HACE FRÍO EH

¡HOOOLA! How is every one? Round here in Buenos Aires we had a great week. I think my bike is finally starting to trust me, because I haven't had to fix it once this week. That's pretty big news. I named her Salame after the first week because of how badly she treated me, but things are slowly getting better. I think I'm learning to love her.

I love General Rodriguez. It can be painful riding against freezing wind, but it's all worth it to be able to find such great people to talk to. This Saturday, Miguel is going to get baptised, who is the smartest kid ever. He's super excited. Then next Saturday Emanuel is going to get baptised, who is super special. He's sixteen, and has really grown a lot from receiving the Gospel. The Lord has worked well with him, and I'm grateful to have been able to get to know him, and I'm incredibly excited to see him enter in to the waters of baptism. Pray for him and Miguel! 

I'm grateful for the many blessings I've received from my Heavenly Father, and I'm grateful to see that He has blessed my family as well for my service. I often wonder at the Lord's greatness and kindness in blessing us even when what we do to receive those blessings could never repay Him for all He has given us in our lives. 

"And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.

And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?" (Mosiah 2:23 and 24)

Always count your blessings and never try to believe we deserve more than we have! After all we can do, it is only by Christ's redeeming, amazing grace that we can return to live with our loving Father in Heaven. Don't take His grace for granted! Live to be worthy of it! I loooove all of you with all of my heart. I'm grateful for you and your prayers and faith. 

Un abrazo,

Elder McDonald

 

Pictures from Concillio Meetings I was telling you about last week.

 

 

 

 

 

UNA SEMANASA

BUEEEEEN DÍA. Man, how is every one? Things are getting colder 'round here.. but every thing's great. This week has been pretty crazy - we've had lots of stuff going on. On Tuesday, we had concilio (I don't know how to translate that word..) with the leaders of the mission, which was really special. President Resek is super excited, and has hit the ground running with all of his grand ideas and love. I love the energy and great humility that he has. Then, on Friday we had divisions with President's assistants, which was fulfilling as well. It was really cool to see how many miracles the Lord gives them for their hard work. Their area is all city, and really difficult, but the Lord has blessed them with a lot of success in miraculous ways. If we are obedient to the commandments and we work to do what He wants us to do, the Lord will bless us with success! And, ¡ojo! That goes for every thing. Success with our spouse. With our children. With our job. With our self-esteem. With our relationship with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. With the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Speaking of that special Gift, in concilio, President and Hermana Resek spoke a lot about how unique the Gift of the Holy Ghost is. We know that it is given by the laying on of hands, and only by some one who holds the proper authority, as is described in Acts 19 in the New Testament. And as God only gives His authority to those who enter in to the covenant of baptism and subsequently in to the Church of Christ, the incredible Gift of the Holy Ghost is a unique blessing that is only available in Christ's church. How grateful I am that I was able to receive that wonderful blessing from my father twelve years ago as he confirmed me a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and gave me the gift of the Holy Ghost, just as Paul did two thousand years ago to that faithful disciple. I have felt the power and infuence of the Holy Ghost many times in my life, and with out such blessings, who knows where I'd be! I love my Saviour, Jesus Christ. I know He lives. 

Have a sweeet week every one! 

Un abrazo,

Elder McDonald

UN PRESIDENTE ARGENTINO

BUEEEEN DÍA. I hope every one is well! This week was pretty great, and it all culminated with the arrival of our new mission president, President Resek, along with his wife and the two children that came here to Argentina with him. We got to meet him in the zone on Saturday, and it was really special. To be honest, I've grown to love and dearly appreciate President Robertson, so I was a bit worried about how different it would be with the guidance of another president. But when he came in and met all of us, I felt automatically of his love for us and his great desires to serve and do what the Lord wills for this mission. I felt a confirmation that he's been called of God to preside this mission now, and he has an incredible vision for us all. He and his wife are both from Argentina, and it was an interesting experience to listen to your mission president speak with an Argentine accent! He has tons of energy. I'm incredibly excited to be able to spend these last few months of my mission under his leadership. I know that God lives. His Son, Jesus Christ, lives as well. His Church is on the earth today, and He guides it. I know that it was through revelation given to His living Apostles and Prophets that President Resek was called to preside this mission. Buenos Aires needs him, and she needs me here still! I know that our Heavenly Father is preparing many people to hear the Restored Gospel here. I'm grateful the we have a living church. I know by the power of the Holy Ghost that it is true. The fullness of Christ's Gospel has been restored!

In other news, last Monday we went to the basilica in Luján. It's basically a mega cathedral. It's really, really pretty, to be honest. The architecture was beautiful, and it surprised me how incredibly big it was. I sent pictures to my mom for all to see. I love you all dearly! Seriously, tons of love from me.

Besos,

Elder McDonald

 

  A trip to the basilica in Luján!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old car museum.​

 

 

 

 

Art museum

 

 

Divisions

 

BENDICIONES Y ENFERMEDAD

BUEEEENN DÍA. Man, how is every one? Things 'round here are going super well. This week I've been pretty sick because Buenos Aires loves having a ridiculously unpredictable climate. For example, on Tuesday Elder Alvarez and I were nearly dying because it was so cold, but by Friday we were going out with our short-sleeved shirts.. I'll never understand how it can change so quickly. But any ways, even though I lost two days of being able to go out and work, the Lord really blessed us this weekend in helping our investigators to come to church. We had some great, promising families join us, and the church was full full! I've never been in a ward where they have to open the overflows so every one fits on my mission. I love the energy and all the diversity in this ward. July is going to be killer! Today I'm low again on time because we're gonna go up to Luján and see the cathedral and explore a bit, so I've got to keep things shorter here.

I'm grateful to have a Father in Heaven who knows me so well. I know He knows me, and wants me to be happy. Yesterday I was reading a talk from an Elder Cornish I think from General Conference in November about being good enough, and I really enjoyed it. While we as sinners can never be good enough on our own, if we trust in Christ and His Atonement, we can repent our way to goodness and salvation! I've always struggled a little bit with comparison to others, but Elder Cornish said some thing along the lines of, "If we must compare, let's compare our selves now with how we were before." I love that quote. And I know that if we work hard to apply Christ's teachings in our lives, we'll be able to successfully compare our selves with our selves every time. We'll always become better! I love life! I'm really happy! I can't think of a time when trying my best to be happy hasn't been a success. Have a wonderful week all!

Elder McDonald

Goodbyes to President and Hermana Robertson...

Futbol

LAS PRUEBAS NOS HACEN CRECER

BUEEEEN DÍA. Man... this week has been crazy. Really, really crazy. So much is new for me! I feel like I'm in another mission! It's so different to ride a bike every where. But I love it. I love every thing about the area, and Elder Alvarez and I are already killing it.

I'm way low on time. But I wanted to share just a bit about the week and my thoughts. We had a lot of trials this week. Man, like every thing that could have happened happened. It was crazy. My bike broke like once a day all week, which is an issue when you're far away from every thing. Lots of people fell through that should have gotten baptised in these weeks, to be honest, I don't remember every thing. But I do remember having the distinct impression that the adversary was working real hard to get us down, especially in this first week of big changes and leadership on my part. I think he knows exactly the good that Elder Alavarez and I can do, and I think he's working hard to keep that from happening. But I can't be put down! We worked hard, and we had a beautiful baptism of a couple on Saturday that really let us feel the Lord's love. It was nice to see my first marriage as well (they got married the day before their baptism). I know that even though Satan is astute, if we do our best to push against his hard winds and trust in the Lord's great power, every thing will go well. Trust in that! Trust always in the Lord. I love every one and am terribly sorry for the short time I have! Keep killing it!

 

Last few pics with Pres and Sister Robertson before they head home!

 

 

Last pic with Elder Orr

 

 

Saying goodbye before transfers

 

 

More goodbyes

 

 

Off on a new adventure!

 

 

BIKES!! And Elder Alvarez!

 

 

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My first wedding!

 

 

 

 

Baptism after the wedding!

 

 

 

OH, LAS BENDICIONES DEL SEÑOR

BUEEEEEN DÍA. How is every one? I'm doing really, really well. I'm excited. I'm finally leaving Paso del Rey! I've been here a good while, and it has been an incredible blessing and opportunity for growth being here. But it's time to move on, and I'm moving on to Luján! I am so stoked! I've been here in the same part of Buenos Aires for a good while now (a gooood while) and I could not be more excited to serve in a place like Luján... and as zone leader... haha. Man. I'm nervous for such a responsibility, but the Lord calls whom He calls, and I am glad and excited to go and do what the Lord has asked me to do. 

Today, I feel overwhelmed because of the many blessings I've seen this week, but especially this day. What a testimony I have of the Lord's protection and knowledge of all we need and desire. He has truly provided this week in Paso del Rey, with a wonderful family I'll leave progressing towards baptism. He has truly provided in my family, with the scare of dear Grandma breaking her hip. Every thing is before His sight, and Heavenly Father fixes every thing as it should be, and blesses His faithful children. I've seen numerous blessings on my mission for my obedience, and I know Heavenly Father is blessing my family for their obedience as well. May we all ponder on the many, many blessings of our Celestial Father in our lives. May we remember that His Son, Jesus the Christ, provided us a way to receive of the greatest blessing our Father can give us: eternal life and eternal families. I know that Christ sacrificed His life for us. I know that His Church is established here on earth. It was restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith. A prophet, Thomas S. Monson, guides it today. And through Christ's restored Church, I know that all of God's blessings can be received in fulness by those who search for them and do what He has required to receive them. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is holy scripture, and it supports the Bible as a companion and also His word. If any one wants to know what I know, please ask the Lord. No one else, not even the internet, can make the truth known unto you. Search and knock!

I loooooove my dear family and am happy all are well. I'm excited to let every one know how Luján is! 

UN ABRAZOTE,

Elder McDonald

UNA SEMANA MAS FRÍA...

BUEEEEN DÍA A TODOS. I hope every one is doing well and enjoying the coming summer up North.  This week's been pretty cold, but I dig it! Wind chill's got nothing on me.

So, we had two great investigators come to church with us this Sunday named Brenda and Betty. I don't remember if I talked about them last week, but they're pretty great. Brenda, Betty's daughter, is like the family's religious leader; she always has led her mom and siblings to other churches in her search to follow the Saviour. Thus it is as they come to know Christ's Church. I have never taught any one with so many questions, but it's great that she has so many - it's a sign of a sincere heart for me. Brenda said she was impressed by how calm every thing was at church, which I loved. Wherever she's gone to church it had always been accompanied by loud music and speakers, which makes it difficult for the still small voice of the Spirit to bear witness of our Saviour. 

This week were speaking to an elderly member outside of her house when a few of her young neighbours walked by. She looked at them, then looked at us and said, "They're gonna get baptised too!" The oldest girl said, "But I already got baptised.." and Sister Amelia cut in and asked "But are you baptised in the Church of Jesus Christ?" She didn't even let the poor girl give an explanation. I thought it was brave of Sister Amelia, and to be frank, she was very loving in every word she said to her neighbour, even if she didn't mince any words. It reminded me of the council we received last conference to preach what we practice! Let us never be ashamed to be open about the wonderful blessings we have received  as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, made so by the authority of the Holy Priesthood. Our message is unique, and different, and even though widely oppressed, it is a message of hope and warning! I know it's from God, and I know that it is only through the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ that we can achieve true joy in this life and in that which follows. It may be difficult to live the Gospel, but its precepts are simple, and all may know its truth by trying it! I know that Heavenly Father will always let us know if we are on the right path or the wrong path, whether through the Light of Christ or the Holy Ghost. I love every moment the Lord gives me here. I love my family! What an example I have had. Do some thing awesome this week, and preach what you practice! 

ABRAZOS,

Elder McDonald