Monday, October 30, 2017

Week of Miracles!!!

Hello,
I truly don't even know where to begin.  This week has been one of the most incredible weeks I have ever had.  I just want to start off by saying, "I LOVE this Gospel, and I LOVE being a missionary, and I LOVE my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ so much!  They are truly a part of our lives and are so involved in this great work.  God is a god of miracles, and He truly hears and answers our prayers.  The Book of Mormon is TRUE, and so powerful, and as we put our trust in Heavenly Father He will prepare a way for all things.

This email is a long, but definitely one worth reading, I PROMISE!

We had such an amazing experience with our investigator Tommy this past week.  We have been teaching Tommy for about five weeks.  He is in the Bush Branch, and he lives in a village called Teller, which is about 70 miles north of Nome.  We have been meeting with him over the phone every week about three times a week.  He is truly one of the most humble and most prepared people I have ever taught.  When there were elders up in Nome, they had tracted him and given him a Book of Mormon.  The elders were taken out shortly afterwards, and we received the referral.  

The first time we called him we asked how reading was going, and he was in 2 Nephi.  We were so excited and completely blown away!  We started meeting with him multiple times per week and started teaching the discussions.  He took everything in and had so much faith.  He had prayed about the Book of Mormon and the things we taught him, and he knew that they were true.  

We invited him to be baptized on October 28, and he said YES!  We continued with the discussions, and one of the most incredible lessons we had with him was about the Word of Wisdom.  We went over what the Word of Wisdom was, and after we asked him if he had any comments, questions, or thoughts, and if he was willing to live it, he said, "I didn't know that God didn't want us to drink coffee, but it makes sense.  I will stop."  That was it!  All he needed was to know that God has asked us not to drink coffee, and that was enough for him to go from seven cups a day to zero!  HOW AMAZING IS THAT?  Can you even believe the FAITH he has?  It was such a humbling lesson for me, seeing how willing he was to be obedient to the things that Heavenly Father asks.  

We continued to teach him and ended up having to push his date back a week so that he could attend Sacrament meeting three times.  With stake conference and General Conference, we didn't have Sacrament meeting for two weeks.  We were getting close to finishing up the lessons two Saturdays ago when he said, "Oh, I forgot to tell you, but I just found out that I will be in Anchorage for a week because my dad needs to have surgery.  I fly in tomorrow!"  WE GOT SO EXCITED!  The Bush Branch is amazing but sometimes it's hard not ever having the opportunity to meet the contacts in person.  So, whenever people fly in, it is SO MUCH fun.

Anyway, we were able to go and visit him Monday night.  It was so good to meet him in person, and he was exactly what I expected him to look like.  We sat and talked and talked and talked some more about the Gospel and Book of Mormon reading.  He was in the middle of Alma and just loving it!  While we were talking, his dad came downstairs and waived at us with the biggest smile.  He came and sat down with us, and, long story short, we asked him if he wanted to learn more about the things his son has come to know is true, and he said, "YES!"  This was such an amazing and powerful experience!  The spirit was so strong.  His father's surgery went well the following day, and we continued to meet with them.  

With the next lesson, our branch president and his wife joined us.  We felt prompted to read from 3 Nephi 17.  We were a little confused as to why, but as we were reading, we understood exactly why.  The spirit totally led the conversation and was exactly what Tommy and his dad needed to hear.  One of my favorite parts was while we were discussing the peace our Savior Jesus Christ can bring into our lives during tough times, Tommy brought up and said word for word the story in 1 Nephi 7 when Laman and Lemuel tied up Nephi.  Just sitting there, realizing his love for the Book of Mormon and how much he just lights up as he talks about it, made me realize the power of the Book of Mormon.  After the lesson, Sister Cox said, "I have been a member my whole life and couldn't tell you that story of Laman and Lemuel if I tried."  So cool to see the impact the Book of Mormon has.  The spirit was SO strong.  

As we continued with the lesson, though, we started talking about the logistics for his baptism on November 4.  There is no building where he lives, much less a font; It's a village of 200 people.  The water outside is frozen over this time of year, and it's super expensive to fly.  We were trying to figure out how we can make his baptism happen because he wanted to be baptized so badly and was so ready.  We had thrown out a couple of ideas and planned on just bringing up a portable baptismal font (Yes, those are a real thing; they have used the font before in this branch.), but left with the intent to keep praying about it.  We wanted him to get baptized here, but he was leaving early Saturday morning.  We continued to pray, and the very next day we received the answer to our prayers.  He called and said, "We have extended our stay until Tuesday because my dad needs another surgery.  MIRACLES...and this was the first of many!!!  

After that, we felt like he needed to get baptized here in Anchorage on Sunday.  We talked with him, and he felt the same way.  So, within 24 hours we were able to make all of the arrangements for his baptism the following day.  He had his interview and did incredible.  We made a program, filled the font, somehow managed to do it in the middle of three wards that day (miracles in and of itself--the members are very understanding!), and everything was good to go.  There is no way the baptism at the baptism should have happened, but the Lord's hand was in every second of it.  Everything came together so smoothly and happened perfectly.  I know that our Heavenly Father was looking out for us and was so happy for Tommy.

On Sunday at noon, right after church, Tommy was baptized, confirmed, and ordained to the office of a Priest.  I have never felt the spirit stronger than in that tiny room where 20 of us were crammed int.  I don't even have words to describe how I felt.  Pure joy and happiness filled my heart as he entered the waters of baptism, but especially as he received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Such an amazing experience and miracle to witness.

 TOMMY'S BAPTISM!!!

The rest of the day Tommy had THE BIGGEST SMILE on his face and had this amazing light about him.  His dad was there the entire day, and I know he felt the spirit.  The sisters will be able to start teaching him and his family.  HOW COOL!  The weeks was so amazing, filled with many miracles.  I was very humbled to see God's glorious plan He had for Tommy unfold in front of us.  He is very aware of each of His children, which just amazes me every day.  I love Tommy, and I love this wonderful and glorious Gospel SO MUCH!  It truly is the source of pure happiness and joy, and Tommy was the perfect example of that this week.

Also, another cool thing...the elder that tracted Tommy up in Nome was able to baptize and confirm him.  Tommy called and asked Elder Sanchez if he would baptize him.  The phone was on speaker when he asked him, and Elder Sanchez's reaction was PRICELESS.  He was so happy.  He is such an incredible missionary, and it made me happy that he was able to witness the fruits of his amazing labors.  Such a special moment!

 Tommy with his father and Elder Sanchez!

A couple more things this past week...I was able to return to my first area, Memory Lake, and see the amazing people there and work with the incredible sisters.  I visited so many friends that I love who hold a special place in my heart.  One of those people is Bobby Smith.  He was the blind and partially deaf bull rider that we worked a ton on to quit smoking.  In just a couple of weeks, he will be going through the temple for his first time.  So amazing!!  He told me that it has been almost an entire year since he has had a cigarette.  MIRACLES!!  The sisters are doing some incredible work there.  

 BOBBY D and his present that he has waited nine months to give me.  He knows I love American flags!

I was also able to see Susie and Lonnie, which was a result of a tracting miracle.  They are preparing to go through the temple as well!  It was sooo good to be back and see many people that I love.  

 Susie and Lonnie

We also received transfer calls.  Sadly, I will be leaving, along with Sister Cox.  I will be going to the Lazy Mountain Ward, as well as the Cottonwood Ward.  We will be "pinkwashing" the Cottonwood Ward, which means replacing the elders there, and I am so excited.  Sister Kimball is my new companion, and she is awesome!  I am so sad to leave this amazing area, and people, and my amazing companions!  Truly so sad!!

 Last district tract!

Sister Dunlop and Sister Yeates

RIP district leader Lewis

Just a quick thought, though.  I have been reading and studying 3 Nephi this last week (favorite book in the B of M), and I want to share two of my favorite verses from Chapter 15:

 9.  Behold, I am the law, and the light.  Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.

17.  The other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Our Savior Jesus Christ LOVES us and is so aware of us.  Verse 17 has really stuck out to me this past week as I have watched Tommy come unto the fold.  I know that our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ were so aware of him and brought him, and soon his family, unto the fold.  And then in verse 9, when Christ says, "Look unto me and endure," He is our most perfect example, and He is there with His arm outstretched.  It is through our Savior Jesus Christ and His atonement that we are able to truly endure to the end and receive eternal life.  He loves us and wants us to come unto him.  How amazing is that...knowing that we have a loving savior who invites us to come unto him and endure to the end?

Anyway, I love you and know that the Book of Mormon is powerful.  Please read it each and every day.  Have such a great week!  I love you all!

Sister McKenna Lake
Anchorage Alaska Mission

The Mannings!  Our ward mission leader from the Bush Branch.  I finally got to meet him in person...six months later!!!

Monday, October 16, 2017

Sisters Conference

Hello!

First off, it snowed this week; winter is officially here.  Pray for me!!!

We had Sisters' Conference Tuesday and Wednesday.  Tuesday was full of trainings, and we ended the night with dinner and a testimony meeting--one of the most spiritual days.  There were some amazing trainings, and we ended our incredible day on such a spiritual high with one of the most powerful testimony meetings I have ever sat in.  I sat there all day just realizing how much I LOVE these sisters.  I was literally filled with so much love for each and everyone of them, and for such a loving Heavenly Father who knew exactly what I needed at the exact time I needed it.  

 Sister Jimenez and all of her companions

 Sweet reunion!

I thought about, and realized a lot that day, how aware my Heavenly Father is of me, and how He knows me individually.  I thought back to my experience of coming on my mission.  I had it all planned out.  I was going to leave right when I turned 19.  I opened my papers and everything, but just felt like I needed to wait a little longer.  A couple of months went by, and I finally received an answer that it was the right time.  Sitting there with all of the sisters and reflecting on my mission a little, I realized why I needed to wait a little longer.  The experiences I had at home during that time was what I needed; they helped me learn and grow so much.  But, also being here at this time with mission presidents, and these sisters, and the incredible people I have met and taught, was exactly why I needed to wait a little longer.  At the time, I was so confused why I couldn't just go on my mission, and why I had to wait, but it all makes so much sense.  I'm truly grateful for such a loving Heavenly Father who knows me personally.

 The entire Anchorage Alaska Mission Sisters!

Wednesday, we got to party!  We were able to go to the temple early that morning and then go on a beautiful hike.  The sisters from all over the mission flew in--first time since I have been out that all the sisters have been together!  It was so much fun.  I have lots of pictures for y'all!  It was so fun to see old companions, and good friends!

 All the sister missionaries on a hike

 The best sister missionary trio the world has ever seen!!!

 My blonde-haired, McKenna-named, hippie-loving twin

 My two favorite greenies, except they're not greenies anymore--3 months old!

 The trio with Sister Toone, Pres. Toone's wife

We trained about partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Life, which is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten son.  Because of Him, we have the opportunity to become better, He can help and heal us, and we can be saved.  It is the most desirable thing we could have in this life.  Nothing in the world compares to the joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what it brings.  I love my Savior and am very grateful for Him.  (See 1 Nephi 8, 11) It was such an amazing topic to study and talk about.  There is so much power that comes from the Atonement of Jesus Christ and is essential to our everyday life, and has been essential to mine as a missionary each and every day.  My dad shared with me some of his thoughts about the Tree of Life last week, and something he said that I loved was, "It's not by chance, there is no chance in it.  It is a part of His grand design."  

We had some awesome lessons, and once again, saw so many miracles.  We were weekly planning and got to the section where we are supposed to make plans to find new investigators.  Out of nowhere a former investigator called us.  He said that he is ready to begin meeting again!  He had just run into our mission president down in King Salmon and was reminded of the happiness the Gospel truly brings in his life.  SO COOL.  We were also able to contact some other investigators and set up appointments with them as well!  SO BLESSED!!!

There was a Bush Branch fireside on Friday night in King Salmon.  We weren't able to attend, but we called in and so did four of our investigators!  Our mission president was able to travel to King Salmon and speak to them.  It was one of the largest Bush Branch gatherings there has ever been, and there were only 30 people in attendance.  It was so cool, and President and Sister Toone did AMAZING.

I'm out of time, but I love this Gospel.  I know this church is true because of many prayers and experiences where I have felt the spirit testify of the truthfulness of this wonderful Gospel.  I have also felt of the amazing love that my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ have for me.

Love you all!

Love, Sister Lake!
P.S.  Sister Cox and I got to cruise around in Bertha, aka the mission van, for a few days! 

 Cruising around in Bertha (aka, the mission van) for a few days!!!

Monday, October 23, 2017

Weekly!  (from 2 weeks ago)

Hello!
Quick update!  It has been one of the fastest weeks of my mission, and such an incredible week!  

We started our week off with flying to Fairbanks.  We were able to spend P-day with the zone up there, and then we all split off. I had the opportunity to go back to North Pole for three days and work with the sisters there!  It was so fun getting to see the incredible work they are doing.  They are amazing sisters, and it was such a privilege having the opportunity to work with them.  We saw so many miracles, including finding some awesome new potential investigators.  I was also able to visit with many people that I just loved and miss so much.  Such a sweet reunion!

 North Pole with the North Pole sisters!

Throwback--Sisters Cox and Lake served together in North Pole and visit six months later

  Pam and Gerome, my favs!!

We arrived home Wednesday evening just in time for a lesson with our investigator, Cara.  What an incredible lesson!!  We had planned on talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but as we started talking with her we felt prompted to read with her from the Book of Mormon and help her see how it applies to her life.  We read from 2 Nephi 31 (one of my favorite chapters) and read about the Gospel.  As we were reading, we had such a good discussion with her, and it really helped her understand how the teachings apply to her.  One of her favorite verses from the chapter was: 

2: Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying.

3: For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.

As I was thinking about that, i realized how cool that was and how cool it must be for people that are new to the Gospel to hear those words.  He speaks to us in a way that WE can understand, and the things he speaks are very plain.  That brings me so much comfort and peace in knowing that our Heavenly Father knows us individually and knows exactly what we need to hear AND how we need to hear it.  It makes me realize how individually he loves each of his children!  Also, how simple His Gospel is!  Yes, living the Gospel seems hard sometimes, but really it is so simple.  The chapter goes on and talks about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, faith repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.  Oh, how I love the Gospel so much!

Thursday, we hopped in the car and headed for a little place called Hope Junction--coolest place ever!  It is located halfway from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula (the most beautiful drive imaginable!), and we met the Soldotna sisters there.  Sister Cox went tracting with them for a couple of days, and then Sister Oliver and I headed back to Anchorage to go on exchanges with the sisters there.  One of the reasons why I love being in a trio is that the car rides are 10x more fun!  It was such a party.  

Sister Bentley

I went on exchanges with Sister Bentley in her area, and we saw many miracles!  She is such a stellar missionary and literally the funniest person ever!  I felt like it was just yesterday that I picked her up at the airport, and now she is almost done being trained!  Time flies so fast!  We had such a good time, found some solid new people to teach, and taught some awesome lessons!  The biggest miracle of the day, though---we went to teach an investigator of theirs who is 11, and her family is all less active.  Her baptismal date is Nov. 4.  As we were driving there she shared with me how she just doesn't feel good about the baptismal date.  She thinks she is just going to be baptized into less activeness like her parents.  The missionaries and members have asked her parents to come to church 1000 times, and they keep saying, "No."  

Anyway, long story short, I asked her what she felt like was needed for her to be totally prepared to be baptized because she has a testimony and strong desire to be baptized, yet she doesn't have much support!  Sister Bentley said if her parents would start coming then it would be totally okay because she would have that support at home!  We talked about the lesson and felt prompted to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, prayed, went in to her home and had the most AMAZING lesson ever.  

We asked the mom, who was a convert, about her baptism day, and then at the very end of the lesson she said out of nowhere that she has been feeling like something has been missing in her life, and during this lesson she realized it was church.  She was so sincere!  She brought her daughter and the whole family to church on Sunday for the first time in forever!  She has started reading the scriptures and praying again--SUCH A MIRACLE!  The Lord hears and answers prayers!

We exchanged back, headed back down to Hope Junction, and picked up Sister Cox!  Boy, oh boy, do I love my companions, I love going on exchanges, and I love all the sisters, but it is always so good getting back with my comps!!

 My companions, best trio ever!

I love you all!  I love this Gospel!  I love my Savior Jesus Christ, and I love my Heavenly Father.  This church is true.  The Book of Mormon is the word of God and truly fills our lives with happiness and peace.  Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God.  Missionary work is so important, and I love the work so much!  Have such a good week!

Oh, I totally forgot to share one of the coolest experiences!  I FINALLY MET ANGIE PITSENBARGER, which was one of the coolest experiences.  I had the privilege of teaching her over the phone since she lives in the Bush Branch area.  She was baptized not too long ago, and I finally was able to meet her as she traveled through Anchorage.  She is one of the most incredible people I have ever taught, and it was so fun finally getting to meet her in person.  She is such an amazing person with such a powerful testimony and love for this wonderful Gospel.  She has been such an amazing example to me.  

 The trio with ANGIE Pirsenbarger!!!

Love, Sister Lake
Alaska Anchorage Mission

 Brother Garza

 Sister Cox and I surprised Sister Hardt!

Monday, October 2, 2017

Hello,

Here's a quick little update!  This last week has been SO good!  It was a week full of miracles, strengthening of my testimony, and some incredible training, talks, and experiences in general.

We started the week out with exchanges with the Jewel Lake sisters.  I was able to go with Sister Johnson and stay in my area.  First off, she is just one incredible missionary.  She is one of the smartest sisters I know, and she knows her stuff--seriously impressed!  We had some awesome experiences, saw many miracles, and had many people placed in our path that the Lord has prepared.  We were able to teach a few of them about the Book of Mormon and the Restoration and have return appointments this week.  One of them even said to us, "Could I have one of your books and learn more?"  It was so awesome and definitely saw those exchange miracles!

I also learned a huge lesson that day--that the Lord leads us and guides us in this work as long as we listen and act upon the promptings of the spirit.  Silly, cause I'm a missionary and you would think I would have learned this by now, but this last week I truly realized with complete confidence how the spirit works with me.  I have never quite felt I knew exactly how He worked with me, or how to tell the difference between a prompting and a thought.  Tuesday was the clearest I have ever experienced receiving those promptings, and they led us and guided us all day.  It was AMAZING.  This is the Lord's work, and we truly cannot do it without the spirit.  He is there to help us every step of the way if we are just willing to listen and realize we cannot do it without Him!

We also had an incredible lesson with our investigator, Tommy, and I am going to share a little bit of what I shared with my president in my weekly to him:
*******************************************
 What an incredible week it has been!  I have had some of the most amazing experiences and answers to my prayers this week, as well as seen so many tender mercies and the Lord's hand in this work.  I just want to share a few:  The Lord's hand is clearly in the work and has blessed us so much the last couple of weeks in the Bush Branch.  We have received some awesome referrals of people that are truly prepared by the Lord at this time to receive the restored Gospel.  We have had some incredible lessons and experiences where my testimony that Heavenly Father is aware of each of his children grow by leaps and bounds.  

We had three lessons this last week with our investigator, Tommy.  As we started teaching, he was very quiet and hesitant to answer questions and participate, but as we got further into the restoration something changed, and he just seemed to light up as we started talking about Jesus Christ and His earthly ministry.  Tommy bore his simple but truly sincere testimony of Jesus Christ to us, and the spirit was very strong.  This just made me realize in that moment how central our Savior Jesus Christ is to everything--how much He truly loves us, how important and possible it is to have that relationship with Him, and the peace and happiness that comes into our lives because of Him.

As we continued with the lesson, that light about him grew even more as we talked about Joseph Smith and the role he played, and the experiences he had.  Up to this point, Tommy had been reading the Book of Mormon and loved it, prayed about it and always had a good feeling as he read it, and was reading every single day.  As we asked him what he thought of the experience Joseph Smith had and his feelings as he heard the First Vision, Tommy went on to tell us Joseph Smith's life from the age of 14 until the day he received the plates.  Tommy shared with us about the times Joseph was visited by angels, and as he continued to share with us his story, he bore testimony of him and the incredible man he was.  It was amazing to hear someone who had no clue about the restored Gospel, or the Book of Mormon just a month ago, to truly loving something so much and having it become so near and dear to him.  

We invited him to be baptized, and he happily agreed.  As we had more lessons with him the following week, Tommy grew more and more excited, and the light just continued to increase.  He truly loves this Gospel and has embraced it.  It has been so amazing to see and witness, and especially to feel the spirit so strong even over the phone.  This definitely is the Lord's work, and He is involved in every aspect.   
***********************************************
Tommy is one of the most incredibly prepared people I have ever met, and we are so excited for his baptism, and for him to follow Christ's example and receive the blessings of the Gospel.

We also had Zone Conference on Friday and then, obviously, were able to listen to General Conference this weekend.  So, I was on a little bit of a spiritual high for three straight days!  There were many incredible talks, counsel, and advice that was given.  I couldn't help but think about how truly blessed we are to have leaders of this church, and especially our beloved prophet.   

I have so many thoughts from Conference that I am still trying to organize, but one thing I absolutely loved was how often the phrase "COME UNTO ME" or "COME FOLLOW ME" was said.  We were invited multiple times to come unto our Savior Jesus Christ and continue on our journey home.  He loves us so much!  Our Heavenly Father wants nothing more than for us to make it home to Him, and it is through our Savior Jesus Christ that we can--

"We're all just walking each other home."

Okay, love you all, and I LOVE the Gospel and the mission, and our prophet and leaders that are so truly inspired!  Have such a good week.  

Sorry, I have to run,

Sister McKenna Lake
Anchorage Alaska Mission

More pictures from September 25th:

 Visit from General Authority, Elder Brad Foster, and his wife

 Lydie Mattson's baptism