All we need is love...

Loved Ones,

Just when I think you guys had the best week ever, you go and totally top last week. Man, the beach looked really nice. I'm glad everyone was able to get back in touch with the Great Ocean Spirit? (I actually don't think there is such a thing, but sometimes it feels like there is). In my opinion, the family trip contained all the elements necessary to create nirvana: the ocean, sunshine, Taylor Swift, Jacob wearing Grandpa's swim trunks, Jase ripping his swim trunks (did you guys sing the Spongebob song?), and love. I wish I could have been there! I'm very glad to hear of such bliss. Tell Mia that I can't wait to sing along with Taylor Swift at the top of my lungs with her. It makes me happy when I keep receiving glad tidings of great joy from my family. Keep living it large!

I'm sorry that you are experiencing the drawbacks of Clovis in such a relentless barrage. I hope that the air gets better. There must needs be opposition in all things, I suppose. There were some ups and downs this week, but everything is going pretty well. Elder Hooper and I have had the opportunity to teach two families recently, which is always a treat. One of the families is a media referral, and the head of the household is a woman named Zelda. Yes, I know. Isn't that just perfect? Her family is really cool, though. I love 'em already. Elder Hooper and I are working hard to get them to come to church and see how the restored gospel will bless their lives. There are a lot of great things happening in the branch too. Boy, do I love this branch. I'm really going to miss them. It feels like I've been in this branch for pretty much my whole life. It's kind of weird. Since there is a chance that this week will be my last in the area, Elder Hooper and I are going to visit as many members as we can to sing them a song and share our testimonies of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter time is upon us! I'm really excited for the next few weeks, especially for general conference. I can't believe it's already that time of year.

We had a really cool mission conference last week. Two of the top people from the missionary department came and gave the best training I have ever experienced. Their names are Brother Droubay, who is the head of the Church's media department, and Brother Watson, who is the head of proselyting. They are the coolest. They definitely know their stuff, and I learned a ton. I'm excited to start applying it all. Brother Droubay is one of the 4 people who worked under Elder Ballard on bringing forth Preach My Gospel, so he had a lot of really interesting information on the subject. He has been working closely with general authorities for years, and, as you can imagine, he has a fine collection of stories. Wouldn't it be great to have close associations with the Apostles on a regular basis? Brother Watson had some great insider information of his own as well. He revealed some exciting advancements that may be coming to the New York New York South Mission soon. I'll let you know if the rumors become confirmed. Ah, the suspense! The conference was awesome, though. I was definitely hoping that Elder Perry was going to stop by as he was in the area last week, but he didn't. Oh well. We'll all get our general authority fix soon enough.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how the ecclesiastical side of the Church and the missionary side of the Church are, unfortunately, sometimes thought of separately. Specifically, I've looked back on the way I viewed missionaries in the past and the degree of respect I showed them. This reflection has caused me to realize that I didn't give a lot of missionaries nearly the credit or support I should have. I'm honestly a bit saddened by the way I sometimes looked at missionaries who I considered "goofy" or "incompetent". Of course, if missionaries are being disobedient and immature, they do not deserve anyone's respect, but for the most part, missionaries don't get the support that they should. I have definitely been guilty of acting along with this trend. It's important to remember that the Lord brings great things to pass by small and simple things. Missionaries are not always going to be the coolest cats in town, and they may be very small and very simple. But I think it's important to remember the sacrifice that every single one of them has made. They have voluntarily left home and family behind to come to a strange new place out of their love for the Lord and His children. They have put aside their own wants, desires, and aspirations for a season and devoted all that they have to serving people who they don't know. They experience continual disappointment, heartache, and adversity, more than they sometimes feel they are able to bear. At the very least, they should be able to expect support, love, and respect from the members of the Church in the area in which they serve. I also don't think it's too much to ask for the respect of all people regardless of religious affiliation. Now, I must say that just as there is much pain involved in missionary work, the greatest of life's joys also accompany us. So, I'm not calling for sympathy. Missionaries simply are doing what we have chosen to do, and I speak for the group in saying that there is nothing else we would rather be doing at this time. I am, however, pleading with everyone to respect those who are just doing their best to give others the best. I have definitely committed to be a much better support to the missionaries when I come home. It's funny how experience changes perspective. Let's all just work together to help bring about the "immortality and eternal life of man" shall we?

I love you all, and I wish the very best for every one of you! You are all the very best!

Love,
Elder McDonald