Cake, Cat, & Crazy

My dear people:

I am out of time...again. So you´re all getting bullet points.

-We made a cake with Jonatan and Rebeca. There was enough cream to fill a small astroid crater. Jonatan may have eaten his weight in sugar.

Crazy cake we made last Pday

-We had a Zone Conference. President talked about marriage. We learned that the principle difference between him and Hermana García is that she doesn´t eat tortillas.

-We did intercambios with Alameda. It started out great, Hna Cecilia gave us arroz con leche...and ended with Hna León and Hna Salazar feeling sick. #youcan´twinthemall

Intercambios with Alameda

-Flaviano keeps coming to church despite the fact that we could only teach him once this week and that lesson was sabatoged by a ninja cat that likes pan. 

-Sunday I learned (again) that Heavenly Father answers prayers. We found a lost credit card and got to church on time after leaving the house 40 minutes late. 

Basically, my life is a little crazy and a lot happy. What else could anyone want? 

Smallest scorpion I´ve ever seen...now we´re just looking for his mother....

Dinner Hna Rhondeau made me...

I love you all.

¡Vale la pena!

Hermana Wilson

Juan, Flavian, & Alejandra

Zone Activity

Hey,

I have no time this week...soooo you´re getting a bullet point letter....again. (Love you all, I´m so sorry....haha)

They know me. (Hamburger with chile)

-we helped a man named Juan with his family history. With two birth certificates we found over 50 ordinances to do. He was so excited, and so were we. 

-we had a baptism...we had never really met her. The elders had taught her in a different ward and then called us up this week to tell her she was ready. #easiestbaptismever 

-we met a guy at lunch Saturday. His name is Flavian. He speaks  3 languages. He showed up all by himself at church Sunday.

-now the kitchen sink is leaking -_-

The Bishop with the Flower we gave him yesterday.

I studied Laman & Lemuel this week. I think their problem is that they let the circumstances determine their faith, their humility, and their obedience. Nephi was always constant and that´s why he turned out the way he is. Our faith needs to be steadfast in spite of whatever might come. 

Intercambios with Industrial (Hna Martinez & Hna Masson)

I love you! I am so happy. 

¡Vale la pena!

Hermana Wilson

Happy Birthday to the best dad ever! #you´resoold ;) 

San Camilo, Arroz con Leche, & Vicente Solís

I just asked Hna Rhondeau what happened this week and she said "This week was kind of a weird week...". I feel like that is an appropiate way to describe it.

Hna Maria del Socorro made us arroz con leche this week. I love her even more than I did last week. 

Then we had intercambios with the sisters from Vicente Solís. They both came to our area to work and we had a blast. I worked with Hna Ellgen (for like the 100th time of my mission) and I just love that girl. The only downside of having friends over is that then we didn´t have food left.... haha

Hna Rhondeau, Hna Ellgen, Hna Rocha, & Hna Wilson

In other news, we had Escape from San Camilo Part 3 this week. There´s this part of our area that is a little sketchy and so we´re not supposed to be there too late but.... we started teaching a less active family and left at about 7. (Still not too bad). And then we were waiting for the bus....for a while. And then at like 7:40 (sketchy-level increasing all the time) one finally passed and we got on it....only to find out, it wasn´t going where we thought it was. So at about 8:00...we walked home. In the dark. Including crossing the highway in this tunnel-bridge thing....

But we made it! So no worries, Mom. 

Also, I found more of Nick Hartley´s converts. They love him. hah It´s weird how small the world is. 

The work in Quintero is progressing. We find TONS of people...but they don´t really go to church....that´s the downside. But we´re working on it! This week everyone just started opening up to us randomly. Which was good, ya know. hah. 

What I am realizing more and more is that I am just content to do whatever it is the Heavenly Father wants me to do. His plans are better than mine. I just want to be who He wants me to be. 

I love this missionary stuff. I love you all.

¡Vale la pena!

Hermana Wilson

Just out for a walk with your pet scorpion...

Dogs, Interviews, & Missionaries

Hola! 

We had a good week! Lots of things happened:

President came to Campeche this week! And that meant three things:

1. We had interviews. I never know what to expect with interviews; last time we talked about how many tortillas I should eat, this time we talked about what brand of shoes I have... I love President. 

2. Hna Garcia checked our house. Which meant we cleaned REALLY well before. And we passed with flying colors. I think that´s because compared to the elders´ houses ours was a dream. 

3. Before interviews Tuesday Hna Garcia took me, Hna Romero, Hna Schmit, & Hna Allen to the mall to get ice cream and crepes. It was a great day...even if Hna Garcia almost fell trying to go down the up escalator. hahahha

I realized that last week I sent the really bad, awkward, we-weren´t-ready-for-the-picture picture.

Woops... 

I just want everyone to be aware that I still hate the dogs. I almost got eaten at least four times this week. Twice with Hna Allen in one day (we were on divisions...she has really bad luck with dogs), once with just Hna Romero and I, and once with two YW (who knows if they´ll ever come with us again). I hate them. They´re everywhere...Oh yeah, and they poop in front of our house every day. We´re not friends.  -_-  

We have an investigator who is progressing! He´s a really great 19 year old kid (I can say that becasue I´m old now), and he´s a reference from the members and he´s awesome. He´s coming to church, he´s reading his book, he´s keeping his commitments, and this Sunday all these return and future missionaries spoke and he really liked it. I´ll keep you all posted. :) 

Two missionaries came home in this ward this week, and Hna Armida finally got her mission call #MexicoPachuca! It was a glorious week of missionaries and missionary work, and i am so so so grateful for the priveledge (I don´t remember how to spell that word...) I have to be here serving a mission. There is nothing like serving the Lord; nothing better and nothing more important. It really is the best, happiest, hardest, most beautiful time of my life. 

I love the mission! I see miracles ALL the time, and I am so so so so happy. I know that this Church is true. I know that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me, and for every single one of His children.

I love you all!!!

¡Vale la pena!

Hermana Wilson

#Ponderize #Itooknopicturesthisweek #Lookhowcleanourkitchenis

White, Temples, & Mexico

¡Que tal!

This week was one of those crazy, not normal weeks again (I feel like I say that a lot-anyone besides me feel like crazy has become the new normal??). And it was so crazy that I´m going to bullet-point this letter:

-We had 8 Principios which is like a multi-zone training meeting every morning for like a week. The best part was getting up at 4 in the morning to go make pancakes for everyone with the zone leaders. Just so you all know, elders eat a lot of pancakes. And don´t have all that great hygiene skills if they aren´t reminded. 

Foto Zona Campeche

-President showed up and anounced that we were going to have BAPTISMS (that´s literally what we said "vamos a bautizar gente"), and that meant we spent the rest of the week tracking down every possibility and getting them interviewed. Then we had a giant Tarde Blanca and a lot of people got baptized. One of our part member family investigators named America got baptized. She´s a doll. (Also check out the gringas baptizing America, my comp even wore red, white, and blue...jajaja) It was so cool to see all kinds of people from all walks of life decide to follow Christ and get baptized. We literally had people there from 9 to 95. It was pretty awesome. 

Baptism of America!...which in real English would be America´s Baptism...

-We had divisions and I was staying in the area with Hna Vega...but my comp took the phone with her...and we figured it out when President took us home...that was embarrassing. But on the plus side, he then decided to take us out for ice cream. He´s a great person. 

-My companion got a zit on her eye...(I think it´s actually called a stye??) and I totally did surgery on it and a bunch of green gunk came out. She also lost her voice which makes singing hymns a lot more entertaining. 

-I discovered that I could have a future in hege trimming. Although I recommend wearing long sleeves because plants make you itchy. 

-The Mexico City Temple got rededicated and it was just amazing. We got to go to the cultural celebration Saturday night (I officially have decided I want to be Mexican), and then the dedication Sunday (which took the place of normal services. (Oh and Mexico has its independence day tomorrow woo for Mexico!!)

-And then we got to go the Temple today!!!! (Hence why I´m writing on a Tuesday...) And it was as great as ever. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the temple. 

Misión México Mérida

Reunited and it feels so good! 

She bought me a little baby cake...and a candle... I love her

I am loving life. The mission is the hardest thing I have ever done, but also the best, I see miracles and I am so so so happy. What else could I ask for?? 

¡Vale la pena!

Hermana Wilson

Mi mama Campechana Hna Fatima

We´re basically pirates...

Doctors, House Arrest, & Krispy Kreme

Hna Allen & I ¡Go team Oregon!

Hola Familia,

I would love to tell you all about all the work I did and all the gloriousness that we accomplished in this first week of the transfer...

But someone got sick.

That someone would be me.

And that meant we were on House Arrest ALLL WEEEKKK.

-_-

And so besides a quick trip to Mérida for a conference (& a doctor´s appointment) we didn´t do much of anything this week.

Actually that´s not true. We did a lot of things. It just wasn´t work. This is what we did: 

-Talked about Oregon

-Cleaned the house

-Reorganized our books

-Took naps

-Found a Krispy Kreme in Mérida on the way home from the doctor 

-Bought Krispy Kreme doughnuts (we just couldn´t pass it up)

Krispy Kreme #Ithinkmyfacesaysitall

-Went on divisions with Alameda because Hna Velzquez messed up her foot so we hung out while our able-bodied companions went to work

-Made a lot of sandwiches

It was a long week.

But if nothing else, I learned this week exactly how much I LOVE working. And going outside. And being healthy. 

I love being a missionary. Even if I´m on house arrest. And I am so excited to get to work this week! I love you all!! 

¡Vale la pena!

Hermana Wilson

New Tag (Because on the other one the name of the church got rubbed off....I don´t know how it happened either...)

Hills, Meetings, & Little Things (Letter from last week...)

This was a week of a lot of meetings, and not a lot of sleep.  :)

But that´s the best way to do things right?? 

After writing you all last Monday we went on another adventure with Hna Fatima in Centro. I learned several things: 

-there is incredible carrot cake here

-most of the catholic churches are around 500 years old

-Baby shark is pretty tasty

Then we went to Mérida, where I realized exactly how much Campeche how stolen my heart because Mérida doesn´t feel like MY city like Campeche does. But we did stay in Hna Mejía´s old area and I got to catch up with Hna Torres. :) Love her. We spent almost all day Tuesday in a meeting with Presidente in which I totes cried because that´s what I do when the Spirit is strong. 

#Iblamemymother

I love them!

In between the other two meeting we had this week and exchanges (more on that later) I didn´t get a whole lot of time in my area, but what I realized is that it´s the little things that count. Like going to visit investigators who send you home with oreos because ALL the gringos love oreos. #racistbuttrue Or like running out of back-up plans and going to visit a member and having the best lesson of the day. Or having your investigator tell you they finally got their answer.

Those are the best things. :) 

And about those exchanges, I went to Alameda to work with Hna Velasquez and let me tell you, there are a LOT of hills in her area. We went running in the morning and by the middle of the day my legs were legit shaking from the hills and stairs and the running. haha I´m so out of shape......but let me tell you, it is so worth it to see Campeche from the top of the hills. And to work with Hna Velasquez. She´s from Pocatello. And I love her.

And it is so so so worth it to be a missionary. I love my job. And I love you all. 

¡Vale la pena!

Hermana Wilson

Incepcion, Divisions, & Degrees

Hola!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First of all I need to announce something: last week I wrote in my letter that I was 19. As my mother so kindly reminded me, I am in fact 20 (almost 21). #that´sembarrassing 

Just so everyone´s aware. 

Anyway... It´s officially the rainy season here in Campeche, and after a really hot week of my comp praying for it to rain on us...it rained.

A LOT. 

More rain... with Hna Sarai

And I´ve become one of those missionaries who walks around proselyting in the rain. Not going to lie, I love to see people´s faces as we walk past in the pouring rain. They legit think we´re crazy (because when it rains here it RAINS), but it´s all good until someone actually lets us in their house and we drip on their floors. 

Rain. This is called being a legit missionary. (If you can´t tell, we´re soaking wet.)

This week we also had the Incepcion version of divisions. I was on divisions with Hna Ellgen when they called us up and said the hermanas in Sascalum had no food because Hna Silva had Chikangua (I have nooooo idea how you spell that) and couldn´t leave the house and so we went there and got them food. And then went on divisions during the divisions (ooo..Incepcion...) because Hna Vega had an interview in the chapel with President and Hna Silva couldn´t leave her hammock. So I went with her to do that then finally were on our way to back to my area just in time for the Zone leaders to call and tell us we needed to go to the church for a meeting. -_-

Then Hna Ellgen asked if my days were always like this.... #no

But after all that craziness, we actually had a really good week. We found people to teach, we have an investigator progressing, I only caught one lizard in the bathroom...

It was a good week. :) 

And this is what I am learning: that life is a game of degrees. Satan doesn´t tempt up us with big leaps into sin, he tries to talk us into lowering our standards just a little bit at a time...until eventually we´re in a lot of trouble. (Go read Alma 47) On the other hand, the best people I know, the really truely good people are that way because the do the little things without fail even when no one is watching. I´ve come to understand that it is the little things we do, not necesarily the big things, that determine who we really are and who we will become. 

Studying like a champ.... #don´tjudgemyartskills and #don´tgodown!

And I just want to be good. 

I love you all! And I Love, Love, Love being a missionary.

¡Vale la pena!

Hermana Wilson

My ward loves me. #rootbeerinMexico

GIANT Tamales with a the Gamboa Family

Divisions, Interviews, & Hna Ellgen

Queridos Todos,

This was a week of divisions, interviews, stake conference...and rain. haha.

Hno Manuelito Hna Armida ME Hna Torres at Stake Conference 

I spent the majority of the week in San Roman with Hna Ellgen. We went on three day divisions and I think we both enjoyed them more than is humanly possible. I seriously love her and we work really well together.... I think it´s because we both played basketball back in our youth... ;) Or it could be because she is one of the most humble, teachable people I have ever met and I want to be her when I grow up. Also, her area is in the middle of Centro and it is literally the most beautiful place I have ever seen. All the houses are old colonial style and there are still forts and walls that were built to keep the pirates out back in the day. #butreallythough....pirates It was kind of interesting walking down the streets of Campeche with another gringa...we got some looks...also somebody called us whiteys... #pointsfororiginality 

Hna Ellgen & I #temporarycomps

There was one point this week when Hna Ellgen and I were walking down the street in the pouring rain, soaked to the bone and laughing hysterically and I just realized something....I am happy. The gospel is happy thing. 

And this is a joyous work. There is nowhere else I´d rather be. :) 

¡Vale la pena!

Hermana Wilson

All of the food a member brought us this week....hahaha Do you see the Choco Krispis??? 

Araceli, Nine, & Glory

Hola!! 

So I have been in Campeche for four weeks now and...I still love it. This week:

My view of Campeche from the Ciber

We had the most successful P-day of my mission last Monday. We cleaned, washed clothes, studies, wrote, bought food, went shopping, FOUND ATTRACTIVE MODEST CLOTHING, ate Chinese food with the Bishop and the Elders (#firstchinesefoodin9months), and had time for a 15 minute nap. Woo. #winning

Chopsticks! 

Chinese food with the Bishop & the Elders #selfie

La Iglesia de San Roman

I went to work with Hna Schmit in Siglo XXI this week. I kind of just loved listening her talk in perfect Spanish and then perfect English and back again. (Her mom is from Argentina) I just love this beautiful language. And Hna Schmit. 

We had a Noche de Hogar with the Marquez familia and it was a cultural night. My comp taught us how to make pupusas...it´s like a ball of masa filled with stuff (beans, cheese, jam, groud beef...whatever) and then fried. (Good news for my family: I learned how to make them!) and I drank root beer. haha #Ihavenoculture

We made pupusas...it´s a Guatamalan thing 

La Familia Marquez

I also hit 9 months this week....which is half of my mission! I literally cannot believe it. I still feel like I´m just starting out this Mexican Adventure thing, and it´s literally flying by. Sometimes I feel like I´m just starting out, and then there are times when I can´t really remember how normal life was...hah. But I am literally loving every single minute of it. 

9 Months! 

And.....Hna Araceli got baptized! She was an investigator that we inherited from the elders but we taught her all of the lessons, and I just love her. It was kind of a scramble to finish all her lessons but we did it! haha We had her interview Friday night (and I got EATEN ALIVE by mosquitos), her baptism Saturday, and her confirmation Sunday. She´s one of the those rough around the edges with a huge heart type. And her baptism was the just the best. She shared her testimony after the ordinance and just cried because she knows that this church is true and it really has changed her life. #itdoesn´tgetanybetterthanthat 

Araceli´s Baptism! 

Elder Martinez, Elder Parrott, Araceli, Hna Torres, Hna Wilson, Hna Ligia, & her kids

Araceli´s Confirmation! 

#selfie

Me, Araceli, Hna Torres

I thought a lot this week about what it is that is so special about the mission and here is what I realized:The greatest glory I could ever find is to be a tool in the Hands of the Lord for the Salvation of other people.
My greatest glory is to be so used up that I am nothing more than what He wants me to be. 

We get asked a lot why we don´t use our names...And I know there are several reasons, but really for me, it´s because what I, McKenna, want to do really doesn´t matter. I am here to serve others and to serve my Savior.

And that is my greatest glory. 

I love you all!! More than you know!! 

¡Vale la pena!

Hermana Wilson

Hna Hoggan, Hna Torres, ME, Hna Velasquez

La familia Perez....with a LOT of fish.

Food, People, & Numbers

Hola!! 

The work continues here in Santa Lucia. And even though it rained almost every day, it was an incredibly good week. (Also we realized that when we put our rainjackets on over our bags we look like Quasimodo.) 

We had divisions with San Roman this week, and Hna Ellgen from Colorado came to work with me in Santa Lucia. It was the first time I´ve worked with an American since my mission mom, and it was the best thing ever. #englishparty We both love basketball, were both very against serving a mission until we decided to go, and she is taller and whiter than me so that was a change. :)

Me & Hna Ellgen. Love her. :)

Hna Ellgen, Hna Cockerham, Hna Torres, & I

And after we went to Alameda to work with Hna Hoggan and Hna Velazquez (because Hna Hoggan has been sick and can´t leave the house). I stayed in the house with Hna Hoggan while Hna Torres went to work with Hna Velazquez. We lost a day of work in our area but at the end of the week when we sent in our totals we realized we had our best week yet here. Just goes to show that the Lord blesses us when we make sacrifices and help others. 

Hna Velazquez, ME, Hna Hoggan (she has dengue), Hna Torres

Some numbers from this week:

-7 new investigators

-12 investigators with a baptismal date

-11 references contacted

-1 investigator named Elvis #thankyaverymuch

We talked a lot this week about numbers but also how the numbers themselves aren´t important... the people are. And we have some really good people here. :) Like Evangelina who can´t get baptized yet because she´s not married and her partner refuses to get married, but who shows up half an hour early to church anyway and wants to go to Mérida just to be able to see the temple. Or Angel who is a recovering alcoholic, but came to watch a baptism this week and we managed to explain the whole Plan of Salvation while we were waiting for it to start. Or Valeria (10) and Vania (9) who are recent converts and can tell you exactly what two things are missing during an apostasy. 

Also, Santa Lucia is seriously the best ward to be in as a missionary. They LOVE us. There´s a sister who brings us breakfast or dinner to the house two or three times a week, a sister pulled us out of Relief Society (literally pulled us out) and took us to a secret room with all the missionaries and gave us sandwiches yesterday, the Bishop is taking us out to dinner today, and the members fight over who gets to feed the sister missionaries. 

My Chapel!! 

So mom if you were worried about me....don´t be. (Also why is it that all these expressiones of love are food related... #lovelanguages)

Basically, I am incredibly happy here and incredibly well fed. Physically and spiritually speaking. :) I love being a missionary, and there is no where else I´d rather be than right here in Campeche sharing the gospel that I know is true. :) Sending my love!!!! 

¡Vale la pena!

Hermana Wilson