Last Week

Elder Taylor and I are both staying in the Buckley ward. We're moving to a different house with the Davis's, a really cool older couple.This last tranfer sure did fly.oh this past week we tracted into a woman who thought we weren't Christian. She told us she was concerned for our souls...she believed in the Trinity. It was really funny to hear her contradict herself and basically prove us right. I only wish she could take a step back and realize what she was saying. We weren't Bible bashing...we were politely listening to what she believed and then asking her friendly questions in a nice manner.
the work is rolling forward slowly.
Love you!

THE BIG ONE

Elder Taylor and I had the privilage (how do you spell that) of teaching a girl our age who was baptized this saturday. She had dropped off the map...then she came back and wanted to be taught about 3 weeks ago. The lessons went very well. She put forth effort and asked when she could be baptized...and about eight days later BOOM..."oh happy day".I had the opportunity of speeking at the baptism.Elder Taylor Confirmed her on yesterday in Church.I think my favorite scriptures on the Atonement are Alma 7:11-13
It's getting green...as green as Colorado gets...which is nothing compared to New England but whatever it's better than the brown I've been seeing for the past 2 months.
This is the last week of this transfer. I have a feeling I'll stay here because everyone that comes to this area stays atleast 2 or 3 transfers.Time is already speeding up it feels like.

Finally some MEAT. 05/04/2009

I'm so bad I know!!!You're right though it's so hard to write on P-days.okay.So I've been in Aurora for 3 weeks now in the Buckley Ward. We have a really good ward with a melting pot of people. Some are converts of many years some have been in the Church their whole lives and some are very recent converts. We have a lot of Military related people here and if its not that they're either in Medical or Dental...(lots of Dental) So people are always coming and going into the Ward apparently. They're all really good people.We need to help the ward contact their friends about the church "Every Member a Missionary"...I think this is true in every ward really!...Conference for me had a very big emphisis on -showing faith in the future - dealing with hardships/economy-and DOING Missionary work in your every day life. Like B was telling me you don't have to set time apart during your day and say "at I this time during the day I'll be a missionary"...thats not the case at all...you just need to pray to have missionary a experience and then be open to them! Tell people why the church makes you happy! Or do me a favor and set an example for people and prove to them how we're not weird (this was my sentence for venting).We have two people who are very close to being ready to be set for Baptism...I guess I'm not supposed to share names?Tracting is fun. Whenever I get a door slamed in my face I usually laugh. I look at it as a faith exercise.The most effective way to get through to people is to give them some kind of service. Shoveling has been really good. (by the way it snows here mostly in March and April)...Refferals are very effective. Don't be affraid to give them!The work is slow but steady. My companion and I have a lot of fun! Elder Taylor and I get along very well. He's from South Cali. He's really laid back but he likes to get work done. Our District is pretty cool...it's nice to have Elders you fit in with. OOOOH. By the way, my comp. and I drive a dodge mini-van BAHAHAHA.I have pateller tendanitus however you spell that. My knee was acting up before the mission. I got it looked at in the MTC. The Doc. told me not to run or jump or do anything active and that it could take 2 months to heal. Then mission president asked me if I could ride bike and I told him I'd try. That was a bad idea. I didn't really believe the Doctor at first...and I figured that just like everything else this would heal quick...it hasn't. Apparently it can take 6 months to heal.Ummm...The food pretty good and the members feed us well..Sice I can't really run or do any exercises I can't work it off. I think I'm at 200 even. Our members that we stay with are very nice and very young. Sam just turned 25 and Jen is 24. They have a 6 month old kid named Camron.I'm glad to hear that your going to be fine and healthy! I'm glad to know thay you can still do your internship.Thanks for catching me up with Sports. It's refreshing.Since this is being posted.Thank you for your prayers.Thank you for your support...I know that I wanted to come on a mission...but It's comforting to know that I have loving family back home who support me! I love you
p.s. Don't Pray For Patience! hahaha I learned the hard way!

Letter From The Landlord

April 3, 2009

Dear Brother and Sister Makechnie,

   We are very fond of Elder Makechnie. Thank you for sending him on a mission. He is doing good work. He and Elder Cazier are living in our downstairs. 

   Last week I was allowed to drive two sets of Elders to the Temple to witness the sealing of a family some of the Elders had worked with in the past. It is always a bit odd to see , all dressed in white, the same people you see in their grubby clothes, washing floors and weeding gardens! Sitting in the Celestial room on the sofa with a slightly pensive Elder Makechnie, we shared some comfortable quiet time watching the other patrons.

   Sunday, Elder Makechnie bore his tesimony. It was mostly about what a great family he has, and how incredibly happy, satisfied, fulfilled .... he was to be sealed to his most wonderful family. 

   One of the Sisters thought he might be homesick. No, he has just gotten to one of those moments when Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost give you one of those "tender mercies" and you KNOW his love for you by giving you special, unique and wonderfully crazy family, and you know you are blessed to be part of the family jumble.

   We have several families in the Ward who show their love by food. Elder Makechnie may come home a rounder missionary, but that's only because he's loved here, too. But so far, so good because those snow storms we've finally been getting give lots of opportunity for snow shoveling, and I very much appreciate the work Elder Makechnie has done.

   For me, personally, I enjoy his head popping in at the kitchen door at night when they come back. "How was your day?" I ask, and his "Whoop!"

   Time is going quickly - another week or so and he will be off on another assignment. Well, you can be proud of him, his testimony, his willingness to serve, and the good, honest solid spirit and personality he brings with him.

Sincerely,

Renate Serr

Recent Photos

Mom received these from Ian this last week. Our Elder looks happy!

Two Posts

Letter of March 16th

Dear Mom and Pops,

When our temple date approached - when you and Dad were sealed for eternity and Gregor, Brendaen, Glenn and I were sealed to you forever as a family) I knew that what you/we were doing was important and necessary. I don't think, however, that I really grasped what this meant. (I knew that it was a good thing and I was excited, but I didn't really KNOW). It was only there in the temple that I started to understand. It has become more and more important to me now that I've been able to think about it. I still don't think that I can fully understand the weight/importance of that day at the Boston temple. But they say that when you testify of something, your faith and testimony grow as well. I am finding that to be true. I have been able to testify both in the Mission Training Center and now here in the mission field about eternal marriage and how families can be together forever. (I don't like crying, but the Spirit has been very strong and I have to admit I've shed a few.) 

Letter of March 21st

I know that the Lord has blessed me with wonderful parents and a wonderful family. I don't know what I did to deserve the privilege of being raised in a family with members of such CHARACTER. I know that you, my parents, and the rest of my family without a doubt impacted me and my decision to serve the Lord in His mission field. To know that you SUPPORT me and my decision is a great comfort to me! I know that this is where the Lord wants me to be, and I know that you are happy that I'm here. I love you, and I am eternally greatful and endebted to you.

March 9, 2009

This week was the first full week in the mission field. Our group left the MTC at 5 AM. It was weird to say good-bye to everyone in my branch ….they were great. We arrived in Denver in the late morning. Elder Hobbins and I were able to teach on the flight to Denver. The flight attendant was sitting right next to us and we struck up a conversation with her. We learned that she is Lutheran and believes that everyone should be able to read the scriptures. We explained that we share that belief, and proceeded to teach her about the restoration of the Gospel – Joseph Smith and the book of Mormon. We committed her to pray about the things we taught and also to read 3 Nephi 11. Her friend had given her a Book of Mormon, but she had not read it. It was such a cool experience to be able to teach a real person before we even got to our mission field. I feel like she really listened to us.
We spent our first day at the mission president’s home. President and Sister Ely are very cool. They shared with us their conversion story, which was very touching. Also at tthe mission home we were given a brief orientation on how the mission is run and the things we need (or need not) be doing.
So I’ve been in the Colorado Denver North Mission since March 3rd. My trainer’s name is Elder Cazier. I’m pretty sure we have the two hardest names to pronounce in the mission. He’s very cool! He actually lived in Vermont for a few years, so he loves New England (obviously!) and is a BIG RED SOX FAN!!! He lives in Arizona now, but I look at him as a New Englander. Everyone here loves him. He’s been a trainer for five times!!!
We are serving in the Savory Pond Ward. There are tons of hills here, and we have a constant view of the Rockies to the west. They’re a lot further away than they look.
Oh yeah – my knee (hee-hee) apparently I have patellar tendonitis. No fun.
I’m pretty comfortable with teaching. I never thought I was a teacher. The people here are friendly for the most part, and it is easy to love them. We’ve been teaching mostly members and less-active members, which is fun. But we did set a woman for Baptism on Easter. We’ve placed two Books of Mormon and given out I-don’t-know-how-many pass along cards.. Talking to people on the street is still kinda awkward, but is getting more comfortable. Getting shot down by people stinks,
I love you all.