12-26-2016 Merry Christmas!

Hello to the best people ever :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! My Christmas was so good and so much fun! Being out on my mission for Christmas brought such a special spirit; I felt like I really understood the meaning of Christmas in a completely new light. I am so grateful for the Savior and His humble birth. Hallelujah to the most High.

Everyone looked so good! I couldn't even recognize Spencer. He's like 100 ft tall! haha SPENCER THIS LINE IS FOR YOU. WRITE ME DUDE <3

We had a really good rest of Christmas. We were able to go spend it at a member's where we played with so many toys as the parents cooked dinner. haha It was so much fun! A house full of boys and nerf guns galor. haha

This week we had a Half-Christmas Breakfast with Pres. and Sister Wright. It was so much fun! Because I decided to believe in the spirit of Christmas week versus the spirit of Christmas day, I opened all my presents as they came. haha So I wore one of the dresses for the party. haha Thanks mom! The devotional was so good!

One of the Elders gave a departing testimony and I bawled the whole time. He shared a poem that really speaks to how it feels to be a missionary. The poem really touched me and I wanted to share it with you:

Highs and Lows

A mission is a strange experience. Its a trial and a test.

A mission throws at you the worst yet teaches you the best.

They told me this would be the best period of my life. But I guess they didn't explain it all too clear.

I came out looking for a bed of roses. I just wasn't expecting all the thorns I've found out here.

Since I've been out I've never been so happy. I've never been so depressed.

I've never felt so forsaken. I've never felt so blessed.

I've  never been so consumed. My mind has never been so clear.

I've never felt my Heavenly Father so distant. I've never felt Him so near.

I've never been so discouraged. I've never been so full of hope.

I feel like I can go forever. I think I've come to the end of my rope.

I've never had it so easy. I've never had it so tough

Things have never gone so smoothly. Things have never been so rough.

I've never traveled through more valleys. I've never ascended so many peaks.

I've never met so many neat people. I've never met so many freaks.

I've never had so many ups. I've never had so many downs.

I've never worn so many smiles. I've never worn so many frowns.

I've never been so lonely. I've never had so many friends.

Man, I hope this is all over with soon. Gosh, I hope it never ends.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary. It has truly changed my whole life. I will never be able to adequately express what it means to me. My mission is so sacred to me. I am so grateful for the person I have become and the person I can still become in my last 8 months as a missionary. Mallory (fav ever :) ) and Chase sent me a package and in Mal's letter she talked about how during Christmas in her mission, she felt like a Wiseman lying gifts down at the bed of Jesus, but her gift was her service. That analogy really stuck out to me and I feel that way too. I feel like that my Gift to my Savior, the way I show him that I love him and that I am grateful for all that He has done for me is by who I am and what I am. I know that sometimes it may be hard, I know that sometimes bad things happen to good people, but I know that we have a savior that has overcome all so through Him, we too can overcome all things.

I want to bear my testimony that I know my Savior lives. I know this Church is true and I know this work is a work that changes lives, for it has surely changed mine.

All my love,

Sister Thurgood

12-25-2016 - Christmas Skyping

Skyping with McKaylee according to her mom:

• I will always, always cherish the memory of McKaylee tearfully thanking us for supporting her financially on a mission. I hope I can always carry in my heart seeing and hearing her say, "it has changed my life."

• McKaylee has a new scripture case that she made while her companion was sick. It was made in the style of Elder Chase Thurgood. Maybe next Christmas Chase & McKaylee can help us make our own. 

• She also did a LOT of reading while her companion was sick - really enjoyed a book by Elder Holland.

• McKaylee has a great attitude, is very upbeat and tries to pump others up. She is doing such a great job as a missionary. Trust me, when President Wright says, "Sister Thurgood, how can I let a missionary like you go home 6 weeks early for school," I get it.

• She has created a yellow study book - kind of like her own topical guide where she puts a principle at the top and then writes scriptures that are meaningful to her underneath as well as common questions that come up regarding that principle.

• Her companion has taught her that when she's driving and is 99% sure she should go one direction, then she should turn and go the other way. It actually seems to be working for her.

• McKaylee said the Elders wanted Christmas to be fun for the missionaries so they asked each of them what was a tradition that each of them did. McKaylee told them about Bingo and so they said they would play Bingo on Christmas night.

12-19-2016 - New Comp: Sister Free

My companion's name is Sister Free. She served with me when I was in
West Sacramento. It's been fun because we knew each other already! The
work is going good here. I am really excited to Skype on Sunday. I
love you guys and miss you a lot.

We have been studying one of the names of the Savior every companion study and
it's really cool.

I love you and miss you!

Xoxo

Sister thurgood

12-12-2016: Sister Ward Goes Home

Hellooo :) 

This week was a good week, but a harder one. But hey, adversity.

Kim sent us this picture - she is the cutest. She is a recent convert.

Sister Ward goes home. Aw I am going to miss her so much. She has become my favorite person. haha Every day is a fun day.

I don't have many words today. I'm short on time, but I'll send lots of photos with small captions. 

In closing, one of the coolest miracles happened this week. 2 days before Thanksgiving we were out walking around and we had set a goal that every single person we talked to would get a BOM, a pamphlet, or a pass along card. As we were walking we saw this lady getting into her car so we walked fast to talk to her. She was in a hurry, but as I stopped her to give her a pass along card I had the strongest impression to ask her the question "how everything is going in your life?" It seemed like such an odd question because I hadn't even asked her name or anything so I brushed it off as she was in a hurry. As I turned around I felt so badly that I didn't follow the prompting and a few steps later I told Sister Ward. Amazingly, she had the same question pop into her mind. We had to get to an appointment, but afterwards we decided we would stop by and look for her car to see which house she lived at. For the past two weeks, we have tried to find her car in that area and never saw her car again. We thought that perhaps she was only there for Thanksgiving. Then the other day I couldn't shake the impression to go knock at one of the houses it could be even though you can't knock in this area. We went to the first house we thought it could be and knocked and said, "Hi, 2 weeks ago we were outside and talked to this lady and..." Before we could finish the lady said you talked to my sister. She told me about you two. She gave us her address and told us to try to stop by in the evening. WHATTTT it was so crazy! What are the odds that we knocked on the right house and that with less than a minute interaction we would be remembered. It was so cool. 

It was already pretty late so the next day we stopped by at night. We knocked and she came out and couldn't believe that we were in front of her. We finally asked her the question that had been on our mind for the past two weeks and she immediately broke down and started bawling on her doorstep. She told us that two weeks ago that day, she was feeling so alone because that day she just found out she was getting a divorce and she was feeling so alone. She said that she wants to learn more and that she sees now even more that God is aware of her. It is still so amazing to me. 

Follow the promptings of the spirit, I know this is God's work. Things like this are no coincidence. It's the power of God. 

I love my Savior. I love my Heavenly Father; I know He is aware of me.

All my love,

Sister Thurgood

I love my Savior

Guys, one of the people we visit has a straight wolf for a pet. So so so cool!

Zone photo

The only place people are is at the grocery store so...
 hahahaha

Our tree. hahaha Limited on supplies.

12-5-2016: Sister Ward = Sick; Sister Thurgood = Best Nurse Ever

Helllllllloooooooo

This week was a great week. A week with Sister Ward in Middletown Ward - what could be better? 

Some of my scripture cases.

On Monday, Sister Ward got sick and whatever was in her took her DOWN and she was out for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Out of those 3 days, she was awake for 8 hours of them. My poor companion. She was so sick. So when Sister Ward is sick, Sister Thurgood becomes the nurse. hahaha So what I'm trying to say is those 8 hours that Sister Ward was awake was probably the best care she has ever received. haha

Guys being inside for 3 whole days makes you go crazyyy. There is only so much you can do and only so much you can read. haha I started making scripture cases from cereal boxes and decorating them with pictures from left over magazines in the apartment. haha They actually turned out pretty cute. I felt like Buddy the Elf when he is decorating the store and he goes so hard so fast. haha

On Friday, We went down to Santa Rosa because I had a Mission Leader Conference. It was such an amazing meeting. The spirit was so strong. I love to hear President and Sister Wright teach. At the meeting, the departing missionaries gave their goodbye testimony. Its so moving to hear tough dudes cry because they are so grateful for the Savior and for what the mission has done for them. I to can attest to a heart full of gratitude for my mission and what it has done for me. It has changed my life.

Just chillin' in the office with the
one and only Elder Achal.

This next week is my companion's last week in the mission. How does 21 days go by so fast, I swear she just got here. Sister Ward is the best ever. She is so much fun and all we do is laugh. She is LOUD and has so much energy. hahha She is a crack up.

When Sister Ward got here we set a lot of goals to reach before the transfer was up. We were wondering how we were going to accomplish them as we weren't able to go out and work for most of this week. Regardless, we worked hard on Saturday and Sunday and SAW MIRACLES. God has blessed us. 

We found two new investigators and taught quite a bit of lessons. It was so awesome. 

We were up on Cobb and we visited this part member lady. We finally were able to find her house and when we pulled up she was SO excited to see us. She ran out to hug us. She is a young mom of 6 kids in a really ROUGH home situation and really rough living arrangements. I don't know why, but me and Sister Ward felt the purest spirit coming from her. She is truly so sweet. On the day of the fire, a year or so ago, she was down in Santa Rosa with one of her kids while the other kids were at home when she got a call that she needed to evacuate. She was an hour away and 5 of her kids were home, the oldest one being 14. She called home and over the phone told her daughter that she needed her to get all the kids, pile them up in the car and that she needed to drive the car out of the fire. She said that by then smoke was everywhere and the fire was really close. Over the phone she explained how to drive a vehicle to her 14 year old, who had never driven a car before. What was even more heart wrenching was that as she was on the phone with her kids to explain where to go and how to drive, the call was dropped because the phone lines were on fire and there was absolutely no service. I can't even imagine how she felt as she dialed her kids again and again and how worried she was until they were finally reunited, hours later.  

A member from my last area sent me
my own stocking. I love nice people.

This lady has been through so much and I was touched so much by her special spirit. She is the sweetest ever. We had an awesome lesson with her and she kept on hugging us. What a blessing it is to be a representative of Jesus Christ and that I get to be an instrument in His hands to let them know that regardless of their situation, they are loved and they are remembered. 

I know that He Lives. I know that He knows us, He is aware of us and that although at times we may feel that we are abandoned, HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US. 

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary. 

Godspeed always

Sister McKaylee Thurgood 

11-28-2016: Sister Hurd Goes Home - New Companion Sister Ward

Hello hello hello hello

Everybody loves Thanksgiving. Too much to be grateful for. Amen amen

My new companion, Sister Ward, is like my long lost best friend. haha She is so funny, guys. All we do is laugh and laugh. Wow I love her. Last night, we were talking and it feels like we have been companions for months, but it's only been 6 days. Sister Ward is finishing her mission in 3 weeks and will be going home at the end of this transfer. Ahhhhhh why? I am already so sad that she will be leaving me. We click so well. We have set some really awesome goals for the next 3 weeks. I am excited to go hard. So a little about Sister Ward so you guys can love her just as much as I do. She is a crazy good volleyball player; she sets and is way good.   She is a cowgirl and trains horses. She is the real deal. She is the funniest person. haha She is from the smallest town ever in Arizona. It has like 0 people. Just kidding, she told me that there are actually 374 people. It's an hour from New Mexico and an hour from Mexico, so she's way southern. 

We were doing work up in Cobb and there are lots of really steep roads up on the mountain. It was probably so funny to watch Sister Ward and me get up there in our little Toyota Corolla. We were sliding down and talk about slight panic. haha

This week, we were invited to come over to the Bishop's home for Thanksgiving. It was really fun. They had all their kids home from school and it was a good time. One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving at their house is that on top of all the usual Thanksgiving dishes they have mac n cheese too. Everybody knows how I feel about mac n cheese so wow that was just all sorts of blessings. haha 

One of the coolest things happened this week. The bishop's son came home and baptized his girlfriend. It was so tender. I was crying, but are we surprised? They are in their first year at school and she has been up at Washington State and found the missionaries and took the discussions and decided to be baptized. She decided that she would wait until Thanksgiving to be baptized so that Jake could baptize her. It was so awesome. It was the bishop's family, her family, and us at the baptism. The spirit was so strong. She was so excited. Tears couldn't stop streaming down her face. She was so happy. It made me remember why I do what I do, for moments like this. The gospel really is light. The church is true. 

Distance and time has definitely made me more grateful than I ever have been for those I love. I am grateful for the support and love I feel daily. I was doing a lot of thinking this week about gratitude. I truly am so blessed to be out here serving a mission and to represent the Lord. At times, its not always easy, but it's always worth it. Everyday I feel His unfailing love. I know this church is true. I am grateful for patient parents who have done so much for me. I love and miss you guys so much. 

But most of all I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. For the ability I have had to start fresh and to serve Him. I know He lives. I know that because of Him all things are possible.

All my love,

Sister McKaylee Thurgood 

P.s. Can you believe its already almost 10 months? Crazy or what

11-21-2016: New Companion Coming and Jon's Baptism

Hello hello to all my favorite people :)

I miss you and I love you and you guys are just the best. Mi corazon mi corazon

This week was a jammed pack week. LOTS of things happened this week. I'll give you the most important details haha 

This week unfortunately my companion decided that she wanted to go home for sure. I was really sad when she told me. She leaves tomorrow morning and will fly back home. I really thought that she was going to stick it out. I don't think it's totally sunk in that she is leaving. This past week has been so fun and we have worked really hard and seen a lot of miracles. I was so surprised that it still wasn't enough to convince her to stay. She just doesn't really like being a missionary and can't see herself doing this for another 16 1/2 months. I'm grateful for the time that we got to be companions. We have had a ton of fun and it has been a jammed pack 3 weeks! I sure am going to miss her. She is just the bees knees. 

As all of this has been happening, its made me realize just how much I love the mission and how much I don't want to go home. As she was talking about going home, it made me sick to think that one day I would have to go home, too. I remember reading Chase's emails when he said something to the effect of this and I thought "I'll never feel like that, no way" haha lol My day has come.

My new companions will be Sister Ward. I dont know a ton about her but I've met her a few times, she's loud and funny so we will get along great. I'm excited for her to come see Middletown!

We were able to have a lot of first lessons this week with new people which is awesome! We even found a few new investigators so hopefully we will be able to see them this next week to teach them! One of the people we met is Alan. A few years ago, he was in a HORRIBLE motorcycle accident that has left him partially paralyzed. We had an awesome lesson with him on how the knowledge of the gospel can give him peace. He was so HAPPY when we gave him a Book of Mormon. His face was priceless. 

The more I think about what we as missionaries do, the more cool it becomes to me. It's funny how many strangers' homes we sit in and how many people we barely meet tell us their whole life story. Before my mission, I would have been so afraid to go in a stranger's home because I've always been a little on the frightened side, but now I pray that they will let me in their homes. haha

This week this hispanic lady thought it was horrible that I'm not good at cooking and taught me how to make real Mexican enchiladas. That's right people, I'm good now. Well, making this one type of enchiladas.

Also funny story-- so I don't know how but somehow in Sunday School we got talking about push ups and Sister Hurd brought up how I do push ups every night and will touch my nose to a Book of Mormon I put on the floor. So this morning, Jon texts us and goes "Sister Thurgood, I hope you did your BOM pushups." hahaha Thanks for making sure I stay strong, Jon. haha

And of course the BEST FOR LAST:

The best thing that happened this week was that Jon got baptized on Saturday morning! It was the best day ever, guys! I was so excited. We got up early to set up and I felt like a child waiting for all my friends to show up. haha Jon was so excited and so nervous. There was a moment of panic when the baptismal outfit we got for him DIDNT FIT. I was like uhh stay calm, but luckily we searched the church and found a bigger one and all was well! Tender mercy for sure. 

Jon's baptism was so awesome. It was such an awesome day! The spirit was so strong. It was almost tangible like you could grab it. I don't know if I have ever felt it so strong. As I watched him be baptized, I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear as tears streamed down my face. I was truly so happy for Jon and for his family. What was also tender was to look at his wife's face after the baptism; she was glowing. The gospel is true. I feel so grateful to be an instrument in the Lord's hand, that He allowed me to be part of Jon's journey back home. I felt the purest kind of joy and peace while sitting at his baptism.

I'm on a mission for moments like this, where I get to watch those I love, those I prayed for, those I've fasted for, enter the waters of baptism.

I am so grateful for all the people in my life that were monumental in getting me on a mission and especially to my Savior for sending me on a mission. 

There is truly no greater joy than to watch someone enter into the waters of baptism.  Alma states in the Book of Mormon that their hearts were full of "incomprehensible joy" during their service as a missionary. I too can testify to the feelings Alma experienced. I am so happy for Jon and his decision to be baptized. 

I know this church is true. This is Christ's church. This is His work. As we follow His example, we will truly come to know that we are all children of a loving God who wants us to return home.

Hurray for Israel.

All my love,

Sister McKaylee T

11-14-2016: Jon's Getting Baptized and MICE!

Hello hello hello 

How is everyone doing? I hope everyone is doing well. I miss you and love you all so much. This week has been crazy, but oh so good. I love the mission. Being a missionary is truly a blessing. 

So let's just start with the most important stuff, Jon is getting baptized on Saturday. Wow am I excited or what? I think I may be more excited then he is. Dead serious. I can't even wait. Jon is the best. We always send him scripture texts in the morning and one of the mornings we woke up to a scripture. Heyyy  now that's what I'm talking about, guys. Nothing better than Jon. We were texting him last Monday and he told us that "he tried keeping the sabbath day holy and had the best day ever." Wow, he's just the best! He is so elect. He accepts the gospel so fast. He believes and knows this church is true. I love teaching him. I am way excited for his baptism. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have taught Jon from the beginning to now. I can physically tell how the gospel has changed his life. He is so much happier and you can see a light in him that wasn't always there before. Its no lie that the gospel can change and improve our lives.

As everyone knows, I am pretty deathly afraid of mice. Well, the worst thing happened to me this week.  We were helping this lady with her yard and we were stacking wood for her. I went to grab this piece of wood and all of these mice came running out. Wow, talk about when your life flashes before your eyes. I have never run so fast in my life. I ran a good 50 yards away and I was like yeah guys, I'm sorry I don't do mice. hahaha Sister Hurd was bent over laughing so hard. It's funny now, but oh it wasn't funny then. What gets even crazier is that under that piece of wood were all of these baby mice. I didn't actually see them, but a mouse is a mouse no matter how small. Sister Hurd told me that their eyes were still closed. The lady had Sister Hurd grab a bucket and then she put all the baby mice in the bucket. Then the lady tells Sister Hurd to throw the bucket of mice over the fence. I was like what is even happening. You dont argue with this lady so I watched from 50 feet away as Sister Hurd threw the bucket of mice over the fence. hahahhahaha It was so funny. As I'm sitting here, it still makes me giggle. haha

One of the reasons this week was so crazy is that my companion wants to go home. I tried to tell her that the mission gets better but she is having a hard time. She called President and asked to go home. I felt so sad that she wanted to go home. I love her a lot and I have seen how although the mission is the hardest thing ever, it is the best thing ever. Sister Hurd spent a good portion of time on the phone with her stake president from home and the mission president. I was just praying that they would some how convince her to stay. We ended up driving down one morning so Sister Hurd could meet with President. I had promised her the night before that if she stayed 4 weeks more, that she would learn to love the mission. It was a really spiritual and emotional conversation, but she said she would think about it. After the interview, she said that she was going home still and that President was talking to Salt Lake. I don't know why it was so hard for me, but I just felt so so so sad. I was holding in tears as we were driving back to our area. The mission has been the greatest blessing in my life and I felt so sad that she wanted to leave it. I decided that although I couldn't change her mind the only thing I could do would be to keep on trying to work so that maybe she could feel the spirit of missionary work. 

On Sunday we were out walking around and we had the most amazing street lesson. We were walking around on foot trying to find this less actives house, but LOL I get so lost and I had us horribly lost. I felt bad that I had gotten us lost, but decided that we would start walking towards dinner. As we were walking in this area I had not originally planned to be in, there were these two burley biker guys talking. We went up to them and we found out that their brother passed away 2 days ago and they were really struggling. We shared a scripture with them and then Sister Hurd gave them a Book of Mormon and asked if she could pray with them and for them. I WAS SO PROUD OF HER. It was such an awesome lesson. As we were walking away, Sister Hurd said, "I felt something different. I cant stop smiling. I feel like they need me."

I was like yes THEY NEED YOU. Later that night, the guy texted our number and asked us all these questions about God's plan. It was so awesome. God makes sure we are in the right place at the right time as long as we start moving. (See dad, I am supposed to be bad at directions for a reason)

Then last night, Sister Hurd got an email from practically a stranger who knows her friend's sister's friend or something like that. The email said that she had just gotten back from her mission and that it was the hardest thing ever and she wanted to go home so bad, but she is so glad she stuck with it.

It was so cool. Its amazing to me that God used a virtual stranger to show that he truly knows Sister Hurd and that he is aware of her and her situations. 

I promise you that God is aware of you and your situations. He loves you. He knows you and He will never leave you.

At times the mission and life will be hard, but it's worth it and as we rely on our Savior, we will be alright. Trust in God. He is a God of one.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be on a mission. The atonement has changed my life. I can't express my gratitude enough for it and for the many blessings I have felt because of it. 

Hurray for Israel.

Godspeed

All my love

Sister McKaylee Thurgood 

11-7-2016: 9 MONTHS and new comp Sister Hurd

 

 Hello hello hello hola hola hola

Life is good. Life is always good.

Guys, I am over 1/2 way done now. AHHHHH how has time gone by so fast.
I can't even believe how fast it's gone. So this is the time everybody
to start planning all my welcome home parties. hahahaha Just kidding.

I can't remember everything that happened this week. So
let's see how this goes.

We had transfers on Tuesday so we drove down to Santa Rosa. It was
nice and I got to see my BEST FRIEND SISTER MORRISON. 6 weeks was a
long time. I was grabbing my luggage from the car and she came up
behind me and gave me the biggest hug ever. She was so excited that
she started crying because she was so happy. Isn't she just the cutest
and the best. Wow guys, one day you will meet Sister Morrison and see
why she's the best.

We had dinner at President Wright's and got to get our new companions.
I love President and Sister Wright so much. And just wow, I love them.

This week I got my new companion, SIster Hurd. She is from Mantua,
Utah. It's a really small town. She is awesome. She loves to hunt, but is
still a girly girl. haha She's funny. She was actually supposed to go
to Argentina but due to some things 2 Wednesdays ago, her mission
call was reassigned to California. She is really nice, but poor girl
is way way way homesick. I feel way bad. Lots of hugs and you can do
it talks; she is doing a lot better now.

We have a date and time for Jon's baptism. 10 am on the 19th so that's
way awesome. We went to our lesson with him, and we had invited him to
read a chapter from the Book of Mormon and when we got back he had

read 12. AHHH don't you just love Jon. Wow, I love Jon. We sticky noted
their house as we were driving home one night to go back to our
apartment and it was so cute because when we went to their house later
in the day, they had all the sticky notes up on the front wall and
they said they aren't going to take them down. Wow, I know guys, they
are the best. Too good to believe.

Cool fact I forgot to mention last time, Mallory (cutest ever) gave me
this journal before I left for my mission, and 2 weeks ago I finally
finished it. I was so excited. It is my pride and joy. I thought it
was going to last me 'til I was at least 30 when she gave it to me, but
psych - I had to go out and buy a new journa.l haha

We have a had a good week, we have worked hard and talked to lots and
lots of people. We said holding hands prayers in the middle of the
street, We used strangers' bathrooms, and had just the best time
teaching about the gospel.

That's what I've realized since being on my mission: that no matter
what I do, whether it's the worst day or the best day, I am happy
because I am doing God's work. Coulson's email had a phrase that
nailed it right on the head. It said something to the idea that God
can do a lot with an 18 year old with a smile. Amen, Coulson. Amen.

The gospel is light. It's truth and the more I have been on my
mission, the more grateful I am for the atonement of Jesus Christ. How
grateful am I, that God can take someone like me and through his love,
mold me and change me to be an instrument in His hands. Words can't
adequately express how I feel about the Savior. He is my King.

I am so grateful that through His grace and love, I have had this
opportunity to be on a mission.

I miss you and I love you all so much.

All my love,

Sister McKaylee Thurgood

I'll send some pictures soon haha