Week 7: It Didn't Rain Too Much This Week!

Good mornin everyone! It's been an interesting week here in Holsworthy. First off, let me apologize. My email last week apparently didn't send so I resent it this morning. If you didn't get it and still want to get it, shoot me an email. Also, it's not Wednesday! Why am I emailing? Well, we have a big mission conference that's a few hours away that starts tomorrow, so we are doing all of our cleaning, shopping, and emailing today. 

This week we had almost all of our appointments either cancel or fall through. It's a little rough because we are assigned to cover such a large area that these cancellations kind of throw a lot of wrenches in our schedule. But, we keep moving forward and we make back up plans and adjust as well as we can. I've been learning a lot about patience. The capacity of patience to carry you through a difficult time is much deeper than I thought. I have seen the difference this week as I have focused more on patience. Often times, we must be patient for weeks on end. We may not find anyone to teach. We may not have any appointments go through. We may never see tangible results from our efforts. However, I was not called on a mission to produce results, I was called to serve God, declare His words, and serve His children. I wasn't promised results. I was promised fulfillment and growth and enduring happiness if I gave it my all. So that's what I'm doing! And I'm enjoying it. It really is the experience of a lifetime.

The few appointments that didn't cancel were mainly with a wonderful family in the branch (congregation) here. The mother is a member and the husband is not. They have a 6 year old son who is, for lack of better terms, as hyperactive as 3 small puppies, and he is full of life. This week, the husband came to church! We were so excited to see him there, supporting his family. We met with them last night and discussed some stories and teachings in the Book of Mormon. Tonight we are going back to do some family history work with them. 

There's a really nice store here called marks and Spencer and I got a suit for 21 quid this week. It was a blessing to find one that fit and was good quality and cheap! As silly as it may sound, I had been having a rough morning and it was a real blessing and pick me up to find that suit and I know God helped me find some joy through it. 

The members here are so kind. We have dinner appointments very night this week and have so much food in the flat. We basically bought junk food at the store today for the 4 hour car ride. We did other shopping, but members give us food as well. We are really well taken care of. I'm extremely humbled by the love they have for us and how they support us. I think of how I can repay their kindness and the only thing I can really do is keep working hard. So I do! 

I'm also humbled by your support. Your love and prayers offered in my behalf are felt. They really are. I say this every week because I mean it. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. 

Companion Comics: Elder Lopiano and I spend a lot of time in the car. I am just finishing the necessary paperwork so I can start driving. Anyways, we spend so much time in the car and are only allowed to listen to hymns. This past week, we have listened to the same ones probably about 50 times. My favorite one is Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by owl city. Strange but good. The point of this is that after about 50 times, Elder Lopiano and I still can't get all the words and verses in the right order. Wish us luck.

Brisith Food of the Week: clotted cream - I honestly don't know how to describe it but it's like ice cream and buttermilk had a child. With salt. It's weird but not terrible. 

British Word of the Week: mate - as in "how's it going mate"; speaking of which, Elder Lopiano and I can't think of the American equivalent. Thoughts?

Scripture of the Week: I realize I didn't have an official scripture last week but it was meant to be Elder Hallstroms talk from General Conference. This week it's 2 Nephi 11:4-8. This describes my life at the moment and my feelings at the moment. I won't spoil it for you though ;-)

I love you all so much. I love being a missionary. I love being able to share goodness with people regardless of the response. That doesn't mean it's not difficult at times. However, it does mean that I have to give it everything I have. As I have been doing this, I feel I am growing and changing for the better. It's not a rapid growth or change, but I feel it. It is the Lord working within me, helping me become better as I try to grow closer to Him. And I am ever so grateful to be on the path I'm on. This week, take some time to tell someone you love that you love them. You never know what people are going through and how you can lighten their load. You guys are the best. Keep on keeping on.

Also, my best friend got his mission call to MY HOME MISSION. To all my Virginia friends, when the time gets nearer, keep and eye out for him and take care of him! Love you all,

Elder McKinley 

1) my district! (Featuring the new suit)

2) proper fish and chips 

3) Maccy D's, as they call it, with a member