It's A Small World After All

Loved Ones,

I'm sorry for the sporadic email schedule. Someone needs to tell the guy who watches Chinese martial arts movies on the library computer that it's more important that I talk to my family! But that's okay. He doesn't mean any harm. And it is pretentious of me to think I'm more important. I'm not, really. But Chinese martial arts movies vs. family? I think we all know who the victor is. Chinese martial artists vs. family? Unfortunately, I'm not so sure about that one. I would hope that you guys would be able to prevail, though. Anyways, it was so good to hear from everyone this week! Thank you for all the letters and the wonderful package. I love that package. I will be wearing my "more cowbell" t-shirt quite often, I assure you. Good find. And thank you for the cd's, Mom! I'm so excited to listen to the Lower Lights second volume. I love them. You guys are the best. For reals. Thank you very much.

This week was so good! Matt was baptized, as scheduled. Elder Yates, my district leader, referred to Matt as a "golden investigator from heaven", and he is completely right. It was such a huge blessing to be able to teach Matt and welcome him into the branch. Matt is someone who has embraced the gospel and let it change his life, and it's so special to see that happen. Having Matt's confirmation next week will be a great way to end my stay in Bushwick should I be leaving this transfer. In anticipation of the possibility of some of the missionaries leaving, President Frandsen (the branch president) invited Elder Broadbent, Elder Yates and I to bear our testimonies in sacrament meeting on Sunday. I kept thinking about all the missionaries I've seen bearing their testimonies before getting transferred over the years, and it was a bit surreal to join their ranks. I have grown to love this branch and the people in it so much. I don't think there will be another branch that I'll be more excited to introduce you guys to after the mission. It has been a huge opportunity to serve here. I am impressed by how at home I feel amongst people who are 3,000 miles away from my home. It's been wonderful.

The last segment of The District that you guys watched is not included on the missionary's version of The District. I think it is for good reason. A segment entitled "Coming Home" would, most likely, make us start "trunking out of [our] mind[s]" in the words of Elder Van Pelt ("The Best Two Years"). I'm sure it is very poignant. I look forward to watching it at some point. I'm glad you guys got to watch The District, though. It's so good. It is very honest about missionary life with all its ups and downs. I have one question: did you guys spot The Neuter Scooter in the first episode? I was quite amused to see it make an appearance. It's quick, so you have to keep an eye out. I realize that the majority of you reading this will be confused and maybe even a little disturbed by my reference to such a thing as a "Neuter Scooter", but I thought that those who know what I'm talking about would find it funny. After all, I do have a picture with the infamous vehicle in my photo album. Thanks for sending that one, Mom. It's fun to see all the things from back home in The District. It makes me miss the San Diego Temple. What a beautiful place San Diego is. It sounds especially appealing in the aftermath of the blizzard that I had the pleasure of experiencing just last week. Despite the cold, it was actually quite beautiful. And, there were some opportunities to help people shovel snow, so I was able to have that experience. We didn't have to stay inside for the blizzard. It really wasn't that bad. We always hope that people will have sympathy on us and let us in when the weather is fierce, but it doesn't seem to work too well. But alas, all is well.

I have a funny story for you guys. It's not really a story, but I thought you might think it amusing. In elder's quorum last week, we played "two truths and a lie" to get to know each other better. we split into groups of three and each shared our truths with one lie. Here's what I said: My favorite cereal is Grape Nuts; my favorite ride at Disneyland is "Small World"; I've broken three bones in my body. Jensen Clifford was in my group and he said that clearly I was lying about Grape Nuts and "Small World" because "No one under the age of 60 likes Grape Nuts and no one over the age of 3 likes 'Small World'." Everyone in the group agreed with him. Those of you closest to me know that I have never broken a bone in my body. Man, were they surprised. I think I definitely lost all my street cred. That's alright. It's inevitable that everyone I know will eventually come to realize what a goober I am.

Mom, I thought that the lesson you learned from the Book of Mormon is really important. I never really thought of that aspect of the story of Alma and Amulek, so thank you for sharing. I totally agree with you that we have to realize and remember that a life of discipleship is not an easy path. Elder Holland gives a really good talk about that. He basically says that it would be foolish to imagine that we can avoid pain and trials as we follow Christ, because His life was full of harsh trials. He ties it in to missionary work by saying "Missionary work isn't easy because salvation is not a cheap experience." I know that all the difficulties we face will be for our good in the end. How can we appreciate Jesus Christ's Atonement for us if we don't suffer a little bit ourselves? I believe that it is during the darkest days that we can come to appreciate the Atonement the most and receive the most strength. We have to go through the fire to be refined. It is so important to keep our faith when we are going through the refining fire. If we lose hold of our faith, then that not only makes the trial more difficult, it also prevents us from gaining all the experience that the emergence from the difficulties brings. If we let go of our faith, we don't learn the lesson that we should have, and we end up with less than we had before the trial commenced, having suffered in vain. It doesn't make sense to do that! Keep the faith.

I love you guys so much. Thank you for everything. I hope that everyone has a really, really good week. You all deserve it.

Love,
Elder McDonald