Where to start...

So....Where to start.....

I guess today I just want to send a quick email to tell everyone back home how much I love and appreciate them. I know I say it all the time, but I'm not sure that anyone believes me. I really do have the best friends and family. I always have a smile on my face because Heavenly Father blessed me with you. Yes, you referring to all who are reading this email and even those who may just be quietly going on with their lives, whether it be in Mexico, El Salvador, Provo, Logan, Lindon, St. George, Vegas, Texas, Illinois, Washington, New York, Canada, Australia, Russia, Germany, or just good ol' Fountain Green--wherever you are! Just know that I love you all and feel very thankful this Thanksgiving for the blessing God has given me to let our paths cross at one point in my life or another.

Like any other missionary during this week, I would just like to express my gratitude for the fullness of the gospel that we have on the earth today, for the blessing of living prophets and apostles, for the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, for temples and family history work, for the Priesthood, and for the promise of eternal families. I am so grateful that every day I get to wake up and share such a wonderful message of peace and joy to all of the people here in Corozal. I love being a missionary. And I get to continue to be one even past the end of this life--throughout the eternities! And I can think of no greater calling than that. :)

On Monday, we had a multi-zone/Thanksgiving activity in Belize City. I was able to talk to one of the assistants who came up from El Salvador. When I served in Miramonte, he had accompanied us on one of our lessons with Diana, who was later baptized. She.....well....she is very special. One of my dearest friends, even to this day. After I was transferred to the other area in the ward, I wasn't able to visit her as often and she began to not attend church. She finally came on the last Sunday before I came here to Belize. I have been so worried that she wasn't going to continue going after I left, but Elder Garcia informed me that as of two weeks ago, she was still active and happy. Such blessings and happiness to my soul! :D I testify that this gospel is true. And there is no greater happiness that we can feel on this earth than the happiness that comes from being a missionary. I LOVE seeing the lives of other people change for the better as they come unto Christ and experience the love He has for them.

I know that you all are children of God. He loves you and is aware of you. He is with us in every moment and is guiding us to His home. Keep doing all of the little things--studying your scriptures daily, praying, going to church, etc. For I know that it is by small and simple things that great things are brought to pass. Each of those will strengthen your testimony and help you to recognize God's hand in your lives. I love you all and hope you have a great Thanksgiving. Count your blessings (name them chree by chree! *shoutout to Florita* Everyong loves songs in Kriol.... ;) haha) and remember that you're in my prayers.

Love Always,

Sista M.

P.S. Does anyone have any suggestions/remedies to stop itching mosquito bites? The sisters here in the house have forbidden hugs from me until I stop scratching. I am one deprived missionary down here! ;) Any suggestions would be much appreciated.... :D Have a great week!

Thanks to the best support group in the entire world!

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to first start off by thanking you all. I honestly have the best support group in the entire world. My family, my friends, my neighbors.... Y'all are seriously the greatest. Thanks for all of the emails and shoutouts--I'm sorry if I haven't been able to respond, but just know that I am very grateful. Heavenly Father manifests His love through the blessings of the people I know in this life--of that I'm sure! :)

So this week has actually been an incredible week. But for lack of time, I'm just going to share an experience I had at the multi-zone the week before and say that Sister Vasquez and I have seen many tender mercies and miracles in the last couple of days. I know that Daddy is already helping me on his side of the veil. How glorious is this work--that all may take part in serving the Lord!

So. Sister Hintze is an incredible person--I hope all y'all know that! She shared an amazing experience at the multi-zone about faith. I have already shared it with Mom, but I'll share it with the rest of you because it is......I just loved it!

When she and President Hintze and the fam were living down in Argentina, she was diagnosed with sudden hearing loss in one ear. And to reluctantly make a long story short (wish I had more time..... Sorry! :/), she was having a very hard time with it. There was a possibility that with the steroid she was taking, she could regain all, some, or NONE of her hearing back in her ear. President Hintze was in Colombia at the time and so she couldn't immediately communicate with him; she was in a Spanish-speaking country, where she couldn't speak very well; andit was her birthday to top it all off! The taxi driver asked her as she sat, hysterical, in the back of the car, if everything was okay. To which she responded, "No! Everything is not okay!" and then she related the whole story to him.

She then said that he turned around and asked her a question that she will never forget, "Are you a woman of faith? I am a man of faith and I will pray for you...." She said inside she was thinking, "YES! I am a woman of faith. But why is it that my faith just disappeared in a moment like that? Where did it go???"

Sometimes in life, we have those moments. We get thrown a curveball and it's as if our faith faith has taken a vacation. Which causes us even more distress. If our faith is supposed to sustain us through the hard times, how is it that when those moments do come, we break down?

Sister Hintze's hearing did come back, but she says that when everything's quiet and there is nothing to hear, she hears a quiet ringing in her ear: a reminder that she is a woman of faith. And she invited all of us missionaries to think about something we can have or do in our moments of distress that remind us that we are men and women of faith. My invitation for you is to do the same.

I know that Heavenly Father's hand is in all things. I know that He loves us. He knows what challenges we can handle and will never give us more than we can take. And throughout it all, He will be right there with us, lifting us up and providing us with strength when we feel as if we can do no more. There is something in the Emma Smith movie that I love that Emma says--"Sometimes God brings us low, before He can lift us higher...." I know that we have trials to make us stronger. I know that our adversity is but a small moment. I know that Heavenly Father does love us. My prayer is that we all can continue to be men and women of faith. I know you all are and I am very grateful for the examples and support you all are for me.

I'm praying for you! Keep moving forward! :)

Love Always,

Hermana McCulloch