Sister Malena McKee : I'm a real girl Pinocchio

So this week was AMAZING! I've been calling it the week of miracles because:

On Tuesday night we started on our list of inactive members in a ward. We went through maybe 10 people before someone answered. It was a husband and his wife isn't a member. But he agreed to let us come over the next day. So we went over and she told us her story. She has been interested in the church for almost 8 years and knows there is something special about it but has been hesitant because of her family. But, apparently on Sunday, her mother had a heart softening experience and is more open to her daughter in this church. So I said “So this happened on Sunday? And we out of the blue called you on Tuesday?" And she said "I thought my husband called YOU!" And she agreed that her time has come to learn more. It's awesome!!!!

Then, as we were walking from her lesson we ran into this man. He stopped us and said “Are you missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?! I am a member!" And he is an inactive member that has to work on Sundays but has been praying for months for someone to find him and help him have church visitors. He was so excited when we came and kept saying "I love The Church of Jesus Christ.”

THEN, we had a little while before going home and we got on area book and there was another inactive member in this complex, and we look up, and we are standing RIGHT NEXT to her building. And, she was so sweet and has health issues so she can't come. But what a day of miracles.

I also had a cool experience because we have been able to find people to teach every week. But, this week on Saturday morning we hadn't found anyone. And I was praying in the morning that we will be able to find those that need the gospel and need us and we found 4 people that day!! It was 2 sisters and a couple! It was great!! I know it may have been my hands knocking the doors and my face facing the rejections, but it was the spirit that found those 4 people and I got to watch it working its magic. And, I was okay with getting rejected because everyone needs the gospel whether they think so or not. I'm glad to invite them.

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We also had to drop Wanda. She is the one who read the Book of Mormon in a week. She is not ready, and isn't as open as we thought. She spent a while ridiculing us and degrading us and tbh, I almost cried and yelled in the same lesson. Luckily, my mom kinda taught me the art of a neutral face so I just sat and listened to her. Sister Swenson said I was glaring, but she wouldn't let us even get a sentence out without telling us we're wrong but wouldn't listen, so I was getting frustrated and was trying to fit more words in before she interrupted me so I was talking really fast and then we left. But yeah, not ready. It's sad.

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So now I would like to share maybe the scariest door approach of my 2.5 months. Background: So as many of you may know, one of my fears, or very very strong dislikes- are things pretending to be people. This includes dolls, puppets, claymation (especially claymation), stop motion puppetry, ventriloquists, all of it. It's creepy, but I didn't think I'd have to deal with it on my mission.

But we are knocking doors and knock into this lady. We start talking and she is telling us about how she teaches children bible stories. And then for 30 MINUTES, NOT exaggerating, she showed us puppet videos she's made. And I didn't care about the animal puppets but then she starts showing videos of her ventriloquist old man and it was getting really hard for me to fake smile. She then offered to teach us how to use her puppets if we want, and I said "yeah and maybe we can teach you some stuff in return!" And she said "yeah… maybe." We call her the puppet master. I won't go back.

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Malena’s Awkward Moments:

My whole life is awkward, but Sister Swenson helped me think of moments to include. This week is mostly about weird old men:

•Yesterday we were at dinner and eating meatloaf and the wife asked if we wanted bbq sauce or anything for our food, and I said “No, that's okay! Im good!" And the husband said "oh really, let me see" and grabs my hand off my lap and "tastes" it and says "yeah, she's good." All 5 of us just sat in silence for a while after that while I was wiping my hand on the table cloth for 10 minutes. Super weird.

•We were at Musical Memory Singers this week and we invited our district to come with us. One of the elders was sitting with this old guy behind us. After about 45 minutes I feel my hair being pulled. I turn around and this guy is giggling. His wife says “You gotta watch out! He has a thing about hair! He loves it!" And I said "oh I guess I'll have to wear it up next time..haha (nervous laughter)" and she says "oh, he'll find it anyways!" and Elder Paulson said he had been reaching for my hair the whole time. Also another weird old guy haha.

• I ALSO had 2 old men argue for 5 minutes if I was brown enough to be hispanic or if I knew Spanish or not. Did they ask me? nope. Do I speak any spanish? Sí.

I love you guys! I love being a missionary! Its great! Hope y'all have a good week!

-Sister McKee

Sister Simmons, Sister Swenson, Malena, Sister Larson