And then, I sang 4 solos...

Hello my dearest family,

First of all, Sorry I didn't get to email yesterday.  It was a day when nobody opened (I don't remember the word in English..) and so we weren't able to email.  So we are all here now writing the family!

This week was great.  Sunday as we were adding up all our numbers we realized that this week was one of the best weeks we have had number wise.  We have seen a LOT of help from the members here.  They are coming to us and bearing testimony in the lessons.  It has been a great support.  The ward still is lacking in active members, but we are working hard to get all these souls back!

Oh, speaking of Sunday, imagine this.  So, I think my unofficial calling in the ward right now is the director of the hymns.  I'll take it.  I know my 4/4, 3/4 and so forth, but...just wait.  They ask me to lead again and so I go up to start to lead and then I look behind me and nobody is following me....AKA the pianist.  She wasn't there.  Ummm....So I looked at the bishop and said, "without the piano?"  He said...si.  So I looked out into the audience and I began to lead and sing.  Oh my goodness!  I almost died of embarrassment.  Good thing I knew the tune of the song because if not that would have been even more embarrassing.  And you know the feeling when you feel like you're the only one singing?  yep.  That was me.  I was singing loud because NO BODY sings loud.  So, I pretty much sang 4 solos in church.  It was great.

So remember "C"?  yeah, she is wonderful!  We have been teaching her and she is progressing so quickly.  We taught her the Restoration and she LOVED IT!  She said she felt at peace and feels life now is her time.  She said she has been studying and reading and everything because she really wants to know if it is true.  We also invited her to church and she accepted and said, "I need to go".  "I didn't go last week and I could feel a difference."  Wow!  So we went to pick her up Sunday to walk together and she was all ready and cute.  She said, "I woke up tired, but i knew I had to come to church today because I need that strength."  We were just stunned and I thought....Is this real life?

Yesterday was P-day.  We got permission to go to Primeros Pinos with a family.  So we went.  I sent some pictures.  It was great!!  My companion got to see the snow for the first time :)  She LOVED it!  We baptized her in snow...I don't think she liked that very much but it was fun!

It was overall a great week.  We are going to have a baptism on the 30th of this month.  I love this work.  I love being in Argentina teaching the Lamanites.  I've been reading a lot in Alma and I love applying the words of Ammon to my mission.  He was a great missionary and converted so many Lamanites.  I, too, would like to live up to his example!

This is the true church.  I know it, and I am living it.  The book of mormon is true.  It has brought me so much peace in the mission, and there is no denying that the Lord speaks to us through the prophets words.

I love you all.  Keep up the good work and ENJOY SCHOOL!  Ahh, so weird!  Jackson...be careful in high school.  It's a zoo! ;) ha!

LOVE YOU!
XOXO

Hermana McChesney

Be converted to the Gospel, not the Church!

Helloooo Family!

This week we were busy traveling, a lot!  We headed to Neuquen to go to the Consejo de Liderazgo.  It was truly the best consejo that we have ever had.  Felt the spirit so strong.  In this consejo we learned a lot about the importance to keep the Sabbath day holy and how to teach it to our investigators and less actives.  Mostly, we focused on the members that aren't going to church every week.  I learned that there also is a difference between a big ward and a strong ward.  We are striving not only to have a lot of members in the reunions, but to have strong members.  So overall, we focused on helping them not to be converted to the church, but converted to the Gospel.

Last minute as we were about to head back home to Zapala, I got a message that said I had to stay to more document stuff for my visa (I thought I already had everything worked out).  I really have no idea if I'm legal or not.  So, we stayed and sat in the police station for 4 hours just to take a paper home.  Yeah.  That's called missionary work ;) HA!  But, just to add, I had the best lunch there in Neuquen.  I thought I was in the states for a little.  It was like a pesto tomato sandwich thing.  WOW!  It brought me back to Lizzy (what's that boutique called....?  Little Lizzy?  hahaha! I can't believe I forgot).

So, after not working too much in the area, we finally were good Friday to work hard...and we did!  We have seen so many miracles.  We contacted a girl a girl who is 19 years old who went to church last week.  We started to teach her in her house and then someone knocked at her door.  It was two of her friends.  I got nervous.  I thought she would change and not want to listen to us in front of her friends, but no!  She invited them to listen to us too!  WOAHHH!!  So, we taught 3 of them and they all committed to listen to us again and to take the lessons.  Miracle is that the boy said he had already talked to missionaries before and knew all about the BOM and the Restoration.  MIRACLES!!  They will be getting baptized.  I know it! :)

But this week I too, like mom, have been studying about the charity.  It's been something I want to be better at.  I have learned as we look for opportunities to serve we will also be tested with the charity.  I have been trying to be better, and I love the quote you sent me mom.  It's not a coincidence that we were both studying this topic :)  I am definitely tu hija.

I love this work.  I love the gospel.  I am so lucky to be here in Argentina in this time preaching the gospel to all those who want to hear...or who don't want to hear... I preach it anyways ;)  This is the best message in the whole world.  Sometimes we need to be reminded, but I know that this gospel will bring all families the joy that they need.  For it has given me all the joy and peace that I need.  Day by day, I am amazed at the plan the Lord has provided for me.  I know he knows why I'm here.  He knows what I need, and he knows how to comfort me and bring me the confidence to teach all those here!

This is the Lord's work

Love you all!  Keep up the good work and enjoy the end of the summer.  Can you believe it?  WOW.

Hasta la proxima semana!
Hermana McChesney

CONGRATS AUSTIN FOR TRAINING!!  QUE CAPO QUE SOS!   ESTOY REFELIZ PARA TI.  VAS A CAMBIAR LA VIDA DE SU REFUERZO..EL TE VA A AMAR...OJALA;)  PRACTIQUE EL IDIOMA, EL SENOR TE BENDECIRA.  BESOS!!

Baptism, ZAPALA, and nasty cleaning!

WAHHH!!  One thing I've learned, NEVER, ever miss one pday of emailing the family.  Reasons why you might ask..?  1)  Way too many emails to read, so little time.  There is no human possible that can read and respond to 43 emails in 70 minutes.  2)  Too many stories that I need to share, and some I can't remember or fit into one email.  3)  I missed talking to you all.

Bueno, this is just so stressful trying to write, I don't even know where to start!  AHH!

Well, first of all, "J" GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!  Yes, yes, it's true.  I'm pretty sure I have never been so stressed before in my whole entire life.  The stress of that week beats finals, it beats driving for the first time on the freeway, it beats eating blood sausage, and it even beats the stress of opening my mission call....well, actually, I take that one back.  But, it was close.  It was a day so stressful and wonderful!  Why so stressful, you ask?  I will have to explain in person, but I'll give you a few reasons why..

1)  Trying to finish the lessons before the date
2)  "J" didn't want an interview..therefore, he didn't want to get baptized
3)  The water was cold in the font
4)  We had to find pants for the Hermano that was going to baptize him..and then they were way too big...and we didn't have a belt....uhh
5)  The baptismal prayer was said wrong and "J's" name was pronounced wrong...

But hey, I truly can say that this baptism was also the most spiritual baptism that I have EVER been a part of.  Ever!  I have never seen so many tears in a baptism and never felt the spirit so strong.  As we sang the musical number, "H" began to cry.  She isn't a member and never really wanted to be.  But, after the baptism she told us, "I feel so good here."  "Now that I know how the church is I will now be coming with "J" and my daughter."  I truly am so happy how I left that family.  The experiences I have with them and especially this day are priceless.  I cannot deny the truthfulness of the gospel, or the power of the book of Mormon.  I know that the Book of Mormon can change anyone.  It can bring the peace that we need and it has all the answers to all the questions that we have.  I know that there is no better way to learn of our plan than through the book of Mormon.

Also, I got transferred.  I am in the LAND OF ZAPALAAA!   It's like Fernandez Oro.  I Love It!  It's full of wind...like you have no idea.  We had to stay in the pension one day because it was so windy.  I have some videos that I'll show later.  You'll die!  I also have the BEST companion in the whole world.  Her name is Hermana Rojas.  She is from Colombia and just the sweetest.  This is her first transfer being Hermana Leader, so I am training her on that.  We are getting along so well.  She is so great!

Ohh...today we had to clean the pension.  We took the area of the Elders.  So we are whitewashing, which pretty much means being in an area where there were elders, they both left, we took their spot, and start with pretty much nothing.  HA!!!  Their Area Book was a little unorganized, so we are trying to figure out who the investigators are, less actives, members, etc.. I have a testimony of this book.  So all you missionaries out there or future missionaries, I give you this advice...Take Care Of Your Area Book and Everyone Will Be Happy. :)  But back to the point, today we had to clean the pension.  When we got there the elders said, "These elders cleaned sooo long so the pension should be good to go".  I'm telling you...it was NASTY!! Ha!  This morning I had to clean the bathroom.  Um..yeah.  Let's just say, I don't think the toilet seat had been cleaned for at least 3 months.  I almost threw up.  So nasty!!  But hey, it's looking good now!! :)

Well, out of time.  Hope all is going well for you all.  I'm doing great.  Love the mission.  I'm trying to really enjoy it all.  Best wishes to you!!

Hermana McChesney

Shoutouts:
Shout out to all those who recently got engaged and married (Lexi, Sydney, Mikun)!
Shout out to Mason talking so much and to all those who are just awesome!  Miss you lots!
BESOS!

                                        Such a wonderful baptism!  Such a wonderful boy!

                                                        Snow!  Snow!  Snow!

                                           Yep, that was my pension in Bariloche.

                                                                Good times!

                              My first ice cream in Bariloche, it also was my last.  So worth it!!

Transferred!

Hey mom, just want you to know that I will not be writing today.  I am getting transferred today at 3 and I'm going to use my time to buy things and visit people . . . I'll try to write later:) LOVE YOU!! 

PS:   I'M GOING TO ZAPALA!!!!!!! Opening an area, still hermana leader, super super excited!! 

LOVE YOU!

Hermana McChesney

                                                   Training Leadership in Neuquen

AHHHH...lice!

One thing I've learned here in the mission is that Pdays are the most stressful.  No, actually, that's a lie.  It's definitely Sundays.  But still, Pdays are just go go go!  There's no such thing as rest here.  ha!

So, just a couple funny stories to get you all laughing before we go all spiritual:
1.  I got lice this week, just on Austin's birthday.  Looks like they too wanted to come join the party.  So that was definitely nasty!  But looking back it makes me laugh, a lot.  I felt like I had the worst disease in the moment, and then I got realizing that it's totally normal here so I had to stop being dramatic ;)  So funny!
2.  I got my hair cut...I now have boy hair.  It looks great.  I love it.  It's so nice because now that it's cold I can just put a hat on and my ears are warm..ha!  KIDDING!  I didn't cut my hair off, but I did chop a good 3 inches or so.  We have 2 sisters living with us and one said she knows how to cut hair...I believed her.  And well, let's just say I'm excited to see Patty (my hairdresser) in 4 months.

This week was full of miracles!  Truly...I can't even describe.

Miracle 1:  "J" is still going to be baptized this weekend!  Yay!!  We had such a great and powerful lesson with him.  He is a 14 year old like Joseph Smith.  He is so smart, with SO many questions.  As he said the last prayer he said, "I know the Book of Mormon is true"..WOW!  How powerful.  He came to church and he just loves it!  We are lucky to have him in the church and to sooon call him a new member. :)

Miracle 2:  "JM" came to church!!!!  This miracle might even be bigger than the first.  Truly after 4 months working with him finally he is changing and opening his heart and having confidence in us.  He hasn't been to church since he was baptized 1 year ago and finally he came.  I've learned a lot of patience from him.  I can feel a change in heart as I teach him, and I've come to love him and truly hope the best for him.  He is a great man!

Miracle 3:  "R" came to church!!!  She also has a baptismal date.  Biggest change EVER!!!!!  She is reading the BOM daily and has questions.  She loved church, and I just love the lady!  She is just changing so quickly.  I can't even describe it.  She is 70 years old and said she'd never change.  It's great to see the spirit work in her.

Thank you to all those who read my emails and are praying for me.  I can feel the love of your prayers daily.  ME an my companion are so blessed.  WE love each other and are seeing miracles daily.  I can't even write them all here because I've got to save some for the homecoming talk ;) hahah!  No, but I know that miracles have not ceased.  I know that God loves us.  I know that He has a plan for us!

Best wishes this week.  So good to hear from you all :)

Love you!

XOXO
Hermana McChesney

Teaching in Portuguese, English, and Spanish

Well, let's have a moment of silence......Argentina lost.

Let's just say the streets were a lot quieter.  But, still there were some people that went out to "celebrate".  We were locked in the pension from 4 til we went to bed just to avoid all danger.  So, we had a lot of time to plan, make food, and talk.  It was good.  Sad that Argentina lost, but I feel happy to say that I was here when they almost won ;)

This week was great.  Full of traveling..but great.  We were only in our area for a solid 2 days pretty much.  We were in San Martin and in Junin de los Andes.  It is so pretty.  I don't know what I was thinking but I have very few photos there...if any :(  What a bummer!  I don't think I will ever be back so that's sad.

While I was in San Martin,  I was lucky to work with Hermana Rayburn.  She's great!  We had an incredible lesson with an investigator named "G".  We met in the church right after our lunch, which was also held in the church.  During the lesson I instantly got sick...like really sick.  I felt my face go white.  I just thought, "No, you're in a lesson and in intercambios.  You can't just get up during a lesson."  So I prayed so hard...so hard.  I'm glad I did.  I didn't throw up and lasted the whole lesson.  I was able to stay for one of the most powerful lessons.  I was able to testify and see her cry.  I know if I would have gotten up to leave I would have never experienced this moment and neither would she.  I know Heavenly Father answered my prayer because He knew I had to be there to testify.

When it was time to leave the church, the doors were LOCKED!!  Everyone had left and locked us in the church.  We had to stay there for about an hour until our companions finished and could come and get us. :)

While I was in Junin I was happy to spend some time with Hma Lyman before she leaves home (she leaves this transfer).  She's come to be a GREAT friend.  While we were there, we ran into 2 Koreans!! YES!  They spoke English.  We ended up helping them find a restaurant to eat.  They are on a group travel to many different countries.  One said to me, "Where are you from?"  I said UTAH.   He then replied that he's going there in a month.  WHAT?!  We talked about when he's in SLC that he needs to go see the temple.  He was excited!  We showed him a picture and he was enthusiastic.  His friend then was sad because he wasn't going to SLC but to Los Angeles.  We then told him that there was a temple there, too.  He almost died!  We took pictures of them, exchanged contacts, and then one of the guys held up the picture of the temple in our pictures.  So Awesome!

We also were able to teach a girl from Brazil in Portuguese.  It was such an incredible experience.  I've come to realize that the language is not a barrier but a TOOL!  I LOVE THE MISSION!

I love being a representative of the Lord.  I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve.  Sad to see that it goes by way too quick.  Keep praying for my investigators...especially "J" as he is preparing for baptism :)

LOVE YOU ALL!

Let's see the work go forward and let's all be willing to do the will of the Lord and find those that truly are ready!

Best wishes this week

XOXO
Hermana McChesney

Be Moldable!

Viaja, me pasa el mate?

You don't know how common this phrase is here.  But hey...I'm looking forward to the day when I can sit around the table, watch a soccer game, eat alfajores, and drink mate with all my fellow latin missionary friends.  HA!

But Heyy!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

We definitely celebrated with a nice batch of French Toast.  I know that isn't even American.  It's not even called American Toast, but I thought it was a tradition so I made a solid breakfast for me and my companion.  She loved it! And it sounds like you all passed the 4th of July well there.  Me alegra mucho!

We had another trip to Neuquen.  It was nice and fun.  We had a collectivo that was pretty much a bed.  It was so nice.  I think they like to give us something nice on our way there so we aren't so tired in the meeting with president, but when we get sent home we get on the bus at 12:15 am and travel on the most uncomfortable seats.  HA!  I was dying of heat.  I had to throw my face on the freezing window.  Now I'm sure that was a sight to see.  Good thing it was night time.  Nobody noticed.

This week was great!  "J" CAME OT CHURCH AGAIN!! YAAAA!!  He now can be baptized.  All we need to do is finish giving him the lessons.  He's hard to get lessons with, but he's in a vacation from school so we are taking this to our advantage! :)  We are so excited to see where he goes.

I'm thinking this is my last transfer here, right?  So.....

(WOOOOOAH sorry distraction...I am here emailing, and I just got a flash back to 9th grade Spanish class..."Ave Maria cuando seras mia?".. Ja!  Yes, best song ever).

Okay, anyways...So I think it's my last transfer here.  I've really been trying to focus on what God wants me to do here!  I have been praying and asking Him what he wants me to accomplish.  I have learned a lot from this prayer and I have been able to focus my work on truly what He wants and expects from me.  It's a challenge.  But I know that this mission is not mine, it is His.  I should be doing His will each and everyday.  I've been praying and asking Him, "What do you want me to accomplish today?"  It's helped me a lot to focus.  So, I invite you all to do the same.  We should all be first concerned on what God wants us to do each day and not what we want to do.  Even if we are busy with things of the world, try and give some time to God.  Let him guide your way.

I have learned a lot this past transfer.  In specific, the PATIENCE.  I have asked myself more than 100 times, "Why was I sent to Neuquen Argentina?"  It's made me think a lot what God wants me to learn.  I still am yet to put my finger on it, but I think a lot of it has to do with the work and the patience.  I hope after the mission I can see the big picture and everything I learned.

I am coming to accept that the hard days are the best days to learn.  I heard a quote that talked about how Jesus wants to mold us..we need to let him.  In the Spanish Book of Mormon in the guide it has a definition of Humble.  It says "ser moldeable" or be moldable.  I like that a lot.  We really need to be willing to do the work and will of the Lord and nobody else.  He will mold us to be the best we can be, and it comes through the trials.  Because if there are no problems, there is no progress.

Love you all,

Hermana McChesney

P.S.  While I was in Neuquen, we stayed with Hermana Sanchez.  It was the best thing ever!  She is going to be seeing Rocio, Lucas, Angelo, Family "L", Marta, Family "P" and everyone at stake conference.  So, I made a video so she can show them! :)  I was so happy.  Miss them lots!

(When Mikayla runs short on time, she will take pictures of her journal entries.  Here is one of the experiences that she shared from her journal.)
We found a cute grandma as we were knocking doors.  She said she doesn't believe, but we stood outside in the freezing cold wind and she listened as we testified.  She told us that she has people die in her family at young ages (22 and 45).  She said, "Why would this happen if God exists?"  We barged right in with the plan of salvation.  BOOM **!!  She listened still in the freezing cold, as we testified.  We then said we knew that the families are forever.  She quickly said, "How do you know?"  She was very bold.  I liked her questions!  We again testified that we knew because we have prayed and have felt the truthfulness.  She then quickly said she doesn't know how to pray.  We testified and taught quickly of the plan and prayer.  She said, "How can Jesus do miracles if he is dead?"  And we then shared that we know He lives and was resurrected.  In the end she said she would like us to return.  We saw a change in her.  At the beginning she didn't even give us her name, but at the end she changed and wanted us to come back whenever.  She then gave us advice so we knew she felt comfortable with us :)  This experience taught me that my testimony is strong enough!  I have the answers to questions of the soul.  It was an experience I'll never forget as I learned I am capable to teach and convert.  All it takes is a testimony and confidence in what you say and teach!!  Alma 4:19

                  4th of July (Ohh the red, white, and blueeee)  Toby Keith in my head all day!

                                    The view of Bariloche (the picture doesn't do it justice)

                                       Celebrating Argentina's win!  Go Argentina!

Me with Hma Hafen in the MTC.  Cool to see this published, but what a horrible photo!!! HAHAHA!