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!! :)

The Happiest I've Been!

The excitement I still have in my heart is making it hard for me to write fast enough.  I want to write EVERYTHING about what happened this past weekend, but let me just start off by saying, I love this gospel!!!

We had the goal to reach the standard of the mission.  So, we decided to start to work early Pday so we weren't stressed the end of the week.  We knew it would b e hard because we had an activity in the ward and also interviews with president..so we worked SUPER hard.  And with our faith, desire, and the hep of the Lord we achieved it!!

It was the most wonderful, stressful weeks of my life.  Let's just say, I have never put 6 baptismal dates with people in one week.  Now, that's just crazy!

This week we had the Baptism of "C".  As we were walking to her interview she was just gleaming!  She said, "I had a dream last night that I was a missionary with my missionary plaque".  WOW!  I almost died.  I almost jumped, and screamed, and did a little dance in the street, but then I thought:  1. I am a representative of Jesus Christ.  2. I don't remember how to dance.  3. If I dance, I'm sure nobody will want to listen to our message, and "C" will turn around and not be baptized.  ha!  Nahh kidding.  But I really was the happiest missionary in the whole world.  To think that my service has lead to help another future missionary.  :)

We had Noche Blanca with 4 people getting baptized.  "J" is just a doll.  She was so nervous.  She looked so cute!  "C" who is just the most prepared person I have ever met.  "O" who was from the other hermanas and "M"who was from the elders.  We were so blessed to have President and his wife there too!  The spirit was so strong.

After "C" was baptized, she left the font gleaming.  Truly!  I have never seen somebody with such a big smile on their face.  She is truly going to bless so many lives.

She was confirmed the next day in church and we were able to walk with her and her little sister.  Her little sister wants to be baptized.  She told us that she feels so comfortable in the church.  She stayed with the young women and loved it.  She wants to start going to seminary, too.  I don't think I've ever been so happy in my whole life.  Never.  I love this feeling!

There are so many more details I wish I could share in this short moment, but I just want to say that I know the Lord listens and answers our prayers.  We only had 1 investigator in the church.. and we needed 2 to meet the standard.  We prayed and even went outside trying to invite people in.  We finally sat down and accepted that maybe it wouldn't happen..but never lost the faith.  And then suddenly not one, but TWO investigators came walking in!  We had 3 in the sacrament meeting.  WOW!  I love the power of prayer and the faith that I have learned.

I know that the Lord is preparing His children here in Argentina, and in all of the World.  This is His work.  He is hoping that we can do our part to find all His lost children and bring them back into the fold.

We also have been seeing a great change in the church with less actives.  I love less active work. :)  "M" came to church and "G" and "L" and "V", and wow, just so many people.  We had 87 people!!  It's just the happiest to know that the church is growing each and every week.  I love to be a part of this grand work!

I love the gospel.  I have a testimony that God hears and answers our prayers after we do all that we can.  He knows what we need and all of the desires of our heart.  He will always listen.  He will always do His part is we do our first.

Hope you all have the best week ever!  Let's hope these 6 people with dates now can too be baptized :)

The happiest missionary in all the world..
Hermanan McChesney

Shoutouts
Shout out to my little brother for getting a full scholarship offer to BYU!  I knew you would!  So proud!
Shout out to Rachel Smith and the engagement!  Woot!

                                                        We met our goal!  Yeah!

                                                                    A turtle...eek!

                                                                  A dear friend!

                             I can't wait until I can hold children again!  This breaks my heart!

                                                         The best day ever!!!

He is my Guide

Hello world, how you've been? ;)  Throwing out some Lady A.  haha!

Wow, I feel like the time here in the cyber flies so fast.  And I get stressed, and then everyone looks at me and my face is 2 inches from the computer and I'm almost dying of stress because the time keeps ticking.  But hey...I love my family!

So, this week was a great week.  We did exchanges twice so we were busy with that.  I was able to do exchanges with hermana Guerra.  It was the happiest day ever!  She is here in Zapala and so that was fun for us to work together again.  We put a baptismal date for a girl in her area, so that was a success.  Then I was able to work with Hermana Chullunquia in our area.  We were a FULL with lessons and referrals and everything.  I loved working with her.  We had the biggest miracle..let me explain. :)

We had a member with us and she needed to run by her house quick before we went to look for our plan B (because our plan A wasn't home).  As we stopped by the house she waved to a neighbor.  Then we entered her house, but 5 seconds later we here the neighbor screaming her name.  Next thing we know our member is outside and running to the neighbors house.  We sat there stunned in the house...Then she came back, called 911, and asked for an ambulance.  We then went over to the neighbors house with her.  As we got there, the neighbor had a daughter who had a seizure.  We then were able to comfort her.  She kept on thanking us.  The ambulance never showed up....never!  But, her daughter calmed down and everything was okay.  We were able to teach the neighbor a lesson and she began to cry.  She loved our message and said that she knew we came to help for a reason.

This experience has made me think a lot.  The Lord truly guides us so we can be where He needs us.  It wasn't a coincidence that our investigator wasn't home and we had to go find someone else to teach.  It wasn't a coincidence that the member had to run by her home.  And it wasn't coincidence that we called this member to help us that day, and that she had a great relationship with her neighbor.  Everything truly happens for a reason, and the Lord will always provide a way for His children to hear the message that we have.

This gospel is so true.  "C" and "J" will be baptized this weekend.  We are having a Noche Blanca.  So all the wards from Zapala will be here and will have a big day of baptisms!!  I think there will be 5.  We are so excited.  "C" told us yesterday, "I just can't wait to be an official member".  WOW!! :)  She is progressing so quickly!!  I am so lucky to have been able to see this change in her life and to see how the gospel changes hearts and how there really are people prepared for this gospel.

I was reading the other day in Ether.  I found a verse that I loved..Ether 2:25 that says, "..I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea and the winds have gone forth and the floods which shall come.."  I know that the Lord is preparing us and helping us cross the great waves in the sea.  For we cannot do it alone.  Our Heavenly Father will never leave us alone.  He will always prepare the way for us so we don't have to travel and cross the great waves by ourselves.  I know He is my guide.  He knows I cannot do it alone.  And for that, I am grateful for my Savior and Redeemer.

I love this gospel.  I love the changes it has brought to me in my life!

Love you all :)

Hermana McChesney

Funnies
I even pray in my sleep:  Just the other night in exchanges, I had a dream that I was at lunch and the member asked me to say the prayer.  So I did, in my sleep.  And I woke up saying, "Please bless the Hermanita..." hahahah!!  It was all in Spanish which was even funnier.. and the best part was that Hermana Guerra heard it and thought I was praying to start the morning...haha!!  What an experience.  I was so embarrassed!

                                                      Cleaning my pension

                                                             Having my nails done

                                       Here I am at a wedding for a member in my ward.

I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON!!!

Hello family!!

First I want to say THANK YOU so much for all the emails and pictures you are sending me.  They are so cute and it makes me remember ...wow, I really do love my family ;) ha!  No kidding!  Always thinking and praying for you guys.  Love you all so much!

This week was an interesting one.  Starting out with Monday, we woke up at 4:00 am to go and pick up an hermana in the terminal.  I think from that early waking I still haven't recuperated.   Then there must have been something in the water, the noodles, the hotdogs, the meat, the fruit, or the cake that the members gave us to eat that made me super sick...

Headed to the hospital and hey, on the bright side, I didn't have an appendicitis.  WOOO!!  It was horrible!  Long story short, I'm alive :)  I'm feeling a lot better today, but imagine this:

Having to confirm lunch
ring ring..."Sorry, I can't eat
anything..only rice and noodles.."
Walk into a house for lunch
They make the best looking food in
the whole entire world.
"Oh, here you go hermana McChesney
(plop a plate of plain noodles..or
polenta on my plate)!"
It's so hard to see everyone eat
chicken and salad
so, I cry inside, and eat my slave
food.
hahaha!

Okay, it's not that bad.  I'm super grateful that the members are so willing to help me out.  My companion is like my mom because she is making sure I follow this diet plan for 5 days.  Horrible!  But I'm doing better, so I'm grateful!!  I'm ALIVE!

This week we saw "C".  Let me just say one thing...SHE IS READING THE BOOK OF MORMON EVERYDAY!!  Oh and one more thing..SHE IS READING GOSPEL PRINCIPLES TOO!!  She knows everything.  She is marking her little scriptures and loving it, and with her example, her little sister wants to learn, too.  So her little sister is now listening and wants to be baptized! :)  We now are going to have "J" and "C" be baptized the same day and a couple other investigators of the elders for a big NOCHE BLANCA.

I know that if our investigators read the Book of Mormon they will progress and stay strong in the gospel.  I love what you said, mom, that when our scripture study is casual, our prayers will be casual, and thus our relationship with God will be casual.  We need to STUDY and SEARCH the scriptures.

Just barely I was reading and came across a verse I found so cute.  It's in Alma 53:2.  It says, "Now behold, this Lehi was a man who had been with Moroni in the more part of all his battles; and he was a man like unto Moroni, and they rejoiced in each other's safety; yea, they were beloved by each other, and also beloved by all the people of Nephi".

This verse touched my heart.  It made me think of how great of friends they were.  They were with each other through it all.  Like they were family.  It's something so small but it made me think of me and my companions, and then also me and my family.  Truly we need to be united in all we do and love each other.  For if we love each other, others will love us, too :)  How cute.  Best friends Lehi and Moroni :)

Now imagine this:

Getting called to lead the hymns..again like normal.
But, also being asked to give a talk, improv, in church.
Okayyyy talk about nerves.
I was already white as a ghost from being sick..
I don't know why I was so nervous..
But, I was the first speaker so I didn't get to prepare anything fast because I was busy leading the songs..ha!

It went really well though.  I talked about the missionary work and shared an experience.  Everyone liked it a lot..I got some people to cry too (bonus points) ha!  Kidding!  But, it was a great experience for me.  I really felt privileged!

Well, love you all!  I know that truly this is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  That he is the head of the church.  I know that He lives and He loves each and every one of us.  There is nobody who has more love for us than he and our Father have.

Happy Monday!

XOXO
Hermana McChesney

      This is the picture we took when we found out we got to stay together this transfer!  yay!

                                         The only food I can eat until I am healthy again. :(

                                                               Service in Zapala!

                                                           I love working with families!

            I made some brownies but they don't look like the brownies I usually make at home.

Here to STAY...forever!

HEYYY!!  WOW!  Another week flew by again.  I feel like my emails are very repetitive, but it's true.  HOW FAST DOES THE TIME FLY??

Hey, good news.  I'm staying here in Zapala.   Which means we are going to see bautismos a FULL.  Super excited!  Both Hermana Rojas and I are staying together.  We are doing great things!  We are super excited to see what happens here in the area.

We headed to Neuquen this week.  We learned a lot how we can be better leaders.  It really made me think!  What am I doing in my position to be a better leader?  It has been so great to be in this position and learn.  Not only am I able to help others, but learn from them and see how I too can better.  Each of the hermanas in my group are so awesome!  I love them all!  It's sad to see some of them leave.

This week we finally had an interview with "J".  She is ready to be baptized.  She is just the cutest girl ever!  I sometimes just want to pack all the members in my suitcase and bring them home with me :)  haha!  I love Argentina and I love the people here!  They are the best!

We had so many miracles again this week.  We were able to find so many new investigators and 2 of them are BEYOND prepared for this gospel.

Our investigator "C" didn't think she would be able to come to church on Sunday.  Then on Saturday night she sent us a message saying her class got cancelled and so she was going to be there.  She's now been to church 4 times.  WAHH!   She is changing so quickly!  She was talking to me and said that she already told her dance company that she won't be practicing Sundays.  It's a miracle!  She is a miracle!  She is working for that Celestial Glory.  Just like us all!  I can't wait to be there and see each and every one of us there and jump and scream and cry and say, "We did it!"  Oh...how great would our joy be?! :)

So, what else.  I'm still the choir director.  YAY!  I wish I knew how to play the piano better....hahaha..sorry mom.

We are finally seeing the members work with us and help us out.  I know that the Lord truly is hastening this work.  He is preparing Argentina.  I know Argentina will be one of the strongest countries (maybe I'm a little...what's that word...where you have to say that because I have a lot of love for this country...what's the word..ahhhh...I don't remember.  Prejudice?  no..ummm..I don't remember).  But I know that Argentina is going to be so strong.  These people are prepared!

So, to pass the time during planning Thursdays (when we plan for the whole next week), I like to make up songs.  So, let's just say we laughed a lot.  But, it ended up being one of the greatest planning session ever!  We are so ready for this next transfer!  So excited!  We are going to see miracles, for we already are! :)

Thanks for all the support and the photos.  I love them all!  So does my comp.  She thinks we're famous or from a movie.  hahaha!  So cute!

Love you all!

I know the gospel is true.  It is changing lives and not only my life, but so many others.  I love the Book of Mormon.  It brings me so much joy!  I can't imagine my life without reading the book of mormon.  It would be sad.  But really, that's what motivates me to share this book, because I absolutely LOVE IT!

XOXO
Hermana McChesney

Photos from zone conference are taken by Sister Lovell.  Thanks!