MILAGROS DE DIEZ

¿QUE SEMANA EH? I hope that all enjoyed the week passed as much as I did. Even when things on the outside don't seem super great, if we look a little harder there's always some pretty great stuff to find. I've got two cool stories. Those with ears to hear, let him hear:

Wednesday night. Pretty chilly. We had talked to the bishop the day before about some members of the church that aren't actively attending, and he told us about a man named Carlos who would be happy to see us if we passed by. We found his house, which is above a CrossFit centre (yeah, I didn't know CrossFit had made its way over here either). From outside, it's all made of concrete and just looks like a bunch of apartments. But we knocked on the door. He came down. Let us in with a smile saying "¡Élderes! ¿¡Cómo estan?!". On the walls going up the stairs he has cool paintings, so we ask, where'd you get those cool paintings? He responds, "From Costco!" Elder Groen and I look at each other and ask if there's a Costco here in Argentina, and he tells us no, I got it from the Costco in Utah, as if it were obvious. Long story short, this man and his family have a lot of money. It turns out that all of those "apartments" are actually just one house - his. The inside is so nice.... literally it's difficult to explain the surprise I felt as I walked up his stairs and in to his living room. It sufficeth me to say that it is a very nice house. Turns out he and his family had moved to Utah for a number of years to take their daughter, who is special needs, to a special school there. He told me they bought a culdesac. And it turns out that they are suuuch a nice family. Like super nice. Carlos is a member of the Church along with his daughter, but his wife never got baptised. They have now fed us incredibly delicious dinners twice (one of which was mashed potatoes and gravy.... gravy. I got gravy.), and Carlos is absolutely tickled that the bishop sent us to his house ofter such a long time. MIRACLE NUMBER ONE.

This Sunday, all of our plans fell through, so we were standing under a cover to escape the rain and looking at a list of members of the Church. There was a guy standing outside of his house watching his dogs (Oso and León) run around, so we began some small talk with him. He asked us if we wouldn't like to come in and drink some mate. We told him we would love some mate cocido (we can't drink mate unless it's cocido, which is like mate in a tea bag basically). He let us right in, and so we sat and chatted for a bit, and then asked him about all of the Native American decorations he had on his wall, and he said that he got them from different Argentine tribes. We used that to pull a sweet segway right in to the Book of Mormon, and how we know that the Lord spoke with and visited his children here in America as well as over in Jerusalem and that part of the world. He thought that was very interesting, so we read the introduction of the Book of Mormon with him, and he loved it. Understood it incredibly well, and what he didn't understand, he asked us in perfect questions. Ah, a super nice guy with a super prepared heart. Elder Groen and I left marvelling for sure. MILAGRO NUMERO DOS.

Sweet. So I was thinking on the lesson we could take out of this week's happenings, and I like thinking about how really we can always find some thing good about our lives, or our weeks, or our days. And we can always find a way that our Father in Heaven is telling us he loves us every day, even if it seems like our day was a gigantic bummer. So always be looking for the good things about the day! And if we can't find any thing, I have one that works for any situation. Our Saviour suffered for every single bad thing that happened that day. So He knows exactly how we feel, and exactly what we need to feel better. If that isn't a good thing I don't know what is. We had Stake Conference this Sunday, and two members of the Seventy came. Both talks were AWESOME, but I loved what one of them said about how no one can ever have true, real happiness unless they understand to some degree and take part in Christ's Atonement. And what truth! With out taking part in the Atonement, we can not receive relief from the burden of sin, and with out that relief, there really isn't any possibility of a fullness of joy, right? I feel like that's right. So when you come home from work and your legs hurt, and people yelled at you, and maybe you spilled mustard on your freshly washed shirt, remember that our wonderful Lord Jesus felt that and understands. And rest easy in that knowledge. I looooovvveeeee you all and I loooovvvveeee my life and what I'm doing right now. If taking part in the Atonement brings such joy, imagine the joy that I get to participate in and feel bringing the blessings of Christ's Atonement to others! 

AMOR Y ABRAZOS,

ELDER MCDONALD

Got these gems on a surprise Facebook message from the young man in the picture. Not sure what the event is, but it seems to revolve around mate- haha!

"I tried making caramel last Monday and ended up wasting a lot of butter and sugar because I only knew how to cook it based on watching Grandma make it every once in a while.... It was very, very burnt..."

¿TODO BIEN?

¡BUEEEENNN DIA A TODOS! How is every one? This week was pretty crazy, but still real great. Our friend Fabiola who was going to be baptised this last Saturday made a very surprising move to another area in order to be able to pursue a more secure way to return to Peru. So that was a surprise! But, we know that her desires were real and that the Lord never forgets His children, so I'm sure that she will be guided to the right path soon so as to be able to enter the gates of the Gospel of Christ. He knows and loves all his children!

This Friday, I got to cross "learn how to make empanadas" off my bucket list, which was relieving. And quite exciting. Turns out they're super easy to make! And turns out they're still incredibly delicious. I took plenty of pictures to guide all of you through the experience, so I hope you all enjoy them. Next on the list: Learn how to successfully cut a chicken correctly and make the batter in order to create a wondrous milanesa. Stay tuned!

I'll be competely honest: I'm having an intense bout of writer's block right now. I had some thing in my mind that I was going to say, but then it completely left me. This Sunday the Priesthood class was on refugees, and applying it to our selves even if there aren't any refugees from other countries coming in to our area (which there aren't in Argentina).It made me remember Elder Kearon's talk in general conference and the supreme importance of us comforting those that stand in need of comfort as Disciples of the Saviour. And I loved the application to daily life we came to in the class. The Lord has commanded us to succor those that need it, but He has also councelled us not to run faster than we are able. It may no be our responsibility to travel to war-torn countries and rescue refugees in crisis, but surely there are those right out side of our own house in crisis that need rescue. This morning I was reading the Book of Mormon in Mosiah, and came to the part where the people of Limhi were made to bear incredible burdens because of the Lamanites. It says this:

13 And they did humble themselves even to the dust, subjecting themselves to the yoke of bondage, submitting themselves to be smitten, and to be driven to and fro, and burdened, according to the desires of their enemies.

 14 And they did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions.

Reading that made me think about how it's really during the most difficult times in our lives that we recognise and desire help from the Lord. Many times as human beings, we go through prosperous times and joy and peace, and we forget a little bit about Who gave us the prosperity. But as things begin heading downhill, and we are put under the bondage of sin, or depression, or sadness in general, we begin to recognise that with out our Father's blessings, there is no joy. And with out our Father by our side, true prosperity is difficult. There are so many people passing through moments of humility now, whether they be refugees escaping physical or spiritual wars. And we, as Disciples of Christ, have such an incredible opportunity to show our brothers and sisters that it is through humbling our selves to the Lord that we receive the things that we truly need. The difficult times are necessary, and with the help of a friend, a difficult time can quickly turn in to an increased love and appreciation for the love and Atonement of our Saviour Jesus Christ. May we all have the desires to follow the councel of King Benjamin and be willing to cry with those who cry and comfort those who stand in need of comfort, owever grave the situation may be.

I LOVE BEING HERE IN ARGENTINA, I LOVE THE FAMILIES HERE, I LOVE MY FAMILY THERE, AND I LOVE THIS WORK. I love my Jesus and His work and example. I hope all are well, happy and drinking high quality mate.

ABRAZOS,
Elder McDonald

Geronimo and his family

Geronimo

Geronimo's Baptism

Baptism

Making Empanadas

Meat

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

EAT!

ANIMADO POR PARQUE

BUEEEEEEEN DIA. What a grand week. And how little time I somehow have! I don't know what happened. But hey!

New companion is Elder Groen and he is from Utah, the missionary factory! He is already a great friend. Super good guy and both of us are super excited to work hard and work happily. This is his last six weeks in the mission! How crazy is that? It's weird to see him preparing to leave Argentina, but he's also incredibly excited to make the most out of his last weeks among such wonderful people. 

Literally I have NO TIME but I want all of you to know that I love you with all of my heart and I love this incredibly Gospel of Jesus Christ with all of my heart! What an incredible love we have to feel and partake of in our Saviour every single day. I know with out even a shadow of a doubt that the path that we teach every day is the path to follow. Our Father in Heaven wants us to be happy, and he has given us the way to be happy in these days and in these times. This church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the Church that Christ organised when He walked the earth. We have a prophet and Apostles who receive His words and his guidance for us in these treacherous times. As we listen to what the Lord has to tell us, and as we speak with our Father in Heaven personally through diligent prayer, life will be happier. I testify of that, and we have proof of it in my words and the words of the Holy Scriptures and the prophets who wrote them.

If you're lacking in joy, ask for more from the Lord, and listen to what He says! All can know of the truth the Lord has for all of us, but we have to show that we have real faith, and put our desires in action! I LOVE ALL OF YOU AND I LOVE THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE OF ARGENTINA. This opportunity I have is one of joy and of love. 

Seriously, sorry that this is so short. Be safe all and love all!

¡CHAU!

Elder McDonald

Sweet Donkey Kong graffiti for Jase.

                      ELDER GROEEEEEN.

ME VOY... OTRA VEZ.

I'M LEAVING AGAIN! I'm starting to see a pattern here. My new area is called Parke San Martin in the zone of Merlo. My new companion's name is Elder Groeng (but the "e" has the two dots above it), which my mother tells me is Norwegian. But Elder Trent said he's a Yankee so we'll just have to see. AND, my zone leaders are Elder Ozcariz Choi and Elder Stuart, my first two companions. So that'll be super fun I'm sure. But what that does mean is that I'll be missing Geronimo's baptism on the fourteenth, which is super unfortunate. But, I know that he's getting baptised, I know that it will bless his life and the life of his present and future family more than any of us can imagine and I know that I'll be able to see pictures. So no worries! He is still a great friend in the Lord that I've made and I'll still be able to talk to him. 

WHAT an incredible joy it was to see my beautiful family this Mother's Day. How grateful I am to have been able to speak and especially hear your wonderful voices singing Soy un Hijo de Dios in Spanish. Man.. lots of joy. And it was super good to be able to see every one. Even Jarom came. (But I don't think that was supposed to be as much of a surprise for me.. I feel like you told me you were coming weeks ago, didn't you?) But seriously. I don't really have the words for it, but it was just way good to see every one happy and healthy and laughing. 

I hit seven months here a few days ago, and it was a really odd feeling. Six months was crazy, but then seven you round up to a year, which just blows my mind. That is so much time but also hardly any. And it passed so quickly. It makes me want to be sure I am doing every thing I can do work hard and utilise the spirit of missionary service that I have been blessed with for these two years. Take life by the horns! When you have an opportunity, be it college, a mission, marriage, a part time job mowing lawns for you neighbours, take all of it and do the best you can to work with it, even when circumstances don't seem to great. You're doing what you're doing nearly always for a reason, so it doesn't pay to complain or make it awful for your self. Put your shoulder to the wheel and work through it, and you'll always remember the joyful experiences better than any that maybe weren't as such. Right? Keep to it. Be happy!

All right, well, I need to go begin the adventure of packing my bags now, so I hope all are happy, all have plans to do super cool stuff this week, and none forget the incredible example and love we have from our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ. He is how we will find all joy that is yet missing from our lives! 

Love to all and to all a great night!

Chau,

Elder McDonald

A masterpiece for lunch today. #FutureCollegeMeals

Dang straight eggs on mac and cheese. With chimi churri and a little too much garlic...

Geronimo and his little brother with some other ward members.

Good day at church with Geronimo and his little bro....

Geronimo made me tiramisú! He guessed yesterday that I was leaving so he brought that to church...

Last Monday we went to Carlitos.

Pancakes with ice cream on top.

Pretty good. 

Oh yeah. I made chicken in the oven. Heh heh. 

HOLA

!QUE BUEN DÍA QUE ES¡ HOW IS EVERY ONE? This week was fulfilling. 

On Tuesday, we found out about a woman who moved on to the property of a member with absolutely nothing. She has seven children and is pregnant with an eighth, and literally moved in to the house with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Suuuper sad situation, but what joy it has been to see the members of the Church visit and give what they can to her and her family. She knows that the Lord is there to help, and I excited to see how she progresses in the joy of Christ's Gospel. 

This Sunday, we had a class focusing a lot around the things that we say to others (but also including what we read, hear and eventaully do). We read through chapter three of James, which is an incredible chapter with some incredible lessons about the mastery of the tongue. It made me think a lot. Some times we say a lot of things with out thinking about the potential effect they can have. James uses a lot of examples to teach his lesson: the massive ship is guided by but a small helm; a  great forest can be burned to the ground by but a small flame. So too can our tongues, which seem so small in comparison to the rest of our body, condemn us. Talking is pretty easy, and thus it is important to guide your tongue. It's difficult, but important! And if we focus on the examples and teachings of Christ, the Spirit will help us. 

Second thing I learned today! I was reading in the Book of Mormon in the Book of Jacob (the better of the books ), and I came to the part of Zenos's alegory of the vineyard when the Lord finds his vineyard overrun by wild fruit. It says that he wept upon realising that his fruit was lost, and then asks what more he could have done to save the fruits he had loved so dearly and laboured over so arduously. That verse hit me when I read it. It made me think about how much care and love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us. They have laboured and laboured with extreme diligence to provide us the means to stay on the path of happiness they've provided for us. Thus, as the Lord sees us become wild and lose our way, he truly does weep. He truly cares more than we can possibly understand about our well-being, and wants us to make the right choices. When we don't, he still loves us just the same, but he also is saddened. What loving Father wouldn't be? As such, it made me think of the responsibility I have and all members of Christ's church have to help others be tamed and guided to the correct path. We are the Lord's servants in his vineyard, and he has called us to labour to gather his precious fruit that he weeps for daily. He has given us a Plan of Happiness, and he has given us the way. And as we follow it and bring others to it, how great will be our joy! And how great will be our joy knowing that we have brought our Father in Heaven joy in seeing his children brought closer to him. I loved that verse, and I love the opportunity I have to work in an Argentine vineyard filled with wonderful (and many times a bit wild) fruit. And I love all of you! My time is gone, but I hope all are happy and all are well! LAUGH A LOT BUT DON'T LAUGH TOO MUCH.

Un Gran Abrazo,

Elder McDonald