FIN.

BUEEEEN DÍA POR LA ULTIMA VEZ. Dear family and friends, what a weird feeling I have knowing this is my last weekly email. It is weird. I feel too much joy in my heart, but it's not with out its bitterness as well. I'm not sure what more I could say than what I've already shared with you. I love my dear family. I've had countless examples from them, and the many great blessings I've received have been thanks to what my dear parents have given me. I know that families can be together forever. I know that my family can and will be together for the eternities if we do what's right. That is what I've taught these two years: Through our beloved Saviour Jesus Christ, we can have eternal joy as families. With out Jesus, we can do nothing. How I love my Saviour and His great Gospel of Happiness. I give thanks to God for all I have and all I am. I hope to have a chance to bear my testimony of the great Restored Truth to all of you in person, and I hope to be able to give you all a great hug soon. I know that all I've shared with you over these years is the truth, and I confirm my firm testimony of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

God bless you all,

Elder McDonald

 

Carlos' Baptism!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner with a Russian named Dimitri!

 

 

 

MORMONES EN LA RADIO

BUEEEEEN DÍA! I hope every one is happy! This week was really great. I've no time, but I'll share the two big highlights.

First, Carlitos got baptised! I'll send pictures next week, but it was really special. He made his decision and stayed firm as a rock until the end. I have a firm testimony that the Lord truly prepares His children. We don't; He does. We just kind of do our little part, and, if worthy, we'll do it with great power. But in the end, it's really the Lord, and I know that's true. 

Second cool thing: On Friday we got permission from the city to set up a table and do a bunch of handouts and stuff, and it turned out super well. I think it was really successful, mostly because they invited us on to speak and present our selves on the local radio station! Never thought I would do some thing like that on the mission, but I did it. Elder Neto, from Brasil, and I went on, introduced our selves and answered a bunch of questions that host gave us. It was a unique, new opportunity to get our names out there, and the host treated us super well and told us we were welcome back whenever we wanted. Super crazy. Elder Neto and I were surprised with how fast it all happened, but we did it. Pretty soon you'll probably see my name on Forbe's or some thing...

I looove you allllllll! Seriously love you. I hope you can feel my love and prayers, and know that what I am doing is right and worth it. Don't forget to pray!

Abrazos,

Elder McDonald 

We got on the radio!!!

Our display

A BRAGADO!

BUENAS TARDES! I hope every one is really happy. Things are getting crazy here! Time is ticking - it's short. But miracles continue, and life is a joy in Buenos Aires for those who live the Gospel.

This week we had leadership training in Bragado, which is a city way out in hoo-hah. So on Tuesday we had to go to Luján and take a massive bus over. All of the zone leaders and sister training leaders together in a bus for like three hours. All of the peopleon the bus must've been pretty weirded out with such a large gethering of Mormons on a bus. It's okay though - we were all born to be a peculiar people, right? We had a really great training about using better the Book of Mormon to talk to people, and then we all left and did what they call a Tormenta Blanca (white storm), where we went throughout the city and invited every one to the branch conference that they had this last Sunday. Elder Rodriguez and I were blessed to have President Resek come with us the whole time, and it was a special experience. He is a huge example of love; he relates incredibly well with the people and was just automatically their friend. It's great having an Argentine mission president. It was easy to see that he's been called by the Lord to be here with us, and I'm incredibly grateful for all I learned in the short hour and a half we worked together.

Carlitos is getting baptised on Saturday! He has made such a big change! Ten years it took him, but after some great examples and some specail dreams, he's decided he's ready. It is a blessing to be with him on the journey.

I'm loving every moment I have. The Lord is good to me, and I know He loves me. I love Him, and I love the wonderful people He has blessed me with here in Argentina. Keep ya head up, friends! Nothing can ever go permanently wrong if we use Christ's great atoning sacrifice. Joy to the world!

Un beso,

Elder McDonald

Elder Rodriguez and I are painting some thing special to liven up the pench a bit.

Cool street art in Luján.

The public bathroom in Luján.. I thought squat toilets only existed in China...

MILAGROS SIN FIN

BUENAAAAAS! I'm sorry to every one for the lack of emails from these last few weeks. It's been super crazy. But things are incredible, and Elder Rodriguez and I have seen lots of miracles, with more to come.

So, I'll share. Literally the first day of this transfer we had two huge miracles. It was kind of overwhelming how much I felt the Lord's love that day, and how much I've felt it during these weeks. 

First, while we were waiting in Luján to get all of the zone back to their respective areas, a recent convert called us and said that she has a friend who wants a blessing from us, and who's interested in the Church. So we planned that hour to go by, went, and she (Evangelista) and her husband, Indalecio, were there waiting for us with the recent convert. Eva has a pretty bad heart problem, and needs donors and surgery, so that's why she wanted a blessing. We explained a little who we are, and about blessings of health, and then moved forward. She and Indalecio said that they both want to learn more, and that they were already planning on going to church with Sister Acosta on Sunday! That doesn't happen often here, so we were stoked. Turns out their progressing really well! They feel really good, and feel like what they're learning is right, and are going to get baptised at the end of September! It has been a huge testimony of the power that members of the Church have to help others receive the Gospel. The work moves forward so much more quickly when we are friends to others!

Second, on Tuesday we went and played football with some investigators and members, and afterwards, the husband of a member came up to us and said that the Bishop wanted to talk to us. The husband's name is Carlos, and he always comes to pick his wife up from church, and goes to activities, but always (for the last like ten years) says he doesn't want to get baptised. So we went to the Bishop's office, and he goes, "Look, Elders, Carlos wants to get baptised. He's excited and ready; you just need to teach him the discussions and have him fix a date." We were pretty speechless. So we went up to Carlos and said whooooaaa that's great! Congrats! And he said, Yeah, I'm going to get baptised on the ninth of september, at five o'clock. So get every thing ready! He set his own date and every thing.. He's super excited. He told us a few days ago that he had a dream with his father, who told him that he needed to talk to the Elders and get baptised. So he did it! 

What's best is that both of these situations occurred in great part because of huge help from members of the Church. I know, with all of my heart, that this is the Lord's work. I know that He prepares His children through those who have received His great Gospel much more quickly than He prepares others with out any outside help. We are His tools, so we must make sure we're well sharpened! The field is white! I love my Saviour. This is right.

Elder McDonald

Treats!

Trip to Zoo Lujan!!!

Jacob's explanation of why the Lions didn't eat him: "They keep them well fed, they're raised by dogs, aaand they drug them a little bit. But it's only a little. Heh heh."

 

 

 

 Elder Bragg! We had a big conference with him. It was really good. He's a really awesome guy. He's got a special spirit.
 

 Wedding of Gustavo and Belén!

Baptism of Gustavo and Belén and their son Ramiro!