HELLO!

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Turns out my email last week didn't send soooo I've got a fair amount of catching up to do. At least for those who actually read my emails ;) love you grandma and grandpa!!

LAST week was great! Las hermanas y yo went to Temple Square and it was insane. The Temple is being renovated and everything looks so different. It was cute running into a sister who is assigned to Argentina (waiting to go there) and another sister who was actually from Argentina. I forgot that the Temple Square mission is only sisters hahaha but shoutout to them because they are doing virtual tours of Temple Square right now!!! Go take a tour!

Poor hermana Skinner tested positive for COVID!!! She gets it from her mother ;) but she really has been a trooper. Her quarantine started a few days before the rest of ours ended sooooooo that was sort of a bummer.

Last week I had the coolest opportunity to listen to Elder Neil L. Andersen! He "came" (via videocall) to our mission to speak and it was seriously one of the most spiritual experiences ever. I keep having those :) Elder Andersen focused a lot on our future as members of the Church and disciples of Jesus Christ. He told us to be prepared for the coming 10-20 years as people will begin to deny Jesus Christ and his ministry. He also explained that people will specifically deny Christ's resurrection. I thought that was interesting. As he spoke, I had the opportunity to personally reflect on where I want to be in 10-20 years. It's sure not in the crowd of those people refusing to believe in our Savior. Elder Andersen invited each of us to select 5 verses from the New Testament and 5 verses from the Book of Mormon to memorize. Verses that we "truly believe". He promised us that in 10-20 years, if we live worthy of our covenants and continuously stengthen our faith, we will have those 10 scriptures on the tips of our tongues. I thought that was a pretty incredible promise. We also had the chance to hear from Sister Craven (I love her SO much) Elder Eddy, and Elder Christensen. It was such a spiritually edifying hour! I am grateful for inspired leaders. I know Elder Andersen was called by the Lord. Without. A. Doubt.

So Ruby is still awol but yesterday Hermana Jones and I had a miracle! A couple hours before church we get a call from our cute bishop and he says, "hermanas, there is a woman here who would like to learn more about the church! Can you get here soon?" We FLEW over to the church and met Judith! Judith told us she is looking for peace and comfort. She also told us that last week, she had walked to a church close to where she lives but found out there wasn't a spanish ward there so some kind soul gave her the address of our building. Anyways, Judith is amazing and it's funny how much love you can feel for someone you just met. She is so humble and has a genuine desire to grow closer to her Savior. We were able to give her a tour of the church building and a Book of Mormon. During sacrament meeting, Hermanas Skinner and Albrecht gave talks on the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. It was almost too perfect. Tomorrow night Hermana Jones and I are going to visit Judith with a cute hermana in our ward. I am so excited!!! There is a lot more to the story (like how Judith lives with some of our old investigators who don't answer us anymore #RIP) but the moral is that God is aware of every single one of his children likeeeee

Sister S.

So I'm still not really sure how this whole thing is going to play out because it's still in the works BUT earlier this week Hermana Jones and I went to knock on some doors of old investigators/members in the ward to offer service! As we pulled up to one of the houses we wanted to stop by, I noticed a woman picking up garbage in her front yard. I felt the impression that I should talk to her. I knew it would probably be sort of awkward but I went for it anyways and said hi. Her reaction was sooooo uncomfortable. She stopped, stared me up and down, and responded with the grumpiest way to say hi that I have ever heard. I was out of there so Hermana Jones and I followed through with our original plan and went and offered service. As we walked back to the car I felt the same impression, "talk to her." This time I really did not want to talk to her. I knew she could see me walking back up to her and, panicked, I asked if she needed help picking up the garbage in her yard. But, before she could respond I (accidently) blurted out, "are you OKAY?!" I think what I MEANT to ask was, "are you DOING*** okay?" But the words just didn't come out right and it probably sounded a little bold. I think it shocked her, which is understandable, and she did not warm up to me at all hahaha. "Ya I'm fine." She responded. She was not fine, but wanted nothing to do with us so we zooooomed out of that culdesac feeling so awkward. I was pretty confused about the feelings I had had but let it go not thinking too much of it. Flashforward a few days and we are sitting in our stake missionary meeting. I mention how this woman could maybe use some service or ministering visits. Our stake president, awesome awesome President Hig, did some research and turns out she's a member in our stake!...which really isn't that shocking because we are in Utah BUT it turns out Sister S. was recently diagnosed with cancer and has been struggling. We cut out some time this last week to drop off notes and cookies and have yet to hear anything so I will keep you updated. Sister S. will become my friend. I'm determined. But the point of this story goes along with that of Judith's: God is aware of every single one of his children. And as awkward as our short interactions were, I'm grateful Hermana Jones and I were able to notice the needs of Sister S.

I hope everyone can keep their eyes and hearts open this week! There are a lot of people who could use some light in their life. Love you all!

Love love loveeee,

Hermana McKinlay

1. Las hermanas!

2. Más de las hermanas

3. Timer cam came in clutch until my phone fell and cracked #rip

4. English classes and direct attacks

5. Celia had the verse ALREADY MARKED

6. Elder Bramell's talent...?

7. The cat hermana Jones and I had to distract so it didn't run into the building with members hahaha

8. Pillar of light before MLC

9. When the investigador drops YOU :,(