(Elder Mackrory)
Olá amigos e família!
Não foi uma semana inteira, mas vi 6,5 fuscas! Sim, você leu
certo. Eu vi um meio fusca! Significa que minha missão felizmente vai terminar
com um número inteiro.
What's up my friends! These few days have been kinda hectic,
but so fun. Before the conclusion, I’ll give a brief summary of what happened.
Last pday we started off with the transfer announcement, and
it was kinda weird not being the least bit worried about the outcome haha. I
finished packing everything and we left for the mall to have lunch. The rest of
the zone was there, but us four ate at Jorge’s pizza place. He gave us a nice
discount, and it was nice to see him once more. We then tried to go bowling
only to find out that you have to make reservations beforehand. So we went to
the chapel to play soccer. Elder Roca and I took a bit longer because I bought
a new Vasco Jersey with my name on it. That night we travelled to the Botafogo
house with all of our bags. I arranged as well to meet up with Rafael and
Marcel before going to bed, which was really nice. Good to see them, but hard
to say goodbye.
On Tuesday, a lot happened. So much. Also because Wednesday
felt like a continuation of it. Anyway, at 6:30, before I could stumble across
the room to turn off my alarm, Elders Smith and Westover arrived at our house
to go running on the beach. On a whim I decided to go with them. It was super
cool. We watched the sunrise next to Sugarloaf mountain. Heading back to the
apartment, I got ready for the day and left with Elders Krummenacher and
Coutinho, who planned to meet up with Vinicius. I got to participate in their
lesson and said goodbye to him. At the office, I finished organizing the bags
and making sure everything was under the weight limit. For lunch I went out
again with Elders Krummenacher and Coutinho to eat lunch with Marcel. I’m glad
my first and last meal in the mission field was chicken stroganoff. I hung out
with the guys at the office until it was time to go, at which time Jade showed
up and we got to talk a bit before it was time to get in the taxis.
We arrived at the airport and said our goodbyes to president
and sister, which was super tough. We boarded the plane, and said goodbye to
Rio for the last time (at least for now). Elder Patterson and I chatted a bit
before trying to sleep. The flight was comfortable, but I only managed to sleep
for a few 40 minute intervals. At Atlanta, we all headed to the Salt Lake gate
and said our goodbyes. It was super tough, but most hugs ended with “See you in
a month at BYU”, so most goodbyes weren’t so tough. But from that point
forward, I was on my own. I headed to my gate, and boarded the plane. As soon
as we got up to 30,000 ft, I went up to the front of the cabin to ask where the
bathrooms were. This incredibly embarrassing conversation went like this:
Flight attendant: How can I help you?
Elder Mackrory (clueless): O banheiro fica lá atrás?
Flight attendant: Sorry?
Elder Mackrory (still clueless): O banheiro fica lá atrás?
Flight Attendant: *confused look*
Elder Mackrory: Oh! whoops. Is the bathroom in the back?
Flight attendant: Yes. But there’s one behind you that you
are welcome to use!
Elder Mackrory (already cringing): Thank you!
I made sure to scold myself in the bathroom mirror after
that one. Anyway I landed in Albuquerque almost a half hour early, and got to
finally hug my mom and the rest of my family (not that I love them any less).
The youngest three have all grown so much! It is so freaky. We went home and
unpacked right away, and then went to Chick-fil-a for lunch. Man I have missed
Root Beer and the Spicy Southwest salad. Coming home, I caught up with my
siblings and did laundry. Basically just waited around for the Stake president
to arrive to release me. When he arrived we had a good conversation about some
of the key takeaways and how to apply the things I learned. Then he left and I
took off my tag. That was kinda it. I’ll finish with some key takeaways.
Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world, and
LIVES. There is no truth more significant than this. Everything else in
which I believe is a mere appendage of this. As we prayerfully seek an
understanding of this truth, we will feel the peace of the Holy Spirit
testifying to our hearts that it is true. And what a marvelous truth it is!
Jesus Christ is our perfect exemplar and prepared the way for us to return to
our Heavenly Father. Because He suffered for our sins, we can overcome them and
be forgiven. Because He felt each of our sufferings, sadnesses, and afflictions,
we do not have to walk through life alone and without comfort. Because died and
rose again, each of us will receive a perfected body in the resurrection.
Because He loves us, we can be strengthened as we strive to become more like
Him and overcome our weaknesses.
Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and translated the Book
of Mormon by the gift and power of God. During my mission, I had the
privilege of reading the book, “Teachings of the Presidents of the Church:
Joseph Smith”, and from doing so I strengthened my testimony of his divine
calling. Through divine guidance, he was able to find the ancient record of the
Americas and translate them by divine power. The Book of Mormon is true. As we
read it, the power of the Gospel can enter into our lives with renewed power
and joy. As we pray to know the truthfulness of the Book, the Holy Spirit will
testify to us that it is. By the same power, we will know that Joseph Smith was
a prophet of God, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is
the true church, led by Jesus Christ Himself through a prophet.
Our progress toward God is limited only by our own
efforts and desire to seek Him. God wants us to come back into His
presence, but no unclean thing can dwell there. So He asks us to be perfect and
worthy to enter. However, in this life we have weaknesses, and this makes
returning impossible. But God knew that it would not be possible for us to
return on our own merits, so He, in His love, prepared the way back. Jesus
Christ came to the world to make intercession for it. He paid the necessary
price for all sins and allowed all of us to be clean. For Him to purify us, He
requires that we strive. If we strive with all our heart, might, mind, and
strength to be pure, Jesus Christ will grant us Grace, so that our efforts are
enough, even being imperfect. No human that has ever stepped foot on this earth
has not had the ability to become like Jesus Christ.
The best way to study the Gospel is by applying it.
No book, video, or other study material will make us true Christians. Study
material serves to teach us how to act. So we must then act. We must seek to be
better in accordance with that which we study, or we are condemned. The same
declaration that Jesus Christ is the Christ brought a devil condemnation, and
Peter salvation. The difference? Peter applied that which he heard the Master
say. Want to understand why we serve others? Serve others. Want to know why we
pray? Pray. Want to know why we go to church on Sundays? Come to church! Want
to understand the love Jesus Christ has for you? Repent of your sins and seek
to love others.
Well, we’ve come to the end of this email, and thus the end
of my weekly emails. Thanks so much for reading and supporting me during this
incredible journey of learning and teaching. May God be with you and ever
prompt you to do well. If you’d like to stay in contact with me after the
mission, you can respond to this email within three months or just shoot me a
message on instagram or facebook. @lyman.mackrory
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