Catch the Wave!

Loved Ones,

Guess what? (I figure it's always good to start with a cliff hanger).
I'm typing up this email from underground. More specifically, I'm at
the Times Square subway station. Well, At least I was. The N train
just came by and whisked Elder Durkin and me off towards our
destination: the mission office. We need to attend to a bit of
business there. I just think it's cool to be writing my family an
email from below the streets of New York City. Every day brings a new
adventure! But anyway, how are you all doing? I have not been able to
check my email yet, so I am lacking a report of the previous week's
events, but I trust that it was a great week for all. At least I hope
it was! On my end of things, this past week was exceedingly speedy.
Elder Durkin and I have been staying busy, and that makes the time
whiz by faster than a flock of seagulls gathers when you throw a pizza
crust on the sand. And what's great is that we have also been having a
lot of fun. We're truly finding joy in the Lord's service and feeling
the excitement and urgency that is characteristic of this special time
in the history of the Church and mankind.

I imagine that everyone is stretching out their stomachs and getting
geared up for Thanksgiving feasting. You still have nearly two weeks,
I suppose. I've been feeling anxious because I have a burning desire
to sing and listen to Christmas music, but I can't justify such an
indulgence until after Thanksgiving. I've downloaded the Bible Video
that depicts Jesus Christ's birth on my Gospel Library app so that,
come Black Friday, we are all ready to fully swing into the Christmas
season. I will miss you guys during this special time of year, but my
heart will be warmed by the many happy memories I have accumulated
courtesy of each of you. What is a holiday without family? And what is
a family without the people in it? Though our family may be
geographically challenged for a time, we can still be one as we knit
our hearts together with love and a common vision. I am happy that,
wherever I may roam, there are always hearts and hands to welcome me
back home. I won't be home for Christmas, but we will always be a
family. How amazing is that? Not even death can break the bonds with
which we are bound together if we honor our commitment to God and each
other. In Preach My Gospel, we are taught how to be successful
missionaries, and somewhere in that counsel, it says that a successful
missionary is motivated by a firm belief that he or she has made
covenants (or commitments) with God. May we ever remember the
covenants we have made and the promises that accompany them. I want to
thank all those who have shown me by their actions how to honor
covenants.

As I mentioned earlier, Elder Durkin and I have really been feeling
the excitement of the times. We have been trying to hasten our work so
that we can do our part to help move the work of salvation forward,
and we have seen The Lord open doors and pour out blessings as we've
sincerely done our best. I have gained a testimony that The Lord will
make things happen if we just turn our hearts to Him, and "show up" to
the worksite, ready to give our best effort. Miracles attend those who
embark in the service of God with all their heart, might, mind, and
strength. And that's not all! When we become active participants in
the work of The Lord, we have a lot of fun! It really is exciting.
Yesterday, I thought about all this in terms of surfing. I thought of
a surfer out in the line-up waiting for a wave. When a set comes,
there will be swells that pass through the spot where the surfer is
waiting. At this point, the surfer has a choice. He can just stay put,
rising and falling slightly as the swells pass, or he can paddle as
hard as he can and catch a wave. I don't know about you guys, but I'd
rather catch the wave. It's a lot more fun that way. Right now, in
real life, we are in the midst of a set. The swells are rolling in,
or, in other words, The Lord is hastening His work. We can just sort
of stay put, and perhaps feel a slight rising and falling, or we can
anxiously engage ourselves and catch the wave. Then, the fun starts. I
can testify that it really is fun. Joy comes as we labor to bring
souls to Christ.

I love you all so much. Thank you for all that you do for me. May God
bless all of you.

Love,
Elder McDonald

Thanks for the door hanger, Mia!
(We're all dying for the story behind this jacket!)