Brrrrrrr...

Loved Ones,

How is it that another week has gone by? I don't understand. Mom, I can totally confirm what the sister missionaries in your ward said. The days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days. It's strange. How has everyone been? It's been unseasonably warm in Clovis, has it? I'm glad to hear that it was warm somewhere. Jack Frost has been wreaking havoc on Brooklyn this last week. There were a few days where the cold surpassed all my understanding. I believe that it was somewhere in the single digits with the wind chill factored in. Now I feel like I have survived a New York City winter. It was only a warm-up (no pun intended) before. I do have enough clothes to stay warm, so don't worry. It's snowed twice in the past week, and that was really nice. The city is beautiful in the snow.

This week was pretty darn cool (again, no pun intended). We had interviews with President Calderwood on Thursday, and I learned a ton from him. It seems that he has a wealth of wisdom concerning any topic that I could think to address, and he shares it with a passion and clarity that is most instructive. From the interview, I do get the feeling that my stay in Williamsburg is coming to a close in the near future. Whether that means this transfer or the next, I'm not sure, but I feel like I may be off to new places this transfer. I just get the feeling that it's time for the next phase. I'm a little bummed because I most likely won't be able to see the "man zone" receive its first sister missionaries, which I am now certain will occur this next transfer. I've been expecting it, but now it's pretty much a known fact, even though it's supposed to be a secret. President Calderwood hinted at it in the interview, and now Elder Hooper and I are supposed to be keeping our eyes open for available apartments in the area for sister missionaries. I'm really excited. Sister missionaries bring something to the table that I think elders alone cannot. It's going to be very cool to see the work move forward with greater power in this area.

Speaking of the work moving forward, a small miracle occurred on Sunday that I am completely stoked about. After sacrament meeting, Elder Hooper and I were talking with people, and I introduced myself to a lady who I didn't recognize and a man with her who I also didn't recognize. It turns out this lady is a member from Harlem, and she was at church because she was bringing her friend (the previously mentioned man. His name is Matthew.) to the branch. Matthew has been investigating the Church for the past few weeks, and he's been taught by the missionaries in Harlem because that's where he was introduced to the Church by his friend. However, he lives in Greenpoint, which is in the boundaries of the branch I'm in. When he realized that he should be going to the Bushwick branch, he resolved to attend there since it is so much closer than Harlem. One other thing: he had a baptismal date set for February 2nd. He was going to be baptized in Harlem, but now he wants to be baptized into the Bushwick branch! So, Elder Hooper and I are going to start teaching him, and we're planning on scheduling his baptism for next Sunday! He is a really cool guy, and he seems to be very committed to the gospel. I was able to talk with him a bit at church, and he shared his conversion story and testimony with me. It was a very cool experience. So, it looks like there will be a baptism coming up! Crazy, right? I see this as being a huge blessing after a long period of hard work with limited success. I'm looking forward to getting to know Matthew better and seeing the gospel change his life and bring him a fulness of joy. I know that is exactly what the gospel does for people should they choose to accept it.

I just wanted to offer you all my testimony of the work I am engaged in, and the work that any faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sets out to do. Though I am far from being the perfect example of what a dedicated and set apart missionary should be, I testify with all my heart that the work I am engaged in is the Lord's work. I testify that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live. They love every single person on this earth with a love that I cannot comprehend at this time. Not only do They live and love us all, They are very active in our lives. I know that the church that Jesus Christ set up when He was on the earth has been restored completely, and I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that church. But that doesn't matter much if we don't let that knowledge do something for us. I know that in the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth today, the perfect and simple plan that we need to follow in order to find true happiness and return to be with our Heavenly Father and our families for all eternity is taught correctly. I know that this plan, the gospel of Jesus Christ, will bring happiness to anyone who follows it. I know that with all my heart. I know that if we heed Jesus Christ's call to every single one of us to come and follow Him, that we can all find exactly what it is we are all looking for, even if we don't know exactly what it is we are looking for yet. I would ask everyone who may read this to just take a leap of faith and try living the gospel of Jesus Christ fully and with dedication if you haven't already committed to do so. I know that such a decision will bring you joy. I just want to say that I am serving a mission in New York City because I believe fully in the cause I am promoting. I am not out here because my parents told me to be here. I am not out here because I am some blind, brain-washed follower. The reason I am out here is because I know that my Heavenly Father wants me to be here. I am out here because I know that the gospel has been the source of all that is good in my life, and I hope that others can experience that same goodness. I echo the words of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: "To those who have not yet joined with us in this great final cause of Christ, we say, 'Please come'." I love you all. Thank you for all the support you give to me. I am glad to be here in New York City, and I'm grateful for all the help that so many of you provide that keeps me going.

Love,

Elder McDonald

New Digs!

Loved Ones,

Hey guys! How is everyone? Good? Good. I have a lot to tell you all! It's been a full week. I'm sorry that I am late emailing. MLK Day threw off my schedule. How was everyone's MLK Day, by the way? Did you stick to last year's tradition? I hope so. That was awesome. I'm glad that Sunday was awesome. That is interesting that Sabbath day observance was listed as one of three things needed in order to be successful. In support of that, I will quote President Calderwood: "You will fail in life if you don't understand the Sabbath day." Pretty bold right? President Calderwood is a bold man. We just had a multi-zone conference, and President told us about some of the changes he's making in the mission. It's really cool to be in the middle of a change of direction. But I digress. I hope that you all had a fantastic week that Mr. Fox would have been proud of.

I guess the first thing I should tell you all is that I moved. I didn't get transferred, but Elder Hooper and I moved into a new apartment. That means a couple things. First, I now live away from Elder Broadbent for the first time in over 6 months. Parting was a bit sad, but it's for the best. Second, I now live in Williamsburg, so I am automatically 7 levels higher on the hip scale. And, I've lived in Bushwick, so I have street cred too. The best of both worlds. So, now Elder Hooper and I live right in the middle of the area we do the majority of our work in. I think it's nice, because it makes us part of the community, which is the goal. I'm reminded of Ammon who wished to "dwell among [the Lamanites] for a time", or even until the day he died. I'm not planning on dying here in Williamsburg, but the comparison still seems to fit. I enjoy living in the new spot thus far. It's good to have just Elder Hooper and I in the apartment because it allows us to be more focused during studies and such. Being in an apartment with 4 people is fun, but there is the potential for distraction. The environment is more spiritual with just two people, I think. The apartment is pretty nice, too. It needed a lot of clean-up when we inherited it, but we are getting a chance to practice our interior decorating skills. I'm not sure that made me sound at all manly, but that's okay. I'll send some pictures next week!

In order to make up for the decrease in my manliness after my interior decorating comment, I will tell you all about one of the other notable things that happened. Yesterday, for P-day, I took on the Blazin' Challenge at Buffalo Wild Wings with my district and a few members of my zone. This challenge consists of eating 12 of the most hot wings that Buffalo Wild Wings makes in a mere 6 minutes. This may not sound like something I would do, and normally it wouldn't be. However, Elder Hooper thought it sounded like fun, so I decided to back my companion. And I thought it would be a good way to build district unity, which is always a good thing. If I could describe the challenge in a word, the word I would choose would be "pain". It was intense. When the waitress brought the wings out and the aroma singed my nostrils, I knew I was in trouble. I gave it a valiant effort, but in the end, I just could not ingest 12 lava wings in 6 minutes. I got to a point where my body would just not accept more wings. But, in the interest of preserving my manliness, I ate all 12 of the wings. I just had to take more time than 6 minutes. I'll get you guys some pictures of the event. As I was trying to force the wings down my mouth, I felt a tear trickle down my cheek, and my sinuses were vacated quite efficiently. Apparently I turned a purplish color as well. It is a good memory, but I don't think I'll be doing it again, except for one exception. The exception is this: Jacob, if you will take on the challenge with me, I will attempt it once more. I feel like we could complete it together. Start preparing. You have just under a year and a half. But anyways, that was a good time. Elder Jolley, who I've mentioned before, ate all his wings in two minutes and 15 seconds. He has no gag reflex, so he had a leg up, but I still find that shocking. So, that was my adventure for the week. Did I make up my manliness a little bit?

I am running low on time, but I did want to mention one thing I've been thinking about lately. The decay of civility in our society was brought to prominence in my mind after Elder Hooper and I had two doors closed on us without a word from the person on the other side within about 30 minutes. I was reading Quentin L. Cook's conference talk that addresses this issue, and I think he hits the nail right on the head. There is a serious lack of civility these days, and I don't think that's a good thing. After all, Mormon describes the people living near the end of the Book of Mormon times as a "people...without civilization", and that society didn't go anywhere any of us want to go. I feel like a little kindness and common decency would go a long way in this troubled world. So let's all be civilized! A little kindness may not feel like much when you're giving it out, but it can make a big difference. I've definitely experienced that. It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice!

I have to wrap this up, but I want you all to know that I love you very much. Thank you for all the support you all give to me. It is much appreciated. You guys are the best!

Love,

Elder McDonald

Staying Put!

Hello Everyone!

Thanks for the emails and the letters and the love! I'm sending as much love as I can right back at you all. I'm so happy to see and hear that all is well. I can't wait to hear about what happens with the house decision! That's exciting, but definitely stressful. Mom and Dad, I actually really like the idea about just being homeless in Hawaii. We can just climb coconut trees and live off the fat of the land. I'm sue that Jack Johnson would invite us over often, especially once he finds out that we have the same birthday. Good plan. But until then, I hope that everything works out pitch perfectly. I loved the video you sent of Elder Tremble, well, Julius now, I guess. That was funny. I'm not sure exactly what he's referring to, but I think he is alluding to a particular incident that has become an infamous inside joke between Elder Broadbent and I. I'll have to tell you guys some day. It was good to see that Elder Tremble and Elder Cabinilla are well. Maybe Elder Tremble will come visit you guys sometime. If you invite him, I bet he'd show up. I can't wait for you all to meet him, though. He is a stud.

This week was really good. Mom, you'll be happy to know that I have been well fed this week. My district has been trying to work more closely with the members as of late, and that has led to an increase in the number of dinner appointments we've been having. It's been quite nice. It didn't hurt that I went on an exchange with two spanish elders this week, either. The spanish elders get well fed. We had a lunch appointment, which is about as rare as a legendary Pokemon in the english program. Last night, Elder Hooper, Elder Broadbent, Elder Finlinson, and myself were invited over to Sister Nedd's house for dinner, and she made a feast for us. She cooks very well, and I have not been so full in a very long time. As we were finishing up dinner, there was still a good amount of chicken left, and when Sister Nedd's sister, Sister Robinson started to clear the table, she said, "You didn't finish the bird!" By the way she said it, we could tell that she expected us to eat all of that chicken. Everyone was really full, so the task seemed daunting. Somehow, the responsibility to consume the rest of this fowl was placed squarely on Elder Finlinson and I. It was a struggle, but we did prevail. I don't know why the vegetarian kid was given the task, but I won't complain. I don't think I've encountered many chickens that were more skillfully prepared. Anyway, I told Sister Nedd that my mom would be very grateful to her for making sure I was taken care of so well. So Mom, don't worry about me starving. The branch members have been very nice. I can't wait for you guys to meet them. I've grown to love this branch so much. And, I'll be here for at least another 5 weeks! Transfer calls came on Saturday night, and I will be staying in Bushwick for the next transfer. Elder Hooper and I are staying together. I figured that would happen, because training a new missionary is a 12-week program, so the trainer stays with the new missionary for the duration of the 12 weeks in most cases. I'm excited to have more time to do my very best to strengthen the Church here.

I have learned a lot over this last transfer as I've worked with Elder Hooper. I feel like I learn so much more than I could ever teach as I train. I have been acquiring a long list of New Year's resolutions as I've seen all the areas that I need to improve on. The need for improvement becomes much more clear as I have more responsibilities. I'm really grateful for that. The gospel is all about making bad men good and good men better, right? I feel like self-improvement is what we are here to do. I'm not quite sure about the reference, but I recall a scripture that talks about improving our time in this life. We only have such a short amount of time and so much to do! I really love the idea of self-improvement in the gospel, because it is so much more active than just doing what it takes to get to heaven. We obviously want to return to live with God and have perfect joy in His presence, but we also are here to gain experience and grow. As Brad Wilcox says, "heaven will not be heaven for those who have not chosen to be heavenly." Perfection in the future is a noble goal, but I feel like we need to take things one day at a time and strive for perfection now. President Calderwood said something along these lines that I thought was spot on. He basically said, "If you can't make it perfect in the moment, you can't make it perfect in the future." Isn't that cool? President Calderwood has some great quotes. I've written down as many as I can over the last 6 months. I look forward to sharing them with you guys sometime. But anyway, I'm excited for the next transfer. I have a good feeling about it!

How are everyone's New Year's resolutions coming? Mom, I'd be happy to help hold you guys to those, and I'd love to join in, but I'm not sure if I know what they all are. I remember you mentioning them somewhere. Did I just totally gap that? Do you guys have a big family resolution? I'm sorry if I'm being really forgetful. I have a lot of things flying through my brain. Let me know if there is a family goal I can participate in. That family scripture reading thing kind of fell through, and that's my fault. Sorry for dropping the ball on that. I thought that the study time I have would be a little different than it is when I was fresh out of the MTC. Maybe we could do a scripture of the week or something like that. How does that sound?

I hope that everyone has the best week ever! Dad, I almost forgot to mention that I just purchased some sugar cane juice from a street vendor on my way to the library. The guy had the sugar canes, and he just stuck them in a juicer and poured the juice in a cup. It was pretty good. They didn't add any lime to it like you talked about them doing in Brazil. I think that would have made it even tastier. It was fun to try it though. I love that I can find all these crazy things here. Brooklyn is pretty cool even if it is a little bit gritty. Well, I love you all very much, and it was so good to hear from you guys. You are in my prayers.

Love,

Elder McDonald

6 Months!!!

Loved Ones,

Hello! I love you all so much! I just had to say it. Seriously, you're all the best. I can't believe how lucky I am. I also can't believe that I've been away for 6 months this Friday! That feels crazy. It feels like the time has gone by really fast, but when I look back, I realize that so much has happened. I don't know how it all fit into 6 months. Missions are pretty miraculous. I get so much more than I could ever give. 

This week was good. Honestly, it was really hard, but that doesn't mean it was bad. I feel like I end up learning a lot about myself when times are tough. Nothing crazy happened, it was just a week full of tracting and trying to get people excited about hearing something that will make them happy. You would think it would be easy, but most people just don't recognize the potential in the option that we bring to them. It makes me sad, but I suppose that is just the way it is. For the first time I can really remember, my heart hurt because someone turned down the gospel. I've been saddened before, but my heart actually hurt. It made me so sad! I just wish that I could help people realize how important it is to come unto Christ. I wish I could be better at showing them the happiness that comes from living the gospel. I feel like I'm starting to understand what Alma meant when he said, "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God..." (Alma 29:1). It doesn't do any good to wish for something I don't have, though. I can't forget that Alma also said, "But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me." I can definitely be better though. I just need to work! I have absolutely no right to complain. I feel like I need to give the people of New York my all if I'm going to expect them to give their all to the gospel. I need to have more love and be more diligent. Ah, but the flesh is weak! I do know, however, that with the Lord, weak things will become strong (Ether 12:27). I feel like one of my New Year's resolutions is to let the Lord make me strong, not necessarily in the way I might choose, but in His way. 

I hope that I don't sound too dismal. I don't want to do that. I'm actually really excited for this week. On Sunday, the branch I'm in organized a new branch presidency, and I think that they are going to do a really good job. It seems like they are going to focus more on missionary work, so I'm excited to see the fruits of that. Member missionary work is so important. I just didn't really get it before. It has become very clear to me that the members are the key to missionary work in many ways. I would urge you all to be as supportive as you can to the missionaries. Of course, I'm sure you already are doing a great job. A member of the stake presidency said something about member missionary work on Sunday that I thought was really cool. He basically said that church is the place where we practice sharing our testimonies and fulfilling our duties so that when we get out into the world during the week, we are ready to do the same thing. He pointed out the importance of participating fully in church by saying that we cannot expect to be able to live the gospel or share the gospel out in the world if we can't even do it at church. I thought that that was an excellent point. At church, we practice (in the sense of preparing, like practicing for sports) what we preach so we can then practice (in the sense of doing) what we preach at all times and in all places that we may be in. We don't just go to church "just because". That would be silly!

There's a really good excerpt from a talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in a talk by the General Relief Society President from the last conference (the whole talk is good, but I especially like Elder Holland's part). He talks about what the pioneers had deep within them that gave them the strength to press forward. He also mentioned the fact that the pioneers could only fit so much in their handcarts as they journeyed. He related this to us, saying that there may be some things that we need to leave out of our handcarts. Elder Holland says all this much more eloquently than I could, so I recommend checking out the talk. It was a very relevant point. I've been thinking a bit lately about the power in simplicity. I feel like a life centered around the gospel of Jesus Christ would be a very simple life in many ways. After all, "simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" in the words of the great Leonardo da Vinci. If we want the gospel of Jesus Christ to fill our lives, then we need to make room! There are so many things that can clutter our lives in this day and age, and I think that it can be easy to add a bit too much to our handcarts. I know that there are many things that I want to pursue, and I often forget that I should not be so hasty to add a lot to my plate when I haven't even mastered the basics of the gospel. Indeed, it may be impossible to master any aspect of the gospel in this life, but we can certainly do our very best. Another New Year's resolution I want to make is to simplify my life and focus on the basics of the gospel, like charity and humility. Being on a mission is a great time to simplify life. There are many reasons for the rules that we follow on a mission and for avoiding some things that we may normally pursue, but I feel like a big reason is just to keep things simple. There is so much to learn!

Have I told you all about Gisem and Yaman yet? I feel like I mentioned them. Anyway, they are awesome. They are a couple from Turkey that Elder Hooper and I are teaching. They have such strong faith and they are basically already members of the Church, they just need to get baptized. The only problem is that they need to get married first because they are living together. That wouldn't be a problem at all, but they are having some issues with getting their citizenship. Once they are able to get that worked out, they are totally ready. They are the coolest people. I want you all to meet them. They're always so happy and upbeat. They just love the gospel and let it fill their lives. It's great. There are actually a lot of people that I'm really excited for you guys to meet. Many of them are from my branch. There are so many cool people there. 

Well, there is much that I have yet to tell you, but it may have to wait for a future time when I can sit down with you all and look through my journal, picking out all the stories that I haven't had a chance to tell. If this could happen by a fire place, then even better. I wish that I could say more, but there's just too much! I hope everyone is doing well. Thank you so much for the letters! I loved them. Jase, you write the best letters. You make me laugh every time. Thanks buddy. I do love reading all the letters so very much. And thank you for the emails as well. I am so grateful for all the support. When I'm having a tough day, it helps to think about how grateful I am for my family and for how much the gospel has blessed us, and then think about how it can do the same thing for all the people I try to share it with. I love you all so much. Thank you for your support and prayers. All is well.

Love,
Elder McDonald

Happy New Year!

Hello All! 

Sorry to be late with the emailing this week. The library was closed on New Year's Eve, so we had to adjust the schedule a bit. Well, it's 2013. We didn't all die on December 21st, so that's definitely a plus. I am having trouble believing that it's already the new year. It honestly feels like last New Year's was just a few months ago. I've decided that I am in a time warp. I'm ok with that though. At any rate, we all have a whole year ahead of us, and it's wide open! We can make it anything we choose to, and I think that's kind of exciting. 

It looks like the San Francisco trip was awesome. That was to be expected. McDonald family vacations are never a disappointment. I think that it was a really good idea to make a trip into a Christmas present. Many of the gifts I've received have slowly faded away from my memory, but I find that the times I spent with my wonderful family, especially on vacations, created memories that remain strong and are among my happiest. Jase, I'm proud of you for braving the wax museum. There is no doubt that wax figures are terrifying. I find that it helps to remember that at any time, you can melt them with a well-placed blast from your flame-thrower. You could also make them into a candle, and candles are definitely not scary. Good job buddy. Jacob, you ate those squid tentacles like a champ. I think you would have fun trying all the interesting food that people feed me out here. Last night, a member had the missionaries over for New Year's, and she fed us oxtail. Yes, that is exactly what it sounds like it is. It actually wasn't bad if you just didn't think about what you were eating. I'm really glad that you all had such a fun time. San Francisco is definitely one of my favorite places. It did look cold, though. Here, it was a balmy 27 degrees the other day, so the cold isn't really a factor :) 

It has been a pretty busy few weeks with all the holiday hubbub, but it's been a lot of fun, too. This last month has absolutely flown by. I'll have been out for 6 months in just a few days. Crazy. Seeing as how time has been rapidly moving along, I have realized that there is a great need to be actively engaged in making resolutions every day to be better so that I can make the most of the time I have. I really like all the New Year's resolutions you guys made. I especially like the one about making sure that there is nothing in the home that would prevent the Spirit from being there. I feel really strongly that the home is a sacred place. It is so true that only the home compares with the temple in sacredness. That has been emphasized to me as my roommates and I have tried to keep our apartment clean and clear of worldly things so that it can be a special place that is set aside from all the craziness that goes on outside. I just feel like it's really important to have a Fortress of Solitude to turn to after being out in the fray every day. 

I believe that an update is in order. Things are going well here. The holidays make it hard to get in contact with people, so Elder Hooper and I have been doing a lot of hard work and a lot of praying. Qua and Nicolett have been really hard to get into contact with, which is understandable. It makes me really sad to see them miss out on so much, though. I wish that they could just have a glimpse of how their lives could change if they embraced the gospel. I feel like that would be the catalyst needed. We're not giving up on them, though. We have been finding a few more people to teach, so I'll keep you updated on what happens in that regard. We will hopefully meet with a few of these people this week. Sara has been out of town for the holidays, so we haven't taught her in a little while, but we are also hoping to be able to meet with her soon. Things are hard, but they are coming along. If things are too easy, then you never learn, right? I do have to give an accounting of the best Christmas present I received - a chance to go to the temple with Floretta. Elder Hooper and I went with her, the Frandsens, and another member, and it was awesome. I was so happy for Floretta. It's just incredible to think that only a few short months ago, she knew nearly nothing about the Church. The gospel changes lives. I testify of that with all of my heart. It was also very nice to go to the Manhattan Temple. It's amazing how peaceful it is in there despite all that is occurring right outside. It is definitely a safe haven. The whole experience was really special, and I will never forget it. 

Have you all read the conference addresses in the Ensign? I highly recommend all of them. This is the first time that I've made an effort to read the addresses in full, and I'm very glad I did. I learned so much more the second time. This conference was so good.  One of my favorites this time around was Elder Bednar's talk on conversion. He makes so many good points. It is one thing to know that the gospel is true. It is quite another thing to let the gospel change you. I read that talk right after listening to "His Grace Is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox, and the two went hand-in-hand perfectly. Brad Wilcox talks about being asked if he has been saved by grace and responding that he indeed has been saved completely by grace. He then poses this question: "Have you been changed by grace?" I suppose you could substitute the word "conversion" for "change" in this instance. We will be what the Lord intends for us to be if we can "[put] off the natural man and [become saints] through the atonement of Christ the Lord" (Mosiah 3:19). I would say that my biggest resolution this year is to be changed by grace and to take steps towards complete conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that if we apply the principles taught in Elder Bednar's talk, we will be happier and we will likely fulfill all of our other resolutions at the same time. There are so many examples for us to look to in the world that it can be easy to forget the greatest example, our Savior Jesus Christ. The primary song "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" has far more significance than we tend to give it. That phrase is almost cliche these days, but if we really stop to think about what it means, then I feel like our lives and the lives of those we come in contact with will be positively impacted in incredible ways. I have a long way to go before I can say that I have been changed, but it is my heart's fondest desire that I can achieve that goal. I very highly recommend Elder Bednar's talk and Brad Wilcox's talk. I think that the talk by Brad Wilcox is one of my favorite that I've ever heard. Check it out! 

There is so much more that I'd like to tell you, but I have to wrap up. I love you all so much. Thank you for all that you do for me and all that you do for each other. You are in my prayers, and I so appreciate the prayers that you offer in my behalf. They mean more to me than I could possibly express. I hope that this week is joy-filled for all.

Love,
Elder McDonald