Elder McKinley's Stint Across the Pond

Hello once more to all those still tuning in these 57 weeks later. Thank you for your loyal following and know that you reading this is extremely appreciated by me. So yeah.  This week was a pretty good one. It was interesting because we had some really cool opportunities and did some really interesting things, but it also feels like it went by so fast so I am struggling to remember the things of substance   anyways, let us get into it: Tuesday did not amount to much in terms of success or major events but we did have a really fantastic meeting with the leadership of the ward (ward council) and we have a really great mission plan in place that we are excited to introduce to everyone to help them in their missionary efforts. We also get the pleasure of introducing to all 80 of the ward members this Sunday by ourselves. You better believe that diagrams will be made and videos will be shared and the spirit will be felt and we are going to have an amazing time.  Wednesday was

Here we are once again, reading this weekly update from your favourite (2nd favourite, still acceptable in my eyes) missionary. So, let's get to it.  We received tranfer news and Elder Brewster and I are staying together on the island! We're pumped. It's been a blast and we are going to keep working hard and having all the right kind of fun on this beautiful island. Fun story. Last moves, our mission president called every companionship nad told them what was going to be happening for the next transfer. Naturally we expected the same to occur this go round. We spent all morning waiting for a phone call and we expected to hear before church but nothing came. We went to church and went through all of church and we did not hear anything. We were shocked because it did not take our misison president this long to do it last time. Then after some calls, we learned that it was sent out in an email *face palms with both hands*. Anyways, we are both excited.  We had inter

I promise that title will be the last really bad one I uses haha. This week has been a really great one. I feel like I am slowly coming out of a funk that last week threw me into so that is always a good sign. I am going to jump right into it for the sake of time. Monday was a blast. We had district preparation day in Portsmouth and walked around a bunch of different places. It was chill, it was peaceful, it was exactly what I needed. We then stayed the night there and had exchange the next day with the Portsmouth Elders. Elder Toro Diaz, ladies and gentlemen, is an absolute legend. He was talking to every, and I mean every person we passed. He is so friendly and approachable and we had an amazing time. A few funny stories from that. First, we had been in town centre for about 30 seconds when we approached this man and started talking to him and he proceeded to tell us he was too busy to chat. We then asked for a brief moment to ask him a question and then as a response to the que

OKay so we had a district preparation day in Portsmouth so this one will be a bit shorter. This week was hard.  Everything from frustations with mortal limitations, running from doctor to doctor, and the most amazing people no longer wanting to talk to you has happened this week. There have been highs and there have been many many lows.  Here's the thing though.  I am okay. Even when the hardships have come, even when the tears fall, even when it seems like you are at your lowest, God is there. He sees your tears and He weeps with you. I have earnestly sought my Father in Heaven this week. I have plead for His strength and His guidance. At first I felt like I was not getting it. Then I realised I am still here. I realised I can still laugh about the circumstances I am in. I can still smile when I have no reasons too. I still have hope. That, my friends is a gift. God has been keeping me afloat. Sometimes we wish that God would help us fly, but forget that being