AHÍ VIENE EL AÑO NUEVO

BUEEEENAASSSSS. Did every one have a wonderful Christmas? I did. Mine was really good. It was a blessing to be able to see the smiling faces of my wonderful family and hear the joy in their voices. But it was also sad to be bullied by them for my difficulty in conversational English. Haha, kidding! It was sad to have to ask my companion like six times for help saying a certain word or phrase. But I consider it a mission reaching accomplishment. I always tell my self that I only have two years to speak Spanish, but I have English my whole life. So I might as well speak it as much as possible, right? It's been great. But seriously, what a blessing to see my happy family. Let me just tell you, hearing that my mom knows how to make empanadas was probably the best Christmas gift I got.

I'm so excited to head in to a new year in Argentina! It is weird to think that I will have spent an entire year in a foreign country in a few days. And to think of all the things I've learned here! A new language, a new culture and especially a new look on the things that are important in life. I can't think of a better place to have spent a year of my life than here, where the Lord sent me, and do what He wants me to do. I hope all during this last week of 2016 can meditate on the great things that have happened and the great things learned. Then store the good things in the memory bank and make great plans to be better and happier in 2017. Doesn't two thousand and seventeen just sound exciting! Exciting things are going to happen. Especially if we do some thing to make them happen! 

How can we make 2017 happier? How can we feel good about what we've done when we reach the end of it? How can we make 2017 happy for other people as well? There are a lot of options, but to be honest, the one that will always be the best is following Christ and his example. What ever we do, if we do it emulating what Christ would do, I am one hundred percent confident that whatever we do will bring joy to us and to others. There is soooo much to do in these days! But more specifically, there are so many people that need to be happier in these days. There is so much sadness that can be changed. All we have to do is try. In fact, all the Lord wants is for us to try our best. All of us know that none of us are perfect, but that's the road we're on! If we can keep our selves on the road, our Father has promised us all that He has. Make 2017 a year of help and joy! I hope all of you have a grand one, and all of you can be happy. I am!

Un abrazo,

Elder McDonald

Diego and Analia's baptism!

A rainy Christmas in Argentina.

The new district!

FELIZ NAVIDAD. CHA CHA CHA CHA CHA.

¡FELICIDADES! Is every one just stoked about Christmas? I hope so. I have nothing but happy memories from past Christmases. It is truly the great season of the year. I hope all are able to be with their families, and that those who can't know that they are loved and remembered. I always think as well of those in our Armed Forces that are away putting their lives at risk to keep our Heavenly-endowed rights safe and sound during the Christmas season. I'm away from my family as well, but could never say that I have the valor and strength that those blessed men and women have. Let us count our blessings we have from them, from our families, and especially from our dear Lord Jesus Christ. What an opportunity we're given to have the whole world think about Jesus when during the rest of the year they don't!

My friends Diego and Analia are going to be baptised this Friday, which is going to be a great Christmas present for me, but an even greater one for the Lord as He receives two more of His children back in to the fold. What growth I am blessed to see from my wonderful friends here in Argentina! The Lord blesses all of His children, and is working hard to help all of His Children come back to Him.

I know that I can't express the feelings of gratitude that I feel over this email, but I hope to at least help you all to be able to have your own feelings strengthened through mine. I love so dearly my Saviour Jesus Christ, and feel HIs love for me every day. I testify that He was born to save us from our sins, and I know it with out a doubt. He was born to love and to serve. He was born to show us the perfect example, to give us a perfect role model. I know it in my heart, and the greatest thing is that I'm here sharing how others can know it as I do! He lives today, and He loves us still. He has not abandoned us; in fact, He has blessed us with His living Church in these latter days and with a loving Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, called by Him and directed by Him. What a blessing I have to share this message with families this week, and for nearly a year more! And how sweet will it be to return to my family next year and next Christmas knowing I've done some thing good, and I've chosen the right path for these two years here. Count on Christ this Christmas. If you're alone, you can ask Him for help and He will comfort you. He's promised us over and over again that He will. 

Pleeeeaaase every one have a wonderful Christmas! Know that I am so grateful for all of my beautiful family and their prayers. Be happy, please!

Un abrazo gigante,

Elder McDonald

UN DOMINGO LINDO Y CALUROSO

BUEN DÍA AMIGOS. How are the United States doing? Things are getting more and more exciting around here as summer comes a long. More people to talk to in the street, more kids setting off firecrackers all day, and much more heat (My arms and upper neck are reaching "water polo tanness" levels. The rest of my body has already reached "ten hours of World of Warcraft a day" levels, due to my constant white shirt and pants outfit.)

Fun cultural anecdote on my mind. Yester-day, River and Boca (the rival football teams of Argentina) faced off in a Sunday game, which means EVERY ONE was watching it. Here football holds a place in the hearts of the people that can't really be compared with any thing in the States. It's really incredible. Any ways, here it's really easy to know if some one scores a goal. All you have to do is be some where where there are houses, and you'll be able to hear it. Every one yells the goals. Every one. Over in the US you'll get the really huge fans that yell during the Superbowl, but here it's just natural. Every few minutes Elder Winward and I got to hear a wonderful chorus of screaming voices, and I'm not being sarcastic in saying that it was wonderful. It's such a beautiful cultural phenomenon, and it unites the people so well. There were seven goals scored in the game, which means that we got a good amount of yelling. It made me smile every time we heard a goal.

Sunday morning at church was wonderful. We were blessed to have Diego and Analia come and have a great experience. Diego has been once with us, but this was the first time Analia has gotten to come, and it was such a blessing. Analia is Diego's mom (Diego is in his mid-twenties), and both of them have been so prepared by the Lord, and seeing their progress as they learn more about Christ's restored Gospel has been a huge blessing. It's an honour to be able to be the missionary to share such good news with them. It's such a joy to be able to share good news with every one! This mornign I read a really good talk from Elder Uchtdorf called "A Summer with Great-Aunt Rosa"           

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/a-summer-with-great-aunt-rose?lang=eng       

which was beautiful. It made me think a lot about the grand importance of being happy even when it's hard, and what can make us happy. It's alllllwaaayyys the Saviour and His Gospel. As we learn it, or hear it, or share it, joy is a guaranteed bonus. And imagine the joy that comes from living it! I have seen so much joy here, and felt so much joy here, and I know it's because I'm doing what I'm doing. It's not just because I'm on a two year trip to Argentina. It's because I'm here doing some thing incredibly important and I'm sharing the truth. I hope all of you know how blessed I have been by your prayers and support. I'm so grateful for my wonderful family and my wonderful Saviour and His example. His sacrifice is a gift to all of us, and His grace is sufficient for all men. 

Amor sin fin,

Elder McDonald

SEMANA DEL INFIERNO

¡BUENAS! How is the world doing? Today is the day to heal the sick! How's every one doing lighting the world? I can tell you all one thing for sure, Buenos Aires had plenty of physical light this week. Actually I think it had an excess of it. Friday, Saturday and Sunday were literally hotter than Superman's laser vision. I think there may have even been an increase in dead street dogs because of heat stroke. Was it really cold in California? I feel like it would make sense for it to have been completely the opposite. 

So it was a hot week. And we also had a great general conference on Sunday! President Robertson (Mission President) spoke about how we can better act on our faith, especially in this time. We're focusing a lot on growth right now. I'm sure that my dad who served in Brasil will remember that about twenty or thirty years ago the Church in South America exploded, and many people were brought to the knowledge of their Redeemer. We're working hard to help Christ's church grow rapidly again here in Argentina, South America, and the rest of the world. But that hard work needs to be hard work from all! Christ's Gospel is the most rewarding gift we can give this Christmas, and we even have the #LightTheWorld program to help us give lots of great Christlike gifts. As our dear friends The Beatles have told us, all we need is love. And if there's some thing that the world faults today, I think it's love. But what is real love? The pure love of Christ, charity, is what brings change, joy and peace. Unless we work hard to find that, show that, and share that, the light that the world needs won't be lit as it needs to be. I know, absolutely and with out a doubt that what I'm doing is right, and it's bringing light to those in need. I know that the Church I represent is Christ's, and I know that He guides it through a living prophet. I have felt of the truth that I share countless times, and I feel of it every day as I read the Book of Mormon hand in hand with the Bible. Nothing brings more joy than this! Share it!

MUUUUUCHO AMOR,

Elder McDonald