Loved Ones,
Hello! You know, I've been thinking about adding subjects to these things for the past few months, but I just have the hardest time thinking of a fitting subject to define an email. I hope that it is acceptable to omit a subject from these communications for the remainder of my missionary service. One man can only do so much, and I'm afraid that a great subject for my emails would be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Here's the thing: is the straw the variety that you use for the consumption of beverages or the kind of straw you would find on a farm? Perhaps the weight difference between the two is trivial, and either one would break the camel's back. You could also find both straws on a farm, so in my attempt to erase ambiguity, I have only raised more questions. I suppose the world may never know what straw is breaking the camel's back. I am willing to accept that. But I will eventually find out how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. I am determined to solve that mystery. I'm not sure if all of that was relevant, but I figure that someone has to ask questions around here.
How is everyone doing? I love you all a whole lot. I just want you to always know that. I always am pleased to hear of all the good things everyone is doing. Is it just me, or are you guys doing a lot of really cool things since I've left? Was I just holding you back all this time? Please don't mistake my tone for one of bitterness. I am really happy that everyone is having fun. I want you all to know that everything is going very well over here. This past week was one full of learning. I suppose that every week ends up being full of learning. There is no teacher like the Holy Ghost and no classroom quite like missionary service. I thought I was putting school on hold for 2 years. Not so. Speaking of school, should I know what I want to do for school when I get back by now? I hope not... I'm open to suggestions. I actually do have a few ideas, so I'm sure that everything will continue to become more clear.
There are a lot of good developments in Little Neck. Elder Legere and I have been thinking of new ways to find people to teach with more power, and a woman named Ryann who we're teaching is scheduled to be baptized on May 26th. We're really excited for her! It is traditionally difficult to find new people to teach out here, but I feel that there are definitely prepared people who just need to hear an honest testimony to spark the Light of Christ in them and plant a seed of faith in their hearts. I'm growing to love the people of New York more and more. This place can be a very dark and cold one, and I know with all my heart that the gospel of Jesus Christ will heal broken families and broken hearts. Seeing people hurting, with broken lives, inevitably brings out compassion and charity. Can you imagine how the Savior felt as he looked out over Jerusalem and saw so many confused and lost souls? He had the capacity to love everyone perfectly, and I believe that it was His love that gave Him so much power to lift and to heal. Of course, His priesthood power was essential, but His priesthood power was exercised out of pure love. He finds His joy in the joy of others. He has taught us that it is through selfless service and sacrifice that we find eternal happiness. It truly is better to give than to receive. If we give of ourselves, and do it out of a pure love, we will receive returns far more grand than we could ever hope to achieve by doing what we think is best for us. I'm so grateful that God has blessed us with the ability to love deeply so that we can serve selflessly and be happy eternally. One thing that was deeply impressed on my mind this past week is the power of forgetting yourself. When we focus on the needs of others, we find that, somehow, our needs are taken care of. A phrase has been running through my mind lately: It's not about you, but by making it not about you, it becomes about you. An interesting paradox, yes? I testify that if we will just lose ourselves in the service of God and our fellow beings, we will find ourselves. A quest focused on finding yourself will yield minimal results. A journey to discover and address the needs of others will miraculously end with a discovery of who you are in the truest and most beautiful sense. I hope to be able to love the people of New York more deeply so that I can serve them more fully and find joy with them eternally.
I have a question for anyone who will answer: What blessings in your life have you seen from paying tithing? I'm trying to collect a few experiences that I can draw from when teaching. I would also just love to hear about some experiences. I also have another question for the general audience: Is
The Great Gatsby set somewhere near my area? I have heard that it is, and if so, I will be visiting that location on preparation day. I would greatly appreciate any information on the matter. I thought you guys would like to know that Elder Legere and I got a new car, and we named it Hidalgo. Our last car was at the end of its rope, so it was about time. Is there anything that you all would like to know? I'm never quite sure what to talk about, but I'm happy to answer questions. Is everyone getting excited for the general conference issue of the "Ensign"? I know I am. I have grown quite fond of the "Ensign" lately. I had a thought about general conference that I'm excited to apply and that I thought I'd share. General conference comes around every 6 months, right? So, every 6 months, we receive a treasure trove of counsel from the prophets, and then we have 6 months until the next conference, during which time we can apply what we learned so that we'll be ready to receive and apply more counsel. We can just keep making 6 month "game plans". I'm excited to try this out and see what happens. I definitely know that if we will apply the counsel of the prophets, we will find safety and security, and we will become truly great. If Jay Gatsby would have listened to the prophet, they would have had to call him The Great Great Gatsby. I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. I can hear the crickets now, and it's the middle of the day. Anyway, I'd love to hear what everyone learns and experiences as they follow the prophet.
Well, I love you all dearly, and I'm so grateful for all that you do for me. I pray for you, and I am so grateful for your prayers. Stay happy!
Love,
Elder McDonald
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