Wonderful Winter Days - December 23, 2013

It was the week before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except for ... a missionary and his companion emailing home at the library.

This pre-Christmas week has been wonderful. We are working with a 10-year-old boy named Elijah. He wasn't baptized when he was 8. We didn't know he hadn't been baptized until he and his mom came up to us at the ward Christmas party on December 13th and said he wanted to be baptized. He has been to church off and on with his mom and his other younger siblings. He wanted to be baptized, so we figured, why wait? He is going to be baptized this Saturday! 

Back in November, I talked with Elder Fiso about how we were going to find and baptize someone in Story City in the last transfer of the year, someone to be party of the 550 souls coming to Christ in the year 2013 in the Iowa Des Moines Mission. When I was transferred, I had that desire still. Sarah was baptized my first week here in Waterloo. And we also had the investigators Kianna, Tia, and Deacon, who were going to hopefully be baptized before the end of the year. But I desired of God to find someone and baptize them in the month of December. A soul who was prepared to be baptized in 2013. 

On Monday, December 9th, Elder Nelson and I were contacted by a less-active member and invited over for chili. We met, David, and his nonmember fiance, Melissa, and had chili and discovered that she was very prepared by the Lord for us to meet with her. Melissa found out earlier that day, her grandma who she is very close to, is a Mormon. We talked with her, and David bore powerful testimony about how he knows this Church is true. Even though he didn't always listen and he has been in and out of prison, his conviction of the truthfulness of the gospel is sure. All the while we were meeting with them, I was thinking "is she the elect individual who has been prepared by the hand of God to be baptized in 2013?" All they would need to do is be married. They both want to get married and David wants to be sealed to her. She kept smiling and as the lesson progressed there was such a powerful spirit in the room. She changed from "I would be baptized if it was right" to "I will be baptized." I was praying and in my head I was thinking, "they need to get married this week to be baptized in 2013." (Our mission president requires living the Law of Chastity 2 weeks before a person can be baptized.) But for whatever reason, they are thinking next July or August, even though they want to be married now. It might be a reason not completely in their control. So Elder Nelson and I fasted the next day to have whatever reason come forth and be fixed. We haven't been able to meet with them since as David has a crazy work schedule.

We met Elijah on December 13th, and he is prepared and ready to be baptized in 2013. God will perform miracles. He works in mysterious ways to bring souls to Him. He knows his children and their lives. We must pray, fast, and seek for opportunity to be an instrument of the Lord in our fellow brothers and sisters lives. If we are doing what God needs and wants us to do, seeking to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit, we will be blessed to bless others, strengthening ourselves in the process. There will be more to this account that I do not know now, but the strength it brings me is wonderful.

This life is all about perspective. Step back and put yourself in view of eternity. Who you were before this life, and who you will be after, and what you must do here and now to connect those two pieces of you. This can only be done right within the perspective of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

May we remember Christ and his life and sacrifice this Christmas and Christmas Eve!

Love and Merry Christmas!

Elder Zachary R McKenzie

Iowa Des Moines Mission

D&C 6:34, 36

  Doubt Not, Fear Not.

'Tis the Season - December 16, 2013

It's a wonderful life!

Sorry my emails have been pretty short since I got to Waterloo, I am finally caught up on emails, so I can expound in this one! It has been one crazy week!

Monday we enjoyed some basketball on our P-Day. A member took us to Hardee's (Carl's Jr.'s duplicate) for dinner because his wife was sick. We had some pretty good conversation about his mission in the Philippines. Then we were invited to this less-active man's home for chili that night. His name is David and he has been through a lot in his life and rebelled in his youth, but he has a very strong testimony of the Gospel. His fiance is not a member, and earlier in the day she found out that she her grandma was a member of the church! We talked about the church, about Christ, and she will be baptized. They want to be sealed in the temple. They just have to wait to get married for reasons unknown to us. It was a very powerful spiritual experience full of testimony and them feeling the Spirit as well. When we first invited her to be baptized she said, "I probably will." By the end, she was sure. She would be baptized. 

On Tuesday, we met with a couple of our investigators. Sadly, since then, one of them has dropped us. But there is always hope! That morning we spent time searching for apartments for the Spanish Elders in our area as they were possibly looking to move. 

Wednesday we had a Christmas Zone Conference in Iowa City. I got to drive down there and it was crazy as it was super cold and pretty snowy on the roads! The morning of the Christmas Zone Conference was full of wonderful trainings by our Vehicle Coordinator (Car Czar), the Assistants to the President, and President and Sister Jensen. At lunch, I sat with Hermana Jacobson and some other missionaries from my zone and her zone. Hermana Jacobson is one of Elder Hess' friends from home. At this Zone Conference I also saw Elder Ammon Markstaller from West Linn, Oregon. He is serving in this mission speaking Spanish. It was nuts! I attached a picture from Wednesday! The afternoon of the Zone Conference were the musical numbers and skits. Each district prepared a musical number or skit to be shown to the rest. We had 4 zones there, so there were lots of missionaries there, probably close to 100! Our district sang Silent Night in English, Marshallese, and Spanish. Following those, we watched the new movie Ephraim's Rescue. It is an inspiring pioneer movie that had a lot more humor in it that I thought it would.

The missionaries were asked to come up with the program for the Ward Christmas party on Friday night. We had some ideas leading up to Thursday of what we wanted to do, but when we came together, it was marvelous to see the Spirit work through our talents. Elder Steele in our district (from American Fork, UT) is a natural born director, and so was born an incredible Christmas program. It has been recorded, so hopefully I can get a copy to send home.

Saturday and Sunday, in addition to Church, we planned and helped people move. We also received a referral, which is always a nice surprise!

Christmastime is an incredible time to see the hand of the Lord in the lives of all people. It is a time when we can show our love for Christ and be unified as Christians, and as God's children. May we do as directed by a Modern-day Apostle and "reach out to just “one” between now and Christmas, millions will feel the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what a wonderful gift to the Savior." I share with you my love, and pray that we may share the Savior's love each and every one of us have felt with someone else. 

Love,

Elder Zachary R McKenzie

Iowa Des Moines Mission

D&C 6:34, 36

  Doubt Not, Fear Not.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas! - December 9, 2013

We got snow the other day and it looks and feels like it will stay for a good while, maybe through the Spring!

This week was a little slower, but great! I am finally getting into the Christmas Spirit for real after listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir featuring David Archuleta CD another missionary had and the 2013 Christmas Devotional yesterday.

Look to Christ, drive safely, and follow the counsel of Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve:

"The key is that you be inspired of God, that you ask Him for direction and then go and do as the Spirit prompts you. When members view the work of salvation as their responsibility alone, it can be intimidating. When they view it as an invitation to follow the Lord in bringing souls unto Him to be taught by the full-time elders and sisters, it is inspiring, invigorating, and uplifting.

We are not asking everyone to do everything. We are simply asking all members to pray, knowing that if every member, young and old, will reach out to just “one” between now and Christmas, millions will feel the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what a wonderful gift to the Savior" (emphasis added, Ensign, Nov 2013, pp 44-45).

Love, 

Elder Zachary R McKenzie

Iowa Des Moines Mission

D&C 6:34, 36

  Doubt Not, Fear Not.

Thankgiving in Waterloo - December 2, 2013

What a great week it has been! We had a baptism Saturday! 

On Monday we received a media referral for a man named Kevin. We went over that night after our dinner and we taught him and his father. They are both awesome and accepted invitations to pray, read the Book of Mormon, and to be baptized. We implemented so much from the trainings we received from Zone Leaders and at MLC and it was wonderful.

We had the car this week but we were very limited on miles, so we did lots of walking. Thank goodness for coats! :) We picked up another new investigator yesterday from some referrals from the Spanish elders in the ward. 

For Thanksgiving we spent the day at the Frisbie's, a member family. They fed us Thanksgiving dinner, we helped him with his basement project. And we had Thanksgiving dinner at 1, with leftovers at 7. :) We played Sorry! and Uno Attack and some monkey-in-the-middle it was a fun day bonding with a great family in the ward.

Sarah Thorson was baptized Saturday and confirmed Sunday! It was a wonderful event to attend. I attached a picture with me and Elder Nelson and Sarah.

Continue pressing forward and enjoy every moment. God has called us to do so. If you want a wonderful talk to enjoy, check out His Grace is Sufficient by Brad Wilcox. It has changed my outlook on the Atonement and on life.

Love, 

Elder Zachary R McKenzie

Iowa Des Moines Mission

D&C 6:34, 36

  Doubt Not, Fear Not.

The Water Comes Down in Waterloo - November 25, 2013

This time it comes down in the form of snow!

Waterloo decided to welcome me with some nice cold weather and some snow! The beginning of this week was wonderful. It was pretty fast paced as well, with the transfer and packing and all. But I love all the wonderful people in Story City and I was glad to bid adieu to so many people that have helped me grow so much in the last 6 months there, missionary, member, and non-member alike. I don't think I have ever experienced growth like I did in Story City, spiritual and temporal things alike.

My new companion is Elder Nathan Nelson from Chandler, AZ. He is shorter and skinnier than I. First time that has happened other than Elder Sierra... He graduated from High School in 2013 and I am his "breaker" as he was just finished being trained. He is a wonderful missionary and great things are going to happen in Waterloo!

Waterloo, Iowa. A great place with an incredible ward! The 3-hour block of church was super spiritual and very uplifting. It was a wonderful way to start a new area. 

I spent 25 of my 75 minutes of computer time talking with a man at the library and answering his questions. 

"Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words."

     - St. Francis of Assisi

You are all the best! Continue becoming spiritually converted. And my sister Marinda gets her mission call this week!

Love,

Elder Zachary R McKenzie

Iowa Des Moines Mission

D&C 6:34, 36

  Doubt Not, Fear Not.

Where the Story (City) Ends - November 18, 2013

My Story in Story City is ending because I'm being transferred.

 

I just found out today. I am going to miss it a ton, but I am also excited to see what the Lord has in store for me in my next area!

 

For some reason I just blanked on what I normally write in these letters, so it might be a little bit of an awkward letter. But it is from me, so we're used to that...

 

This week was great. We had interviews with our Mission President on Tuesday. Our Mission President takes time, once per quarter, to interview all the missionaries in the mission. He spends a few weeks going around to all of the districts in the mission to spend about 15 minutes one on one with each missionary. It was great to sit down with him and share with him where I am at in my spiritual growth and how the work is going in the district and in Story City. It was an incredibly uplifting experience. :)

 

On Saturday, Sisters Browne and Muirbrook had a baptism! Richard, the man I talked about last week, was baptized! It was great! Richard and the man baptizing him were both pretty tall, and the font was about 1 foot lower than it normally is. After 3 tries baptizing him standing up, his clothes were still not going completely under. So the fourth time, they knelt down in the bottom of the font and baptized him and he went all the way under. At the end of the program, Richard bore his testimony and said "I wouldn't have had my baptism go any other way. Each time I went down it was like God was asking me 'Do you really want to do this?' 'Do you really want to do this?' 'Do you really want to do this?' He had a great attitude about it! Very humble man! It is both of the Sisters first baptism they have participated in and it is an experience they will never forget!

 

The Ames Stake had Stake Conference and, as requested by the First Presidency, all of the missionaries attended the Adult Session. So we got 4 hours of Stake Conference. It was fantastic!

 

Keep being diligent in your studies and prayers, remember the questions I asked last week! Ask them again:

• How are your personal prayers going?
• How is your Book of Mormon reading and studying going?
• How seriously do you take the Sacrament as you partake of it at church each week? 

Your Diligent Letter-Writer,

Elder Zachary R McKenzie

Iowa Des Moines Mission

D&C 6:34, 36

  Doubt Not, Fear Not.

MLC and Baptismal Interviews - November 11, 2013

Nearer, My God, to Thee

 

Highlights from the week. Missionary Leadership Council (MLC) is a council made up of the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders where they discuss their zones and items for the mission. They also receive training. This last week, Brother Jarman, head of the training at the MTC, and his companion Brother Steinagle, director of 8 of the 14 international MTCs, visited the Iowa Des Moines Mission. They invited the district leaders to attend, so I got to be at a full day of training! I saw many missionary friends I've made over the last 15 months and made many more friends! They trained on us really INVITING people to come unto Christ and HELPING them to receive the restored gospel. Emphasis is placed on HELPING people (not just hoping them) 1) to pray, 2) read the Book of Mormon, and 3) attend Church (especially Sacrament meeting).  This emphasis on HELPING people rather than HOPING they will respond will increase our ability to bring souls unto Christ as we are guided by the Holy Ghost. It reminded me of much of my MTC training. Those of you who will be entering the MTC shortly. Take great notes and take advantage of what you will learn!

 

One of the responsibilities of a district leader is to interview candidates for baptism. I had the opportunity to conduct my first baptismal interview on Saturday. It was fantastic as the man I interviewed, Richard, is very ready to be baptized!

 

At our Zone Training Meeting on Saturday, the Zone Leaders showed a video slideshow of pictures of baptisms that have happened this year to get us excited for reaching our goal of 550. We are at 409 right now! Once of the songs they had as background was Vocal Point's arrangement of "Nearer, My God, To Thee." That arrangement is one of my favorite songs ever, and to hear it in such a spiritual setting for the first time in 15.5 months was an incredible blessing. I also played an original arrangement of "Nearer, My God, To Thee" as a special musical number in our Story City Branch Conference yesterday. I was going to accompany another missionary serving in the branch as he sang Come Thou Fount, but he wasn't up to it.

 

Come nearer to God this week. Some questions to evaluate where you are at now:

• How are your personal prayers going?
• How is your Book of Mormon reading and studying going?
• How seriously do you take the Sacrament as you partake of it at church each week?

Love you all!

Elder Zachary R McKenzie

Iowa Des Moines Mission

D&C 6:34, 36

  Doubt Not, Fear Not.

The Power of the Scriptures - November 4, 2013

51 days until Christmas! :) (For some reason today has felt very Christmassy for me, when I was playing basketball, of all times to feel Christmassy...)

 

This week was a good one. Elder Fiso and I were with other missionaries on exchanges for 2.5 days this last week. It was pretty crazy. We had a good time at our branches Halloween party on Wednesday. We have had all of our investigators but 1 drop us in the last week. If you get the chance, please pray that we will find new investigators this week! Elder Fiso was sick Saturday, so we stayed in all day, it was a very productive week considering we were not able to work Wednesday or Thursday night or at all Saturday.

 

I have had some very good, personal experiences this week. I don't want to share them in detail with you all, but I want you to know that I truly have come closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ this week. I know my Father in Heaven knows me and is aware of me.

 

The scriptures are the most powerful resource we have, next to prayer, and the sacrament. Take part in all of these things as often as time permits. And give yourself some time to ponder and meditate upon the things therein. It is so easy to just get in the motions of reading, praying, and going to church. It is even easy to say, "I've read these things before, there is nothing I haven't read." And that may be true, but God reveals through His Spirit to us. This great article from Elder Mervyn B. Arnold in the August 2013 ensign tells us one way to receive revelation through the scriptures. President Boyd K. Packer in the October 2013 General Conference said:

"Years ago, Elder S. Dilworth Young of the Seventy taught me a lesson about reading the scriptures. A stake was struggling with tensions and difficulties among the members, and counsel needed to be given.
I asked President Young, “What should I say?”
He answered simply, “Tell them to read the scriptures.”
I asked, “Which scriptures?”
He said, “It really doesn’t matter. Tell them to open up the Book of Mormon, for instance, and begin to read. Soon the feeling of peace and inspiration will come, and a solution will present itself.”
Make scripture reading a part of your regular routine, and the blessings will follow. There is in the scriptures a voice of warning, but there is also great nourishment."

Read the scriptures daily, know they can help you and that God will help you as you seek to follow Him.

 

He testifies to us and speaks to our minds through the scriptures. Search them diligently, pray, and then continue onward. I know this is true.

 

Love, 

Elder Zachary R McKenzie

Iowa Des Moines Mission

D&C 6:34, 36

  Doubt Not, Fear Not.