How do I even start this letter....
I didn’t know my heart could be so happy but break into a million pieces all at once. The rumors are true... you absolutely cry harder coming home than you do when you first leave. All traffic aside, Maryland will forever hold a tender piece of my heart. I had no idea a world could be full of so many constant miracles. He truly is in the details of our lives. More than anything I’ve come to see that his fingerprints are on every moment, making sure we have every opportunity to become our best selves. He knows your name. He knows what makes you laugh, as well as what makes you cry. He knows your underlying potential and is counting down the days until he gets to hold His child again. I know that our savior Jesus Christ is so much more than just Gods only begotten; He is our elder brother, loudest cheerleader, greatest supporter, and loves us more than human words know how to describe. He knows every piece of you; every one, yet he loves you anyway. He will be standing by our side at the end of the day pleading with our Father in Heaven on our behalf. I know that he would say, “McKayla, I would do it all again for you. Yes it hurt, in fact it was unbearable. But I would do it all again if it meant you could stay.” I am so humbled and eternally thankful for not only being called, but being chosen for this exact time in this exact place. All these wonderful people I’ve met that I hold so dear... I knew them before. I promised them I would find them. That I would recognize them and bring them home. Nothing has been more fulfilling, life changing or rewarding than watching these people feel the spirit for the very first time and feel such a familiar love. Watching their hearts find pieces they didn’t know were missing and gain a familiarity they didn’t know they had lost. But more than anything, I have come to find all the pieces of MY heart I didn’t know needed to be fixed. At the end of the day, I have become my greatest convert. Before my mission I read D&C 18:15 “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!” I thought man, how cool that if I even get one baptism on my mission, Heavenly Father will be proud of me. But I quickly learned it’s not about the people of Maryland or Baptisms at all; it is directly about me. If, at the end of the day, I came home with not one baptism, not one person choosing to read the Book of Mormon or even one person feel the spirit.... If at the end of the day none of that happened, but I, McKayla Montgomery, came home truly converted, God and the angles in Heaven would rejoice. My heart and my testimony mean so much to Him. This has been my hardest and sweetest journey; my happiest and my saddest. I got to spend 18 months walking side by side with my brother Jesus Christ and his angels lifting me up. I don’t know how this moment has come, but I know it will never be over. 2 Timothy 4:6-7 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” I know that my Savior lives. This is truly His one and only gospel. The exact path to one day return again to their loving arms. Joseph Smith is the prophet of the restoration. The Book of Mormon is a pure and perfect testimony of Christ, and His divine, everlasting love for each of us. I will love you forever DC 💛 See you tomorrow Betos, Sister McKayla Montgomery
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PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR THE SWEETEST UPDATES AND NEWS:
- John is doing so well! He is almost done with 3 Nephi (like wuuutt) and powering through to finish before the new year! We are still planning on watching him be baptized this Saturday! Ah! My heart could burst! He has changed so much for this gospel and only continues do so. He is constantly sharing the gospel with others, and even bore his testimony yesterday in Sacrament Meeting. Of course, I cried (Naturally). - We got an amazing new investigator named Joel! He was found by some Sisters after he had said a prayer asking Heavenly Father what to do and where to go. He wasn’t passed to us as soon as he should have been... (YSA probs) so we’ve only gotten to work him these past two weeks but, wow, is he golden! We taught him from step one, and every lesson I continue to be amazed and truly humbled. He always says, “I’m exactly where I need to be, aren’t I”. He loves this gospel so much; he didn’t even need to hear it long before his spirit remembered all of this beautiful truth. In fact, we invited him to be baptized our first lesson and without hesitation he said, “Yes! What day?! My schedule is wide open!!” Ha ha. He will be getting baptized this Saturday as well! I don’t know how I got so lucky to have Joel be given to us as an investigator. He teaches me every lesson by his believing, tender spirit. When he heard about the Plan of Salvation, he ended with a prayer saying, “just to clarify, I want to be in the Celestial Kingdom someday. I also want to help everyone I can, even in the Spirit World, get there too.” Can you imagine how big my smile was? If you can’t, it was pretty big. He also bore his testimony yesterday which again, made me cry (either I’m super sensitive to The Spirit, or I’m just an emotional mother ??). The most tender, sincere, beautiful testimony I have ever heard. God is good. - Reyna! I’m not sure if I’ve emailed about her yet, but basically Heavenly Father is so good that He gave me Sister Braga at the beginning of my mission, and ended it giving me Reyna. She is actually dating a member in the Fredrick Ward, which is out of our mission, and has been going to church with him up there for a little while. One day she was talking to our Ward Mission Leader, who is a good high school friend, and he was like, “What, the heck? There’s a church right down the street from you come with us!” So, she came a few Sundays ago. The moment I saw her, I had the sweetest impression that “you are meant to teach her. She’s been waiting for you.” We clicked just like that. She started meeting with us right away and wow I have never had such spiritual lessons. She is an elect Daughter of God, I will tell you that. I invited her to be baptized our second time meeting and she said she wanted to, but needed to pray about it. Our next lesson she came running in saying “I CAN’T WAIT TO TELL YOU THE REVELATION I RECEIVED LAST NIGHT. I have been reading the Book of Mormon every day and last night my heart wanted to burst, something was too big to fit inside. Sisters, I KNOW that this is true. All of it. I cannot wait to get baptized.” She has been nothing but perfect ever since. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend her baptism as it will be the 24th this month, so thank Heavens for technology. I love her with my whole heart. She cried when she told me the date saying, “you are the reason I’m doing this. You are my missionary and always will be.” Even though I cannot attend in person, my heart could not be happier having found someone I promised I would long before this life. That is what this gospel, and missions are all about. That is was matters; finding those souls that have a matching piece to your heart and bringing them home. - Reyna is so amazing that we got to introduce her to the one and only, Elder Bednar at The Lighting Ceremony at the temple!! In other words... I GOT TO MEET HIM TOO. You don’t need to even hear words come out of his mouth to know without a doubt that he is a chosen representative of our Heavenly Father. It was the most special experience getting to meet him with her. - We got to go to the temple for the first time in seven months on Saturday! To make it an even more special experience, we got to attend a special meeting on the seventh floor! The Spirit you feel in that room is electric. I know that God walks every hall of His holy temples. It truly is a piece of Heaven here on earth in every sense of the word. Well everyone, the work here is going amazing. It may have taken some time and a few thorns on the way, but everything is on HIS timing, and His timing is perfect. I am just soaking in these beautiful blessings happening right before I depart. God has a wonderful way of letting you know that He loves you and He knows you. In fact, yesterday after bearing my final testimony as a missionary in Sacrament Meeting, Joel leans over to me and says, “You’ve done amazing work here. And He knows it.” God knew I’ve been needing to hear that, but He knew it would mean so much more coming from someone else. God is good ❤️ Love, Love, Love, Sister McKayla Montgomery Hi, Everyone!
Thank you so, so much for all of the sweet birthday wishes. I seriously feel so loved. I looked all around me at the love I have been receiving, and I just felt so overwhelmed. I don’t know how I got so lucky. Thank you for making me feel so loved and special even from hundreds of miles away! The past few weeks have been super weird, as they have even filled with several “lasts”. I had my very last zone conference which meant that I got to give my departing testimony. Wow, was that moment surreal. You never feel like it will be you, and within the blink of an eye, somehow, suddenly, there you are. This week I will have my last holiday on my mission which is also very surreal. As sad as it is ending, there is still so much to look forward to and strive for these next few weeks! With Thanksgiving arriving, I wanted to share some things that I am especially grateful for this year: We had a mission tour this week with Elder Ringwood and his sweet wife Sister Ringwood, who is the daughter of Russel M. Nelson. They gave the most spiritual, special insights. I walked away feeling so uplifted and so grateful for the opportunity to put on a little black name tag every day. Elder Ringwood brought up how as missionaries, representing Christ and helping His lost sheep come back to Him, we are doing the work of angels. Can you believe that? My heart was struck so deeply as I let that sink in. The work of ANGELS. Every single day, for 18 months, I get to walk with the Savior, who puts His angels on my right hand and also on my left. So, this year, I am grateful for the work of angels. Not only my opportunity to do so, but for every single person who is engaging in the same cause. For those who are making sure someone smiles that day, even though they woke up hopeless. Those who lend a hand, serve a neighbor when they are the ones who need it most. Those who give a piece of themselves, in word or in deed, when behind closed doors there’s hardly anything left to give. To those who stand for their testimony when they feel it being torn apart, or continue to walk in faith though they feel the ground is crumbling. For those who say, forgive, despite the fear of letting go. That is the light of Christ. That is people becoming who Heavenly Father wants them to be, even if they do not yet know it. THAT is the work of angels, and is something to truly rejoice over. I hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving filled with love and gratitude. There is always something to rejoice over, because angles are all around. We just have to look. With all the thanks of my heart, Sister McKayla Montgomery The craziest thing is happening right now, everyone out here in DC is singing “Go shawty, it’s yo burthday. We gon’ party like it’s yo 21st burthday” I heard it was on the news and everything...
Well the news segments are true. Tomorrow I’ll be 21! It amazes me how fast a year goes by. I think the scariest part is next year I get to sing Taylor Swift. Ah! Every year on my birthday I sit back and reflect on all that has happened and brought me to this point. Looking back, this was the first year I’ve ever been able to say it was all centered on Christ; every single piece. An entire year devoted to repaying my love in the simplest way. I can’t think of a better way to spend a year than walking with my Savior. I’ve been trying all day to think of what I need to write, and the only thing that keeps coming to my mind is this sweet quote I hold dear. I don’t know who needs this today, but I pray it makes a difference, as short and sweet as this email is: “Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstances. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him. Seek to comprehend the significance of these doctrines. Cherish your esteemed place in the sight of God. He needs you. This church needs you. The world needs you.” ~ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland If there is anything I am grateful for this birthday it is the knowledge that we are worth so much because we are so much. We are His. XOXOXOXO, Sister McKayla Montgomery Hi, Everybody!
Well, transfers happened this week and I’ve discovered that I’m going to be a very emotional mother. I had to send my little padawan off to Calvert :’( I seriously felt like I was sending my little baby off to college, ha ha. So, I am officially dying here in GYSA with my new companion Sister Mabey! She is so adorable; I couldn’t have asked for a better companion after being with my soul mate, Sister Spendlove. So far, this week has been really good. Nothing very new or exciting, but John is still doing phenomenally. We are shooting for November 17th as a baptism date, so definitely keep that in your prayers. I sure love him and am constantly taken back by how lucky I am to watch the Gospel change someone’s life in every sense of the word. This week, we had a unique experience contacting. We met a group of four boys who were 16 and 26. We said we were missionaries and they started smiling and said that they had just finished their own “evangelizing.” We started talking about our website, missionary work and the Book of Mormon. While explaining all of it, I said how leaving everything for 18 months is a small price to pay for something that I have such a burning testimony of; I know it’s true. One of them then asked, “Can you tell us your testimony?” Wow! I was kind of taken back. It’s like when someone says, “tell me about yourself!” And you kind of don’t know where to start... Plus, people hardly ever let you, let alone ASK you to bear your testimony. I shared a very brief testimony about how much I truly know that the Savior knows my name; He knows McKayla Montgomery. He knows my burdens, and so He knows exactly how to lift them (Mosiah 24:14). The reason this experience stood out to me so much this week was because sometimes, as a missionary, you really don’t feel all that important. In fact, these past few transfers, I have often laid in bed and thought, “Gosh... did I even make a difference today...? Is my testimony even being noticed?” Because it’s hard when you feel like the thing which is most fragile and important to you is constantly being threatened, mocked, broken and disregarded. This week, I came across D&C 62:3 “Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in Heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you....”. How sweet and special it is to know that every single testimony we bear, BECAUSE it is what is most fragile and important to us, it is taken, listened to and then recorded in Heaven. YOUR words, the greatest truths and feelings that fill your soul, are not once gone unnoticed. They are cherished. We often forget that there is just as much missionary work going on on the other side of the veil, if not more so than here on earth. There are beautiful sons and daughters of God that are learning that their family can be together again! That all of their sins and aches can be taken, that Christ knows their name, the God of all the Heavens and stars and creations in the Universe knows and loves THEM, right now, on the other side of the veil! They are earnestly awaiting and seeking that piece of happiness that has been missing, and your testimony, may just be what touches them in Heaven. Never be ashamed of sharing what you know to be true; you are helping His everlasting work and salvation progress in ways we cannot understand or see with our mortal eyes. We may not always be heard by those talking to or walking with us, but we are ALWAYS heard by someone..... Because there are people listening to you and your fragile words in Heaven. Love Always, Sister McKayla Montgomery Hi, Beautiful People!
Man! Writing a group letter is HARD after this long, ha ha! I feel everything is always same old, same old. Things are getting very surreal though... on Wednesday, I start my very last transfer of my mission. Only 6 more weeks as a full time, consecrated and set apart servant of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I don’t where the time has gone... I have been reflecting a lot this transfer on my mission; the many miracles, laughs, cries, people and lessons. But also, all the things that I have missed. If anyone tells you that hearing things like, “your best friend is getting married!” Or that another one is having a baby isn’t hard, then they are lying. It’s really hard. There were moments I would lay in bed at night and ask myself, “am I really where I need to be? Is missing all of this really what I need to be doing? Because this is hard! I could be having all of this too... What really is of most worth to me? Has this all even been worth it?” I started reading the Doctrine and Covenants over again and came across a chapter that gave me an answer so sweet. In D&C 15, John Whitmer has prayed and begged the Lord to know what will be of the most worth to him in his life. What can he do that will bring him the most joy, satisfaction and worth in this life? D&C 15:6 “And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.” Out of EVERYTHING the Lord could have said, everything He could have offered or shown, He said that the thing which would be of MOST WORTH, bring the most happiness, satisfaction and success in his life..... would be to help His other children come back to Him; to teach His Gospel. I am so humbled and so blessed to have this sacred opportunity to do what is of most worth in His eyes. It doesn’t make it all easier, or the things I miss any better, but it does make the whole journey worth it. With such little time left, I want to make the very most of the beautiful opportunity I have to help others know that they are loved; loved long before this life, and will continue to be loved long after. I know this Gospel is very real. I know putting my testimony on the line every day for 18 months is hard. At times heartbreaking and unbearable. But I do know that’s what makes the roses so sweet and the experiences so priceless. I love my mission and will forever be grateful to have had this time to be with my Brothers and Sisters here in the Capital. Until next time, Sister McKayla Montgomery Today, Sister Montgomery had the opportunity to spend her P-Day in the Capital City! She and Sister Spendlove rode bikes to the Capitol Building, the Lincoln Memorial and also went to the Holocaust Museum and the National Art Gallery. She didn’t have time to write a proper letter today, but sent off a few cute pics from this week. She will tell us all about their adventures next week! The photo at the Washington DC Temple is with their amazing investigator, John, who she wrote about last week. Enjoy the photos! She looks so beautiful and so happy! :)
Love, Tiffany (Sister Montgomery's Mom) Hello Everybody!
Sorry I've been M.I.A. for a few weeks... Last Monday, everyone who is leaving within the next 6 months got to attend a trip down to Virginia to the Arlington Cemetery. What a special experience. It is right outside of our mission, so it was really special to be at the Arlington Home which overlooks DC! I'm seriously in the coolest mission you guys. Anyways, life has been pretty crazy lately. Sister Spendlove and I have been working so hard and seeing so many miracles. I feel like I don't often talk about the people we meet or the little experiences we have so I'm going to tell you about just a few! - Two weeks ago, we were walking back to our apartment for lunch when we saw a dog that was being walked right in front of us limping badly. Me and my little animal heart broke in half, so we started trying to contact the lady to see if her dog was ok. Naturally, she spoke not one lick of English, but when we looked down, the dog had laid down and his paw was in a pool of blood! We realized he was limping because his paw was cut so deeply.... I could not bear to leave the little doggy because the owner was trying to make him keep walking. So, I offered to carry him.... lol! He was a huge lab that had to have weighed at least 90 lbs., so, Sister Spendlove and I picked him right up and switched off every flight of stairs (because of course she lived all the way on the fifth floor). The poor pup just laid on us like a little baby because he was in so much pain :( But we got him home safely, fixed him up and managed to get the lady to check out mormon.org! I've never felt like such a missionary, ha ha! - Bob is one of our investigators we have been working with for a while now. He is from China and seriously so awesome. He is reading the Book of Mormon and the Gospel Principles book every day! He came with us to the Visitors Center yesterday for “Why I Believe,” and loved it. He has had a hard time committing to a date to be baptized because he "just doesn't feel good enough." So, we had a little lesson yesterday showing him his worth and how Christ expects everything BUT perfection out of us when joining the Church. I shared with him Moroni 8:8 "Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick." I love that verse. The healthy are not the ones who go to the Doctor asking for help; those who are in pain, who are sick, broken and weighed down are the ones that go. Christ, and His Gospel, are the ultimate source of healing. He is the most qualified Doctor. He knows exactly how to heal us, and that's exactly why He asks us to come. Come with your broken heart and your contrite spirit. Come with your imperfections. - Now for our miracle baby: John! I could write for hours about how miraculous John has been in my life. Wayyyy back in the day, I was welcoming people into sacrament in the White Oak Chapel. While standing there, a boy walks in wearing all black, chains around his waist, gages in his ears, piercings on his lip and a tattoo on his face. I will never forget the moment I saw him; I felt so much Christ like love for him. He came up to me and said, "Hey! Some missionaries met me at work the other day and told me I should go to church. Am I at the right place?" The biggest smile came across my face, but was quickly turned upside down when I found out that he was on the West side and would be working with the other sisters. Well, he ended up disappearing, and 8 months later here in GYSA we get a referral from the White Oak sisters saying, "we found this guy in our phone. He sounds YSA, you should call him!" So, we did. You will never guess who I saw sitting in McDonalds waiting to meet this referral.... you guess right, it was John. The moment I saw him again and it clicked, my heart wanted to burst. We have been working with him now for over a month. He is the most progressing investigator I have ever had on my mission. I say that because he has changed his life, so truly and so dramatically, for the Gospel. He wants this more than anyone I have ever seen. He always tells us that he is going to cannon ball into the baptismal font, ha ha! He is preparing to be baptized on the 27th of this month, and I could not begin to express my excitement and love for that day. John, if anything, was meant to change MY life. I always knew that the Gospel changed lives, and I had seen it..... but not quite to the extent missionaries imagine. He texted us the other night and said, "thank you." we replied, what for? And he said, "Everything." My heart could burst at how true I know this Gospel is. It quite literally changes lives, in every aspect of the word. It fills hearts that have been empty and torn beyond measure. I am so eternally grateful for the opportunity to witness so many miracles, so many sacred events that change other’s lives; especially with how much it has changed mine. Love you all dearly! Prepare for an overload of pics next week... we will be going to the city! XOXO, Sister Montgomery My goodness, how has another conference session come and gone? I’ve been reflecting a lot this week on the past year. Last October I had the question, “am I really where I need to be?” Of course, Heavenly Father is so wonderful and every talk seemed to be on missionary work; how serving the Lord and walking in his shoes is exactly where you need to be. I remember feeling such a sweet spirit and a confirmation that I was where I needed to be and there was so much yet to come. I thought to myself, “one year from now, when I look at myself in the mirror what kind of missionary do I want to be? Who do I want McKayla to be? Next October, will I be those things?”
Looking back, one year later, I know that I’m not perfect, but I do know that when I look in the mirror, the McKayla I see is someone that I’m proud of. So, standing here one year later, I can’t help but feel anything other than the Savior’s love and my love for Him. This year has not been easy. Becoming the missionary I am didn’t happen overnight or without a few tears, but it has been the sweetest year of my life. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I can’t imagine seeing myself without my mission and who it has made me become. The two things that stood out to me most, one year later was: -Stop comparing your worst to someone else’s best -You don’t know everything, but you know enough. And might I add, you haven’t become everything, but you have become enough. I know my Savior lives. I know that my hands are so inadequate to fill His shoes, but I do know for Him, my effort is enough. How grateful I am for the sacred opportunity to realize that. With all the love of my heart, Sister McKayla Montgomery Hi everybody!
I don’t have much to report on this week, so I’m going to leave you with a quick spiritual thought :) I was reading a few weeks ago in Alma 47, which is about a man named Amalickiah. He is a wicked dude trying to figure out a plan to take over the kingdom and gain power. He realizes he needs to be super subtle, and work from the inside slowly. He goes over to Lehonti, the chief leader of one of the King’s armies, and asks him to come down, just a little bit, to talk with him. Lehonti refuses to come down from the mountain because he doesn’t want to fall in any traps. He stays strong. A second time, Amalickiah asks him to “come down! Just for a second!” Yet again, Lehonti refuses to move. Who knows what kind of danger lurks from leaving his camp and his guards! A THIRD time Amalickiah says to come down from the mountain, yet Lehonti still stays firm. Amalickiah becomes so frustrated that he says, fine. If he won’t come down, it’s time to be more aggressive. I will go to him. 12 And it came to pass that when Amalickiah found that he could not get Lehonti to come down off from the mount, he went up into the mount, nearly to Lehonti’s camp; and he sent again the fourth time his message unto Lehonti, desiring that he would come down, and that he would bring his guards with him. Since he has now come up to him, Lehonti thinks well, it can’t be that bad, right? I won’t be as far from my camp now. It should still be fine. Now, Amalickiah is a smart, subtle man. He says, “I’m only here to help! I want to make your army great. So, appoint me to be second in command.” Knowing that when a chief captain is killed, the second in command takes over. He eventually wins this position, and poisons Lehonti by “degrees” slowly, but surely, until it was too late. So much destruction comes from this. He takes over the kingdom and spreads wickedness that can’t be contained for years. Satan is so, so subtle. He makes his acts look innocent. When we are firm, and do not move, he steps up his game and comes closer. He knows us well, and when we let him in the car, he drives. His poisons don’t always come all at once, he will drag you down and pull you away from happiness and the gospel by “degrees”, little by little, until, it is too late. Don’t come off your mountain! Stay firm, positive, faithful, strong.... when we do those things, he has no power over us. But, the minute you come down, even just a little bit, we allow him to destroy us. Don’t let this be you. Don’t let him trick you into thinking “coming down”, no matter how small, is harmless. Stay on your mountain with the protection and love of your Heavenly Father, and I promise it will all be worth it in the end. Love you all so much! STAY STRONG AND KEEP THE FAITH! Sister McKayla Montgomery Sup fam!
What a wonderfully hard week it has been. I'd like to tell you a little about my refiners’ fire here in GYSA. As I have mentioned recently, we have really been struggling finding "success". It seems like every other minute we are dropping someone or an investigator is walking away. We started getting our hopes up when we began meeting with Andre. Well, as the pattern has been, in our lesson with Andre on Monday, he ended up walking out during the lesson saying, "I can't do this, I can't do this." After that lesson, I finally broke down. Why did he leave when The Spirit was one of the strongest I have felt in a long time? We all bore such powerful, sincere testimony, yet he still walked away. So, I realized something special that night. Everything happens for a reason. God's hand is in every moment. Sometimes you are called to an area for an investigator, sometimes it may be for your companion, a member in the ward or the people you meet. But sometimes, you are called to a place to testify. For me, I realized that right now, the Savior needs me to testify. I have never born more testimony or more sincere testimony than I have here in this area. Sometimes I, myself, am taken back by the things I say and feel. And I realized, that's exactly what the Lord had intended. I have never felt more converted, more sure, more confident and more grateful in my life than I have been while testifying here. My knowledge of this gospel and the Lord’s timing has become so firm, because I have heard myself lay it all on the line, and for that I am eternally grateful. Part of our mission song says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, Testify of me, and lo I'm with you always, till the end of the world." I know that He is always with us. As painful as refiners’ fires are, they sanctify, purify and perfect. How grateful I am that my Heavenly Father loves me enough to give me this opportunity to bear witness of Him; He has called me to testify. 💛 Love, Sister McKayla Montgomery You guys.... my life is crazy.
This week we went on two back to back exchanges, aka I didn't see Sister Sharpe for almost three days. We also had multiple meetings, and this week we have two all day meetings plus we are training two districts... help. If my email stinks next week you know why :-) So due to our wild lives I don't have too much to report on this week. We are still working with Andre who is our atheist investigator who doesn't know he is an atheist, lol. How does that even happen? He is so cool though. Surprisingly he's white! He's the chillest, surfing, guitar playing, man bun wearing guy I ever did meet. He's so, so prepared, and doesn't know that either, lol. He asks the most amazing questions which makes teaching fun :) Please keep him in your prayers! Well folks, I still love my mission. It is the hardest, greatest, saddest, happiest thing I have ever had the privilege of being a part of. I never knew it was possible to come so close to Christ Himself. I will never be able to thank Him enough for giving me this sweet blessing. This is the worst email I've ever written.... Sorry about that! THE CHURCH IS TRUE. Love, Sister McKayla Montgomery 🤙🏼 Hi Everyone!
Well, this week is going to be short and sweet. We have been working so hard to rebuild our teaching pool, and have seen absolute miracles! Heavenly Father heard our prayers and placed several people who are so prepared to hear the Gospel in our path. This week we had 5 investigators at church; two of which are atheists! AND..... one of them bore her testimony! It was her first time ever being at Church. The Spirit is real! Something really impactful for me this week was our lesson with Rallen. We found him a few weeks ago when we got a referral for some guy named Bryan, but Rallen is the one that ended up opening the door. He is also an atheist. This week we had a heart to heart with him which really helped him open up. He began telling us more of his life story that he hadn't before. Turns out... three weeks before we knocked on his door, he had a life changing event, a real storm he was asked to walk through that made him realize God wasn't there. But then we knocked on his door, and the first thing I told him was that, "we are here to help you understand why God has sent you the storms He has." I have never said that at a door before, nor knew why it came out of my mouth. He said in that moment, something hit him, but it had to “just be a coincidence.” Out of curiosity though, he let us inside, and has been trying to find God since. I cannot write the details of this storm, but it something very sacred to me, because it is a storm that I faced almost to a T. I quite literally knew exactly what it was like for him that night. I heard The Spirit whisper to me and my heart that this is someone that needed my testimony, but also needed my story. Other than Sister Braga (for those of you who have been around for a while and actually read my stories), Rallen is someone I know that I, Sister Montgomery, was sent to meet. This is someone I promised I would find, because I would face that trial first. My heart could burst at how full it was with The Spirit in that moment when I received that revelation; When Rallen came and held my hand and cried with me as I shared pieces of my own story and my testimony that God sent me to him specifically. He could have sent any missionary, but He knows Rallen. He heard the prayers he could not say; He sent me. God works in such mysterious ways; the miracles He allows me to see are so very sweet and sacred. I cannot thank Him enough for allowing me this opportunity to understand why He has given me the trials He has, and why He needed me to experience them in order to become who I am today. I know that His love is real. He is always there, whether we know Him or not, listening to the prayers we don't have words to say. Love, Sister McKayla Montgomery Hi hi hi!
Sorry I've been slacking at emails lately... In all honesty, I've just had no desire to write one these past few weeks. Out here in good ole Gaithersburg YSA, we are pretty parched. Aka... we've been going through what every area does once in a while which is go through a drought. We had to drop almost everyone in our teaching pool and start from scratch. That is never easy as a missionary. I think it's because you become so invested, both emotionally and spiritually. Seeing these people, who you are working so hard with because you love them like the Savior would, walk away or reject the witnesses and answers they have received is best described as draining. Drop talk after drop talk, door slam after rejection, after no one listening..... it is draining. I was reading in my scriptures one day feeling so tired, emotionally and spiritually, feeling as though I was a failure, especially having the area die and need to be rebuilt while training. So much was heavy on my shoulders, but as I was reading I came across Alma 8:10-15. Alma put his entire heart and soul into teaching these people, because he was so converted and knew with every fiber these things were true. He prayed and prayed and worked and worked... yet it says, "Nevertheless, they hardened their hearts...... reviled him, and spit upon him..." No matter what Alma did, no matter the faith he had or amount of energy he gave, they were not ready to receive his message. That, is not his fault. However, it doesn't make it hurt any less. 14 And it came to pass that while he was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto him, saying: 15 Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you. At the end of the day, we can give all we have, but God's will is what will be done. Often times, that means we may have to be weighed down with sorrow and anguish of soul, so that we choose to find Him; let Him lift us. I have realized that I do have great cause to rejoice, because "success" is so much more than baptisms. If at the end of the day, I acted on a prompting because I trusted the Lord- that is success. If someone felt loved because of me- that is success. Is someone saw, or felt the love of Christ through me, that is success. And most importantly, if at the end of the day I, Sister Montgomery, didn't give up on my Savior..... that, that is success. My mission is my greatest blessing. I am so grateful I get to experience these 'droughts' so that I can become converted myself. I am so grateful for the miracles that are all around when you open your eyes to them. This week we have started rebuilding our teaching pool and taught some amazing, powerful lessons. Miracles are around the corner; we just need to trust God's timing :) Stay tuned for all of the wonderful people that are being prepared to open their hearts to everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ 💛 Love you all! Love, Sister McKayla Montgomery 💛 *My MTC teacher payed GYSA a little visit! Hello, everyone!” Yes, the title is true.... I officially have my own little Padawon :') She is from San Antonio, Texas. She was a thrower on the track team at BYU and is the daughter of the Mission Presidents in Salt Lake City! Aka, I am so blessed to have the best “baby" ever. Hopefully, I don't wear her out too fast, since I'm still an STL which means we are in a trio and constantly on the go! It's true when they say that greenies bring a special fire! It has been such a sweet experience for me to see how excited and happy she is to be doing anything involving missionary work. Just simply being a missionary. It has brought back so many great, sacred memories and given me an extra boost; reminding me of the joy and love being able to put on a tag with the Savior's name across my heart every morning. We have seen so many sweet, tender mercies this week. I know that the Lord is blessing us so that Sister Spendlove can have a sneak peak of how miraculous and humbling a mission can be. Truly, it is such a privilege to not only be called, but chosen. Her first night, I talked to her about the person she can and will become if she allows herself to become an instrument in the Savior's hands. I read her Alma 17:9-11. 9 And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct. 10 And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were comforted. 11 And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls. I have come to want nothing more than have even a portion of my Savior's love and spirit to be with me. Even the slightest amount changes someone's life. It is so powerful to me how they say, "if it were possible." I have learned that God truly does know best. He may work in mysterious ways, but His timing is always perfect. Sometimes, however, it is not what we hoped or expected. That is why allowing yourself to mold into who He needs you to become, allowing Him to be with and guide you, brings miracles. It brings miracles because it is not easy, but you are allowing your heart to be placed in His hands. Trusting that it is safer with Him than yourself. I love my mission. I love representing my Savior daily and even though at times it is hard... I love knowing that I am becoming who He needs me to be. But most of all, I love trusting that who He helps me become is better than I could have been on my own. Love, Sister McKayla Montgomery Pic 1: Meet padawon 💕 (Sister Spendlove) Pic 2: Sister Sharpe and I Pic 3: This about sums up my mission; I love Washington DC ! ❤️ Pic 4: Oh Victor. What a guy. Pic 5: Alondra is a recent convert ❤️ Alright, here's the sitch... this week was really, really rough.
Tuesday rolls around, which started the snowball of bad news. Eric, who was on date for Saturday, texted us and said, "I do not want to join the church anymore. Sorry if I've wasted your time." And proceeded to block our number. My heart sank to the bottom of my stomach. "What did I do? What did I NOT do? What could I have done better?" Instantly started running through my mind. So... Friday is Victor's baptism. We prepare, fill up the font, get all our cameras ready, and then Victor arrives. He walks inside, looks at the water and says, "I'm not ready to do this. I don't want to get baptized." Never in the history of my mission have I experienced anything quite like this. I just could not fathom what was happening. Of course, the tears came and my heart began to ache. Why was all of this happening? What did I do wrong? I'm following all of the rules, pushing myself because I'm in the home stretch of my mission... What did I do wrong. In that moment I felt the spirit teach me something very important- Who ever said this was because of you? My entire mission I have been teaching people about agency; the freedom to choose. But this experience taught me first hand such a greater perspective of God's love, and agency truly is just that; a personal choice. I believe that it was Elder Bednar who once taught that we, the instruments of the Savior, simply bring the Gospel 'unto' someone. We cannot put it 'into' someone's heart; that is their own job. My job is to bring it to them, provide them the opportunity to fully partake and receive all of the blessings He has in store. That simple word 'provide' became so powerful to me in that moment. I felt The Spirit witness to me just a small portion of what it must have been like to be the Savior. Even He could not bring it 'into' someone. Look at all of the people He provided the opportunity to know that through Him they could be forgiven and whole, and then personally chose not to accept it. That is not the Savior's fault. He did everything He possibly could to bring this unto His brothers and sisters that He loved so deeply. That's why it stings so much. When you have acted upon your own agency and have truly brought the gospel 'into' your heart, you know the difference that it makes; it is something that you cannot live without. It is the most important thing to me, to have a relationship with my Savior and Father in Heaven. I KNOW that they live. That is why it hurts so deep when I watch the people I love not know the same thing. This weekend, as hard as it may have been, was exactly what I needed. I came to know my Savior on a deeper level, and understand my role as an instrument so profoundly. I gained a witness of just how powerful and personal agency is. We may not get to decide all the ways we fall down, but we do get to decide exactly how to stand back up. And that, my friends, is where the power lies. I am grateful for my mission. It is not easy. In fact, it is mostly thorns. There have been countless times Heavenly Father has asked me to fall down. But I cannot thank Him enough for doing that, because it has given me the opportunity to stand back up. Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God" Sister McKayla Montgomery Boy, this week has been jam-packed with busyness! I'm pretty bad at writing about the people we are working with, so I'll give a little update on that for you all. But before we do.....Drum rollllllll..... VICTOR AND ERIC ARE GETTING BAPTIZED THIS WEEK! Ah I want to shout from a mountain top!
Victor was one of the first people I had met in this area, so it has been so cool to work with him these last 5 weeks and see his progression since the first lesson. He is so dang funny.... don't worry we have a quote wall designated solely to his comments so that we never forget them. His baptism will be this Friday so make sure to keep him in your prayers! Eric is awesome! We picked him up about our second week together. One day I felt the biggest impression to go through our former investigators list, so we did and we found Eric as well as a few others! We extended the invitation to be baptized the first lesson with him and he gladly accepted. I am so dang pumped for his baptism on Saturday! One of the miracles this week was Jonathan! Some Elders contacted him on the street and came to find out that his mother is a member! Jonathan said he had been baptized, but hasn't been to church since his mother left years and years ago. So, we met with Jonathan later that day and invited him to game night! (Side note, every Friday night we work with the Senior Couple in our ward and at the Branch President's house we serve dinner and then just have a ball! Games, pool, all sorts of fun stuff! It has been the greatest fellowshipping/finding activity!) He loved game night and all the people there! So, the Branch President goes with him to move his records to the branch and finds out.... there are no records! Only his mother was baptized! Jonathan said, "well I want to be baptized as soon as possible then!" So, he is now on date for the 26th of August :) MIRACLES! Definitely keep him and his progression in your prayers! Herbert is another awesome former investigator that we have been working with who.... Just accepted to be baptized on the 26th as well! I am so psyched about it! He attends John Hopkins University, and is super cool. The Gaithersburg YSA is literally the promised land. I am loving my time here and all the many friendships I am making. Seriously, we see a miracle daily, and I am constantly happy. Even when we get stuck in a torrential downpour :-) Literally, you guys, we had decided to walk that day to a referral that lived about 40 minutes away. So, on our way there, it begins absolutely pouring. Of course, the referral wasn't home, so we began our journey through the tsunami. We were soaked from head to toe within minutes, and quite literally were walking through rivers... Apparently, normal humans that have normal human wifi and internet all had been warned about a huge flash flood that they were shutting down the roads for.... whoops. So not only were we walking through rivers in the streets, we experienced an actual movie scene. The one where someone is standing on the sidewalk and then a car drives past and a wave goes over them... yep! That happened about 5 times, hahaha it was so funny! We had so much fun the entire time though! Missionary work has brought me so much happiness. Every thorn only makes each flower that much more worth it :) Love you all! Thank you for each and every prayer you give! It truly is bringing miracles to DC ❤️ Love, Sister McKayla Montgomery This email is a shout out to Dad for raising me right and making Star Wars a part of my life-
Victor! Earlier this week we were teaching and I realized he wasn't paying close attention to the testimonies we were sharing. So, I asked him to repeat what we just said, and of course he had no idea. So, I asked him how he was feeling about being baptized and he said, "I don't know, I was thinking about Kung-Fu-Panda....." (Palm to the face) so we asked, well, why is it important that we do get baptized? And he said, "I have no idea! Why am I even getting baptized?!". So... we taught baptism over again. But in order to reeeeeeally help him understand it's true importance, I realized I needed to pull out the big guns..... Star Wars. Luckily, Victor is a fellow fan like myself, so I knew this would help him relate! First, we read John 3:5 "..... Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Victor read that and goes, "Ohhhhhh..... I can't enter the kingdom of God if I don't." So, it finally started to click for him. However, the concept of receiving the Holy Ghost as a constant companion was something he was still trying to understand. So here is how the rest of our conversation went: Me: Victor, what is a power that all Jedi's have? Victor: Obviously the force Me: OBVIOUSLY, the Force right? In order to be a Jedi, you need to have the force! If Obi-Wan Kenobi was sitting in a room full of people, and an enemy walked in, what does the force help him do? Victor: Well.... It helps him sense there's evil and that he needs to be careful Me: exactly! The force helps warn them, right? What else does the force do? Does it help them during battle? Victor: Yes, that's how someone wins the battle is if they properly use the Force Me: Would Jedi's even succeed without having the force...? Victor:... No Me: Exactly. Now Victor, you are wanting a Life of Greatness, right? Victor: Right Me: Do you think that it took Yoda, one of the greatest Jedi Masters of all time, practice to become one with the force? Or did he get it right away the minute he was made a Jedi? victor: well I would assume it takes time, plus he has Light Saber skills that could defeat basically anyone Me: Totally. When did he learn all of his skills? Before or after becoming a Jedi? Victor: After.... only Jedi's have Light Sabers. After this conversation I got to explain how being baptized is a lot like becoming a Jedi; you now have the obligation and privilege of protecting others, learning new skills, basically saving the world. That is like the Gospel; being baptized you are given the obligation and privilege of gaining a testimony, coming closer to your savior and being a part of all of the ordinances and blessings he has in store! However, being a Jedi, you need help. You need THE FORCE, aka the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost warns us of danger; he protects us! He helps us know when we are going down a wrong path, and strengthens us when we are weak and fighting our own battles. The Holy Ghost helps comforts us at our greatest times of need, and overcome our trials. Just like any Jedi, it takes time to learn how to use the Force. It takes practice listening; listening to how the Holy Ghost specifically speaks to you! It takes practice using your Light Saber, which I like to compare to all of the tools Heavenly Father has given us, like the scriptures, prophets, council, church and prayer. All of these things take practice. They take dedication and effort. Luke Skywalker can't just show up to battle saying that, "well I'm a Jedi and have the force, so naturally I should be ok. My light saber will protect me." The Force and a Light Saber, even though powerful, are useless if you don't know how to use it, or, more importantly, you are not worthy to use them. How flipping cool that we are ALL JEDIS!! WE HAVE THE FORCE!! We literally have something as powerful as a stinking’ light saber!! We have MODERN DAY SCRIPTURE that teaches us how to "use the force" to one day become "masters" ourselves. We are all Jedi's in training, but we don't have to learn on our own. Us Padawons have the greatest master of all; Jesus Christ. Of all the Jedi's in the world, He is most definitely triumphant over all. We can have His guidance constantly by our side; we can quite literally become just like Him and HIS master, if we put in the effort and desire. You have the force.... USE IT! Love your Jedi Master in Training, Sister McKayla Montgomery I pray that everyone takes the time to read this letter, and listen to what the spirit is telling you personally. This is my greatest testimony, so please take the time to hear it.
I have been thinking a lot about the Savior and his Atonement. Specifically, the process of what He went through for us. His Atonement has become so very real for me, because I have come to know that it was a time He spent kneeling to his Father, saying, "Ok. I am ready to feel McKayla's life now. Let me feel everything she has gone through so I know exactly how to help her." Notice that He did not say, Father, let me feel all of McKayla's sins. He said, Father, let me feel McKayla's LIFE..... "Let me feel her excitement as she participates in something she loves. Let me know her thoughts as she is surrounded by the people she loves. Father, let me feel her many injuries and broken bones; her days she stayed home from school unable to leave her bed. Father, let me feel every night she has cried herself to sleep. Let me know exactly what it felt like to have her heart broken, fallen onto the floor in front of her. Let me know what it must feel like to walk through the storms you have asked her to face. Father, let me understand her guilt and her sorrow, so that I may take her in my arms, and lift her back up.” Those things were not easy to pass through. I can promise you that my storms I have passed through were not fun, walking in the rain without a coat or umbrella to block the winds. Some of the moments in my life are moments I don’t want to remember. There were moments that felt impossible; trying to glue these pieces of my heart back together again without an instruction manual of where they were to begin with. These moments were not easy; and they were just mine. One, single, solitary person from every single one of God's creations from the beginning to end of time; they were just mine. Yet He walked through them for me, and He walked through everyone else's. He piled onto His shoulders mine, yours, his, hers..... Luke 22: 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. These storms He walked through were not easy for Him to walk through, in fact, I beg to differ that He, in all honesty, didn't really want to, for He knew the amount of pain He was about to bear. Yet He did it anyway, WILLINGLY and KNOWINGLY because He loves us. He would rather suffer the worlds pains then live a day knowing He could have saved us, and one day brought us home. I've been asked on my mission, "Why, if He is the Son of God, did He say, “Father why hast thou forsaken me?” If God was real, He would have stayed with Him and helped Him." Yes, that's true. God would stay and would help Him. God DID stay, and God DID help Him..... but there is something very important in this scripture- Matthew 27:46 "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" The Savior's Atonement was so REAL, so STRONG and so GENUINE...... that He suffered the greatest pain of all. He suffered having God physically taken from His presence. Remember, He had to know EVERY feeling that could possibly be given to a human on earth, which included the absence of God's presence. Out of every storm He was asked to walk through, every burden, He was asked to hold, every pain He was asked to feel, every sin and pain He was asked to understand.... the thing that caused our Savior, the Son of God, the most pain was having His Father not near Him. And this is my testimony of the power of the Savior's love- that He sacrificed every mortal experience that could have been born. I cannot imagine the pain of a Father, having to physically let go of his crying child's hand. Willfully sending His Son to be beaten, spit upon, rejected, mocked, killed... if anyone's heart was shattered on the floor without a manual to fix, it was His. But He did that for you, me, she, him and we. How on earth can we live day to day knowingly and willingly turning from the Savior, and living in such a way that God just cannot be by your side, knowing that that was what caused the greatest pain to your brother? How can someone willingly reject the Gospel after knowing of its truth, throwing their testimony in God's face and saying “here, take it back. This life I'm living, that isn't forever, is more important to me than all the blessings, salivation and exaltation your Gospel and Son provides.” How is this possible? My heart aches as I imagine Jesus Christ kneeling in the Garden saying, ok Father, what is next for this person? And then feeling His brother or Sister turn away from God, suffering the greatest pain of all. Brothers and Sisters, friends and family, I know this Gospel is true. More importantly I know His Atoning sacrifice is real. It cannot be put into words. I know that He has experienced your LIFE; He knows greater than you the consequences because He's already felt them, and He allowed God to leave Him so one day you don't have to. Please, with all my heart, I ask that you find this truth for yourself. That you stop living in such a way that draws God away from your side; It caused our Savior to cry out in greatest agony, and it is something many of you are doing at this very moment. Don't allow His love and blessings to be hidden from you any longer. His Love is always there, He already allowed it to be so; you just need to find it. Love, Sister McKayla Montgomery I NEED A GOPRO SO I CAN JUST SHOW YOU ALL OF THE AMAZING THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING AND THEN I WOULDN'T HAVE TO TYPE HAHAHA. But serious note..... I seriously won't even be able to write everything. The past several weeks have been absolutely incredible! Well folks..... I am officially in a new area! Don't worry, I haven't gotten kicked out of Montgomery County quite yet; I am now in Gaithersburg serving in the Young Single Adult branch! So, dang fun! There is just something so different about serving and testifying to someone who is your same age; someone who sees the world as you do. Plus, my companions name is *Drum roll* MAKAYLA! How fun is that! We are testifying like crazy together and busy as ever! This week we put two people on date! One of them is Victor. We had one of the most powerful Plan of Salvation lessons I have ever had. I wish you all could have seen his eyes and heard him say, "that's amazing" when he learned about the atonement of his Savior Jesus Christ; suffering specifically for him. After discussing the atonement, I invited him to be baptized. He was quiet for about a minute, just thinking. He said, "I'm not sure" and so I asked him what his heart was telling him to do. He said, "It's telling me to live a life of greatness". I looked at him and said, "Victor, did Jesus Christ live a life of greatness?" He of course replied, “yes”. I took a moment to allow The Spirit to really touch his heart. I then said, "Victor, you are right. Jesus lived the GREATEST life. He was our perfect example of HOW to live a great life. Even Jesus Christ knew, without baptism, without the love of this Gospel, He couldn't live a life of greatness, no matter how wonderful He was." I then re-invited him to start his journey of a Life of Greatness, one day leading him back to his Savior by being baptized. He accepted to enter the waters of baptism on July 29! I could not be more excited! Today is actually my year mark- i seriously cannot believe time has flown by this quickly. My heart hurts knowing its coming close to an end, but is constantly being rejoiced in this wonderful work. I can’t even put into words the miracles we see and the people we get to bare testimony to. There is nothing I would rather be doing this past year then walking side by side with my Savior, extending His hand, and helping others take hold of it; truly helping someone to 'stand' that has been down for so long. This year has been such an overwhelming testimony to me that this Gospel is what lifts us when we cannot stand. I know that to be true with my entire heart. I know that His hand is constantly reaching out to us, STRETCHING, just yearning to take hold and bring you back to joy. I am so grateful for this knowledge, and the opportunity I have had to share it this short year. I love this Gospel, I love my Savior, and I love being His missionary. I hope you all had a fantastic Fourth of July and lit hundreds of sparklers for me! Xoxo! Sister McKayla Montgomery Pic 1-McKayla and Makayla teehehehehe
Pic 2- HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY FROM THE WORLD'S CAPITOL! Pic 3- Perks of being in YSA- they stalk you and make you Pokémon cards lol Pic 4- Gonna miss this girl Pic 5- Sweet Debbie Pic 6- Goodbye John! Pic 7- My little buddy Sorry! Not a whole lot to report on this week, but I do have a super cool story!
So, as a Sister Training Leader, we get to go on exchanges (24 hour switcharoos with our companions) with all of the sisters in our mission. This week we got to go on exchanges with the ASL sisters! I got to go to their area and learn sign language all day, which was a blast! Anyway, the ASL Sisters have been having a super hard time finding people to teach; literally finding 24/7. Sister Farnsworth and I have been praying all transfer that we could find someone for them in our own finding time. Later after exchanging back to our normal companions, Sister Farnsworth and I had about 15 minutes left until the end of the night. It was too late to drive somewhere, and an awkward time for knocking doors- basically the time where missionaries can justify heading home. So, we decided to walk up and down our street and talk to whoever was out there. On our way out of the car before we started walking I felt really prompted to show Sister Farnsworth all of the things I had learned at the ASL class since she knows quite a bit of sign! While we were walking down the main road I was showing her little things like, "fruit, chicken, salad... etc". Next thing you know, while we are signing, a man sitting on the side of the main road waiting for his bus runs up to us and begins signing, "Do you sign?! What is your name?!" With the most humbled, excited look in his eyes. We got to sign back and have a sweet little conversation with him! He was so overwhelmed to meet someone who could communicate with him that he began to cry. He gave us the biggest hug and signed, "thank you, thank you. God sent you." He gave us all of his information to meet with the ASL missionaries. WHAT A MIRACLE! I know Heavenly Father has children prepared everywhere we go! He knows the tools He needs. He helps us become them. I love this work and I love getting to see such amazing miracles daily, even miracles occurring over the word "Chicken". I love this work, and I love you all! Sister McKayla Montgomery Pics of ASL Exchange in Washington D.C. Hi again!
Tuesday we had the craziest experience... one of those moments that every missionary hopes to have while serving! We had a bunch of free time so we decided to pray for guidance on where we should go knock some doors. We ended up at this cute little townhouse area, but were seeing absolutely no success. Door after door slammed or just not even answered. Then I saw the cutest little street and felt like we needed to go there. Again, no success. We hadn't finished the street but looked at each other and said, "should we go to a different area? "And thought, nah let’s just finish this street and then go somewhere else. Well, the next door we knock on, a man named Steven opens the door. I said, "Hi there! We are Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Do you have 5 minutes that we could share the most important thing you will ever hear." He looked at me and said, "can I come out and talk to you guys?" So, we sat on his porch and began to talk. Right away he opens up and tells how earlier that morning, he finally hit his breaking point. He fell to his knees and cried to God, if that's who was even listening. Begged God to send him anything, anything to know that he was even listening; something that he could hold on to as he felt ready to finally give up. He went downstairs and sat at his computer. From his window, he could see me and my companion knocking on his neighbor’s door. Immediately he thought to himself, "hmmm. I wonder if they're talking about God." He then thought if we did happen to be talking about God that there is no way we would go and see him. Next thing you know, he sees his neighbor shut their door, and watches us stand there, thinking "if only they would come and talk to me." Right then was when me and sister Farnsworth were deciding if we should leave that street, but felt the need to stay. He watched us as we turned straight towards his door and rang his doorbell. When we told him we were missionaries he about died, and knew that God had sent us to his home. We were able to testify that God had sent us directly to HIS house; he was aware of every tear he had shed. He knew that it was his time to know of the everlasting, perfect Gospel. What a spiritual lesson and experience that was. We gave him a Book of Mormon as something for him to finally hold onto. How amazing is this work; truly seeing God's hand in every moment. I know that he is aware of every tear shed, and leads us exactly where we need to be, exactly when we need to be there. Saturday night Rosemary came to the Temple for the very first time! She found 13 family names; 13 of her dearest loved ones that have anxiously been awaiting the opportunity to be washed cleaned and start their journey of an eternal family. Rosemary let me do the baptisms for her Mother and Grandmother. I cannot put into words the spirit that was felt as I stood in the water in behalf of her loved ones, and saw the smile on her face. I could feel her loved one’s arms around me, saying thank you. Rosemary got to do the confirmations for all of the members of her family that were baptized that night. She talked to me after and said, "I never imagined I would be able to ever do something like this. It feels like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I'm just so overwhelmed with The Spirit." Since we could only do the girls, she asked, "will I get to watch my Dad?" We looked in the waiting room and saw a dad with his 13-year-old son waiting to do baptisms. We asked if they would be willing to do her family names, and they very happily accepted. When he and his dad entered the waters to do her names, they both looked back at us all in the waiting room, gave a thumbs up, and smiled. After this sweet boy had been baptized for all of her family, he looked back and gave the happiest smile I had ever seen. My heart was so deeply touched. I could physically feel angels sitting around us. Growing up I never understood just how important baptisms for the dead were, until I watched the light shining from her smile as her family came to the fold of God, and as that sweet, young, 13-year-old boy stood as their angel that night. A family truly was brought together in that moment; they truly started their eternal happiness. How amazing that we have the opportunity to be a part of that. We need to all make more of an effort to help families come unto Christ; help families be eternal. I know this Gospel is real. The spirit I have felt and love I have seen radiate during these moments are something I cannot deny. This work is so very important, and it's something we can ALL do. I know I that there is individuals and families waiting for YOU to be their angel. Waiting to embrace you with outstretched arms to say the only words that can come to mind; thank you. Go be someone's angel. Love, Sister McKayla Montgomery Pics: Me with my bff, Sister Kunz; Flag at the temple during sunset; Rosemary came to the temple and got do 13 family names! She let me baptize her mom and grandmother ❤️; Jane got her call! Colorado, Colorado Springs! Hi everyone!
First off.... Happy Birthday to my old man! He truly is my very best friend. Everyone give him a big hug and kiss for me !! One of the biggest miracles was Mesi! She has been taking the lessons since January and been coming to church ever since! She has felt, however, that she needs to read the entire Book of Mormon cover to cover in order to 'really' know; to have the Holy Ghost testify to her that these things are true. As frustrating as it is to watch someone you love wait to receive so much happiness and all the blessings in the world, I've learned it is not my will, but Gods; it is in His own timing, not mine. Yesterday, after testimony meeting, she was talking to me and was so touched by Sister Tchampa's testimony (Side note, sister Tchampa is a lady in the ward who just went through the temple last week for the first time! I got to go with her, and how grateful I am for it!) Mesi said that her story is exactly her life- ever since she saw the temple off the freeway the very first time, she told her husband, "I want to go there! Whatever it is, that is where I want to be." After hearing sister Tchampa's experience on the temple, Mesi said her heart was so touched in a way she had never felt.... she asked me if we could plan a day for her to be baptized. To start her journey of one day, finally, entering the place she most desires to be. My heart could burst in that moment! I know that the blessings of the temple are real; it IS where families get to be together forever. Where we can physically feel God’s arms around us. God’s timing is perfect! However, the greatest miracle that happened this week is one that I hope is able to touch even one person’s heart. My Mom has a younger brother (he is one of her half-brothers), Ferron, who grew up in Oklahoma. We don’t get to see them very often, so my parents were thrilled when Ferron called and told them he was coming to Utah for a visit. My family was so touched by his gentle, humble, kind, sweet spirit when he arrived. He has not had an easy life growing up, and has turned his life around completely in his adult years. He came the week of General Conference! My parents loved how Ferron would read and study from his Bible every day. My mom took the time to explain what General Conference was, and how important it was to us, as members of the church, to listen to our living prophet and apostles of the Lord speak. It is so special, it only happens twice a year. They invited him to attend General Conference with them, but told him he was not obligated in any way, if he did not want to. He told them he wanted to! He was so attentive, took notes and marked scriptures quoted. He watched every session with my family over the next couple of days and even attended the special Priesthood session with my dad and brother! He was inquisitive, had many questions for them, truly desiring to know about all of the wonderful things he had just heard. His heart was so touched, his spirit so stirred, that my parents asked him if he would like to meet with the missionaries. He said YES! The Elders came to their house that week and taught Ferron his first lesson. They asked if he would like to be baptized, and he accepted their invitation. He returned home to Oklahoma where he met every week with the missionaries and also included my grandpa in the lessons. The miracle of this story is that my Uncle entered the beautiful waters of baptism on June 3! My grandpa has also accepted the invitation to be baptized and his baptism is coming up soon. My heart is so overwhelmed with love and thankfulness to my Heavenly Father. So often our eyes are blocked and our hearts are depressed because we cannot see or understand His plan for us. But His timing is always perfect; His will is always done. He knows His children's hearts. He knows His children's desires. He knew, from day one, that Ferron would one day find the truth. That one day His child would come back to His arms. How grateful I am to have a knowledge of this gospel. More than a knowledge, a TESTIMONY that it is indeed HIS. It is REAL. It is worth every price and every tear. I know, with every fiber of my being and pulse my heart can give, that Jesus is the Christ. This is HIS gospel. This is the way our families can be together forever and we truly can overcome every trial, every weakness; fix our broken hearts and lives through His love. I know this Gospel is true, and I am so grateful my family is now receiving the blessings that come from it. ❤ With Love, Sister McKayla Montgomery Pictures: 1. Sister Kunz and I having some fun bowling on P-Day 2- Me with my new companion, Sister Farnsworth 3-Fun District! 4- District Pic 5- Sister Tchampa went through the temple last week and I got to go with her ❤️ what a special day! 6- Sister Kunz and I (Love her!) 7- My bff in the ward :) 8- Sister Kunz and I at the temple! 9- My off in the ward again. :) 10- Sister Kunz and I again! 11- This is MIA; she says I'm her favorite missionary! She's the cutest! 12- Me at the temple 13 & 14- Me with Elder Kohler 15- Love tracting in rain storms 🙃 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 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 |