Thank You

As always, my heart is filled with love and gratitude for your prayers and for your wonderful E-mails. Things seem to be going amazing back home and I know that the Lord is pouring out his blessings upon us! Jeff seems to be having a whole lot of fun teaching at his old stomping grounds, BYU Idaho. And even though Ellyse and Jeff are at the same EFY she has figured out how to make it work... just avoid any communication with her father :). As for Cate's first Birthday everything seemed to go stupendously well as they were able to go to Galveston Island which seems to be one of the most amazing places in the WORLD were they watched 3D movies and plenty of other crazy fun things! The McKenna 'surfer girls' are well on their way to getting sponsored as they begin their surfing classes! It's just a matter of time now until everyone knows for certain that McKenna's are gosh darn hardcore :)! Mickey and Mindee seem to be doing very well and apparently still have faces that makes it look like they've run into a wall multiple times and Jack is of course being Jack, and that's why we love him :). Overall you all seem to be doing your best to live up to the McKenna name so keep on keeping on.

Once again I have the blessed opportunity to look back at my week and ponder over the many miracles and blessings that I have seen and been a part of and to find something that I wish to share with those whom I love. This week has been amazing... Astell is doing incredibly well and so is Pat and Ceaser, their faith and humility bring joy to my heart and I know that the day they will enter into the waters of baptism is quickly approaching. The ward here is brimming with joy, faith, and trust as the missionaries and members develop a lasting bond of trust that will continue on for many years. And as the Lord continues to pour out his blessings I feel that I must now give my utmost gratitude for your wonderful prayers on my behalf. As I read your E-mails I can feel the exquisite love that you have not only for me, but for the Lord, and as I am kept in remembrance as you pray I know that many of the gifts and blessings that I receive from God is due to the heartfelt and powerful prayers that come from a family who love and support me. I know for myself that prayer is the way for us to communicate with a being that is perfect... that through Jesus Christ we can place our desires and concerns before the feet of our Father in Heaven who knows what we have need of before we even ask him and as I pray, and as you pray, I know that our very souls grow in strength and humility. But that's not all! As we pray for others as well as ourselves we begin to form a bond with our Father in Heaven that will bring us more joy and peace. I know that 'As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part'. My soul is filled with exceeding joy to know that you are all exercising your faith and praying for me. I know that as I press forward with steadfastness in Christ your prayers uplift my soul and carry me through those times were I would shrink. I can not even begin to express to you the love that is in my heart for each and every one of you. I have come to know that Joseph Smith was called to bring the true church of Jesus Christ out of darkness. That Thomas S. Monson is a prophet today. That the Book of Mormon is a true record dealing with a people who lost there way and that the words it contains are meant for us, in this day. But above all I testify that I know that Jesus is the Christ! That he is the Son of God and that through him you and I will be resurrected, that our bodies and spirits will be reunited to never be parted again! And I know all these things because I have used the power of prayer and I have asked my God, my father and I have received an answer by the power of the Holy Ghost which told my heart and my mind that these things are true! There are no words which can rightly express how grateful I am to have a family with brothers and sisters who love me and support me. And as I have said before and will say countless times again... thank you for your love, support, and most of all your prayers. And never forget that you are always in mine.

Your loving sibling,
Elder McKenna