MACANUDO.

NICE. Hello blessed people. This week flew by. I don't even know where it went. Next week is transfers, which means also that Elder Groen is heading home. How weird is that? It is crazy how incredibly quickly time flies. Last Tuesday I hit my EIGHT MONTH MARK WHICH BLEW MY MIND. The fact that I left the comfort of my home over eight months ago is crazy. My pench mate Elder Townsend, who arrived with me told me that that translates in to one third of our mission. That means that time goes by really fast, and that means that I need to make sure I'm working real hard so that I can make the most of this time. Time is a quick one, and often times it passes and we look back on what we made of it with a little bit of bitterness, right? That's been my goal for quite a while. I think as humans, it's impossible to not have regrets, but I don't want to look back on my service towards my Lord with any bitterness. I know I'll remember it was hard, and absolutely I'll remember that I am and was completely and fully happy here doing this, but I don't want to remember things I didn't do that I should have, or that I did do that I shouldn't have. But hey, that's not just for my mission, but for my life as well! 

I love the scripure in 2 Nephi that tells us that "men are that they might have joy". This life was never meant to be a life filled with trials and tests and suffering so that after we suffer through it we'll get to finally be happy in the next. We're here to be happy as well! Yes, our trials and tests are important, but the Lord has given us families (however small they may be), and has given us a beautiful world to live in. Even joy can be found in the ugly parts of this world - especially if we try and help them out and bring our light and joy over there. But there is a catch! A fullness of joy always always always will come as we follow the Saviour. With out our Jesus, there can't be true joy. There are always moments that we can feel it, but to receive it completely, we have to partake. It's just like the Holy Spirit! We can all feel the Spirit some times, but in order to have it with us as a constant guide towards happiness, we have to follow Christ's example and "be baptised, yea, even by water!"

How I love my family and the example they have all been to me. This week is going to be crazy good for every one. Especially for my beautiful mother since it's her birth-day. Shout outs to her for being wonderful and for being born. You're the greatest, Mum. ¡Feliz cumple!

ABRAZOS,

Elder McDonald