Story. Small World.

I got a call last night from a woman in Fort Collins, Colorado. "Hello, I am a divorced member of the Church living here in Fort Collins. I approached my Bishop about the possibility of housing missionaries. He said that there was a list. Two days ago he called and said that the new missionaries' housing had fallen through, and could I take them in? So last night I welcomed two young men, one of whom is an Elder Makechnie. As I tried to orient the young men to their new living arrangement, I found Elder Makechnie to be distracted. He was playing with a toy that had belonged to my father, and couldn't seem to focus on what I was saying. So to get his attention, I asked him where he is from, and he enthusiastically said, "New Hampshire!" and hauled out a map. I protested that I didn't need to see a map to know about New Hampshire, but he proceeded to point out Andover anyway. I said, 'Elder, follow me.' I took him upstairs to the study and pointed to an oil painting. 'Where do you suppose that farmhouse is?' I asked him. 'Well, it sure looks like New England,' he answered. 'And what lake do you think that is in the background?' 'Well, it sure looks like Lake Winnipesaukee,' he answered sheepishly. "And do you know, I attended the Laconia Branch of the Church?' 'Wow! Really? Did you know an old lady there that was..... like.... the first Mormon in New Hampshire?' he asked. "Do you refer to Rhea Guild, Elder?' I asked. "Yeah! I was at her funeral!' he exalted. I went over to the computer and pushed a few keys and up popped a slide show of her funeral. 'Hey, there's Brother Tom Morrison!' he shouted. 'And Brother Stephenson, and there's my Mom... and there's ME!'Pretty sure I had his attention now, I pointed to myself on the screen and said, 'I spoke a the funeral. Rhea Guild was my mother, I am Marsha Guild Gibbs."
It's a small world, after all.Sister Gibbs also told me that Elder Makechnie's new companion is from American Samoa, and that they spent the better part of the day yesterday trying to get news off the internet, after the awful tsunami. So far, it seems that the news is good.

Transfer

We're on timed computers today... That conference was awesome!!! I always love it when Uchtdorf talks but this time is was Geoffrey R Holland's talk that hit the hardest. He is so powerful!!! Uchtdorf;s talk on work and learning was very good as well...and I also really appreciated the new apostle's talk....repentence and remembering sin really stuck out to me.The new area is beautiful but I've got to watch out for the pre tty women here...it near a college campus..... Did Sis Gibbs tell you who her mom is?Thank you for your post card.I love you

And the Newest

Hey Ma!... I'm getting tranferred to Fort Collins. I've been in Buckley ward here in Aurora for 6 months now and I guess The Lord and Mission President feel it’s time to move on.My time here ended very well! This week was a lot of fun.Norm and Edy were baptized and confirmed!!!I'm going to really miss them. They are like family! I'm going to miss my companion as well. I learned a lot from being with him. We have planted seeds in this area together that will be harvested soon.We met with Kelly (soon to be) Gott. They still need to be married. She's still ready for baptism.We also met with Erin. We taught a lesson with Sister Jen that went very well. She has some questions about the Doctrine and Covenents.We also met with Al for the first time in a while. He is always happy to see us. If he takes all the lessons and really prays, then he will be a very strong member.The O'Briens came to church. They are an awesome family!!! They have a lot to offer this ward. He's from Australia... I want that accent! This week was a little different because we had Elder Escobar with us for the most of it... Being with two other missionaries all the time is kinda fun, actually. 6 months went by fast!!! Work was fun...I hope I did enough in this ward. What do I want for Halloween... PICTURES OF THE FAMILY... pictures of the fall...a letter...Edna's cookies...Updates on how the Patriots are doing...How the Red Sox are doing...Maybe some money so that I can buy new garments. I love you! Pray for the people in my new area to be receptive.

Pics

Several new posts from Mom

March 16, 2009
I love you!...I don’t have much time to write but I have a letter coming to you soon.
I'm in the Arvada zone...Huron District...Elder Cazier and I are in the Savory Ponds ward.
I love you...Can't wait to here more from you!!!!

July 16, 2009
Dear Mom and Dad,
Is it really July 13th?...I can remember July 4th 2008 like it was yesterday...
My mother is 59...by the way I don't think I ever wished you happy birthday!!! HAPPY 59th Ma! Dad's 72 WOW...that young man is still cruisin’ huh?
The nieces and nephews are growing faster and faster. Grace is already 1?
I'm almost 6 months into this mission!!! I feel like I've been here for maybe a month?
I think I'm set on ties for now. I could use some socks... and a short sleeved white shirt if it’s possible. Some church music would be very nice as well...MO-TAB or not.
Gregor finally got a dog? That’s great!
Elder Leafa is awesome!...He has a very strong testimony and he loves to bear it whenever we talk to anyone. Things are going very well...we're moving in an awesome direction. In a typical week we might get one or two potential
investigators... This first week with Elder Leafa we were able to get 9.
I'm gonna try to get a letter written today for you...it takes me soooo long...I'm terrible.
I love you!

March 30, 2009
How goes it for the Clan Makechnie?
Yes indeed...I received the package with the bike stuff while I was in the MTC. I have also received the package with the ties...4 of the so far THANK YOU!!! I LIKE! Ties are good and so are cookies! (You sent me my wrangler jeans and they don't fit...they were tight a year ago... I tried to put them on the other day and they bearly fit without even buttoning them hahahahaha...my GAP jeans do fit) I do enjoy receiving packages...but not as much as receiving letters.
I'm sorry I haven't been able to write that much. I thought it was going to be a lot easier writing home. It takes me so long to write letters...very little time to do it! I'll try to do better in that department. So the work has been fun. We found some potential investigators this week.

May 26, 2009
Dear Mom and Dad,
Elder Taylor and I are moving about 15 houses down the road. We're moving in with an older couple. Their story is very interesting. Some of it is kinda "classified info" so I can't talk much about it. I hope that having missionaries in their home will be helpful. They're AWESOME people and we love spending time with them! This is the beginning of transfer 3.
Whats your favorite scripture?
Talk to you next week
I love you!

6/1/09
Dear Mom and Dad,
We love the Davis's. I think that they are one of the major reasons that I'm in this area...so that I can learn from them and that I and my companion can do some good in their lives.
We're getting farmers’ tans. On our last tracting experience we had the opportunity to place 2 copies of the Book of Mormon. Both people said that we could come back. I had an experience that proved to me that some people can be taught many times by many different people...and that will be a good thing and it will most surely make a difference in their life...but some times the right person/missionary will come along and reach them on a different level....and maybe that missionary/person will present something in a new way that will have a greater
effect on them. Some people just need a lesson put into a different perspective. Also never underestimate doing good. Sometimes you won't see the effect till much later down the road...sometimes you won't ever see the difference...but it is there!!!
I love you!
Thank you for the prayers!

Dear Sister Makechnie,
Here are some pictures we took on Sunday of your son. Thought that you might enjoy having them. We are Elder Makechnie's host family and want you to know that we thoroughly enjoy having him in our home. You can be very proud of your son. We are leaving for a couple of weeks and won't be here for his birthday, so we celebrated it on Sunday. I know he misses his family very much, but is working very hard at doing the Lord's work. I'm sure we don't have to tell you what a nice young man you raised. Enjoy and be very, very proud of the work he is doing.
May God Bless you,
Norm and Edie Davis




9/8/09
Dear Dad,
Eldow Pond with G and B's family!!! You guys are lucky! B sent me the clip. The kids are really growing up huh! Dad, Mom has been and always will be great with children. You are too!... When the kids come to the kitchen they always want to see Grampa! You are a great example to them! Does Gregor like the job? I'm glad the working environment around you is more hospitable. This was a good change for me. Work is great. We are accomplishing a lot. We're learning along the way. We're not perfect but we're slowly finding and teaching. I think that we are working as diligently as 2 weeks ago. Hope Proctor has a good feel to it still... Growing up there was great. I hope you are getting the chance to enjoy the green! And soon the foliage!
I hope that one of these days you can watch one of the football games....is Gregor still coaching that?
I love you Dad!

9/14/09
Dear Mom and Dad,
This week went well. We've been able to gain a friendship with one of our new investigators named Colleen. She is still undergoing Chemo. (She’s 37 with 2 kids and divorced) Her family is very supportive and aren't against having missionaries come over to their daughter’s home. She has agreed to come to church on Sunday and to eat with us and a member on Thursday evening.
We weren't able to see as many of our investigators this week as we would have liked but that wasn't due to lack of effort. We have been working diligently.
We were able to establish 2 new investigators this week (Kevin and Lyndsey) They want to hear all that we have to say...so we will soon be teaching them more lessons. I have been self-reflecting lately. I don't feel as though I'm the best missionary I could be. This is a great ward...a lot can be accomplished here. Thus far on the mission I've been a part of 1 baptism. I know that numbers don't mean a whole lot. I know it’s about loving people and helping them progress...but 1 is a pretty big indicator to me that I'm doing something wrong. I've been out now for about 7 months... Yes I've learned a lot... Yes I feel like I've helped people and I'm serving the Lord... but I feel like I could be doing a lot more.
Elder Escobar (Zone Leader) and I had a chat after exchanges...I told him that I feel like I need to be more sincere. I need to teach with more conviction. I need to be more bold.
I know I think too much and I just need to DO...But I feel as though when I stop worrying then I stop caring.
I know that I've made personal progress on the mission...but I want to help other make personal progress.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

9/27/09
From new converts Norm and Edie to Art and Heather Makechnie
Thought you might enjoy these pictures of your son. You have a very special spirit as a son and we are going to miss having him here in our home. We have come to love him very much. It was very meaningful and special having him as part of our baptism and confirmation as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The pictures of him in the kitchen is his baking cookies for the baptism. He said he was using the secret Makechnie family recipe for Chocolate Chip Cookies. Everyone enjoyed them and they were all the more special because Elder Makechnie baked them.
Just as a side note, your son needs more mail from home. Everyday when he comes in he will ask if there is any mail for him and when we tell him no he is very disappointed.
You did a great job of raising him. You can be proud.
Blessing to you both,
Norm and Edie Davis

September 29, 2009
From Barbara Muggelston, a former Nashua Ward member, now of Aurora, Colorado,
Heather,
How are you doing? I got a phone call from one Elder Makechnie this noon-time asking me to come to a baptism this afternoon at 4pm. Apparently, the couple that the boys are living with got baptized and your son baptized Norm, and Elder Leafa baptized Edith. It was a nice baptism and i was honored that he would ask us to go!!!
I didn't realize that it was Elder M's 1st baptism, which is so cool because I also found out that he is being transferred to Ft. Collins which is about an hour and a half from Aurora. He made, from scratch, last nite, choc. chip cookies for the refreshments today. He was pretty pleased with himself and the cookies were quite tasty!!
Anyway, you should be proud of him, he is doing great. All of the elders looked so nice, they must've all got hair cuts on their p-day this week!! I have the mission office address so will try to keep in touch with him. I'm sure he will do great, his ward will miss him and so will my family!
My mom comes home from N.H. on Monday and she has had a great time. She did spend some time in Nashua last week and was amazed at how different it is now.
Well, you take care, thought you'd like to know about Elder Makechnie's day.

9/28/09
From Barbara Muggelston, a former Nashua Ward member, now of Aurora, Colorado,
Hi Heather,
So, I snuck into the Buckley Ward to hear the boys do the confirmations from last night’s baptisms. He did great! He is an awesome missionary, I hope that you will one day be able to see and feel all the good he has done so far. We will miss him,
I wrote him a good-bye letter and will keep in touch via the mail and I will of course send him some goodies from time to time.
I love all these wonderful boys and am so appreciative of the fact that they have been brought up righteously to serve missions for the Lord. I want you to know that I love your son and have been grateful to be a little part of his life!!!
One day, hopefully, we can meet. Til then I hope that we can stay in touch!
Thank you for raising a righteous young man . He is, in my eyes, a giant in the Gospel!!
With love,
Barbara

Several Posts... I'm a slacker!

Sorry.... I have neglected my posting duties! Here are several emails from everyone's favorite Elder.

-Glenn (The slacker)

7/06/2009

The 4th went well then huh? Thats great that you were able to spend time with
Glenn, Kim and Tate. Good job on the town flag too!

I'm getting a new companion from Samoa named Elder Laofa. He comes here tonight.

Elder Taylor is getting transferred up to Loveland. He'll be a District Leader
and he'll be training a missionary straight from the MTC.






7/20/2009

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY!!!
This week went by in a blink of an eye!
Lots of awesome things happened!
The highlights for the week (investigator wise) are Fred, Robert and
Oscar!...All three are African American...I don't know why but a lot of black
people really like talking with us and we feel like we can relate to them. We
mostly fellowshiped with Fred. He's a cop. He's from Cincinati...I have no idea
how to spell that...and he can really talk!...next time we'll try our best to
get the first lesson in.
Robert...yesterday we taught most of lesson 2 to him because he seemd to have a
bunch of questions that related to this lesson..it went really well. One thing
that Elder Leafa (Lay-off-uh) is really good at is testifying. He does it a lot
and with power and you know it really makes a difference...I've been doing
better at this because of him. People really know that we care about and meen
what we're saying.
Oscar and Cassandra...They had an experience with the mission
aries about 20
years ago when she needed a place to stay and other help. They really gave her
help without hesitation and she never forgot about them and what they did for
her. He has never forgoten it either. Now 20 years down the road here we come.
Elder Taylor was the one who tracted into them...they said come back later. Now
on friday we went to his house while he was painting and offered to help. He
didn't want us to help because we were dressed well. But it turns out the next
day he would need a latter and we were able to get it to him. When we delivered
the later we stayed and talked with him for about 2 hours (your not supposed to
do that)...but he was really attentive and asked a lot of questions. We gave him
a copy of the Book of Mormon and bore witness of it. We talked about topics from
the 1st, 2nd and 3rd lesson. He said he'd read. I beleive him! Next time we go
though well keep it to an hour.

Elder Leafa and I both gave talks on Sunday about member missionary work. My
talk was geared toward conversion and testimony and being an example. I talked
about Enos and how after he had recieved a remission of his sins he was
concerned about his bretheren the Nephites. We need to gain our own testimonies
each and every one of us. We need to let out lights shine and it says in 3Nephi
12:14-16. You cannot convert someone past your own conversion.

7/27/2009

HEHEY!
We have established a new investigator this week. We have to open/close with
prayer and have a return appointment to establish a new investigator. ...He's
really searching for the truth...he is eager to talk with us again. Yesterday
the things that we presented him filled in a lot of blank spaces for him...I
feel that as we go along in the lessons more and more blank spaces will be
filled up and he will gain a desire to be baptized.
We have another whom we are seeing tonight.

Things went very well this week. I love setting return appointments with people.
Members/Investigators/new investigators and so on.
We have recently been leaving members with the commitment to place a book of
mormon in the upcomming weeks. Ward involvment is key. New refferals will come.

8/03/2009

This week went really well...We were able to find 4 new investigators.
I'm not one to focus too much on numbers, but we taight 21 lessons...maybe I'm just not a steller Elder, but thats a pretty good number atleast from what I've seen thus far in the Mission.

Two of the six new investigators that have developed here in the Buckley ward this Transfer are very promising. They really like it when we come and teach lessons. Oscar has told us that a lot of the things that he's learning are filling in the blanks. The questions that he's had all of his life are being answered.
Son Mason is the other man who seems to really enjoy us being in his home. Last night he said that some of the cob-webbs were being swept away. He said that he could feel something different about Elder Leafa and I. That was awesome.
Both of these investigators have said that they will pray to know if Joseph Smith is a Prophet, and if the Book of Mormon is true.
I'ts awesome to see when the message is really having an effect with people!
I think it's awesome when we extend that commitment to people. "Will you pray with real intent to know if what we have told you is true? If Joseph Smith is a prophet and if the Book of Mormon is true." Then we bare our testimony and tell them that we know that its true. Then we say... "Don't take our word for it. Pray for yourself to find out. Heavenly Father loves you and he well give you an answer if you ask in faith".
I think that when we present it in this way its very effective. They know that we're not forcing anything on them. They know that we know its true. They also know that because we know its true we know that Heavely Father will tell them that it is.

We've been getting into the rhythem.

This week was a lot of fun.

06/2/2009

We were able to go to the Temple on Saturday. That was refreshing! This week was full of missionary experiences. We we able to go tracting with two members (at different times)...We were invited into 1 house with each of the members we went with. It's awesome to get member support.
Yesterdays Sacrament meetnig was very cool. There was a woman who was speaking on forgiveness. I'm currently reading about the story in Genisis when Joseph was sold into Egypt. She used this story in her talk. She also included a few things that I had been thinking about. I know that we all need to work on forgiveness. It's amazing much the atonement effects our lives. It can and should be applied to every aspect of our lives.
There are so many people here... members and non-members that I've grown to really appreciate! I hope I never forget them.
I love you! have fun with Mom and Dad!