Hello Family,
One month to go from yesterday till I leave for Japan!! I am getting so excited; I have already started a countdown. And it is really exciting because this weekend I will be able to meet President Budge who will be my mission president. J
So this last week I have seen the hand of God every day and He has blessed me so much with strength and faith. So I have already told you about my Monday night experience of when I was praying and I could see Barb in heaven healthy and strong and at peace. Well the Lord blessed me again because the same day that I received the news about Barb passing away was the same day that we received the new kohai missionaries. With my assignment as coordinating sister I am responsible for the new sisters and to make sure that they feel welcomed and loved and now what the MTC is like. I love the new kohai and this assignment has truly been a blessing to me because it has given me the opportunity to look outside myself more and serve others. This was a great blessing this last week because it helped me to not feel so sad about Barb and just feel peaceful and happy about it. The Lord has given me strength this week and I am so grateful to have Him at my side during this journey, otherwise I could not do it.
I thought it really sweet what you did for a memorial for Barb. I have no doubt that she was there with you as you honoured her and the wonderful life that she had. My testimony of the plan of salvation has grown so much stronger and I know it is a wonderful blessing from our Father in Heaven and I am so happy that my family has been sealed for time and all eternity. I really do have the best family in the whole world and I am thankful for your love and support every day.
On Sunday it was good days to be a sister at the MTC because for Relief Society we had Elaine S Dalton (General Young Woman President) speak to us and then for the fireside later that night Sheri Dew spoke to us!! Awesome right!? They are two amazing women and their talks were amazing. I also gave a short talk in Japanese during sacrament on Sunday and I think I did pretty well. The Japanese is coming. Each day I just have to remember to have patience with it and that I have been progressing with it. I realized that when it comes to me during certain things I do not have much hope so that is something that I am really trying to work on. So this week I have given myself a goal that I am not allowed to speak/think anything negative about myself in any aspect. So far it has been going well and I had a really good experience today in the Temple when I was sitting in the Celestial Room. I was given peace and hope and I will cling to the feelings and impressions I received. On that note I urge anyone who reads this and who is endowed to go to the Temple as often as you can. The Temple is such a special place and is a gift for us to go into the house of the Lord. We can receive so many blessings from going and most important we can feel Heavenly Father and the Savior’s love and see their purpose for us in this life. Go!! You will not be disappointed.
When I take time to think I am amazed at the growth that I have seen in myself and I am so happy and grateful for this experience. I am still not a perfect teacher but each day I am learning something new to help me to pray and I have the Lord on my side so I know I can do it. He is truly shaping me to be the missionary that He needs. And He does need me. I know that I have a specific purpose and that I am needed for a special plan. I do not know what that is and I don’t know if I will ever know but I will do what is required of me from the Lord with a glad heart.
I love you with all my heart and I am so grateful that everyone is doing so well. I hope this week goes well for you.
Love you with all my heart,
Mackenzie
2 Nephi 4:20 – “My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.”
