Read and Pray!

Loved Ones,

Wow. Where to begin? It sounds like we both had interesting and exciting weeks. You're moving! That all happened quite quickly. And I get to have my cake and eat it too! A home by the beach and another missionary plaque! Woohoo! Mom, did you look up what the record is for the largest number of plaques acquired? I'm sure it's more than 3, so you might have to do some ward hopping. I'm so excited for you guys! My thoughts are honestly a little discombobulated. There is just so much to think about all the time! And you know what the greatest part is? Not one of those thoughts need ever be about something as insignificant or meaningless as so many of my thoughts just a year ago sometimes were (What movie should I watch? What's going on on facebook? etc.) Now, don't get me wrong. There is definitely time for some leisure in life, and there are many things that can be great in moderation. But, not having any time for leisure has taught me a lot about what is truly important in life. There are so many good things that each of us can do, that if we think about them all, we'll find that we don't have enough time to do them, let alone all the things that are rather unimportant and perhaps even distracting. The term "the finer things of life" has taken on more meaning for me. God, family, service, love - these things are important. Most of all, don't forget about love. Everything important will always tie back to love. I am so grateful for the capacity to love that our loving Heavenly Father has given us. I love to love, and I love all of you! I'm so grateful for all that you do and for the labor of love which you are continuously engaged in on my behalf. Things you do that may seem small can be more powerful to me than I can express. Please don't ever feel like you aren't making a difference. Never feel like your work is not appreciated. I assure you that it is. I wish I could bottle up the love I feel right now and send it to you. I just can't express it. I am eternally grateful for what each of you has done. You have all played a role in my life that time and circumstance will never diminish. Each day that I move through becomes a memorial for the contributions you have made to my life. I pray that I can make my own fitting memorial to each of you by the way I live. I earnestly hope that my life will be worthy of the work that all of you have put in to it. I know that it is not just me who is pleased. "When you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your God." What you have done for me, you have done for Him. Thank you. Though those words are surely among the most noble in all the english language, they seem feeble when presented with the task of expressing the feelings of my heart. I pray that the Spirit will make "weak things become strong". I pray that you will each be able to feel of the unending love I have for each of you.

I am glad to hear that, despite the hiccups, everyone made the trek back to the homeland in safety. Mom, it sounds like you finally managed to surpass the horror of our drive through Las Vegas without air conditioning. I'd say you one-upped any previous family travels the moment that engine piece freed itself and went bounding across the freeway. It seems that we have a knack for adventure and for being involved in situations that go horribly but wonderfully wrong in our family. I love to look back on all of the moments that seemed to be nothing short of apocalyptic when they were being lived. Isn't it funny how time can turn a tyrannosaurus rex into a source of wonder for the bright, curious eyes of children? I learned some wisdom long ago that has brought me comfort: tragedy + time = comdedy. We are going to have quite a quiver of tales to tell when we reunite. I look forward to laughing until it becomes painful. I hope that everything goes very well as you all move forward on your journeys. Jacob, I'm really excited for you to go to EFY in Santa Barbara! That is going to be awesome! Let me offer some advice: don't get sick on the last day so that you are quarantined in your room and forced to subsist solely on the Goldfish crackers and Snickers bar that your kind uncle graciously gifted to you. If you can avoid that, you should do great! The DLG has some really delicious food, and EFY is just awesome in general. Meet as many good people as you can and soak up all the spiritual goodness that is sent your way. Jase, way to get straight A's! Nice work, buddy. Are you going to learn how to surf this summer? You and Mia should learn together. I want to suggest a goal for each of you now that school is out. I invite you all to read from the Book of Mormon everyday for at least 15 minutes over the summer. Mia, you can use the Book of Mormon Stories book. That is good, too. And don't just read! Study, ponder, and apply what you are learning. I promise each of you that if you will do this, a light will come into your life that will never dim. You will be shielded from all the evils of the world, and your love for the scriptures, the Lord, and life will blossom and thrive. Of course, you can't forget to say your prayers morning and evening as well. The Primary kids are wise beyond their years when they enthusiastically shout out, "Read and pray!" as the answer to every question that comes their way. I know that if you will do those things, you will be given strength beyond your own, and your life will be full of joy. That is a promise I leave with each of you.

I know that you are all busy, but I want to leave another invitation with you. My mission has been focusing a lot on family history work lately. We are using it as a way to strengthen the members and find investigators. I mentioned in a previous email that my testimony of the temple has grown. In addition to that, I have been touched by the Spirit of Elijah, and my testimony of family history work has become strong as well. I'm so grateful for this, because now my love for the temple has become more tangible. I know that family history work is important. Time does not allow me to share all the thoughts and experiences I've had concerning family history work and the temple, but I will say that I know that if we will choose to engage in this great redemptive work, we will be blessed bountifully and eternally. I want to invite each of you to learn the doctrine behind family history work and the Spirit of Elijah. Then, with the empowering knowledge that you gain, go and labor for the salvation of our ancestors to whom we owe our very existence. I have had the impression that it is in this way that we can unite our efforts as a family. I will be learning more and focusing more on family history work, and I am using it as a principle means to share the joy of the gospel. Our efforts can be knit together as we strive to become more involved in family history work as a family. What better group to unite with than your family as you labor for your family that has passed on! I want to invite each of you to share your experiences as you do this. I would so appreciate hearing your testimonies. I humbly ask for your help. As we work together, our efforts become much more powerful. I hesitate to add more to your full plates, but I know that the Lord will give us strength beyond our own as we choose to give of ourselves in the service of others.

I love each of you dearly. I pray for you. If there is ever anything that I can do for any of you, please let me know. "Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy...Shall we not go on in so great a cause?"

Love,
Elder McDonald