Life is Wonderful

Loved Ones,

Well, hello there, everyone! How is life treating my favorite people? I better hear a good report, or else I'm going to have to have a chat with Life. Based on the cereal and the board game that have represented Life my whole life, I will make a judgement call that Life is continuing to treat everyone well, just as it always has. I love Life. (Triple entendre! Score!) It does seem like all is well from my perspective. I do hope that is the case. Each of you are just such wonderful people, and you each deserve heaps and heaps of what you sow. The seeds you have sown in my life bring me joy each day, so I assure you that your hard work and goodness has yielded a harvest that seems to have no end. Thank you. I am doing well. There is so much that I am learning and there are so many great opportunities that come with each day. 

It's exciting that life is back in full swing for everyone. The summer is always painfully brief, but it is definitely good to put in a lot of hard work and be busy. If all the days were summer, then we would never know the joy that can only come when there is "opposition in all things". In a way, it's the winter that gives the summer it's warmth. I wish Jacob, Jase, and Mia the best as they jump back into school. Just do the very best you can, and you will find great joy in your efforts. Learning is fun! A love of learning makes life interesting and beautiful, I think. There is always something to learn, I've found. Sometimes it takes a little humility to accept that, but I believe that there is always a "take-away". I'm definitely grateful that the Lord gives me opportunities to learn every day. Sometimes the lessons can be painful, but learning always comes, and summer always comes as well. No tunnel is so long that you can't find some light at the end of it. If we move forward with a good attitude and a humble heart that is full of love, we are sure to be happy people with happy lives. I'm working on putting those ingredients into my days.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how lucky I am to be serving in New York City. I've previously mentioned my thoughts about the little blessings in our lives, and being in New York brings an accumulation of little blessings that are hand-picked for me. You guys know how much I love diversity and experiencing different cultures. I can't think of any place I could be that would offer more of that than New York. Brooklyn is really an amazing place. There are so many people from so many backgrounds, and they all move together in a sort of controlled chaos that could be a humongous, synchronized dance if we threw a stage and a couple of spotlights into the mix. It really is beautiful. Yesterday, I crossed the street and walked straight into Pakistan. There was a Pakistani independence day celebration going on, and if I had been blindfolded and taken to that location, I would have likely thought I was in another country. It was the coolest thing ever! I was laughing out loud because I was so happy as I walked through the crowd. Where else do such things happen? I submit that the answer is nowhere. I love it. The Lord sent me to where I needed to be, but He also included so many "bonus blessings" that are just the best. I'm so grateful. And I of course have to mention how great the pizza is here. Grandma, to answer your question, I have found some good pizza. In fact, I live just 2 minutes away from the best pizza place in the world, according to my bishop. It is delightful. I am so grateful for all that I've been blessed with. God lives and He really does love us. If we look closely, the evidences of His love are everywhere.

I love each of you so much. Thank you for all that you do for me. I know that I am in the right place doing the right thing. I absolutely know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is real. It brings me so much joy, and I have seen it work miracles in the lives of others. And I am not exaggerating when I classify what I have witnessed as miraculous. Stay happy and well!

Love,
Elder McDonald

Firm Foundations

Loved Ones,

Holy Cats. I don't even know where to begin. I have so much running through my mind right now. My fingers are threatening to break the sound barrier as I type this feverishly. I'm not sure why I am being spastic, but I feel bad now because I just built this up like I'm going to share some ground-breaking news or something. Alas, I do not have any ground-breaking news, or really anything too exciting to report. But, I am so glad that everyone had a wonderful week and that the McDonald family ship is sailing smoothly. 

So, I'm probably going to just lay out everything that's on my mind right now. First of all, congratulations to Grandma and Grandpa for selling the house. It seems that house-selling always turns into a fiasco, but it sounds like the fiasco bullet was dodged. Nice! I was slightly confused, and I wasn't clear about whether you guys were buying or building a house. Now, I am in possession of the facts. Another McDonald family project, huh? Now you can call it a homestead because you're building it. A homestead is way cooler than a house. I'm not sure if my reasoning is enough to accurately qualify the new house as a homestead, but I do declare that I am of the firm opinion that it should be called a homestead. Hurray for laying firm foundations! You guys can make up countless gospel analogies as you watch the house steadily rise from dirt to dwelling place. The family home evening lesson will basically write itself for the next few weeks (or months, depending on how long you want to milk it for). Mom, I'm so happy that you are getting your school work started soon! Two senior couples actually spoke extensively about the Pathways program at church on Sunday. It sounds pretty great! How cool will it be to graduate college together? Most people might not think that graduating with their mom is cool, but when you have as cool a mom as I do, it's a no-brainer! (Pun intended. I tried, perhaps too hard.). I spoke with Elder McKell, one of the senior couple missionaries in the ward, for quite some time about working as a professor at BYU. He was a professor there, and he just loved it. I asked him for some advice, and he gave me some very useful tips. We'll see what happens... What else? The picture of Jacob and Jase at the doctor's office made me laugh out loud in the library. That is a priceless gem. I think that to even out the child-embarassment scales, you ought to frame that and put it in a prominent place in the house. That naked baby picture (which I hope has been destroyed) has caused me to suffer alone for far too long. Also, I absolutely cannot believe that Wyatt comes home from his mission in a week. That is just shocking. How did the time pass so quickly? We were just taking a road trip to attend his farewell like a month ago, it seems! From my vantage point, it seems like things are pretty exciting for all of you. I know that my vantage point may turn dull mole hills into exciting mountains, but I'm sure that we can agree that it seems like everything is working out very well. I'm grateful that you are all enjoying so many of the Lord's blessings. He truly loves us and wants us to be happy. He is always there for us, and it is so beautiful to see how He blesses us with little tender mercies that are perfectly catered to each of us.

 I told you that I had a lot on my mind! I suppose I should tell you all a bit about myself. My new companion is Elder Monestine. He was born in the Bahamas, but he left from Miami, Florida. He is technically a Creole-speaking missionary, I think. He's a cool guy! We are going to make some things happen this transfer! I know that I need to do more and be more so that I can find the success that I know I can. The work has been difficult for me, but that just means that I am learning and growing. It seems like great things are already starting to happen. Elder Monestine and I met with Jimmy, and he is doing well. He's such a great kid. Also, Elder Monestine asked a guy if he could use his skateboard when we were waiting for Jimmy at the park, and while Elder Monestine threw out some tricks in a suit, I found out that the friend of the guy who's skateboard was being used is a friend of Jimmy. That was confusing, but hopefully it makes sense. Anyway, Jimmy has told this friend about how he is learning from the missionaries, so Jimmy is already sharing the gospel! Pretty cool, right? We also taught a great guy named Charles, and we are actively looking for some more people to teach. I really love teaching, especially the gospel, so that is incentive to find some people who will listen! On another note, I have made a cheap-eating breakthrough! It turns out that there are seemingly endless uses for saltine crackers. I have been experimenting recently, and I have been very happy with the results. So, life is good! 

One thing that I've been learning recently is that there is always a silver lining. Often, that silver lining comes in the form of blessings from our Heavenly Father. Sometimes life is hard. Like, really hard. I know that the challenges I go through are nothing compared to some of the harrowing adversity that others face, but they are still challenging. These challenges have taught me two main things - attitude is everything, and blessings are constant. First, attitude is so important. I need to work harder to develop unshakeable optimism because when everything else seems to be shaking, it is great to have something that remains constant. Faith, hope, and love never sink during the storms of life, and optimism is a natural side-effect of those attributes. The grass is green where you water it. Serving the Lord and those around you with love is a great way to "water the grass". Second, I have found that if we take the time to look, we will always find blessings in our lives, no matter how gloomy things may seem at a glance. I tried to apply President Eyring's advice from the this month's First Presidency Message in the Ensign, and I found it very rewarding, especially as I recorded blessings in my journal. When I took a little bit of time to reflect, I discovered that there were many blessings that I would have failed to recognize if I focused on the negatives. So, the two things that I learned really go hand in hand. If we will look for the good, we will find it, because it's always there. Blessings are constant. 

I love each of you so much. Thank you for all that you do and all that you are. Each of you is so precious to me. You have made good impressions on my life that will never fade away. I know that God lives. He loves us. He really does. The work which I am engaged in is true. Though I often fall short because of my weakness, the gospel never does. It always delivers. Our faithfulness is the only variable. I pray that God will bless each of you. I know He will.

Love,
Elder McDonald

Here are some pics of a primary children's party at Prospect Park in Brooklyn

This one's Jarom's fave! The pic was taken just as he punched a water balloon!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Loved Ones,

Salutations! How is everybody? Thank you for your letters and emails. It's always so good to hear from each of you. Each letter of support is like a piece of light that I can add into my "light pouch" and call upon in moments of distress or difficulty. I have been greatly benefited by having a full light pouch, thanks to each of you. Without all of the love I feel, I would be truly lost. The most important and lifting love I feel is the love of my Father in Heaven that I can experience by virtue of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I encourage each of you to seek this love, for it is "most sweet" and it "[fills] my soul with exceedingly great joy." I know that each of us can feel that love if we will but be willing and obedient.

It looks like there was some good celebrating going on last week. Congratulations Dad! In the hopes that I can dull some of the pain that is induced by the relentless encroachment of old age, I want you to know that I've been telling everyone you're 42. That's what I legitimately thought. Everyone who sees my family pictures always comments on how young my parents look. So don't listen to what your birth certificate says! You're young. You're so young. Speaking of parents, I want my mom and dad to know how grateful I am for their tireless efforts in raising me. While fulfilling some of the duties of a zone leader, I've had occasion to experience a taste of what you two must have felt from time to time as you worked to raise me in the ways of truth and righteousness. I now partially understand some of the difficulties that must have come, and the challenges I must have brought upon you at times. I want you both to know that I am very grateful that you kept trying, no matter what. I have been richly blessed because of your efforts. So, thank you. I am learning so much and receiving so many blessings each day. Mom, I'm trying to think of what I could say to give you a summary of what goes on out here. Elder Cutshall and I are teaching this really cool guy named Jimmy. He is awesome. He is eating up the Book of Mormon, and I think he really wants to change his life. He's been searching for the truth for a long time, and it is great to see how he has responded upon encountering the endless and eternal truths found in the Book of Mormon. We are really trying to unite our efforts with the members here. Missionary work does not work without the members of the Church. It's so important to reach out in love and share what you know. There are many simple, friendly ways to do this, and I know that the Lord will help us as we strive to do our part. If we can develop charity, the pure love of Christ, everything will change. Love is so powerful. I feel like I just go on all day about love, but I can't help it. I'm convinced that there is nothing that love cannot overcome. I want to share a quote from President Calderwood that really puts charity into perspective for me. He said, "Charity is a sacred virtue because it is the character and nature of Jesus Christ." Isn't that cool? If we develop charity, then all of the other Christlike attributes become a part of us - they are included in the "charity package". I suppose I should include in my update the news about next transfer. Elder Cutshall is being transferred, so I will have a new companion. We've had a great time together and become good friends. He's taught me a lot, and I'm grateful that the Lord has once again placed me in the situation I needed. So, I will tell you all about my new companion next week! In summation, I am happy and healthy, and I'm loving life. Life really is wonderful, isn't it?

I just want to mention a few thoughts that have really helped me lately. I have begun to understand how much power there is in simplicity, and how we can achieve that simplicity that I believe we yearn for, even though we may not always realize it. I think of the quintessential "old-timer" who laments the demise of the "good-old days" when life was simpler. Well, we can make today a "good-old day" by simply being obedient to the Lord's simple commandments! Simple, right? President Monson said, "Obey the laws of God. They are given to us by a loving Heavenly Father. When obeyed, our lives will be more fulfilling, less complicated." So, not only will obedience make our lives simpler, it will make them more fulfilling. The idea of simplicity bringing more fulfillment almost seems counter-intuitive, but I believe this is an eternal truth. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication," in the words of Leonardo da Vinci. I've also learned that simplicity also brings ultimate sophistication. In Doctrine and Covenants 98:28, we read, "He that keepeth [God's] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things." So simple obedience will ultimately result in a fulness truth and light. Everything becomes so much easier when we choose to obey. We avoid so many "what-ifs" and so much heartache if we just make the decision now to be obedient. Obedience is easy if disobedience is not an option. In a paradoxical way, exact obedience makes us free. I know that if we will obey, our lives will be simple, beautiful, and free. I need to be much better at this, and I know that if I will be more obedient, I will find lasting peace and happiness and eternal success.

I love you all so very much. Thank you for all that you do, all that you say, and all that you are. I am very privileged to spend my life in the company of such wonderful people. Have a great week!

Love,
Elder McDonald