Elder McKinley's Stint Across the Pond

Well, believe it or not, we are here once again. After the events of the last few months here in London, I didn't really think that things could get much weirder. I was already working in the office and speaking portuguese. Then Friday happened.  Long story short, we're now in a trio.  Haha our new companion is Elder Grimaldi from Brasil. He arrived Saturday at Heathrow. Elder Coelho and I went there to pick him up.  *disclaimer* being at Heathrow with only 7 weeks left on your mission is a sublime experience. It may or may not make you think about the impending events WAY more than normal. But hey, we were there with a purpose, so it was all good. But wow, what a blast.  Other than our new companion (he's only companion's with us for the week and then he will get assigned his official missionary trainer next week during the transfer), this week has been pretty typical. We have had a lot of lessons, dinners, and crazy portuguese conversations. I love bei

I find it hard to believe we are at this point once again. This week was a blur. We welcomed 8 new missionaries into the mission, had interviews with President, and followed up on technology use with those missionaries that arrived a few weeks ago. I was less bothered by the fact that I only have one more regular interview left with President Checketts and more bothered by the lack of time I had to go out to teach our friends. Nevertheless, the interviews I had with President and Sister Checketts were wonderful. They have become good friends and beloved mentors. They are such stalwart figures of faith and dedication, to the Lord, to the people they serve, and to each other. I love them.  The capstone of the week was the baptism of our friend Francisco. He is such a good soul. He was confirmed a member of the church this Sunday. He sent us a text later that day saying that he felt so happy and excited about this responsibility and feels it's one of the best decisions he

This week feels like a blur so it probably was haha. Anyways, that means very little photos and a bullet list of highlights :-) - exchange with Elder Norman (love him, great man, but somehow we took no photos #tooconsecrated - super MLC aka big meeting full of the Spirit, counselling, and discussion  - Our friend we've been teaching had his interview for baptism and he passed! His baptism will be Saturday! - we inventoried the office and got rid of loads of excess junk #D&C132:8 - long days and good conversations  The Portuguese is coming right along. I won't go into details because they are personal and sacred to me but I've really seen God strengthening me these past few weeks. I love being a missionary and serving His children.  Food of the week: kibe - like a meatball but full of cheese; Brazilian  Scripture of the week: The Book of 1st Kings - it's interesting and symbolic haha

Bom dia todos! Wow this week was really intense. Let me jump right in with a few updates: - My portuguese is rapidly improving. I understood everything at church yesterday! I was able to have some good conversations in portuguese as well. It honestly still blows my mind to know that I am learning and speaking portuguese right now, but I feel the Lord strengthening me and helping me learn faster than I would be able to on my own. I am able to carry a pretty detailed conversation with people on the street and talk about all different kinds of things, including the gospel. One of the most interesting things about all of this is praying. I am trying to pray in portuguese once per day. When I am talking on the street and in front of other people, I sometimes forget words or do not remember how to say a specific thing. However, when I pray, I feel like the Lord helps me remember what I need to say and how to say it. I am so humbled by the help He has given me and the time I am spending s