Life is so great! Even when it's not great, it's still great; let's be honest. Yesterday it was first snow which popped my happiness meter up a few notches. I've been to the snow but I've never seen it actually snow. I walked out side to do service with my district, noticed the snow falling, and instantaneously reverted to my six year-old self. Yeah, I caught snowflakes on my tongue. Don't worry about it. How crazy is snow? I'm grateful that God thought of that one.
A lot of the beginning of this week consisted of Elder Mattinson being ill and bed-ridden, so not a ton to report there. But I did get him to the Sunday and Tuesday devotionals which were both phenomenal. Sunday was given by... I think the director of communications at the MTC? i forgot to bring my other notebook with devotional notes so I'm not entirely sure. But his whole talk was on family, which I loved dearly. The main thing was that we are giving these two years all for family. For the families of those whom we teach and for our learning to be a better part of a future family. I loved it.
Tuesday's was incredible as well. It was given by Elder Maynes (presidency of the Seventy) and that one had a huge focus on faith and being willing to follow the Spirit. The big new quote to go around the MTC now is "Have more faith than fear". It's scary to talk and teach people you maybe don't know or some thing, but as we continually have faith, we are promised that The Lord will open our mouths and His Spirit can guide us. Faith has been such a huge topic for me while I've been here. It's crazy. Every where I go I seem to encounter a lesson on faith, but probably because faith is every thing. Literally I think I've said this in the last three emails I've sent but all miracles and works ever wrought by any one have always been by faith. Jesus literally could not hide him self from the brother of Jared because his faith was so incredible. The blind, the leper, the man sick with the palsy, a simple touch of the Saviour's clothes, all of Christ's miracles were performed through faith. Enos cried day and night in faith, and was promised that the record of his people would be preserved. How grateful am I for that promise that has given us another perfect testament of Jesus Christ through the Book of Mormon in these last days. Read that book, and keep reading it! I wish that I would have read it better before my mission. The Book of Mormon is not about any thing but Jesus the Christ. That book contains the fullness of His words, and thus what problems could we have in our life that His plentiful Gospel cannot solve? Through Christ, all can be healed. I have a testimony of that. Elder Maynes dropped a bomb and said some thing I've never thought of ever: our Heavenly Father and His beloved Son Jesus Christ were the first missionary companionship of this generation, and Joseph Smith was the first investigator of Their Gospel. I testify that Joseph Smith saw the Father and His Son, and through Them restored Christ's church again. All are invited to read the Book of Mormon. Ponder it! Pray about it! I promise you will feel its truth as you do that with genuine intent.
SO, first funny Spanish story of my mission! Elder Mattinson and I got to Skype a member from Costa Rica and teach her a small lesson (Which was super cool! Props to the MTC for thinking of that idea). Any ways, we were talking to her about her family and her kids and she goes "Estoy embarasado!". Of course, what would our poor English ears translate that to? Embarrassed. So Elder Mattinson, right before one of my district mates could clarify from across the room, goes, "Por que?" Right after he said that, Elder Maycock yells, "She's pregnant!" from like four rows down. The damage had already been done though. All of us were dying for a solid two minutes at Elder Mattinson asking this poor sister why she's pregnant. Luckily she was super awesome and laughed right along with us. Good stuff. But it doesn't end there. Some how in the next twenty minutes Elder Mattinson forgot about that experience and after like misspeaking or some thing goes "Estoy embarasado." Poor man. That put us in to another fit of laughter. It's all good though. His Spanish is like four times better than mine so I think he deserved that after all of the struggles I've had.
I love my calling not only as a missionary but as a zone leader as well! Those who know me would understand how much joy it brings to my heart to be able to sit down with other missionaries and listen to them talk about any issues they're having. The other day I was able to reap the rewards of a talk I had with an Elder struggling with his companion a bit when he showed me the success of a suggestion I gave him. I'm in no way trying to brag about that, I hope that's clear. I only want to testify of the joy that can come from simply listening.
I truly love all of you dearly and few things bring me more joy than getting pictures from you! Keep sending them! Know that I have a powerful testimony of my Saviour Jesus Christ in my heart and with that falls in to place a testimony of every tenant of his Gospel. I have less than two weeks until I peace out to Argentina! Man I am stoked to fall in love with the Argentine people and their spirits. I have nothing but love for all reading my emails!
Estoy mas bien que un penguino en el desierto. 
Nos Vemos,
Elder McDonald
PS Love you
 |
| ONE MONTH ANNIVERSARY. I AM HOLDING A HOME MADE OREO AND JESUS THE CHRIST |
 |
| Okay so on the right is Elder Abbott who is super awesome but my favourite thing about him is that he looks like Shia Labeouf in his 'Holes' days. Elder Wakamatsu, also wonderful. He literally knows every thing about Jospeh Smith and pretty much the Gospel. If you read him a chapter heading from the BOM he can name the book and chapter. |
No comments:
Post a Comment