Monday, May 15, 2017

Adios, North Pole!

Hello!

First off, talking with the family on Mother's Day was the highlight of my week!!  I love and miss you all so much!  Second, I have made it my whole mission without getting too sick, up until this week, and the flu has gotten the best of me, so bear with me and my short email.  Also, packing is so stressful.  Who would have thought keeping our suitcases under 50 pounds would be so hard.  

Third, we received transfer calls this week, and I am heading to Anchorage to the Ocean View Ward.  I will also cover the Bush Branch.  The Bush Branch consists of the members all over Alaska that live in the little villages, and they call in for all their meetings.  I am so excited!  I fly out tomorrow morning, and get to spend a whole 24 hours with my mission mom (who was my trainer when I first arrived).  We get to pick up all the new missionaries coming in and do all that fun stuff.  AND, I get to see Sister Cox and Sister Richards again because they are going to be mothers!!!  I am so excited for them; their trainees are going to be the luckiest people ever!  The next few days will be exciting and crazy.  

[Just a little more explanation of what McKenna's new calling will be--She will be an STL (Sister Training Leader).] 

Fun panorama picture with the elders 

As excited as I am for this new adventure, I am so sad to be leaving the North Pole!  So sad!  It has been hard saying goodbye, especially to the ward.  I have grown to love this ward so much, and am very thankful for the opportunity I have had to serve here and meet the incredible people I have met.  I'm sorry the goodbye was a quick one.  I'll fill you in more next week.  

Saying goodbye to the wonderful ward members

 I love you all and I love this Gospel so much!  This Church is so true!! Have a great week.

Love, Sister Lake 

Sister Jimenez and Lake in disguise!

Monday, May 8, 2017

Tender Mercies!!

Hello!  

We have been doing a lot of finding this week through less actives, members, and tracting and have seen a lot of tender mercies as a result.  We received a referral from a member this week and were able to give her a call and set up an appointment for this week.  She called us back and I was able to talk to her for 45 minutes.  She shared her whole life story with me and sincerely said, "I have the desire to repent and change."  She shared how her faith in Jesus Christ has guided her through her whole life.  It was a really cool, humbling experience, and I look forward to meeting with her this week.  We also found a lot of people by tracting that we were able to have great conversations with and set up return appointments.  We're hoping to see some people we can start teaching from that.

I have learned a lot serving here and definitely learned to appreciate the littlest of things, and definitely helped me notice the many tender mercies we receive on a daily basis, even if sometimes they are hard to pick out.  Our Heavenly Father is constantly blessing us.  We just need to choose to accept and notice them.

My favorite less-actives!

Sunday was such a cool experience!  We were so excited because our investigator committed to coming, and when she didn't walk through the door it was honestly really discouraging.  I sat there in the beginning so discouraged, and then the biggest tender mercy happened!  It was Fast and Testimony Meeting this past Sunday.  Our bishop got up to being testimony meeting by sharing his testimony, and I have never felt the Spirit so strongly.  Tears were literally streaming down my face, and that Spirit continued throughout the whole meeting.  

Our bishop talked about how sometimes we're called to do things and don't know why, don't feel like we're good enough, or don't feel like we are doing it right.  Sometimes it is hard and discouraging and those feelings of inadequacy come in full force.  He said we have all felt this way, but wanted us to know that we are called to do things for a specific reason.  He also said we are called to certain callings and certain areas for a reason.  Heavenly Father is there with us every step of the way; He will not leave our side.  Yes, it's not always going to be easy, and in my case, I'm not always going to see these huge miracles, but I am doing what I am supposed to, and He will make up the rest.  

His testimony really hit home and made me realize that this is where I need to be; that what I am doing is what I am supposed to be doing, that I am not alone in this, that Heavenly Father has a plan, and if that includes finding His children and planting seeds for months or years down the line, that is where I will go.  His words were exactly what I needed to hear after a long week.  

I know that God is there for us every step of the way; He will not leave us.  He will lead us and guide us on the path we need to be.  His plan isn't always going to be what we want, but it is going to be what we need.  Serving here has taught me so many things, and it's not always what I want, but it is what Heavenly Father knows I need.  Anyway, sorry for that long rant, but I know this Church is true, that our Savior lives, and our Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us.  

I love you all, Sister Lake 

The beauty of the snow melt in Alaska

Monday, May 1, 2017

Watch Out for Dogs!!!

Hello!

This one will be quick because today is P-Day, and we are heading out to the Knotty Shop (a really cool and famous shop in the middle of nowhere).  I have a funny story about the shop for next week, but...this week was so good!

First off--the weather has been incredible.  Absolutely incredible!!  Well, I guess, except for the random hail storms here and there.  It has been so nice, which means North Pole has all of a sudden turned from a ghost town to an actual, normal-looking town with people walking around instead of hibernating, which makes mission work so much more fun!

 My favorite kids!  (P.S.  This is what all of North Pole looks like right now; it's called break-up season!)

It has been fun just to walk around and talk with people and share with them what we believe.  It has been so awesome, and we have found some new potential investigators because of it!  We had some awesome lessons with our investigators this week.  The first one with "H" went really well.  It just seemed like everything clicks with her, except for the importance of partaking of the Sacrament every week.  A lot of people have a hard time and just don't understand why we need to go to church every Sunday.  So, we're working on that.  It is so cool to see the Gospel principles all come back to her memory because she already knew; she just needed to be reminded, and the Spirit is definitely doing that!

Our other lesson was with this family that has been investigating for quite some time now--like a few years.  We have met with them almost every week since I have been up here, and we will see changes and progression, and then...STOP!  So, we took a break and just started meeting with them again, and it has been so cool.  We have been making the lessons more fun and focusing 100% on our Savior, Jesus Christ, because the Gospel is centered on Him and His atoning sacrifice.  Since then, the lessons have been going really well.  The Spirit is so strong, and she even notices that.  She said there is just a different feeling--a good feeling this time.  We are excited to see her progression!

Such a good week!  I surely do love being up here and especially love the ward!!!

Quick story--So, Sister Jimenez is terrified of dogs, and so am I, but thanks to my trainer--she made me just suck it up and have faith that Heavenly Father would protect me.   If we skipped the homes that had dogs, we would probably only have 10 homes left to track in North Pole.  EVERYBODY has dogs!  Anyway, I have been doing exactly what my trainer did with me, and also making Sister Jimenez go up to the home with dogs.  This trial of faith was doing really well until just this last week.  I told Sister Jimenez it would be fine, and we starting walking up to a home and this HUGE black dog comes running out of nowhere, passes right by me, and starts attacking Sister JImenez.  She is totally fine; the dog just bit her coat, but I felt so bad!!!  We laugh about it now, but I'm pretty sure she has lost all trust in my capability to calm dogs.  We will continue to work on that!  

Ummm, correction!  We have the truth!! 

This Church is so true.  The Book of Mormon is powerful and a guide for our lives.  I know there is power in prayer and fasting.  I also know that our Savior lives; He loves us and wants us to be happy.  As we come unto Him, that happiness will come!  I love Him and am so grateful each and every day to testify of Him.  I love my mission and am so thankful for the opportunity that I have to serve here.

Love, Sister Lake

Fun fact--White mice are the only legal mice to own as pets in Alaska!!

Monday, April 24, 2017

You Can Call Me Mrs. Clause!

Hello!
This week was another great week!  We visited with a lot of people that I really do love who are struggling with trials of life, and it was so cool to sit there with them and to feel the amount of love that our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, has for them.  As I sat there this past week with these people and listened to them as they cried, I realized how hard life can get, how hard some trials are that we might all have to face, and how alone we will feel at times.  I caught a glimpse of the love that our Heavenly Father has for them, and every one of us.  I also realized no matter how far away we feel we are, how alone we might be, and how hard life is, the scripture in 3 Nephi 17 is for all of us.  It says, 

"And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him." 

I love this scripture because whether we are physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually afflicted, our Savior, Jesus Christ, is inviting everyone of us to come unto Him, and promises that as we come unto Him we will be healed.  It is through Jesus and His atonement that we can be healed.  I have been thinking a lot about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power it has to heal all of us, the power it has to change our weakness into strengths, and the power it has to change our heartache into joy.  The Atonement is truly one of the greatest gifts and blessings we have been given the opportunity to use.  I know that through the Atonement and coming unto our Savior we can be healed.  I have seen it in my own life and have seen it in a lot of other people just this past week.  

We also had another really cool experience this week!  One of my favorite families I have met here finally called us, and we were able to meet with them.  We had been trying to get in touch with them and just couldn't reach them, but this past week we received a call out of nowhere.  The father said, "Hey, when can you guys come over?"  So, we set up an appointment and were able to meet with them.  I seriously love them more and more each and every time I meet with them!  They are so awesome.  They are just one of those families I instantly clicked with!  Anyways, we had an awesome visit and lesson.  At the end of the lesson, the 13-year-old girl came up and handed me her binder and said, "Look!"  Right on the front of her binder she wrote out the words to Moroni 10:3-5.  She said, "I look at the scripture and read it each time I need a little pick me up or peace in my life, and it always make me happy."  I have never been so happy!!!  This girl, who just found out about the Book of Mormon a couple of weeks ago, has already come to know of the true peace and joy and comfort that comes from studying and reading the Book of Mormon.  It was such a sweet experience.  I surely do love that family!

Also, kind of a funny story for the week:  We have this less active that we were visiting with, and we accidentally let their dog out.  So, we hopped in our car to go find him, and his name just happens to be Whisky.  So, just picture me driving with my head out of the window while I'm screaming ,"Whiskey," at the top of my lungs.  The looks I got were priceless.  Haha

Also, we tracted Santa...still not interested, but one day...planting seeds.

It was such a good week, and I wish I could tell you more, but next week...!  I love you all and am so thankful for you!

Love, Sister Lake

 The new Mrs. Claus!

 My dream of seeing a polar bear kind came true today!

 "Sleigh Parking Only"

 The one and only Santa Claus house!

Monday, April 10, 2017

My New companion--Sister Jimenez

Hello!
This week was good!  I dropped Sister Cox off at the airport Tuesday morning at 6:15, and I'm not going to lie - it was really hard!!  If it wasn't for her and her awkward door approaches and funny stories then I probably wouldn't have made it through the winter.  

I was able to hang out in Fairbanks until Wednesday when I picked up my new companion Sister Jimenez.  She is so sweet!  She is from Nicaragua and has been in Alaska as long as me.  The language barrier is tough at times, but wow, is she an incredible missionary!  That girl has no fear!  She will talk to anyone and everyone, even if that means pulling the car over and hopping out to talk to someone on the side of the road.  I asked her how she does it?  One of my biggest struggles is talking to anyone I see; I always get so nervous.  And she said in her thick accent, "Sister, this is not my country.  I don't know the way these people think or act, and so they don't scare me.  But, because you do understand the way they think, they are scary to you!"  TRUTH!!!  But, also, so not okay (haha) as I thought about that, I realized that it doesn't matter what they think.  Everyone needs the chance to hear the restored Gospel!  Ever since then, she has been helping me to be more brave.  As a result, we have talked to more people this week than I ever have in a week, and WOW, has it made me so happy!  There is so much joy that comes from opening your mouth and sharing what you know to be true!  Sister Jimenez has already taught me so much, and I am so thankful for that!

We had a couple of cool little miracles and tender mercies this week that I want to share. First, the very first day Sister Jimenez was here we got a call from a private number, and so I answered it.  This lady started speaking so fast in Spanish, and I literally had no clue what she was saying.  I was sitting there like I don't know what to do, and then I realized Sister Jimenez speaks Spanish (hah).  I gave the phone to her and she started talking to this lady and was totally able to help her out.  We went over to her house, and I just sat there as they talked to each other in Spanish for an hour - it was kind of funny.  I didn't know what to do! Anyway, long story short, we were able to help her with what she needed.  If Sister Jimenez wasn't here, there would have been no way to know what she needed.  I feel like it was kind of the Lord's way of showing me that I needed Sister Jimenez as my companion, and it brought a lot of peace to me knowing that the Lord knows best.

We also saw a lot of success with some less actives and part-member families that we have been trying to get in touch with for a long time.  We finally contacted them and even received some return appointments.  Stay tuned for how those go...I am so excited!

Tracting/OYM - So many miracles!  The weather has been so nice lately - 30-40 degrees - which feels like paradise.  So, we have been tracting in those awkward 15-20 minutes that we have open or just walking around the town of North Pole and talking to everyone we see. We have seen so many miracles!  It has been so fun and so cool.  We have had such great discussions with people and even taught some lessons right then and there.  

Our mission's culture has some "Standards of Excellence" where Elder Ballard told our mission that if we talked with 10 people a day then we would have 1 new elect investigator a week.  And, as a mission, we would have 36 mission baptisms a month.  Our mission has never reached 36 a month, and so Sister Jimenez and I have made it a goal to talk to 10 people a day outside of a member visit and tracting (which doesn't seem that hard, but you would be surprised!).  Ever since we set that goal, the Lord has placed many people in our paths and it has been so cool to see.  The Lord is aware of us, the goals we have set, and if we sincerely seek to accomplish those goals and do His will, He will help us.

Missions are so crazy!  Just when you feel like you're getting the hang of it, Heavenly Father throws something else your way that is even harder than the trial before; however, I know that it is because He loves us and wants us to be the best person we can be.  It is through the trials that we learn the most and rely on Him.  I know that this Church is true.  I have been thinking a lot about 1 Nephi 3:7 this week, and I know that Heavenly Father does not give us anything that we cannot handle or accomplish.  It doesn't mean it is going to be easy, but I know that we won't be alone.  I am thankful for the trials that Heavenly Father has given me and the strength that I have received as I have gone through them.  I am thankful for the knowledge I have of a living, loving Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ who knows me and love me.  I have felt their love so much just this last week, and their love has brought me so much peace.  And, speaking of peace, everyone should watch the new Easter Initiative #princeofpeace and share it! Here's the address:

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2017-02-1000-the-prince-of-peace-find-lasting-peace-through-jesus-christ?lang=eng

It is INCREDIBLE AND SO TRUE.  We are able to find so much peace through our Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement.  

Love you all!  Hope you have a great Easter!

Sister Lake

Ice sculpture of a bear

Another ice sculpture

Last P-day with Sister Cox before her transfer

Monday, April 3, 2017

Adios, Sister Cox!

Hello!
So, sad news--Sister Cox is finally escaping the North Pole and heading to the amazing and beautiful Soldotna (only slightly jealous).  Anyway, I am going to miss her so much.  She has been one of my saving graces this winter, and I am just so grateful that I was able to serve with her for two whole transfers.  My new companion is Sister Jimenez!  All I know about her is that she is from Nicaragua, and President said I will be doing language study with her.  I can barely speak English well enough, much less help her with her English, so prayers will be greatly appreciated, haha!!!  I am excited, though!  Three are many people in this ward that speak Spanish, so that will be really good.  We said a lot of goodbyes for Sister Cox, and I realized how much I love this ward!!

We also went on the most beautiful hike last P-day to a place called Angel Rocks.  Alaska is truly so beautiful, and I love the North Pole District!  

 Hike to Angel Rocks with Sister Cox on P-day

 Deep snow!

 We also did service at the Ice Park, which is an annual festival where people come from all over the world and carve ice sculptures, and they are truly incredible!!!  It is a huge deal, and people also come from all over the world just to see the sculptures.  We had some really cool opportunities to open our mouths and share with people a little bit about what we believe.  Really cool!!  

 One of the Ice Park sculptures

The Church is so true!  It is like what Elder Christofferson said yesterday, "We have everything that people need/want in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  On that note:  Conference was seriously AMAZING!!!  So many good talks and many truly inspired words.  I loved President Monson's talk so much; It was short but yet extremely powerful.  The fact that the one thing that he talked about was the Book of Mormon shows how powerful that book really is.  I have four chapters left in the Book of Mormon to read.  As I have really studied and read and looked to the book for guidance, I have come to know for myself that this book is true.  There is power in that book.  It is for US, and I am so thankful for that.

I know that this Church is true, that the Book of Mormon is true.  I know that we have a living prophet on the earth today and that the words spoken yesterday by the Prophet and Apostles were truly inspired.  

I love you guys and hope you had a good Spring Break!  

Sister Lake

P.S. If you ever have the opportunity to see the Northern Lights, they are so ,so, so worth it!  These pictures really truly don't give them justice!

Monday, March 27, 2017

Encouraging Weather Report!

Hello!
Highlight of the week:  It is 15 degrees right now and rumor has it that it is going to get up to 40 by the end of the week!  Miracles!!  Sister Cox and I figured out that we have not been above freezing in almost 4-1/2 months, so we are pretty stoked.  We had interviews this last week and our president told us that since the Barrow area has been closed for two transfers now, we are the missionaries serving in the coldest area.  So, that is pretty cool (literally).  

Sister missionaries serving in the coldest mission area!

We also had Zone Conference this past weekend, and it is always so good to see our president and his wife.  They actually were able to attend our ward on Sunday.  We had a family that we had never met walk into the church out of the blue, and they weren't even members.  It was really cool to have them there and have the opportunity to teach them with our mission president and his wife in attendance.  Once again, miracles!

 Zone Conference

This week has been so crazy.  We spent a lot of time at the doctor's office for Sister Cox, and they were able to figure out what is going on.  This meant that we were able to be in Fairbanks a lot.  We were able to do a lot of service at the food bank, which is always my favorite.  The people that volunteer there are also my favorite!  None of them are members, and we always end up having such good discussions about the Church.  They all have a lot of respect for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

 The doctor has diagnosed Sister Cox's health problem

We also had an awesome lesson with the Garza family--literally one of my favorite families I have ever met.  While we were preparing for the lesson, I had this silly thought that came into my head that prompted me to get the 10-year-old boy a pinewood derby car for the Pinewood Derby the next day.  We made a bunch of calls and had some awesome members that helped us out a ton!  I seriously love this ward!!  That night at our lesson, which was seriously the funnest lesson ever, we surprised him with the car.  That kid was seriously so happy; I love that kid so much!  Anyway, they were able to come to the Pinewood Derby the next night and had such a good time.  I am looking so forward to their next lesson.  We taught them about the Restoration and gave them a Book of Mormon.  The kids were just so excited to start reading, and we answered so many questions.  

I had a lot of experiences this week where I felt the Spirit so strongly and truly taught by the Spirit, which were some of the coolest experiences.  Quickly, one that was really cool was last Monday.  Sister Cox and I went to one of our favorite less-active homes and had this lesson all planned.  We waked in, and the lady had had a really rough day and opened up to us.  As I was sitting there and listening, I had this strong impression to turn to Ether 12:27 and shared it with her.  

Ether 12:27:  And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. 

As the sister read it, she got emotional and said to me, "That was for me, from Heavenly Father, wasn't it?"  And, yes, it was.  The experience was sooo cool.  Heavenly Father knew what she needed to hear and used me, a missionary, to share it with her.  I felt so blessed to know that Heavenly Father is aware of each and every person, and that I was able to be used as an instrument in His work.  He really truly is aware of us all, and I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have to see how much love He has for each person we meet with.  

Along with this experience, I have reflected a lot on my mission and the experiences I have had, the people I have met, the trials I have been faced with, and the moments that my testimony was strengthened!  Many times throughout the week I was so emotional and grateful for all of these experiences.  As I looked back, I realized how aware Heavenly Father is about each of us.  He knows exactly whose lives we need to touch, and who needs to touch our lives.  He knows the trials that we are faced with and blesses us with these trials so that we can get close to Him.  He gives us these experiences that will strengthen our testimony more and more each day.  I am so thankful for the experiences I have had, the people I have met that have left a lasting impression on my life, the trials that I have faced, and the help I have received from my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, to over come them, and the moments I have had that I will never forget where my testimony was strengthened more than I could have ever imagined.  Missions are incredible; if you get the chance to go, GO!  

 Senior missionary couple and sister missionaries in Zone

I love the Gospel; I know that it is true.  I know that we have a living, loving Heavenly Father that knows what we need and when we need it.  He has a plan for us.  In the moment the plan might not make sense, but as time goes by, we will realize He loves us and knows what we need.  Sorry for the long rant.  I have so much more I want to share but am out of time.  I love you all and hope you have such a good week!

Love, Sister Lake