Congratulations!

When Malena got back to her apartment in Logan, her cute roommate, Amy, had decorated her bedroom and closet doors.  How sweet is that!!

Sister McKee, You Are Called To Serve.....

Fort Worth Texas Mission, June 5th.  

We had a fun night filled with family and friends.  We are so grateful for the support and love that everyone has shown Malena.  She is excited and a little nervous.  We've never been to Texas, and she is glad it is hot in the summer.  And not much snow.  We have 110 days to prepare, and that already seems like it's getting way to close too fast.  :)

 We asked all our family and friends to guess where she'll serve.  And the winner gets a gift card from Costa Vida, which is Malena's favorite.  We had 6 people guess Texas.  

And since it was Valentine's day everything was red and pink.

 Riley, McKinley, Baby 

 Rachel, roommate from USU

 Cousins:  Jenna will go serve in Florida in a month, and Timberly

 Emily and Joey

 The Alldredge family

 High School Friends:  Maia, Alyssa, Kaden, Adri, Issac, Amber

 Jen, Zac, Joci, Jake, Mark

 Great Grandma Silcox

 Braxton and Timberly

 Grandpa and Grandma McKee

Girl Friends

 Best Friend, Amber, who will send her papers in this week.

Great Grandma Silcox giving Malena lots of love and Advice.

And telling her to be sure to keep a journal of her adventures.

 It just got real! 

We also had our Munoa family all on FaceTime from California.  We are so thankful for so much support.   Dad and I are so proud of Malena and her decision to serve a mission.  She has a strong testimony and will be able to share that with the people in Texas. She loves the Book of Mormon and through her fun personality will be able to reach people and share that with them.  We are excited to hear about her adventures.

And a little side note.....on Feb. 15, the announcement came out from the First Presidency that missionaries will be able to call home weekly.  They will have access to be able to text, video call, or call on a phone.  What a blessing that will be for our missionary and our family.  We hope she will lose herself in the work, and not want to call weekly, but if we get a surprise phone call every once in awhile, it will make this mom's day! 

IT'S HERE!!

Malena got her email on Feb. 12, about 9:00 am.  She was sitting in class and her phone buzzed.  She left class, she didn't open the email, and went right to the copy center.  She asked a girl to open it and print it, then asked the guy by the printer to put it right in her envelope.  He asked if he could read it.  And then said, "I have a few friends that went there."  She said he kept a straight face and didn't give anything away. haha.  She sent the email to Jen Baker, and deleted it off her computer and phone so she wouldn't be tempted.  She knew Jen wouldn't open it.  And then she waited for 2 days, so that she could come home and open it with her family and friends.  Everyone at school was giving her a hard time for not just opening it, or at least peeking and not telling anyone.  :)

So Excited for her! She will be an amazing missionary!

Fake Call

Joci trying to trick Malena.  I don’t think she fell for it! Haha

SUBMITTED!

January 27, 2019

I had an interview with the Stake President this morning.  I went prepared to meet with him a few times, but hoping for the best.  He said I was very prepared, and said, "let's submit today!"

MY PAPERS ARE IN!!  I can't believe it.

 We got the map out.  It's overwhelming to think of all the places I could go in the world.  My mom is taking guesses and the person who guesses right gets a Costa Vida gift card, because it's my favorite.

Where in the World will Malena GO??

Getting Started!

I told my mom and dad that I had made a decision and was going to go on a mission on October 22, while we were at lunch for their anniversary.  My mom cried in Costa Vida.  They are very excited for me.  I started my paperwork right away.  I honestly thought it would be a little more time consuming and take longer to fill out.  I met with Bishop Bristow to make sure I was on the right track.  I waited until December when I was home for break to get my dental and medical check ups.  

Me, working on my paperwork.

In November we had some family pictures taken, and 

I got a couple taken to turn in with my paperwork.  

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

I didn't ever think I was going to serve a mission. All my life it was never in my plans. But I started getting ideas and impressions about it around the time all my friends were getting there calls. I told my parents about my thoughts and they told me I should think and pray about it over time. I would jump back and forth between going and not going, until about 5 months after thinking and praying about it, I got my answer.
I decided to go to the Payson Temple alone one day. As I was changing into the baptism clothes I said a prayer to help me know if I should serve a mission or not. As I went into the waiting room, I opened my scriptures to a random page and the first scripture I read was Doctrine and Covenants 99: 1-3. And it was about missionary work, and my first thought was "wow! what a coincidence! I should try again". So I opened to somewhere in Alma and it was also about missionary work. Then D&C 75: 3-4. And again in third Nephi. All about Missionary work. I was amazed and surprised and knew my decision! And here I am.