Conference Joy!

Loved Ones,

Hello! Wow. Are we blessed to have general conference or what? We in
actual fact saw the Lord's hand guiding His Church and His servants
this weekend. Just like the consistent falling of objects when we drop
them is evidence of gravity, the soul-lifting power of the words of
living prophets is ample proof that they are just that -- prophets.
That's really the test, isn't it? Does it draw us nearer to God? Does
it make us want to be better? More loving? More kind? Then it is good
and therefore from God. General conference answered my questions,
expanded my soul, and equipped me with the resources I need to be
successful and happy. I like being happy. I'm glad you all enjoyed it
as well! I was happy to hear that Mark and Becky joined you for some
conferencing. It is always a good time with them around! Love ya Uncle
Mark and Aunt Becky! My family makes me so happy. I was talking to a
man in a laundromat today who told me that he feels relieved when his
wife leaves the house. It made me so sad to hear that! I offered a bit
of encouragement and testified of the importance of family. I want
others to have the blessings of family that I do, and that alone is a
very good reason to share the gospel. Thanks for being a great family.
Let's work together so that when we all "leave this frail existence"
we can have a huge, happy family reunion on the other side.

I wish we could just talk for hours about general conference. There
was a Elder Holland's bone-rattling testimony, Elder Nelson's resolute
stand for the truth, President Uchtdorf's characteristic cheery
motivation, and, of course, President Monson's inspiring call to love.
It was all magnificent! I need to say with certainty that I know
President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. I know we have Twelve
Apostles on the earth today, and I know that the Lord Jesus Christ is
directing His Church through revelation. We've received some pretty
powerful marching orders, and I'm excited to apply them. I highly
recommend reviewing your notes and looking for patterns, and then
making a specific plan of action. We find such great joy in general
conference, as we should, but I think we will find even more joy as we
live what was taught. I say that to myself more than anything.

Mom, I have to applaud you for being the valedictorian of your
Pathways group! Nice work! Can I buy that pencil from you for my
return to the halls of academia? I may need it. I know that you are
all doing great things with your lives, and you inspire me to do more!

We will find out next week, but this may well be my last week in Bay
Shore. It has been quite a journey here. I am anxious to know where
the Lord will place me for my last hurrah. But, I would like to adopt
a "middle of my mission" mindset as much as possible. I think that to
find joy in whatever phase of life you are in is to unlock one of the
great secrets of life. Like President Uchtdorf said, we need an
attitude of gratitude, not just gratitude for things.

I love you all! Thank you for being my support and my joy. I pray that
God will bless each of you in everything that you are doing. I want
you all to be happy and successful.

Love,
Elder McDonald

We get pretty serious when it comes time for deep clean.

This was Elder Booth and I's April Fool's joke for the district. We

had an iPad set up in the room where we meet for district meeting with

a feed of us tied up on it. Then, the masked figure said they had 10

minutes to find us before the bomb went off.