Birthday Joy

Loved Ones,

How are you all doin'? Thanks for all the birthday love, everyone! You
all make life grand. Last week was such a good week. I loved it. My
birthday was awesome, too. First, some thoughts. It's kind of weird to
have reached the culmination of adulthood. By the world's standards,
there is really nothing else that is keeping me from claiming the full
and complete adult status. I feel the same, though. Plus, there's so
much more ahead. This milestone is far from a completion. I feel
optimistic about the future, knowing that there is much goodness
ahead. But anyways, I'll tell you all about my birthday. I had a nice
birthday dinner because one of the members invited Elder Hardisty
and I over. They made a delicious gourmet meal, so I was well taken
care of. And, to make it even better, the member's wife and daughter
are not members, and the daughter brought a friend who isn't either,
so we were able to teach a lesson afterward. We taught the doctrine of
Christ using a whiteboard and markers to illustrate the cycle of the
doctrine of Christ. That was such a birthday treat. I love preaching
the gospel! To have a listening ear to share the greatest truths of
all with is a gift worth more than gold. "Woe is unto me if I preach
not the gospel" because I'd be missing out on a whole lot of precious
experiences!

How have you all been? What is new on the home front? Have you had to
defend the homestead from any invaders? Hold down the fort. Jacob,
congrats on the Legoland job! That's so sweet! Can you find all their
insider secrets so that we can be Lego masters? I have been freaking
out after hearing about Uncle Mat and Aunt Terri's call to be mission
president in Mexico! That is so exciting! What would that be like to
have someone call to set up an appointment with an Apostle? I would be
a nervous wreck! They will do such a good job. With that in mind, I
want to invite you all to watch Elder S. Gifford Nielsen's conference
talk from last October. He'll actually be coming to our mission next
month. But in the talk, he asks us what it might be like if the
prophet called us. He then explains that the prophet has called each
of us to take an active role in the work of salvation. More
importantly, Jesus Christ has called us and is laboring with us in the
vineyard. I testify of the joy that comes from being involved in the
work of salvation. The work of a disciple of Jesus Christ is
wonderful, rewarding, and fun. There is no greater work in this world.
So Mat and Teri received a formal call, but we all have been called as
well! Let's "labor on the family farm", shall we? We can all thrust in
our sickles together and lay up for ourselves treasures in Heaven. I
have found a lot of fulfillment and peace as I've sought to be a
worthy witness for Jesus Christ these past few days. I've also found
inspiration from watching the Bible videos. Those are so good. They
help me to visualize what it means to follow in Christ's footsteps.

Elder Hardisty and I are finding people to teach! We have started
teaching an awesome couple who have been looking for God in their
lives. The man's name is Aladdin! How cool is that? Unfortunately, his
girlfriend's name is not Jasmine, but that's ok! We also met two
really cool elderly gentlemen who restore cars, and they showed us
some of their work. It was awesome! They were working on some cars
from the 30s, and they made them look brand new. There are so many
wonderful people around here. It is a privilege to be among them and
associate with them each day.

Well, I love you all dearly. Thank you for your support, your love,
and your prayers. I feel that my life is a mosaic to which you have
each added a piece or two (or many). I can't thank you all enough! I
love you, I love you, I love you!

Love,
Elder McDonald