Hello to my wonderful family! So this week, my companion is cracking down on my email use, so I'll have to use a bit more brevity. Anyway, this was a good week! It sounds like it was a really good week for everyone else as well! I'm so glad to hear that you are liking Clovis. I wasn't worried about that because it seems like a great place. It must be nice to experience a little bit of a small town feel after being in southern California. Do you miss the beach yet? Jase! You are such a stud! You look great in your football gear. It's going to be hard, but I know you can do it! You won't regret sticking it out - I promise! The TP job on the house was admirable. I'm glad that somebody sent us off with style. Or sent you off I guess... I just consider us a unit regardless of geography. I really love hearing from you all and getting pictures. I don't think I could make it through challenging times out here without the support of all the great people in my life. I keep thinking about how much I admire people who choose to serve missions even when their family basically disowns them because of their choice. That would be unimaginably hard. I'm so grateful that you are supportive. Ok, so I'll try to think of some of the highlights of the week. I was able to go on an exchange, and that was cool because I could get a little bit of a different perspective. Also, I worked in a trio companionship for a day with an elder named Elder Jacobs who just left today. That was a huge learning experience for me. Elder Jacobs is a perfect example of what a missionary can become in my opinion. He loves everyone around him and he constantly is being inspired by the Spirit. It was while I was with Elder Jacobs that I had probably the coolest experience of the week. We had an appointment with a less-active couple, and so we went and talked with them for a little and then shared a spiritual message. These people haven't been coming to church, and they're living together and not married, so they aren't exactly living the Gospel standards. But, Elder Jacobs was completely inspired and he shared things with them that they absolutely needed to hear. He especially impacted the girl, Jessica. She was in tears throughout the whole lesson. At the end, she was like "what time is church?" It was awesome. In like 30 minutes these two people totally changed their priorities. They were at church this Sunday, and Elder Jacobs gave them both priesthood blessings, and I participated in the blessings. Once again he was completely inspired, and he discerned thoughts and feelings they had that they hadn't told us and that he couldn't have known without the Spirit. It was incredible, and I felt such a strong love for the two of them afterwards. I really think they're going to start making changes in their lives. The Gospel is true, and it can work miracles! I learned a ton from Elder Jacobs. It was really a blessing to be able to spend some time with him.Probably the funnest thing we did this week was another "singing street sweep". This time, Elder Cabinilla couldn't come to play guitar, so I was all alone with my ukelele. But it was great because all the elders formed a tunnel going down the side walk and we all sang hymns and gave cards to people that passed through. It was great because there was a section of sidewalk where the Spirit was present, and I'm sure some people were able to feel that. Afterwards, we all walked to a subway station and played for a while in there. So now I can say I've played in a subway station! When our train came, we sang as we walked on, and kept on singing as the subway moved along. Every transfer we would get out and then get onto the next train and start singing again. It was so much fun! We were like a traveling band.Dad, I like how you mentioned that Christ commanded us to study Isaiah. I've been trying to make it through the whole book, and it's hard stuff! But I'm sure there are some real treasures in there. Also, Jesus the Christ is incredible. There is just the most profound stuff all throughout it. I recommend it to everyone. That's so crazy that a missionary got called to Melbourne Mandarin speaking! That'll be interesting. Chinese with an Australian accent would certainly be something I'd like to hear. Man, I need to start writing down what I want to tell you all, because once I get on the computer I just freeze up! I'll try to keep a list for next week. Unfortunately, Jose didn't get baptized this week. He's going through some really hard times with his family, and both he and his wife are having health problems. Hopefully next week will work out! I just remembered something really cool! So we've been doing all these crazy things in this area so we can make our presence known and get people interested in hearing more. A local newspaper noticed some of the flyers we've been putting up, and they are interviewing President Calderwood today! How cool is that? Lot's of people actually know who we are and even call us Elders sometimes because of The Book of Mormon musical, I think. It's one of the most popular shows on Broadway, and a ton of people are being exposed to the Church because of it. Though the musical makes fun of us, I've heard that it ultimately portrays us in a positive light. And was it Brigham Young who said that every time someone kicks the Church, they kick it upstairs? I think that's totally true. Well, I wish I could email for 6 hours, but I gotta go! I love you all so much, and I thank you for your letters, emails, and prayers. I did get the package! You are all the best! Seriously, that is heaven sent. But the letters are a little slower, so I haven't gotten them yet. At least I didn't get Jacob's... Hopefully soon! But honestly, thank you so much for being awesome! I will devour that granola with much gusto! You're all the best! I love you more than words can say. Clovis is lucky to gain such a great family! Every time you go swimming in your pool, I would appreciate it if you would make a cardboard cut out of me and place it in a lounge chair next to the water. That would be nice. If you could also place a delicious beverage in my cardboard clone's hand, then that would really be the icing on the cake.
Man, do I love Mondays. It's so exciting to hear how everyone is doing and to see the pictures you send! I miss my family! I really do appreciate family so much more now that I'm out here. Family is such an important thing, and I've been blessed with a really amazing one, so thank you all for being cool. But be nice to each other, because family relationships are so important. I really know that to be true. One thing I've learned is what a powerful force love is. I think we all recognize this at least subconsciously, but when you think about it, love is just absolutely crucial. It can and does work miracles. The Beatles were right: all you need is love. But you have to make sure it's the right kind of love, of course. All of the things that we teach new investigators as missionaries revolve around the Atonement, and the Atonement is the greatest act of love of all time. Just know that I love each of you so very much, and I am so glad to have been raised in a home where love was present.
This week was full of a lot of walking and tracting and chasing down hipsters on the street. I don't want to give the impression that I'm looking down on hipsters at all. A lot of the people I meet are really, really cool. What's funny is this: you know how you'll be walking down the street in an average city and you'll see someone that is very forward thinking and independently-minded fashion-wise, and you're like "That's interesting."? Well, that's what every single person in some of the areas I'm in looks like. They are certainly very preoccupied with being at the forefront of all the world has to offer. It's kind of like that Jack Johnson song "Rodeo Clowns" when he talks about the girl who wants to get a belly button ring "and other kinds of things symbolic of change but the thing that is strange is the changes occurred, and now she's just a part of the herd." That's totally true here. Which brings me to something that I realized the other day: The world can never bring you true happiness. I'm sure all those who are wiser than me have realized this long ago, and I've found it to be true throughout my life, but it's really been brought home for me recently. All these people are trying to find happiness in all the wrong places, and you can tell when you talk to them that they just aren't truly happy. A lot of people have the appearance of happiness, but it is often evidently shallow. It's so tempting to think that the world has happiness to offer and to feel like it's lame that we are asked to follow rules in order to live the Gospel, but I can assure you that the world will never bring you joy. It really is sad to see how lost people can become in their quest to be something by the world's standards. I really feel strongly that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the way to true happiness. There honestly is no other way. I was thinking about all this the other night as people were running around going to bars and living it up all around me. I just realized that they are desperately trying to fill voids in their lives, but they're looking in all the wrong places. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with being in the world and doing cool things. But being of the world is not something that I ever want to be. When I talk to someone who is really cool and a really great person, but is just missing some pieces in their life because they don't have the Gospel, I really long for them to accept the message we are trying to share with them. It's interesting because a lot of the forward thinking young people in the areas I'm in aren't religious at all, but many of them believe in a force or an energy in the universe. They've become disenchanted with organized religion, so they've written it off, but I think that deep down they recognize that there is more to life than having a good time. All the people who have turned away from religion, but keep a belief in something bigger than them are, I believe, holding on to a piece of something that they know in their hearts can bring them the happiness they're looking for. This is a lesson that was really helpful for me to learn. Several people have said that on your mission, your first convert will be yourself. I totally have a testimony of that. I've become so much more converted to the Gospel over this short amount of time. I have a very long way to go, but I'm so grateful for how much the Lord has blessed me as I've served. Someone said something else during a zone meeting that was really cool. They said that a mission isn't the best two years of your life, it's the best two years for your life. That was a really powerful message for me to hear. The first two weeks in the field have been difficult, and I find myself wondering when I will reach the stage where I just love every single day and am completely stoked about talking to everyone about the Gospel. That quote made me realize that I don't think I will reach a point where every single day is bliss, but I do know that even the short amount of time I've been out has been incredibly beneficial. And beyond that, even though the work is hard, it is fun too. There are blessings each day that help me to keep going.
Speaking of blessings, Jose, the investigator my companion and I have been working with has been to church twice, and the plan is to have him baptized this Sunday! I'm so excited. It's been very interesting teaching him. I don't know if I mentioned this already, but he says that he's died three times and come back to life. He says that he was told that his work wasn't finished, and he believes that one of the things he needed to do was be baptized. At first, I was a little unsure about whether or not he was a little bit crazy, but now, I really think that he is telling the truth. When we were teaching him about the plan of salvation, he started talking about some of the things he's seen in dreams, and he was basically dispensing doctrine that we hadn't even mentioned. He talked some fairly deep doctrine that is unique to the Church, and I just kept nodding my head as he talked because he was almost teaching himself. He's 77 years old, and he's had some health challenges, so I feel that it will be really great for him to be baptized before his time comes to move on from this life. I don't mean for that to sound insensitive or anything like that. We taught him the Word of Wisdom, and told him he couldn't drink coffee or tea, and he was just like "No problem. I'll drink something else." It was awesome! He has a lot of faith. He's a really good guy, and I know he'll be blessed because of the Gospel.
So I heard another good quote: "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." Isn't that great? The Gospel really is the main thing, and if we keep it the main thing, then everything else will fall into place. I think this goes back to what I was talking about earlier about the importance of family. I think it was President Benson who said something like "The most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home." I just love that, and I know it to be true. I have to thank you, Mom and Dad, for doing good work in the home and for raising me with the Gospel. I think that the world has really lost sight of the importance of family and the home, and I'm so grateful that I've been so richly blessed. Can you tell I miss you all?
I will now answer some of the questions. First off, I am eating, but I really do miss my mom's cooking. Mom, you are the best, and your food is amazing. I really appreciate that so much now. But I'm trying to find ways to eat healthy on a budget, and so far it's working out ok. Unfortunately, my companion is definitely not vegetarian. He is far from it, actually. I guess not everyone in India lives that lifestyle. But luckily, meat is pretty expensive so my roommates don't really eat it a whole lot. Rice and oatmeal have become great staples. Second, I have had some really great NY pizza. It's good stuff. I've only had it twice, and one time it was a lot better than the other, but I plan on finding out where the best places are. That brings me to shawarma. Dad, you will be pleased to know that I did indeed find some shawarma. And, just so I could be able to relay information to you, I did try some. In short, it did not offer me a compelling reason to go back to eating meat. I definitely like falafel better. But it wasn't bad at all. You should try it sometime. Shawarma reminds me of The Avengers, and I forgot to mention last time that you will all be happy to hear that they've really done a great job of cleaning up Manhattan after the mayhem that ensued with the alien invasion and what not. It's impressing how fast everything was straightened up. Going back to pizza, I'm glad that you all have hopefully learned to turn away from Little Caesars. It just isn't very good. Jacob! You're such a stud man. I'm so glad to hear that you stuck it out and fought through the crazy practices. Know that I am suffering with you in the heat everyday. I think that as you stick with it, you'll really start to have a good time and dominate. I'm proud of you for being tough, though. I realized the other day that it has been four years since I was doing the same thing right after moving from Mesa! That just blows my mind. Time really flies, so make sure that you are getting yourself ready for your mission early. Start reading Preach My Gospel now if you can - it's good stuff. But definitely have a ton of fun too. The next four years will be a really good time to make a plethora of happy memories.
I tried to think of a way to offer a recap of my week, but it's hard to sum things up. I busked on a street corner again, so that was fun. Hopefully people will start wanting to learn more. It's tons of fun to play hymns on a NYC street corner, though. One other offbeat thing we've been doing is chalking subway stations. I don't think I told you about this last week, did I? Anyway, we write little messages in chalk at a subway station and then we put mormon.org at the end so people will be directed there to learn more. It's kind of funny to be tagging as a missionary, but it's just chalk so we're not doing anything illegal. I have a picture of one of the tags that I'll send. Any questions that you have, just fire them off. I love answering questions. It's hard to recap things, but I'll try to be better. I got a lump in my throat when I heard about Mia asking for me. Tell her I love her a ton, and I'll send her a picture as soon as I can! And she is a puzzle mastermind! That's awesome! Alright, I have to wrap things up so I can send some pictures. I'll try to establish a time so we can chat next week. That would be fun. I can write a big email for everyone who wants to read it, and we can just chat it up! I'll send a little email first so you know I'm online. I love you all so much, and I hope that you're doing well. I keep you in my prayers.
Love,
Elder McDonald
P.S. Oh! Man, I almost forgot to tell you about the guy who let me use his phone in the airport. I asked him if I could call you guys really quick and he said that I could, and that his brother is a Mormon bishop, so he was doing the good deed for him. Nothing miraculous happened, but when my phone card wasn't working, he caught my eye, and I felt like it would be a good idea to ask him to use his phone. So I don't know if anything good will come of it, but I feel like everything happens for a reason. He was really cool, and when I told him I was going to New York he said that he might have to pray for me. It told him I would appreciate that. Maybe he'll be inspired to ask his brother more about the Church or something.
P.P.S. You're all so nice to write me actual letters. Getting mail is the coolest thing ever out here. I understand the mail scenes in The Best Two Years now. That's really what it's like. I can't wait to get them!
Hello all! I am here in the City, and it is absolutely insane. I feel
as if I'm in a foreign country for sure. Everything is completely
different, and there are so many different people. I don't even know
where to begin. My first area is indeed Brooklyn. More specifically,
it's a place called Bushwick, and I don't know if you can tell from
the street view you looked at, but it's totally ghetto and it's
awesome. I'm going to send some pictures, so you'll be able to see my
apartment. I'm on the third floor, and it's just like one of those
little places you see in movies. It's definitely an adjustment, but
it's fun too. I hope that the letter I sent got to you in Clovis. If
it did, you know about my first day and all that. As for my first
week, I've got a lot to tell. I'm in an area that's just a little ways
away from where Jay-Z grew up. I ate at the McDonald's that he raps
about in Empire State of Mind! At least that's what I was told. That's
not 100% confirmed, but I think it's accurate. I found out that he got
his name because the subway stop where he grew up is where the J and
the Z trains meet. The church building I go to is right off that stop.
It's the Marcy Ave. stop, and he grew up in the Marcy projects.
Speaking of projects, I've tracted them a few times now. I've never
experienced anything quite like the projects. It's so eye-opening to
see how bad the conditions are for so many people. It's definitely a
goal of mine to not have to live in the projects. But I'm so grateful
for how much I've been blessed in my life. The area I'm in is really
interesting because in a fairly short walk I can go from the ghetto to
the drop off point of the hipster bus. It's really a striking
contrast. I've never seen so many hipsters in one place before.
That brings me to what has been really interesting about my first
week. We've been focusing on working in those areas where all the
hipsters are because they are the ones who can get to church and help
to strengthen the ward. There are a lot of great people in the rougher
parts of town, but it's hard for them to get to church, so we're
trying to find a few families that can build up the ward and then help
it to expand outwards so that we can eventually get to more areas.
When families are living in the projects it's hard for them to pay for
the subway to go to church on Sunday, and a lot of factors make it so
it's tough for them to remain active. So the approach makes a lot of
sense, and my mission president is very inspired, but that means that
we have to try to preach the Gospel to a bunch of hipsters and wealthy
urban young people. That's easier said than done. But, my mission
president has developed a new approach to missionary work that is
really interesting. I'm in a district with 5 companionships, and we
are all in a fairly small area centered around the church building.
President Calderwood decided to abolish areas in this one specific
district, and so we are working in what's called an open pool. That
means that all the companionships in my district work in the entire
area instead of having established areas for each companionship to
work in. Those who have served missions probably understand a little
more fully what this means. It's hard to describe stuff without using
the mission lingo, but hopefully that makes sense. It's cool to have
President Calderwood. Not only is he an awesome guy, but he's making a
ton of really inspired changes to the mission. In the transfer meeting
last week, he said that we are on the verge of "The Mormon Minute",
and this mission is experiencing that in the heartbeat of the free
world. Those are basically the words he used. He said that all the
attention that the Church has been getting is about to really take
off, and so he is making changes to accommodate what's going to
happen. The area I'm in is kind of like the pilot program for this new
approach. It's the first area that he's trying this new approach in.
As a result, we are doing some pretty unconventional missionary work.
Just the other day, we went to a really hipster part of town and
another elder and I busked on a street corner. I played ukelele and he
played guitar and we did some indie arrangements of hymns. It was
super fun, and all the people were trying to figure out what the heck
was going on. Someone was like "Are you guys like an offshoot group or
something?" It was funny. People were taking pictures and videos, so
check Youtube for "Busking Mormon Missionaries" or something. I guess
it wasn't technically busking because we weren't doing it for money.
We actually gave the people stuff. As we played, the other elders gave
out pass-along cards and flyers for a "Meet the Mormons" night we're
doing this week. I would have never guessed that I would be playing
music on street corners on my mission. It's pretty funny, but I think
it's a really good approach. We're trying to get the community to
start noticing us so they'll start asking questions and realizing who
we are. I'll try to send some pictures of the performance.
So I have a couple funny stories about encounters with interesting
people. The other day, my companion and I (wait, I haven't told you
about my trainer yet! His name is Elder Pulla, and he's from India.
He's a good guy and he's teaching me a lot about being persistent and
working hard.) were walking down the street and this lady walked up to
me and held out her hand like she wanted to fist bump. I had seen her
the other day, and she had done the same thing, so I fist bumped her
and I think I tried to give her a pass-along card or something. She
pushed the card away and made a face like "I don't want that" and then
pulled me aside and acted like she had a question for me. At one
point, she hugged me, and I was like "Oh man, what's going on here?"
My companion tried to follow us, but she told him to get away. She was
definitely crazy and when she spoke, you could only understand a
little bit of what she was saying. She started mumbling to me and held
out her hand like she wanted something, so I tried to give her a
pass-along card again. She shoved it away and kept asking for
something. I think she wanted money. I told her I just had the card,
and tried to get away, but then she hugged me again and kissed me on
the neck! At this point I was like "Oh no, I'm totally breaking
mission rules, and this lady is accosting me." Haha. I tried to get
away, but she kept blocking my escape, and then she grabbed my hands
and put them on her head and asked me to pray or something like that.
I knew I definitely had to make a break for it, so I side stepped her
and cleared out with Elder Pulla. It was pretty scary. I mean, I was
never in danger, but it was definitely not the kind of situation I
wanted to stick around for. Oh the people of New York. The other
interesting person I met when I was walking down the street as well.
He was sitting on his steps, and my comp and I went up and started
talking to him. This chat turned into an hour and a half discussion in
which this man went off on more tangents than should be humanly
possible. At one point, I was able to break in and give him a Book of
Mormon and challenge him to read it, but he just kept going on
tangents and addressing everything from crop circles to government
conspiracies to chem trails. I thought Uncle Mark would appreciate
knowing that there are more chem trail believers out there. It's a big
issue. When he started talking about them, I wanted to laugh out loud.
The conversation was only cut off when a street fight commenced and
the guy ran off, Book of Mormon in hand, to go help his friend who was
getting beaten up. At that point, Elder Pulla and I split. I think
that these kinds of experiences will become commonplace if I stay in
Brooklyn for a long time.
There's so much to tell, but I have so little time! I'm doing well,
and I really like the City. Everyday when I get on the subway I see
the Empire State Building and the Manhattan skyline. I can usually see
the new World Trade Center when I walk around too. There are so many
cool people here, and I meet a lot everyday. I'm doing well and
enjoying the mission, but they forgot to tell you in the MTC how
flipping hard a mission is! Especially when you're trying to get rich
urban young people to listen to you. I'm working on being more bold
with street contacting. Door approaches aren't that hard because I did
so many of them last summer in D.C., but chasing after people on the
street and trying to talk about the Gospel is tough! It's getting
easier though. The branch I'm in is cool. Get this: Jensen Clifford,
Garrett's older brother, is in my branch! How crazy is that? It's such
a small world. The Spirit was so strong in this branch, and it was
fast and testimony meeting, so I got to introduce myself to everyone
and bear my testimony. It was kinda weird being the missionary
introducing myself. I've seen so many get up and introduce themselves,
but now it's me! It feels surreal sometimes. Oh! I almost forgot to
say that my comp and I have an investigator with an August 19
baptismal date! His name is Jose, and he's from Puerto Rico. He came
to church this Sunday and is working on reading The Book of Mormon! I
hope he is able to gain a testimony and keep his baptismal date. He is
a little hard to read, so my companion and I are trying to make sure
he's ready before he gets baptized, but it's cool to have an
investigator at church. I was pretty stoked. I am having a good time
being a missionary, and I know this is where I'm supposed to be. I
have so much more I want to say, but my companion is going to start
getting anxious to leave the library. I'm going to try to send some
pictures! I love you all so much, and I miss each of you dearly. I'm
so glad to hear that the move went well and that you all like Clovis.
I wish I had a pool! It's flipping hot here. It's totally not a myth
that the people open up the fire hydrants in the summer. They just
shoot out water all day long. It's nice because when I walk by,
sometimes I get a little mist. But I'm really happy to know that
everyone is good! I can't wait to hear how the new schools are! I love
you!
Elder McDonald
