THE SETTING APART

-Tonight I was set apart as a Full-Time Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints-
Im an Official Representative of this Church and more importantly of Jesus Christ. Spencer W. Kimball (once our Prophet said) "The setting apart may be taken literally; it is a setting apart from sin, apart from the carnal; apart from everything which is crude, low, vicious, cheap, or vulgar; set apart from the world to a higher plane of thought and activity. The blessing is conditional upon faithful performance."

Its a very hard feeling to describe the Spirit, but tonight while being set apart, my stake president, my bishop and my father layed their hands on my head to give me this blessing. It was specific to me and my needs and was given through their authority of the Priesthood(the power of god-given to man restored by Joseph Smith). During this blessing, the best way to describe my feelings was that God was giving to me, Through them, all the ingredients that I will need to perform my mission effectively. He measured out exactly what I needed then added it all into my heart(my mixing bowl). He is going to use me to bake up a batch of something wonderful. :) I know that the priesthood is the true power of god and through him and my obedience, I can accomplish everything I am expected to. I can't wait! :)

 I LOVE MY FAMILY SO MUCH but i KNOW this is true- Missionaries leave their families for 18 months so that other families can be together forever. <3 and even though ill be gone for 18 months, i still have eternity to spend with my family :) how could i not take the time to share and give that gift to someone else. It wont be easy but it will be WORTH IT <3 :)

THANK YOU BISHOP NEWMAN FOR ALL OF YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT!

April 21,2013 - Signed, Sealed, & Delivered - Sincerely, Your Heavenly Father-

My Farewell Talk- 

Megan Macfarlanes Mission Farewell Talk - Click to Watch -

During the weeks prior to giving this talk, were some of the darkest days I have experienced in a very long time. I know the true strength of Satan and his power in preventing righteous works to occur. He truly worked day after day to bring my soul into darkness. The harder I prayed for enlightenment the more I felt surrounded by darkness. I read my scriptures and prayed and studied more than ever but the spirit was blocked by Satans power. He is just as alive as Christ. Do not let him in. I know that Heavenly Father allowed this to happen to strengthen me and test my faith. 
My Bishop told me through this that- Sometimes the Lord allows us to experience this darkness, regardless of our valiant efforts so that we can have more room to accept the light he will pour into our hearts after we endure the darkness- Stay Strong. Trust in the Lord and he will deliver you from bondage. Here is my talk for those of you who could not make it. Wether you are in other states or countries, I invite you to hear what the Lord had me prepare. Thank you for everyone who expressed their appreciation to me.  I loveMegan Macfarlanes Mission Farewell Talk

April 17,2013 - 6 more days...-

I got my visa and my name tag this week! CRAZY- Tonight I am realizing, in 1 week from now, I will be on a plane headed for the Argentina MTC. Amazing. Let me just say, The last couple weeks have been rough. Deciding to put my life on hold and serve a mission sounded alot easier than it has been.. and I havent even left yet! I know that this is where i need to be and this is what i want to be doing. I have no doubt about that...but this week the anxiousness has finally started to settle in. People have constantly been asking if im excited or nervous, if im ready to go and how my preparation is coming. EVERYBODY- im sorry but in my personal opinion there is no real way to just get "prepared". you just need to make up your mind, and dedicate yourself to that decision. Pray. Read your scriptures. and BE NORMAL. remember that what you are about to do is no easy thing and the lord is ultimately the one who is going to pull you through.

TRUST IN THE LORD. (its harder than it sounds, i know. but its SO worth it when we do) no friendship or family relationship is going to support you emotionally physically and mentally like your relationship with Heavenly Father. He is dependable, private, trustworthy, and he will never ever leave you comfortless(John 14:18). This i know. Through every struggle, even the ones i chose to bear without relying on the lord, i still knew he was watching and waiting for me to turn to him. He is the light and he will make your burdens light.

Typically i am extremely private. Actually... i am VERY private always and prefer to keep my emotions tucked away in a nice dark corner but i know that i need to share this. I make mistakes. Alot. Every single day. I say and do things that i am not proud of. However, i know that through the next 18 months, I will have the ULTIMATE opportunity to overcome and strengthen my areas of weakness. Wether or not the people of Paraguay are receptive to the message I come to share, I know that this experience will change my life forever. By sharing my testimony with others and making sacrifices, i know that Christ will give me the strength to become stronger. My abilities to understand and comfort others will grow. He will humble me and help me build a strong foundation for myself and for my future. I know this church is true. Although i may not always be the perfect example, I know will full certainty that this church is true and our Heavenly Father will not let you down. Give him a chance. Let him in and you will see miracles unfold.

December 4th, 2012 - Called to Serve -

December 4th, 2012 - 

        With much anxiousness I received my call in the mail and opened it on December 4th, 2012. At this point in the process I dont believe I fully understood the opportunity and blessing that was located inside this large white envelope. I knew that I wanted to serve and looked forward to this experience but was not entirely confident in myself and my abilities to become a good missionary. I was thrilled to know I would be learning a new language and leaving the United States but also at the time quite disappointed at the 5 month wait between my call opening and my departure date- April 25th. 

I had been struggling alot with my confidence and just wanted to get out and get started...hoping that my faith could be better strengthened by others. However, this was not Heavenly Fathers plan and these last 4 months have been exactly what I have needed. I have used them to better prepare myself for what lies ahead. My faith has been tested, my testimony tried, and I have overcome many feelings of inadequacy satan has placed into my heart. I now feel much more capable of what is coming my way. I have a renewed appreciation for the atonement. I also have a new appreciation for gods timing. He knows what I need and I have grown to know and feel that for myself while waiting. In only 3 weeks I will be giving my farewell talk and 2 days following, embarking on the greatest adventure of spiritual and emotional growth anyone could ever be blessed with.