MUY CHETO

BUEEEEEEEEN DÌA ¿TODO BIEN? I'm just going to start right off here with the most interesting lesson I have ever had here.

A few days ago, we contacted a man outside of his massive property called "Los Leones". Like he has a big gate and two lion statues guarding the entranceway. It is a big property. To our surprise, he told us that at this moment his wife was busy getting her hair done but that if we passed by on Sunday after four o'clock he'd be happy to let us in. So pass by Sunday after four o'clock we did. And they're both super nice and VERY smart. He is a moderately famous surgeon named Mario Pagannini. Want to know why? Here's why: he reattached some one's head. Successfully. It was completely severed except for the spinal column (if the spinal column is severed there's no going back, apparently). And he reattached EVERY THING. The guy could even talk afterwards. So there's that. Then, he informed us that he and his wife, Beatrice, (who is also a very intelligent doctor) have travelled all over the world, and as a result, collected many rare and very cool items. And so they decided to build a little museum on their property. So they took us to their museum. And it is very cool. He has bugs from all over the world, shells from all over the world, bones (including a whale bone he found in his YARD) and some artifacts his son acquired from Egypt while exploring ancient ruins. AND he has two massive meteorites that he found. And he just took them out of the case and let us hold them. I got to touch my first extraterrestrial object in Argentina! And he even let us take home a few tiny chunks that had broken off. So I now have in my possession chunks of space rock that are millions of years old. I still cannot believe this happened. Then he told us that he has a cadavre from China in another part of his property that he's going to show us next time along with honestly just a bunch of other things he has that I don't fully understand with my weak brain. So, all of that was surprising. Finally, we got them sat down so that we could teach them about the Book of Mormon, and understand their religious background a bit. They were very honest and sincere with us about how, with all their work in science and such, it was hard to find room for faith. They were excited to read the Book of Mormon, but were a bit reserved about praying, but as we taught and testified, the Spirit was there. They said that they would try to say a prayer and ask if the Book of Mormon is true. It was very unique to speak with them, as most here already have a Catholic background of sorts. But they are wonderfully nice, and invited us back.

For me, even though we left that meeting with them with our minds blown, refelcting now I think of the difference that we felt as we talked about things of the world and things of the Spirit. Even though the Lord has blessed us to be able to understand our world and scientific things, the gratification that comes from discovering a meteorite or a way to understand the weight of atoms is very much different from the soft feelings the Spirit brings us as we understand our Spiritual heritage and what the Lord wants for us here. The feeling is different, and it is better and more fulfilling. Our Father wants us to use our knowledge and increase it, but more so He wants us to know how much He loves us and how much He wants us to return to live with Him and partake of His blessings. And as we realise that, I know that the joy is different, and I've seen in others that it's different as well. So as you search for new earthly knowledge, don't forget to keep on in the search for Heavenly knowledge and the Heavenly joy that our Father has for those who knock.

I adore every single one of you to the recesses of my soul and could not be more grateful to be a part of a family who can be together time and all eternity. I love my family and I love my Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Un Abrazo,

Elder McDonald

Elder Vicente and I bought some Brasilian candy and thought Dad would like to see it. 

Hombres Trabajando.

The meteorite shards the surgeon gave us.

Our famous surgeon.

ANIMO

BUEN DÍA A TODOS MIS QUERIDOS. Is all well up in the North? We seem to be in for a chilly week round here, so I'm excited. 

This week was pretty crazy, and filled with getting to know every one and getting to know the area. I'll be honest, half of our area is very wealthy. Like there are some incredibly nice houses around here that are some times intimidating to try and contact. Good story, actually! We met this incredibly wealthy young man out side of his house washing his Peudgeout (I think that's how it's spelled. There are a lot of European car companies here that I hadn't heard of before my mission) sports car. We asked him if he knew some one we were looking for, and he said no, but then was really chill and had a lot of questions about who we are and if we go to clubs and dance even though we're missionaries. His girlfriend came out a bit later and we chatted and explained who we are to them. Get this: Their names are Nazaret and Belén. Which is Nazareth and Bethlehem. Nazaret asked us if it's more expensive to live in the US, etc, and then goes, "And, like, aren't the cars in the US way nicer than the ones here?" while casually leaning on his like fifty thousand dollar convertible. I said, "Seriously? Look at your car!" And we all got a good laugh out of that. He said his car is a special case. But they were a good couple. He had to go after that because he needed to go do bodybuilding training, but we left with a good feeling and a good message. I think we'll see Belén and Nazaret again! 

Any ways, Elder McCollum and are are excited to go out and work every day. This week I was thinking a lot about the importance of the Book of Mormon in our lives. There's a whole chapter on it in Preach my Gospel, and our zone meeting last week was on better utilising it in teaching opportunities. It's important to remind our selves that the Book of Mormon really is the keystone of this Church. If the Book of Mormon is false, then automatically so too was Joseph Smith as a prophet, and this the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which the Lord restored through him. And it works vice versa! The way that we can know that Joseph Smith really was a prophet, that this Church really is Christ's church here on the earth is through the Book of Mormon. And the promise is in the book! If we read, meditate and pray about it with a desire to know, the Lord has promised us an answer. And that is our invitation to all to whom we speak as missionaries. Read, and ask of God! And as we find out for our selves the truth, we get all of the blessings of reading the Book of Mormon and learning from its message. "There's power in this book." as always said one of my counselors in the MTC. Whether we read it as missionaries struggling through a tough week, or mothers looking for guidance for a wayward child, the Book of Mormon contains the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ can and will help each and every one of us with each and every one of our problems. As we read and study it (together with the Bible as well!), I know that its words will speak peace to our hearts in this troubled world. I crave the time I have during my days here to read and study that book, and I love the joy that I feel reading it. I know that it is true. I know that it testifies of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and provides the teachings we need to return to Him and our Father in Heaven. I love all of you and thank all of you for your support and love. I truly feel your prayers and support. 

Until next Monday!

Chau,

Elder McDonald

LIBERTAD A MÍ, LIBERTAD A AMERICA

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY LOVED ONES. How grateful I am to be from a country of freedom and opportunity. Even though I love Argentina, I still love the good old USA with all of my heart, and I hope every one is having lot of barbecue, fresh lemonade and joyful family time today.

So, pretty crazy news. Saturday morning, President Robertson called Elder McCollum and I and said, "Hey, you two are going to Libertad, and I want you to be at church tomorrow, so you're leaving tonight." Background info: Libertad is an area that last transfer closed down, so it's been with out missionaries for a few weeks. It's in the same zone, so it's not that we had to go too far. But President sent us over here to open the area back up. So now I'm in Libertad. Which is crazy. This situation is very interesting and very exciting. We have no idea where we are or basically who any one is here, so we feel kind of like newborn babes having just left the womb to find that they're in a very strange place with lots of new sights and feelings. Man, that was a good analogy. Any ways, yeah. Yesterday we went to church, and it was Fast and Testimony Meeting, so we got to hear lots of the members bear their testimonies of this wonderful Gospel, and talk about how excited they were to have missionaries back in the area. There are some awesome young men who are excited to come out and work with us as well. The ward seems great. I honestly still am a little speechless. Every thing happened so quickly, but the feeling is really that of excitement. It will be incredibly interesting to start here from scratch with out a companion to guide you, but also incredibly exciting to just enter in to a new city blind and ready to get things started. I don't have a whole lot of information on any thing being here for two days, but I am crazy crazy excited to get to work 'round here and see where the Lord takes us. This is how we learn and grow! If we just live our lives comfortable and with out any kind of change or trial, what will we have learned? The Lord knows that we learn as we are tested and have to act, and so He gives us situations in which we may do so. And what's cool is that even if we're thrown in to a situation that seems impossible, or feel like there's nothing we can do to get out of it or overcome it, we can all rest easy knowing that our Father in Heaven will never just drop us off doing some thing difficult and make us fend for our selves. He'll drop us off, but He`'ll be right there with us to help when we need it. That's the most important part! He won't help us if we don't ask for it though. Action is always necessary. "Ask, and it shall be given unto you." You have to ask! And I know He'll be there to answer with open arms.

My time is running short but man I am excited to head in to this week and let you all know where it takes us on Monday. This week is going to be crazy but I am way more excited than ever to destroy it. I know Christ loves us, I know our Father in Heaven loves us, and I know this church is His!

ABRAZOS

Elder McDonald

Milagrasos

HOOOOLLAA ¿QUE TAL?

Nice, so I've heard this week was pretty exciting? Lots of hiking and fair adventure stories from the family, which brought me wonderful laughs and joy. It was pretty big here as well. Lots of cool miracles and cool people to meet! So fun story. We walked past a house, then thought we would turn around and clap it (here you clap out side of houses; most people have gates, and knocking on doors isn't really an option). A lady came out and said (in Castellano) "If it's about religion, I don't want any thing!" Then, (in a very British accent) "I don't want any thing!" I, surprised, commended her for how well she spoke English, and she said she was from England and had moved here when she was thirteen. So we had a fun chat in English about her story and how she got here, all kinds of things. It was very odd, and even though she was very much not interested in our message, we got to know each other and she said she might come to our English classes, since she said her English is getting worse and worse. It was weird to hear some one speaking fluently in a British accent, but super cool to meet some one and hear her story! Hopefully she comes to the English classes and we can get to know her better!

At the end of this week, Elder McCollum and I were joking that we need to movie title it "Every Day a Miracle" Lot's of cool stuff happened, from a guy calling us asking to meet who was investigating the church ages agao, to people just wanting to know what we're all about and actually asking us. It made me think a lot about the actuality of our Father in Heaven's love for us. Even if nothing comes of the people we spoke to this week, I know the Lord gave us those experiences because He wanted me to know that He loves me and will give us the things we need and often desire so that we can feel that divine love. It's so important to focus on the good things that happen in our lives, and make sure we're not forgetting them when things start to take a downward spiral. The memory of those blessings we've had will assuredly keep us afloat as waves of difficulties crash over us. And assuredly there will be waves crashing; this life is and always has been a test! But it's also a joy, and there is such an incredible amount of joy to feel every day. My time escaped me again, and now I feel bad, but I hope all can feel today their Lord's love for them even if it's going rough. Love you all QUITE A LOT!

UN GRAN ABRAZO

Elder McDonald

Un Brasilero y un Yankee

Elder McCollum!

Making the wall.

TRASLADOOOOS.

Buen día to all! How's every one doing? This week was pretty crazy. I went to the mission offices twice to bring Elder Groen to his last interview with President Robertson and then to drop him off forever! He's probably talking with President and his wife about how to date girls right now before he gets on the plane home.

So, that's the basic news for this week. Oh, also we found out about tansfers! Epa. My new companion's name is Elder McCollum, probably not spelled like that. Apparently he has a few months already in the mission, but other than that, I know nothing about him! I'm stoked stoked stoked to get to work in this wonderful area. I grow to love my brethren here in Argentina more and more every week. Every day even. But I still love America too! I want to formally apologise to every one for this email because writer's block is strong today, and I'm low on time. BUT! I did want to share a little thing I've been thinking about. Especially given that yesterday was Father's Day, I wanted to touch on the gratitude and love that I have for my cool dad. He has always given me an example of working hard and finding joy in doing so, and I'm grateful as well that he has magnified his Priesthood power and been a blessing to our family in doing so. I've always been able to feel my father's love, and he has provided for me a home in which I have been able to receive a testimony of my Heavenly Father and His incredible love and care for me as well. I hope that it never leaves any of your minds that just as many are blessed with an earthly father who loves and helps us as best he can, all of us are blessed with a Heavenly Father who loves and helps us perfectly, and always. As long as we seek that love, we will feel it. 

LOOOVEEE allof you and I must go now. But be safe all! Y Que gane los Estados ¿ehhh?

Stake President's Family!

MASSIVE EMPANADAS!

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

CUENTA TUS BENDICIONES

BLESSED FAMILY AND FRIENDS! WHAT A JOY TO GET ALL OF THOSE EMAILS AND PHOTOS ABOUT A GRAND ANDREWS FAMILY REUNION. Family reunions are the best, and even though I couldn't be there, my joy was great hearing that there were many adventures had and much campfire joy and love to be felt. Seriously, such great photos to see. And I'm glad you could all enjoy some blazing hot weather over there as well. Here it is assuredly not blazing hot. In fact, it's quite cold. Luckily, a missionary left his sleeping bag in my last pench, and he's since gone home, so I promptly took that with me. It has been wonderful. I also hope that Grandpa's birth-day was filled with lots of s´more parties and howling wolves (and maybe dances with them as well).

This week was grand! I don't have any thing specifically grand to tell you all, but every week and  day here in this country is a wonderful blessing. Our ward here is great, and there are some wonderfully faithful families that are ready and willing to help us take this message to all that are ready to hear and act upon it. This week, we visited all of the members we could, and shared a sweet nineties video with them about finding people as members who be brought to the gospel through our feelings from the Spirit. We gave each of them a Book of Mormon, invited them to write their testimonies in the back, and then invited them to utilise this Sunday to fast in order to know to whom they should give the books. Fasting has been around for a long time, and there's clearly a reason that the Lord has given us the commandment to do so. As I've fasted with a real purpose on my mission, the answers and blessings have been clear every time, and my testimony of the power of fasting and sacrifice has grown substantially. Turns out I just looked at the time and I have none of it, so I need to close this up and tell you all that I love you and care for you! Any thing that any one needs, even though I'm down in South America, let me know and I'll do the best to help, and I'll always have a prayer for you to give. Christ lives, and so do His commandments. Follow Him, follow them, and He has promised us that He will be there to help in all of our afflictions - Spiritual or physical. LOVE YOU ALL.

Elder McDonald

I bought a really really really spicy pepper plant. It is delicious because no one eats spicy things here.