A Mission is fun too!

Hello Everyone!
I would like to start off this E-mail by thanking the ST. George McKenna's for sending me that amazing package of goodies (which has almost been completely digested by me and my companions) and for the wonderful cards. Things seem to be going well back home with cousin camp in full swing (I still want to know how the video turns out) and Chynna's team winning the football cup because she scored a penalty kick, not to mention Max and Jenni are on the softball team and kicking trash! As for holidays Max, Jenni, Mom, and Dad are already planning to go to New York to see a Yankee game, in the old stadium (and to of course watch some plays). Charlie is his same old self, pooping and chewing everywhere (you just got to love him) and buddy is living 'happily ever after' no questions asked :). In answer to some questions given by mom... the weather here is horrible (I would take 114 degree weather any day over R-A-I-N), I do my own washing and ironing (my whites are still white :)), and I don't know how long the three of us will be together but I do know that they don't like to keep three in a companionship so if there is an even number of missionaries after this next transfer they will probably take one of us away :(. As for my new mission president he seems like he really has a good idea of what he wants to accomplish and as of yet no big changes will be made but I know that he is called of God and who God calls he will qualify, I have no doubt that President Bullock will do great things and I am ready to support him in any endeavour he wishes me to undertake.

Well, I feel that my E-mails may have painted quite a gloomy picture for me over here but I don't want any of you to forget that Elder McKenna has fun no matter what! So I figured I would just make this a fun E-mail and show some pictures! The first one is just a taste of the landscape we have up here in the North (it is drop dead eautiful)


and the second is another sample of what I get to see every day :).


The third is of my two companions (the Italian Stallion and the Californian surfer). fourth is a picture of me outside the 'dock museum' where they give a history of all the boats that the Barrow shipyard has created, the shipyard is currently building one of the fastest submarines in the world to protect it's recent creation the Trident Submarine (the one that carries nuclear missiles). Fifth is just a picture of me in the front garden of a Church of England cathedral (by the way you just can't imagine how many spectacular cathedrals there are here there just so common you forget how amazingly unique they are!). Last of all is a picture of me and my district (four of the elders in the picture are going home or have already left!



I'm in a really 'old' district meaning that the missionaries here have all been on their missions for over 18 months!). The mission is hard but don't think for a second that I don't find a lot of fun in it. I love what I do every day, I literally wake up and for a whole day do nothing but find ways to help out my brothers and sisters! This work truly is amazing and as I continue to serve my love begins to grow. Dad, I loved what you said in your letter, I have seen some of the most amazing miracles while on my mission some of which are too sacred to share with anyone but I think the greatest miracle of all is the change of heart I'm experiencing. I love it! I still have all the fun things that make me, me but the Lord is just taking that as the base and is building upon it! I am beginning to grow more then I ever though I could (spiritually, physically I haven't grown at all :)) and every day I wake up knowing that I'm going to learn something else. I love you all and hope that this letter finds you well.

I love the Land, I love the people, and I love the work!
Elder McKenna

P.S. ummmmmmm I didn't get too many E-mails this week... just so you know :P

P.P.S. I still love you though :)

Cheerio

Hello everyone and greetings from jolly ol' England. It would seem that everything is spot on back home and I would just like to express my thanks, yet again, for your letters and love. First things first, Chelsey has finally gotten some sea horses, after six weeks of preparing the tank, and they are settling in quite nicely (by the way what happened to buddy?). She is also making a ton of money looking pretty and helping children to rock the SAT math portion, whoever said you can't have the best of both worlds apparently didn't know Chelsey :). As for the great cousin camp of 2008, being run and held by Timette, it sounds like it's going to be a blast! And the spirit continues on as there would appear to be a movie in the plans (keep me posted on how it turns out). Dad pushes forward in his Temple preparation class and mom gave an amazing lesson in Relief Society and overall you all seem to be living life in a way that represents how amazingly amazing McKenna's are :).

Things over here on this20side of the pond are getting pretty difficult. The Barrow ward is really struggling... there is a poison in this ward that eats away at the souls of these wonderful men and women and as I work everyday I can feel my character being tested as well as my very soul. I don't think I have or ever will be in such a battle ground for the souls of my brothers and sisters again. It would seem that casualties are falling everywhere as the adversary continually besets us. And as my companions and I press forward with steadfastness in Christ it's as if I can see the adversary himself working to stop us on every front. Everyday I have to fight with all the strength I have to find those who are ready while at the same time helping the ward to continue on and as I look around at the spiritual conditions that the members of the ward are in as well as everyone else who lives here my heart is pained! I love these people with a love that exceeds any other and yet many of their hearts are hardened and they will no longer hearken to the scriptures or the words of God. But I will never give up! I know that there are still those who are looking for
the truth! We have found some amazing people who are ready to hear the Gospel! Already the Lord's hand is beginning to gather those choicest of spirits that will be the cure to Barrow's poison and there are many more yet to find! I know
that my God is with me and I know that he will hear my cry for he has heard it before! And as I continue on in this great and marvellous work I know that the
lord will provide a way for he giveth no commandment unto the children of men save in the first place he shall prepare a way for them to accomplish the thing which he hath commanded them! I will not allow these wonderful people to be lost! As I fight here on the front lines of Barrow I will not fall back, I will never allow a soul, which is great in the sight of God, to dwindle in darkness for they know not were to find the light. I am an unworthy servant called of God and given strength to fulfil my purpose of bringing people unto Christ by helping them to receive this, the RESTORED Gospel! Nothing has brought me more happiness then to know that this is Jesus Christ's Gospel, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the Book of Mormon is scripture given to us in this day so that we could know that Jesus truly is the Christ and that by believing we might have life through his name. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the man called of God to lead and guide his church at this time, and above all I know
that my Savior lives and that he loves each and every one of us! My physical brothers and sisters, whom I love so dear, push forward! Be the examples that God wants you to be and NEVER give up, keeping your eye single to the glory of God! This is the time for us to prepare and if it so be that the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, if his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you let it not drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless woe! But stay steadfast and firm upon the rock of our redeemer who is Christ he will not forsake you!

Your loving brother,
Elder McKenna

Hello

Countless times I give my thanks for your love and support but alas all the thanks in the world can not truly describe how grateful I am for your letters and for you prayers; I am truly strengthened by your faith and testimonies. Well, as for things going on back home I guess it's finally happened... my room has been turned into a storage closet. Apparently just because of a little leak that filled the playroom with about 2 inches of water my room has been designated as the 'temporary' storage closet, I suppose it was bound to happen sooner or later :). Aside from my room getting a makeover it would seem that Jenni has decided to get a bit of a makeover herself with a new SUV Audi which is black on the outside and black on the inside (talk about clean hands and a pure heart :P). I have to admit though, as crazy as it sounds to get a car that is black on the outside and on the inside in Las Vegas I'm sure my eldest sister looks pretty 'cool' driving it around in the heat. Kai is (as everyone knows) the calendar kid so he is leaning towards going to the cabin to celebrate and as for Chelsey's celebration: my wise, highly esteemed, perfect, outstanding advice was taken :) and they had a wonderful time at Capital Grill as well as Disneyland. As for the St. George McKenna's things are going to be interesting as Ellyse goes to the same EFY as her Father where a boy or should I say a 'cowboy' that Ellyse has taken a fancy too will be present, hang on to your hats and glasses cause this here is going to be the wildest ride in the wilderness :). As for the Fourth of July the St. Georgians are going to be travelling to the wonderful town of Kusherom Utah for some good ol' small town fun. Mom and Dad are now teaching the temple class and more people are willing to give up the things they love for the God they love even more as Brandon and Adam have received their mission calls to serve in Colorado and Florida. It brings me a sweet joy to know that my friends back home have not forgotten their God.
As for the Mission... I can not even begin to describe the success and blessings that the Lord is pouring out upon the Barrow area. My heart is filled with joy and love as I see my brothers and sisters taking steps to come closer to Christ. I have to admit that it is quite strange being in a companionship with two other Elders but I know that the Lord has been blessing us because already we are teaching and finding in a unity that only the Spirit of the Lord can bring. A moment that I must share with you happened this Saturday as I got a call from my last area (Altrincham) and was told that a man by the name of Calum Mcnolty was going to be baptized. I can not begin to describe the joy that filled my very soul knowing that I was able to be a tool in our Lord's hands by bringing him the truth. I know that Calum will be strong in his
testimony, callings, and in the church. I believe, pray, and hope with all of my heart that I will see him one day in the kingdom of my Father knowing that he truly did live up to his baptismal covenants, that he sincerely loves the Lord, and that he endured to the end. There is no greater happiness than knowing that this is the Lords work. I have witnessed for myself that the blessings of Heaven are real, that the commandments of God are given to us for our protection and freedom. I love the Gospel with all of my heart and I love the Savior with everything that is within me. I know that there is no other way given but by and through Jesus Christ, the Holy Messiah, the Prince of Peace, the Lamb of God. I know that the Lord is with me as I go about finding his children and sharing with them how they can find true happiness. And above all I know that this is the true and living church of God that I am a missionary called to preach these things to the world given the authority from a prophet of God to be here in England and no matter what challenges may come, no matter what may try
to stop the work I will stand bold, steadfast, and firm. My testimony is one that I will not allow to be shaken for I have built it upon the rock of our redeemer and though the gates of Hell may open I will stand next to the God I love and trust. He will not forsake me.
Elder McKenna