Week 10 - (09/29/2014) - It Makes Serving a Mission Worth It

Hi Everyone!  

I hope you all have had a good week.  My week has been GREAT!!  I am super happy!  I might be freezing cold on the outside but my heart is warm!

So this week went from a nice sunny day to a rainstorm from Satan!  It was soooo cold and the wind was the coldest part. THEN IT RAINED! wow. Everyone here thought that yesterday was so HOT! But it was pretty cool to me! hahaha I guess that tells you what it is like for a Florida kid  living in Nevada. BTW say nev-ada not Nev-aduh they hate that xD.

Hehe Don't tell my companion that I wrote this but he almost cut the mission presidents' finger off this week xD. We were at a service project with 170 missionaries and we were pulling up weeds and trees.  So my companion is chopping weeds and the president comes over and starts pulling out the small trees and he accidentally slices his finger open D: ouch! haha

SHHHH you never heard that from me!

So the week before we had a really cool experience. I wasn't going to share it because it was really personal but my companion told everyone so I might as well share it with you.  I just won't include names.

So last week I left my bag in the Zone Leaders car.  My companion and I went to get my bag.  On the way back we were talking with everyone we saw.  "HEY!"  "How's it going!"  "Hey! Beautiful morning!"  We didn't get much of a response from anyone.  Most people are a bit busy or not very interested in what we have to say.  "Having a nice day?"  Then we got a response from someone. 

"I've seen better days.."

"Is there something wrong?"

"Well its been this way for the past couple months.."

"Is there anything we can do to help you out?"

"uhm.."

He then goes on to tell some personal stories that happened to him.  He tells us about the hardships he's been going through.  And then he starts to cry a little :(.

So he then asks...

"Am I doing the right thing?  It seems like every time I try to come closer to God I get smacked down."

It was quiet for about 7 seconds then I almost cried myself and said...

"I can tell you, you are going on the right path. Heavenly Father loves you more than you could ever imagine.  He wants the best for you. The only reason it's this hard is because Satan will do anything and everything in his power to destroy you.  I've seen him mess up lives, and he wants to do the same for you. It will never be an easy path but it will definitely be worth it."

He asked us who Nephi was.

(background info)

Nephi is one of the first prophets that write in the Book of Mormon.

There is no way he could know about Nephi unless,

A] He's read the Book of Mormon and he's just messing with us.

B] He's had Mormon friends who told him about the prophet Nephi.

None of the above are true.

He told us he woke up this  morning and he heard in clear words...

"NEPHI."

"NEPHI 11 & 12"

So this kind of confused him until he met with us.  He said he knew that he needed to ask us.  So we were really shocked by this.  I almost felt like he was mocking me.  But i knew he was being honest and sincere.

So in the Book of Mormon, the book of Nephi (knee- FY) the 11th and 12th chapter talk about a dream/vision that his father Lehi had about The Tree of Life.

If you would like to know more about this story ask your local missionaries :D  They would LOVE to tell you all about it.  It is a really awesome story about coming unto Christ and living forever with our Heavenly Father and our families.

So my companion described the story of the tree of life to him.  Brief over view, The Tree of Life represents the love of God.  There is a long iron rod that leads to this tree.   The iron rod goes through a field of darkness.  Next to this field of darkness, there is a large tower full of people that are basically partying it up.  And doing all kinds of "worldly" things that people feel will bring them happiness.  So the people in the tower are mocking the people that are trying to get to The Tree of Life.  There is so much more to this story I would like to share with you but I am running short on time. 

As I was talking to this poor man, I was imagining him trying to get through this "field of darkness".   Right now he is trying to find the iron rod(the word of God) and has such a desire to reach The Tree of Life.  

I told him "Heavenly Father sees you trying.  He wants you to know that He is there for you.  Just keep trying."

It doesn't seem that cool as I am writing it but these moments are very exciting to me.  I had a small taste of being one of the Lords tools that day.  It makes serving a mission worth it!

Well, my time is up.  Please know that I love you All so much.  Thank you for all that you do for me each day.
Elder McSheehy

Week 9 - (09/22/2014) - I Love and Miss You ALL

 Hello Everyone,

I have had a GREAT week!  I am doing AWESOME!  Like I said last week, things are really picking up here and I am staying really busy.  We were able to teach quite a few people this week.

We actually had one of our investigators come to church this past Sunday.  That is a huge progress.

We are also teaching a really nice lady and her son.  They love having us over and love learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is so much fun when you can spend the majority of your time really helping other people.

Something that I thought was REALLY WIERD this week - I now like the smell of cigarettes.  WHAT?  well, it reminds me of several really awesome people we are teaching.  The smell still stinks but the thought of these kind people get me really excited about sharing the Gospel.  It is just awesome when people really want your help.  It makes spending 2 years of my life here in Nevada really worth it.  I like to know that I am really helping someone.  

We did have a few miracles happen this week as well.  They are very personal stories that concern other people so I won't share the details. However, it is just an amazing feeling when the Lord uses you to complete his work here on earth :D  It is such an honor and it makes me feel really great inside :D

In my spare time, I have learned how to solve a Rubik's Cube.  It is pretty awesome!  

Well, again, I don't have a lot of time.  Thank you to EVERYONE who has been sending me letters, emails, packages, and prayers. They really help more then you know.  It gives me a boost to keep working hard.  I love and miss you ALL so much!

Elder McSheehy

Week 8 - (09/15/2014) - Things Are Picking Up

Hello Everyone,

Things are really starting to pick up this week.  We are meeting some really amazing people and starting to really teach some great lessons about our Savior Jesus Christ.  I have been super busy though and don't have a lot of time to write today.

I have spent a little time in the car this week.  I was able to go on exchanges with other missionaries. It was a lot of fun getting to know some of the other Elders in our area.  The sign reads - Welcome to California.  

I am beginning to really enjoy this beautiful area here in Reno.  The pictures don't do it justice.











Sorry I don't have a lot of time this week.  I want to thank ALL of you for sending me cards, letters, packages, love, and prayers.  I hope you have a wonderful week.

Elder McSheehy

Week 7 - (09/08/2014) - I LOVE YOU DAD!

Hello Everyone,

So this week was a normal week. haha "normal" that word doesn't exist in missionary vocabulary.

Anyways, on Sunday we were expecting two investigators to come to church.  (outside of the regular investigators that always come (eternagators) - investigators that never stop investigating.  We had received a call after sacrament meeting from one of them.   He had planned on coming to church with us but he was in the parking lot.  So we talked with him in a private room.  The things that had happened to this man this week really hurt me.  I will not tell you his story because I wouldn't want someone putting my stories on the internet.  But I will say this, sometimes bad things happen to really good people who don't deserve it and I hate that.  I know trials and hard times are given to us so that we may grow stronger but it is still hard to see.

I’ll change the topic now.  I don't want this week’s message to be a negative one. I just ask that we always remember those who may be going through hard times.  We should never judge others.  We have no idea what they may be going through.  Like I said before, you should never judge anyone until you have walked a mile in their shoes.  Then you are a mile away and you have their shoes.

 

On a more positive note – This last week was my Dad’s Birthday!

I LOVE YOU DAD!

Haha My dad is the coolest guy ever! If you ever see him, hug him for me, and tell him I LOVE YOU DAD! Might be awkward but it will be fun! for me! Haha

Sorry the blog didn't have much information this week. I am running low on time :]

I did get a haircut this week! :D Elder Urednick cut it. Haha (he's the Elder sitting beside me here)

I love you all,

Elder McSheehy

Week 6 - (09/01/2014) - "I Love My Savior Jesus Christ"

Hello Everyone, 

 So we had zone conference this last week and it was kind of fun!  We were told we weren't allowed to go to gyms.  So there goes becoming the strongest man alive :\. haha  Well, I'll talk about the zone conference in a little bit but I have a letter mom sent me asking some questions about daily life.  So I'll answer them now!

-Do you feel comfortable with your companion?

Super comfortable.  He's an amazing trainer and has lots of awesome stories. -Where is he from?

Utah! As is everyone else on a mission. (like 65% of the incoming missionaries at the MTC were from Utah LOL)

-Do we share food?

Not really. He is very independent.  He will help you out if you need it but for the most part he relies mostly on himself.  Elder Burgess has had some companions that didn’t help out much and he literally felt like he was working by himself. 

-How do I like the Mission President?

For my safety I will say I love him.

haha No, I'm kidding.  He's amazing!  He has an awesome since of humor and he treats us like we’re his best friends.  Personally, I don't think we could find a better President if we tried!

-How many meetings have I had with him?

2 really. A getting to know you meeting.  And how is my trainer doing meeting.  He's pretty busy! 2 meetings in a month with one missionary. haha He has 100's of missionaries that he is charge of so I don't really expect meetings very often.

-Who is with me?

Well, I live in an apartment complex.  The place is really nice. I only live with my companion, but all the other elders and sisters are literally a couple of houses down. (4 housing fitting 2-3 people per 1 building) but the sisters have the furthest housing of course ;D

^That actually wasn't the original question.  I just read it wrong. lol

-Who is writing me? haha

Lots of people! Elder Burgess and I were talking about being homesick.  So I said that I told myself I can miss home but I will never get homesick.  I will love it here and I will be the best missionary I can be.  Then he said  "You haven't even left home yet! You get like 2-3 letters on a daily bases!" haha and it’s true. I LOVE IT! xD  When a missionary gets mail, the next hour is 10x better :D

I get mail from TONs of people.  I don’t feel like I should list them off because if I do I will forget someone and I don’t wana hurt any feelings :\  THANK YOU FOR THE LETTERS!!  KEEP THEM COMING PLEASE ;D

 Loving the Subway Granny & Grand Dad!

-Who is sending packages?

Oh man I've been getting lots of packages! I love them so much.  Every package is like Christmas. I've gotten most packages from home.

However, lots of people will send small things in letters rather than sending a package :]  I love them all Thank You!

-Describe a normal day -  

hahahahaha your funny

A normal day.

Well, I guess I will say that mostly a normal day consists of tons of things to do all day.  You shove as much in as possible. If you're not busy then you find something to do.  haha

wake up

work out

eat breakfast

take a shower

scripture study

companionship study

12 week program - newbies have to do this for 12 weeks that helps get newbies into missionary life.

Lunch use to be peanut butter banana sandwich until tons of food was shipped in.  ;D

See tons of people (most not home or not a good time) sometimes you will have people talk to you.

Dinner, mostly provided by members which is really cool!  You eat, talk, and then share a spiritual thought!

You then go out to teach more lessons you hopefully planned.  Sometimes people won’t let you in because it's too late.

So then we usually try to see people on the streets. (We have actually had lots of success with this at night)

go back to the apartment

eat some snacks

plan for the next day

get ready for bed

sleep

zZzZzZzZ

-Are you doing all of the planning and studying?

Yes I am!  It takes up a good 2-3 hours a day :D

-How is that going?

Personally, I think it's really cool. I love it!  haha.

Personal study is really cool.  You are able to submerge yourselves in the scriptures. (which is a pretty good feeling)

-Are you getting more comfortable teaching?

Oh yeah.  I'm comfortable teaching, it's more of getting comfortable with the knowledge.

-What is your favorite part of the day?

ALL of it.

-What is your least favorite part of the day?
Waking up.

-Does your companion respect you & treat you well? or does he like being "the main man"?

No he treats me very well.  He understands that I'm new so he will have to work with me a bit.  But he doesn't act like "the main man".  He's really good at being a leader though.  He is actually the district leader!

-What is the best part about being a missionary?

The best part about being a missionary is meeting & loving the people.  And knowing that you can help them not only in this life but in an eternal perspective.

-Do you like being a missionary?

I LOOOVE being a missionary!!

Well, those are all of the questions!  So I guess I will talk about this week a bit.

We had zone conference this week. (This is when all the missionaries from our area come together and learn from our mission president)  The topic was Our Savior and His Atonement.  WOW!  If you know me, you know I love the Saviors’ Atonement.  It's the center of the gospel of --> Jesus Christ <-- I loved it so much!  We had a testimony meeting right after a song given by the 3 AP's (missionaries that are an assistant to the President).

I need thee ev'ry hour,

Most gracious Lord.

No tender voice like thine

Can peace afford.

I need thee, oh, I need thee;

Ev'ry hour I need thee!

Oh, bless me now, my Savior;

I come to thee!

I need thee ev'ry hour;

Stay thou nearby.

Temptations lose their pow'r

When thou art nigh.

I need thee, oh, I need thee;

Ev'ry hour I need thee!

Oh, bless me now, my Savior;

I come to thee!

I need thee ev'ry hour,

In joy or pain.

Come quickly and abide,

Or life is vain.

I need thee, oh, I need thee;

Ev'ry hour I need thee!

Oh, bless me now, my Savior;

I come to thee!

I need thee ev'ry hour,

Most holy One.

Oh, make me thine indeed,

Thou blessed Son!

I need thee, oh, I need thee;

Ev'ry hour I need thee!

Oh, bless me now, my Savior;

I come to thee!

They harmonized this song so beautifully.  It made everyone cry.  Then we went and shared our testimony with each other about our Savior Jesus Christ.  So, I will share what I said.

"Today was prepared specifically for me. I love the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I spent my time this week studying the Savior and His teachings.  I then read over the last super.  Following that I was able to read about his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane. What happened that night was so unbelievably painful.  No one could possibly comprehend how it happened.  But we know it did happen.  Jesus Christ suffered for every single sin that happened on this earth.  He suffered for your mistakes personally.  Not Ours.  Yours.  He would do it again and again just for you.  Because he loves you more than you can comprehend.  This is why I'm serving a mission.  I want to share this gift he has given us with everyone.  I want others to know who this Man is. He's not some fairy tale who we worship.  He's the Son of God.  The Saviors’ suffering didn't end there.  He was then betrayed, beaten, tortured, and mocked.  Then they drove nails into his arms and feet.  As this is happening, as I'm reading, I'm thinking to myself - STOP it!  You can stop this from happening.  Do it!  Why don't you stop this!? But, He knew why and we know why. Christ had to let this happen to complete the atonement so we could be clean again and everyone could live with their Heavenly Father again.  I want to have Christ like attributes.  As the Savior was set on the cross, he said "forgive them father for they know not what they do."  I love my Savior.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen"

I love you ALL,

Elder McSheehy