I guess I will start by saying thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey thus far. I think back to where I was one year ago today, and where I am now and see how much change has occurred. There is something so beautiful in the trials and tribulations and strife I've had that has turned me into someone I actually like.
It all started with that first day in the MTC. My companion and I over 12 days became best friends and I made some incredible friendships with people I still love dearly. I know that the experiences we had together shaped many of us and started our missions off on the knowledge that we do have a loving Heavenly Father who cares about us, listens to us, and puts us with the right people at the right time. So to everyone of you that was part of that: Thank you. You are near and dear to my heart.
My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and
thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high;
thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall
hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.
Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-9
After 12 days of nothing short of missionary boot camp, I finally got to Mesa, Arizona and was assigned my trainer. Her name is Sister Sacher. She had only been out for 3 months at the time she was assigned to train me. I could not have asked for a better trainer. She was and still is an incredible missionary and woman! We laughed, cried, and saw many miracles together. She taught me what it means to rely on the Lord and the true meaning of Faith. If it weren't for her kind love and patience, I don't know what I would have done. Heavenly Father knew again who I needed to be with. Not only that, but I think about the people we served. There was many a time our faith was tried, but it was amazing to learn how obedience really does bring blessings. I know that when we follow the commandments, we do find blessings.
What shall we then say to these things?
If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
Three months after being put with Sister Sacher, I found myself being transferred. It was with my companion in my second area I feel like I found myself as a missionary. She showed me how to lose myself in the work of Salvation and how easy it is to teach at all times. We had our ups and downs, as with every companionship, but our short six weeks together stretched and pushed and helped both of us grow. Thank you, Sister Snyder! I learned so much and we taught many a great lesson together.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,
whereunto thou art also called,
and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12
My next stop on this journey was an area that I grew quite fond of. Not only did I get the opportunity to have 2 companions in this area, but this was the area that taught me how to teach. My companions and I had mentors and friends that truly cared about us and the love we felt was incredible. This area was also the area that my companion, Sister Hillam, and I started something we called "Operation Noah". We were serving in a Young Single Adult ward. The idea was to give each person in the ward a Book of Mormon to mark up and to hand out, thus "flooding the ward with missionary opportunities by giving them the tools to catch the wave." Cheesy, I know. But this was when I realized how powerful the Book of Mormon is. I've always known that it is the keystone of our religion. But I learned that without the Book of Mormon, we would have no religion. I would not be where I am now having seen the growth, the miracles and the hand of God like I have. I know the Book of Mormon is true. It really is another Testament of Jesus Christ, our Savior and King.
And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ,
we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ,
and we write according to our prophecies,
that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
2 Nephi 25:26
My faith was tried once again as I was transferred out to Globe, Arizona. This was huge. It was my first time training and I was scared to death. Sister Chase and I packed up our car and drove up to the mountains. There was a fear of the unknown that I felt deeply. I knew that obedience brings blessings and protection. So that's what we did. We knew that if we listened to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we would be okay. This was a rougher area of the mission, but an area I grew to love nonetheless. We had one particular miracle that I received permission to tell her story. Her name is Lindsay. Our bishop called us and told us to give her a call. Her husband was a member, but had not been to church in a very long time. They had just had a baby shortly before we met them. When we went in, we knew from the moment we met her, she was special. There was just such a sweet spirit in her home. As we taught, she readily accepted baptism. Lindsay was baptized just a couple weeks ago and I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to get to know her. She taught me once again to trust in my Heavenly Father. My 3 months up in Globe was hard, but it was a wonderful and miraculous experience.
O be wise; what can I say more?
Jacob 6:12
Now, I'm in my 5th area with my 7th companion and we are learning, growing and seeing miracles each day. This area is as special to me as every area I have served. I have met wonderful people and know that the Lord has a purpose for me here. As I reflect on how the last year has been, I realize that when we truly give up our will to the Lord's, we will find blessings. I know that He knows us and is there every step of the way. He knows what He needs of us. But do we know what He needs of us? I council all of you to pray and seek in your heart, in the scriptures, and in church what the Lord needs of you. He is waiting to make an ordinary person do something extraordinary.
Now we shall say no more
concerning their preaching,
except that they preached
the word, and the truth,
according to the spirit of
prophecy and revelation;
and they preached after the
holy order of God by
which they were called.
Alma 43:2
I love you all!
Love,
Sister Mackenzie Esmond
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