Elder Jacob Mckee: 18 Months in the Mission

Week of January 2-8, 2017

(2) SEGUNDA (Monday): I have some repenting to do for my lack of journal writing. P-day today! The new sister, Sister Elite, and her first xis, which is basically a Panini hamburger. It’s super good. They only have it here in the south. We taught one family today. Our plan was to teach the Book of Mormon, but they started asking about what happens after death and where we go, so where they had little time, we gave them the watered down version and marked a FHE to teach the whole plan to them. Today was day 542 of my mission.

(3) TERCA (Tuesday): Sun. Muito Sun! My shirt was heavy it was so wet with sweat. We stopped by the church because my comp was feeling sick, and I’m pretty sure I could have wrung my shirt out. Everyone says that the south is the hottest place in the Brazil, not because of the temperature exactly, though it is hot, but because it’s so humid. Today we suffered. But we had some very good lessons. I lot it when the people actually understand the message. Then we got home at night, dripping with sweat, and I did exercise. All of my mission I’ve been saying that when I lack 6 month, I’d start to really do exercises. Now I lack 5 months, and I think “I only need 3 months of exercise heavy. I’ll start when I lack 3 months.” Today was day 543 of my mission.

(4) QUARTA (Wednesday): Today was interesting. The other elders came to sleep in our house, so we did division with them all for a good part of the day. I went with Elder Codera, the only Mexican in the mission. He’s got 5 months in the mission. Until I told him I was from Utah, he thought I was Brazilian! We found a lady named Gislaine. She’s a single mom with 3 kids. It was an incredible lesson. She loved it, and asked a lot of questions. It made me super excited. Today was day 544 of my mission.

(5) QUINTA (Thursday): TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY I DIDN’T LEAVE TO WORK! In my whole mission.

So, in the morning we had the zone meeting. President came. We, Elder Costa and I, had to give an hour training to the 4 district leaders, and President. Then, another hour with all the 26 missionaries of our zone, and President. But it went very well. After, we had interviews with President and I was organizing everyone to run to the bus stop to go back to their areas. I love my interviews with President.

After, we went to the house, and Elder Costa wasn’t feeling well. It was about 5:00 in the afternoon, and so I told him to just lie down and rest a little before we left. When I went to check on him he was sleeping like a bear. So, I just left him. I had a bunch of questions I’ve been studying, so I took advantage of the opportunity. It was like this. Lay on the couch, Doctrine of Salvation on my lap, Jesus the Christ open on my right, the scriptures on my left. For 3 hours I sat there studying, writing notes, and reading. My eyes started to hurt I read so much. And I found a lot of my answers. He didn’t wake up at night, so I just continued and then I grabbed all the zones numbers. Now I’m going to bed. Today was day 545 of my mission.

(6) SEXTA (Friday): The other ward had a baptism today and afterwards we played volleyball with water balloons, which of course turned into a water fight. I got SOAKED! Then I went sprinting 2 blocks after my comp with a bucket of water. It was a great baptism. Today was day 546 of my mission.

(7) SABADO (Saturday): So, we’re knocking doors and a lady and her husband let us in, which is already a small victory. Talking with them, they say they are adventista….I have no idea how to say it in English. Anyways, they keep Saturday as the Lord’s Day. So, we’re teaching the restoration, and in the middle he cuts us off asking why we keep Sunday and not Saturday when the bible clearly says the 7 day of the week. Every time we would go to try and explain he would cut us off and not let us talk. So, then I just cut him off and said we were going to leave. We said a prayer and we left. It’s sad that so many people are so confused. Today was day 547 of my mission.

(8) DOMINGO (Sunday): Today exactly today, I finish a sister mission. 18 months. One year and 6 months. That is a LONG time, but it seems like it passed so fast. Looking at myself in the moment, it seems like I’m the same person that left, but looking back I can see how far I’ve come. I never imagined I would have the testimony I have now. Everything just makes so much sense. I know that God exists, and that He truly is a loving Father for us. He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to save us from the effects of the fall, and our own sin. His true church is this one, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have no doubts about this. Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet of God, called to guide and lead this church. The Book of Mormon is the word of God, the iron rod that will lead us to eternal life. I know God knows me and loves me. I have felt that love many times. He has a plan for me, and my mission is part of that plan. The best part of it all is that he WANTS us to make it back to him. He doesn’t sit, waiting for us to mess up, but rather He sends all He can to help us stand back up. Christ suffered for our sins. He felt them all. For a moment in that garden, I know and feel in my heart that He suffered there for me. I’m serving an all-merciful God, which makes me happier then I’ve ever been. I know my family will be eternal. My future family will be created strongly in the church, because I want to have the maximum chance of my children and wife to be with me in the Celestial Kingdom. I love my Savior, I love this Gospel, and I love my family. These three things will always come first. Today was day 548 of my mission.

Love, Elder McKee