Happy New Years Eve

Hey family!

Happy New Year! Its funny that I wrote you on New Years Eve of 2012 too! It was great to get to talk to you and so funny that it is about to be transfers again. I don't know when I will get to email you but the whole mission is guessing that it will be on Monday cause of transfers

So one of the crazy miracles of the week happened on Saturday. The old folk home was having  a holiday social that we went to and when we came out of it, we were trying to decide what to do. We decided that we would stop over at a family that we had recently helped reactivate. When we got there, her friend Brenda was visiting. from Rio Rancho.  We chatted and asked her if she wanted to take the missionary lessons. she avoided the question by saying her husband is currently working in Oregon while she prepares the house for the next month.  and we just chat on. Her friend, the member, jokingly said that If she didn't get baptized, the member would do it for her when she was dead :) it was fun. they talk about the church a lot. and she sat on the lessons in the past.  She went to the bathroom and when she came out, she went to the member and said "ill get baptized" wow! talk about all of us sitting there in shock!!!!!! and the spirit in the room changed so much as she said those words. it was surely exactly where we were meant to be. the spirit did the rest.

Another miracle from the week was when we stopped by to see a man named Gilbert. I'm not exactly sure how the missionaries met him, but we decided to knock on his door. and wow, is he a talker!!!!! in our first appointment he began by saying that God doesn't answer prayers. And then ended by telling a story about how he prayed and how he felt Gods help in raising his son after his wife passed. It was awesome! He totally taught himself the truth!!!!

We also had a lesson with a less active part member family (Acton's) that told us we could come back and teach them the lessons. They were listening in the past and we had tried them over and over again but they had gotten busy. I finally decided to stop when our Ward Mission Leader invited us to go back again. So I humble myself and we go and end up making an appointment. Then our elders quorum president that has never ever come with us, asks if he can. YES and the lesson went great. the 2 of them were really able to connect well. and now he knows who to call when there is service needed or anything else.

no time

love you all! Happy 2014

Love Sister McShane

Christmas Day Skype with Elizabeth!!

Christmas Day Skype with Elizabeth
Merry Christmas from the McShane Family!!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

Its almost hard to know what to write, when I know that I will be talking to y'all in person tomorrow!!!!

This has been a really good and stressful week, but that is missionary life :)

This week we had another lesson with Memi and mom, it reminded me a lot of your RS lesson. We went into the lesson with the plan of teaching the first half of the restoration about God is loving, dispensations, and Christ, and I just had this icky feeling that it just wasn't right. It wasn't what we were meant to teach her and I didn't really know what to do. We had 30 min, and I couldn't just lean over to my comp and say Hey, this is all wrong. But I just kept praying that I would know what to do and that my comp would to. So I start reading the scripture we had planed on in 1st James about how God is love. And the entire lesson we just talked about how God loves us even though we are so undeserving and about everything Heavenly Father allowed Jesus Christ to do for us. It felt like we would open our mouth to speak because we knew we had to and God somehow gave us the right words and phrases to say. It was  powerful lesson with a woman that I love a lot. It wasn't us doing the teaching.

But that is something I've also been thinking about. Is how God NEEDs us to do His great work. kind of of an awe-inspiring thing.

It seems that love is a theme for the week. We were trying to see one of our investigators that hasn't met with us in about a month. and we were at the end of trying her when we stopped to see Nicole and the family of 5. and She is very honest and just told us about how she doesn't feel Gods love. She feels like she has done too much wrong and has so much guilt. its great to know that through the atonement we can lose that guilt and we will never lose gods love.

We had an early Christmas dinner with the Taylors and it was the best ever!!!! It was a combined traditional/new Mexican Christmas with turkey, ham, and all the sides as well as enchiladas, green chili, homemade tamales, and more. And they gave us a cute ornament that has a picture of a new Mexican snowman in the desert. its half a head and a carrot :) I love them sooo much!

The surprise package was wonderful! We got home at about 8:20 and saw a note on the door saying Sister McShane I have a package for you from Katy from Sister D... So I called, but I couldn't remember who sister D. was. But when I opened the door for her I almost screamed and I knew exactly who it was! IT was sooo cool! And I loved the hugs and it was just sooo much fun! didn't want to say goodbye I just keep staring at the packages and letter and other fun stuff. love it so much. Sorry dad for just saying hi mom. she said that she was just going to send it to mom soo.... you know I was thinking of you. We had dinner last night with the lady who served in your same mission. So cool. but she did tons of tracking

I love yall!!!! Merry Christmas Eve!!! Have fun!

Christmas Package Surprise!

Christmas Surprise for Sister McShane!!
We had some special friends of ours in our ward who were traveling to Albuquerque for Christmas and offerered to take Elizabeth her Christmas presents for us and to deliver special hugs from Mom.  What a wonderful surprise it was for her and a wonderful blessing for us!!  We added lots of extra goodies we were not planning to the package and were so blessed with this sweet connection!  We love and miss our girl so much!!
This picture was taken by our sweet friends!

December half Way gone

So much to say I can't fit it all in. Good thing I'm talking to you... wait, is it next week! wow! no, wow.

First, I will be emailing on Christmas Eve
Second, I've asked Audra Horschel if we can skype from her home sometime in the evening but honestly don't have more details than that. I'm hoping for the evening time because its hard to work after calling home. And this will be my comps first call home.

Mission party was tons and tons of fun! We even drove the long way to get there so that I could go through Bernalillo and Rio Rancho! First area! It was sooo much fun to be there and know exactly how to get to church and exactly where people lived in the area. So much fun! Felt like home. Then we go and of course half of the missionaries in the mission are there including the 2 sisters I was at the MTC with.  We talked and talked and talked. Then I saw Brother Biggs from Enchanted Hills and I find out that my first ward was having a Christmas Breakfast that had just ended so I got to go in and see some of my fav members (all were like, oh, you must be going home soon :/) The food was amazing! A huge feast and they gave us little ornaments with the names of Christ and were sooo sweet. Then the conference was sooo good. I have so many fav parts of it. The first made me cry was when Elder Foster of the 70 said that as we kneel down every night, think about that last prayer you will ever say (on mission) and what you want to be able to say to your Heavenly Father. That was good and I didn't cry from regret more from sorrow as to when that prayer will be. Another part was when he talked about missionary work and the responsibility of it. There is a difference between the work being for

1 the missionaries

2 members helping missionaries

3 missionaries helping members_____ and that is where we want to be. The members own the work we are meant to help teach the people they are finding. Not the other way around. But it is a life style adjustment.  We will see.

Ward party was a lot of fun too. We even had a less active family come and that was great! Its incredible how a great party was turned into something amazing when I saw them come it. Santa was fun and it was very simple. Sad thing about being a missionary is they made us sing Christmas songs Karaoke style in a microphone as everyone else was SUPPOSE to be singing too. gah. haha

Remember last week when I told you about teaching someone named Mimi? She was a former investigator and also the daughter of a less active member that we have been teaching. Well, we finally got to meet with her 2 times and it was amazing! It was on her lunch break both times and when we sat down, you could just see on her face the expectation to be spiritually fed. She was sooo open and ready to hear that she didn't want us to leave and set the next appointment for the very next day. It was a miracle. Her life has changed so much since she last met with the missionaries as she had to learn hard lessons. But now I truly believe that she is ready to embrace the gospel whole heartedly.

This really has been a great week and I'll have to tell you more about it tomorrow. Ask me about

senior couple and Luis

Delgados blessing

I love you all and Merry Christmas!!!! I love you mom, dad, Eyn, Trent, And Amberly!!

PS thanks for the the candy chain, gal! Its sooo much fun to do!

Christmas all around

Dear Family! Merry Christmas! How are all of you doing today????

This week has been good. And not as crazy as last week, although now we just laugh about that story :)

Last night was great. It started with dinner at the Jake/Adorno familys home and it was just a lot of fun. We had pizza and zeps and felt very good and comfortable there. After that, we went to home of a less active woman's named Patsy. We have stopped by her home before and we see her a lot at the assisted living home that we do service for. The moment we saw her we just knew that not all was okay and she was struggling. (but she is not one to ask for help) We just talked with her for a little bit. And shared a scripture about the Christ takes upon himself the sting of death. It meant a lot to the both of us. With her we found out that one of the men at the old folks home I knew had also passed away unexpectedly. While there, another miracle happened in which her daughter stopped by to pick up a pan. She had been a former investigator and we had been trying to see her for some time but couldn't. We were able to set up an appointment to meet at the old folks home. That was a huge miracle.

Sometimes it is funny how being in the right place at the right time makes you late for the next place that you are "suppose"to be at. Next we had a meeting with a returning member and her family. Because of some contention at home, she asked us if we could meet at Starbucks instead and brought a neighbor along. It was really good. We were able to talk about how missionary work is going and about how she has been reading the scriptures. I really loved how she was so comfortable inviting her friends to get hot chocolate with the missionaries. To her, this is just how she lives her life. She jokes about baptizing her friend in the coffee and so forth. I love her and I am thankful for her trust.

Another miracle was that Ruth and Fredrick got baptized on Saturday!!!! Yippee! She is hispanic and he native American from Canada. They are the couple that we started teaching, but then had to pass over to the Elder for boundary purposes. It was really really cool. And I know that I was meant to be here to start that process for them, although I don't think I'll ever understand exactly what I did do. They asked me to give one of the talks and I was more than happy to. I love them so much and I am so excited for there little family. On the way to the baptism, we got a phone call from the WML asking if we were nearby. We were just around the corner. he also asked if I had prepared a talk and what it was on. I told him I was asked to give the talk on baptism. Pause. And he tells me that he had messed up the program and 2 people had been asked to give a talk on baptism. I'm literally 3 min. away from the chapel at this point. And I say, oh.... well... I can try to wing a talk on the spirit if you want me too. he replies and says I don't really care, but that would be great.... haha. So we get to the baptism and I quickly think of a few points I'd really been thinking and feeling and gave a 5 min. talk on it. And it went really well. And I want to say that that is because of 2 reasons. 1 is because Giving talks like that if I know something to say don't freak me out too much and I'm able to just go and look perfectly calm and the other more important reason is because the spirit and my love did the work. It was very nice.

This week we did service in a home without a heater. We were trying to put boards and insulation up. and there was no heat. We were freezing and I couldn't imagine how cold this family must be at night. It was crazy . I love them so much and I was very grateful to be there in there circumstances and do some good. later that night we ate with a single woman who fed us simple sandwiches for dinner. We felt very fortunate to be there and be able to feel heavenly fathers love in there home and there great humility.

Another great event this week was the Messiah and nativity showing that the stake put on. We went to both nights of it hoping to see someone we invited. Although we didn't, it was still a great night and very spiritual. \

I love you all!!!!

Crazy!

Hello my family!!! How are you? So the RS made these countdowns to Christmas and let us make one too. Its not my fav one, but I like it. Problem is that yesterday I realized it was a countdown to when I get to talk to y'all too. :)

The last few weeks have been incredible. I don't know how but I have changed a lot. I've been thinking a lot about change since I got Amberly's great poster that says "Elizabeth    Don't ever change" And really everything she sent to me meant a lot. I've thought about how I am still the same person, but that I have changed, in some ways I can't quite tell yet. But first I have a really long story to tell.

My new comp is Sister Murphy. She just finished training, been out 3 months, and this is her second area. Lets just say that she freaked out a bit from the change. I love her a lot!!! but this change has been really hard on her. As a result, we received priesthood blessings from great Zone Leaders on Friday. But on Sunday we called the STLs and they came over to help. I think the biggest problem was that the trial wasn't going to just go away. On Monday, we called them again and just asked for a hug and it was good for me, but the day had just started out as a downer with a bad dream and so forth. But afterword everything was good and we contacted a few new people, got a potential. it was great! Dinner at the Taylors was a lot of fun, taught 2 people, great day right!!!!!

So we were driving out of a neighbor hood, and at a stop sign when I saw a teenage girl walking toward us waving us down. She looked really panicky. I rolled down the window just enough to talk with her. She said that she needed a ride down to Smiths parking lot and that her dad was going to commit suicide and she had called the cops. ... .... ..... yeah.    We told her no. We couldn't give her a ride and she ran away, but we called the cops any way and reported it. Little did I realize that we were a block from Smiths and that was exactly where I was headed. So when we saw about 10 cop cars and a squad of cops walking with guns towards Smiths, you can just imagine what we were feeling.

We drove away and went to a parking lot just to sit. and recoup. and pray. We called the DL and ZLs but no answer. So we just waited. but of course, we again were not as far as we thought. And the DLS called right as we saw an ambulance leaving from the Smiths area. So at that point Sis. Murphy asked for a blessing. And we were able to set it up for the ZLs to come with another companionship. Of course they show up when I am in the middle of a melt down. I also got one. An incredible one and more on that later. But that is also not the end of the drama...

During dinner, we had gotten a lot of calls from an unknown number as well as a curse word in a text. As we were coming for blessings, It happened again and had a odd conversation that just didn't make sense. And since the ZLs were asking what was up, we told them about the phone calls. They told us to text president. Who quickly asked for the number and then sent this reply

"I have called and texted the number. I informed the caller that his number had been turned over to the authorities and any further calls would result in his immediate arrest. I immediately got a reply of "okay, I'm sorry". I believe you'll be safe."

yeah, you don't mess with President's girls :) I love him

Alright, soo drama done and over. or so we really hope.

But I want to go back to the amazing blessings we got last night. I love our zone leaders. They just really care and never make us feel like "dumb sisters" The blessing was a huge answer to many many prayers. I think the biggest one was when Heavenly Father told me that I am now the missionary that he wanted me to become. And that was a huge thing. I remember a year ago getting blessings about how one day I would be able to become the missionary I want to be and the one that Heavenly Father wants me to be. How when in Cruces, God told me I was a wonderful missionary and President said then I had a glow and how now pres says its even greater. I have gone through a lot and worked so hard. We read 1 Nephi 3:7 today and I thought, hey I am doing this and it is doing good. It is well. And another incredibly special point was when Heavenly Father told me that the greatest and most important part of my mission has been saved for the end. It made me feel so special to just know again that Heavenly father hasn't forgotten me. That it has all worked up to this and many more great and important things. That I'm still here for many important reasons and that it is good. I'm sooo happy to know that I am fulfilling Heavenly Father's expectations. That is all that I ever wanted. That's why I am here and now it is just so much grater and expanded. I know now that coming home is going to be really really hard for me. I am so grateful to make Heavenly Father happy.

I know this is a crazy letter, but i am thankful for it. I love my mission. I love everything we do. I love it. I am happy

I love you all So very much. Thank you for the cards and more!

Love Sister McShane,

Elizabeth

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hey family!
So much to say so little time!

First off, you are all wondering about me and transfers. But the truth is, I am not surprised. On Wednesday, Sis. Rager was having a bad day and called Mission Pres for an interview. So we went over there a few hours before and everything went smoothly and well. They were out in like 10 min. In the mean time, I was talking with Sis. Miller and I just couldn't help it, I started to cry. So then President asked to interview me...  and in the interview he told me that Sis. Rager and I would not be companions this coming transfer. I have huge mixed feelings about this. A part of me hopes that Its not just because of me and that this is how it is suppose to be for both her and these areas and people. And I try to not let doubts linger. But I do have trust that Pres. Miller asks the Lord about where each of us go and that God won't let him screw up His work. These have been hard transfers, but I have loved them nevertheless, and honestly, the knee issues were not an issue in my mind at all. I love her and She needed to be here for herself and for me and for this area. She has been a strength and I am thankful for her as well as I have learned a lot. I can see how change needed to happen, because we have no one to visit and had no other ways to find new investigators and so forth. I pray for her and I pray for my next companion.

No, I do not know if I will have to get a bike, which, please look at my bank account and make sure that is okay. But it probably will be my last area, seeing my track record, we will see. I would be happy with that. I think either way right now I would be happy.

Ok, so internet, Talked with Bro. Horschel (WML) and he said we could email at his house. he says its Comcast, said something about he has about 50mpg downloading speed but it is consistently at 70pmg...? didn't understand but he said it was good and ask if we wanted Skype or some odd strange new thing called Google hang out??? yeah. Oh, and I will be having one of my thanksgivings at the first phone calls house!

So today was sooo much fun! Last night the ZLs texted and said because of transfers pday would be on Monday(of course messing us all up!) so we went to the tram! It was sooooo beautiful! The top of the Sandias is covered in snow!!!! you remember the winter wonderland trees with snow packed on them! So amazing! We wore Santa hats and hope to get Christmas cards out of them. So much fun! We walked around the closed ski lift with a few skiers and just had a fun time. snowball fights! angles! it was sooo gorgeous and white! We even saw our area! thanks to a very large casino we cover. haha. It was a huge answer to our prayers in so many ways! 1. to come at all! 2, Sis. Ragers snow 3. to find our area even though a fog blocked our way 4 that the sky would clear and in the few hours before, it did! 5 no storm!  and just more. it was a huge blessing!

So Amberly, what is this with sending Sis. Rager a 3 page letter (which she did open) and not me!!!! huh????? haha, we both loved the construction paper letter! It was way cute! And Sis. Rager will write you. She has seen Merlin 5 and supposedly is excited to write you although I refused to read your spoilers :)

Hmm thanksgiving plans, So far we have 2 dinners we are for sure going to and we really hope to find more members to stop by and see but besides that, I'm not really sure. The members said we could request anything, but when I asked for pumpkin pie they said that was the one thing their family does not do.  :( but that's okay. others will of course have it!

Haha, so y'all saw our pics up on the NMAM Facebook page? that is cool. And yeah, Sis. Dennis doesn't think we get enough mail from our ENTIRE family so she wanted to send out a loud message :) I love her! she is soo funny!

This last Saturday was a lot of fun, as we were invited to go to 2 thanksgiving parties at the Beehive house(the assisted living home and it was sooo much fun! When we were invited, the staff told us that we were a part of these peoples lives and they love to have you there and to introduce you to there family and friends, who they tell about you to. And you know what, its true and we were so thankful for that opportunity to really see that. They were so funny and just happy to see us! Including the staff. Its funny to feel at home there. I really do love it a lot. 

Okay, so the member squealed and told you I was trunkie. Shameful. haha, so as I told Sis. Rager last night, I'm really trunkie to like see my family, get to watch movies, and sing whatever songs I want, but I'm not homesick. I'm not longing for these things so bad that I can't function or push these thoughts away. I am happy here and if I could come up with some way to extend my mission, with getting to talk and see y'all all the time, i'd be perfectly good. Nah, i'm not trunkie. In fact, I don't even want to think about the Christmas call home cause that may make me homesick. But I am happy and content here, and as President promised me this week, I will find even more contentment with where my mission is by the end of next transfer.

i love you!!!!! i love you happy thanksgiving!

Short Letter

Hey family,

How are you today?
To start off, Sister Rager had her doctor's appointment yesterday and she really thought that she was going to be sent home. But the doctor gave her a cortisone shot and said that that was the last possible thing that they could do before surgery so if it doesn't work, she will be going home at the end of next transfer. Hopefully it will, even just enough to get her through. Thank you my family for all of your sweet prayers for her. She really does need a miracle.

Something cool this week was being able to teach a family of 5. Amberly you are going to love this! One of the girl's name's is Emrise, just like Merlin's magical name! How awesome is that! They are a great family, just really busy and forgetful. And they have a strong religious background of the past. The mom and one kid grew up very catholic and stopped attending when they said that the "catholic guilt" was too much. I think that was very sad and we tried to teach they about how God is loving and although he wants them to be better, but doesn't want guilt to make us feel worthless. The lesson was hectic and we even got to teach a Jehovah's Witness for a while.

You keep asking me about my Christmas wish list, and most of it is stuff I want when I get home besides stuff I will just need like deodorant and blah, there is a massage ( i needed that 14 months ago!)  car, laptop, hmmm money for clothes,... umm I know I have a big list on the whiteboard...

Last week we went to the Aquarium and it was sooo much fun! we got to touch stingray (my fav fish) and see lots and lots of cool fish. we even stayed to see them feed the turtles and stingrays and that stuff. it was a lot more fun that an aquarium sounds. I still think I prefer the zoos but I really liked this. there was also a really big nature bio park with the ticket and that was beautiful. we went in the green house and it was actually humid! and green! felt like a spring at home.

We are just trying to stay busy and find new things to do. Sometimes I feel like Sis. Ragers mom telling her we need to go home and ice her knee. its odd and I don't like doing it.

Sorry this is short today! I love y'all! have an awesome day! we have stake conference this Sunday :)

Love love love! Elizabeth! Sister McShane

Pdays now on Tuesdays

Dear Family!

How are you! Okay, so confession, my comp added up how many days I have left. That is all I will say about that :(

This week has been good. As I've told you, Pdays are now on Tuesdays so that is really weird. and Weekly planning days are now on Mondays. So our weeks are very different. As many missionaries have said, on Monday we will be planning what we will be doing on Tuesday. :) but that is just how it goes!

My comp is still in tons of pain. On the pain scale of 1-10 she is regularly at a 7-10+. But she doesn't just tell me that so I have to ask her how she is doing a lot. I'm afraid we may be inside much of this week. :( But I am very thankful to be here with her. The other night was really had, and I was very thankful that I was just able to make her smile as I just did Silly little things. and Trent! She drew me my warrior cat! Her name is Foxlight of Thunderclan. Soo awesome! She is way pretty black and white. We also checked out the old testament dvds at the church library and have been watching them. Some are really good and some are SOOOO 90s.

This week, we had exchanges, and I HATE exchanges. I was going to another area (canyon heights) with sis. Chatwin and sis. Johnson and then my comp stayed here with someone else. But I def. know this exchange was inspired. For some reason, Sis. Johnson was able to open up to me and the three of us were just really able to help each other. It was great knowing that I was needed to be with them that day. They are amazing missionaries.

It has been great reading your letters this week. I love the work and it is really fun to hear about what is going on at home. I'm super happy you loved the picture Amberly, I knew you would! hahaha. The house sounds great. And its incredible to hear how people can truly be inspired as they teach RS and priesthood. I cant believe that I have been readmitted into BYUI for the Spring semester. that is truly crazy!

A sad thing that happened, is that we finally had to pass off Ruth and Fredrick over to the elders in the ward. And it happened on exchanges too! Its funny though, because in gospel principles, we usually sit on the opposite side of the room (and are forbidden to make comments :( ) But The teacher will ask a question and Ruth will raise her hand and answer it better than half the people in the class would have. So you have the elders on one side of the room gloating that they get to teach these amazing people and us glaring and shaking our heads that they took the people we love. haha, its just fun, Its been great serving in the same ward as the elders.

Transfers come up 2 days before thanksgiving and we are not sure what to expect. Any guesses?

I love you all! Love Sister McShane

Elizabeth

Have a fun happy day
!

Special Letter

Hey family,

Well, I am going to start this off on a spiritual note. This last week, I fought all week, but through the strength of the spirit I finally texted the Elders and asked for a blessing.  But with where people live, and who I wanted to give it, I didn't know how to set it up and asked for suggestions. Heavenly Father worked miracles as the next text from the Elders was a perfect plan to set it all up.

In the blessing, I was told and blessed with things that I did not expect and things I did not even realize I was thinking about. The first that I will say is that I was told that I was being watched from the other side of the veil. I was specifically told that My grandparents love me. And then I was even more specifically told that my grandpa loves me. It is just a sort of warm comfort to me to know that they still live and that they still love me. We are never as a lone as we feel that we are.

Now, I have seen that many of my blessings come in advance of when I need them. And another part I wanted to share was about my family, aka. you. I was told that the affairs back home would be okay. That my family and friends are safe and that all is well at home. That I don't need to worry. Of course, when you hear "don't worry" you instantly ask "why? Do I need to worry? what is up? I didn't think I was worrying before" But it is okay. I do not know what each of you at home are going through. I don't know everything that is hard, but I do know that everything is going to be okay and that is enough. I love and trust each one of you. I know that you will make the right choices, and will have bumps in the road. but that is okay. Things may be coming up soon at home, but Heavenly Father has promised me that you will be okay. I know you will be okay. I have that trust in God.

I miss each of you like crazy. Especially as the holiday season creeps in. I'm torn between I want it to come and I don't ever want it to come. But that is okay. All is good. And I am happy.

I don't know when "the moment" happened when I finally loved my mission. When I think about teaching the plan of salvation to Mike tonight and I get sooo excited and have such a love for it, but I do. And it is the greatest feeling ever.

I'm glad y'all had an awesome Halloween, minus the sick parts. Amberly and Trent y'all look great! so does the yard!  our president changed the rule of going in early, so we were required to be careful what we did, but make it productive. we were told the best time to catch people at home is on holidays when families are together... yeah... We tried to see a few active families but of course they were out so we gave candy and mormon.org cards away and finished weekly planning.

This week, we went into the mission office to look for mail, and the president was there and called us in his office to ask us a question about if we were new missionaries, what would we be most afraid of in contacting. ugh. I love president. but I sure love him a lot more from a distance.

hahaha. (that was off due to Elder Brisco. had to give him the credit)

This week has been full of little miracles. Like a woman named Ruth, who after our first lesson, read 20+ pages of the BoM,  found the 1hr long Joseph Smith movie and watched it, and taught us about the tablets and how Moroni came to Joseph Smith and more. wow! She was amazing! And then getting to teach her husband who grew up Native American and hearing him speak of the great spirit. Wow! I got to give him chapters in the BoM with Ammon teaching King Lamonhi about how that Great Spirit is God. That was cool! When ever we get to teach someone with that history I just marvel at it! it is incredible!

Another one was how we had no money, no food in our pantry (we had had it for lunch), and no dinner. we had prayed for a meal or for just something and 2 hours before dinner at 5, we had a member out with us who randomly asked us if she could feed us. It was great! I love her sooo much! It was the best spaghetti we had ever had.  And that same member, Sister Lee, I love her sooo much! She is incredible and we just had a lot of fun as we worked. It was her first time with the missionaries and we got to answer those silly "can missionaries get haircuts" questions and it was just fun. It really does brighten our day when we get members out with us!

I love you all! Be happy and Smile! God is watching over you!

NO Time!!

Hey Family!!!!!

How is everyone! This has been a great week! I am so happy to get to be talking with you today!

To begin, my comp. has an MRI on Tuesday. And a follow up apt. in a few weeks. ITs looking like she will need surgery at this point. Its been hard for her, but I am proud of her. This transfer has been better for her. She is starting to realize that there are things and people here that she is meant to teach and that she has helped. She has been a great strength to me as well.

So Saturday night, was the trunk or treat party and it started at 5. 2 of the missionaries in the area wanted us to drop something off at their home at 4. We instantly said no and made arrangements to drop it off in there mailbox at about 5:15. So we drop it off and I'm driving over, but a few of the intersections are blocked by tons of cops. including Montano and 4th, which the church is on. So, we end up driving around (thank you soooo much for the GPS! its saves us all the time!) and getting to the church using a 45min. backway. We get there and had an awesome time. Turned out that there had been a police chase and 3 cops were shot (or shot at) sometime around 4. and it was right by the church we were all heading to. fun :)
But the trunk or treat was a huge success! it was a lot of fun and there were a lot of people there!
We loved it!

So tonight we have an appointment with a man named Mike! He was a media referral who may have come to church last week. We almost always have dinner at 5, but on Thursday, we ended up changing it to 6 and decided to try and contact mike earlier. It turned out to be perfect. he has an unusual schedule and we were able to contact him just in time!  We are excited for tonight!

Also, a few weeks ago on exchanges, we met a few kids in the street and started to talk to them about church and we asked if they were interested in learning more. They said yes, but we had a hard time coming back to talk to there foster parents. yesterday, we faced our fears and went over. and were able to talk with them for a few min. The lady came out looking a little weirded out. We told her who we were and she said yes, she thinks that that would be really good for the kids and for her. She said that they had just been talking about Revelations and about how there are not really any signs from God today. And I said "Hey, this is a sign right here" and she agreed. It was awesome. I am so excited to get to go back and teach all of them.

This week has been stressful for a few reasons, but the work has been good. Sis. Ragers news is one. And another is because God answers prayers. I've had a question, but was always afraid to ask God about it. But I finally did and then I was not sure if I liked the answer or not. But God is good and all will be well in the end.

One woman we visited this week is named Sis. Trujillo. And wow, I love her so much, but it didn't start that way. 9 weeks ago, it seemed unproductive to visit her (she is less active) but a few weeks ago we felt like we should start going back. Wow. the spirit has worked on her heart! I am so thankful to know that sometimes we need to drop people in order to help them realize what they are missing.2 weeks ago we were bold and could see all of her pride fall from her as we talked. She is amazing and you could just begin to feel her love. This last week we spent 1.5 hours there because she didn't want us to leave and we didn't want to do. She got put in the other ward and it was our last visit. She opened up and became the answers to some of our prayers. I love her sooo much. And I feel for her situation and for everything that she is going through.

opps! got to go! I love you!!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Happy Birthday MOM!!!!!!!

:) This week has been fantastic! Another week with much to say, little time to write, and a small memory to remember what that all is.

First off, Stake Changes. So they have made a new ward, and sadly, taken a lot of our best teaching areas away from us. Both us, and the Elders got our current teaching pool cut in half and are really sad about it. As well as some of our fav. members have been taken as well. :( It was sad, but oddly, I've always wanted to be in an area on my mission when boundaries changed. Odd right? I like the way our bishop put it, that we are one of the largest growing religions, and we grow to divide into groups small enough to be intimate and help each other out.  This week will be interesting as we search for more teaching opportunities to fill our time and do the Lords work.

This week has been sooo good for 1 reason, the fact that we had soo many members out with us. At least 10 active members went on visits with us and it was superb! We prayed so hard to be able to find people to teach with these members and that everyone would have a good experience. I know that each place we took the member to, the member AND the less active each needed each other. It was inspiring and I loved every moment of it. It was also good for us, as we focused and worked hard to find the right people to take them to. It really made our week go by so much faster!

Our visit to Sister Puckette was great. The member, Sister Blair cried more than anyone! :) it was really powerful, but the interesting part was the end when Me and my comp sang a song (we sing to a lot of people, thankfully the spirit takes over there ears :) hehe)  So, 2 people, right. Well, there were 3 people singing. It wasn't the member or Sister Puckette. It was on the other side of me. So who was it? It was sooo interesting and amazing. I don't understand it, But honestly and humbly, I now know that I have sung with an angle. And it was incredible. Words truly can not describe it.

On a fun note, there was a spider way up on our wall in the living room. We didn't like that. So we thought... hmmm Spider...  where is that nerf gun? hahahaha, yes! I shot the spider down with the nerf gun!!! hahaha! we know he fell but we haven't been able to find him :( uh oh

Audriana and teach at temple: Another blessing has been that We taught 2 lessons at the temple this week. One to Sister Apodaca, and another we had set up with a recent convert for the temple waiting room. About 2 hours before, we get a text from Jazz asking if she could bring a friend. OF COURSE! We were inside talking and listening, when I kept having this impression to teach The first vision. I wanted my comp to come out and do it first and tried putting it off for a few moments, but I couldn't. It was powerful and incredible. To be in a room where the spirit was already so strong and then able to relate the experience of Man seeing God the Father and Jesus Christ. It was so beautiful and powerful. I will never ever forget that.

I love you!!!! Elizabeth!

Happy Birthday mom

Happy Tuesday!!

Hey Family!!!

Happy Tuesday! How is everyone?

I am very good. And staying in the same area with the same companion! But that is not a surprise and we are both very happy with that. It has been a good and interesting week. First off, the ward council really wants to help us with missionary work and getting people in the new mind set of missionary work for themselves. I love what Sister Kandlbinder said, that the way of missionary work today, is a complete mindset change for some people who are still stuck in the past. Its not "pray for missionaries work" or "help the missionaries" it is that the missionaries are here to help US do OUR missionary work. Its a mindset change. This week we passed around a calendar with the available times we have for people to come out with us. And we got 10 people to sign up on it!!! 3 were for today and it just made today all the better. Not only did it help us focus, but it cheered us up and helped us keep going. We could also tell that these sisters needed this. One came out looking like she had been crying and just horrible and in no time she was laughing. Another bore her testimony so powerfully you could just tell she needed the chance to. it was amazing. And the people we saw needed to see these members! They each connected in different ways.

One of the lessons was to a less active woman who is trying so hard to get to the temple. she is amazing and just full of stress. I am so happy because we were able to teach her on the temple grounds and she felt more of the peace that she has been praying for each day. I love her and am so thankful for the opportunity to teach at the temple!

Stake Changes. I've always wanted to be in an area for a stake change. No idea why, but I have and Heavenly Father is answering my silly hopes and dreams. I remember the quote from mom that says To dream. We find out the changes on Sunday, but have been told by bishop that it wont effect us greatly. We will see what happens! id love it if we gained area and gained a few new investigators too! :)

With Halloween coming up we are all very excited but I cant believe that half the month is already gone!

I love my companion and have been praying for her a lot recently. I know that we need each other and it is good. The other day, she set up an appointment with President to tell him she wanted to go home. So I prayed even more! the last thing I want is for her to go home! On Friday my prayers were so answered. we had an amazing district meeting. And I am so thankful for leaders who follow the spirit, because although it is not any easier for her, she is still here and trying.

Can I get Mrs. Stocktons new address so I can send Jenny stuff? I cant believe that she has moved closer!!! So cool!

We have been getting a nice cold front. a few people are freezing, but I am just enjoying every bit of it!

I love all of you! We had a great Monday yesterday and last week! be right back

hey again! wanted to send that before the computer logged me off

So this last Monday was a lot of fun. We went bowling as a district to a place that lets missionaries bowl for free! And then we went to Golden Corral because no one can ever agree where to go! and that was a lot of fun!

Then the previous Monday, we did many missionary things, and went up to the temple to write letters and because Las Cruses was coming up for missionary Monday. I ended up seeing Sister Tompkins who was there to clean the temple! and then I saw Sister McBride and her trainee! As well as so many others I love from down south. I love that zone soo much! our new zl is an Elder Webber and I'm excited to meet him and see how this goes.

Things I need oh yes, pretty please with cherries on top could I get stamps, dishwasher soap cause we don't want to buy it, eye care saline either like pure moist or that other one, umm I'm trying to think, oh hair ties,

This week, I've had multiple dreams about y'all. Its been weird. One was so real. It was me getting home from my mission and kinda like day one home. odd. the other I was trying to kill Trent with a butter knife but it ended up being Amberlys fault. another odd one. but fortunately, I haven't woken up confused about where I was. that would have been bad.

Balloon fiesta was amazing! we even got to see a part of the glow dial stuff! it was sooo awesome! my fav was the smiley face!  We got to see many, many balloons!

Well, I think I've got to go soon but It was great chatting with everyone today! I love you!

I love you TRENT MOM DAD AMBERLY EYN MACY!!! happy day!

Love ya! Elizabeth

Pictures!!! We love Pictures!!!

Here are a few pictures that Sister McShane sent us with her letter this week!!  I will put more pictures up soon from a memory card we got in the mail!!  These were actually taken this last week!!

 

 Sister McShane and her companion Sister Rager

 

 

Sister McShane at the Albuquerque Zoo. (Her hair is getting so long!!)

 

 

Sister McShane at the Albuquerque Zoo.  She calls this her "King Noah" picture!!

General Conference was awesome!!!

Dear Family!

Happy Birthday EYN! Oct 12th!

This week has been really good. I loved conference sooo much! We were able to pass around about 20 flyers for it and hope that many people did watch it. We know for sure that one of our investigators did see :) That is exciting!

I can't choose a fav talk! They all spoke to me in different ways. And in some of the talks I got bits out that had nothing to do with what was being said, but everything about the principle and what I needed to hear. I am so happy that y'all got to have 12 people in the house for it! What a crowd! But I'm sooo happy the missionaries are able to trust you enough to bring investigators to your home. I know that that can be scary for a missionary to do. I hope that each of you got something great out of it. Imagine hearing all of that and not knowing too much about the church.
Wow! I loved Ulisses Soares on Meekness. Finally someone defined that word!  I really don't have enough time to write everything that stood out to me. But 2 major thoughts. 1 came in Elder Gifford Nielsen of the 70 when he asked each person to do 3 things. The second was to pray for each missionary by name. When I heard that, I had the thought "wow, I cant imagine how missionary work would change for me, if I had all of my ward members praying for me by name." And I just wanted to cry. Missionary work is hard not only in finding teaching and baptizing, but in many other ways too. I know it helps so much that you pray for me, and we get many other prayers, but each missionary by name by the members. wow. The support of the ward would grow so much.

The other was Elder Ballards. before it came on, I was just kinda wishing that someone would talk specifically to the missionaries. And he did! He also addressed many concerns that both members and missionaries face. We all think our roles are so different and our fears so diverse, but that's not true at all.

I loved conference and never ever wanted it to end.

This week we also found 2 new people to teach! One use to investigate but got too busy with tragic deaths and sicknesses in her family. And its a part member family! I am so excited for them! Another is a different part member family in which grandma is active, the daughter less active, and the boyfriend and kids not members at all. We have been trying to see them for weeks and it just all worked out 2 days ago. It was a huge blessing.

And guess what! I got new name tags that say SISTER McSHANE instead of SISTER MCSHANE! That was cool! I use to have so many people give me a hard time for that.

May have to log out!

I love you all!!!

Love Elizabeth!!!!

October 1st

Dear Family! Hello!!!

First off, yesterday was AMAZING! It all started the moment we drove onto the temple grounds. I turned to my companion and said "Did you feel that?" The spirit was so strong and just kept intensifying. Then we got to go in and it was beautiful. And mom, how did you know to send me 2 names? The temple always gives us names, but a few days before I thought about writing you and asking you to send 2 names but I put it aside thinking, we don't need to do that. But when we got the names for Katie and Sadie we just knew that these 2 sisters had wanted their work done together and that they had wanted us to do them. My comp is related to Hills and is going to ask her mom if she is related to them too. We got to see the new movie and it was an incredible experience, and I got a lot out of it, but that is all I will say about that. I'm soo happy for it. I just loved it.  After the session, we were able to go into the sealing room with everyone in our zone and president where he talked a bit about what an endowment is. It was good and so spiritual and I think the first time I've been in a sealing room, not counting open houses.  It was soo hard to leave. I did not want to, even for a short while. (oh didn't really see any missionaries I know very well)

At 3 we went back and got to clean the temple. I was given the men's changing rooms, men initiatory rooms, presidents, matrons, office, and half the upper lobby. It was a huge blessing for me to get to do it. The temple workers kept thanking us, but I don't know if they realize how much we just wanted to thank them for it. I kept thinking about the Savior and His love for us and how this was HIS house. I even found a few pieces of paper to pick up! :)

General Conference for RS was really good. I loved Sister Reeces talk. And esp President Monson's. We really do teach prayer to help others strengthen there relationship with Christ and find that help, hope, and peace. Its so cool that both mom and dad saw it too!

After GC for RS, we went over to hear a former 70, Elder Richards speak to the entire north for an hour. It was really good, we judged where we were as a mission with faith, obedience, and other things. It was great to see that although we have areas to improve, as a mission we can see that we need to improve together and its not just one companionship or district. It was also funny bc Elder Richards is the AP's Elder Turnbow's Grandpa. That was cool. I bet he got trunky.

We are soo excited for General Conference this weekend! We have invitations for people and just cant wait. I cant believe it is October! this last transfer has just gone sooo fast! With everything planned and just excitement for General Conference and temple. Happy Early birthday to mom and Eyn too.

This week has been fantastic and we are so excited for General Conference this week. We will be inviting everyone we know and telling them about how important it is that we have a prophet. have you thought about how important that is recently? That God loves us that much! And we can listen to someone like Moses or Abraham. Wow. Incredible!

I LVOE YOU MOM DAD EYN TRENT AMBERLY AND MACY! HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT WEEK love you! Love Elizabeth

Happy 2nd Day of Fall!!

Dear Crazy family!

How are ya'll!!! I sure miss y'all like crazy! Today has been a good day. We got up and I did laundry!!!! Washed ALL my outfits, and in the middle of the wash, the washer broke! Ha! Surprise! hopefully maintenance will come soon. But Then we took 2 other sisters and I drove over to the zoo. (oh, did I tell you I got pulled over by a cop the other day? no worries, my lights were deceptively not on and it was no prob at all) And I got to drive into downtown ABQ again. It was fun. And the zoo was great! Happy 2nd day of fall! We got some of the storm that got y'all and things have been much cooler. The zoo it was funny. I got to see moms side and then went over to dads side. Man, I'm glad I turned out as the normal one.

So, Dad asked what skin walkers are and I can't remember exactly how much I told everyone about all of this. Their half human (top) and half animal.  They go around and kill people, livestock, or whatever and are very dangerous, and if it wasn't for the Elders I trust telling me about them, I wouldn't believe it either. On the Reservation, it is a general rule that if you see one, to kill it, no questions, no nothing. 2 of the Elders I know went with a member of their branch presidency to an area with Indian drawings and writings. There, he read/interpreted the rocks about how there were once people who were wicked and ended up leaving the tribe. Now that they have the Book of Mormon, they can truly see how these creatures are the result of the gadianton robbers with there secret combinations and other work. its really creepy work for sure. And a reason there are no sisters on the reservations.

We are sooo excited for this week! Mom! We get to watch the RS broadcast together! excited!!!!! That night we have a member of the 70 coming to talk to our stake missionaries, then next week fast Sunday, temple and conference! WOW happy day! And thank you for the quotes this week. They were wonderful!

We have been trying to help our ward find ways to keep us busy. We know that they really want to and they are trying to figure out ways to help us work in just our area, and not the Elders. I think we have tried every less active and potential investigator, and former investigator, and half our active members, and that is making things really interesting and even slightly entertaining. We really hope for more and more miracles. Its been amazing that Heavenly Father has blessed me in so many ways. I've been able to be bold with members and have already began to see trust growing quicker than I could have done on my own. I am so thankful for that and for some reason I love this area. I really do. The other day at ward correlation with the Ward mission leader, and elders, and a member, we didn't really have anyone we wanted to talk about so I boldly talked about 3 ways we want to help the ward do missionary work and ways that they can help us. I can really see that they are putting trust in me and I am quickly at home here. We also boldly invited members to do there own missionary work and that had a positive response too. I'm really praying and hoping for many more people to teach. I know I am here for a reason, for specific people to teach, baptize, and reactivate, now I need to find them and find out how to help them.

As a sidenote, its funny being a missionary and having no idea of what is happening in the world. But I'm really good at noticing when flags are at half past. All I know is that half the world is hating Obama, something went on with congress recently, and the new Prince's name is George... really. George. what good king is named George? anyway. all good still. Oh, also found out about the navy thing. That was really sad. but only the basic story still

Trent, I have a letter written for you I HOPE to send tomorrow that is if....

Love you all!!

Love yall!!!

Hey Family!

Hey Family, I'm not sure if you are getting my emails or not :( I know I don't have one from Dad Trent or Amberly sooo... does that mean I get snail mail in the next 3 days!!!!!! Yippeee for me!!!!!1 hint hint hint. oh, I just got Dad's letter :) :) :) but you can still send me snail mail too. Ha :)

Anyway, This week has been good. We were able to meet with many, many less actives although we are still trying to find more investigators. Hopefully through the members we will find more people to teach. As I have come to know the ward, I absolutely LOVE them. They are soooo great! We walk in to the chapel, and we are not walking into a room of dead people (nothing with age). Instead we go in and every one is greeting each other, asking how you are doing and just being friendly. I've never served in such an outgoing ward in church, where you just feel welcomed and anyone will talk to you. It is incredible!

Sister Rager is doing much better now. She is going to need physical therapy. It is def. different serving with her and trying to find a new balance after training for 6 months. Its so nice that she knows what to do, that it would be easy to say, eh, I've done this for long enough, she can do it now. But nope, that's not how missionary work goes. I really hope to get to train again someday as I love it! and having a normal comp is helping me realize that I am an okay missionary and this is just how the work. goes. It is a huge stress reliever.

One miracle of the week was getting to see the Knight family, a less active family in the ward who want to come to church, but felt judged and offended the last time. They are now "ward hopping" too bad our church doesn't work like that. But they want their 7 year old son to get baptized in a few months, and they'd have to come to our ward for that. They really are a great family though. We felt sooo welcomed and the kids love the missionaries and even want to come to church. I hope all things work out for them.

So, remember that email that you said there were 3 days in the same week no one had signed up to feed the missionaries. Well... what about 20+ days in month for our calendar and the same number of openings in the Elders calendar? But no worries. We have the BEST RS president who has been out of town for 3 weeks. So this Sunday, she stood up and "scolded" the RS on how we have GREAT missionaries in the ward and how they needed to feed us all! 30 min later, both calendars were almost filled up for the rest of September. :) it was fun.

Of course, before that, the bishop came into the RS and spoke for 15 min. about how great it is for us to have sisters and elders and what a great opportunity it is for the sisters to come out with us. And that we would be more than ready to help them in there visiting teaching and other duties. It was awesome.

Amberly- How was your birthday? And good luck with elections!!!!! loved the poster Let me know how that is!

Trent- Seminary is sooo important! As Jacob says "Oh be wise, what need I say more?" But seriously! I'm soooo glad that you get to go to seminary now, with practice later on. It is soooo important to make sure that we are filled spiritually before anything else. I have really noticed a difference in my day as I read and study the scriptures in the morning. They are soo important and I wish I had studied them more before, it really would have helped, especially with a teacher and other students involved. Don't let Satan beat you down!

mom and Dad- Happy Anniversary on Sept 21st. Hint hint hint to everyone else

Mom loved the pictures! I'm glad you had fun in Ark...  I love being with non members although now I'm also valuing a lot my time with members. Were you able to share your testimony at all? :)

Dad- good luck with anything! sorry you are so busy!

We are very thankful for the flash flood warnings that come on our phone, but we have been safe.

So, driving the jeep. OK. So I JUST started to love driving my small little cars! It was the best thing ever and then someone gave me a honking jeep in the middle of ABQ which I had to drive downtown to the hospital this week for my comps doc. apt. Oh, and She doesn't have a licence, but has to have a car. Soo no pressure to me right! right! right!!!!! Lets just say that I think Heavenly father has decided I needed to get more comfortable driving big cars in a big city. (yeah, ABQ is a big city, at least here. nothing on NYC) But I am still SOOOOO thankful to not be on a bike, it has just been an adventure getting use to this new car. I still love my jeep though! And I hit 1000 miles on her this week! (her name is Whitney) I'm still way thankful that Trent WONT have his license when I get home!

New Transfer!!!

Are you ready??? I got transferred!!!!! And due to my history, I am just going to plan on dying here as well. (Spending the rest of my mission) Which is good. and because of the change, the temple trip is now on the last Monday of Sept.

My address 7100 Louisiana Blvd ne unit # I208  (that is an I like in Ice Cream, not a one) Albq., NM 87109

I am way excited! I am in the Academy heights ward. And so, I have never ever ever liked working closely with many authority figures. Even avoid them at times. Well, our ward is split with Elders and Sisters. Those elders at the ZLs. Oh, and the APs are in my zone. OH and the MISSION PRESIDENT is in my WARD. yeah, so this will be interesting.... we will have to see what will happen now.

I really am just so excited! We have no dates and no great investigators. But I don't care. I'm just really excited to be here and excited to do more!

Yes, I am in a biking area. However! My comp, Sister Rager(who has been out 12 weeks) has a bad knee and back so we have a car:) in fact it is a jeep! and she does not have a license so I'm driving again! and I love that! I love my new comp, but we are worried that she might be sent home for medical reasons. Its going to be way different because we cant walk very much with her knee. but that is all good. I am happy to be with her. Sister McBride is Training in Picacho. I can already tell I have a lot of good work to do here.

More happy news is that I was able to leave the ward on a good note with the baptism of Alexandria Escamilla. It went great and the parents were both there for it too. We also met the dad a few times now. Last transfer I just knew that I had to get her to baptism before I left the area. I'm thankful I was able to help Heavenly Father in his work in this way.  And her Sister gets baptized this week :)  However, I did leave Sis. McBride in a few sticky situations to figure out at the end of the transfer. Sorry! I didn't know they'd come up last min. oops.

White sands was great last week! Perfect temp, some got a bit burned, but it was just great with a breeze and just laying in the sand and then sledding on it. sooo much fun.

Something that really surprised me happened on Monday. On Sunday, we had told the Adolpho family that I wanted to stop by on Monday. they said cool, so I go over and they had bought a cake for me!  I love that family. They also seriously told me that if I ever want to go to Hawaii, to call them and they can make it basically free besides flights. cool connections there!

Note to Trent. Please don't practice your teaching skills on Macy. Its not a pretty sight :) Thanks mom for the pictures hehehe

I LOVE YALL!

will email Tuesday

Happy Back to School!

Happy First day back at school/seminary Family! I was going to say that just for Trent and Amberly, but lets be honest, it effects everyone and Macy.

This week has been a hectic crazy one as we prepare for a baptism on Friday at 6:30pm. Satan knows what we are up to and has not been happy with us since. It all began with needing to get an oil change... so we did. Tuesday- we pulled into a parking lot and stopped behind a car. The car then decides to back up right into us as Sis. McBride tries to reverse and can't and with both of us honking the horn. Then this nice woman turns around like she is going to talk with us, drives into  a pizza place and goes in to get her food... then comes out with takeout. So I go over to her and tell her she hit our car and she starts yelling at saying  I " was trying to pull a fast one on her..." She didn't believe us and wouldn't give any info but her name, number and address. I'm glad I thought to check the license plate. So we were all shaken up, not at the accident, but at the mean old lady we are all trying very hard to love and forgive at this point. So a lot of paper work later. On Wednesday, we went to lunch at the DA sisters apt and went to get in our car and it wouldn't work... uh oh. The elders came and jumped it, we left it on for an hour for it to charge, go to finish the paperwork, and we come out and it won't start again. We waited at the institute building for the elders to come help us again and I just had the thought, go start the car again, and it wouldn't leave my mind. I said a quick prayer in my heart and tried the car again. The second time, it started and we were able to get permission to drive it over to pep boys. Thanks to the sisters and good members giving us rides, we were able to pick the car up 2 hours later. They said that they had to put in a brand new battery, but that needing one didn't look like it had anything to do with the accident.

Wow, it has been a stressful month for our area as we have known that we could each reach one baptism this week. The DA sisters had a bladder infection, The District leader +comp  had to find new housing after a gas leak, then their washer leaked, then one of them had food poisoning. But that is okay, because Satan is not getting us down. We have still seen just incredible miracles this week as well.

One of them is in a young lady named Kendra. We received a referral from the yw president who got it from someone else. Its a LA/PM family that they thought was ready to hear the gospel. So we set up an appointment and really prayed about who to take with us and the answer was unmistakably Sister Shumway. So we went over and the lesson was amazing because of how prepared they were for the message. The missionaries had taught her before, but now she is ready. We invited her to be baptized and she said yes. Another miracle in it is that there is another young women who comes to church that is not baptized that we know is so ready as well. Well, these 2 girls know each other from basketball and are already friends. what a miracle is that! We have prayed for her so much and know that things are slowly falling into place for both of these families.

Mon. is Labor day. Tuesday Transfers. idk when I will get to write you but I hope that it is soon! I love y'all sooo much and thanks again for the letters. My comp and I really do feel that each one is inspired for us to get, and especially on those particular days. love  you!!!

Love, Elizabeth McShane
Sister McShane

August 19th, 2013

Hello Family!

 

How are y'all this week? This Monday is crazy. Last week we used an Elders slack lining stuff and did that at the park, and now today we are having a Nerf gun war at the church with our spirit animal shirts. We are excited about that because we asked a 13 year old investigator to draw them for us and they are awesome!!!!! Mine is a Phoenix! So cool! His name is Vincent and he is awesome! He even came to church on Sunday and has been going to other activities. First we just have to get an oil change for our car and do a few more things. Busy Busy! I got my hair cut today, but only by .5 in and got layers. I still think my hair is the longest! And according to Trent, much longer than dad's hair. And according to Amberly's much browner than Moms or Dads. Wow, they tell me everything! Although you can't tell from the pictures.

 

Some of our best news is that Alexandria (11) is going to be baptized on Aug 30th. We have written permission and the primary is going to help out a lot and we are soooo excited for it. She will get baptized before her brother and sister and we hope that they will be ready in a few weeks. And then we hope to get the rest of the family active again. Its sad, but the children are meant to be a strength and will one day lead them back. Its crazy because at last transfer I had the thought, I am not leaving this area until these children get baptized. I hope to stay the perfect amount of time to see all of them baptized and the whole family back in the church.

 

From the pictures, it looks like y'all had an awesome time at Mississippi and traveling there. What is a water bike? Its funny seeing y'all in the water. Here we have tons of beach. We can even get in it and bury ourselves like Amberly did.... we just don't have the water half :) And I cant believe  y'all got stung by Jellyfish! We were talking about that in Elder's Quorum this week (EQ, that is a first time! We went in there to make an announcement about having members come out with us during the week and left as soon as possible :) just teasing).    

 

This week has been great. Sister Tompkins wrote me a letter telling me that she had a dream with Ruby in it in which Ruby came up to her and told her that her and Eli had been sealed in the temple. The next day, she got my surprise picture of Ruby in White Baptism clothing. It was a miracle.

 

I'm just trying to keep my hope and faith up and remember to be happy and enjoy the journey. And not think about transfers on Sept 3. I love y'all and have loved checking the mail everyday this week to find a new surprise! I love y'all!!!!

 

Love Elizabeth, Never enough time to write!

 

Love love love! Sister McShane

One Year Mark!

Well, this week has been interesting lets just say.

 

First off, I hit my 1YEAR mark on Thursday (as well as 3 other elders in my zone) so a few companionship's came over for lunch and we did it. I mean, I did. I burned a shirt! and it was the best thing ever! haha, it was so much fun! It was that purple shirt with flowers on it that I have had forever! It seemed to take forever to burn and more melted away than anything, but it was fun. One of the elders also burned his shirt and we got most of it all recorded. Why is fire just so much fun? After, we went to Calitches for Custard. It was just a fun time. But I talked to Elder Munoz (the other one who hit his year) about how it was just a really hard day for the both of us. For different reasons and such, but just really hard.

 

A few weeks ago (first Fri. of the month) our zone leaders promised our entire zone that if we worked our hardest and tried to get rid of the things holding us back, then each area would receive 1 convert baptism. The promise was so strong and the spirit was felt by everyone and we left determined to do our best. However, Satan has been hard at work against all of us. We have really felt a shift in the ways things are working. God is working harder at the same time that Satan is stronger and attacking us at every point he can. We just have to remember to turn to God and keep going forward.

 

I want y'all to know that Amberly and Moms many letters really helped me out this week. Everything seemed to point to exactly what I needed to hear. And always made me smile. I hope that you Mom got a letter from me from last week. Should have gotten there on Sat. I think. Also Dad, I'm sending you a memory card home asap, because my second one doesn't have much space on it either. Thank you! Please send it back quickly!

 

We had interviews with President Miller this week and found out 2 new rule changes for our mission. 1. We can write letters any day during personal time and 2 We can now listen to any inspirational music! So I hope I get a package soon! I know I left a few CDs at home that I hope to get soon.

 

A few huge miracles happened yesterday at church. With everything going on, I had decided to fast for strength comfort and guidance. Well, the ward has decided that each auxiliary would be responsible for coming out with the missionaries a different week of the month. This week is ward council and next week elders quorum. we already have many people signed up to come with us, more than we have appointments for just yet. Its a miracle. I love the elders quorum especially because they are so inspired and willing to work and work hard. They are so excited they help the ward go. Also, we texted a former investigator that we had worked with Joel about church today. He always missed appointments and never came to church. We got a reply asking what time it was at and he told us he was coming. He surprised everyone and the ward just jumped in. It was a huge miracle and a blessing. He really enjoyed it and wants to turn his life around.

 

I love y'all and I'm sorry this letter is not more inspiring. I love you and I am happy. I am so thankful for my companion. We really need each other more than I thought we would. She is the best.

 

I LOVE Y'ALL

 

Elizabeth

 

ps are you sure you don't want to go to white sands? :)

August 5th, 2013

Wow! I feel like I have received just the best emails this week ever! It has been a huge blessing!  And thank you soooo much for that family DVD again! This week, I got no snail mail, but I always knew it was okay, especially bc I go and watch  y'all on our DVD player. Huge blessing! Yesterday, I started something called a 40 day fast, but I will do it for about a month. Meaning, you start with a fast, and as you study or pray you think about things that God would want you to put on the altar or sacrifice. What does he want me to lay aside to be a better missionary. And list them out. Then, for the month, you pray about these things and account to the Lord every night on how they are going. And by the end of the month, you end with a fast and see that heavenly Father is here and helping us be his servants as we ask him how we can improve. Amazing.  I'm very excited about it, because I know that these are things that HF wants me to change in my life. And knowing that, will help me not become overwhelmed as I see other ways that I could change as well. Becoming a consecrated missionary is not just changing your behavior, it is changing your nature and that is what I hope to continue to do. So many miracles, so little time. The first one seems small, but it is still so incredible to me. There was one day this week that was incredibly HOT (OK, that's like everyday... anyway) and no one was answering the door. We had just driven up to a less active members home and sat in the car to say a prayer before dropping by. In the prayer, I prayed and just asked heavenly father to send some way for it to cool down and for rain so that we could just keep working forward. I cried out to Him asking for something to help us keep going forward. As soon as we said amen, we heard a roll of thunder! with a perfectly blue sky but we knew our prayer was answered, as we got out of the car, we looked up and saw one small ity bitty black cloud over us and felt the wind start to pick up. Walking to the door, we began to feel great raindrops. It was a miracle! No one answered at that door, so we drove over to another home and this small raincloud followed us over there. It truly was a miracle and a blessing. HF really does know what we need and how to get it to us! It was a miracle, I cant even explain how that cloud got there. amazing. Last night, my companion felt strongly that we needed to go back over to a park and try to see a recent investigator at that park. it didn't make sense, but I turned to my young companion and told her that if she felt like we needed to go back over there, then we would, and let her make the decision. We drove over, but she wasn't there so we decided to ask another family over at the park. We stopped by and asked for Kimberly and then asked if we could give them a card. They were way sweet and it turned out that she had met with missionaries and gone to church in a different city, but had then moved here and lost contact. It was exactly where we needed to be! I am so proud of my companion! I love her sooo much! I love you family!!! and Kenzie :P haha, be happy, be good be well!

Ruby is Baptized!!

How are y'all! First to start with exciting news!!!!!!!!!!! RUBY is BAPTIZED~!!!!! Amazing! She is the one I started teaching in DA ward in the trio. We knew we were meant to teach her but had a lot of challenges, like needing her to actually move into the ward from Alamogordo, um... Throwing a wedding!  and then me getting transferred out of the ward :( but we were able to go to the baptism and I was asked to give the talk on Baptism. I love them and there little family sooooo much! So many miracles happened here!

Hiking with part of the zone was sooo much fun last week! Of course, the elders decided we should go off the trail for a "short cut" When we got lost just driving to the mountain, we should have taken it for a sign. Our shortcut ended up being going up the mountain, through the dry ravines and then coming straight down again, all without sliding into the millions of cactus plants and other pointy things. haha, it was a lot of fun, and fortunately we are all safe and good.

This week we taught 15 lessons! And that is a miracle! We also had many ward members with us and have really started to gain there trust. one is a man we taught at least 4 times this week who is retired and has a curiosity, but does not like the answers we give him. He asks how we know that this is the true church and we talk about the spirit and knowing through prayer and the scriptures, but he comes back saying we are not answering his question, how do we know that it is true. its interesting, because in our last lesson with him, you could really feel that he was not listening and not believing the answer. We know based on individually asking God in faith. He is an interesting one, but I love him anyways.

Yesterday, we had 4 investigators come to church! 2 of which were a family! And that was a hue blessing. They had texted us saying that they wanted to wait to keep meeting with us until they had attended a service. We had promised them in the past that the church is exactly what they were looking for, and even more that they would get along perfectly in the ward with the members, and they did! We barely had a chance to talk with them because everyone in the ward was talking with them, teaching them, showing them around and everything. It was a miracle they way everything fell into place!

Our fast for rain has been answered! And amazingly enough, we have had several flash flood warnings and storms. the lightning is amazing! we stand on our balcony at night to watch it, and then to get pelted with hail as the cars try to make it down our street, driving in the middle of the road. reminds me of home! love it!

We also taught a lesson on keeping the Sabbath Day holy by playing a charades game on what you can and wouldn't do. It was awesome. We played with 3 investigator kids, and 2 member kids and they loved it. It was like teaching an FHE lesson again. They had fun and we saw the girls at church the next day. They are bright!

Well, I am happy and loving the work. I am never happier out here than when I am able to teach a lesson and focus everything on helping someone else come unto Christ. Time keeps flying and flying until I ask where did it go, but days without lessons are the slowest yet. I love y'all and I'm happy everything is going good! the pictures are great! and I'm happy to know y'all are good and keeping the missionaries on there toes with pancakes and so forth! I love you.

No Transfer!

Hey Family! How are y'all doing today? We are very excited because at last min. our zone decided to go to the Organ mountains to go hiking! And I get to wear JEANS! Sister McBride told me it was weird seeing me in jeans. HA! We will have a lot of fun. We sadly found out that about half of our zone is leaving and no one wants to go. Many were really surprised, including our district leader who is also a trainer. Its sad to see so many leave, but its also exciting to see who will come in. Oh, and that means I am staying in Picacho Ward. And I'm actually really excited about it. I get to finish Sister McBride's training and we know we will be together another 6 weeks too. We are seeing many miracles in the ward and can see things that we still need to do here

One miracle of the week is named Tiffany. She was a less active referral from a member who thought that missionaries really needed to go out and see her. Last night, we were trying to figure out exactly where Heavenly Father wanted us. Sister McBride felt like maybe we should see an investigator on the other side of town. So we pray about it, felt good, and drove over. But he wasn't home. So what was next. We knew we needed to be in this area, but where and why. Then, Tiffany pops into Sister McBride's head and it feels right to both of us. We go over and find her outside with her husband. Not only open and ready to talk, but excited that we had come over. She has been going through a lot, but through little timely miracles (no coincidences) she had started having a desire to come back to church, reading the Book of Mormon and so forth. She had even looked up when church was and asked for Sundays off of work. She is a miracle. As we were with her, I just knew that she is part of the reason why Sister McBride and I BOTH needed to be in the area for a bit longer. Heavenly Father certainly works in mysterious ways.

Another Miracle is with a part member less active family, in which the kids are not members. I have been working with them for a few months now, and I have loved getting to see the children's faces as they learn about Tea in the Word of Wisdom, and about God's love for them. Although the children have been so excited and interested, the parents have not been as interested. However, this is another family that I know I am meant to be here to teach. We were able to teach the kids a lesson, and then just talk with the mom. Who opened up and shared what was going on in her life and what she knew she needed to do. She is a miracle. I am so thankful that I have the chance to continue teaching and loving her.

I am so thankful that y'all get to associate more with the missionaries. And  I bet they would love to hear how much they have helped with Ron and with Dad's blessing. You'd think missionaries hear that all of the time or that they just know it, but they don't yet they keep pressing on. I admire all of the missionaries I get to serve with and remember a lot more now.

And ya, ya, I've just been waiting to hear when the wicked show is. Although I cant believe dads not going to see it bc he'd LOVE IT I think.

It is weird to think y'all have lived in the house for a year now! That is awesome. I cant believe y'all put holes in it to light up the house for Christmas. How did y'all ever convince Dad for that one? Did it include a deal in which Dad did not have to get on top of the house? Just curious... I'm thankful that y'all are able to enjoy it and feel the peace of the spirit within.

Well, family I love you and I'm really sad I didn't get to talk to many of  you today, and thankful I got to talk with Trent for a bit! I love y'all so much and think of y'all and pray for y'all often! Ya ll are the best!

Love Sister Elizabeth McShane

Great Birthday!

I had a great birthday, but the highlight was all of the birthday wishes from ya'll. The messages were amazing, and of course I was crying through all of them. They were each soo sweet and special and showed off your personality, although Trent.... I'll tell you later... :P haha. And the videos and pictures from the year were amazing as well. Y'all have seemed to describe things perfectly and of course, my companion and district have loved watching and listening in on parts too :) Although, on the pictures CD, the mute button was on quite often :P  HA I loved everything! The Cards (that will be so hard to give away, but ill do it!), the TX flag, the Gospel Art book, the key chain now on my purse, the letters throughout the week, the fun Happy Birthday Banner, and just all of it. The Mission Stories were also very precious and read within 24 hours of receiving.

We had a lot of fun on my birthday starting with the package that arrived at lunch time. We had most of my district over and the Dona Ana Sisters brought over a peanut butter pie with candles and every thing. It was nice to be with them and then 2 young women brought over a cheesecake pie (that we ate with the other half of our district on Thursday). And then for dinner we had it with Sister Alred (I had to give her your number :P) who said she'd talked with Mom and that she'd made mom cry. We had very new Mexican enchiladas meaning served flat not rolled) and with green chili. It was all a princess birthday theme, and it went perfectly into our message which was about Disney World :) of course! It was about how people would just run to the castle, and asking ourselves where are we running to? Do we have our direction and purpose focused on God?

Facebook message: I loved receiving all of the messages from facebook! Thank you sooo much everyone! I love all of you! I love being a missionary, but I can't wait to get to talk to each of you! Thank you!

Wow, that was weird. But I loved the messages. It was soo odd, because Ive been sooo focused that thinking about each of those people and FB and idk. its just weird, even if it shouldn't be.

So this week, our district decided to have a competition to see how many people we can contact as potential new investigators this week (Fri to Fri) but they didn't know that we had a secret. You see, we are now asked to contact 20 people a day as a companionship and you wouldn't believe how hard this is. We see so many people, but at the same time, sometimes we just don't. However, a few weeks ago we had gotten permission from our zone leaders to try and contact people at the farmers market. In 1 day we had about 29 contacts. It was amazing. It was really hard at first, you know to just walk up to people and start a conversation without being a robot. We really only have a few min. to help these people understand that we love them and want the best for them. But by setting the goal and just deciding to do it made it soo much easier. I hope that One day I am the person who gives out pass a long cards to everyone I buy things from or whoever. People are just people. And it is fun.  This week, I contacted a custodian by asking him if he knew what a Water Mickey was and then explaining it to him.  It was just fun. I then committed him to looking at mormon.org and youtubing :water mickey" :) haha. Another man was a Texas Cowboy fan (sorry Trent) We are already seeing miracles coming out of this starting with ourselves, and then continuing in the people that we teach. After all, everything we teach will be used now and in the hereafter. It is all important.

Sister McBride and I are doing great, but we are way nervous about Transfers. you never know what will happen now with all the new missionaries.  You use to be able to guess. HA.

PS I hope  you like all of the FB posts on birthdays for me!

I'm going to try to write you all short personal messages today and get them in the mail soon to reply about all of your gifts and messages, that's why I'm not now, but know that they are just all so special and loved by me! I love all of you!

I LOVE YOU MOM DAD EYN TRENT AMBERLY AND KENZIE!!!!!!

Birthday Week!

First off, yep! its my birthday! Mom said that there is something coming for me in the mail that I can open AS SOON AS I GET IT! Isn't that awesome! Wow, I might get a birthday on Tuesday :) But Dad still asked me what I wanted so..... 2 Birthdays? :P Id have to tell dad I'd want DVDs I could watch (Like the  newer Testament Gospel study ones and the Broadcast on Missionary work) ummmm something that is special to each of you (as you remember, that's what y'all asked for for Christmas, so its just coming around) and Pictures and Stickers. and uhhhhh happiness :)

 

We had a fun week with Meeting President and Sister Miller2, 4th of July, Interviews with President, and other things as well. To begin, 4th of July was awesome! We were able to talk to many random people about how there 4th is/was and what there plans were. We also saw a few families doing fireworks from our apartment. But the best part was where we live! So in Las Cruces, they set off fireworks near the university which is on the Left side of our corner apt. So at 9:45 we were standing on the corner of our balcony watching the show. It was sooo good and I kept thinking about everywhere I've been and who I've been with to see many different fireworks. It was a lot of fun and I am so thankful that we had a great view, and was able to be at home, and was able to be in bed at the right time. It was a huge blessing.

 

Meeting the new president was awesome too. He is completely different from the previous president and I am so excited for that. He has already given us something called Ponder time 2 times a day as well as increasing our goals of finding new investigators to teach. He even said that if our zone gets an average of 5 new investigators a week, for a month,  he would come and play or do something with us on any day of the week. He seems really fun and cool and you could instantly feel his love for each one of us. Interviews with him were great as well. Its exciting to see the work hasten even more and more.

 

Yesterday, we had a stake fast for missionary work and rain, and then A mission fast for something personal, self confidence, and the members faith in missionary work. Already, we have received some rain, and had a dinner with a nonmember and will have another dinner with a nonmember on my birthday! How exciting! 

With the work being a bit slower than I like, I've decided I'm going insane and must change that (with the Lords help) So we have set up several active member lessons with the women in the RS as well as we already have a few lessons set up for the week. We are so excited and thrilled about all of it!

 

A miracle this week came on July 5th when we tried to see a less active family with an active member present. They weren't home, but we saw a few people out and talked to them instead and found a family and another woman to teach! Well, for another ward to teach but it was still great! I love talking to people that are  friendly and see us as people. It is true that everything relates to the gospel, you just have to see how.

 

I love you sooo much and feel your prayers, and I especially will on the 10th. I love you and miss you soooo much. ''

 

Love Elizabeth