Christmas Day - Ruston, LA

Skyped with this girl Christmas morning and it was beyond fantastic!  She had originally told us she would call around 12 or 1:00. So we thought we would sleep in....although it WAS Christmas morning and she could not wait she woke us up at 9:00!!!

She is beautiful, focused, glowing and determined. I miss this smile so much. She recited her mission scripture and theme for us to close, brought in the spirit before we said goodbye with a song we sang together, "God Be With You Til We Meet Again", and with a family prayer. Loved it. Love her.

This is hard to see...

No e-mail this week/No P-Day.

Hey! So sorry, I forgot to mention that there is no P-day this coming monday, however I will be able to hear from ya'll next year! I love you all so much, thanks for lighting up my spirit, and making me smile and laugh. This day was the best, most rewarding gift I recieved since being out here the last 7 months. I love you all! MERRY CHRISTMAS! (: 

Hey there ya'll! 

Sorry this one is going to be short, I got to skype my family today, and It was SO AMAZING! If any of you know the Scott's we are super good at crying, and laughing at everything. hahah I am so grateful for families and that they are forever! This is the true gospel. Here you can find true joy and happiness! It is here for those who are not perfect but are striving to be, here we learn how to return to live with God again. I know this is His work. There are miracles that happen everyday in our lives. We just have to choose to put on our spiritual eyes on over our mortality eyes and then we would truly recognize the daily blessings we receive. I love ya'll! Merry Christmas and I will talk to ya'll next year! We wont have a p-day this monday, but I will love to read and write back to everyone next year! 

With all my love, 

Sister Scott (: 

Ruston, LA- Week #33

This Christmas will be one to remember! I cannot believe it is this time of the year! This past week I have been thinking out Miracles, and how REAL they really are. I have seen them so many times on my mission. In the Book Of Mormon it talks about Miracles. In Moroni 7: 27-29 its says "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended to heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the father his rights and mercy which he hath upon the children of men? 28 For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will CLEAVE unto every good thing; Wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.  29 And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you Nay; Neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men."

I am so grateful for the Miracles I have seen on my mission! One of the most amazing miracles I have seen is the conversion of Bob Buckner! As you may all know, he was a major in religion at college, and he became a priest for the baptist church, he was also a deacon, and even atheist at one point. He had been meeting with missionaries for 6 months before I showed up, and while Sister Kendall and I were together we were able to watch his heart soften and change over time. I was reflecting on this story this week, and thought what more could I possibly give the savior this christmas? It was a clear and simple answer. Before Christ came to earth the people would often sacrifice animals to God. When Christ came, he ended the sufferings by taking his life for us. All he asks from us is a Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit! I love what President Boyd K. Packer said in his testimony " I will give you all I do, all I am". I promise that miracles have not ceased. They are all around us! As you reflect on the savior this christmas, I promise that as we give our "gift" to him that we will be blessed! I hope y'all will have a fantastic week!  Merry Christmas y'all! I love you. MERRY CHRISTMAS! (: 

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM RUSTON, LA, family!

Guys. It. Is. Here. I am super, duper, duper excited to talk and see ya'll! It will be so fun! I do have some info about skype, SO! We will be going to Sister Shelly's house, and we will be skyping ya'll around 12;00 or 1:00...we are not exactly positive about the exact time yet, but that is what we are shooting for, because we are having lunch with them at about 3:00and they told us we can come in the afternoon, so be on the lookout! We are so excited. Sister Mellor and I have loved all of the christmas presents we have been receiving daily, and I also got your other package! I am super excited about it! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! It has been so fun, we usually open them up in the morning so that is why we are always in our pjs..but! It has been so fun for us! I am pretty sure I have been annoying Sister Mellor about skyping ya'll! I remind her probably 5 times a day, hahah. I am just too EXCITED! This christmas has definitely not been the same, however, I am enjoying it! I have been praying for some christmas miracles in Ruston, I hope it will be a memorable one. This week we were with members wayy to much. The meal calendar is back in their ward and they are going crazy! It was taken away because some missionaries lost privilages, and now it is back again! Gwen ( who is a recent convert) was called to help members feed us, and instead of being fed twice a week, we are fed for lunch and dinner everyday! We love our members, however it is kinda interferring with our missionary schedule and so, we are trying to work it out! Anyways, that was my week! We met with some Less actives, and also some investigators. We have a couple close to baptism so we need many prayers! This is longer than what I thought it would be.. Anyways, I cannot wait for friday! We will keep in touch! Love you! (: here are some pictures! 

More pics of Kennah's 12 Days of Christmas

On the THIRD Day of Christmas my family sent to me...3- dozen Christmas cards (no picture sent)

On the FOURTH Day of Christmas my family sent to me...4- Bags of Flaming Hot Cheetos

On the FIFTH Day of Christmas my family sent to me...5- $20 Dollar Bills

On the SIXTH Day of Christmas my family sent to me...6- Activity Books

On the SEVENTH Day of Christmas my family sent to me...7- Gift Cards

On the EIGHTH Day of Christmas my family sent to me...- An 8 figure Nativity Set

On the NINTH Day of Christmas my family sent to me... 9- Items in our stockings

On the TENTH Day of Christmas my family sent to me....10- no show stockings

On the ELEVENTH Day of Christmas my family sent to me....11- an 11 song CD

On the TWELTH Day of Christmas my family sent to me....12- a 12-month calendar

Ruston, LA- Week #32

Good morning my beloved family and friends! 

I love you all so much! Thanks for all the emails, and letters, and packages ya'll have sent to me! This week has been awesome! Sister Mellor and I are doing better than the week before! On Thursday we had Zone Conference and GUESS WHAT! I got to see some of the most amazing people! I got to see my amazing trainer, SISTER KENDALL! It has been 4 and a half months since we have seen each other, so it was super exciting! I freaking love that girl with all my heart! Also, my old districts reunited!! That was super awesome! I got to see so many faces and it totally made my day! One of the members of the seventy came and spoke to us! I took some notes and learned so much! It was super fun, and long! Usually Zone Conferences go for about 8 hours or so! And after that we had a christmas parade in Ruston and some fun people came with us to that too! We got to hang out with the ward and it was super fun! On Sunday I gave a talk on "The life of Jesus Christ" probably one of my favorite talks I got to prepare! It was pretty hard too though, I had to make it under 15-20 minutes! How the heck was I supposed to do that?! haha it was good though! Whelp, that was my week! It was super awesome! I love ya'll, and hope everyone is doing great! CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST HERE! 11 more days!! 

With love,

Sister Scott (: 

Reunited with Sister Kendall and 

And her amazing 1st District At Zone conference. Happy Day!

McKennahs first District Leader Elder Goush

One of McKennahs best friends Elder Brown

4 Generations! Sister Huston( McKennahs Grandma), Sister Mellor (McKennahs daughter), Kennah, and Sister Kendall (McKennahs mother and all time favorite!)

Saying goodbye again was hard!  

Good morning mom! I am doing pretty good, it has been a pretty awesome week. My favorite part of the week was zone conference! I GOT TO SEE EVERYONE I LOVE!! Especially, my most favorite/amazing trainer SISTER KENDALL!! AHH! You should have seen us reunite. It was one of the most amazing feelings ever. I can only imagine what it will be like when I come home to ya'll. That is kinda how it felt! I remember being one of the first missionaries to arrive at the church, and then I saw my grandma! (Sister Huston) and we reunited, and then she told me that sister kendall was on her way! I was so stoked!! Then she arrived and sister huston is watching me freak out, and I see sister kendall from the corner of my eye, and she saw me, and we literally RAN to each other screaming like super excited little girls, and gave each other the biggest hug ever! It was so exciting to see her!! We had not seen each other for 4 and a half months. We got to tell each other stories, and then we sat together at zone conference (: It was exactly what I needed! I missed that girl so much! Here are some pictures of zone conference! It was awesome! A member from the quorum of the seventy came and spoke with us, it was super cool. Anyways, this was the highlight of my week! I received your package! IT WAS SO CUTE! THANK YOU! It is like christmas everyday! I took some pictures of that too! Getting your package and seeing sister kendall was the best thing ever. I needed it. I have been praying for ya'll, I am trying to watch my health and really take care of myself. I wear layers everyday and take my vitamins, and ciotic and ditocs. I was wondering what your skype name and email will be? So then I know when I can see you! I will probably skype you in the morning/ afternoonish. I am so excited, I have seriously bragged to everyone about it! I LOVE YOU! Ps- the weather has been freakishly warm! It has been all blue skies! hahah maybe it wont be so white christmas for me..that's okay! Nothing matters cuz I get to talk to yall! Almost 10 more days :D :D :D 

Yay she got it!  Her 12 Days of Christmas package we sent her...

On the FIRST day of Christmas my family sent to me... Decorations and a miniature Christmas tree.

On the SECOND day of Christmas my family sent to me...2 Mugs and Hot Cocoa

Ruston, LA- Week #31

McKennah and her new trainee Sister Mellor

GOOD MORNING FROM RUSTON, LOUISIANA! I AM SO SORRY THE EMAIL WAS SO SHORT LAST WEEK!

By the time I arrived Ruston the library was about to close and I had to ask the lady for special permission to stay and send you one short email, and she was not too happy about that but I let her know about our circumstances as missionaries and it worked out! This week was the longest week EVER! I could not wait to freaking email ya'll! I have so much to tell you guys. SO! My new comp is Sister Mellor, and she is my very first companion from Utah! I have never had a utah companion until this transfer! Crazy huh? She is pretty nice, she is from Urda, Utah! Her name is Jessica! She has only been out for a transfer! And her trainer was super duper sick she went home :( She spent most of her transfer in the hospital so I have a lot of pieces to pick up! I am just going to enjoy every moment and let the Lord take the rest!    We both are new to the area so that is a bit stressful, and I am follow-up training her so there is no telling how long I will be in the area! My guess is I will be here until Feburary! It is a good area, I am in a super small town! The ward that I am in is awesome! I love them already. They really should be a branch though, there are barely over 50 people in the ward! I am doing great though! I am a little bit homesick, I miss Hattiesburg :( But, I know this is where I should be! I am grateful for the spirit of the Lord in my life to really help give me the strength and the courage I need  to do this work. The moment I feel lonely the spirit always lets me know he is here, it is truly amazing. This week I was thinking a lot about the atonement, and the role that it is in my life. These last 6 months I have been very very VERY blessed to witness the power of the atonement not only in MY life, but in the lives of those that I serve. God is a real being. Jesus Christ came to save mankind. All we have been asked to do is be obedient and keep the commandments. It shouldn't be that hard! I have watched myself change and improve. I read the Book Of Mormon DAILY MOM. That book is SO TRUE. I testify of it, I have read it, and I have seen evidences of the truth. I have become so much more aquainted with Jesus Christ. I have come to know him more fully. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to serve him. I cannot wait to see ya'll on skype, that is going to be crazy!! Only less than 20 days. It is going to be the best day ever. Tell  those boys that I have sent them letters, I have been waiting a response from them! It really helps when they email me because I have set time to email, rather than writing letters. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! I think about you guys and pray for you. Thanks for being my number one fans!! This work is true! 

Love, Sister Mckennah Scott

Saying goodbye to Sister Abril

The Fitzgerald kids & Sis. Abril

Good Morning all you amazing people! I hope ya'll had a fantastic week! This week was a super long and let me tell you why! Drum Roll......I GOT TRANSFERRED! I am currently serving in Ruston, Louisiana! I am loving my new area, it is super awesome! I live in a small town, but the people are super nice! It was a lot harder for me to understand the people in Mississippi, however, now I am hanging around a bunch of red necks! These people are probably one of the most kind people I know. They are super genuine and so welcoming! I have been praying for that, to feel welcomed and loved. I have a testimony of prayer! I know that God hears and answers our prayers. Some interesting facts about ruston! All of the street names are the states in the US! hahaha It is sooo funny! Almost daily, I drive down Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and The street I live on is everett! It is an awesome place! The missionaries are super far apart from each other where I live and so P-days are spent with just my companion and I at home. I forgot to take pictures of my house, but I have some of my new comp and I (Sister Mellor) She is my very first companion from Utah! She is now my 4th companion. My first companion was from Canada, my trainer was from St Lois, Missouri, and my third companion was from Arizona! My new comp is awesome! I am actually training again, so that is fun! I am also in a car share, apparently they are all over the mission! I am super excited to be serving in louisiana! I hope to hit all four corners before I come home! I only have 2 more to go! (Texas, and Arkansas) Thank you all for your love and constant support! I am sorry for all those who emailed me last week, and I couldn't write back. I arrived late in Ruston! I hope ya'll are ready for christmas! We are down to less than 20 DAYS! it is getting so real! I am excited to talk with my family! I miss them so much!! Also, I made it to my 6 month mark! Wahoo! Time to celebrate! Love ya'll! I can't wait to hear from you next week! (: 

Looks like McKennah cleaned out her camera and said her goodbyes!

McKennah and Bob

Investigators Thomas & Rachel

Elder Brown!

Investigator Dinah

"I found Sister Bartsch!  She is now an STL in Hattiesburg!"

Ruston, LA- Week #30

DISLIKE!!! This week was transfers and I knew I would not hear from McKennah on Monday, hoping like usual I would hear from her today instead and this is what I received...."Hey mom! I love you! I am in Ruston, Louisiana! I will give you more details next week! Love you!!"  

That was a tough read!

Luckily for me there are members I now call friends, who are looking out for her (and for me); letting me in on a few more details: after 6 months McKennah has been transferred to Monroe, LA.  Ruston, LA to be exact.  I believe it is what they call the West Monroe area.  Sister Abril will be staying in Hattiesburg. McKennah asked Sister Fitzgerald (Bishops wife) to let me know that she is excited to go and that she knows many of the missionaries already serving in that area!

Pictures I have found from the week:

                Mini Zone Conference

        Saying goodbye to the Snyder's 

        And the sweet Fitzgerald Family

Hattiesburg has been good to her. So very grateful for that!