¡VAMOS AL TEMPLO!

BUENAS. ¿Cómo están todos? Nice. Well, this week was nice! The Olympics started, right? Every body here is going crazy because apparently Argentina's doing all right in basketball and tennis, and won a gold in.. Judo? Some sort of martial art. I heard Michael Phelps is an animal again this year. Good for him! I'm glad we don't watch the Olympics here because I think just the sight of all of those people swimming in a pool would make me weep. It's been a while. 

Elder McCollum and I are working hard over here in Libertad. Yesterday we met a member who hasn't been to church in longer than she can remember. She got baptised with her father, but slowly fell away, and now is working as a police officer and lives next door to her dad (who is also not going to church). The point is, we decided to teach her about the Restoration of Christ's Gospel, as there is always a sweet spirit to be felt listening to that unique message. As we related to her the words of Joseph Smith upon seeing God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, she began to weep following the pause we took after recounting the words. She had told us a few of the reasons she had stopped coming to church beforehand, but after listening and pondering, it was wonderful to see the Spirit break through feelings of prejudice towards people and testify of things holy and happy. She told us that listening to that story helped her remember her purpose here, and the path she had chosen all those years ago when she decided to be baptised. Even though she may not be ready to return to church, it was clear that she felt the truth of that message, and the Spirit testified to us and me again that what we share is true. And I know it is! And I'm happy working to help others know as well, and work towards making such special decisions that bring them to Christ. Always be on the lookout! You never know who is ready to hear and follow the Restored Gospel. 

This week we get to go to the Temple! And I am incredibly excited. Every opportunity to go to the Lord's House is a blessing, and how grateful I am to have a family who has been to the Temple, and to have a family who is eternal. I've been translating the biography of my grandpa Johnson to do some written Spanish practice, and reading those stories with the knowledge that I can meet him and so many other members of my family who have passed is wonderful. What a reunion it will be, in the end. And I'm here so that others can feel how I feel. 

I hope all are well, and all are happy rooting for their country this week. I'm happy for Argentina, but I still know the good old USA is the best around. ¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Elder McDonald

LOS POKÉMON LLEGAN A ARGENTINA

¡BUENAS! How is every one on the Northern Hemisphere? Warm? We've had some pretty warm days lately with plenty of sun, which has been quite nice. And makes more people want to talk to us. The sun really does do a lot more than just give light to all the earth. I'm always grateful for those joyful rays that fall every once in a while ´round here during the winter.

Also, arguably the biggest news of the week (potentially bigger than the Olympics starting) Pokémon Go! finally arrived to Argentina, and the country is ablaze with the burning desire to catch them all. Elder McCollum and I were laughing the other day, because a member told us that there are Pokémon in side the gates of the church, and that same day we saw a few people driving and walking up to the church with their phones at the ready. We were hoping to have some extra visitors in church this Sunday looking for some legendaries, but were disappointed. Either way, I'll take any excuse to have more youth see the church and maybe be curious about why Pokémon like gathering there so much. Haha. I feel like I'm missing some sort of revolution here with this app.

Fun story! So, Elder McCollum and I were walking around looking for an address this Tuesday, and I suddenly found my self blinded by pain in my head as I simultaneously realised that I had run in to a canasto. So, a canasto is basically an Argentine trashcan. Here, people don't have big trashcans that you roll out on to the street, the have these baskets that they build in front of their houses and through trash in to. It's kind of nice, really. However, some people decide to make their canastos by attaching their baskets to a tree. So I hit a canasto attached to a tree. And you know how when you hit your head, you automatically do that thing where you lift your hand up to where you were hit and then look at it to see if you're bleeding, but usually you're not actually bleeding, it's just instinctual? Well, I did that, and turns out I was actually bleeding. Quite profusely. So I immediately like bent over so as not to drip blood all over my clothes and hobbled my way over to the closest house across the street (dripping blood like every step I took) where two kids were playing. I say to the kids, "Hey, call your dad", and the kid was like "What happened to you?!" and I say again, "Call your dad!". So his dad comes out, looks at me form across his yard, exclaims "OH." and then turns around and runs back in to his house and grabs toilet paper and water. Long story short, we stopped the bleeding, and it turned in to a great opportunity to share the Gospel! We had a good chat, and then we went back to the pench, me trying to be as inconspicuous as possible with my bloodied hand on the way back. Elder McCollum and I joked afterwards that maybe we should start maiming our selves more often in order to make it easier to preach the Gospel to people. 

Seriously though, it really turned in to an edifying experience, and was a good testimony of how many of His children the Lord is preparing to hear His good news. Elder McCollum and I have been really focusing on getting members of the Church involved here in sharing this joyous message, and I can't stress enough how important it is that we are as charitable as we can be in sharing our knowledge and love for the Saviour with all who are put in our path. Elder Bednar has told us that while we as missionaries have the responsibility to teach the Gospel, the members of Christ's church have the responsibility to find those who are ready to receive it. That we may always remember the grand joy that we can find in sharing this grand joy we have is and always will be my desire for all. I love my family dearly, and am grateful for the examples of missionary work I've had since being a child in them. I love all of you dearly, and am grateful for your support and prayers always. 

Siempre Suyo,

Elder McDonald

No se que poner como título

BUEN DIA A TODOS. ¿Cómo están? My time escaped me again and I won't be able to give every one a huge update on my life, but this week was pretty crazy. We had a lot of stuff to do and didn't get to work much in our area, but it still went well! On Tuesday I had divisions with an Elder Figuereido who is from... oh. Well, the name of the state escaped me, but he's from Brasil. No where near Sao Paulo, Dad. Sorry. But it was a good day and I learned some good stuff about better ways to talk to people. Plus I got to enjoy his good Brazilian spirit and try and understand his Portuguese. It's close enough to Castellano that you can catch the basic drift, but it's still pretty different. But it was a good time, and got me excited to make a visit to Brasil one day. 

We're working as hard as we can with Lydia, who really does have desires to follow the Saviour. It's difficult to meet regularly with her, as she is going to the doctor a lot to see how her foot and amputated toe are doing. Diabetes is rough, friends! Don't let it escalate to where you have to amputate body parts, because it's feo. But she's a champ, and we finally got to give her the Book of Mormon in CDs, which got her really excited. Her eyes are very bad as well because of the diabetes, so she hasn't been able to read. She sat and listened to the entire beginning of the Book of Mormon with us, from the title page to the end of Joseph Smith's testimony with out saying a word a side from a few questions of understanding. She loved it, and the Spirit was strong. The words of the prophets in the Book of Mormon have power, and whether you read it in your mind or listen to another reading, the Spirit takes the words to your heart. Then it's our job to let them in! 

My time is coming to a close, but I know that God loves all of his children no matter what their situation or way of life. He wants all of them to return to him, and I know that my work here is His, and I know that I'm helping more children come to the fold of our Saviour. I could not be happier doing so, and I love every day I have here. 

I did my best awkward grandma's cookie face. Hehe, I made empanadas!

LA VIDA

BUEEEEEEN DÍA. Seriously, how is every one? Things here are pressing along in our small ward of Libertad. It has been quite cold these last few days, and prospects aren't looking too hot for the following weeks. Pun intended. 

Hopefully all is well up in California and every one is enjoying lots of beach time for me. I'll be honest, the writers block is strong with me this Monday, but I feel really good and really excited about life. I think the mutual theme for this year is "Press forward with firmness in Christ", right? That was a direct translation from Spanish; I don't remember the wording of the English scripture. But I really like that. In these perilous times, it is incredibly important that we have our strength centered in Christ. And I think that as we put our head down and march against the winds of sin, we'll be blessed for it. Like Elder Holland pressed upon us with such strength in the last General Conference, we will be blessed for doing our best. Some times we won't have the strength to stand up and testify boldly, but if we make sure that we push hard and keep the commandments as best we can, and repent when we don't, all will be well. That phrase, "press forward" just brings to mind the image of some one bent down pushing forward with a powerful wind blowing the opposite direction. Many times, we're not going to be able to change the direction of the wind on our own, but if we trust in the Saviour, we can be calm among the storm knowing that we won't be blown over. So we just need to press foward, and as we do so, others being blown about by the winds of sin will see our joy in doing so, and want to follow our example and the light that is in each of us because of the joy that the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ brings. 

Seriously, I pray that all of you are happy and doing great things for the world. And a reminder not to forgot about Elder Kearon's invitation to work with the refugees that need great things from us who are more fortunate. Do it as best as your circumstances allow! You'll be blessed and feel so much more joy for doing so. Love you allllllll wayyyyy too much. Chau-chau!

Elder McDonald

Footbal with the jovenes!

Before enjoying the fruits of Grandma's treat money!

During the enjoyment...

After.

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