A Happy Birthday!

Loved Ones,

Hello! How are the people I love? I hope all is well. A lot has happened since we last talked. It's been a big week. I'm doing really well, though. This transfer has been exciting so far. I think it's clear to see that the Lord is hastening His work (there will be 80,000 full-time missionaries by July), and I have been excited about that for a long time, but what I failed to consider is that as the work hastens on a large scale, the work will inevitably hasten in individual missions and for individual missionaries. When you pick up one end of a stick, you pick up the other. That has been made clear to me this week. It feels like the New York New York South Mission is starting to sprint. The pace of the work here is accelerating rapidly, and it's really exciting. Along with the excitement comes more work, and the day-to-day has become more demanding, but when the day demands more and you deliver, the reward is more than equal to the demand. I feel honored and privileged to be serving the Lord full-time at this time, and I have come to understand a bit more about what it truly means to serve the Lord full-time. I'm also grateful to be under the leadership of President Calderwood. He has helped me in more ways than I can recount, and I know that he has been called of God to bring about a great work. I hope that I can measure up to the responsibility I've been given as a participant in this work. It is incredible how much the Lord trusts us. I know I would do well to trust Him a little bit more each day.

The biggest event this last week was a visit by Elder Koelliker of the Seventy. He conducted a mission tour, and so we had an opportunity to learn from him. He knows what he's doing. I learned a great deal from his counsel. Elder Koelliker asked every missionary to prepare two five-minute talks, one on accountability and one on working with members, in preparation for the conference. We were told that he would call on missionaries to give their talks. I prepared talks, but I figured that the odds were pretty slim that I would be called upon. Slim they may have been, but when the two selected speakers were announced, I was one of them. I was called to give my talk on accountability. As I stood in front of the three zones in attendance (so about 60 or 70 missionaries), with Elder Koelliker and his wife and President and Sister Calderwood behind me, my palms became a bit sweaty. It was a little nerve-wracking to speak in a meeting with a general authority. I was careful not to teach any false doctrine. I didn't want to be rebuked by Elder Koelliker. Of course, Elder Koelliker is not one to be afraid of, and I had no reason to be nervous, but it was an intimidating situation nonetheless. I was grateful for the chance to speak, though. I can only imagine what it feels like for a newly called general authority to stand up at general conference and speak with the prophet right behind him or her. In summation, the conference was very good. My stake also had stake conference this weekend, and the session consisted of a broadcast from Salt Lake. President Packer and Elder Perry spoke, along with a few other general authorities. It was a treat to hear more from the Quorum of the Twelve so soon after general conference. I know that those men are called of God. I so respect and admire them. Elder Rasband spoke about the temple, and I was really impacted by his talk. I have gained such a deep testimony of the power of the temple, which is strange because I haven't been in 10 months. I just have had impressed upon my mind and soul the great sacredness and importance of the temple. I know that we have temples on the earth for a purpose, and that they are a source of peace for this troubled world. As Elder Rasband spoke, I knew that I loved the temple, and I felt a great desire to go there. In less than 2 months, my wish will be granted. I'm incredibly excited. I just want to let all of you know that I know that temples are sacred, and that we will be safe and happy if we make the temple our highest goal and greatest priority. The temple truly is "a house of God - a place of love and beauty." It is so important to go to the temple. In this world, we need to "stand in holy places and be not moved."

I'd like to report on my birthday as well. Thanks to you guys, it was a great birthday. I really loved the packages. Elder Holland has been speaking constantly in the car as Elder Legere and I make our way to our destinations. And, I am now well-stocked with socks and goodies and love. Thank you. My district also ensured that my birthday was a happy one. I was blindfolded (with one of the batman masks you sent, I might add) and driven to a secret location by Elder Legere. When I emerged from the car, my district was there to wish me a happy birthday and buy me a burrito from Chipotle. It was a very nice birthday surprise. It really was a great birthday. You wouldn't think that a birthday filled with knocking on doors would be enjoyable, but it really was. I was blessed to find joy in serving the Lord.

Well, I have to close for now. I love you all very much, and I am so grateful to each of you. Please stay happy!

Love,

Elder McDonald

Can you believe I'm still in New York? It is amazing how diverse the scenery is. 

The Festivities!

It rained yesterday. All day. Elder Legere and I tracted yesterday. All day. This is me at the end of the day. (Don't worry - I was posing for the picture. I'm not actually depressed. I just wanted to capture the essence of my bodily condition.)