McKenzee's Missionary Moments: November 16th, 2015

Hey fam bam,

So today I am writing this letter on Saturday and guess what that means, THAT I HAVE BEEN OUT A FULL MONTH!!!!!!!!!! #only17moremonthstogo and holy heck it has been the longest and hardest month of my life! Honestly two weeks ago I wouldn't believe that I would have made it this long. I already had planned on coming home or living with grandma just to get out of this place. But here I am, still wearing my name tag, still wearing a skirt every day, still struggling. But I'm here, I haven't given up yet. That's all I can do for now.

I've learned so much and I'm so thankful for the gospel that I have in my life. I'm so thankful for my Savior, and His atoning sacrifice. For it is because of Him that I get to repent and try to improve myself each day. And because of the atonement I am able to live with my family again and with my Father in Heaven again. I am so blessed to know that Jesus Christ died for me because He loves, and it is because God loves me that I am here. I have found so much comfort and peace knowing that there is a plan for me and that we have life after this one. We are so blessed to have the gospel and the knowledge that we can live with our families forever. I love you all so very much and it is because of y'all that I am still here.

Anyway enough with the sappy stuff lol.

So this week flew by although it doesn't feel like it in the moment. Monday, Sister Taylor took me and my companion to the mall and I got a raincoat from jcpenny, originally it was $150 but I got it on sale ;) Sister Nancy Taylor bought us lunch at five guys (I was craving a cheese burger) and she also got us ice cream and it was so awesome! I almost think that she feels bad for me because she knows I'm struggling... But anyway, it was so much fun to spend the day with her and especially to be back in the real world even though we got many stares.... The best part was hearing some of my favorite songs I haven't heard in such a long time, like Downtown, oh man I heard the chorus and I was instantly in a better mood.

Haha also sister Taylor reminded me a lot of mom which was lovely because that's the closest I'll get to spending a day with mom for the next 17 months. Wednesday I went on my first exchange with the STLs. (Sister training leaders) I went with Sister Forsyth into her area which is the Clarke YSA ward in Vancouver. Boy was it good to be back on a highway and to actually see street lights and restaurants! Lol so this sister was definitely easier to get along with, we has a lot more in common in fact both our names are McKenzee hers is McKenzie though. But yeah she was great, this is her last area so she really knew what to do, oh and she is from college station Texas and did a year at BYU Provo. She was not afraid of talking to anyone, in fact everyone we passed by she would start a conversation with. Very bizarre lol. The only thing I didn't like was that she seemed a little fake... Idk not my cup of tea to just act interested...

Oh well, that night we went to dinner with a YSA couple and they made us dinner and it wasn't till afterwards that I found out that it was FISH!!!! Apparently salmon..? Idk it was pretty good. I think it was a good thing I didn't know though lol. Then we went to a meeting with a recent convert YSA and she had 4 rats... Super strange... Lol people in Washington are so weird hahaha then we went to sister Forsyths residence which was really nice and I slept in her companions bed, kinda awkward but I guess not really because she was sleeping in mine back in la center...

I was meeting with the President after splits and asked about Jordan and Bri coming up for my birthday and he told me YES!!!!!!! Oh man I'm so excited :) :)

Then Thursday night we had dinner with our bishop and his family, and I absolutely love them! That family is so cute and I just really enjoy being with them, I'm pretty sure we are going to their house for thanksgiving dinner. Anyway I just really like bishop’s family. Bishop picks on me like people back home do and it just makes me feel normal and not a missionary. After we got back from dinner I checked the mail and I got 2 packages!!!!:) One was from Grandma Irene and one was from Sister Kent. I was so excited and they both had things that I needed! Like grandma sent me Nutella and I was running out, oh and also stamps! It was perfect, and Sister Kent sent me some gloves (I needed some because mine had holes) and she also sent me a lint roller which is so perfect because lots of people have pets and then I'm covered in cat and dog hair but now I can get it off:) they sent me a bunch more snacks and stuff and I can't thank y'all enough!!!! Seriously made my day so much better!!!!!:) oh and my new favorite snack are the Oreos that sister Kent sent me, they are like regular Oreos but thinner and the middle is mint green, they are just so good:)

Friday was a busy day because we had zone meeting and it ended up going wayyy over time and we didn't end up eating lunch until around 3, so we stopped at Wendy's on our way home and when we walked in this man yells out, "missionaries! Are y'all looking for husbands??" I was so confused so I just ignored him because I didn't know what to say haha. Then he introduced himself as a member from a Ward nearby and asked us to sit with him after we ordered. Oh but while I was ordering they asked for a name for the order and I completely freaked out... Haha like what name do I give him!? So under complete panic I said McKenzee because that is my name!!!!!! Lol oh well I wasn't prepared for that. Then we go sit with the man that is kind of weird and has chops (I can't remember exactly what they are called) oh I think Handel bars? Idk he was a weirdo. Hmmm then we had a really good lesson Friday night with some new investigators.

Saturday we go and help this little old lady from New York (she's already awesome being from New York) we help her make jewelry which is a lot of fun :) I'll have to take a picture next week of the stuff we make, I'm pretty good at it btw haha

Sunday's are the bomb, I just love them, we always have such good lessons in relief society that I know are specifically for me to hear. Oh and yeah Sunday nights we go to the Jorgensen’s aunt and uncle(I love the uncle Wayne, he is too cute and we get along so well, like a familiar relationship that makes me happy and comfortable, he has hair like pawpaw, he's such a great man. :) Anyway we go and teach on Sunday's and it's usually really good, that makes me happy what you sent dad because I feel like I'm the weaker link in the teaching category. Hahah but they are a great family. So blessed to have met them!!

Oh and here's something that you might get a giggle out of, in Ward council I made the comment that since it's so early we should have donut(y'all know how much I like donuts) so anyway I said that and bishop kept bringing it up and was giving me a hard time, no big deal but now people know me as the donut missionary haha one lady told me she is going to bring them next Ward council which is next Sunday (moms bday) so we will see, anyway thought that was funny.

Oh also there is another family that I am starting to adore, they are related to the lady we live with, it's one of her sons family, they have 8 kid but they are y'all grown and have their own kids, so all but one is moved out and she is a 17 year old girl and we get along really well and so that's great, she sometimes comes out with us for lessons, and also the dad reminds me of you dad, lol he's really funny and gives me a hard time. I don't know why but I like it better when people give me a hard time and joke around with me. Whatever, I'm just really loving that family, makes me feel like I belong or at least reminds me of home.

So yeah, lol I don't know what else to say, it was just a better week, and of course when I get to read emails I feel so much better!!! Like a million times better. So thank you to all:) today it's rainy and cold, as always yesterday the sun was out for a little bit, it was nice, of course I still need a coat, and okay mom I'll try and get a picture in my rain coat, I'm literally always wearing it. Haha

And dad I'll get an iPad case, we are going to Fred Meyer today so thanks!

How are things back home? Send me some information about everyone, I love to hear some updates lol. I miss you all quite terribly, and love y'all more than life. Write me back lol.

Xoxo
Sister Batey