Elder McKay Bryan Jackson

May 24th 2010

2010-05-24T15:02:00.000-07:00

Hey family, thanks so much for the Happy Birthday wish and. I can`t believe I am about to turn 21, if I weren`t a member of the church I would be heading to the casino or something like that, or maybe be drinking a beer legally, it sure is a good thing I am a member. The baptism of Jeremy was awesome, he asked me to baptize him so it was a great experience for me. A lot of the youth showed up so it made Jeremy feel really good. Also the baptism excited Carlos, he will be baptized this Saturday with Marta Martinez. Also, after the baptism we had a little snack, while we were eating, the father leaned over to me and asked me when Dolka(his wife, not married yet and the mother of Carlos and Jeremy) is going to be able to be baptized. He told me that she wants to be baptized also so that the whole family can be baptized, so I talked to him saying that he needs to be married to her before she gets married, I explained why and told him that I had the opportunity to marry a couple in Copiapo and then they were baptized the next day. I told him how the Relief Society did all the decorations for the marriage in the church and it all turned out really good. So I told him he good do the same here, so it got him really excited, so hopefully here soon I will be hearing the news that they are going to be married. It would make me so happy finishing the mission like that.
Today was day of transfers, I will be finishing my mission here in Calama with Elder Vasquez, so it will be fun. Also, the brother of the Elder that trained me in the mission, Elder Calquin, is now in our mission and he will be in my zone, how sweet is that, Elder Calquin blessed my life my helping me get started and so hopefully I can do the same and return the favor to his little brother. I couln`t believe my eyes when I saw Sam in those pictures, I miss him sooooo much. He still looks the same goofy Sam. How is he? Tell him hi for me. I remember going to his house the last night before he left to the MTC and we played Risk, it seems like just yesterday. Crazy stuff.
Anywho, keep praying, I am going to finish this last transfer good so I will never have regrets later on. I am always teaching the people that the last thing they have to do after baptism is perseverance, so I need to put it in practice. I will be traveling again to Antofagasta this Thursday for another leadership meeting, I will try and take a picture of the stars in the dessert, it is my favorite part of traveling here. I love you all, talk to ya later. Please tell everyone sorry I couldn`t write them this week, I don`t have much time.
Elder McKay Bryan Jackson
P.S. I received in the mail the package that Jakes grandfather sent me, please tell Jamie to tell him thanks and I will start handing the little cars out, they are awesome.

May 10th 2010

2010-05-24T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hey I don`t have a lot of time, and plus the more I write the more it makes me think about home and what it is comming up, so this one is gonna be short. My week was just great. Jeremy, Carlos and Marta went to church so that means that Jeremy will be baptized this Saturday, then Carlos and Marta will be baptized the next weekend. The work is going great and we are finding a lot of new people to teach. We received a reference from a family that I love last night doing family night, the kids name is David and he is excited to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true. I can`t believe that my best friend will be comming home on Wednesday, he is the man, give him and Jason a big hug for me and take a picture. The time has gone by way to quick. It scares me to think how fast this next month will pass by.
That is awesome that Doug and Kydee both recevied their mission calls. Doug won`t be leaving before I get home right? I am so excited to hear about Travis, let me know how he is doing, you can forward his emails to me if you can, I would love to hear about what is going on, and help him if I can. Tell your mother hi for me, she has been so great in wriiting me. I will definately be praying for Jake, I hope he does well. Anywho, I love you all and hope you have a great week. Thanks for all you do, and for all your prayers.

Elder McKay Bryan Jackson

P.s. Jessica Smalley sent me a birthday package, I had kinda forgotten that it is my birthday soon, I am getting really old.

May 3, 2010

2010-05-16T19:13:00.000-07:00

Hey mother, Cristians baptism went very well and there were a lot of members that went. Also we are teaching a family the family Castillos Torres, Father, Mother and two sons 13 and 14. Well the family went to the baptism and loved it, and the next day they all went to church. The two sons (Carlos and Jeremy) are going to be baptized the 22nd of May, they are so excited. Also, this week was really dificult, we were working so hard trying to find people to teach and everyday we would come back home with out teaching even one lesson, but we kept going. We had faith in our Lord and put our confidence in him knowing that if he sees our dilligence he will bless us. Well it went exactly that way, we had a lady(Marta Martinez) stop us asking us where the church is and at what time, so we told her and later went to her house to teach her and get to know her, I was thinking that she is a member but I was wrong, she told us that she hasn`t had the oportunity to be baptized yet but she always attented the church where she is from Peru, and arrived here in Calama about a year ago. So we taught her and we invited her to be baptized the 22nd of May also, and she accepted. She is so happy and also went to church inviting everyone to her baptism. Then Sunday we taught another kid(Sebastain) that has been going through difficult times, his mom died about 4 months ago, and so he has bad friends and started doing drugs. Well the missionaries have been teaching him for about a year and yesterday we taught him about the Restoration and how he needs to be baptized to receive the blessings and he accepted. He will be baptized the 29th of May. We are so excited and want to keep finding more and more to baptize, this is an amazing work and the Lord really does bless his children when they put their faith in him.
That is great the Jason will be coming home this week, you will have to say hi to him for me, I was wondering when he would come home.
That is awesome that Tiff is in the Seminary Counsel, she will have a great time, my friends were in it, and i was always right there with them, it is a lot of fun, and she will be blessed for her service. I am glad that you ladies had a good time in conference, you have been a great example to all your daughters and much more. Well mother I love you so much and I am so excited to talk to you on Sunday to tell you happy mothers day. I will be calling at 7-8 my time and 5-6 your time, so it should be perfect when you get home from church. Thanks for the information of President Watson. You should be getting my flight plans soon, sad but extremely happy to move on and see you to give you a hug and a kiss. I love you mom, thanks for everything. Have a great week and we will be TALKING soon. Choa.

Elder McKay Bryan Jackson

April 26, 2010

2010-04-26T15:07:00.000-07:00

Hey family, Calama is going great. I don`t know if I told you before but Presidente almost closed the city of Calama about 2 months ago because there was no progress and the members were not helping at all. They were all full of pride because of their richness. Well being here I feel like it is the exact opposite, my zone is having so much success and we have only been here for 2 weeks. It has definately been a challenge getting started, but I love challenges. We are going to be having the baptism of Cristian this week on Saturday, we are so excited. Then we will be able to help him get started on his mission papers. I am reaching all the goals that I had at the start of my mission, baptize someone that will later on go to the temple with his family(Oscar), marry two investigators and then baptize them(Alvaro and Yanet) and then send someone who we baptize on the mission(Cristian). The mission is going so great, I am said but also excited to see it finish soon. I will just have to take advantage of the time I have.
I am so happy that Trav is going on the mission. I was thinking about him all day Sunday, thinking how much he has progressed. Seems like he has really grown up and I can`t wait to see him in two years.
I am not gonna lie, I loved the email that you sent me, it was full of great news, Trav having his farewell, Tacy receiving her endowments, Jessika getting married, everyone finishing up there degree, Tiff making the Danze company heck yes, the Jazz in the playoffs, I just think of two songs when I hear such great news "Count your many blessings" and the other not so churchy "What a wonderful day" by Barry White. I get thinking, can life get any better, and then every week you write me, it always proves that it can get better and will. Can you even imagine the fullness of joy that we will have in the Celestial Kingdom together, it will be like entering into the celestial room for the first time but times infinity.
We had zone conference this week in Antofagasta, my zone traveled 3 hours there and 3 hours back. The conference was amazing. I am so greatful that God blessed me with such an amazing President, President Urra and Hermana Urra are so amazing. We have become so close, and it is sad that they wont be there to see me finish the mission. They finish the mission a week before me, so I won`t be having my final interview with President Urra, it will be with the new one. But hey, all is well. Also I received my "Casa Papers" or the documents that I have to fill out to get ready to go home, it made me sick. I didn`t think they would ever come, and now here they are. So i need a little information if you could send me the next week so I can get this information sent soon. Love Ya Elder Jackson

Amazing story and Another earthquake March 26 2010

2010-04-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

Hey family, Terry wasn`t lying when he told you that there was another earthquake in Copiapo. It was crazy, like the movies. My companion and I were walking home from the centro, and then all of a sudden my companion starts freakin out and grabbed my shoulder( he is always really nervous when we have earthquakes, for what happened with him in Santiago), I had no idea what was going on, thinking that I was just walking weird because i was dizzy from walking in the heat, until i saw the car next to us jumping up and down and then I look up and see the power poles swaying back and forth with the power lines going crazy. So I thought, hmmm where should I run to not be electricuted(spelling ?) but when I was about to run in the street it all ended. The Lord was blessing us and always will. It was pretty strong, the strongest I have ever experienced. I just started laughing at my companion because he was totally freaked out. Everyone ran outside to go get their kids from school and to see if everything was alright, and luckily there was no damage. It was definately a journal experience, je je. That morning I was thinking, I have got to stop procrastinating the food storage and the water and just get it done, so I filled up a 5 little bottle for us 4 missionaries. Talk about inspiration no. I think it is so funny that we as missionaries are teaching that everyone needs to listen to the prophet and obey, and we as missionaries aren`t even prepared. But I sure learned a great lesson.
Things are going great with Felipe, we had a family night with his family and a family in the ward and it went really well. He is so excited to be baptized, I showed him a painting of when Jesus Christ was baptized and he said pointing to Jesus, "Elder he is the one that came to me in my dream the night before you invited me to be baptized, and he told me that I need to be baptized in this church, and for that reason when you invited me to be baptized I accepted." That is why we are invited to become as a child, and if we do we will be able to receive glorious answers like Felipe.
We also invited another kid to be baptized for the 24th of April, and he accepted. His name is Kevin. He is receiving a lot of help from his neighboors which are members. We want to invite his mother to be baptized also, so I guess we will see what happens. Today we are going to invite another family of 3 to be baptized, it is the Family Villaloba, so keep them in your prayers also. The Lord is preparing his his children, and we are seeing miracles happen.
I had the opportunity to interview a lady for her baptism, and it was the most amazing interview I have ever done. She was a drug addict before and lived in the street and did just about everything. But she has had a mighty change of heart, and now is a completely different person. Elder Thomason, one of the missionaries that lives with us and is new in the mission had the opportunity to baptize her.
I will keep grandma Stephens in my prayers. She sure is an amazing example. Oh by the way, their is a painting in the March 2010 Ensign with the Mellor Family, I saw it and said hey that is my family.
Anywho, I am so excited to watch conference this week, it is sad to think it is my last in the mission. The talks will be great. I love you all so much and will be talking next week. Love ya.

Elder McKay B. Jackson
P.s. I don`t know how the weather is there, but it is getting really cold here, it is so crazy.

Earthquake in Chile! McKay is Fine..

2010-02-27T08:55:00.000-08:00

Hey family, President Urra wanted us to send you this email. Everything is good here. Nothing happened to us. Please pray for the family of my companion Elder Novoa, he is from Concepcion, and hasn`t been able to communicate with his family yet. I love you all.

Dear Families of our loved missionaries:

It is possible that you are already informed of the earthquake that occurred in Chile. For your peace of mind we hurried in writing this e-mail in order to let you know that the seismic shifting affected just the southern part of our country, therefore the area that covers our mission did not suffer any damage, only feeling light movement (2nd degree). Our missionaries actually slept without realizing what had even happened.

The epicenter was about 1,240 miles (2,000 kilometers) away from Antofagasta.

The purpose of this e-mail is to dispel whatever fear you may have for the condition of your children.

We would now take advantage of this opportunity to thank you for allowing us to work together with the wonderful children that you have raised, with years of continued dedication.

We pray that God rewards you for the sacrifice that you have offered allowing your sons and daughters to come and serve the children of our Creator.

We also pray for the protection of our fellow servants that serve in that area. The information that we have is related to structural damage only but not to the harm of the people, which bring us peace in spite of what happened.

May God cover and warm you with his peace.

With thankfulness,
President and Sister Urra

February 1 2010

2010-02-02T06:32:00.001-08:00

Hey family, I sent ya`ll some pictures so I hope you like em. Please tell Chris Colvin hi for me, and give him a big hug, I miss that kid a ton. Anywho, the work is going great and my health also. We are going to baptize a single mother with her son this Saturday, their names are Gloria and Maximo. I am so excited for them. Well I hope you are all having fun in the winter, I am enjoying the HOT HOT sun, it is so crazy hot here. Oh by the way, I have a new President, they had the elections and so my new President is President Piñera, they had to shut down everything during the elections. We could only go to the Sacrament meeting, and there were police everywhere. Also, since it is summer everyone has gone to the beach. This region has the best beaches in all of Chile so half our ward have left and wont return until March, so it is tough at times, but hey the Lord keeps sending people that want to know the truth so it is alright.
ANywho, I love you all so much. Have a great week and tell Travis J. hi for me and all the family and the new ward that I don`t even know. Check ya later.

Elder McKay Jackson

January 2010

2010-01-30T12:30:00.000-08:00

Hola familia,
I`m glad you got my card, I wanted to put a picture in it but I didn`t have time so I figgure I will be home in no time so I will just show ya when I get there. We had to be at the house at 10:00, so we had a barbeque on the grill, it was real good. We bought about 40.00 dollars worth of meat(Ribs, chicken wings, etc.) for the of us in the house. We also made shmores, it was fun because Elder Montalvo had never eaten one so it was fun to eat Gringo food again. I also burned a tie, for one because it is New Years and everyone in Chile make monkeys stuffed with newspaper and dressed with the clothes that you used in the year before, so you are killing the you of 2009 and welcoming in the you of 2010, it`s a crazy tradition and I didn`t have enough newspaper so I just burned a tie, more practicul that way. We watched the firework show and ate some more and by the time that 2:00 came we were so tired from eating so much so we had no problems falling asleep, even though there are people drinking and partying with music all night long. Oh by the way, it is so much fun teaching drunk people. je je :) The next day, we woke up from the sound of Elder Montalvo throwing up, those Latino stomaches cant handle an american barbeque. He had never thrown up in his mission and he leaves in two weeks so it was real funny. Then all morning long we played ¨Guess Who¨and UNO, it was so much fun to just relax. I miss those days playing games with the family.
I want to go to all the temples when I get home too, I was talking to Elder Haacke about how we should do that when we get home. It will be awesome when they complete Brigham City, have they started that temple? That was so cool to see my friend Rex, he is such a stud and even more bald then before, I love that family. I became really close to Rex and his little sister that is also in the foto. Those were some really fun times. You are gonna have to tell him congratualtions for me and tell him to come to my wedding, that is if I am that lucky to find a wife. Oh and yeah you can put me as a EFY counselor, it will be fun having fun with the kids and teaching them a bit. Anywho, that is what has been going on in my life lately, thanks for all you do. Dad I am praying for you and the buisness every night, so keep me posted. I love you all, peace out and con questo. :) je je Elder McKAY B. JACKSON

Jaunuary 19, 2010 HIVES, HIVES, HIVES!

2010-01-30T12:22:00.000-08:00

Hola padre mió, ¿como estas? That was an amazing sunset; I can’t believe that there is snow. It looks so crazy; I forget the feeling of snow and the feeling of coldness. It is going to be great because I will get back from the mission and will be able to adjust to the temperature because I leave from heat in Chile and will arrive with heat in Utar.
I had another visit to the doctor this week, it was crazy. Last Sunday I ate tacos with a family, everything normal right, well I put a hot sauce on. Well the next morning I woke up itching and looked at my arms and I had hives, like I always had before the mission. Well it got worse and worse until Monday night it started going up my neck and cutting off a little circulation so I was having hard time breathing and my ankles were huge. It was as if I had just been burnt by boiling water. So a member took me to the emergency office and they gave me a shot in the butt and then I went back home went to bed, woke up the next day and I felt so much better. It took until Saturday to go away completely, so I was in the house reading a ton. I was able to read all of Moses and all of Genisis and learn about all the prophets like Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Moses. It was awesome, I didn`t know anything about them before. So it was a crazy week, they tell me it was something I ate and I have a crazy allergy to it, so I think it was that hot sauce or something. But the great thing is that I am still alive and kicking J My investigators Alvaro and Yanet are going to be married this Friday, then their baptism is Saturday. They have asked me to baptize them and also their 9 year old son Jean. I am so excited, this will be my first family and it is the complete process too. Also Oscar, my first convert will complete one year as a member this week so everyone is telling me that he is going to the temple with his family. I am so happy for them. Also we just found another family, a mother and her 8 year old son that accepted a baptismal date on the 6th of February. They went to church and received an answer that this is the true church. I LOVE CHILE!!!!!
Well transfers were today, I am staying here and my companion Elder Haacke will finish his mission in one month, so he is excited. You will have to go to his homecoming. Anywho, I love you all so much. Have a great week and we will be talking.

Elder McKay B. Jackson

December 28, 2009

2010-01-30T12:16:00.000-08:00

HEY it was great talking to ya on the phone, I loved every minute of it. I hope you all have a great week. Here are some fotos of the few baptisms that I have had, when I was talking to ya on the phone and a picture that I really like of Christ. I love ya. Have a Happy new years. Talk to ya next year je je. Thanks for the Christmas package.

Elder Jackson

November 30th 2009

2009-12-02T14:43:00.000-08:00

MOm I just wanted to let you know that you are probably the coolest mom ever, you just gave me the sports beat better that ESPN would have, I am proud of you. Thanks for the updates, I was in need of one. This week has been amazing. We had our zone conference with Elder Zeballos and President Urra. Elder Zeballos is in the first quourm of the 70 and the second concelor in the Area of Chile. He is such a great man, I was able to talk to him a lot and get to know him, and we learned a ton. Also this week we bought some furniture with Hermana Urra for the house that we are in now because the furniture that we were using was all from the house that we moved out of. Also we had to fix the toilet because it hasn`t been flushing good since we moved there. So we took off the toilet and found a little plastic Chistmas tree that was jammed, I sent a picture, so I hope you enjoy it, it was so sick, but real real funny for 4 missionaries of course. I was able to have thanksgiving dinner thanks to my favorite family in the ward. They travel a lot to the U.S. so they wanted to suprise me, and I was so happy. DId you all go cut the tree down yet? Send pictures if so. Also we are working with a lady named Monica who will be baptized this week, so I will send you fotos the next week, just pray that everything goes well. Tell Travis congratualtions, and also Breanee Westergard, that is crazy that she is going to get married. Anywho, i don`t have much time left, thanks for sending my number, now I can do some genelology. I love you all, have a great week. Elder McKay Bryan Jackson

November 9, 2009

2009-11-15T07:14:00.001-08:00

That is too bad you didn`t get my letter. I don`t even remember what happened the last week or I would sum it up for ya`ll. I had some great experiences this week. I gave my first blessing in a hospital this week and it was the saddest yet one of the happiest moments of my life. I recieved a call from the assistants to the president telling me that there is a baby in really bad condition in the hospital, the family of the baby are members less active in the church, so we went running over to the hospital. Well we entered and we were led right to the baby which is rare because usually the doctors don`t let you in and they only let you in during the visiting hours, and you have to be family of the person, but we were on the Lords errand so we had some help. We arrived finally and the nurse told us we had to talk off our back packs and rings, watches, wash our hands and put on the special doctor coat so that the baby wont recieve any sickness. So then we walked in and the parents weren`t in the room, so we waited with the suffering baby. The baby`s name is Zinadine, and he has 3 months, he recieved a sickness because he didn`t receive all of his shots, so he can`t breathe on his own. He had machines all around him, the saddest thing ever watching him trying to breathe but not being able to. Zinadine would just look at me with the look of being helpless and wishing the suffering could stop. So we gave him a blessing because the doctor said that he needs one quick, so we blessed him with the Lords will saying that he will be able to grow normally without problems. We got our stuff and started to leave when we heard the machines going crazy. What we didn`t know is that we were giving the baby a blessing to return back to the Lord in peace, because right then he passed away. It was tough on me at first, I thought in few years I will have to be facing the same kinds of stuff with my own kids. I don`t want to watch my kids suffer, so then I thought, wow now I know how God felt when Christ was suffering for each and everyone of us. I am so glad that we belong to the True Church, we can receive so much comfort through the truth of knowing that we can be with our loved ones again.I also found a bunch of new investigadores, and the day that we found them was perfect, God led us right to them because that day they accepted baptismal dates. This really is the Lords work and he will not fail. keep going with the hard work Dad, you are the man. Thanks for being such a great example to me of going after your dreams, I hope I can be a man of success like you. I love you all so much, tell everyone hi and give them all hugs from Elder Jackson. Oiga, and what is this you are looking for houses kinda stuff. The Lord really is blessing you all. Have a great week and I will talk to you all later. Elder McKay Bryan Jackson

October 26, 2009

2009-11-04T17:23:00.001-08:00

Hola family, That is awesome that you were able to listen to Elder Eyring, he has got an amazing spirit, no. Hey those are some great fotos of the haloween party, looks like ya`ll had some fun. I can`t wait till I get to participate. The leadership meeting was good, Antofagasta is so BIG. It is way fun hanging around President Urra, Hermana Urra, the Assistants and the other Zone Leaders. You learn so much being around such great people that are called of God. My friend Elder Gooch is also a Zone leader and so we were able to talk and remeber the good times in Fremont, he will be coming home in December so he is really excited. The weather is getting hotter and hotter each day, I had to buy some glasses that are clear inside but when you are in the sunlight they become dark, like sunglasses, yeah they are way nice, the mission was selling them, I though hmmm, I could spend 40.00 dollars now or thousands to fix my eyes in the future because it is so bright here. So they help a lot. The zone is amazing, I feel so blessed to serve them, we are all trying to reach 4 baptisms and 10 Inactives by the end of the year and so we are all having a fun time helping each other reach our goals. I sure am learing a ton out here, I can`t wait to use it in the future. I don`t have any investigadores that I will tell ya about yet, but the work is progressing, which is great to think that we just got here 3 weeks ago and opened this sector. The Lord is guiding us to everyone. I`m sorry I don`t have much time to write you now, I have to write President about everyone of the missionaries first and how they are and then I can write you, so it is hard to get into detail with ya, but I just hope you know I love you all and pray for ya every day and night and so does everyone else out here. Have a great and successful week and have fun in the snow. I will talk to ya later. Love, Elder McKay B. Jackson

October 19, 2009

2009-11-04T17:21:00.001-08:00

Hey familiy, I cannot believe how fast the time goes by, I swear I was just sitting here writing you. But hey I wont complain. The mission is going real real good, it is extremely tough, probably the hardest it has been because I am opening a new sector, so I am getting to know the sector and the people with my companion because he knows just as much as I do. I am sure having a lot of fun though, I live in an apartment, and we are 4 Elderes. It is fun getting to know so many people, and understand their lives and why they are where they are at in life. I am learning a lot from the Zone, they are really obedient and have the desire to serve, so it really helps me out. It is like what Joseph Smith said, (I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves). I have 4 branches in my Zone, 2 of which are 2 hours away from me so I do all the training over the telephone with them, and the others come from other small towns an hour away or less. My ward is amazing, they work so good with us, so I guess we will be seeing our success in the future. I am going to Antofagasta tomorrow for a leadership training, so that means another 7 hours in bus there and 7 hours back, so that will be real fun, je je. At least I will be with another Elder, the other Zone Leader from the south, when I traveled here to Copiapo I was by myself, it is crazy being by yourself as a missionary. But it will be a lot of time to think right, it is hard because they are nice buses and they have televisions with movies playing so it is hard being a missionary in that moment. I sent you some fotos, it really is so beautiful here, still desert but much much better. We actually have grass at our church and lots of trees.Tell the ward hi, especially the Thompson family and the Price family, and of course all the family. Have a great week and I will be talking to ya then. I love you all. Elder McKay Bryan Jackson

October 12, 2009

2009-11-04T17:18:00.001-08:00

Hey I don`t have much time to write, I thought that my letter got sent to you, but I guess not. I will try sending it again. I did get transfered to Copiapo in bus, 13 hours in bus, it was a killer but I got to see all of North Chile. Now I am just 6 hours away from Santiago in Bus. But I absolutely love it here, I have been here less than a week and it is already my favorite, by miles. It is so green and clean. There isn`t pornography in the streets and everything is really family oriented. I talked to 146 people in the streets and out of the 146 only 10 have rejected us and the others we have set up a day to pass by. The people really are so amazing. My new companions name is Elder Montalvo, he is from Ecuador, he goes home at the end of December, but he doesn`t talk about home at all, well trunky like. He is a great worker, and we are being so blessed right now. I don`t know if you heard that now I am the Zone Leader, so I am in charge of all of Copiapo, I about peed in the pants when President Urra told me. Everything was so sudden, it was a special transfer, so I didn`t expect it at all. It was hard leaving Elder Cruz, my son.I don`t have much more time to write, but I will talk a bit more next week. I love you all so much and thank you for your prayers. Have a great week and I will talk to you later. Saludos a todos. xoxoxoxoxox Love, McKay B. Jackson

September 28, 2009

2009-10-01T07:52:00.000-07:00

Hey familia,Hey I don`t have much time but i just wanted to say thanks for your prayers, they worked. President had a good conversation with the bishop and everything is going great, know lets just hope nothing more happens because President told me the next thing that happens call me and I am going to take you both out to a sector that will appreciate your work. I love Iquique so hopefully not. Sounds like Dad and Lennie are kickin some serious hynie, it will be fun coming back and working with them a bit, it they accept me. Tell Alex hi for me, it`s crazy how all my friends are coming home now, time goes by way to quick. The baptism was just great, her uncle from Peru baptized her, I tower everyone in the foto, it was real funny. Being District leader is a great experience, I am learning a ton. Just another opportunity to serve, so I am happy. Tell Sonia and Allan congratulations, they are going to love it in Lima, I know a ton of people from there. They have a temple and everything, they will be close to Maichupichu, a lady from Cuzco(close to Lima) is going to hook me up so that when i want to travel to Maichupichu I can much much cheaper. The blessings of the mission right. Thanks for everything.oh for the Christmas package, I just want suprises, I can`t believe you are sending another Christmas package, it seems like yesterday. Oh Michell, my convert asked for a big picture of the Salt Lake Temple. So if you can, he would love it. Have a great conference weekend, prepare yourselves because revelation isn`t free. I love you all, thanks for everything. Tell everyone happy birthday. Elder McKay B. Jackson

August 31, 2009

2009-08-31T15:28:00.000-07:00

Hey ya family, we did have two baptisms on Saturday, the other two for another week, but it was beautiful. I talked one of them(Alberto) to let Elder Cruz baptize him because it would be his first time baptizing someone, and so Elder Cruz was so happy. Alberto was Evangelico, and is married to an hermana named Janka who was inactive but now no, so we got two in one with that family, activated someone and baptized someone, talk about blessings no. The other, Jorge was baptized by the second counselor who is preparing to go on a mission in January, so we were all happy. Now we just have to help Jorge`s wife and child so they can be baptized and then after go to the temple. My health is good and we had a fun preparation day today, we(Iquique) played soccer against the other zone(Alto Hospicio) and we won, also we got new jerseys from Iquique, they are sweet, so I will send ya a picture. Anywho, I have to run but i love you all and I will talk to ya later. Have a great week, tell Dad and Tiff I love them I pray for them everynight as well as the whole family. Have a great week at work and have fun. Talk to ya later fam.Oh by the way, this week I will complete 1 year in Chile, the 2nd of Septiembre, how cool huh, I am pretty much Chileno now. Love, Elder McKay B. Jackson

August 23, 2009

2009-08-30T21:42:00.000-07:00

I am almost jealous that you are in school, but then I think...... no, not jealous. Je je, but really I hope your school year goes fantastic. I am telling everyone here that you are all starting school just now and they are saying, oh that would be sad to just be starting. Anywho, the work is rolling right along. I will let you know how the baptisms went next week. They have all decided yes that they for sure want to be baptized so i am going to keep my faith and see how it goes. I can`t believe that Jared is coming home soon, I remember when he left and I was all alone because Sam left me for his girlfriend, je je what a stud he is huh. But when he comes home, give him a big hug for me and tell him to start looking for a girl with a twin sister to put on hold for me, je je. ;) That is cool that they dedicated the temple in Utah, the work surely is progressing a lot. Elder, well now Brother Verwer told me he was going to be an ussure at the dedication, that would have been sweet. I can`t wait for that moment to go to the temple, if I arrive in Utah I would love more than anything before we do anything to go to the Salt Lake Temple and do a session or at least baptisms. Anywho, I hope all is going well in Utah, oh I have a question, Is Dad still the Secretary of the ward? Keep talking with the people in Mia Meadows, Iam sure they want to talk to you. Oh and I cannot believe the picture of Kimberlee, she has grown so much. Give all the kids a big hug for me and tell them that Uncle McKay loves them. I love you all so much, thanks for everything. Have a great week and I will talk to ya next week. Oh and if you could send me the adress of Elder Chase Jensen and Elder Carston Taylor, I would greatly appreciate it. I am going to connect the letter that we are teaching to all the inactives in Chile, it is in English so I hope you enjoy it and actually use it, it is AMAZING. Anywho, talk you all later. Elder McKay B. Jackson

July 20, 2009

2009-07-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

Hola familia, How are all ya´ll doing, hopefully all is super super good alla. Everything is going just great here in Iquique. The family that we are teaching is very active with all of the activities and with everything. For example, our Stake just had the olympics with Soccer, Ping Pong and Chess. It was for the young men and young women but everyone was invited, of course we couldn`t go because we had a lot of work to do, but the family went and had a great time it sounds like. Yesterday I taught them how to make pancakes from scratch, and they loved it(that pancake recipe is really coming in handy Dad, I appreciate it). They have been waiting for me to cook them something, so we had a good time, and talked about everything. Janett asked me if my mother is mad at me because I am forgetting my english, and I said I hope not. Jorge had to go to Peru for his business and had a great time, he took his bible that he just baught and his Book of Mormon to read on the trip. Well he gave his Book of Mormon to a lady that was sad, and he said this book has given me peace. So the family is progressing a lot and we have a great relationship with them but they don`t want pressure, so we can`t give them a baptismal date, but it is all about patience right? The less active members are coming to church, we had about 20 more in the sacrament meeting than normal, so the work is really good right now. Elder Cruz is teaching me a lot and we are having a great time, he is a great son and listens, so now I understand how happy you and Dad are when we listen to you. That story was funny about Jonah, I will have to use that one. I am loving the bible right now, I never understood how much information you could take out of the old and new testament. There is no way I could understand it without the spirit though, some of that stuff is DEEP!!!!!!! Oh and I am going to buy the luggage today, they are really nice, 16 thousand pesos(about$30.00) and yeah we do use CHILENO PESOS, when I take the money out of my card, it turns into Chileno Peso. Everyone loves to see the American money here though. They love American anything, especially missionaries with blonde hair, je je. Tell Jordan and Heidi to keep the pesos, it is from a different country, so it is cool to have. I will bring some money home when I am done. I am keeping healthy, I just got done with a cold, everyone in Chile has the cold so it wasn`t anything new. The weather just so ya`ll now is freezing now, I am so glad I bought a jacket before the mission. It gets really cold at night and the waves from the ocean now are huge, it is sweet. I listen to them all night while I sleep. Tell dad ´take luck with the buisness, take it , care for it, je je.´ I am praying for you all everynight, so I hope everything goes great. I don`t know what else to write, I am trying to think about things that are going on. This last week was the week of the Virgen of the Tirana, and so there are people from all over Chile in my sector that are all dressed up in costumes and do a dance, it is really cool, but extremely Babilonish, too bad they don`t have the truth, yet....Oh yeah, this week my ward is going to have an actividad where every family is going to present their country, food, and the culture or whatever we want to say. My ward has people from all over, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia, Japan, Paraguay, Uraguay and the best of all THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!!! HECK YES!!! So I am going to make a bunch of Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwhiches, because I couldn`t think of a type of food that we have, we kinda steal the food from other countries. So hopefully it goes well. Anywho, this email has been a book, but whatever other questions you all have about where I am at the the culture go ahead and ask. I love Chile so there is a lot to talk about. I love you all and will talk to ya next week. Check ya later, and con mucho questo. Elder McKAY Bryan Jackson

New Area! IQUIQUE

2009-06-19T06:17:00.000-07:00

can`t believe how crazy everything is changing. Is our ward still the same? President Watson will be AMAZING, I have always looked up to him. He is the one that got me into the mission with his mission classes and now he will be the one that releases me too. I am sure that it was a sweet conference, Elder Holland has always been a favorite of mine, even more since the mission. He cleaned out Chile completely a couple years ago, so now Chile is a growing area because of him. We are also going to be having a big conference this week. We are going to be listening to Elder Dixon of the first quourmn of the 70, the funny thing is we are going back to Arica to listen to him, so looks like I will be able to see my home town once more and Elder Verwer. So are we still in the same ward as Travis Price? I sure hope so. So if there are 3 stakes, who is the other Stake President, we have President Watson, President Shumers and who else? Soon we are going to be having a temple right in Farr West with this growth. Oh and don`t worry that your letter was long, I always do like them longer from ya, after all you are my mother, the most important letter that I could read. I am doing great here. I will be having another baptism this week with hermano Michel, so I will tell you how it went.I love you all and know that this is the church of Jesus Christ and am honored to be a representative of him and the Jackson Family. Have a great week and we will talk to ya all later. Cho Cho Elder Jackson P.s. If I do need anything, it would just be the bathroom supplies, like shavers, shaving cream, soap, face wash, just that kinda stuff. It costs a lot. But only if you can.

I love this place... New Companion Elder Verwer from Utah and my 2nd baptism Brother Alejandro..

2009-03-05T21:27:00.001-08:00

Hola Familia, ¿como estan? Esta semana pasada era spectacular. A lot has happened. Alejandro Fabio Ordenes Ordoñez is now a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, yep, he was baptized finally, and how amazing it was. He invited all of his family and extended family and so there was about 15 non members at this amazing powerfully, spiritually baptism. After the baptism we took all of their names and they want us to pass by and teach them also, they all felt something that they have never felt before. It is amazing how things work out. Also the direct family aren`t members(yet) and they love us, so I guess we will see what happens there. I also bought a Bible for them because they don`t have one and I wrote my testimony in it and address. He just kept saying thank you thank you, I have been missing this part of my life for a long time, and now I feel so much love and happiness that I have never felt. Then yesterday he was confirmed a member. Yeah he is amazing. Oscar went to the baptism, he gives me a smile everytime I see him. He is growing so much, the other day he was so excited because he found all of the Hymns on the internet and downloaded them all. Then bishop just told me that he will be given the Melckezidek Priesthood on the 15th, Stake Conference. How amazing is that, then he will be able to go to the temple and be sealed for time and all eternity with his family. AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THE MISSION!!!!!!!!!! Anywho, I need to settle down, so..........Oh yeah, my companion is from Heriman, Utah. Heriman is close to Riverton. So that will be sweet that I am close to him after the mission. He is the man, I have never been this tired in the mission, but I have never had so much success and excitement for the mission either. We are having a ton of fun, and at the same time I am tired spiritually every night because all the amazing experiences that happen every day. The days pass by as if they were 3 hours long. Tell Alex and Mackenzie congatulations on being baptized, I will try to send them a card if I can save up some money. Yesterday being fast and testimony meeting, Alejandro asked me if he could share his testimony and thank everyone and it suprised me, they are usually to shy, so I went up with him and he shared his testimony and it was amazing and he was crying like a baby thanking everyone and the two angels that taught him. Then I went up and shared my testimony and talked about baptism and how a man name William Watkins was baptized about 175 years ago in England and because of him, I am here in Chile sharing the gospel. After everyone was thanking me for my testimony and saying you spoke with so much confidence and spoke fluent. I am definately being blessed with my spanish. I haven`t spoken english with Elder Verwer at all, so I am learning a lot and recieving the gift of tongues more and more. I can`t believe Larry H. Miller died, I heard last week and was shoked, also when I heard about Wirthlin when he died, extremely shoked. They were both amazing Men, it will be cool to see who is the next apostle in conference NEXT MONTH!!!! WOO HOO!!!!! Tell Carston congratulations for me, I will try to send a letter to him before he leaves, he will be a great missionary in Kentucky. Yeah the weather is still the exact same as when I got here 6 months ago(today). Arica is called La Eterna Primavera. It is awesome, I love the weather. It is really humid but hey it is all good. Anywho, so that is what is going on. I don`t have much time and I have written a novell, but I want to send some pictures so I will end now. I love you all so much, have a great week and tell everyone hi for me, especially Travis and Katie Price. Have fun. check ya later. Elder McKay Bryan Jackson The First p.s. Elders just told me that a investigator of their sector wants ME to baptize him on the 14th. I taught him here twice but he lives in another sector so we gave him to the other missionaries. I didn`t think I had that great of an impact, I was wrong. I`m definately not going to complain.

My 2nd baptism! Alejandro! He is amazing..

2009-03-05T21:15:00.000-08:00

Thanks Dad for teaching me how to make pancakes!

2009-03-05T21:12:00.000-08:00

McKays Address:

2009-02-22T15:57:00.000-08:00

Elder McKay Bryan Jackson
Chile Antofagasta Mission
Sucre 22o, Oficina 504
Edificio Bulnes
Antofagasta, 11 Region
Chile

My first baptism! Oscar Barra

2009-02-01T08:32:00.001-08:00

My first baptism! Oscar Barra

2009-02-01T08:21:00.000-08:00

So all I have to say is I forgot how much I love to hate those P.M.S. cruisers, or whatever they are called.That is a great photo, you have no idea how much I miss the rain, if you could, send me some in a zip lock baggy, but it has to be raining in the bag so when I open it, it will rain and rain on us. Oh yeah speaking of water, the water in the baptismal font felt real real real good on Saturday. I am trying to think if I have ever had a happier experience in my life and I cant think of anything. Oscar Manuel Barra Lagos is now able to enter into the Lords kingdom if he keeps Enduring to the End. I had the opportunity, the honor and the privilege of baptizing him, and it was such an amazing experience. I can`t describe the felicidad that I feel right now, all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!! Oscar just kept thanking me, he bore his testimony and said only Elder Jackson will ever know the great change of heart I had. I know this church is true thanks to my eternal brother and friend Elder Jackson, yeah I cried, I`m not gonna lie. Sunday he was confirmed a member of the true church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and recieved the Holy Ghost. Then we confired upon him the Aaronic priesthood in the office of Priest. So next week he will be blessing the sacrament. I will be content if Oscar is the only baptism I have the opportunity to be a part of because he will forever be a firm member. But I am going to keep going strong so we can bring eternal happiness to other families. His next goal is baptizing his daughter who has 5 years, and also going to the Temple with his wife. Wow huh!!!! The Lord is blessing us so much right now, Alejandro will be baptized this week on Saturday, the 31st. So I am excited for that. We have a Noche de Hogar (FHE) with his family tonight, so maybe we will be able to convert the whole family, that is his desire. So yeah, the gates of heaven have literally been opened on this sector in Arica, Chile and I have the opportunity to be an angel. Family I love you all so much and thank you all for your prayers. The work of the Lord is moving, really fast and will keep going on. Have a great week and you are all in my prayers. Elder McKay Bryan Jackson(Bigmac, mickey bry) The First

Christmas in Chile!

2009-01-02T13:41:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Chile!

2009-01-02T13:30:00.000-08:00

McKay had to go to the hospital!

2008-12-09T04:58:00.000-08:00

Nov. 10th 2008

2008-11-14T16:11:00.000-08:00

Wow, that is so weird. You wrote Hi McKay, and I didn’t know who you were talking to for a minute. How are all ya doin in Utah? Chile is super bueno, the temperature keeps rising and rising. I love it, it stays nice and cool by my house because I am by the ocean, speaking of the waves have been huge. Chile has a surfing competition every year, they are some of the best waves I guess. Oh and the cruise lines have been coming in like crazy, I saw a Carnival Cruise line and it made me miss my cruise. It was some serious fun, I have got to do it again. I don’t have any families right now, but I do have 3 persons with baptismal dates. Their names are, Jonathan Avalos(22 Nov), Narcisa Avilez(13 Dic) and Jackaline Mir(13 Dic). They are so amazing, Narcisa has so much faith, her whole family is Catholic and always have been Catholic and so she is putting of all her ways that she has ever known after hearing two lessons with us, she is also from Ecuador. Jackaline Mir is also super catholic and always has been, she loves attending churches and studying. The best is Jonathan Avalos, he is a soldier in Chile and a huge guy with huge muscles. But it’s amazing, the spirit can even reach the hearts of the big bad soldiers and make them cry. He was living with a women that is LDS and w= e told him he needs to get married. They just made the decision to split = off, but he still wants to be baptized and to be taught. We taught them about temples and they are wanting to go through next September and be married. It is so amazing what these people will do for the gospel, after all it is everlasting life and happiness with your families :)
This week was kinda crazy, I have had better weeks I’m not going to lie. I have been deathly ill, for reallo. Last monday is when it started at night. I started to get a high fever and vomiting and other stuff to the max :) that I don’t want to talk about. All I can say is this is by far the best weight loss diet I have ever been on, even better than Jenny Craig, how bout that. Tuesday my fever was extremely high, 103 reaching 104 and so my companion was freaking out and Sister Urra was on the phone with him and told him to get me to the Hospital. So I went and they hooked me on tubes and IV’s and gave me shots and all kinds of stuff. They said it was because some food, but they don’t know what. So this whole week I was on and off being sick, like today I am sick again with a little fever. But I think I am getting better so you don’t need to worry about me, the Lord will watch over his servants in the vineyard. Oh you should definitely read Jacob 5:20, it is amazing, it is the reason I am out on a mission. That story about Daniel Stephens is way cool, it’s so true, the Priesthood is amazing. Elder Cortez gave me a blessing and later on in the week he got a cold and so I gave him a blessing. If we have faith, the power of the Priesthood and Prayer can do anything, Enos 1:20 Oh and about the shavers, you don’t need to send them, the mission just brought in a new rule of no shaving, it will make us look more manly and then the people will listen to us because we look older....... Ok it was a joke, but whatever shavers will work just fine, I have been using something like Mach 3 or 5 turbo. Whatever your heart desires. Also if you could send a few more ties of whatever color (Tiffany is good at choosing ties), it is the only thing that changes }your outfit every day. Also, my church c.d.s I should have listened to you but I am needing some music, Cambios are soon and Elder Cortez will probably be transfered with his c.d.s. I think they are in my drawer, just pick out the ones that aren’t church if you could. Thank you so much, I appreciate all your help mother.
Oh and tell Josh if the Jazz keep doing good, he might need to record some games, especially the championship. I have been missing them. The Shed looks great, nice job Dad. Oh and all I hear in Chile is Obama won Obama won and how do you feel about that? They follow everything with the U.S. they are pretty much the 51st state. Tell Tiff good luck with her blessing and tell her to read it often. It is amazing, I read it a lot, and everything that could have happened has happened in my blessing. The Lord knows all.
Well family, I love you so much. Please pray for me and my health. Don’t worry to much mother, everything will be just fine. Have a great week and keep praying and reading scriptures together as a family, it is the best way to be unified, it was also my favorite memories, like the peanutbutter and Jam 15 years ago. Wow, good times. Anywho, check ya later and peace out my homies. Con Questo.

Elder McKay Bryan Jackson The First

I love my mission!

2008-11-03T16:04:00.000-08:00

My 2nd companion Elder Cortez!
I

November 1st 2008

2008-11-03T16:01:00.000-08:00

Hola Familia Jackson,
Comos Estan? Gracias por los fotos, son super bueno y bacan. I can´t believe how big the chicaditos are. Everyone is growing up and I have only been out, what.... 4 months. But I am glad everything is going well. Haloween sounds like ya´ll had fun. What is the deal with only 20 kids showing up though, sounds like Chile. The people in Chile don´t really like Haloween because they say it is the official holiday of the devil, so the others that do trick or treat score some serious dulce. Some little girls that we dont even know gave us some of theirs at the end of the night, I love the people here. That is definately one thing that is better here, are the people. They will give you the shirt off their back, feed you, and give you shelter if you asked. Oh and mom, you can definately use my fat lady any time, my fat lady is your fat lady, mi casa es tu casa. Oh and another great thing is the 1st day of Noviembre, is the day of the dead. So everyone goes to the cemetary which is weird and spooky like in the movies of shakespear or something and they have big fiestas and people are selling candy and all kinds of stuff. It is like a carnaval like the day of 4th of July. But the Pastor preaches and sings to the people while right next to him was another booth for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The members and us(the missionaries) passed out folletos of the Plan of Salvacion and taught them about life after death and Gods love for us. There were so many people that were interested. It makes me really happy to know where I am going and that we have a plan, it gives the people hope. I have pictures but no camera today so next time I will send some pictures.
Also we had our Zone Conference this week for this transfer on Tuesday. It was amazing, we had Elder Lawrence Corbridge of the 70 for Chile come and talk to us all day. He is from Idaho and spoke spanish all day to us and taught us. He gave us a better way to teach, it shows the people the importance of our message. It is amazing. Ever since, we have 4 people that have accepted our invitation of baptism, they just need to be taught more and they should be ready. Oh and I don´t know if I told you but the whold missions goal is 4 baptisms by the end of the year starting last month and we have none so far. We are getting closer though. I didn´t get to teach that family because the dad doesn´t want us, one day though.
Oh I would love to see pictures of the shed, I think you already tried sending it but I never got pictures of that. But nice job dad, what´s next the house?
So there are a few things that I would really appreciate in the package, if you can´t that is fine, but I am needing CHAPSTICK, Blistex preferable, tiene sun screen, I haven´t seen any out here and I am almost out. Also, another JOURNAL, I am writing novels everyday of miracles so I am almost done with this Journal. SHAVERS, they are a little expensive here, if you can´t because they are blades that is totally fine. A few more PHOTOS of whatever, family maybe, like Josh and Tacy, the kids, ya´ll, Utah just whatever. I just need some more pictures to look at, including the Salt Lake Temple if you can, and a picture or two of my sky diving the people want to see it. I can´t think of anything really more. I am doing great with what I have.
Oh and the weather is amazing, it is like the 4th of July weather every day, I love it.
Well I have to go, but everything is going great. I love you all, thanks for everything. Everyone of ya´ll are in my prayers and my companions every night. Keep studying the scriptures and praying and have a great week. Love ya
Elder McKay Bryan Jackson
The First

2008-10-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

Letter received on October 6th 2008
S-U-P-D-A-W-G Sup dawgs Sup Dawgs. So what´s going on family? O.k. so I had no idea about Dad´s new truck, just some needed info: what is the make, model, the year and the color. Oh and how many miles does it have? Anywho, I´m glad you liked the pictures, I would send them through mail, but I want to save money, I will send a bunch at my year mark probably. I have more today, so I hope you like them. Cambios are soon so Elder Calquin will probably be with me just a couple more days, so today we went running close to Morro de Arica, you need to see it, it´s amazing. There was a cruise line docking in and the waves were huge, there were also two dead pelicans on our run(just for your imformation, I thought you would like) But it is a dream running on the beach, it feels so good and it calms you down so much. There are play grounds everywhere so I got a picture of that also. Oh and Elder Calquin used to be a diver when he was ten and we got pictures at the place where he had a meet.
Anywho, I did get to watch conference. I took 30 pages worth of notes in my journal, so I have to buy a new one soon. It was amazing. There were 5 of us gringos in a room at the Stake Center watching it in English. I absolutley loved it but it killed me to think how close that is to home. But I got over it quickly because that night I got 5 investigatores to come with us to conference which is amazing. But I absolutely loved the talks, oh and I new you would be crying especially in the one about missionaries. I put in my journal, (mom is probably crying right now) but they were all so great, and to hear the announcement of 5 new temples was amazing. We were hoping for Chile so bad but hey they have to pay tithing first. Also what struck me for the family is being unified by studying(not just reading) scriptures and praying together as a family EVERY DAY!!!!!! Please Please make sure you do it, I know it will bless us so much more than we are already being blessed everyday. That is another thing, make sure you all remember who is blessing us and where the blessings are coming from. Give thanks every day for everything, I never realized how much I loved the little things until I got out here. Like being able to walk bare foot on the carpet, grass, drinking water from the tap, warm showers, a conversation in English, or just a hug or saying I love you to your mom or family.
Enough of my preaching, it just meant a lot to me to hear conference. But this weekend Saturday is the baptism of Miguel, Andrea(maybe and hopefully), and Katia. Hopefully everything keeps working out well for them to be baptized. We also might be able to baptize Jesus Patricio, I guess we will see. It´s amazing the things you hope and wish for when you are on a mission. It´s all about them, this mission isn´t about me. I´m glad I learned that early.
That is good Tiffany had a good 16th birthday, oh and how was homecoming, did Fremont win? But Tiff is lucky she got to spend it with the family, the family is where it is at.
Oh and that is extremely loco loco that I have been out that long. Last week was my month in Chile(not Chili, he he) and then this week my 100 day mark. It is flying by. We are getting some 12 new gringos this cambio so I won´t be the nuevo anymore. Since it is cambios soon, we had our 6 week interview with President Urra. I was lucky because it wasn´t one on one, there were 3 other Nativo, Older Elders with me. President Urra just kept complementing me and saying in Spanish can you believe that this is Elder Jacksons first cambio. He is much more experienced then 6 weeks. So it made me feel really good. It is sad to not have much more time with Elder Calquin though. He helped me out so much. But hey, the Lord will bless me with another great companion.
Well I love you all and thank you for your love and prayers. Have a great week and make sure and have fun and make the best of TODAY and dont worry about what could have been.
(There are no tomorrows to remember, if we don´t do something today.)-President Thomas S. Monson.
I love you all. Check ya lata.
Con amor siempre
Elder McKay Bryan Jackson
The First

Arica Chile!

2008-09-15T16:02:00.000-07:00

I'm popular in CHILE!

2008-09-15T15:58:00.001-07:00

Come Ye! Come Ye!

2008-09-15T15:56:00.000-07:00

HOLA FAMILIA!

2008-09-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

Hello familia. I am absolutlely loving Arica. It is a little difficult because I can´t Express all my feelings when I talk to people, but it´s all good. I have only been here for two weeks so I cant get upset with myself. This week was my first Sunday and the first time I was able to take the sacrament in Chile so that was exciting. It was also fase and testimony meeting so I went up there and bore my testimony in Spanish first and then in English. Everone in the congregation was amazed and had such a big smile on ther face but the great thing was they didn´t even understand me. It felt good to be the one that understood everything and everyone else didn´t. The funny thing is that when I did bare my testimony in english it was hard to remember english words, I don´t know if that is a good sign or not. Also, we had an investigador that came to church all by himself and then we taught him the first lesson. But the work is going absolutely fantastic. The people are really receptive and so it makes life a lot easier. Miguel and his family are doing great. Andrea, the wife, is the only one I am a little worried about because she says she just needs time to know 100 percent sure. But Either way I think she will pull through and be baptized, I am praying for it. The baptsm will be on the 27th. So I am way excited. All the members and everyone are helping me out a lot with spanish and they know that I am trying so they are fine with it all. They all want me to teach them english and so it´s fun teaching them. I really am loving it out here, spanish is my only downfall. Since I can´t talk great in Spanish I can´t really talk to anybody so it gets really lonely, so then I get homesick. But that is when I just work harder and the Lord always helps pull me through. This week is going to be really exciting in Chile. Septiembre 18th is Chile´s Nacional Independence day and it actually lasts all week. I was in Arica Centro today, the Heart of Arica and they had all the soldiers and all kinds of stuff going on. My area is Pukarani which is just 10 minutes or so away from the Centro. The Centro is where we do all of our shopping and our Prep day activities. Like today, the Zone placed futbol, instead of basketball courts, they have street caged futbol courts. There are 3 gringos(Americans) in our Zone and the rest are all Natives. I am the yougest and the most gringo so its tough when they all talk to each other and I can´t talk back. But it´s all good because while we were playing futbol, your son scored 3 goals. This isn´t just a simple game of soccer Esther, it is intense, well actually it´s in a cage J but they are nativo good. So a gringo scoring 3 is dang good and it felt dang good. Also, Chile´s Nacional team has been played two games so far. The last game they kicked Columbias butt 4-0, and Columbia is good. When they are playing, everyone is incide watching the game. So when they store, you can hear the whole country screaming for ever. It´s amazing to hear. It is tough to teach during those times because you can´t teach anyone, so we just go to a members house and watch the game with them. But I absoluetly love the Culture down here. It is a little hard getting used to, like the Money, and everything but it is only my second week so…. Elder Calquin is amazing. He is a great trainer and it is fun teaching him english. He is a way cool guy, I just hope he keeps his patience with me because I have a little hard time with everything. Oh yeah, I ate at a members house on Sunday. We had everything I don´t like, fish, tomatoes, beets and atrichoke. But you would be proud because I ate it all, it was tough, but I did it. Thanks for the pictures, Jaime has quite the tummy and I am so excited for her. I already know what it is and I am so excited. Dad looks great in his Picture too, although he doesn´t look as pregnant as Jamie. Souds like evereything is kinda crazy right now at home. I will keep you all in my prayers. I love you all and wish I could write you all seperate but it is tough with my Schedule. Tell everyone hi from Chile for me. Have a great week. Talk to ya later and good luck with everything.
Love your son and brother,
Elder McKay Bryan Jackson
The first
P.S. My dream came true. I always wanted live close to the beach so I could run. We run on the beach every morning for exercise. It is so amazing and peaceful. It is the best way to start off the day. Love ya all.

NEW PICTURES!!

2008-09-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

He made it to Chile!!

2008-09-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

My Mission President and his wife Sister Urra

My companion Elder Calquín.

Leaving on a jet plane!

2008-08-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

McKay is Leaving for Chile on September 1st..
He is so excited...

My New Shirt!

2008-08-27T20:47:00.000-07:00

August 22 2008

2008-08-24T17:43:00.001-07:00

Hey family, so I am going to be writing you a letter later on today, but I just wanted to tell Dad happy 50th Birthday. You are an old fart, ya know. Just think Dad, you are already half way through your life. :) Anywho, I hope that your birthday goes wonderful and that all your wildest dreams come true. I know mine are right now.
Today I will be getting my flight plans so in my letter I will let you know when and what time I am leaving. I am so excited. I have a week from Monday and so Chile is all that I am thinking about right now. I actually started taking calls in spanish yesterday and I got the missionaries and a Book of Mormon to everyone that I talked to. They were so excited and so it made me excited. So then I thought ya know my spanish may not be perfect right now but when I am out in the field in a week I will have the spirit as my spanish prompter as long as I am worthy of it. Nothing can beat the spirit. So I guess I do feel ready now.
Also, this past Tuesday we had the opportunity of listening to Dallin H. Oaks and his lovely new companion Sister Oaks at the fireside. I was really close to them and they did a really great job of speaking to me. They both talked about living right to have the Holy Ghost as a guide in our lives. This is really important because I as a missionary am focused on the spirit all the time. On a mission that is all you do, eat, drink and sleep the spirit and ways to keep that spirit with you all the time. He told us that the only way we can live worthily of the spirit is if we partake of the Santa Cenna each week worthily and righeously. While we are partaking of it, we need to think to ourselves that this will help me to be worthy of that spirit for the rest of the week. The Sacrament is not just something we do just because, it is and extremely important event that we should take a lot more serious and think about it a lot more then we normally do.
It really was such an amazing talk, he ended 20 minutes early but he said everything he needed to say. Thats how it should be, we need to say what we need to say and not worry if you are taking up all the time that is meant for you. It was also a really simple talk. He used a lot of scriptures and let them bare testimony of the truthfullness, he added his testimony to that to be the secondary testimony and then he put questions in our head to make us think and want to do better. That is exactly how we are trained to teach here in the mission and the spirit is so strong when you do it correctly.
I think school has started already for ya'll, so if it has, good luck and remember to have fun. Education is one of my most favorite things and it will help all of those who make an effort and do his/her best. Always be striving to learn more and more everyday and turn to the Lord when you are stressed out about something. The Lord knows every subject and is a schollar in all of them. In fact he invented education and all that implies so he knows all the answers. Thats for everything. Prayer is amazing and so I hope that all of you are praying everyday about everything that you engage in. The Lord already knows what you have done but you have to go to him in sincere prayer and ask him to bestow blessings upon your head. (Moroni 10: 3-5) Also, make sure that you are still praying every night as a family. That will be the biggest strength for you all and Satan cannot break the bands of a strong family.
We did get the new district this week and they are great. We recieved 8 Elders and 4 Hermanas. I actaully know one of the Hermanas. She is my friend Lauren White's older sister so it is good to k now someone. They have only been here for 2 days so they are really worn out but I see a lot of good out of them all. I see a lot of good coming from the whole zone. I have 5 districts in my zone. District A has 9 Elders, District B(new district) has 8 Elders and 4 Hermanas, District C has 6 Elders, District D has 10 Elders and then my district, District F has 4 Elders.
Well I love you and will send a small letter. Have a great week. LOve ya.

McKay's First Letter

2008-07-11T21:17:00.000-07:00

Hey so I really hope you all get this and start reading your emails because this
is how I will be writing ya for a while. My P Day is Friday so that is when i
will be writing ustd. How in the world are ya guys anyway? How did the baby
blessing go? Also mother, happy late birthday. I already wrote two letters to ya
so I hope you have received them all so far. Also, how was the 4th of july? Ours
was awesome. We watched the stadium of fire fire works but I wasn't able to
convert Hanna Montana or what ever her name is. I tried my hardest. :)
It's so cool to think that I have already been gone for a week and almost two
weeks. After I hit sunday everything started going crazy fast and so life is
going great now. The first few days were way tough just because they felt so
long and the days wouldn't end, but it's all good now.
Today I went to the Mt. Timpanogeous temple and did a session there and it
was amazing. The Provo temple is closed for cleaning for the next month so thats
pretty darn sad, I'm not gonna lie. I just love the temple though, spirtually uplifting to the max.
Also, there are 10 Elders in my district, 6 of which are going to Spain. This
means that they only have a week and a half left here at the Provo MTC and that
means our district will be cut in half, actually more than half. It's going to
be tough because I have become very close to them. Most of them live in Utah so
I should be fine. Also, there is a district in my zone that has been here for 3
months and they are all going to Mexico. So they have been delayed a whole
month. They just got reasigned to Salt Lake Spanish speaking until they get
their Visas. So Elder Thompson is going to be delayed longer too. I feel bad.
I have two other roomates. Their names are Elder Perucca and Elder Harper.
They are so different in so many ways so it's fun to be around them. Elder
Perucca is actually ranked #1 in the world in the Poke-Mon trading card game so
that makes everything that much better. Every night we have a big Journal
writing party in my room and Elders all around the Zone come and we all laugh and talk
about life. It's real fun.
The food is amazing here, I don't know how anyone could be sick of it because
I am being fed like a king for every meal and it's not cheep food either. I am
trying to gain some pounds but I just weighed myself during GYM yesterday and I
am the exact same, I'm so mad. I just want to be fat, I don't think that is to
much to ask. :) I'm funny, I know.
Oh and I met someone just yesterday that is going to my mission, so I will be
seeing him in about 6 weeks maybe.
The Elders here are so nice, I love it. I have guys come in my room every
night and ask me if I need anything and they are all sincere so it's sweet here.
I have never met such nice people in my enitre life, they would do anything for
ya. I bore my testimony to them on sunday and told them all thanks and told my
companion how amazing he was. I really am so lucky to have such a great
companion that teaches me so much every day. He said he looks up to me but it's the opposite. He thinks I am going to be the next district
leader, but I don't know if I could handle it. I would need some serious help
from the spirit.
But I hope you all are doing good. I will be sending some pictures and a tape
home soon so I hope you all like it. Tell Heidi thanks for the money and it
helped a ton. I love you all so much and you are all in my prayers every night.
The church is so true. Have fun. Talk to ya later.

MY ADDRESS

2008-07-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

HEY EVERYONE MCKAY'S NEW COMMPANION IS ELDER MILLER FROM MESA ARIZONA!!!! HIS ADDRESS IS

ELDER MCKAY BRYAN JACKSON

MTC Mailbox # 206

CHI-ANT 0901

2005 N. 900 E.

Provo, Utah 84604-1793

SEND HIM A LETTER!! HE WILL ENJOY IT!!

I'm leaving to the MTC

2008-07-07T10:30:00.001-07:00

Bishop Stephens is amazing!

2008-07-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

MY HERO'S

2008-07-07T09:57:00.000-07:00

Getting my stuff packed. This will come in HANDY!

2008-07-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

July 1st. Before I was ordained an elder and After! Don't I look different!

2008-07-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

My Friends at my Farewell!

2008-07-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

My first baptism
was my neighbor
Austin Strong.

Mission Call BABY!!

2008-07-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

I received my mission call on March 12, 2008

I am going to Antofagasta Chile
on July 2nd Yeah!