calvert? Can we get you to come down the travel office and also bring with you Elder Fuller, Mackay,... our whole district! This time we didn't even wait for everyone we just told them what was going on as we ran past them. We went there and got TRAVEL PLANS! I’m leaving on Tuesday. so I don't know if I’ll get the package that you talked about and I’m pretty sure that I’m not going to get the camera. I talked to one of the guys in my district and whenever I would use my camera to take a picture with someone, he'll lend me his, and email them to me later. It’s going to be crazy! Three days ago I had no idea what was going on and I'm leaving in four! Another cool thing is that I got a phone pass for five minutes to use at the MTC. I want to call to Montana on Sunday at 9:00 pm if that’s alright with everyone. Also a little tidbit of news I'm going to be in the airport for a while and I get to call to who ever and where ever I want! I don't know a whole lot of phone numbers, but we'll see what we can do. I'm going to be in the airport from about ten to twelve, then in the Houston airport from four to seven.
The day is finally here! I'm going to go to Mexico and see real people and be totally confused because I can't understand them, but it’s going to be great! I'm going to see ginormous bugs! I'm going to get fried! I'm going to eat some really hot Mexican food! I'm going to get a different companion (not that I'm having any problems with the one I have now)! I'M GOING TO MEXICO! Just in case you didn't catch that. Hopefully all is well back home. I'm just a little bit crazed. Everyone who reads this, if you send a dear elder right away I’ll get it on Monday before I leave. Hope to hear from you all.
Para Siempre Dios Este Con Vos
Elder Mackay
So this week has been just a roller coaster! Monday was kind of a rough day. My roommates that I’ve had for nine weeks left that morning. They are headed to Paraguay. Then a new district came in and I had to say goodbye to one of my teachers. The next day I had to say goodbye to my other teacher. They have to go in order of when we were supposed to leave so our teachers were up next. We moved just next door, but it was still hard. Then Tuesday was devotional. It was good, but kind of presented in a funny way. He was super intense about not trying to do, but just do. For some of the new district, that was hard for them to hear. They didn't realize that they are doing all they can.
So then the really crazy stuff happens. We went to a temple session on Wednesday morning. When we came out some of us went to go pick up our backpacks from the residence and some already had their stuff in the class room. While we were in the residence, the elders that just went to class had said that our district had been called to the travel office. As soon as we could, we booked it to the travel office to see what the news was. When we got there, only the elders in our district that were going to Tuxtla Gutierrez were going to the consulate. It was depressing. Then about two hours later, the other half of us got called up! We were going to be leaving for the consulate at about one fifteen. We went there and did papers and everything. Another surprise is that we got roommates when we were told that we weren't going to. They are good kids and all, but it just made me miss my old ones all the more. So yesterday my companion is on a table outside, enjoying a little bit of warmer weather while we are doing companion study when he taps on my shoulder and runs inside. I was reading my Spanish ‘Preach my Gospel’ so it was super hard to focus on anything else. I jumped up and followed him. Over the loud speaker in the room they said, "Is this Elder Calvert? Can we get you to come down the travel office and also bring with you Elder Fuller, Mackay,... our whole district! This time we didn't even wait for everyone we just told them what was going on as we ran past them. We went there and got TRAVEL PLANS! I’m leaving on Tuesday. so I don't know if I’ll get the package that you talked about and I’m pretty sure that I’m not going to get the camera. I talked to one of the guys in my district and whenever I would use my camera to take a picture with someone, he'll lend me his, and email them to me later. It’s going to be crazy! Three days ago I had no idea what was going on and I'm leaving in four! Another cool thing is that I got a phone pass for five minutes to use at the MTC. I want to call to Montana on Sunday at 9:00 pm if that’s alright with everyone. Also a little tidbit of news I'm going to be in the airport for a while and I get to call to who ever and where ever I want! I don't know a whole lot of phone numbers, but we'll see what we can do. I'm going to be in the airport from about ten to twelve, then in the Houston airport from four to seven.
The day is finally here! I'm going to go to Mexico and see real people and be totally confused because I can't understand them, but it’s going to be great! I'm going to see ginormous bugs! I'm going to get fried! I'm going to eat some really hot Mexican food! I'm going to get a different companion (not that I'm having any problems with the one I have now)! I'M GOING TO MEXICO! Just in case you didn't catch that. Hopefully all is well back home. I'm just a little bit crazed. Everyone who reads this, if you send a dear elder right away I’ll get it on Monday before I leave. Hope to hear from you all.
Para Siempre Dios Este Con Vos
Elder Mackay
Sunday, November 14, 2010
November 12, 2010
So still no visas or any news about them. It gets kind of discouraging, especially when our roommates are leaving on Monday and we got here before they did. One experience might explain why I was here for a little bit extra. We're still not entirely sure what happened but I’ll try to explain as best as I can. Me and my companion had just taught another lesson to a teacher who just barely got home from his mission. It was a way good lesson and we did well at teaching with the spirit. Our teacher was being taught by some other elders in the other room. We were studying some scriptures and such when a lady came around the corner with a pass along card about the Book of Mormon. She said (in Spanish) that she was looking for some elders who were suppose to teach her and she said something about being and investigator. My companion asked her if she was looking for the TRC (which is where volunteers come in to be investigators for missionaries). She got really confused and said no. She then talked about the pass along card she had and really wanted to learn more about it. I got up real quick and grabbed my Spanish single Book of Mormon and figured we could use it for the lesson. We all figured that she just saw some elders and wanted to help out. We taught her the first lesson, but I think it was different. Her answers weren't like what you'd usually get from the TRC. Her dad was a pastor and she was really confused about how the Book of Mormon fit into it all. We bore testimony and did all the stuff we were suppose to in a lesson. When we asked her to pray she said she didn't like to pray because it felt awkward. We marked a chapter in the Book of Mormon (Alma 32) and she seemed genuinely excited to read the Book of Mormon. After that we all just expected her to stop role playing and tell us what we could do better, but she didn't. She just said thanks and said again that she'd read the Book of Mormon, and then left - with my Book of Mormon. So we're still not sure what all happened, but a nice lady named Suzzana walked off with my Book of Mormon. I'm counting it as my first Book or Mormon placement. I was so psyched for the field at that point, but at the same time, wanted to talk more with Suzzana.
Another teacher a few days later came in and told us about his story getting his mission call. Due to some really random events that had nothing to do with him or his desire to serve; his papers were delayed six months after he wanted to have them turned in. He had done everything right but he still had to wait. He bore testimony though that that happened for a reason. Had he not been delayed for those six months, he would have not met and touched the lives of the people he did in his mission. After his mission he tried applying for a school at either BYU or BYU-I. He didn't get in and he had to wait a year at home after his mission before he could go to school. However, in his first year of school when he finally got to go, he met his wife, and got married -all in the Lords timing.
I’m trying to think of other cool things this week. It’s hard to remember what happened in individual days. On Tuesday we had Elder Bednar come talk to us. Pretty crazy for two reasons. One is that it’s our fourth apostle in a row and second that had I gone to Mexico, I would have missed a great talk. I feel like I’m on borrowed time (I just wish that it wasn't cutting into my field time). My teachers are going to get a new district this week which means we get kicked out. The only problem is that we might get "transferred" to a new zone. Maybe even move to a different residence hall. It'll be way interesting to know how these next two or three weeks play out. Getting to go to the temple three times a week is always nice though. I got the "end part" pretty well memorized now. Spanish is coming along well. Mom you asked if all I do is speak Spanish now. I try, but a lot of the times it’s hard because either I’m reading something in English or someone else is talking to me in English. If someone talks in Spanish, its way easier to speak back in Spanish. It’ coming along nicely though. If anyone asks any questions, email me or send me a letter (dear elder). I'll probably be here all week!
Con amor, Elder Mackay
Another teacher a few days later came in and told us about his story getting his mission call. Due to some really random events that had nothing to do with him or his desire to serve; his papers were delayed six months after he wanted to have them turned in. He had done everything right but he still had to wait. He bore testimony though that that happened for a reason. Had he not been delayed for those six months, he would have not met and touched the lives of the people he did in his mission. After his mission he tried applying for a school at either BYU or BYU-I. He didn't get in and he had to wait a year at home after his mission before he could go to school. However, in his first year of school when he finally got to go, he met his wife, and got married -all in the Lords timing.
I’m trying to think of other cool things this week. It’s hard to remember what happened in individual days. On Tuesday we had Elder Bednar come talk to us. Pretty crazy for two reasons. One is that it’s our fourth apostle in a row and second that had I gone to Mexico, I would have missed a great talk. I feel like I’m on borrowed time (I just wish that it wasn't cutting into my field time). My teachers are going to get a new district this week which means we get kicked out. The only problem is that we might get "transferred" to a new zone. Maybe even move to a different residence hall. It'll be way interesting to know how these next two or three weeks play out. Getting to go to the temple three times a week is always nice though. I got the "end part" pretty well memorized now. Spanish is coming along well. Mom you asked if all I do is speak Spanish now. I try, but a lot of the times it’s hard because either I’m reading something in English or someone else is talking to me in English. If someone talks in Spanish, its way easier to speak back in Spanish. It’ coming along nicely though. If anyone asks any questions, email me or send me a letter (dear elder). I'll probably be here all week!
Con amor, Elder Mackay
Friday, November 5, 2010
November 5, 2010
November 5, 2010
So this week has gone by really fast and slow at the same time. Time is a weird concept. I can't believe its Friday already but then again it seems like this week has taken forever. Because we were supposed to be gone already we get some "added bonuses". One of those is that we don't have to go to so many meetings (which make everyone in the district happy) and we get to go to the temple like three times a week! It’s so cool to teach a lesson literally only about an hour after going to the temple. With all our time there its also helping us grows even closer as a district.
Another cool thing that we get to do is study lesson three in the MTC. The lesson is titled "the gospel of Jesus Christ". Our teachers have shared some way cool stories about this lesson. Usually in the MTC we only study the first two. Our teachers are being "progressive investigators" for us to practice on. It’s about as close as we’re going to get here. Josue is the one we've been working on lot with. He knows that a good thing or feeling will come from God. We went a little further with that and taught him about the Holy Ghost helping him. He had a drinking problem and we committed him to follow the word of wisdom. (all of this is happening over a few lessons). He said that since he doesn't have any drinking buddies any more that he's kind of feeling alone. We told him about how if he is baptized and keeps the commandments that he can always have a companion. He had the desire and then we committed him to be baptized. The only thing he says that is holding him back is that he doesn't know if the Book of Mormon is true yet. More praying and reading. I think we have another lesson with him later tonight.
Another cool thing this week is we had M Russell Ballard for Devotional on Tuesday. It was such a good talk! He talked about being a master communicator and that is really the secret to teaching in a mission. This is our third apostle in a row and its just so crazy how much they know. After wards everyone comes out with glazed eyes and can't walk in a strait line. The hardest thing this week is just getting through a day and not wondering what it could be like. A lot of times I get teaching a lesson then afterwards I would wonder how much good it would have been for a real investigator. Also it’s really hard to ask a person who's pretending to be an investigator how they feel. If it was a real investigator it would be a real answer, but since this is made up its hard to take those things for granted. Hopefully pretty soon we'll be getting our visas. Every time we're in a lunch room and we hear a beep, our whole district stops and hopes for our district leaders name (Tyson Fuller) to be said. When it finally does its going to be crazy. It'll happen though. The weather here's been pretty nice too all the sudden. Last week we had one night where we got maybe a half an inch or so in great big flakes. If it would have been colder it would have stuck more. This week we haven't gotten any rain or any snow. Just nice warm days.
Yes mom I did get the package with my camera and stuff it in. The brownies aren't gone yet I’ve been pacing myself. I've gain six pounds at the MTC! I don't know where it all went though. The MTC really is great though. I just want to be in Mexico with the culture, people, food (even the spicy stuff) and doing the things that every young man that is a member dreams about. I want to see the light spark, and then beam in the eyes of an investigator. A teacher came and substituted one time. He's a Mexico native! He said and made it very clear that we need to challenge most of the investigators in our area to be baptized on the first or second lesson. They people there are from such humble circumstances that they are really teachable. Also a lot of them can't read so it'll be interesting to see how that hurdle goes over. Can't wait to Go!
Know that whoever reads this email, I love you, and hope that you have the success that God intends you to have.Be happy, Keep the Commandments and Endure,
Elder Mackay
So this week has gone by really fast and slow at the same time. Time is a weird concept. I can't believe its Friday already but then again it seems like this week has taken forever. Because we were supposed to be gone already we get some "added bonuses". One of those is that we don't have to go to so many meetings (which make everyone in the district happy) and we get to go to the temple like three times a week! It’s so cool to teach a lesson literally only about an hour after going to the temple. With all our time there its also helping us grows even closer as a district.
Another cool thing that we get to do is study lesson three in the MTC. The lesson is titled "the gospel of Jesus Christ". Our teachers have shared some way cool stories about this lesson. Usually in the MTC we only study the first two. Our teachers are being "progressive investigators" for us to practice on. It’s about as close as we’re going to get here. Josue is the one we've been working on lot with. He knows that a good thing or feeling will come from God. We went a little further with that and taught him about the Holy Ghost helping him. He had a drinking problem and we committed him to follow the word of wisdom. (all of this is happening over a few lessons). He said that since he doesn't have any drinking buddies any more that he's kind of feeling alone. We told him about how if he is baptized and keeps the commandments that he can always have a companion. He had the desire and then we committed him to be baptized. The only thing he says that is holding him back is that he doesn't know if the Book of Mormon is true yet. More praying and reading. I think we have another lesson with him later tonight.
Another cool thing this week is we had M Russell Ballard for Devotional on Tuesday. It was such a good talk! He talked about being a master communicator and that is really the secret to teaching in a mission. This is our third apostle in a row and its just so crazy how much they know. After wards everyone comes out with glazed eyes and can't walk in a strait line. The hardest thing this week is just getting through a day and not wondering what it could be like. A lot of times I get teaching a lesson then afterwards I would wonder how much good it would have been for a real investigator. Also it’s really hard to ask a person who's pretending to be an investigator how they feel. If it was a real investigator it would be a real answer, but since this is made up its hard to take those things for granted. Hopefully pretty soon we'll be getting our visas. Every time we're in a lunch room and we hear a beep, our whole district stops and hopes for our district leaders name (Tyson Fuller) to be said. When it finally does its going to be crazy. It'll happen though. The weather here's been pretty nice too all the sudden. Last week we had one night where we got maybe a half an inch or so in great big flakes. If it would have been colder it would have stuck more. This week we haven't gotten any rain or any snow. Just nice warm days.
Yes mom I did get the package with my camera and stuff it in. The brownies aren't gone yet I’ve been pacing myself. I've gain six pounds at the MTC! I don't know where it all went though. The MTC really is great though. I just want to be in Mexico with the culture, people, food (even the spicy stuff) and doing the things that every young man that is a member dreams about. I want to see the light spark, and then beam in the eyes of an investigator. A teacher came and substituted one time. He's a Mexico native! He said and made it very clear that we need to challenge most of the investigators in our area to be baptized on the first or second lesson. They people there are from such humble circumstances that they are really teachable. Also a lot of them can't read so it'll be interesting to see how that hurdle goes over. Can't wait to Go!
Know that whoever reads this email, I love you, and hope that you have the success that God intends you to have.Be happy, Keep the Commandments and Endure,
Elder Mackay
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