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!

Where there's a Hill, there's a mailbox

Hello everyone!

It's been quite an eventful week.  It was mostly good, except Elder Hill hit a mailbox while on his bike 🚴🏻 and broke his wrist in two places.    Got to ride in an ambulance, which was weird and cool at the same time.   Elder Hill has to have surgery on Thursday so definitely pray for him and the doctor. The doctors name is Dr. Anil Menedal.   We are with the Baxley Elders for now and that's been cool.  We keep making jokes to keep Elder Hill laughing, otherwise he's a sad sack of potatoes.....which makes sense...I mean I wouldn't want to have surgery.  Our favorite joke is "Where there's a Hill, there's a mailbox". Haha   Anyway, I believe where's there's laughter, there is love.  ❤️

My testimony of pray has definitely been strengthened throughout this week and we have had so much support from the branch members.   We are very grateful.

Sorry this is so short!   We didn't have much time for writing this week!
Have a great week and remember Elder Hill in your prayers.

Love
Elder McGee

Meaningful Prayer and Unusual Bathroom Habits

Hi Ya'll!!

 I'm just starting Week 5 here in Alma, Georgia!!

 The last couple of weeks have been pretty chill, meaning everything here moves at a slower pace....definitely a more relaxed way of life. lol
 It's exciting though, as we have had great progression with our investigators. It's awesome to see the desire they have to know of the truth. One thing I have been thinking about our investigators is the goal of getting them to come to church. It's obviously one of the most important steps toward baptism. But, missionary work cannot be successful without the help of the members. Whether you're in a branch of 25 or a ward of 200+, you should always have the desire to befriend new converts and investigators, because they should always feel welcomed and loved.

 I have already given a talk in our branch. Surprised?.... yeah neither was I. haha I gave my talk on "The Importance of Meaningful Prayer and How it Strengthens our Faith" Don't worry, I'm not going to share the whole talk, but here are a few important points to think about.......

 1. Are your prayers meaningful?
 2. Do your prayers line up with Heavenly Father's will?
 3. Do you pray with the desire that the Holy Ghost might direct you in your prayers?

 Of course, there are many things we can focus on about prayer, but we should also never forget those primary answers.  As President Gordon B Hinckley once said, "We often pray like we are ordering groceries or pizza. We say what we want and then hang up the phone." I don't remember what talk that was from, but I thought it was funny and it stuck with me. Up until a few years ago, I had never been a firm believer in prayer..... I always thought that if I were to actually pray sincerely that it meant I was weak. If I needed to get through a trial, I would just push on and endure. I decided I needed to get  my patriarchal blessing. It states very boldly that I should always pray with a sincere heart.  That helped me think differently about prayer.

Anyway, I'm loving Alma. It's definitely nothing like....well anywhere, that I have ever been.  It's very calm and relaxed here ....well except for the occasional drug trafficking..  haha

Here's a memorable story for you.........
As we were outside teaching a lady about the restoration, her child was pooping like 4 feet away from us in the yard.....like full on pants down....so yeah that was weird. 

Anyway, I hope ya'll  have a great week!
Next time, I will talk about blueberries!!

Here are a few pictures....unfortunately I was unable and unwilling to get a picture of the kid pooping in the yard.  haha
Enjoy!
Have a blessed week!
Elder McGee

District Meeting, Feeding Snakes and Smashing Cars!

Hey Everyone!


Another great week in Alma Georgia!

District meeting was awesome!   Pres. and Sister Grayson are the best. 

We've met some really cool people here in Alma, Georgia.  

We  got to smash cars last P day.   That was pretty fun!   Nothing like " Be baptized by someone holding the proper bat of God" 

We also watched snakes eat dead mice.   I will soon get a video of me finding a snake and playing with it.   Dad will love that!  Haha

Thanks for the cards, letters and packages!  It's like Christmas when we get mail! 

Everything is going well here!   Have a great week! 

Sorry so short.....pictures and videos took all my time!  

Love

Elder McGee

Safety First!

Patriotism

Gorgeous Georgia Sky

Reflections

More reflections

Bacon County Theater

Got to beat up on junk cars

Week 2 and Happy Easter!

What's up guys!! 

I'm starting the third week in the mission field! 

Everything is going well, and I am loving the mission.

Great things are happening here in Alma, Georgia! 

I am in one of the smallest areas, in terms of members.   It's a branch and on a good day, we will have 20-25 people at church on Sunday.   That's about to change.

The Saturday before Easter,  we had probably close to 100 people at our branch cookout.  Friends,  family, nonmembers, and members all had a good time conversing, and enjoying the food. 

Our  Branch Presidency is awesome.   President Peterson, Bro Roberson, Bro Toras are really making a difference.  They are excited to see the branch grow, and together we work really hard towards achieving that goal.

All the members of the branch are very welcoming, as is EVERYONE  in Alma.

This is an area where people smile and wave at you, and ask how you're doing.... a couple times I was like... what?   But, I'm  getting used to it. haha.

We  have some awesome investigators.   One couple, who is golden, already wants to be baptized, which is amazing!.

It's awesome,  as a missionary,  to see your investigators grow... even within a few visits

So the food down here is awesome...... good southern cooking!

I had collared greens for the first time.... wasn't bad haha

 We are mostly a biking area, even though we share a car.

I  haven't ridden a bike since I was like 12, so it was a bit of a change.  Since I'm  fat and lazy,  I go like 2 miles per hour on the bike lol  But, I'm getting used to it... not really.  haha

I really miss long boarding though.

I'll definitely start sharing more videos and pictures soon.  Technical difficulties.  haha

But, for now do something fun,  do something different,... preferably legal though.

 Live life well, and don't be to serious.  

ALWAYS  remember the importance of Easter and the true meaning of it. 

Remember the sacrifice Jesus Christ made, even when all abandoned him. 

Even though Easter has past, I encourage everyone to watch the  #Prince of Peace video. It's amazing!  

https://www.mormon.org/bc/content/assets/media/campaigns/easter-2017/download/Easter-teaser.mp4

Have a great week guys !! 

Elder McGee

Week 1 - Alma, Georgia

Hello!

I am doing great!  My first week here in Alma was good.  Learned about some of the investigators and in-actives.  Learned that I actually need to buy food for myself or I'll starve.  haha

Anyway, the people here in Georgia are really nice.   It's a different way of life.  Strangers wave at you, smile and say how are you?  If I did that in Ohio, people would look at me like I was crazy.  :)  Bro Peterson had us over for dinner on Thursday.   We had some good southern food. 

Alma is a branch.  I am learning of the many challenges of living in a branch.  Ward council consisted of the presidency and us.  Very small.

So yes,  Elder Hill and I live in a double-wide trailer.  I will definitely be sending pictures of that soon.  :)   The weather here can be crazy.  We were directed by the mission president to stay indoors on Wednesday because of the bad storms.   We ended up hanging out in the church building because tornadoes and trailers don't go together very well.  haha

If you have a chance, watch the Easter video Prince of Peace for Easter.  Have a good week!

Elder McGee






                                                    Me and my companion, Elder Hill

Happy Birthday and MTC Life!!!

What's up everyone!!!

 I only have a few more days in the MTC, and then I'm headed to Macon, Georgia! How crazy is that?! 

Anyway,   MTC life is pretty good, they have wonderful teachers, and amazing devotionals.. and man does the time awkwardly fly by, if that makes sense. 

So you definitely learn a lot, if you're open and willing, which is like from 6:30am-10pm.

Occasionally you'll get really tired during the day. But I see no harm in sleeping away "daily planning session" .....I guarantee you will feel more awake and energized!!

So I have met some pretty cool missionaries, and no I'm not talking about myself haha but there are so many awesome Missionaries here to learn and teach with. 

There is just something about hearing the testimonies of over 30 missionaries in one room that makes you feel excited  and blessed. 

So I have never really been a hymn singing guy, partially because my voice sounds like a dying ostrich, well that's really the only reason.  But I do love hearing hymns.  I never really had a favorite hymn,  until being in the MTC ... so here it is

Hark, All Ye Nations!

Hark, all ye nations!  Hear heaven's voice

Thru every land that all may rejoice!

Angels of glory shout the refrain

Truth is restored again!

Oh how glorious from the throne above

Shines the gospel light of truth and love 

Bright as the sun, this heavenly ray

Lights every land today

Searching in darkness, nations have wept

Watching for dawn, their vigil they've kept

All not rejoice, the long nigh is o'er

Truth is on earth once more!

Oh how glorious from the throne above

Shines the gospel light of truth and love 

Bright as the sun, this heavenly ray

Lights every land today

Chosen by God to serve him below

To every land and people we'll go

Standing for truth with fervent accord

Teaching His holy word

Oh how glorious from the throne above

Shines the gospel light of truth and love 

Bright as the sun, this heavenly ray

Lights every land today

 Every time I hear this song, I am beside myself, not because it applies to me as a missionary but because of the  "gospel light of truth and love".    It  gives me a sense of peace, and hope.  How humbling is that?  The chorus is my favorite part. 

Anyways since it is my B-Day I need everyone to celebrate it!!! 

How do you do that?   

By being relaxed, chilling out, live a little, do something crazy because what's reward without a little risk? .... put yourself out there, and you will have a great day!