CRAZY HARD WEEK!

¿Porque la cucaracha no puede caminar?

Porque le falta una pata!!!!!! 

Sorry for the lame or funny joke. That was one of the things we said this week en la calle para keep up our animo. I dont know why, but this week was especially hard for me. One day the enfermera just told me to go rest in the house and work later in the day. I am completely fine now, but it was super annoying to have to stop working to take care of my body. And now I have some amazing sisterly missionary advice for you Derek!!

Derek: You are the bomb!! First off you need to know that. Second, I love you!! Okay, now third, THE MISSION IS THE HARDEST THING YOU WILL EVER GO THROUGH!! I have to say that because some people come out into the mission field without that knowledge, and end up going home because they feel they can´t handle it. I need you to know that, so you come into this knowing full well that you will be tried in ALL aspects of your life. But, there is a fourth; YOU CAN DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND JESUS CHRIST. :) Because He really is your best friend. Derek, I know you have a testimony, and I look up to you SO much for your desire to serve a mission and work hard for our Savior. I just want you to succeed in your desires and go into the mission knowing full well that Satan is out there to get you. I have a committment for you ;) Read 1 Nephi 17 and especially focus on your desire to serve. I promise you that the mission is the BEST THING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD, because it teaches us how to be disciples of Christ for our entire lives, just know that He also needs you to be strong, and that sometimes means taking you to your breaking point. So read that chapter, and I will verify if you read it next week ;) Because that is what we missionaries do, we invite, you committ, and we follow up ;) Love you tons!! And laugh at the part in verse 52 where his brothers wont go near him ;) It made me laugh!

Okay, now for this week. I got to do divisions with another Hermana named Hna. Dana!! She is a taller than me Argentiniana who is leaving to go home this week! She is basically awesome.com and I learned tons from her about having faith in the Savior in all aspects of the work, and where the line is between working hard ourselves and leaning on the Savior to tell us where to go. We worked with one of her ward missionaries, and I am not kidding, we had tons of miracles from that sweet 60 year old lady!! She walked with us for like 4 hours and we had tons of amazing things happen!! We were contacted (like someone came up to us) and she wanted to hear our message! That like NEVER happens. She was so sweet and I just wanted to hug her! Also, we entered into a house of someone whose family is menos activo, and her daughter´s pololo (boyfriend) was a hard set Catholic!! It was so cool to hear what his ideas were and I got to testify about Jesus Christ!! (Who is my favorite) When I testified of our Savior, I got goosebumps, and the guy smiled when I said He was my best friend ;) 

Anyway, I have now run out of time, but I love you all! And hope you know that: He ALWAYS gives us things we cant handle.... alone ;)

Love,

Hna. McCubbins

Hermana Dana and Hermana McCubbins: She found someone who is taller than her!!

She loves to stick out her tongue!!

It's Christmas, AGAIN!!!

Mi Querido Familia,

I GOT YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT!! I felt like is was Navidad all over again and absolutely LOVED hearing all of your guyseseses (how do you say that again?) voices. Brynn and Emmi and Jenna were SO cute. Coachie almost made me cry cuz his soothing voice is definitely missed in my ears. I feel like that was a weird thing to say, but oh well. Grandpa y grandma made me laugh tons. I might just listen to that over and over because of his accent. Robin and Nate sound like newly weds..... which is good!! ;) Kind of grossed us out, cuz we are missionaries and we dont think of boys like that, but it is amazing!! I am so glad that Robin is super happy. DAD I UNDERSTOOD ALL OF YOUR WORDS!! That was SO cool. Feel free to write en cualquier manera que quiere. Les amo!! I also loved all the little things in the packet. The big stickers that you didnt know are for my daily planner, which is SO cute!! I will start using them next change cuz I already decorated my planner for this change. I also LOVE the BYU socks!! They are SO soft! I might never wash them cuz I dont want the hard water to ruin their amazing softness. Thank you thank you thank you!! The best is to hear about how you guys are doing and progressing in your lives. Here I see so many sad things in families and trials that people go through. I know that those are necessary and that your guysessesese lives arent perfectly easy, but I have the faith that as long as you guys are still praying, reading the scriptures and attending church, you will all be amazingly fine. :)

I laughed so hard when I read that Derek wants to cut me off since I cut off my hair. I promise you guys I wont cut it again. But it is a TON easier and cooler to manage now.

Okay, so some things to tell you. We had someone die this week. Her name was Alisia and she was like 85 years old and in a bad family situation, so we are both super sad, and relieved at the same time. I dont know if this is bad, but when we were visiting her, I had a feeling that I almost WANTED her to die because it would be so much better for her in heaven than here. (Did I accidentaly kill someone with my thoughts??) :( 

But overall we are happy to know that she is safe now and in the arms of Heavenly Father, resting and learning more of the gospel :)

So funnies ahora, I have two admirers. I feel like I might have more, but there are two that stand out. One is a man that has a mental problem and has now given me a red rose and a llama toy.... I gave the rose to one of the conversos de los elderes y tengo el llama... The other man keeps talking to me and now one of the elders in our barrio has to talk to him. Why do I have to have this face!!! :`(

Ana came to church this week!!! She is our investigadora que su hijo killed himself. She said she felt peaceful and smiled tons in all the classes. We have a cita with her this week, so hopefully she still likes us by then.

This week I have learned a LOT about being agents. Elder Bednar is probably my favorite. Out here in the mission field, you really dont have anyone but you and the Lord. Once I realized that, I felt like this work all changed!! I feel like a real missionary now! I know where people live and really plan the lessons for them. Not that I didnt do that before, but now I am taking charge (mostly cuz Hna. Hellbusch is pushing me) and really trusting in the Lord to guide us to where we need to go.

I CANT WAIT TILL I CAN GO WORK AGAIN!! We are on pday now...

Love you guys!!

Hna. mcCubbins

Humongous Banana!

Hermana Hellbusch with her very belated Christmas stocking from the McCubbins.

The contents of Hermana Jessica's "Christmas" stocking.

If you put Christian stickers on the package it gets there better........it only took seven weeks.

From the Surface Del Sol!

So this week...... It has been a roller coaster ride ,) We have changes this Tuesday, however, en mi casa, we had special changes a week ago, en Martes. Hna. Mendez went to Curico, and her old companion Hna. Rodriguez came here. We get to be in a trio for 6 more weeks ;) Even more, Hna. Hellbusch es una coordinadora ahora, so she has a lot more meetings and divisions with other missionaries. That means I get to lead the sector when she is gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! D: I have to memorize where everyone lives, use the phone, and various other things while she is gone. All Hna. Rodriguez can do is speak the language, but I have to help her with everything else D: Its okay though, I know we can do it! 

So this year there a lot of changes. The key indicators got changed! We dont count contacts anymore, only new investigators. Also, any lesson counts, not just ones with investigators. This has put a new focus on teaching less actives and recent converts. This is super awesome because the church really does need strengthening here and we would rather have missionaries teach 3 lessons a day with menos activos that are progressing, than proselyte for 6 hours and find 1 new person out of 100 contacts. We are really focusing on the barrios and working with members, and I love it!!! We probs wont have any baptisms for a while, but we will have MANY reactivations! We had one this week with Benita, because along with lessons, we can give assignments to menos activos, which means if they complete them and have an interview with the bishop they can be reactivated!! Whoooohoooo!!

We also found 2 nuevos this week.

Marta is super old and Catolica. But she was super nice and let us sing her a song right off the bat. However, EVERYTIME I tried to talk to her, she pretended to not understand.... Hna. Hellbusch says that happens a lot with Gringos... Voy a mejorar mi accento...

For some reason I cant remember our other new inv... Sorry :(

OH!! Juanita ;) But she isnt an inv. She is menos activo and super cute. She actually came to church herself and wanted us to start meeting with her so she can get to the temple!! The only thing is she has questions and doubts about the Millenium, and we arent exactly allowed to study deep doctrine, like how she is wanting to know. We will see what happens though...

We have been working a lot with our MAs Karina y Diego. They are a couple living together that have a date for matrimonio and a bebe on the way se llama Juaquin!! Before we were struggling with Diego a little bit because he once said he doesnt want to be married. However, we challenged them to start having oraciones con each other y reading el LdM (which is the bomb!!) and seriously, it is NIGHT AND DAY!! Yesterday when we went to visit them, they were like a new couple! Super cute, laughing, holding hands, everything! It was awesome! Diego even shared his vision of eternal life (like what it will be like) and he said he imagined holding hands with Karina and having like 10 kids running around them in a green grass field. It was SO cute!! And we are so proud of him!! Enserio, the book of Mormon is the most powerful thing EVER!! I think it was Elder Bednar that said if you seriously study it every day, you will never fall off the path.

One more story. We met the sweetest 85 year old lady the other day. She is named Maxi and right off the bat she told us she was catolica and didnt want another religion, but then when she saw that we were just 3 sweet 20 year old girls, she proceeded to tell us that we should not drop our panties for just any guy...... enserio, that is what she said. The only word I have for her is Spunky ;) She invited us back anytime and I really want to just go talk to her cuz she is SO funny! I want to be like that when I have 85 years.

Hey! If you want, could you send some pictures of our ancestors, like great grandparents, and aunts and uncles that are great too, and any stories you guys know? My next story will tell you why I want them.

So this morning I was studying 1 Nefi 15. It struck me how faithful Nephi was, and how centered he was on the Savior. So I decided to also study in PMG about Faith in Christ (which btw EVERYONE in the church should have a PMG, because we should all strive to be member missionaries). Nothing really was out of the ordinary, until I got on my knees and started praying. I started to thank Heavenly Father for the example Nephi set for us in his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Then my thoughts turned to yesterday when I kind of had a break down because I felt I didn´t have a lot of confidence in myself. I had an overwhelming feeling that Nephi must have had confidence issues too. After all he was always having to battle the doubts of his brothers. I am not kidding when I say this: I felt like Nefi was right there with me, along with all of heaven, including my family up there, and Nefi especially was thanking me for trying to follow his example. The feeling was overwhelming and the tears started to flow. All I could do was tell Heavenly Father that I didn´t know if I had faith like Nephi, but I am here in Chile because He called me to come, and I wanted to become as faithful as Nephi was. It was so extraordinary, I really mean it. I have never experienced that, where me and an ancient prophet have connected across the veil. My dear family, the people in the scriptures were real and they are watching over us even now. They had the same trialsl, or similar ones, as we have. But Nephi knew what to do. He ALWAYS turned to the Savior, Jesus Christ in the face of doubt, and trial. But along with Nephi, I also felt my family that is up there watching over me. I felt them all rooting for me and cheering me on through this tough missionary life. I know I am supposed to be here, if anything I hope I came in Faith because of my Savior, Jesus Christ. He is my Savior, and I could NOT do this without HIM. Please please PLEASE!!! Learn more about the great Redeemer. He loves you SO much and He just on the other side of that door knocking, waiting for you to open it wide and seek Him out!! I don´t know if I can shout through email or not but here you go: HE LOVES YOU!!! And that is all that really matters :)

Thank you for all of the stories of your guys´ lives!! I LOVED hearing about Derek and Scotty and Lindsey and Kate.

Derek, YOU CAN CONQUER THE MONSTER CALLED CALCULUS AND AP ENGLISH!! If anything, say to yourself that you are stronger than the subject and just kick it in the butt. Here, I am making you a missionary promise: If you read one chapter from the Book of Mormon everyday before you study or do homework, and I mean actually read and ponder it, and think of the people as real people, because seriously they are super awesome and real!!, and then sincerely ask Heavenly Father for help to focus and learn the material, and then go to work in those classes, Derek, I promise you that you will conquer those subjects, you will conquer your senior year, and you will go into the big world as a missionary, strong in the faith and ready to defeat anything Satan throws at you. :) I know it is hard, but you can do it!!

I love you guys!

Hna. McCubbins

Hermana McCubbins, Hermana Mendes, Hermana Hellbush

Graffiti 

Hermana McCubbins, Hermana Hellbush, Hermana Rodriguez

BEFORE!!!

DURING!!!

AFTER!!!

Such a cute sister missionary!

New Year!!

Oh my dear dear, sweet family. This is the year I get to devote entirely to el Señor!! 2015 will forever be my favorite year, at least for now. And it all started with me kind of missing you guys alot ;) I just want you to know that this mission, this year is not just for my best friend Jesus Christ, and my dear Heavenly Father, but also for you guys at home who support me everyday. Every step I take on the dusty roads of Chile Rancagua is for you. I have a picture of you guys on my desk and everytime I feel discouraged, or tired, I think about you guys all looking up to me, and it makes me want to be a better misionera because I am so lucky to have you guys as my eternal family, FOREVER! ;) I love you all and I try to spread that love to all the people here so they can join us in the Celestial Kingdom too. 

Okay, random cute stories! I am a clutze! I think I trip or almost fall at least once a day. It is kind of a joke now with us, especialmente since my reactions son chistoso (funny) every time it happens. I dont know why I dont know how to walk... I have been doing it for like 19 years! Maybe its cuz I`m upside down on the underside of the world.... ;) Also, WE GOT PIANO GUYS MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We can only listen to their hymns, but all the same, it makes me so happy!! Also, WE GOT VOCAL POINT MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just so you know, I love awesome spiritual songs.... ;) Also, this week, I learned how to make poached eggs in the microwave!! (Derek that was for you ;) ) We cant use the stove when someone is in the shower, so I cooked the eggs in the microwave, and they are SO delicious! Healthy and fun and ghetto, that is how we do it in the mission. Another thing with food, the other day we had to eat spagghetti with spoons cuz no one could find los tenedores en la cocina de la capilla. We had a break the fast lunch and for some reason only spoons were in the kitchen.... We and the elders had tons of fun with that ;D

Also, I am kind of scared to play fùtbol now. Not because I feel I might get hurt, but I don`t want to hurt anyone else. I have now almost injured 4 elders.... 2 en el CCM and 2 here. The most recent occurance, an elder ended up on the ground because I might have accidentally tripped him..... So yeah... 

Also, I have buff arms now, since I exercise everyday. I might come home a body builder, just so you know.

So this week was a little hard. Hna. Hellbusch had to stay en la casa por 3 dìas for her back, and since we are in a trio, it worked out that we only had 1 day of actual work in our sector, so we felt horrible when we told the district leaders our numbers for the week. We are hoping this week we can just kick Satan and his attempts to derail us to the curb and work hard this week to start the new change off right. Isnt that super crazy!! I already almost have 6 weeks in the field!! D: I am not supposed to count though, so shhhh. Voy a olvidarme en la obra. ;) 

We did get to visit Benita this week. I love that super cute lady so much. She might get an assignment this week since she has un entrevista con el obispo. We are hoping it will have something to do with Family History since she is basically pro at it. 

We also visited Claudio, and I am SO proud of him. He is in rehab for drugs, and it is helping him TONS!! He is always happy and willing to learn more about the gospel, and is regularly attending church now. Truly this work is not just about baptisms, but strengthening anyone who needs to be strengthened.

Also, en el sector de Hna. Mendez, we got to visit 2 of her investigadores that she hasn`t seen in about a month, so that was basically 2 miracles in one day. Maria Josè LOVES to feed us food, and loves missionaries, but she has a smoking problem, so we aren`t sure how that will affect our teaching. Sometimes its bad when people really love us, cuz they just want to talk, and not learn anything about the gospel... We will see how it goes.

We also visited Karen who asks a lot of questions! But not always the right ones... They are more the types of questions that turn the focus on us, instead of on her. Hno. Ceballos en el CCM warned us about this. The Chileans LOVE to help others, but not always want to help themselves ;) Its good though, we just love them and bring the Spirit to their homes.

We had two crazy experiences this week. One time we were a little late walking back to our house after a lesson, and weren`t going to make it in time, then un taxi stopped and a man offered to give us a ride for no dinero. We were SO thankful, and attempted to contact this man. He said he was 7th day Adventist I think? And NO we couldn`t visit him because he said he was strong in his church, but he still wanted to service us because apparently we are cousin churches... ;) We just gave him una tarjeta and thanked him a bunch of times after getting to know him a little bit. I think HF sent him just so we would get to the casa en tiempo ;) But hopefully we also planted a seed!

I also had my first experience with almost bible bashing! There were two men we ran into while we were in a little house store and I actually started talking to them first! Which forced mis compañeras to talk to them too since I am still not fluent (why cant I be fluent in 2 months???? It isnt fair ;) ) and they started asking questions, especially about the word of wisdom. They asked why we couldnt eat marijuana as salad, because that was healthy!! We said in fact it wasn`t because of modern day revelation, and then they said it was in the bible that you could eat marijuana!!!! Everything was completely over my head, not just because I didn`t know Spanish, but I don`t know the bible that well... But Hna. Mendez got kind of heated up. I felt the Spirit start to stir and instantly just offered my hand to the man that was causing most of the contention. In my super sweet voice, I said: Hola, soy Hna. McCubbins. Instantly the contention stopped and we were able to leave them in peace. I hope they run into missionaries again ;)

Anyway, I love you! Keep up the faith!

Hna. McCubbins

Happy 2015!!

Graffiti

Jessica's Desk--Family picture on the right.

Jessica's Deak--Not so clean.