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

PEEELLEEEEAAAAAA

OKAY. How is every one? Life is going wonderfully as always and Argentina is getting beautifully cold and rainy! I love both of those things in pleasant moderation, so let's say that at the moment all is well weather wise. 

I have been trying to decide whether or not to make this blessed story public but after remembering that I told the story about almost getting run down on the street I decided that I would not be paying the respect due to all of you in not recounting this week's experience. Let us commence:

We were on the side of the road, waiting for the worst collectivo (bus) in the area because it only comes once every half hour and we had to make a solid trip to get to an appointment we had. Luckily, we arrived at the bus stop well, and it came quickly. However, it did not stop for us. Thus, we were forced to wait again. The bus finally came, and the driver let us on with out paying, because I think he knew he passed us before. Two stops later. A man enters the bus, hackles raised, angry at the driver for not stopping for him. He yells until the driver stops the bus, stands up, and says, "All right, we're fighting." Other man throws his backpack off, and they commence. A full on brawl between the bus driver and the angry man! A sight to be seen. Every one stands up and moves to the back of the bus, silently willing the doors to open so they can leave. Finally, a man with his son speaks up: "Che, quiero volver a mi casa.." The bus driver stops, and says, " Okay, for the people." He walks over, sits down, and starts right back on the route. The angry man goes and sits down in his seat, looking out the window for the rest of his journey. 

Great story, right? It was riveting. I had to keep my self from laughing for the rest of the journey just at the abruptness of it all. Nevery to be forgetten. 

In more exciting news, this week, Geronimo called us and said, "Hey, how does the fourteenth of May sound to you guys for my baptism?" Elder Trent and I responded excitedly in the affirmative, and he told us that he talked to his parents and they told his that he one hundred percent is welcome to be baptised. He used the words "one hundred percent"! What an absolute blessing, and what an absolute testimony of the power of prayer. We have been praying since we have known Geronimo's parents that their hearts would be softened towards this Gospel, and what progress we have seen! He went from no permission, to one year, to some time in June, to the fourteenth of May! The Lord is in this work, and the Lord knows exactly what needs to happen and exactly what will happen to help others come unto Him. And what a person to have on the Lord's side is Geronimo. He literally brought his little brother to church this Sunday! He enjoyed it. Patience is every thing. If you ask the Lord for blessings with the idea that those blessings are going to come now, chances are He'll let you wait it out a little bit. Remember that the Lord's time is not our time, and the Lord's eyes are not our eyes! We can not behold nor can we understand what our Heavenly Father has planned for us and those in our lives with our worldly understanding, so ask for what you need, even want as it is just, be grateful for what you have, and wait it out in faith! The blessings will come as we wait and bear our burdens with patience, the Lord will come to us, letting us know to "Be of good comfort, for... I will deliver you out of bondage." just as he did with Alma and his people. And just as them, let us always "submit cheerfully and with patience to the will of the Lord." His will is literally so much more important and so much more worth waiting for than ours! Let His will and His joy be welcome in your life and in your prayers. 

Is every one stoked on life? Hopefully. Keep up the joy and have a good attitude! And don't give up on people or things too quickly. Some times you just need to wait it out. Love you all an absolute ton! 

Chau,

Elder McDonald

¿E'TÁ FELI'?

Turns out some thing happened and all of my time left. I have four minutes! I'm sorry every one. But I hope all of you know that I love you and I love every thing that's happening in my life. Argentina is a rich place with rich people whom I love. Always remember that even if things seem down, there's always a hidden blessing that's not really hidden to be found and enjoyed! Remember that every day is a day of joy if we remember Who gave it to us and Who suffered so that we don't have to worry about the pains of life. Enjoy my pictures! They're pretty good this week, if I do say so my self. 

AMOR SIN FIIIIINNNNN,

ÉLDER MCDONALD

I fell down in the rain...

And the best mate around! A hint of Grapefruit!

¡QUE SEMANA!

¡BUEEEEENNN DIA QUERIDOS! ¿Cómo andan a todos? I hope that this week was filled with joy and hearts willing to serve, eh? How is every one taking to the councel we received about serving the least of our brethren? Here in Argentina, I haven't heard much of any thing about refugees, but even if there isn't a huge amount of official refugee work to do (here or there), there are always opportunities to help those who need it, right? 

This week was a slow one, but one ripe with miracles! And Guaraná! And Mate! Dad, I finally found a store that has Guaraná nearly all the time, So I should have a pretty continuous supply of it. There's joy in every sip. But it's nothing compared to the three liter bottles they have in Brasil that I've seen pictures of..

I've been drinking a lot more mate now, which has helped me tap in to my inner Argentine. You should all start drinking it! I'm still not sure if it makes your teeth fall out or not, but it is great. Yeah, it's kind of like drinking grass, and it's an acquired taste, but push through it. Every one deserves some time to sit out on their patio with some yerba and tomáte la.

 Yester-day, we spoke with a boy named Tobias, who told us he was athiest but let us in to his home and soon had changed his heart! May it be so with all the people of the world! Even if life is pounding against you and every thing seems to be wrong, don't let the Adversary tell you that it is our Heavenly Father's fault. Don't let your self ask why a loving God would allow suffering to exist. The Lord absolutely loves us, and the last thing he wants is for us to suffer. But he also wants us to learn as He knows, and because of that He gave us our agency. Even though this ability to choose brings suffering from those who choose evil, as we choose wisely and as we choose the humble path, we are promised eternal life with our Father. Just like Indiana Jones chose the most humble of cups to save his father, right? Christ gave us the perfect example of humility and submissiveness. Follow that path! Drink from Christ's humble cup, and as He promised, we will thirst no more. Christ is the Word that should be sealed in our hearts, and even if we have lost our faith, lost our joy, or lost our love, Christ understands that perfectly, and if you listen to him with a desire to act, He'll help you. He will give it back to you. 

Every one needs the peace that comes from a knowledge of a loving Father, so as always, it is my hope and prayer that every one does their best all day to show the joy that they have from their faith and testimony of Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven. People will see the sunshine that radiates from you. And if you feel like you're missing that sunshine, go find it! Right now. 

I love all of you with all of my heart and I also just remembered that I hit six months in the mission this last Thursday. That is super insane, and I am still super happy. Ya'll should be too. 

AAAMMMOOORRRRRRRR,

ELDER MCDONALD

Found some Guarana soda! Yay Brazil!

MORE LIKE CONFERENCIA GENIAL

WHAT A WEEKEND. I HOPE EVERY ONE HAD A CHANCE TO WATCH, LISTEN OR AT LEAST HEAR SOME THING ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE CONFERENCE WE JUST HAD. I could not be happier to have had the chance to hear the Lord's Word and Councel through His servants the prophets. And what councel we had! Man. I forgot my notebook with all of my more specific notes, but more than any of the others Elder Kearon's words on helping the least of our brethren stood out to me. Whether you're affiliated with the Church or not, I encourage every one who has a desire to follow the example our Saviour set for us whilst on the earth to watch or listen to that talk. I already said a lot of things about specifically the refugee crisis occurring right now, but I especially loved how he mentioned that it's important to start small. First of all, we should start on our knees. Few things are more powerful than the power of prayer and faith in what our Father in Heaven can do for His children all over the world. After we work on that, there's no reason to take a plane to Syria and try and get to work. Show your love for Christ and your fellow man by serving how you can where you live! Just do it! Look for things to do! I know you'll all find some thing. May we always remember the Lord's words: Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me". 

I am out of time! But I love all of you and I'm pretty sure I'll be sharing more conference thoughts next week! Every one in my life has a wonderful spot of gratitude in my heart!

Chau,

Elder McDonald

Making his birthday wish!

Birthday loot!

Elder McDonald and his new companion, Elder Trent from St. George, UT. 

Lovin' his mac and cheese from the US!

SEMANA RARA

BUEEEEEN DIAAAAA. I HOPE EVERY ONE IS WELL, AND STAYING STRONG IN THE USA. This email should be short. My zone leader convinced me to make a voice recording, which I assume my mother will be sharing on my blog or some thing like that. So every one should get to hear about this week in my actual wonderful voice. 

BUT! I do have some things to say still! First of all, I have been hearing a lot about the Muslim refugee situation still happening in the US, and I hope every one understands what an incredible opportunity this is to share our knowledge of Jesus Christ and His glory and power with those who can not hear about Him in their own countries. Get to work sharing the Gospel with those wonderful Muslim people whom I love, because I can't do it right now! And not just them! Every one! There are so many wonderful, beautiful cultures that would only be magnified in beauty with the Gospel of Jesus Christ built in. Look! https://www.mormon.org/eng/nadia

I hope every one had a great Easter, and remembered well why we have it. And I hope every one's hope is still burning bright in the Lord Jesus. Keep a steady "Hallelujah!" in your hearts! The world is a crazy place, with crazy people and crazy things. The best thing we can all do is keep our hearts and minds focused on Jesus Christ. Through Him, all of us will live again. That is a promise we have, and the incredible gift of resurrection is for all because of the incomprehensible love He has for all. Those who have perished, who are perishing and who will perish will all live again, and it is our job to make sure that all can have to opportunity to live again in happiness, with our Heavenly Father and Brother and our families for eternity. I am grateful beyond words to be part of an eternal family, and I am grateful beyond words that I have two years to extend that opportunity to the wonderful families here in Buenos Aires. 

Keep on in happiness, look for it in every corner, and don't let anyone know you're bummed out if you don't have to! 

Amor,

Elder McDonald

Here is a fun recording Elder McDonald sent this week! It's so great to hear his voice!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJkTTGcyd7o

INVIERNO ESTA CERCA

BUEEEENN DIA LOVED ONES! IS EVERY ONE WELL? It's getting colder here, which is wonderful. It's still kind of weird having backward seasons, but I am just feeling blessed to have cooler weather. It is a blessing. 

This was a week! We finished it off with some interesting news from our incredible friend Geronimo who is ready to be baptised but needs permission from his parents. He talked to them, and they said yes, you may be baptised... in a year. So that was unexpected news! But all is well. The Lord's hand in always in every thing, and Geronimo is the most devoted and mature fourteen year-old I've ever met, and he is ready and willing to keep coming to church and participating in what blessings of the Gospel he can until his parents' hearts are softened. It has been an absolute blessing to be able to take part in his conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ these past few weeks. I have nothing but praise and respect for him and his devotion and testimony of Christ.

Easter is coming soon! That's exciting! It seems like Christmas was like, three days ago, but here I am nearing six months on my mission! That is ridiculous. But how I love to think on Jesus Christ and all that He gave us during this last week of His life. I hope every one can find the time to look up the new Easter videos the Church released. I loved both of them! The main one is called 'Hallelujah', and I can't think of a more fitting word to describe the gratitude I feel towards to Saviour and his Expiatory sacrifice for every single one of His beloved brothers and sisters. With out any doubt, I know that Christ is the One who can help us with literally every doubt, every problem and every pain. He is always here, waiting. There are so many of His brothers and sisters who still don't understand that! Thus, how grateful I am to be a missionary, doing my best to spread this glorious message to all who will hear. The truth is that there isn't much more I can say, other than that I know that this is the path. It is difficult, and it is thorny and treacherous. But Christ already suffered the pain of those thorns, and the heartbreak that is unavoidable in this life. And what's more, He rose again from death. And for that so will each and every one of us, along with each and every family member that we have. And if we follow Christ's path and Christ's example, we have the blessed promise that we can live with them throughout the eternities. I love my Saviour, and I love the life that I am able to have because of Him. Therer's no better reason to say 'hallelujah' than that!

I hope all are happy and all are doing their best to remember our Saviour during this Passion Week! I love all of you and I love the wonderful people of Argentina as well! 

CHAU,

Elder McDonald

Flia Sotelo

GRAAANOOOLLAAAAAAAAAA

Nice change of pace from my usual daily oatmeal!