The Spaghetti Monster

Hi everyone! 

Last preparation day we got to go to Lake Michigan with the sisters and it was so pretty! We decided to go earlier which was so good because once we left it started pouring rain! I am still not used to this weather!

Last week we had our meet the president conference and it was so good! President and Sister Hansen are so inspired! The more they tell us about themselves and experiences that they've had, the more I see how much they have been prepared to help this mission and especially individuals in this mission! I know that I'm going to be learning a lot from them!

Our friend Steven came to church and he absolutely loved it!! It was so precious at the end when he told us how much it meant to him and how he feels at home there! A couple days later he texted us and told us that he received a 4 page letter that was very anti towards the church and then he didn't message us for 4 days! It was so stressful! He finally texted us back and said that he had been busy with his family in town but that he was still reading the scriptures everyday when everyone else was asleep! He is so faithful and I am so excited to see him get baptized one day because he wants it so bad! Please continue to pray for his wife's heart to be softened!

We also had zone conference this week which was so good! We talked about finding a balance in ministering and administering! We need to work on the technical skills and training but we also need to learn to show love and how to be personable with people! We then had exchanges with the oak creek sisters! I got to go to their area with Sister flitton who I served with in Green Bay which was fun! We decided to go street contacting and after like 5 nos we got 2 people to say yes! The first time we walked past them we said hi but then didn't talk to them because they were YSA age but then I felt bad because we are told to talk to everyone! I prayed that we would run into them on the way back and as we walked back they were sitting on one of the rocks and we got to talk to them!

We also got to teach primary this week! It is so amazing how much the simple testimony of a child can bring the spirit! I absolutely loved it!

We also did a live show last night which I am terrified to do but we have been invited to stretch our faith and to get out of our comfort zone and even though it wasn't perfect, it felt good to do! 

Now the spaghetti monster. For some reason people this week have not been the kindest. I was trying to share a message with this guy on Facebook and he said that he couldn't because of his religion. I hadn't heard of it before and I asked what it was and he described it and said that he worshiped the spaghetti monster and then sent a cartoon of a painting with the spaghetti monster replacing Christ. Another encounter we had this week was a guy telling us that there is no such thing as Sister missionaries. He said that it was never a thing and it shouldn't be a thing. All we could do in these situations is testify of Christ, of God's love for them, and walk away. 

Something I've really been studying and praying to have is charity. At first I was so frustrated by these interactions but as I read about Christ forgiving the people when he was on the cross, I realized that I needed to be thankful for these experiences. For these opportunities to develop more charity and love for these people especially when they treat us this way. Trials in life are so hard but I am so thankful for the chance to learn and grow and that I am not alone in them. That none of us are alone in them because we have Jesus Christ!

I love you all and so does your Heavenly Father! 

I hope you have an amazing week!

♡Sister McGary 

1. Part of my mission family tree haha we are always taking these pictures

2. Picture I found from last MLC

3. Lake Michigan with the sisters

4.One of the bridges to get there

5 + 6. Lake views!

7. Exchanges with Sister Flitton!