Fortify the Testimony!

Good morning!!

Just want to start out the email with a huge scream!!!  Thank you mom!! You are the greatest for finding an apartment for me and Hermana Malmrose!  Miracles really do happen and God will never cease to be a God of miracles.  I think that's one of my favorite scriptures in Mormon, because it's so true.  He will never ever cease to bless each and every one of us as long as we keep the commandments and follow His counsel.

This week was incredible!  It's always different to try and adapt to new companions and everything but we have been doing great things together.  We truly saw MIRACLES.  So, mom, thanks for sharing your miracles with me.  I will try to share all them with you, too!!!

This week we were able to put 2 new baptismal dates.  That was super happy :)  "C" for the 29th of November and "F" also for the same date!!  We'll see how everything goes!

This week we had a miracle.  We have been teaching "M" and we had been planning on teaching her the first vision and about Joseph Smith a little more in depth.  And so we got to her house, and then started with the lesson.  As we shared the first vision with her, we paused, and she asked, "Wow, can I ask you a question?  Are you those two angels?"  She's adorable. We then explained that it was Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father!  She loved it!  She just lit up and said, "So that's why we need a prophet, so we don't have to be lost in the world."  Wow.  She's just so great!  She then said to us, "It's weird.  I understand all of this, but not the school stuff, and this is a lot harder for most people to understand."

I know that each time somebody hears the gospel of Jesus Christ they will recognize the truth of it.  We have all heard it before, so when they hear it again the spirit will help them recognize that it is true, and it will become so familiar to them!

Last night we had a Family Night.  It was good, not the greatest, but it was good.  We were with a family that's less active, a member, and an investigator.  At the end of a lesson, the investigator said, "I just want to do something with you as normal people, not as missionaries.  You can change out of your skirt and just be a normal person and we can talk about life.".... I really didn't like that at all.  I don't want to be a normal person.  Right now I am a representative of Jesus Christ, and it is the happiest I've been.   If there are people who don't respect that, I get it.  But this is the time for us to really teach and be missionaries.  We don't have a lot of time.  And it's sad to see the time fly by.  But, I came to a conclusion that I don't want to ever stop being a missionary (there it goes..never thought I'd say it).  But the spirit and the experiences I have are amazing.

I love the Gospel with all my heart.

I know that the Church is true.

I know that we are striving each and every day to achieve the eternal life.

I know that the commandments are guides and not restrictions that show us the love that God has for us.

This is the best life EVER!!!!  We are sooooo LUCKY!

Well, family, I love you all.  Sorry no funny experiences this email.  Short on time!  Wait, there is a funny experience.  Today.....ahahahaha!

FUNNY:
So we deep cleaned the pension today.  But seriously, deep cleaned!!  Let's just say that me and Hermana Hansen aren't living in a musty, boys pension anymore.  We are living in an apartment almost as clean as the temple.  Okay, not so clean..but it's definitely sparkling!  :)  Pretty sure that the elders before us peed on the ground...but don't worry, we got that all worked out!!  SUPER MISSIONARIES!!

Love you all so much!

Best luck this week.  Read your scriptures.  I'm finishing the Book of Mormon again!  And once again, I know it's true!!

I invite you all to read the last chapter of the Book of Mormon...Moroni 10.  Follow his counsel.  Read, ponder, pray.  I know you will fortify your testimony.

Hermana McChesney

                                  Me with my new and last companion, Hermana Hansen

Round 3: ZAPALAAAA!

Buen Dia!  Y Feliz Dia de la Madre ayer!!  Love you mom!  So lucky to celebrate mothers day twice!  So I just want to say that I love you and that I am so lucky to have you as my example.  I truly am who I am today because of you.  So thank you!

Well everyone, I'm staying here in Zapala for my last transfer here in the mission and I have never been so happy or excited!  The fact that there is a lot of wind (I have to constantly hold my skirt down from flying in the air), I'm found sweeping the apartment 235 times a week because there is always dirt from outside, and the dogs that are everywhere, I'm still so lucky to stay here in Zapala with all the great people.  Never have I been in an area where the Lord has prepared so many at once.  I cannot wait to finish if off in the Land of Zapala!  Round 3.  Let's make it a win!

So as you can see, I am staying and my companion is leaving.  It was sad, but we did our part here together.  She is a great missionary and I learned so much from her.  She is definitely going to do great things in her new areas!  I am so excited about my new companion.  Her name is Hermana Hansen!!!!  We were together in Bariloche for a few transfers and I just love her!  My first Gringa companion here in Argentina.  Well, first companion gringa not in a trio :)  Let's see how the Spanish and English come together..uhh. ha!  I know I am going to fail English.  But, I'll be training Hermana Hansen to be an Hermana Leader so I'm pretty excited! :)

This week was great!  Sunday an Elder finished his mission.  He gave a great talk in church.  Everyone loved it!!  The bishop later came up to me and said, "Are you too leaving?"  I said that I was staying for one more transfer.  He then lit up and said, "Oh how good, because you are helping me out a lot with the music!"  hahaha!  I died!  But hey, at least I'm helping!  He still doesn't know how to pronounce my name...nobody does.  "Thanks to Hermana...um the Hermana..Missionera..for leading the music."  HA!  It's too good!

This week we saw "M" and "C".  Aw I love them so much!!  They are both progressing so much!!  "M" read the Book of Mormon for the first time and Loved it!  She read in 2 Nephi 31.  She started reading from that chapter at 1 am and read until 3 am.  Every time she read something she liked she highlighted it and then would wake up "C" to read it to her.  HOW CUTE!  I just die every time I go see them.  They are like my little sisters!

I know I have said it once, but I will say it again and again (plus 1000), that I know the Book of Mormon is true.  I know that if somebody wants to know if the church is true and they read the Book of Mormon they will know.  I have a testimony that if we want to receive an answer we will receive it.  I read a talk by and elder from the seventy and he said that there are 4 ways to receive answers to know that the Book of Mormon is true.  After reading that I have had a better understanding of how to teach my investigators...because it's not always a prayer that will help you receive your answer.  I know that there are so many other ways to know of the truth.

I am so happy to know that Ali returned safely.  She is incredible!  I know she was a great missionary!  So proud to call her my cousin!  I know that we are all fighting in this world, and I am so lucky to be one of God's soldiers.  Truly, I feel of his love and support each and everyday.  How blessed am I to be in the battlefield with so many great friends and family members!  Let's keep battling til the end.  For I know we will come out with a glorious reward.

Love you all so much!  Keep up the good work.  Let's all battle.  Remember you don't have to be a missionary to be a soldier.  Let's fight for what we know to be true!

Besos!

Hermana McChesney

We did a lot of service this week to help with birthday parties.  I love decorating!  HAHAHA!

HAPPY COLUMBUS DAY!

I saw today that it is Columbus day..is that true?  Well, here's to all those who came over on the Mayflower (and the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. ha!  Obviously Mikayla has forgotten her American History)...Long Live!

I'd like to start out by sharing a few funny stories, and leave the spiritual for the end.  Last is always the best!

At church yesterday we had a few investigators.  One of them was the cutest little 9 yr old boy.  His mom is an investigator and is progressing quickly.  But, funny story.  So, he was a little impatient during the sacrament meeting, so I leaned over to him and said, "Hey there's only 10 minutes left, don't worry.  I even brought you a little gift, so after remind me to give it to you."  He lit up instantly!  He behaved so well during the rest of the meeting.  After the meeting, I went over to my bag and pulled out a CTR ring.  I said that he needed to close his eyes and hold out his hand.  So he did.  As soon as I put the ring in his hand, he opened his eyes and a huge smile spread all over his face!  He said, "Thank you!" and then he gave me the biggest hug and kiss.  HA!   I was dying!  Not only was it funny, but there were members watching...a little awkward.  But that is not it.  He gave me probably 4 hugs.  Cutest little boy ever.  He just wanted some love!  ha!

Also funny story.  We had lunch with some members.  they also had all their family over that were traveling.  We felt so uncomfortable.  Truly, they talked, and screamed, and laughed, and didn't even pay any attention to us.  It was so awkward.  I got thinking.."If I was with my family they would totally make the missionaries feel at home."  So to all you family members, if you invite the missionaries over, talk to them.  Thank you!  HA!  Truly most uncomfortable lunch in my whole life.  Argentines speaking Spanish way too fast, and the awkward gringa laughing to join in on the fun.

This week we had a great experience with "I".  I won't go in to too much detail because, well, because there isn't 3 hours worth of time.  But, I just want to testify of the power of Family History work.  We were able to go to the church for a baptism.  While waiting for the baptism to start, we were able to give her a tour of the church.  Miracle is that the geneology room was open and we were able to go in and talk with the members working there.  The members gave her a little overview of what family history is.  "I" lit up!  She LOVED everything!  We were able to spend 20 minutes with her talking about the family.  The members had no idea that her son had passed away a year ago, but the Spirit testified to them and guided them to say exactly what she needed to hear.

I know that the family is the most important thing to our Heavenly Father.  He will do everything possible so that families can be together forever.  He is preparing "I" right now so she can start to do her family history and bring their names to the temple.  She has a desire to be baptized and go to the temple.  I know that the Spirit of Elijah is real.  That each time we start to work with our family and find out more about them, we will have more desire to continue.  I invite you all to help with the family history, for we do not want empty seats in heaven.

Love you all.  You are all such a blessing to me.  I know that the church is true.  I know that there is so much that I still don't know, but each day I learn I thank my Father in Heaven for all the knowledge that I do have.  This is His church.  This is his plan.  Let's live it so we can return to live with Him.

Best wished this week.

Hermana McChesney

SHOUTOUTS!!
Shout out to Jackson...HAPPY SWEET 16.  Don't go kissing too many girls now. ;)
Shout out to Ali!   WELCOME HOME COUSIN!
Shout out to Grandma and Grandpa Bird- Congrats on finishing your second mission.  Love you!

 This was the tallest "mountain" we could find to climb.  It took us only 20 minutes to climb up.  Still, it was a nice hike.

                                                           The sweetest family!

Conference = The World Cup for Missionaries

Hellooooo!!!!

How much do we all love conference?  I just want to watch it over and over again.  Movie night?  Awesome.

But really.  How lucky are we to have the knowledge that we have a prophet today that leads and guides our church?  I really felt the focus that we need to support our leaders and prophets.  There may be times when we don't understand why, but we must always follow.  They are all chosen and called by the Lord.  Each calling is reveled by the Lord,  and we must sustain them and support them in all that they say and do.  Sometimes we may not understand all the reasons, but just like Nephi, I will go and do what the Lord has commanded.  Each of us should have the same mindset as Nephi.  He, too, didn't understand but he knew that it was a commandment from the Lord and he followed.

I had the chance to watch conference in English, and I watched one session.  But, I had the feeling that I needed to sit with my companion and "C" in Spanish (don't know why..) But I did.  And it was a great experience for me.  I was able to feel a different type of spirit.  I loved that I was able to listen to the 2 talks in Spanish.  I think that one of my favorite talks actually was spoken in Spanish about, "Lord, I will follow thee".  There was an incredible spirit.  And it made me think how I too can make sure I am on the right path and say to the Lord that I will always follow Him.

This week was incredible!  So many great experiences and memories I will always remember!  To start I would like to share a miracle that happened to us.

We were walking in the street and we weren't planning on going to visit a less active but we felt the need to do it, so we did.  As we almost entered her home, a lady called us over to her and said, "I know you are members of the church, I'm not.  But, I heard that you do baptisms for your loved ones who have passed away.  Is that true?"  We almost jumped for joy!  We explained that it was true and she wanted us to come by and explain more.  So, we were able to pass by a couple days later and let's just say, I have never felt the spirit so strong.  She had been looking for answers and comfort because her son had died about a year ago.  She had met some lady on the Internet who is from Mexico who is a member and long story short, this member told her to talk to us.  It was a moment I'll never forget.  She too felt the spirit so strongly and she is now praying to know that what we taught is true.  I know that the Lord is preparing his children for this gospel.

I have a testimony that the Lord loves all of his children.  And sometimes we all have to pass through things that will help us remember the Lord and draw closer to him.  He is always there for us.  he loves each and every one of us.  he will make it possible so each and every one of his children can return to live with him again.

Hope all of you have a great week.  Love you all!!  Congrats to all the family, and especially Austin.  You're doing great buddy!!!

Hermana McChesney

**Shoutouts to all those newly engaged!! Eeek!  So excited!  Pictures pleassssse!! :)