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

ILUMINÁ EL MUNDO

BUENAAASSSS. Yesterday I was forced out of the internet cafe early because it was some sort of holiday here. Some thing to do with The Malvinas (for every one who doesn't live in Argentina, I think they're called the Falklen Islands or some thing). Any ways, I'm here now, and I hope every one is well! 

This last week was quite nice. The wonderful Christmas Spirit is already beginning to work its magic! We've had wonderful opportunities to share the gospel this week, and we've also been able to talk to every one about the new Campaign, "Ilumina el Mundo"! I believe it's Light the World in English. And the video is wonderful. Every one needs to go to mormon.org (it's displayed right up at the front) and watch it as soon as you possibly can if you haven't seen it already. As a missionary, I invite a lot of people to follow the example of Jesus Chist, usually inviting them to follow his example and be baptised. That is an important example to follow, but not the only example we should follow. Christ's ENTIRE life was such a grand example for us, and his entire life was service. He came not into the world to be served of men, but to serve them, that video and the attached campaign give us that very invitation. To follow Christ's many examples of service and not only remember Christ this Christmas, but follow Him. Show the world that even though there are horrible things happening, there's still light to be brought. And it's so easy to do it this season. There's a calendar with suggestions for every day and every thing.

It has been so wonderful to begin to share this with Argentina this week. Many people here talk about how many complicated things are happening here and in the rest of the world, so it's been wonderful to be able to pull out our little cards and show them that they can do some thing about it! Your neighbourhood is your world to light! Do every thing you can to light it! 

There are so many great things happening in Argentina, in Buenos Aires, in Merlo and in Ferrari! I wish I had more time to talk about it all but it just flies by here. I hope all are well and I hope I can hear great stories of people helping to light the world. 

Un montón de amor,

Elder McDonald

Manos Mormonas que Ayudan

Missionaries at work

Baptism of Lucas and Rodrigo!

¿SEGUIRÁ EL EJEMPLO DE JESUCRISTO?

HEY. How is every one? This week was pretty great. Elder Winward is way smarter than me. I don't know why I keep getting companions that know so much about computers. What is the Lord trying to tell me? Haha, but in all seriousness, Elder Winward and I are making a good pair. I'm kind of a jump on my horse guns blazing person some times so it's good to have a cool and collected planner by my side. Heh heh. I always remember reading about my great grandpa's youth adventure stories of his horseback travels. It's great to have a spirit of adventure, and it makes being a fisher of men exciting. 

This week was pretty full of a lot of things! We have met wonderful people here and I'm excited to keep you all informed on their progress. It's great to feel the Spirit. I love being back in Marcos Paz! Yeah, I haven't left the city of Merlo for my entire mission (as of now I'm serving in the Argentina Buenos Aires Merlo mission), but it's good to be back close to my first area. I loved working in Villa Posse and that same love transfers over here to Ferrari. There are so many people to talk to! And it's so great to talk to people. The Donald Trump questions have only gotten deeper from here, and the general spirit towards him is that he hates people that aren't white and blonde, but all of the questions about if I'm scared to go back to the US can always end in testifying that there's no reason to be afraid when you follow Christ's teachings. "No temais..".  Be sure to think about all of the good things that are happening in the world before you think of the bad. And especially during this week of Thanksgiving! There are soooooooooo many things to be thankful for that my head could explode just thinking about all of them. I am thankful especially for my family and their incredible examples. Thanks to my dad for serving the Lord in Brasil and helping me have a latino spirit, thanks to my mom for teaching me my entire life so I can teach other people here! Thanks to all of my family and friends for praying and worrying and loving me! And all of the specific blessings I can break off of those broader ones are innumerable. I am especially grateful for loving Heavenly Parents that have provided me with this family that brings me such joy, and for a loving Saviour who has given me the opportunity to have this joy for eternity. There are so many things. Take a few minutes and think about all of the things you're grateful for! I LOVE AND ADORE YOU ALL. 

Elder McDonald

Happy with Skippy...

... Sad with out Sexy Hair.

DALE CALOR

¡ÉA! How is every one? Hopefully things are well. Elder Winward and I have had lots of questions this week. The other day we were on the bus and a woman leaned over to me and whispered, "Hey, so what do you think of Trump?" I just laughed a little and said that I really only know what my family tells me; I've been in Argentina for a year! People here don't understand that we are literally walking all day and have zero access to United States news sources. 

I think overall we can just remember with all of the craziness that happens all over the world that our Father in Heaven is still and always willing to bless us when we choose the right! Right? He has promised us all over the scriptures (I like to think speciacally of His promise to the American continents that as we keep the commandments, we will prosper!) that if we do as He asks, and do so with faith, He will make sure every thing goes well. May we remember that even if we're angry or devestated by bad decisions of other people that may affect us badly as well, we can always pray for them, and for us. That will help us feel love towards those who have messed up, and it will also help us receive more blessings from a kind and loving Father. As a missionary, I've learned that specific prayer has a lot of power. Instead of praying for our families, we can ask for specific blessings for specific people. Instead of praying for those that are sick or afflicted, think of people you know that are in such trouble, and pray for them by name. I feel your prayers and strength every day, and I hope that you can feel of mine. I love my Father, my Saviour, and all of you dearly. Keep your heads up unless you're bowing them in prayer!

DEMASIADO AMOR,

Elder McDonald

My First District!

The Zone

MATANDO CON ELDER WINWARD

BUEEEEEEN DÍA. This week it LITERALLY was so hot. I forgot a little bit during the winter how incredibly and abusively hot it gets here. These last three days were like a guitar solo from the devil himself. I don't know where that came from - maybe because they're playing AC/DC in the cyber cafe I'm in.

Elder Winward is getting his brand new shoes broken in here in Ferrari. We have been walking well around here. It's so fun to be able to show all of the wonders of Argentine hoods to some one so unfamiliar with the culture. Haha he was just as thrilled as I was about the quantity of dogs in the streets, I think. Hearing him talk about it was weird, since seeing dogs every where is some thing so normal at this point. What is going to happen to me when I come back? I've grown to love all of my canine friends so much here. 

This week we saw lots of great miracles - no surprise when you get an extra faith boost from a brand new missionary. There are so many wonderful people to share the Gospel with! We have got some really big things happening in the mission and some really big goals! This week we talked to sooooo many people in the streets. I'm grateful that the Lord has blessed me with such a love for getting to know people because there are lots of people to get to know, and there are especailly many people that the Lord is preparing the receive His Gospel. And in a few weeks we're going to be able to see a real great way that all of the world can start bringing more joy to each other. The Church has a new Christmas campaign that is going to start the 25 of November and I'm so excited for every one to see it. There is so much good work to be done with it, especially these days when more and more people talk about how dark the world is. There's light to be brung! 

Time is short as always but I love always being able to hear about the joyful things happening in the family. It makes me excited to get started every week looking for families who can have the same blessing I've received. There's nothing more important than this! I'm happy every week doing this and I get happier as the days go by. Elder Winward and I are going to bring light every day to Ferrari! Bring light every day to your neighbourhood too! I hope all is well up north. I love you all.

Elder McDonald