Dearest kin,
I realized that I haven't put a subject on my emails lately, so I thought I'd spice things up a bit. It was so good to hear how everyone is doing! I was struck with a pang of jealousy to see you all at beautiful Glacier Point. But, I'm really glad you could all witness the spectacle of Yosemite. Isn't it incredible? It really is cool that you live by such a beautiful place. When I get back, we all have to climb Half Dome. Deal? I also have to applaud whoever took the photos. They were very well shot. I'm impressed. Speaking of photos, I never told you guys about how cool that one picture that you sent me of Brock chasing Jase is. I think that is probably the best family picture that has ever been taken. The lighting is perfect and the emotion of the scene makes me smile when I look at it. Props to whoever snapped that one.
To start things off, I need to thank my wonderful mother for the package she sent. I haven't had a chance to give you an accounting, but I got all the Amazon stuff including the cereal. I was so excited to get some of my favorite cereal, and Elder Broadbent and I had actually been talking about how much we wanted to buy cereal before it came. Who knew that you could order cereal from Amazon. I was pretty surprised. It was also funny that you sent Grape Nuts because one of my titles in the MTC was Grape Nut due to the large quantities of Grape Nuts I consumed. I think there was a point where I had Grape Nuts for every meal. I ended up getting a lot of grief in the MTC for my strange vegetarian eating habits. My district had a lot of fun with that. So, getting Grape Nuts brought back fond memories. I've thoroughly enjoyed eating Grape Nuts out in the field as well. Also, Elder Tremble did get his package, and I think it made him happy. That was really nice of you to be so thoughtful. He definitely needed the love, I think. Oh, and how could I forget how much I enjoyed the cashew clusters. Those things are so good. Thank you, thank you, thank you. My family is the best. I love you guys.
Today marks the beginning of my third transfer, and I got word on Saturday that I'll be staying in the same area for another transfer. As a result, I will also have my first "kill" in mission terms. I really don't think I like that term, but basically it just means that I'll be with Elder Tremble until he goes home. I'm really excited to have another transfer with him, though. He is the coolest missionary, and he even has President Calderwood's endorsement. President told me that he is one of the best missionaries in the entire mission. I'm really lucky to have the chance to learn from him. It will be a fun transfer too, because not only is Elder Tremble a great missionary, but he's a super cool guy. Now that you have all seen a picture of him, you'll understand the joke we have between us that our companionship is like Psych or possibly Men In Black. It's probably more like Men In Black because we walk around New York City in suits all day. He is honestly a stud though. And, I wouldn't be surprised if the opportunity for us to fight aliens arose sometime during this next transfer, because not much would surprise me at this point. New York is a crazy place. The other day, E.T. (Elder Tremble) and I were walking down the street, and we came across a huge iguana just hanging out on the sidewalk. I stopped and stared at it for a bit, trying to figure out why there was a giant lizard in the middle of Brooklyn, and it looked over at me and we just looked at each other for a moment and then went our separate ways when we came to terms with each other (actually, it was more like I went my separate way because the iguana didn't move). I was left to wonder if one of Godzilla's babies had survived or if someone's pet iguana was on the loose. Obviously, one of these scenarios was far more likely, but, like I said, nothing would surprise me at this point. We later found out that it was indeed someone's pet, but that doesn't mean that the possibility of E.T. and I encountering aliens is any less likely. I'll let you all know if we have the chance to fight extraterrestrials and then neutralize people's memories.
On Sunday, Floretta was confirmed, so she is officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! She is really incredible. Her faith and obedience is nothing short of inspiring. She has been reading the Book of Mormon like crazy too! I was a pretty comfortable margin ahead of her in my personal reading, but she has overtaken me! And, she often receives personal revelation when she reads. It's awesome. Seeing how much she has gained from the Book of Mormon has really strengthened my testimony of the power of that book. It full to bursting with doctrines that will bring the utmost happiness to us all if we allow them to. I love the Book of Mormon. It's my favorite book. I came across a quote that I really like, and I want to share it with you all. It goes like this: "There is no greater issue to ever confront mankind in modern times than this: Is the Book of Mormon the mind and will and voice of God to all men?" Bruce R. McConkie said that, and I couldn't agree with him more. It is really easy to take the Book of Mormon for granted, and I have often been guilty of doing so. But, if we stop to think about what the implications are if the Book of Mormon is indeed the voice of God to all men, it really is an eye-opening experience. I give my witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. By knowing this, I know that the Church of Jesus Christ was restored through Joseph Smith, and that there is a prophet of God, Thomas S. Monson, who leads that church today. I promise that if anyone reads the Book of Mormon with an open mind and heart, and does so prayerfully, they can come to know that it is indeed true. Many treasures of knowledge are unfolded when the simple knowledge of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon is acquired.
I hope that everyone is healthy and happy, and I hope that life is a blissful canoe ride along the river. I love you all so much, and I'm so grateful to have you in my life. I hope and pray that there are many happy surprises just around the river bend. I know there will be. No one says it better than Pocahontas. Over and out.
Love,
Elder McDonald
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