Tight like unto a dish...

So.....I'm out of email time again this week. Having two sisters as sister missionaries as well is some TOUGH business. I never knew that it would make me so busy each week!

I do however just want to say that the work is going and it's going good. Yes, I realize that my english grammar was terrible in that last sentence, but I don't care. I'm here on the mission and I am loving it!

The Atonement is becoming an ever-increasingly important part of my life each and every day. I LOVED reading in Ether this week about their "tight like unto a dish" barges. It reminded me of a BYU-Hawaii devotional given by a Brother Wilcox that you all should look up. I think his talk is titled something to do with Bread and Stones. Anyway, it's FANTASTIC. Look it up and remember that if you're struggling, it's because your ship is tight like unto a dish--you have been prepared by many things earlier in your life to help you overcome these mountainous waves at this point in your life. Christ has enough enabling power to help you make it through!!!! Trust in Him!

Umm....one more thing. Look at your C&H sugar bags or Domino's sugar bags and see if it was made in Belize! I was at the sugar factory this morning!!!!! I probably touched your future sugar!!!!!!!!!! haha :D

Anyway, I know Christ loves us and will help us in the time that is most needed for us. We will progress and we will learn. All because of His wisdom and His love.

I love you all. Keep being hardworking, loving, Spirit-following missionaries! Opportunities to serve are everywhere!

Love Always,

Sistah M

Happy Valentine's Day to the Ones I love Most

So. Just a few experiences from the week. There was this guy who came up to me on Sunday that I have met and talked to a little bit while being here in Corozal. He usually comes and talks to me while he is drunk, but we have had a couple of civil, nice conversations while he was not drinking. Anyway, his name is Gregory and he came up to me in a lesson yesterday and we started talking about when he was going to come to church. I told him that I've been here a while and that I wanted to see him in church at least once before I left and he said that he would read a pamphlet and we could talk about it--he wanted to make some changes he said. Well he left and I didn't think too much of it.

He came back a little later, without the pamphlet--which he had replaced with a burning cigarette. I told him if he wanted to make some changes, he needed to start small and throw away that cigarette. He said he knew that, but that it was hard. "Changes are hard." So I began to tell him, "Yeah. I know. Life is hard and it's full of hard changes, but if we don't ever start to make them, we won't ever do them." Then he proceeded to tell me that I don't know what hard is--how I have a house, I have food, I'm from the States, etc. He said that I have never known what hard is. My first thought, "But I have met many of you who do. And I have watched them change...." And then I thought, "No! Ido know what hard is. Maybe it's a different kind of hard, but I CAN and I do hard things every day here on the mission." And so I shared some with him. And then I told him, "We have to make sacrifices, man. Sacrifice is giving up something good for something better. And I know that there is nothing better than preparing to make covenants with our Heavenly Father to follow His Son, Jesus Christ, in order to have an eternal family." And in that moment--it felt like a movie (SO dramatic!)--he threw down the cigarette and said, "There! It's gone." and then pulled the half-empty beer bottle out of his shorts pocket (that we didn't know about) and dashed that away as well. And then he rode off on his bike saying that he'd see us tomorrow. Sister Mims and I were shell-shocked. We finished our lesson, still dumbfounded, and then rode away as well to regain our senses.

Another lesson we had that was just amazing was with a man named R____. He is a barber that Sister Vasquez and I met and had been trying to teach for the longest time. We found out that he was a friend of Brother Tillet--our branch mission leader. Well we had a lesson with the two of them a week and a half ago and had set up an appointment for this past week which ended up falling through on our part, due to a lesson that ran over. So we met up with Brother Tillet yesterday and he said that R____ was a little sad and has been planning to go to another church. So as we rode over together, we braced a devastating him-dropping-us lesson. Buuuuuuuuut something crazy happened.

We were standing outside his fence, listening to his pitbulls bark almost the entire time. We began talking about all kinds of things and then at some point, something changed. I'm not sure what we were talking about, but then he finally shared his story about the challenges with his ex-wife and his current living companion and his past church and just....everything. He feels bad, because he's committing adultery, but I can see that he wants to make a change. He wants to "ask God's forgiveness," he said. So after he explained everything, I pulled out our little DVD player and showed him the Mormon Message "Because of Him." The Spirit was there and EVERYTHING changed. At the beginning, as we had been discussing when to come back, the appointment time just wasn't working. He was ready to give up, but once we showed that video and testified of the Atonement and the peace, relief, and hope we can feel? He offered to MAKE the time for us to come on Wednesday! As I invited him to come to church, I told him, "We can try to explain why it's different from the other churches, but it's best if you come and FEEL it for yourself." And because of the Spirit that the video brought, he is truly considering it.

I can't even begin to explain the love that I feel for these people. Just this morning Sister Mims and I were at the bank and saw some clips from the news. It forwarded us both into the future and we thought about what it would be like to be home (I'm not trying to be baggy or anything....), seeing the news of things happening in El Salvador or Belize. My heart aches at the thought of not staying here forever. I know, I know, I know that I will always be a member missionary, but it won't be the same. God's children are in need of the gospel in every inch of the world, but in these two tiny countries of Belize and El Salvador? These are my people. The love I feel for them is overwhelming and I have no explanation as to why. But I am so grateful for it.

I encourage you all to look at the people around you with the eyes of Christ. Try to see your coworkers, your family members, your friends, the people on the freeway or in the supermarkets--try to see them as Christ does. Learn to love them as He does. You will experience an entirely different level of the Atonement--a more personal one--as you serve them as He would.

Christ lives and loves us. Because of Him, we have clean slates and new beginnings. Because of Him, we can feel peace instead of guilt, relief instead of regret, and despair instead of hope. I am here, sharing this joyous message of life, hope, and love because of Him.

Love Always,

Sistah M.

Pics sent from Hermana Alico

                                                         Lunch after Zone meeting

                                                              At the "other" table

Hermana M with her new luggage

Final transfer in Belize

So this week was a CRAZY week. And it has felt so extremely long. First of all, I just want to make a shoutout to all of the wonderful sisters that are living under my roof. I love them all so very much and I think it will be a wonderful change! Sister Savage is from American Fork, Utah (I talked to her on FB before I left..... CRAZY to think about.) and her companion is Sister Lindstrom from a small town in Northern California that I don't remember the name of..... Sorry 'bout that. I'm sure that is how all of my companion's first emails have gone when they write home introducing me and my sweet hometown. Wait. Sister Savage told me that it's McKinleyville (or however you say it.....) :) But like I said, they are super awesome and I'm very excited about this upcoming change! :D This week has already brought fun, little (some spiritual) experiences like getting chased by drunk men, working a few hours with only one contact in, running around in District Conference yesterday trying to find a nurse to help a member who had gall stones.... Don't worry. She's alright. I just hope we didn't disturb President and Sister Hintze's talks.... WE also met with some men from El Salvador about Seminary and Institute. We watched "Meet the Mormons" for the first time ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVED it. We also found an investigator who had moved at the beginning of my time here in Corozal and has just moved back. :D (Super excited about that!) And we found a few less-actives in the moment that they needed us. The Spirit is just guiding us along! :D Very intense week. :)

Sister Hintze AND President Hintze both said this week that my time is coming to an end here in Corozal. :( However, Sister Hintze told meon Friday, "We know that you've been here a long time, but please don't feel forgotten. You were just needed one more transfer here!" And I know it's true. I feel so blessed to be here. I love Corozal and I love the people here. I have already seen those miracles about me needing to be here.

I told Sister Hintze yesterday that one of the investigators that Sister Call and I began teaching, is finally really working toward her baptism. She is waiting on her divorce (from someone wanted by the law. Yeah......kinda difficult, but con Dios, todo es posible #HermanaPatt) so she can get married, but two weeks ago, said that she was going down to Cayo to find him and ask for the papers herself (he has already drawn them up)! Just last week, however, she looked up the phone number for a pastor down there that knows him. So she is currently in the process of contacting him. She wants it. She truly wants it. We're hoping by the end of this month, but at least before I leave. :) And you want to know what made the change? We started focusing on the Book of Mormon. We invited her to read Ether 12, and then Helaman 5, and then another chapter in Alma, and then finally we started her from the beginning. She didn't read all of chapter one, but we applied the chapter to her situation and invited her to exercise her faith to see tender mercies of the Lord (such as having her husband send the divorce papers) like Nephi did and prepare for the 28th. We invited her to finish chapter one and then chapter two and then waited and went back two days later.

When we returned, I spied her Book of Mormon reading chart that we gave her and noticed that she had filled in quite a few boxes. I thought, "Noooo. She just marked that so that I wouldn't be disappointed to hear that she hadn't read the full chapter." Well guess what? She read TEN chapters and LOVED it!!!! She was so excited to talk about it and I can't wait to hear more tomorrow about what she's learning as she has continued to read.

So I have been learning a lot this week about applying the Book of Mormon to the lives of the people we are teaching. And we are seeing miracles. We truly are. There is power in the Book of Mormon. All you have to do is take the time to open it up and study it. Be like Nephi and "liken all scriptures unto [yourselves]" and you will be able to understand more about God's plan for you.

We have had quite the week! But.....I just don't have the time to write about everything. I still have quite a few people to respond to and if I don't get to you this week, I apologize in advance and promise that I love you! Because I do. I love you all so very much! And I am so blessed to have such wonderful people at home backing me up from afar.

I hope you all continue to pray and prove the Lord's promise about the blessings of the Book of Mormon. And use it to bless the lives of others!!!

I'm praying for you! :)

Love Always,

Sistah M.

WOW!

Soooo. This has been a CRAZY, LONG week! (Emphasis on crazy.) Here's the rundown:

Monday: Fun FHE with Jasmin (Jorge's sister), Sistah Roseta and the fam. We watched "Finding Faith in Christ." LOVE that one!

Tuesday: Sister's Conference in Belmopan was a success! I was so worried that it wasn't going to turn out so great, but it was even better than I expected. All the STLs were great and we had a lot of fun. Also, SUPER fun to hear from the Hintzes. I also may or may not have called all of the senior couples old in front of everyone without even realizing it. (I guess old jokes are now part of my nature--thank you, Hermana Mendoza! ;) haha) I just happened to space it as I got up to talk in everyone and said "elderly couples" instead of "senior couples." They made some comments in protest, so I quickly saved it by calling them "the young whippersnappers in the back row." Nonetheless, they talked about it throughout the rest of the meeting. I must say, the Hintzes have now deemed it unnecessary to use the word "senior." They will from now on be known as "the couples." hahaha Oops? ;)

Wednesday. Fun morning spent driving the swiss cheese roads with Sister Tague down in Belize City. (We had to take Sister Montes to the doctor and Sister Hunter couldn't go because she had bronchitis....) It was quite the night! Sister Vasquez and I then spent the remaining hours saying goodbye to people in our area, because she got the call from President Hintze informing her to pack her bags.... :( She is officially in the Dominican Republic recovering her health. And I'm missing that gyal like crazy! I also may or may not have burned my finger with a sparkler as she and I took photos the night before she left.

Thursday. Stuck in the house in a trio all day with Sistah Montes and Sistah Hunter. Luckily I love these sisters lots, or I probably would have gone crazy. (We almost did anyway....) I did, however, get the chance to sew by hand a skirt for Sistah Montes to wear to their baptism on Saturday. Not gonna lie, it looks nice! :D

Friday. Last Zone Meeting with the crew. Annnnnd I GOT MY NEW COMPANION FROM THE AIRPORT!!! Shee nem Sistah Mims ahn shee de deh Flint, Michigan (near Detroit). She's got 9 months in the mission, she is not Latina (shocker, right?), and she is super spunky! Corozal is going to love her! These last days have been super fun and full of laughs.

Saturday. Full of lots of visits and goodbyes. Also teaching Sister Mims the area. One of the members' houses flooded and so we spent a few hours helping them clean that with the elders and Jorge. SUPER fun. Although.....not for the family.

Sunday. Gave my "last testimony." Taught an improv class in Sunday school. We ate THREE lunches from members. How we had enough room for all of that? I have NO idea. Miracle from God, let me tell ya! Continued on with our goodbyes and then in the last visit of the night (Elvis & Ingrid's), they called me to tell me that Sistah Montes and Hunter will be having changes and that......I WILL NOT BE HAVING CHANGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm staying here in Corozal for a sixth change :D and I'll get to stay with Sister Mims even longer!!!! Such a relief and flood of happiness! I wasn't ready to say goodbye yet. This never happens in the mish. Especially with sisters and especially in Belize. God must know something that I don't! And I am overjoyed with this chance that I have to stay even longer with my people that I love so much here in Sweet Corozal. Best. Day. Ever.

Well, I'll keep you updated with this upcoming crazy week. Sistah Mims and I are ready to echar fuego con todo. It's going to be an amazing week full of miracles! Will keep you updated..... :)

I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the best thing that has happened in all of our lives. It is so personal, yet so glorious for all of us. It's the singlemost important thing that can make us truly happy. Keep finding out what the Atonement means for you and find opportunities to share your testimony of it with others. Everyone needs that blessing in their lives, members and nonmembers both! :) I love my Savior and will forever be grateful for Him and this infinite sacrifice.

I love and pray for you all! Have a magnificent week! :)

Love Always,

Sistah M.

Transfers coming...more information next weekk!

Well, hey y'all!

This week was one of those that just flew by! Sister Vasquez was a little bit under the weather, so we had quite a bit of down time. So that meant lots of studying for what I'm going to say at the Sister's Conference tomorrow (Meh! Even though I have been a missionary for a while, I still do not like speaking in front of other people!) AND mi Kriol!!! Ai mi laan lat a tings--ai tink--bowt di Kriol langwij. Ai wahn chrai fi yooz moa a it eena fi mi letas tu unu. Bot unu noh hav Google Translate tu help unu andastan wot ai di chrai fi seh. Soree bowt dat! ;) hahaha

But it's coming along! If you all would like a letter in Kriol, just send me an email wid yo address! I'll get on it during my language study time.... :D haha

Umm....but yeah. The week, even with it's downtime, went well. On Tuesday, all of us missionaries and Jorge went to RD's--one of the restaurants in town for my birthday lunch. And YES--they did shove my face in the cake. Little did they know that that is already a tradition of mine own at our house..... They don't even have to push it in! ;) HA! (The joke's on them.... :D) But it was a great day. Jorge came out with us the whole day to go visiting and he said at the end of it (and I quote): "This was one of the best days of my entire life!" And it was a really, REALLY good one. We had great lessons, met with my wonderful friends here in Corozal, and I just....couldn't stop smiling. I really felt God's love for me. :D

We also had interviews with President and Sister Hintze on Saturday. Quite the highlight of the day/week/MONTH for me! I love both of them and they really seem to know what to say to me and at what time to say it. President really helped me see the good in our trials. He shared a little bit with me about his life and his trials. He lost his dad when he was fairly young too and it was pretty difficult for him (as it is for anyone). But he told me, "Sister McCulloch. We are so blessed! We were born into a family with two wonderful, loving parents. We were blessed to be born in a good environment such as Utah to be surrounded with people who share our beliefs. Everything has led up to this point--where we have the opportunity to share what we know. We meet so many people everywhere who have been born into dysfunctional families, who don't have the gospel, who don't have what we have. But Heavenly Father expects us to share what we know so that they, too, can have what we have."

Where much is given, much is required. I have come to realize that here on the mission. I have been blessed by my Father in Heaven and He continues to do so. Now how am I going to show Him my gratitude? By continuing to share His word with everyone I meet! I invite you all to do the same! So many people are waiting for this gospel at this time. Find those who need it! Don't forget that He is the Gift and that it's a gift that we need to share at all times and in all places!

I know that Christ lives. He loves us and has provided us a way to be happy in this life and return to live with Him and our families in the next. Our Father in Heaven is guiding us, cheering us on, and is aware of our every need. He will be there to lead us along in our most trying times.

I love and pray for you all. Keep finding opportunities to share what you have learned to strengthen your testimony and the testimony of others this week!

Love Always,

Sistah M.

Adversity is a blessing that helps us become acquainted with God

First off, shoutout to ma li brudda who's turning SEVENTEEN today!!!! HOLLA! :D hehehe (Everyone give him lots of hugs and kisses to watch him squirm for me!) ;)

Okay. Now about the week.... It was a pretty low-key week. We got wet. And I mean SOAKED. And no one would let us in!!!! We were in the outskirts of our area in a place called Skeleton Town and tried a couple of houses on the way to the seaside (the other furthermost part of our area on the opposite side....), but to no avail. Finally one of our investigators let us in and we ended up chilling in her house for two hours until the rain died down enough for us to go back out. The thing is that here in Belize? When it rains, everything shuts down. Even the chinos. Er....the chinese stores. :) I don't know why though. I guess they don't really like adventure (That or random, drenched, smelling-like-wet-dogs young women showing up on their doorstep offering to share a message about Jesus Christ and eternal families)!

Anyway, needless to say, it rained a couple of times this week. ANND it was right around the time that I was beginning to get a cold.... :/ Puchiga! But oh well. I'm finally getting over it, I think. :)

So. Miracles of the week. It mostly involved time. Calling/visiting people when they needed it most. We had been weekly planning and then I called our recent (half) convert, Frank to check on him. We were planning to confirm him on Saturday afternoon and we wanted to make sure that he was still excited about that. (We have been waiting FIVE months..... It was a crazy situation, but that's another long story for another time....) So anyway, I talked to his sister and she asked for a certain member to be there. So I called her up and as I was talking to her, I noticed that she was crying. So.....Sister Vasquez (as tired as she was from her recent health problems....) and I jumped on our bikes, ran to the store to buy chocolate, skipped lunch, and went and visited this member for an hour or so. She has been very stressed lately, but was able to vent and solved everything herself. I am just in awe with this member and her little family. I'm in awe with many members in fact. We were able to serve various families this week in their own times of need and all of them involved single mothers. I hope that someday I can be as good of an example to my future children as they are to theirs. They are the definition of true strength and complete trust and reliance in the Lord.

On Tuesday, we had a leadership meeting down in Belize City. On the way back, Sister DeLeon and I (our companions were left in Orange Walk...) ended up being split up on the bus. But it was great. I had the coolest experiences with giving children "He is the Gift" pass-along cards and becoming friends with their parents.

I also met a really cool guy on the bus as we were going from Orange Walk to Corozal. I wish I had more time to share a little more detail about him. But.....he used to work with a member a few years ago, so he has heard a bit about the Church. Not much. He is recently married to his wife (a little over a year) and they just recently had a little baby girl who only survived a few days. (Plan of Salvation!) But he was very nice and we got along very well. He agreed for us to come back and seemed really excited. #TenderMercyoftheLord #TheSpirit

One more....

At the bus stop in Belize City, I was able to meet such an amazing woman named Elizabeth who has had 14 years of pure adversity (starting with the deaths of 11 of her 14 children in a fire) and is still going strong. I was able to have a short "lesson" with her and bore my testimony of God's Plan of Salvation and Jesus Christ's Atonement. I LOVE being a missionary--a representative of Jesus Christ all the time. I love being able to go anywhere and still find opportunities to share His gospel or to talk about His love and His Atonement. I know that He lives and loves us. I know that He loves us enough to bless us with trials so that we can become more like Him. So that we can feel Him ever closer in our own lives. So that we can be happy, knowing that He understands us, knows exactly how we feel, and is with us always. I love the story of the footprints in the sand. There's a man who is standing with the Lord, looking back on his life. As he views the path he left behind, he notices that often there are two sets of footprints in the sand, but in those most difficult moments--those hilly spots--he only sees one. He turns to the Lord and asks, "Why? Why did you abandon me when I needed you most?" The Lord simply smiles and replies, "It was in those moments that you only see one set of footprints that I carried you instead."

I know that the Atonement can carry all of us in our most difficult times. There is nothing that we can't overcome in the strength of the Lord. Let us all learn a lesson from Paul found in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, themessenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I ratherglory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I amweak, then am I strong.
Paul is given affliction--a thorn in the flesh. He asks the Lord three times to make it depart from him and the Lord says what? "My grace is sufficient for thee....my strength is perfect in weakness."

If we accept these trials and lean on our Elder Brother, His grace, and His strength, we can endure anything thrown our way. Christ wants to help us and if we are faithful and diligently seek His help, I know He will.

I love you and pray for you all. Adversity is a blessing that helps us become acquainted with God! That's my invitation for you this week--take pleasure in your infirmities and think about the grace that our Savior's Atonement provides to make us strong!

Love Always,

Sistah M.

Hope you had a good new year!

Hey everyone!

So I don't have too much to write this week. It was a pretty fast week, it seemed like, but kind of slow in the work of the Lord. With New Years, people were.....a little unreceptive to the word (to say the least). They do have a really interesting tradition here, though. They make these little dummies that look like old men and they stuff them full of palomitas (firecrackers to my understanding....) and light them on fire at midnight to signify getting rid of all the old and starting with the new. Very interesting.... One of the other sisters took pictures, so I'll have to get that and then pass it along next week! Only in Belize.... ;) haha

Umm...a few simple stories for now. We had an interesting follow-up lesson with a man we met two weeks ago. We had originally had a return appointment set for last Sunday, but ended up missing it because of choir practice running late. (Yes, I know. Missionaries should NEVER miss their appointments or arrive late. Sister Vasquez and I just forgot....) Later during the week, however, we ran into this man again and sat down to have a quick lesson with him. We started laughing and getting to know him and then sang one of my favorite hymns, "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty," which heloved! We asked about starting off with a prayer and he volunteered to offer it even though he has never prayed in his entire life! We started talking about prophets and Jesus Christ (leading on to the Restoration of the gospel) and he was so happy about everything. He kept saying that he didn't have to pray about what we were teaching--he already knew that it was true! So that was a really cool experience. When we first contacted him, he didn't seem like a very positive guy. But it just goes to show that we need to talk with everyone and follow up with everyone because we never know who the Spirit is working on....

My companion and I may or may not have pulled a prank on the other sisters. We, of course, didn't do it all on our own. Some of the members helped us pull it off! :D That, however, is a bit of a longer story, but let's just say that the sisters thought someone had stolen their bikes and that they were going to have to pay for new ones. :) hehe They did learn their lesson though--to lock their bikes always and to come home on time! hahaha

One last story. Wednesday night, the recent convert family that lives down the street--their two children were reallysick. We had called the elders to come and give a blessing and they got there, without any oil. I had bought some two months or so ago for the bites on my legs, but and long since stopped using it. There was still quite a bit left, so we were able to quickly run home and the elders were able to consecrate it and use it for the blessing. They gave the son a blessing first and by the time they finished, their two year-old girl was crying and wouldn't stop. They anointed her,still crying. But it wasn't until they began giving her the blessing that she finally stopped. It was....a very cool experience. The Spirit filled every part of that room. And the children were better the next day which is incredible because Reyna had the possibility of having Hepatitis--it was that bad....

I am so grateful to be here on the mission. Every day is full of tiny miracles and they all are strengthening my faith. I'm so grateful for the adversities that we face in life, for I know that they are what help us become acquainted with God.

Thank you for all of your love and support. Shoutout to ma li sistah who may or may not be getting a mission call this week! (Fingers crossed for Belize! ;) hahaha) And double shoutout to ma older sistah who leaves for North Carolina in a month! I am so grateful for the blessing that we have to serve the Lord in various capacities throughout the world. I encourage all of you to continue to look for ways to show your love and appreciation for Him through the service that you rend for others. Always remember President Monson's favorite hymn, "Have I Done Any Good?"

I love you all! Have a wonderful service-filled week!

Love Always,

Sistah M