Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Y'all !

 I can't believe Christmas is here already!  It is one of my favorite holidays!
Can I tell you why I love Christmas?

1.  I love Christmas music.  It gets me in the Christmas spirit and it just makes me happy.  My all time favorite Christmas song is White Christmas by Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters.

2. I love the lights!  Christmas lights are warm, bright and colorful.  They change the mood and make the setting 10 times better!  They also make me happy!

3.  I love Christmas movies!  I don't know why I enjoy watching other people enjoy Christmas, but I do!  My favorite Christmas movie is Polar Express and watching it makes me happy.

4.  Of course I love gifts!  :)  Christmas is the season of giving and the season of receiving.   Who doesn't love making someones day by giving them a gift?  It's a little late in the game, but I encourage anyone reading this to follow the #LightTheWorld initiative.   There is nothing better than bringing a little light into the lives of others.

5.  Food!  Does that even need an explanation?  :)

6.  Family!  Spending time with family is the best!  Nothing is better than enjoying the holidays with family and I love my family!   I might not say it a lot, but it's true.... I love my family.

7.  The only way to truly celebrate Christmas is by remembering our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Without a doubt, my testimony of the Savior has been strengthened while serving a mission.  I have been studying His life and His birth.  I have been reading "Jesus the Christ" by James E. Talmage.  What an amazing book with an amazing message of Christ's mission.   As I read the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, I can feel my Savior's love and guidance.

Here's some wonderful scriptures about Christ........

2 Nephi 25:23-26

23 For we labor diligently to write, to ^apersuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by ^bgrace that we are saved, after all we can ^cdo.

24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we ^akeep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled.

25 For, for this end was the ^alaw given; wherefore the law hath become ^bdead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.

26 And we ^atalk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we ^bprophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our ^cchildren may know to what source they may look for a ^dremission of their sins.

 We had a baptism a couple of week ago!  A wonderful woman named Henrietta!  We are so happy for her!  It's always amazing to see the light of Christ change someone's life!

 Here's another of my favorite Christmas Hymns.....  "Once in Royal David's City"

Merry Christmas everyone!   I love and miss you all!  

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hey Ya'll!   Happy Thanksgiving!  Time is flying by so fast.  I guess thats the way it works being an LDS missionary.   The days seem long and the months seem short and somehow that makes sense.  haha   I am so happy to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving.  It's not only a day to fellowship with family members, friends and acquaintances, but also a day that we can stop for just a moment and give thanks for all that we have.   And we have much to be thankful for!  Living a life of thanksgiving daily can be hard sometimes.  Luckily, we have a day specifically dedicated to give thanks.  I was also thinking of another day we should be thankful for.  A day we can pause and look back over our week.  A day that we can remember who is most important to give thanks to.   Of course, the day I am talking about is the Sabbath Day.   The most important day in our week.  That's the day we attend church and think about the atonement of Jesus Christ.   A day we give thanks to our Heavenly Father for all that we have.  Just as we share Thanksgiving Day with our loved ones, we should also want to share the Sabbath with others. 
I will always remember Sabbath days growing up.   We would go to church, partake of the sacrament and learn the gospel.   Then we would come home, have a great family dinner, and laugh and love and remember the Savior.  If we treated everyday like Thanksgiving, I would say all would be perfect.  I try to be thankful everyday..... Here are just a few of the things I am thankful for. 

- I am thankful to know the unconditional love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for me.
- I am thankful to know that even though I am imperfect, the atonement of Jesus Christ is there so that I can repent of my mistakes.
- I am thankful for parents who taught me right from wrong.  Parents who love me unconditionally and support me and encourage me to do good.
- I am thankful for a brother and a sister who have been amazing examples in my life.
- I am thankful for friends, teachers, and many others who without their help, I most likely wouldn't be on a mission today.
- I am thankful to be on a mission, serving the Lord in this part of the vineyard.
- I am thankful for the people that God allows me to teach.   They are an inspiration and example in my life.
- I am thankful for the members of the North Augusta Ward, who make me feel at home and last but not least............
- I am thankful for the newly opened CHIPOTLE! 

I am thankful for so much more, but those are just a few of the most important. 

I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving!  Do something fun and remember life is short...live life in the slow land.....witness all the beautiful things in front of you. 

Here is a hymn that I love right now
Hymn 92  For the Beauty of the Earth.

Baptisms and Chipotle

Hey Friends!
Happy November!  It's the start of my favorite season....Fall and Winter!   I really thought I disliked the cold weather, but being in the south makes me appreciate it a lot more. 
October was a great month!  We were able to hear from a general authority during our annual Mission Conference.   It was very exciting and we learned so much. 
Our Mission President came baring tidings of great joy..... we will be getting smart phones in our mission!   This will make our work a lot easier.   We will have better access to those who are ready to hear the gospel.
I am so grateful and excited for many reasons..... One reason is we have 2 people on date for baptism!  One of our investigators is a sweet older lady named Henrietta.  As we've been teaching her, we have learned her favorite saying.... "I'm slow.... I'ma get it"  And I can tell you she is surely getting it!  She has been reading and is already in 2 Nephi 12.   She is excited to keep learning and looking forward to her baptism.  The second reason I am excited is because in 2 days, on Nov 9, the new Chipotle opens!  It will be a wondrous day for the people of North Augusta!!

Sorry this is so short.  
Love you all
Elder McGee

Transfers, Conference and Las Vegas

Hey Friends and Family!
Happy October!   This is one of my favorite months of the year!  As many of you know, I was transferred a couple of weeks ago.   My new area is North Augusta, South Carolina.  I am enjoying it so far, and getting to know lots of new people.   I will miss many friends from Baxley, and hope to keep in touch in the future.   One exciting thing about North Augusta is they are building a Chipotle and a Chick-fil-A!   I hope they are open for business before I leave!  Haha   I am excited to be here and to continue to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

This past weekend was wonderful because of General Conference!   All of the talks were great!  One of my favorites was by Bonnie L Oscarson,  The Needs Before Us.   She gave a wonderful talk on how to serve others.   She spoke of the recent devastation around the world and how we mourn and want to help those affected by tragedies.   It is so important that we try to help during these major disasters   It is also just as important that we look around us and help those closest to us....our family, friends, neighbors, and communities.   The Savior said "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it"  (Luke 9:24)   President Monson spoke about this scripture and explained that "unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives.  Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish - and in effect save their lives"   We need to love and serve others.... near and far.   Jesus taught the multitudes, but he also taught people individually....one on one.   He did this because of the pure love He has for each one of us...individually.   We need to strive to have that same love for those around us.   John 13:34-35  says " A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.   By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" 

I was heartbroken to hear about the shootings in Las Vegas.   My heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones.   No one can truly understand what makes someone perform such cruel vicious acts.  As a 19 year old, there isn't much that I can say that would be beneficial.  What I do know is that the brightness of hope will ALWAYS win.   No matter what political view you have, or what religious view you have,  the light of Jesus Christ is stronger than any darkness we face in this life.    I am reminded of the hymn   Lead Kindly, Light.     The Savior can lead us out of darkness ALWAYS. 
Have a great week!  Love you all!

Big Ol' Irma

Hey guys!  Whats up? 
Happy September!  August went by so fast.  We are also nearing the end of a GMM transfer and I am thinking I may be transferred out of good ol' Baxley.  We shall see. 

Well it has been quite a while since I last updated the blog.  Many things have happened.  Our new member in the Hazelhurst Branch is doing great!  He just got a calling and is loving it!  We have some other investigators that are really progressing and even a boost in member support.   As some of you know, Baxley is very small and doesn't have it's own church building so we attend church in Hazelhurst which is also very small.   In spite of the small congregations, we get so much help from the members, which is awesome!

So, last week was literally just preparing and talking about big ol' Irma.  I have never seen Baxley so busy.  People from the coastal areas of Georgia came through Baxley to get to safer ground.  There were lots of people clearing out Walmart's shelves.  The bread sold out around Wednesday or early Thursday morning.   The cases of water were gone by Friday.   I will admit it was exciting to watch.  Maybe someday after my mission, for comic relief, I'll sit at a Walmart with a bag of popcorn and just watch people when there is a hurricane coming. 
On a more serious note, I was safe, and so was the rest of the GMM missionaries.   Some had a tree fall on a house they were living in and some had a little flooding, but other than that, no one was harmed.  We truly have one of the best mission presidents you could ever want!  President Grayson made sure we were all taken care of.  We were evacuated to Douglas, Georgia and waited out the storm there.   Afterwards, we were able to provide some service to an older couple.  We cleaned up their yard and I got to climb up on the roof.  (Don't tell my mom)  haha
We were very grateful for the opportunity to help. 

All is well here in Baxley.   I am enjoying and loving my mission.   We work hard and still find time to do some fun stuff.  I hope all is well with all of you.   Do something fun this week! 

I've added some pictures at the bottom of the page...........

The hymn for this week is
Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy

There are great scriptures that go with this song....
1 John 2:10
Doctrine and Covenants 18:10-16

This hymn talks about finding refuge from life's storms by depending on the Savior.   The Savior is the lighthouse and we are the lower lights mentioned in the hymn.  We must be good examples and shine our lights to help others find their way back to the Savior.  We can help those that are struggling.

Great Hymn!!!

 

Safe from the storm

Baptism in Baxley!

Hey y'all!   Happy Monday!   I hope everyone had a great week!   Can you believe I'm writing a blog post two weeks in a row?  haha

We've had a great week here in Baxley!  As I mentioned last week, we have been working with one of our investigators, Brother Thompson.   We were able to teach him the last couple of lessons this past week.   Brother Thompson is about as close to being a "Golden Investigator" as you can get.  He chose to meet with us....he chose to listen to the lessons and follow through with the commitments that we gave him.   Two of those commitments were to read The Book of Mormon and to pray to know of it's truthfulness.   As he followed the example of the Savior, he accepted the invitation to be baptized.   Brother Thompson was baptized on August 19, 2017!  It was a great day!
We are so proud of him and the choices he has made to be baptized.   Now he can continue to renew those covenants every Sabbath when he partakes of the sacrament.

I have talked about how much I love the hymns and here is one of my favorites scriptures about the importance of hymnal music.

Doctrine and Covenants 25

12 For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads

13 Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made.

It is such a blessing to be able to attend church and partake of the sacrament and to listen to the peaceful hymns.
I hope that everyone who has the opportunity to attend church can focus on the hymns and how they can bring peace to all.

My new favorite hymn is  More Holiness Give Me.   Read the words..... they are amazing.
It's a prayer that we can sing.  

Here are a couple more pictures from this past week!   I hope you all have a great week! 

Baptisms During the Dog Days of Summer!

Hey Everyone!
Happy August and also Happy Dog Days of Summer!  That is what Georgia refers to the hottest month of the year....August.   I have never heard that before, but surprisingly it has not been that hot.  I think we have been very blessed for the past couple of weeks.  The humidity, in my opinion, has been very tolerable.  haha

In my last blog post, I said that I would be posting every 2 weeks, but obviously that hasn't happened.  haha   So just expect one at least once a month and I will continue to work on that!  :)

Well, I have to say we have had an awesome week.  We have been working very hard with our investigators and a couple of them have dates set for baptism this month.   One investigator, Brother Thompson is getting baptized on Saturday!  We are very excited for him.  His wife and children are already members of the church.  He asked my companion and I to come and teach him about the gospel so he could be baptized.     We asked him during the first visit why he decided to take the lessons to be baptized and he answered "Because I want to be able to go to the temple and be sealed to my wife"  He told us it was time for a change.   We were so happy to hear that and we are very excited for him and his amazing family.   We only have a few last minute arrangements to complete for his baptismal service on Saturday.   We hope and pray everything goes well. 

Some other news from this past week.....
Sister John and Sister Jensen are serving in a neighboring town.   They had a baptism this past Saturday and we had the awesome opportunity to help out.  Sister Douglas was baptized and she is the sweetest lady ever!  It was such a blessing to participate in her baptism!  The work in Georgia is happening.   Sometimes it seems slow, but it is definitely happening.

Something else I've noticed on my mission.   My IBS symptoms are practically non-existent.  It can't be from my amazing eating habits.  haha   I don't even have to take my meds.   I am very grateful that Heavenly Father is looking out for me while serving my mission.   No matter how big or small our trial may be,  we can find help through the atonement of Jesus Christ.  

Rainbows in Georgia!

Rainbows in Georgia!

Nothing crazy has happened lately.   I still get random dogs that pee on my shoes and people who think we don't believe in Jesus Christ even though His name is on our name tag.   For me, the mission is going by so fast.  I can't believe summer will be over soon.  

I am out of time to write this week!  Hope everyone has a great week!   Remember to pay attention to the beautiful things in life!

Elder McGee

Beautiful Georgia Sky

Beautiful Georgia Sky

"Wow! It's hot!" : Have I Done Any Good? : Dogs Love Me!

Hey ya'll!  What's up?

I know it's been quite a while since I've posted, but it has been wonderful being here in Baxley, GA.  There are so many things to discuss and so many things that have happened, but let me start off by saying, "Wow!  It gets a little hot down here in the South in the middle of July!"  It's the prime time for heat and humidity!

 Last transfer we spent the entire 6 weeks on bikes.   Riding 7-9 hours a day is a little exhausting, but it is still quite the adventure!  I am so grateful for the good people of the south.  They might turn us away and tell us how wrong we are, but they will always offer us a Gatorade or a water bottle to go....sometimes even a jug of water that's so big they have to give you a bag to carry it in!  Haha

 

  We truly can't complain.  Southern hospitality is the best!

Another thing I wanted to discuss is the importance of "agreeing to disagree".   Being in the Bible belt of the south,  means we have many people who disagree with us.  We can spend hours upon hours talking about the different doctrines from one belief to the next.   Some missionaries love to prove that they are right.   Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't like losing an argument and I will try my best not to.  But I have found that trying to prove people are wrong doesn't work.  To be sound in the gospel, and going from "I believe to I know" is absolutely important.  I have realized the most important thing to do in the lessons we teach, is to bare testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ.    As a missionary our calling is to invite all to come unto Christ.  The only way to know if what we teach is true, if the Book of Mormon is true, is to pray.

One thing I am working on during my mission is being more charitable.   As it says in The Book of Mormon.......

Moroni 7:47
"47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him" 

How great is that?!  This scripture verse is one of my favorites because the pure love of Christ is infinite as is His atonement.  He suffered for each one of us.  I think anyone who is charitable and loving just naturally feels happy.

I encourage all of you ( most likely the 2 people who read this haha) to do something charitable this week.  There are thousands of ways to be charitable....big and small.   Hymn 223 says " Have I done any good?"    Its a great hymn about showing Christ-like love.

So in  other news, not too many crazy things have happened lately.  We are having a cool Branch cookout this Saturday, so that is exciting!  Also, one of our investigators is progressing towards baptism.  It is exciting to see him grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I don't know if I will still be in Baxley for his baptism, but I am very excited for him.
We also witnessed two baptisms yesterday.   A couple in a neighboring city called McRae, GA was baptized.   So the work is happening, slowly but surely it continues here in the south.

I have had a couple of dogs pee all over my shoe, which was awkward.  haha   A lot of dogs around here run up to be petted.   They get so excited when someone pets them, that they pee all over.   They can't control themselves.

The other day, I had someone ask me "What denomination are you?  Are you Japanese?"   I responded " I am a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints"  haha   That was kind of weird.  haha

I am going to try to be better about sending updates for the blog.   Hopefully every 2 weeks and hopefully what I say is actually interesting.

Remember to do something fun and remember to slow down to see all the beautiful things in life.

Elder McGee

Father's Day and Frog Legs

Hey guys!  What's up?

First of all, Happy Belated Papa's Day!  Sunday was truly a special day!  I hope everyone had a great day and had the opportunity to thank their fathers or a father figure for all they do for them.
I know I had that opportunity and I did not pass it up.

Not to boast, but I'm very grateful that I have the best dad in the world!  I'm sure I could spend several hours and tell you why, but that might get boring for some people.  Haha  I just know that if I can develop the qualities that my dad has....patience, kindness, forgiveness, humility, courage, etc. then when I have a family some day, I will be better for it.   So....Happy Papa's Day to all!

My mission has been amazing so far!  One thing I have noticed is how fast time flies by.  We are nearing the end of a transfer and I'm shocked by how fast it has gone by.  So you know what that means....I've already given a talk within 3 weeks of being in Baxley. Haha  I wasn't surprised though.

So I gave my talk on missionary moments taught from the scriptures.  I focused it around the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the story of Alma and Amulek.   I won't share it all, but I will give you something to think about.  First of all, what is the definition of a disciple?  If you don't know, I encourage you to look it up in the Bible Dictionary.  I also encourage you to think about the story of Alma and Amulek and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ changed their lives.  I think we all can relate to Alma or Amulek at some point in our lives and the mighty change of heart as they followed the Savior.

My new favorite hymn is "I Need Thee Every Hour" (Hymn 98)  I won't explain why I like that one right now, but it's probably pretty obvious.   Here are the words....

So nothing crazy has happened here in Baxley.   I've eaten some frog legs and gator tail, but that's normal stuff here in Baxley.  It just tastes like chicken.   I think the southern motto down here should be "If it has eyes, and it tastes like chicken.....eat it!"  Here's a little video of me enjoying frog legs for the first time. 

I am really enjoying Baxley.    I'm still getting used to how small this town is though.   I'm pretty sure I know all the cars around town and who they belong to.  Haha

We have some great investigators right now.   They are usually the ones who invite us over for dinner which we are VERY grateful for.   It also makes for a great time to talk about the gospel and how it can bless their lives.

We had a great Zone Conference in Tifton.   We learned so much and enjoyed the fellowship of all the missionaries in our zone.  It was also great to get to know some of the members in Tifton.

Have a great week everyone!  Stay safe and have some fun!  Ain't nobody got time for serious people!
 Here are a few more pictures from my awesome mission!

The Last 2 Weeks

Hey Ya'll!

   Our investigators, Matthew and Jessica invited us to their house for a cookout!  The sister missionaries in our district were also invited.   We had great food and friendship.  Later we went to a park and played games and relaxed a little bit.


.
  We are hoping to gain the trust and respect from the members because it is so important for missionaries to have support from them.    It makes it easier for the investigators too.  If they feel loved and welcomed by the members, they will want to come to church.    I always believed that.....now I KNOW it.  haha

We are teaching a lot of people, but only a few solid investigators.  One of our investigators is pretty young...19 or 20.  Her name is Alaysha.  She used to go to seminary with an LDS friend, so I'm like "why aren't you baptized?"  Haha    Hopefully we'll have a baptism date soon!

So our mission president gave us permission to go back to Alma for the Blueberry Festival!  It was so much fun!  We set up a booth with information about the gospel and also taught  people how to tie a tie!  I, of course enjoyed the festival food too!  

I love our district!  We have all become close friends already.  Today for P-day we are going to a small town called McRae.  I'm sure it will be a good day.

 I read this  great quote by Pres. Uchtdorf this week.

The Lord knows you.  He knows your heart and is pleased with your sacrifice.  He smiles upon you each day.  He will uphold you and prepare the way for you.  He will send His angels before you.  You will feel their presence.  And with the help of heaven, your talents will be multiplied.  
I promise you that as you lift those around you, the Lord God, the Creator of the universe, will lift you up.  If you will only believe and incline your heart to our Beloved Father, He will place within you a peace that surpasses understanding.  He will give you joy.  May each of you always remember this.  

Such great encouragement for everyone.  He will prepare the way for us to do what He asks us to do. 

Have a great week everyone!  
Love
Elder McGee

New Area and Mothers

Hey! What's up y'all!

First of all, happy belated Mother's Day to everyone!  I have 3 favorite holidays.....
1.  Christmas
2.  Halloween
3. Mother's Day or my Mother's Birthday
Why, do you ask?   I don't think there's enough time in the day or even a week to talk about all the wonderful things mothers do.
Not to boast, but I'm pretty sure I have the best mother in the entire world.  I know the many sacrifices she has made and continues to make.  She is a blessing from God.  My mom will always be my best friend.

So, some news to tell you....I transferred over the field to a small town of 4,000 called Baxley.  Long story short, my previous companion, Elder Hill had an oopsie on his bike and broke his wrist....lesson learned from that would be beware of mailboxes. Haha. So like the caring human being that I am, I told him to "rub some dirt on it and you'll be fine".

Baxley is pretty cool so far.  We are still planning to run in the Alma Blueberry Festival, which will be dope. 
 
 
 We were able to witness some baptisms, which was awesome.  It is very humbling to see younger aged kids being baptized.  I had the opportunity to confirm one of them, which was amazing.

Unfortunately, no kids pooing in the yard this week, but I did get to ride in an ambulance when Elder Hill broke his wrist.   It could have been even more fun, but he kept saying " ouch it hurts".   I just told him to "be quiet dude and enjoy the ride". Haha

As you can tell, I haven't lost my humorous side, and I never will.   Life is too short to be too serious....may as well just laugh it off.


As I mentioned before, I love the hymns....even though my voice sounds awful.
  Hymn 85  How Firm a Foundation.....focusing on my favorite stanzas 2 and 3.

2.  In ev'ry condition - in sickness, in health
In poverty's vale or abounding wealth
At home or abroad, on the land or the sea
As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand
As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be

3.  Fear not, I am with thee, and cause thee to stand
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

"For I am thy God and will still give thee aid"

Whether you are a full time missionary or not, as long as you have an eye single to the glory of God, He will cause thee to stand.  Any trials we experience, no matter how bad, it's through our faith that we can understand and be thankful for the blessings that will come from them.   Just something to think about.

So, I am really loving this tag that I wear..... even though I lose them a lot.

 Every morning when I put my name tag on, it gives me a drive to become better and better everyday.


I hope everyone reading this has a great week.  Go out and do something fun!  And remember to ALWAYS be thankful for your mother....unless you don't have one.....then be thankful for Zebra
Cakes.

Elder McGee

Here's a few pictures too!