COMING HOME

Waking up at 2am was everything I ever wanted as a missionary. The only reason I’d want to get up that early is to go contacting haha. All 25 missionaries headed to the airport together. It was a bitter sweet sight to see. Entering the Changi Airport felt like I was just entering the field instead. The plane ride was good, I looked over the “My Plan” for returning missionaries that helps us adjust coming back home. I got to have a really long personal study haha. The plane ride from Singapore to China was about 3 hours. At the Shanghai Airport, finally the group split up. Missionaries were going to all parts of the US, and no one else was going to New York except for me haha. Elder Bowler and I decided to go contact people as we were waiting for our next flight. He is amazing and I’ve looked up to him so much! The plane ride from China to New York was 14 HOURS!!!!!!!!!!! My “bum” (as said in our family), was very very sore. I tried contacting the people next to me but they were a cute old Indian couple that didn’t really speak english. I said a couple words to them in Tamel but that was the best that I could do. After what seemed like a decade, I finally arrived in New York. It was dark, so I was still trying to convince myself I was in Singapore. I had imagined this day very vividly in my mind. I cringed at the fact that there was a possibility that I might walk out of the airport without my family because they didn’t realize I was coming home haha. Luckily that did not happen. Walking out of the airport to see my family was so surreal. EVERYONE was there. Dad, Mom, Ky, Keldon, Londyn, Shaylee, Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, and Papa!! They were all cheering and I got to hug my mom first :) I got one of her hairs in my mouth and said, “Well, I guess I know I’m home now!” It was so so so surreal. I felt like I was dreaming. Keldon had grown taller, Kyler was thicker, Londyn was NOT a youngster anymore, everyone had changed! They had rented a 14 passenger van to pick me up in haha. When we got home they had put up a sign that said, “SELAMAT DATANG, ELDER!!!” Google translate didn’t let them down this time haha. It was a very special experience. Everything feels weird. I am still a missionary. I am still a missionary. Hopefully I can adjust to the newness of life! Also I am blown away at how many white people there are here. Never thought I’d say that haha. For two years I have been serving my Heavenly Father by helping others find their heavenly home. For now, it's time that I go back to my earthly home. :)

My first Sunday back I gave my homecoming talk. It was cool to have the future Elder LaRose give his Homecoming talk the same day. It was really cool to see everyone in the ward. I attempted to give my talk in english, but it was definitely a struggle. There were times where I said over the pulpit, “ok hold on, that made no sense in english. Give me a moment to think.” It felt good to be surrounded by so many members of the church. I’m back in a WARD instead of a branch! Weird. Everything is just weird.

WEEK #100 - All is Well, All is Well

Hello to all,

What a wonderful week to end on - 100!

Things that I've gotten "100" on :
1. 6th grade spelling bee test
2. Parent Inspection of my bed room
3. Drivers Ed test (maybe....)
4. Burning the toast


Happy Father's day to all! I hope you were able to spend time with your family and enjoy the simple moments together. My father takes the role of being a father beyond  that of providing for the physical needs of the family. He knows, cares, and sacrifices for every one of his children. No matter how crazy we can be, family is still family. Love you Rantler!

I will give a summary off the last week of the mission and then will close with my testimony and what I've learned.

On Tuesday I had the special privileged of finishing the Book of Mormon in English and Malay around the same time. As I prayed to know if what I read was true (in both English and Malay), I received the same peaceful feeling that has come from reading and praying with real intent and a sincere heart. To those who have not taken this challenge, take it.

We visited the Bongs, an active family in the branch. They are a wonderful family with lots of laughter in the home. They followed us to a lesson with Brother Malexis and Sister Sophia, in which we went over questions that will be asked during the interview for baptism. Both Malexis and Sophia bore their testimony of how their lives have been changed through reading the Book of Mormon and coming to church. We've seen it too:)

I finally wrote a summary of general conference and some of the main takeaways from it. General Conference is a semi-annual broadcast to the world, in which leaders from the church including the modern day prophets and apostles give speeches about certain gospel topics. Here are some of the quotes that I liked:

Becky Craven: - There is not a right way to do the wrong thing

Elder Uchtdorf: - The gospel should become such an essential and precious part of your life that it would be unnatural not to talk about it with others

Neil L. Anderson: - No choice, no alternative, that denies the companionship of the Holy Ghost or the blessings of eternity is worthy of our consideration.

Russell M. Nelson: nothing is more critical to our eternal progression than a daily focus on repentance

David A Bednar: - Our personal responsibility is to learn what we should learn, to live as we know we should live, and to become who the master would have us become.

We stopped to talk to this young family in a mall. Their names were Aston and Ruviah They allowed us to sit down with them and teach them about the Book of Mormon. Their kid was really wild, and to top it off another crazy kid joined the fun. While we were sharing with the parents, the kids were screaming and running around. I used the "Mom" technique and whipped out some stickers that my mom had given me (you are a life saver mom). The kids were amazed at the stickers and were quiet... But unfortunately that amazement was temporary. We hope they still felt the spirit of the message haha.

Friday was my last exchange on the mission. It was with Elder Greenhalgh! He was in our group during the MTC and then came back to the mission a year later! He is a wonderful missionary and will represent our group as he finishes his mission next year.

Sunday was my last full day in KK. I gave a speech or a "talk" during church. It was a farewell talk in Malaysia and will be a homecoming talk in America :) I chose to talk about how sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. Can't wait to share more this upcoming Sunday!

The Lord blessed us to share the message of the Restoration with three more families that night. They all had children under the age of 4. Imagine what will happen when those families are founded upon the teachings of Jesus Christ :)

We stopped by Brother Malexis and Sister Sophia's house before we returned home. They are wonderful people. It was really hard to say goodbye, but I know Elder Hunter will continue to help them progress.

Packing was a nightmare but managed to throw everything together ;)

Today I have the special privileged to visit the Awie family that were taught in Masai. It will be a great reunion and strengthening of each others faith.

Tuesday we will arrive in the mission office and have a final dinner and devotional for all the departing missionaries.

Wednesday I will fly home and see my family.

There are so many life lessons that have come from my mission. I can't believe how many opportunities I've had to grow and to change.

In my last area, there was a whiteboard that was designated to be the quote board for any missionary that would be leaving KK and getting transferred to a new area. The quote that I chose was from our family's blackboard in Utah: "good is the enemy of GREAT." we can be good at many things whether it be sports, school, or other activities. When we are great, we succeed. We are above average and we are proud of the sacrifice that we've made.

I've definitely seen the difference between good choices, and great choices.

Before entering the MTC (missionary training center) we received our mission call letter that indicates where we will be going on our mission. There is one quote in the letter that now has great meaning for me:

"Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children."

I've experienced a lot of happiness before my mission. Fun times with the fam, going to school, participating in sports and church activities, but now I can say that I have found true happiness on my mission as I've experienced for myself the atonement of Jesus Christ and helped others do the same. To find someone, share the gospel with them, see the changes they are making in their life, and to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ is indescribable. To be honest it feels like raising a child until they leave for college.

In reference to the scriptures I feel like I've been in the "furnace of affliction" during the course of my time here. To know if silver is pure, the blacksmith will be able to see his reflection in the silver. Jesus Christ has shaped and formed me to become a little more like him, and has given me motivation to continue to reflect what He has done for me.

One of my favorite quotes is: "A testimony is to know and to feel. Conversion is to do and become."

I've known and I've felt. I've done and I've become. Now it's time to continue to come unto Christ.

There is a scripture in the Book of Mormon that sums up what I've learned on my mission.

Moroni 10:32:
"32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."

Our conversion is to Christ.

I love my mission. I love the people of Malaysia and Singapore. I love my family and I love my Savior.

I'll see you soon :)

WEEK #99 - 99 copies of the Book of Mormon in My Hand

YOU ARE INVITED to a special event to welcome McKayd home. Sunday, June 23rd

Hello to Everyone!

We were pretty booked this week as we shared the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. A lot of people leave their doors open here to let the cool air come in from the rain storms. As we walk by their door, we just wave and say, "can we come in?" It has worked quite well actually. The Spirit probably had to compensate for our lack of proper introduction to people haha.

We were able to teach Sister Pinny's (the member from Sibu) older sister and the rest of her family. It was so cool to see Andre's family bear their testimonies to their relatives.

We did some service for a member that lives in "kampung" which means a village. To thank us for our service he climbed his mango tree and gave us a bunch to eat! Nothing like kampung mangos :)

As we were walking in Keramat, we heard someone playing the guitar in his room and so we tapped on his window and asked if we could play. Elder Hunter went to college in Boston to learn how to play the guitar. Just imagine you are minding your own business and playing the guitar when the only two white people in the whole town knock on your window and ask to come in and then sing a hymn to you. AWESOME.

Malexis and Sophia have finally decided to be baptized! The date will be June 29th, just a couple weeks after I get back. What a miracle. Continue to pray for them!

This week be my last week on the mission. I will work harder and smarter than I ever have!! Love you all and thanks for the support!