Elder McDonald's First Baptism!

Loved Ones!

I'm so sorry about last weeks email. It brought great pain to my heart to have no time to read your emails and write back in detail. It was such an eventful week mostly because of conference, and this week was pretty big as well, so I don't think there is any way that I can even come close to covering everything I'd like to say. Honestly, when I get back we can just have a pow wow and have a big question answer session and I'll try to catch up. There just isn't enough time to tell the half of it. I greatly underestimated the scarcity of time I have out here. It's crazy! I'm almost done with my second transfer, and I hit my 3 month mark last week! It has seriously flown by. Especially this last transfer. I don't know where the time went. It really does make me want to be the best missionary I can be because I know that the time will continue to speed by on wings of lightning, and this is the only time I have to fully dedicate my self to the Lord's work. I definitely want to take advantage of the time. 

I don't know where to start.... Yesterday was a big day, because Floretta was baptized! It was an incredible experience. To see how far she's come is truly touching. It makes me happy to think that if she is faithful, she has a life full of happiness ahead of her. Not only that, but happiness through all eternity. I performed the baptism, so this was my very first baptism on the mission. I'm really at a loss for words trying to summarize the experience. There was actually a bit of a hiccup in the baptismal service that added a bit of humor and made the experience more memorable. When the time came for the baptism and I stepped into the font, I encountered a liquid inferno. The water was boiling! I tried it again once or twice, but I quickly concluded that there was no way that I was going to survive if I went into the water, and I definitely wasn't going to immerse Floretta in it. I guess that someone took the concept of baptism by fire a little too literally :)  I told Elder Cabinilla, who was witnessing, that the water was way too hot, and he tried to convince me to just man up and go for it, but I told him it wasn't going to happen. We had to put things on hold and begin to add cold water to the font. I balanced myself between the two sides of the font above the lava water and swirled my leg around in it to try to mix in the cold water. It was ridiculous. I may have received first degree burns on my foot, but I'm not sure. But, eventually the water was an acceptable temperature, so we started the service again and went through with the baptism with out any more major interferences. It made for a great memory. Elder Tremble has concluded that everything that can go wrong tends to happen to me, and I've come to agree with him. I guess that's ok, because when things go wrong, memories are made and laughs are usually had. Humorous experiences aside, the baptism was a really special experience, and Floretta was visibly filled with the Spirit. She bore an amazing testimony in Sacrament meeting and then after the baptism as well. She has been prepared to receive the gospel, and it's been a great privilege to participate in her conversion. 

I could probably talk to you guys for hours about conference. I loved it so much. There were so many timely messages shared. Mom, I agree with you about the theme. I think that in a way, the theme was also missionary work. Most of the talks seemed to be essentially talking about either full-time or member missionary work either through sharing the gospel or being an example by truly living it. I also agree with you that Elder Holland's talk was awesome. He is the most powerful speaker, and he is my personal role model. I was especially affected when he said, "Once you have put your hand to the plow, you can never look back." That may not be the exact quote, but it was something along those lines. Another talk that I really loved was by Ann M. Dibbs (I think that's her name). The one where she said "I'm a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it." I thought that that was a perfect talk. I want to get a shirt that says that! That may have been my favorite of the conference if I'm being honest. Another stand out for me was Marcus B. Nash. I really like what he said about faith and reason being two wings of an airplane. They should be in balance, and if we find one is contradicting the other, then we need to pause. That's already been super helpful to me as I've tried to apply it. I honestly loved all the talks, and I have a ton more that I would love to talk to you all about, but it will have to wait. I think that the main message from conference was that there is so much more that needs to be done, and that we have a far greater potential than what we often settle for. The Lord knows that we aren't perfect, but I know that he expects nothing less than our very best. I heard something in the MTC that I really liked. It was something like, "The good news is the Lord only expects our best. The bad news is that the Lord expects our best." I loved that, because I think that it really hits the mark. And, it goes along with another thing that I heard in the MTC: "We have all that it takes, and it's going to take all that we have." I definitely need to be a lot better about giving my best. 

It sounds like everyone is doing well! Jacob! You are looking good, my man! Those pearly whites suit you just fine. I'm glad to hear that the house is off your hands, Mom. I look forward to hearing about the cool place that you guys pick for a more permanent home. It sounds like the Andrews clan had a fun time in Witchita Falls. I wish I could have joined in. I still haven't heard the verdict on Clovis! What is the rating out of 10? Jacob, your preparation time for your mission just went down a whole year! Let me just say that it is never too early to start preparing in earnest. It may seem tedious to prepare for missionary service, but I promise that the things you do to prepare will bring balance and happiness to all aspects of your life. You will form habits that will bring lasting peace and joy. I can't recommend Preach My Gospel highly enough. I've really gained a testimony of Preach My Gospel since I've been serving. I know that it is a divinely inspired resource, and it is honestly a treasure trove of awesome. There is just too much good stuff in there which is actually impossible contrary to what the AM/PM stores would want you to believe. 

I wish I could write more, but this was a pretty jam packed P-day again. I will try to catch up gradually. I love you all so much, and I am truly grateful for the support you give me. I keep you in my prayers.

Love,
Elder McDonald