Honest Abe

Loved Ones,

Hello! How is everyone? I hope that life is a bliss complete for one and all. Judging from the news and the pictures, I'd say that you all had a pretty splendid week! That makes me happy. I feel like I have some catching up to do since I provided practically no information last week. I'll do my best to give a faithful account.

This last week has been quite the challenge, but that is a good thing because when times are tough, I end up learning a lot. Similar to my experience with training, the increase in responsibility that came with being called as a district leader was more than I anticipated. Sometimes it can be tempting to think that it all is just too hard out here, but I've found that the Lord knows exactly how much we can take and how much adversity we need in order to grow. God always will come through for us when we feel like we just can't move forward any longer as long as we don't lose faith. I'm grateful for this opportunity I have to continue to learn and grow. I have to say that I was a bit disheartened upon first learning that I would be staying put for another transfer, but I realize now that I was being very selfish, and I thought that I knew what I needed better than the Lord does. I'm realizing that there is definitely more that I need to learn, and the convergence of experiences I'm having now seem to be the perfect schooling. I've found that the more I focus on what I want, the less effective and less happy I am. The only way to be happy is to work with God. Fighting against Him really doesn't make any sense. Why row upstream when your destination is downstream? Sometimes I feel stuck, but most of the time that's just because I'm rowing against the current. I know with all my heart that if we put our trust in God, mountains can be moved. The new members of my district are great, and we've all started getting along swimmingly. There is an elder named Elder Cobbley who just came out (he's 18), and an elder by the name of Elder Kang who is nearing the end of his stay in New York. It's a privilege to have more opportunities to serve. It seems like an opportunity to serve is really what leadership positions are all about in the end. Jesus gave us a perfect example of that. I'm grateful to have more service opportunities. I crave service now, and I sometimes find myself longing for the days of daily hurricane clean-up. But alas, I shouldn't long for days gone by. The future is a beautiful mystery just waiting to unfold. Speaking of the hurricane clean-up, Elder Hooper played at a concert in the Far Rockaway area (where we cleaned up) yesterday. They basically taught the Restoration through music. The program was really cool. I didn't actually get to see it because I went on an exchange so we could still cover an appointment, but apparently it went really well. I very much look forward to visiting that area.

So, big news: I was finally able to use the family relation to Tom Hanks though Abraham Lincoln in a meaningful and completely justified manner. I was excited. Elder Hooper and I were tracting, and we entered into a lovely conversation with two elderly women on the doorstep. They are avid O'Reilly fans (Grandpa would have gotten along well with them), and they were talking about his book about Abraham Lincoln and some program on Abraham Lincoln that was on TV recently. They said that Tom Hanks narrated it because he is apparently a relative of Abraham Lincoln. I got really excited and basically said, "He is! I can confirm that! I'm related to Tom Hanks and Abraham Lincoln!" It basically made my night. I'm a weirdo, I know. But, often it's the little things that bring me joy. I also need to tell you guys how much the new Lower Lights cd is rocking my world. Has everyone listened to that yet? I love it. My personal favorite is "Let My People Go". Thank you so much for sending that! The EFY cd's are awesome as well. I needed some new tunes. Muchas gracias. I also love the "more cowbell" shirt, and I wear it with pride. You guys are the best. I'm not sure why I'm so lucky. Mom and Dad, I think that you would be flattered to know that one of my zone leaders keeps asking me if you guys are vampires because you look so young. He refuses to believe that you're not. So way to be looking "fresh, clean, and jiggy wit' it", in the words of my former roommate, the great Elder Gregory (now home).

Well, life is definitely rolling forward. Time just seems to fly by out here. I can't believe that it's almost March! It is a little scary to think that I'll have been out for a year before I know it. That thought makes me want to do all I can to savor every day. I really do feel so blessed for the wonderful experiences I've been able to have so far, and the opportunity to be serving my Lord during this exciting time. I'm grateful for all that I'm being taught and for the situations I'm placed in that are perfectly tailored to my needs. Recently, my testimony of the enabling power of the Atonement has been strengthened a lot. I'm starting to learn that we can't accomplish the things we need to or become the people we need to be without the grace of Jesus Christ. If we trust in the Lord and "lean not unto [our] own understanding", then His grace is sufficient for every one of us. There is so much more that I have to learn about the Atonement and about living life in general, but I do know with certainty that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that He suffered and died for me. I know that through His grace, I can be more than I can be on my own. There's something very powerful that begins to happen when I acknowledge that I can't get by without the strengthening power of the Atonement. I know that God will lead us along if we will just trust Him and come unto Him. He will make our weaknesses strengths, and He will ultimately lead us to eternal life and happiness if we do what He has asked. God doesn't ask us to do things just because. He loves us. I know that's true. I have felt His love, and it is the sweetest feeling that I can ever hope to have. It fills me completely and brings me a joy that cannot come from any other source. God asks us to do certain things because He knows they will bring us happiness, and He wants us to be happy. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the path to happiness. I know that my Redeemer lives. I love Him, and I'm grateful to Him. I love my Heavenly Father, and I know that He loves every single one of us. I love my family, and I'm so grateful that I am able to take this journey with you all.

Love,

Elder McDonald