Staying Put!

Hello Everyone!

Thanks for the emails and the letters and the love! I'm sending as much love as I can right back at you all. I'm so happy to see and hear that all is well. I can't wait to hear about what happens with the house decision! That's exciting, but definitely stressful. Mom and Dad, I actually really like the idea about just being homeless in Hawaii. We can just climb coconut trees and live off the fat of the land. I'm sue that Jack Johnson would invite us over often, especially once he finds out that we have the same birthday. Good plan. But until then, I hope that everything works out pitch perfectly. I loved the video you sent of Elder Tremble, well, Julius now, I guess. That was funny. I'm not sure exactly what he's referring to, but I think he is alluding to a particular incident that has become an infamous inside joke between Elder Broadbent and I. I'll have to tell you guys some day. It was good to see that Elder Tremble and Elder Cabinilla are well. Maybe Elder Tremble will come visit you guys sometime. If you invite him, I bet he'd show up. I can't wait for you all to meet him, though. He is a stud.

This week was really good. Mom, you'll be happy to know that I have been well fed this week. My district has been trying to work more closely with the members as of late, and that has led to an increase in the number of dinner appointments we've been having. It's been quite nice. It didn't hurt that I went on an exchange with two spanish elders this week, either. The spanish elders get well fed. We had a lunch appointment, which is about as rare as a legendary Pokemon in the english program. Last night, Elder Hooper, Elder Broadbent, Elder Finlinson, and myself were invited over to Sister Nedd's house for dinner, and she made a feast for us. She cooks very well, and I have not been so full in a very long time. As we were finishing up dinner, there was still a good amount of chicken left, and when Sister Nedd's sister, Sister Robinson started to clear the table, she said, "You didn't finish the bird!" By the way she said it, we could tell that she expected us to eat all of that chicken. Everyone was really full, so the task seemed daunting. Somehow, the responsibility to consume the rest of this fowl was placed squarely on Elder Finlinson and I. It was a struggle, but we did prevail. I don't know why the vegetarian kid was given the task, but I won't complain. I don't think I've encountered many chickens that were more skillfully prepared. Anyway, I told Sister Nedd that my mom would be very grateful to her for making sure I was taken care of so well. So Mom, don't worry about me starving. The branch members have been very nice. I can't wait for you guys to meet them. I've grown to love this branch so much. And, I'll be here for at least another 5 weeks! Transfer calls came on Saturday night, and I will be staying in Bushwick for the next transfer. Elder Hooper and I are staying together. I figured that would happen, because training a new missionary is a 12-week program, so the trainer stays with the new missionary for the duration of the 12 weeks in most cases. I'm excited to have more time to do my very best to strengthen the Church here.

I have learned a lot over this last transfer as I've worked with Elder Hooper. I feel like I learn so much more than I could ever teach as I train. I have been acquiring a long list of New Year's resolutions as I've seen all the areas that I need to improve on. The need for improvement becomes much more clear as I have more responsibilities. I'm really grateful for that. The gospel is all about making bad men good and good men better, right? I feel like self-improvement is what we are here to do. I'm not quite sure about the reference, but I recall a scripture that talks about improving our time in this life. We only have such a short amount of time and so much to do! I really love the idea of self-improvement in the gospel, because it is so much more active than just doing what it takes to get to heaven. We obviously want to return to live with God and have perfect joy in His presence, but we also are here to gain experience and grow. As Brad Wilcox says, "heaven will not be heaven for those who have not chosen to be heavenly." Perfection in the future is a noble goal, but I feel like we need to take things one day at a time and strive for perfection now. President Calderwood said something along these lines that I thought was spot on. He basically said, "If you can't make it perfect in the moment, you can't make it perfect in the future." Isn't that cool? President Calderwood has some great quotes. I've written down as many as I can over the last 6 months. I look forward to sharing them with you guys sometime. But anyway, I'm excited for the next transfer. I have a good feeling about it!

How are everyone's New Year's resolutions coming? Mom, I'd be happy to help hold you guys to those, and I'd love to join in, but I'm not sure if I know what they all are. I remember you mentioning them somewhere. Did I just totally gap that? Do you guys have a big family resolution? I'm sorry if I'm being really forgetful. I have a lot of things flying through my brain. Let me know if there is a family goal I can participate in. That family scripture reading thing kind of fell through, and that's my fault. Sorry for dropping the ball on that. I thought that the study time I have would be a little different than it is when I was fresh out of the MTC. Maybe we could do a scripture of the week or something like that. How does that sound?

I hope that everyone has the best week ever! Dad, I almost forgot to mention that I just purchased some sugar cane juice from a street vendor on my way to the library. The guy had the sugar canes, and he just stuck them in a juicer and poured the juice in a cup. It was pretty good. They didn't add any lime to it like you talked about them doing in Brazil. I think that would have made it even tastier. It was fun to try it though. I love that I can find all these crazy things here. Brooklyn is pretty cool even if it is a little bit gritty. Well, I love you all very much, and it was so good to hear from you guys. You are in my prayers.

Love,

Elder McDonald