"It is not our successes, but rather our sacrifices and efforts...

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 ¡Hola Familia y Amigos!


...that matter to the Lord." -Terence M. Vinson

It's only 3pm and I feel beyond tired hahaha. This morning we decided to go hike the Lake Blanche Trail up Big Cottonwood Canyon and it felt SO nice to get out of the house...even if I have blisters on both feet and a half broken left ankle. Chacos did not come in clutch but the time outside was worth it. Also, ANY excuse to drive by Post Malone's house ;)

This week felt long. We've tried to fill our schedules with more service projects to get us outside and helping people. This week we got together with about 12 other elders to rip out a ton of weeds for this lady in our ward. She's from Argentina and is so so sweet. She has 2 kids she's trying to get out on missions but they're not super fond of that idea which makes me sad. 

The Guitierrez family sold their home so we're the last group of missionaries they'll live with. I think I mentioned this last week but they've housed missionaries for 15 years! Hermana Guitierrez is so adorable and she cooks like a boss. I'm going to visit them when I finish my mission.

Became the ward pianist on Sunday. Second time that's happened in the mission but I love being able to serve that way. Going back to church was amazing, but also really strange. It didn't feel the same with all the "DO NOT SIT HERE" signs taped to every other pew. But one step at a time right? 

We've started teaching this kid named Ivan. He's 14, currently lives in Georgia (used to live in Utah), and is from Ukraine. He speaks Ukrainian, Russian, English, and a little bit of Spanish. Fact: Ivan is cooler than I will ever be. We contacted him because 1. his name was in our phone contacts and 2. he actually picked up the phone which was a nice change. He didn't seem SUPER interested into videochatting with 3 girls and told us he "believed in science" (yes, straight up. Nacho Libre moment all the way) but I shot my shot anyways. I told Ivan we were calling him on Wednesday and that we would have 3 phrases we would want him to teach us in Russian. In return, he could ask us ANY 3 questions about the Church of Jesus Christ! He liked that idea. Wednesday rolled around and Ivan attempted to teach us Russian. Another fact: they don't sing the happy birthday song to you when it's your birthday in Russia. Not too surprised though. After Ivan tried to teach us Russian, it was his turn to ask us his questions. I was SHOCKED at how profound his questions were. He asked us where Jesus Christ came from, who God is, and what happens after death. While we taught Ivan, I couldn't help but think about how a 14 year old could come up with questions like those. They seemed too big for him. But then I remembered Joseph Smith was 14 when he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. And that was all because he wondered which church to join. It also made me feel really grateful for the knowledge I have. Life would be really scary without answers to Ivan's questions. 

Just a little spiritual thought: We were teaching someone this week when I felt prompted to share one of my favorite sculptures. It's 1 Samuel 15:22 and says, "to obey is better than sacrifice." I love love love this scripture and was pretty surprised it popped into my head de la nada. I think we often times forget how ready the Lord is to bless us. And all he asks us to do is obey. We ALLOW  him to bless us by keeping his commandments, reading the scriptures, striving to have a personal relationship with him through prayer, listening to the prophet he calls, etc. If we choose to follow, the blessings ALWAYS outweigh the sacrifices. Always. 

That's pretty much all I can remember for right now haha. I think my brain is starting to shut down so I probably won't proofread this. I love you all! 

Love love loooovvvveeeee,
Hermana McKinlay

I did better on the pics this week

1. Probably against some rule in the missionary handbook idk
2. Lake Blanche !
3. Classic 
4. Familia G!
5. After singing with the elders for their facebook page ahhhhahaha I wanted to die
6. Jumpin because the church be TRU
7. ..........













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