Hello everyone!
Bitter sweet this week... I have grown so very close with Sister Kunz and Sister Erasmus that our hearts nearly tore in half when we got separated. I've definitely been homesick for them, but my new companion wants to work hard, so I know we will see miracles! For the sweet- Koko and Rosemary were baptized Tuesday night. ❤ What a miraculous way to end the transfer! It was one of the most tender, special days of my mission. Especially watching sweet rosemary. She is someone that in all honesty, Heavenly Father didn't necessarily "need" to be baptized. But when His sweet daughter entered the water, you could just feel His overwhelming love and admiration for her. He was so proud; so was I. When we were giving her her towel she looked at me and said, "did I succeed?" My heart was so overcome with The Spirit and love for her, I wish I could put it into words. I can't even describe the blessing it is to see and be a part of moments like this. Koko is so strong in her testimony. She is so determined to enter the temple and take out her endowments! It's so special to see and reminds me of how excited I myself was to receive those blessings from my Heavenly Father. In other news, I'm starting to remember how miserable summer is here on the East Coast. We are sweating 200% of the time; doing lots of finding to rebuild our teaching pool. Eric Weddle, safety for the Baltimore Ravens, and his wife came and spoke at our monthly “Why I Believe.” I sat directly behind him, aka I didn't pay attention the whole night because I was just staring at his beautiful face. BUT they did say some pretty awesome things that I somehow happened to retain! ;) I love you all and still love being a missionary! Make sure to keep me updated with all your crazy normal human lives! Xoxo! Love, Sister McKayla Montgomery
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Hello Beautiful People!
Soooo much has happened, I don't even know where to start. I'm sure you're all curious to know about transfers this week so we will get the big news out of the way: I am actually staying in White Oak and becoming a Sister Training Leader! President came at me so sideways; I am so dang nervous and didn't see this coming even in the slightest. An STL is basically the AP in girl form, and I feel so very inadequate. I know that the Lord qualifies who He calls, but I guess you can never quite feel completely prepared or experienced as a missionary no matter how long you've been out. I feel like I am learning so much every single day and am no where near close to being done; My life is changing daily here. I am so grateful to know that Heavenly Father isn't looking for perfection- He's looking for sincerity. He knows our hearts, He knows our potential. HE is what makes us strong and qualifies our hearts. Some other exciting news- Koko and Rosemary will BOTH be getting baptized tomorrow night! Rosemary has the most tender spirit. You can tell how much her Heavenly Father loves her and truly how proud He is. Koko is amazing and already such a solid member; simply prepared to say the least. My companions and I have been so very blessed this transfer to have been a part of so many wonderful, tender miracles. How lucky am I to be a missionary here at this time. ❤ As it was Mother's Day this weekend, I wanted to take a moment and tell you all how truly blessed I am to have been sent to my sweet mother. My mission has truly opened my eyes to the divine role a mother carries. More importantly, it has opened my eyes to the divine sacrifice and love my own mother has given. Putting aside how my mission has taught me to do my own laundry, cook my own food, clean our toilets and make my bed, it has shown me that my mother has done so much more than just those things. It is because of my mother that I have a testimony; not simply a belief, but a sure foundation. Helaman 5:12 "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation ; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." The testimony I have seen exude from my mom is more than her words- who she is and all she has become because of this Gospel is something that radiates from her in moments she realizes it the least. The times I've seen her silently kneel and cry to her Father in Heaven during her greatest "storms" has shown me a perfect foundation. Truly one that will never, ever let us fall. As the Stripling Warriors said, "Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it." My mission has taught me a lot, but there is one thing I've learned I cannot deny- the love and knowledge I know my mother has of her Savior, Jesus Christ, and His gospel. I know, no matter her storms, she will always rely on this foundation. How grateful I am to have been taught such an everlasting and perfect truth! Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderfully divine women setting such wonderful foundations. Your examples have blessed my life and prove there is a God who knows us, and is waiting anxiously for us to return to Him. ❤ Love you all! Sister McKayla Montgomery Hey folks!
Sorry today has been a crazy day off! We will keep it short and sweet :) We had some tracting time one night, so before we went out we prayed that we would find a family. We were drawn to a building where we went to the top floor, very last door. Next thing you know Steve answers the door! We started talking about the Plan of Salvation with him when his wife came around the corner about ready to pop! (Side note.... they had their baby this weekend! Hooray!) they looked at the Plan of Salvation pamphlet where there is a picture of a new little family. He said, "look that's us!" So later that week we went over and got to teach him and his children the entire plan and truly how wonderful it is that we can have eternal families. Oh the spirit was so strong! Towards the end of the lesson he asked, "when do you know it's a good time to get baptized?!" So..... we invited them for June 3! And they all accepted! I've never met a more prepared family who already has such a sweet spirit in their home. Heavenly Father really is guiding this work. It is such a testimony to me that he hears and answers prayers. He not only heard our prayer asking for guidance, he heard the prayers of Steve’s family that they have been saying for years. Silent or out loud. He knows every child. He knows every heart! How wonderful that we get to be instruments in answering his children's prayers! Love you all! Can't wait to SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND! MOMS ROCK! LOVE LOVE LOVE Sister McKayla Montgomery Write me! [email protected] Hi Beautiful People!
The 3 baptisms were AMAZING! Oh how special it was to see the smile on each and every one of their faces when they came out of the water. I wish you all could see the pure joy that radiates. It has made me see just how real the cleansing power of the Savior’s Atonement is. We have been teaching the sweetest little family; Wanjung is from Taiwan and Matthew is from here. They have the cutest 2 year old ever! We have taught the Plan of Salvation before but this time there was something very special in the room. Matthew had to take the baby to get ready for bed so we got to teach Wanjung personally. I have seen a pain in her eyes and aching in her heart; a true sorrow that comes from not knowing you have a literal Father in Heaven aware of every piece of you; so aware He sent a piece of His heart, His only Begotten Son, solely so that our suffering and anguish can be taken away. I saw this pain because it's one I too once felt. I was able to testify that we have the opportunity to have every burden lifted off of our shoulders and pain moved from our souls because of a love so strong we can't begin to comprehend. That is an everlasting truth I have come to gain; not just a hope or belief.... something that I know. Tears streamed down her eyes as the realization of the Savior’s Atonement touched her heart. I gave her a picture of The Savior and shared with her one of my most favorite poems. I asked her to look at this picture while imagining herself in this poem; what files would she read? What memories would she have? What pains would she feel? After sharing the poem, we said no words and had no discussion; simply ended with prayer. The spirit in that room is something I cannot describe. The look on her face holding that picture and placing herself in this story.... that is the reason I can testify The Atonement is real. Place YOURSELF in this poem.... what files would you read? What memories would you have? What pains would you feel? In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “People I Have Liked.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed.” The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told”, “Comfort I Have Given”, “Jokes I Have Laughed At”. Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers.” Other I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger”, “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents”. I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature. When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I Have Listened To”, I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented. When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts”, I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only and inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!” In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self- pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With”. The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. “No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written in His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.” I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written. Love always, Sister McKayla Montgomery ❤ |