The Positives (other than my COVID test)

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

So I lost my taste and smell this week! You don't realize how depressing that is until it happens hahahaha it's weird though because I can taste when things are salty, sour, or sweet without actually....tasting them. It's wack. I'm not really sure how the science works but what I HAVE learned this week is about a million ways to "cure" COVID, according to every Latino ever. All I really want to know is why COVID hasn't been wiped out when every Latino is out here with the cure! They're not keeping it a secret or anything. Eucalyptus leaves, burnt oranges, 3 lemons mixed with 3 asprins (serious....), crest mouthwash (we got a tutorial on that one. ha...?!), and every tea ever made (Word of Wisdom guidelines of course ;)). I would probably say all of our "lessons" this week were 20% gospel of Jesus Christ and 80% how to cure COVID. I have to be honest and admit that I have tried none of the tips, so I have no right to complain. But what I WILL tell you is that I will NEVER buy Crest mouthwash. Colgate is where it's at 100%. I'll take the COVID.

Despite being quarantined in our apartment this week, there have definitely been some positives! Like.....

•Bomb personal studies!!! I started the Book of Mormon for the 6th time this week! I made that goal when I started my mission in Argentina and now I am reading it for the last time in my mission! So crazy. I have learned more than I ever could have imagined, especially this last week. I'm not sure why, but everytime I would go to restart the Book of Mormon, I never felt very motivated. Only because I felt like I had read the Introduction and 1 Nephi a million times. I didn't think there was a lot more I could learn from the beginning chapters. Wow was I wrong. Especially this last week, my personal studies have been some of the most spiritual studies I have ever experienced. This week, I made a goal to have each personal study be a revelatory experience and with the help of the Spirit, my mind and heart have been opened. I love what is said in 1 Nephi 17:3, "And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them..." If there's anything I have learned this past year, it's that the Lord ALWAYS provides a way. I cannot deny the truths found in the Book of Mormon, especially this one. I am so grateful for prophets! From whatever time period! I know they are called of God to lead and guide us and when we heed their counsel, we will be protected. Even though COVID stinks, it has given me the opportunity to spend more time reading, studying, and pondering the scriptures and therefore growing closer to my Savior. Big positive.

•goals! Some of my goals are things I want to accomplish once we are OUT of quarantine (marathon prep let's goooo) hahaha BUT hermana Jones and I have been SUPER focused on specific goals in our area. We created an area vision a few weeks ago and it's cool to see the Lord's hand as we strive to carry out our/His plans.

•can't taste so eating kale isn't so miserable!

•doordash, uber eats, and grubhub. Need I say more?

•hermana Jones and I have debated whether or not Pitbull (aka Mr. Worldwide) actually makes good music. Kinda fun.

•my comp and I have more time to dedicate to Facebook! The other day we legit found a group called "I hate the baby from ice age" hahahaha what. We almost joined so we could offer free english classes.

•WE HAD A BAPTISM ON MONDAY!!!!!! pretty sure I wrote about this already but watching Jose, Lindsay, and Rosie be baptized (via zoom) was the sweetest thing! It was also the first baptism I've "attended" from a couch so that was a neat experience haha

•my life dream of learning everything about Star Wars is coming true! Shoutout to hermana Albrecht for correcting me everytime I forget that baby Yoda is named "Grogu" and not "Booboogon". P.S. I know Baby Yoda isn't actually from Star Wars ;) #manda

•the APs offered us ice cream! But then they realized we can't taste so they retracted the offer. Still nice though.

•President M. Russell Ballard will be speaking to the mission this week! Super hyped.

•I hit 15 months!! Yeeeee

Be grateful. There is always good. Every night hermana jones and I say 5 things we are grateful for from the day and we always end up laughing way too hard. Even on a solid 2 star day, there's something too be grateful for. Sometimes it's that your comp ate a moldy tortilla because she can't taste. Rip hermana Jones. She kills me.

Anyways, love you! Write me. I am inside literally all day hahaha (.....serious...) keep me updated on all good things!!! Inclduing, but not limited to, any new Post Malone music ;)

Love love loveeeeeeee,

Hermana McKinlay

1. Friendly reminder brought to you by my 1st grade art skill level