Frostbite, Food, Festivals!

Hola Familia, como andan?  Ojala que bien :)  Seimpre es un placer leer sus emails.  Gracia por siempre recordar de mi.  Les quiero MUCHO!!

This week was one CRAZYYY week!

I think we were only in our area for 3 days, but those 3 days we saw miracles.  Each day is a miracle!  We had exchanges this week in San Martin and in Junin.  I loved it!  As we were traveling to San Martin, I think I almost died of hypothermia because the bus was freezing.  There was no one on the bus so I made myself comfortable on the back row.  I spread myself across 5 seats and tried to sleep as we traveled through the night.  I didn't think I should bring my own gas heater, but I really should have.  It really was so cold!  Looking back I probably looked so funny.  I threw my scarf and wrapped it around my head so you could only see my eyes and then my hood over that.  Ha!  Oh the joys  But we made it safe and sound..with a little frostbite.

When we were back in our area we were so excited to go visit "R".  She has a baptismal date and everything.  So, we got to her house and she ended up dropping us  :(  My heart.  She talked with her Catholic mom and was told she had to drop us.   "R" didn't want to but said that she had to.  Poor lady was almost crying.  Sad, but she knows.  She really knows.  I have no doubt she will be baptized quick.  Whether in this life or the next.  She's ready.

So, after that lesson I was pretty sad.  As we were walking in the street, there was the prettiest sunset and I just thought to myself, "God has a purpose for everything.  He is in charge."  Then I looked to my right and I saw this graffiti that says, "Mik I Love You".  What a tender mercy.  I know he is looking out for me and all of you.

Love you all!  I testify that God lives and loves us.  He is our guide and our support.  Look to Him in all that you do and He will show you the way.

Hermana McChesney

Shoutout:
SHOUT OUT TO GRANDMA MCCHESNEY!  Happy Birthday grandma!  Looking young as ever! :)

                                                 Dinner with the Ehmke's and my district.

                                                        Splits with the Hermanas

If It's Important to Me, It's Important to Him

Aw, Family.  How I love you so much!

I'll be honest here.  I always loved my family..but the mission has really given me a new perspective of the family and the importance of family unity.  I know things I have learned here are to help me strengthen all family relations.  And so, on that note, love you all :)

This week was absolutely de 10.  I don't even know where to start.  But, I would like to start with a principle that I learned this week.

This week I received a whole lot of cards in the mail (THANKS FAMILY, YOU ROCK), and as I was walking back to the pension with Hermana Santos (exchanges) I must have lost 2 letters.  The next morning I noticed that two letters were missing.  I was super sad.  I know how pathetic!  I lost two letters but that's a big deal for a missionary...right? (someone back me up...ha)  So, my companion was showering and I was coming up with a plan how we are going to skip studies so I can find my letters.  And then it hit me.  WHAT?  Why would I want to skip studies to find my letters?  So I knelt down to pray to start my personal study and in my prayer I prayed and said, "Heavenly Father it is really important for me to find these letters.  But I know it is important to thee for me to do my studies.  So if I do thy will, will thou help me feel comfort and know that all will be okay?"

It was the most sincere prayer.  And just after I began to study, I knew everything would be okay.  We finished our 3 hours of studies and then we went out to work.  As we were returning to our pension at 1:00, we walked down the road and I looked to my right in a trashcan outside and there were photos on top.  I had to look twice.  I turned around and lifted out the photos, and sure enough, they were of my family!!!  I ended up finding each letter in the trash or on the ground as we walked back to the pension for lunch.

It was a principle so pathetic, but so important to me.  I can testify that if it is important to us, it is important to Him.  We are His children and we are important to Him.  He will give us what we need if we do His will and if we consult Him in all things.  One experience I will never forget.  Something so small, but so powerful!

So, Miracles HAPPEN!!  "miracles happen, once in a while" hahahaha!

Speaking of Miracles....

--"J" CAME TO CHURCH FOR THE 3rd TIME!  HE CAN BE BAPTIZED!! :)  He loved it so much!!!
--People found US!   We had so many people come up to us this week and just ask us about what we do and want to learn!!  WOW!  Miracle.
--We found the golden investigator.  She helped us with our washer problem and now we are teaching her.  She came to church and just cried.  So incredible how the Lord is preparing his children!

Well, all is going great here in the Patagonia!  I love it.  It's starting to get coldddd!! But it's the best!  First winter in about a year!  YEAHHH!!

Hope all is going well.  Love you all and so happy for Austin to have a new area!  Best wished!! Thanks for the love!

Hermana McChesney

Hey...
So funny story.  Another lesson I learned on my mission:
1.  How to eat long hairs in meatballs...but not only one, three hairs, and that's just at one house.  I have also learned how to eat cat hairs in my lunch each Thursday.

KEEPIN IT REAL FRESH OUT HERE!

Skype video

Here is an excerpt of Mikayla's skype video to her brother Austin.

Just a Scripture for Thought

(This is Mikayla's mom.  I just wanted you all to know that we had such a wonderful skype with Mikayla.  She shared some amazing stories with us that she hadn't been able to email prior.  She is beautiful and amazing!  Her spirit is strong!  She loves her mission and has been protected while she's been serving.  She appreciates all of your emails and prayers.)

(On a side note, you all might enjoy knowing that she sent home her blow dryer, all of her makeup, her flat iron and curling iron.  She is trying to "blend in" and I must say that her beauty still shines through.)

Hey ya'll

Well, since we just talked about 2 days ago, I don't really have much more to say... But, obviously I'm still going to email you.  I'm really short on time, but I wanted to share with you a scripture that I found!:)

I was reading in Mosiah today as I was waiting for my companion.  As I got to chapter 23 of Mosiah, I found 2 versed that really stood out to me.  Verses 26 and 27.  Read them...(I don't have my English scriptures).....did you read it?  Good.  I would like to share how I truly felt about these verses.  I loved just how calm Alma is.  The Lamanites are coming and they are all scared for their lives.  They probably think they are going to die, but Alma is quick to calm them.  He shows them all that he has faith that if they remember God that all will be okay.  How many times can we apply this to our lives?  So many!  When we are afraid of what is going to happen in our live, believe in God and all will turn out for the best.  The influence Alma had on his people is tremendous!  I hope that one day I, too, can be like Alma and bring this peace to my family and friends.  I know that if we truly believe in God all will work out and we will not need to fear the "Lamanites" or other trials that we may face.

Love you all!  Talking to you this week was the HIGHLIGHT OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!

Hermana McChesney

Me with my MTC companion, Hermana Hafen.  I hadn't seen her since we left the MTC back in July.  She was just made a sister trainer and so she was at our leadership meeting this past Wed in Neuquen. (yes, I went to Neuquen again).  She saw me first and yelled my name across the room.  I turned and screamed and ran to her.  Everyone had a good laugh!

                                                             My Bariloche Zone

                                          2 zones meeting with Elder Vinas of the seventy.

                                                           Hermanas in my Zone

                                                          My Awesome District

                              My member friend and another hermana during Elder Vinas visit.

                                                                   Skype with the family

Cinco de Mayo

Hello little family!

I hope you all are eating burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and drinking horchata.  Because, it's the 5 of May!!  Yay!!

Okay, so I had a little computer problem.  I think they know I'm from the states so they just want to take my money.  I had to pay extra, but whatever.  It's all part of the mission and the patience right ;)

Okay, so let's just say this week was incredible!  We were so privileged to have a conference with Elder Vinas of the 70.  He was just incredible!  He spoke with such power and his testimony just blew me out of the water!  I don't remember the last time I really cried (I have a hard heart haha).  But, let's just say the room was full of tears and once again when I began to talk, I sounded like a little girl.  Nothing's changed.  And nothing will ever change.  That's one thing I want to study...why is it that my voice is so much higher when I cry? HA!! Too funny!

But, we learned some great things from him.  He stepped down from the pulpit and talked to us in the aisle.  He dedicated 30 minutes or so for us to share our feelings about the Atonement and how it has helped us in the mission.  Wow.  Powerful.  He went on to describe the Atonement and our purpose here as missionaries.

One thing I loved that he said (even though it was a little funny).  He said, "We are not here to bring others to the Terrestrial or Telestial Kingdom, that is why we have other churches.  We are here to bring them to the Celestial Kingdom."  How awesome is that!?  Kind of funny, but so true!

I cannot write all that I learned or it would be 732 pages long.  But, one thing I also loved as Elder Vinas spoke to us the next day at stake conference was, "This is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  You cannot change it, you can only accept it or reject it."  He used an analogy of how he didn't want to eat his soup.  His grandma told him, this is what you have...you can either eat it or throw it away.  It's so true.  I don't know why anyone would want to throw it away....it's so good!!

Oh, hey, guess what??

"J" HAS A BAPTISMAL DATE!!!  14 of June!! Yay!  He even went to the conference on Sunday!  So proud of him.  He's so great!  We cannot be more excited!!  He knows what he needs to do, he just needs to do it!  So we are working with him a lot!  Oh, here'a a funny story about "J".  During stake conference, Elder Vinas asked all of the full time missionaries to stand up.  We all stood up, and then I see "J" stand up, too.  It was so funny to see!  All of us missionaries standing up and "J".  I almost couldn't contain myself.

This week was just great.  I am really seeing myself convert to the gospel.  I have always been converted, but I am seeing my conversion become real and strong.  It's a great feeling!

I said goodbye to my comp this morning.  I learned a lot from her!  She is a great missionary.  I get my new comp at 7:00 tonight!  Her name is Hermana Guerra from Brazil.  She is a sweetheart.  She's actually a lot like me..lots of energy and just the happiest person ever!  Super super excited!  Also, I hope I can learn a little bit of Portuguese.

Talk to you on Saturday!
Love you all
XOXO

Hermana McChesney

Shoutouts:
Shout out to Bethanna and Lauren for making it out into the field!  YAY!
Shout out to Drew for the baby blessing.
Shout out to Jackson for the killer race!
Shout out to ME....HAPPY 11 MONTHS!

                                              So happy to get my family calendar!

                                                                Wet! Wet! Wet!

                                                     Goodbye elder and hermana!

                                            Yes, I look tired, but missions are worth it!

I am His Hands

Well family, this week was truly another week of chaos, but good chaos.  I had to head to Neuquen again to do Tramites (2 days of travel), but hey ya'll guess what...

I'M LEGAL!!!

After traveling to Neuquen we then had to head back to San Martin to do exchanges, and then from San Martin one day to Junin to do exchanges with the other hermanas.  So, let's just say I only had 3 days to work in my area this week.  But, I will testify that when we are in the service of others, we truly will receive SO many blessings. Our area ROCKETED above the Andes mountains this week.  HOLLAAA!!  It was just miracle after miracle.

We found 2 new investigators that are of gold.  One is 23 years old and doesn't really believe in God or Jesus Christ, but she wants to.  She is so receptive!  I just love her!  Then we have a boy who is 14.  He went to a convention with all the youth of the church because he has a friend who is a member, and he LOVED it!  But not only does he want to go to church, his mom and family do too!!  Ah let's all just cry a little.  YAY!  I know I have been chosen at this time to teach them.  I am so excited for this next week.  It's going to be a great one!

I've decided to write down a few things that my mission has taught me so far:
1.  How to read and study the scriptures.
2.  How to follow the promptings of the spirit.
3.  How to think of inspired questions and expound my knowledge.
4.  How to truly love!
5.  How to accept the Lord's plan for me.
6.  How to teach in a way that all can understand.
7.  How to laugh when things aren't going my way and work harder.
8.  How to be more like Christ.
9.  How to challenge myself.
10.  And most of all, How to accept the Lord's timing!

I have truly learned to accept that the Lord's timing is not my timing and that sometimes we cannot control everything.  That's been one thing I know I have learned here.  Sometimes we as humans, or maybe it's just me, or maybe I'm not human...umm...anyways, sometimes we humans want to have the control in our hands.  We want to know what is for lunch, what we are going to do each day, what our purpose is in this life, etc..But, I've learned that on the mission the control is definitely in the hands of the Lord.  And right now, I am His hands.  How privileged am I to be His hands in a time so crucial?!  I've given up my control to be guided by the Master Himself.  If that is not a a gift, I don't know what it.

I have made memories here I will never forget.  I have had experiences I will always cherish.  But one thing I truly have done is change.  I have changed!  I have become somebody better.

Seeing miracles each day is such a blessing.  Seeing miracles with the Hermanas that I am with is just incredible.  I have seen us grow together, and I have seen the Lord work through us!

Love you all.  Please pray for me this week :)

Hermana McChesney

Shoutout:
Shout out to Grandma and Grandpa Bird.  I GOT THE CALENDAR!!  It's only been 6 months since you mailed it. ha! Now I can be on top of all the birthdays like Austin is!  It looks so good :)

Interview day with President.  Here I am with Sister Lovell (President's wife) and other hermanas in my zone.  Thanks Hermana Gonzales for the picture!

He LIVES

HAPPY EASTER (or Pascua like they say here)

So, because I'm in a great mood, I'd like to start out with some Funnies!

FUNNIES:
-- I received a 2 page typed love note from an investigator.  He pretty much said that the only reason he went to church was for me and that he's in love....sooo...we definitely dropped him.
--We were teaching an old lady and she couldn't stay focused.  She said something like, "the man's been sleeping on the couch and.."  As she finished I said, "But I know that Jesus Christ knows how you feel, for He has suffered for our sins."  It was like that the whole lesson.  She'd say something so random and then we'd testify of something. HA!
--I had a dream I came home and I walked into the house and the whole family was there.  I greeted everyone with kisses on the cheek (like they do here) and Uncle Brent got so confused..HA!  I'm scared this really will happen.  It's such a habit.  I never thought I'd be so loving! HA!
--I sleep with a stuffed Mickey Mouse every night, and because I wasn't in my bed this week, the other hermanas got to sleep with him.  Let's just say they all think I'm officially a little girl.

Well, there's just a few funnies.  So many more, but we'll leave it at that!

So this week....I was only in my area Monday (for P-day), Tuesday, and then Sunday.  I traveled to Neuquen and slept on the bus for 2 days.  Got back right in time for interviews with President at 8:00 am.  Then that night I went with Hermana Gonzales to her area.  Then the next night I was with Hermana Rainsdon.  So, let's just say, Saturday night I slept REAL good in my own bed. :)

I would like to talk about an experience that I learned from the Assistants.  We have an assistant that bore testimony if we pray for somebody specifically, we will find them.  So, that is exactly what me and Hermana Gonzales did.  We prayed and thought of someone that we wanted to find.  We came up with a lady who is older, that has glasses, and is wearing an apron (yes, very specific).  Then we decided to describe the house she would be living in.  We said rose bushes outside and 2 windows.  We were on the hunt to find her and we began looking.  As we were yet to find her we still prayed and had faith.

We had a lesson with a less active and her daughter and then in the back of the room we saw HER!!  She had glasses, was older, and was even wearing an apron.  We were in the middle of the lesson when I noticed and I freaked out.  I was nudging my companion and trying to get her attention.  I was so excited!!  I ended up inviting her to listen and she listened to us sing and even prayed with us...but she was very shy.  As we walked out of the house, we saw that the house had roses in the front and 2 windows!  WOW!  I don't think my faith has ever been strengthened more.  I know if we pray specifically we will get a very specific answer.  The hermanas will now be passing by to teach her :)

I truly have learned so many great experiences in exchanges.  So happy I get these opportunities.

Also, with it being Easter here there are a whole lot of tourists.  I have actually been able to bear testimony and talk to people in English.  I was so awkward.  HA!!  It's the best to know that my English is bad...it makes me feel like I'm accomplishing the Spanish language!  Oh, also, I got asked out by a 14 year old boy from Nevada.  He said he'd wait for me. HA!! Oh the joys.

But, with it being Easter, I've really been able to think about why we celebrate Easter.  We have so many activities here in Bariloche and I got thinking, "Do they know why we celebrate easter?"  I have truly been able to learn this Easter season that it's not all about the fun and chocolate, but my testimony has been strengthened and I can truly say that HE LIVES!  Just like Joseph Smith wrote in D & C, and just like the prophets and apostles have testified, He Lives!  I have not seen Him, but I know it.  That is the testimony that I have strengthened here this Easter season.  I've never been more sure that He truly lives.

Love you all.  So glad to hear from you!! :)  Best wishes this week, and remember, He Lives and He LOVES you all!

Hermana McChesney

  

                            Playing futbol in the rain..ahh!  So many people got sick!  HAHA!

                                           HUGE life size Easter egg.  Biggest in the world.

                        Me with my companion.  Yes, I've become a pretty good hairdresser.