America!

Loved Ones,

Happy President's Day! One thing that hopefully Elder Booth will
remember about me after we're companions is that I love America. I try
to say "America" at least once a day after doing something that is
manly like running on the treadmill (that's manly right?). Elder Booth
will also remember my deep love for gorillas, but that's a
conversation for another day. Though I am jokingly over the top about
my love for this great land, I genuinely do love it. What a phenomenal
country we live in! I'm grateful to George Washington and all the
other valiant patriots who sacrificed so much so that we don't have
to. I hope that everyone is enjoying some sort of a patriotic activity
today. Apple pie, anyone?

It was a week of much snowfall here in New York. This winter has been
uncharacteristically snowy and cold. It's been white an experience
(autocorrect turned "quite" into "white", so I thought I'd keep the
pun). Snow shoveling is something else. We've been discussing the need
for a missionary snow plow. That would be great. We've had to be
inside more than usual because of the snow, but that led to the
creation of a little video that you'll probably see within the next
few days. And, it's great to help people out with shoveling. So, life
is good.

It seems like all is well on the home front. I love to see pictures of
your smiling faces. Have you all emerged from the chocolate comma
induced a few days ago? Here's a new chocolate combo to try: peanut
butter and Nutella oatmeal with just a hint of sour cream. It's good!
Mom, I want to thank you for teaching me how to cook. That skill has
been a huge asset out here. This may be a good time to mention (maybe
I have before) how much I wish I would have been more diligent about
practicing piano. There have been many times when I could have used
that skill out here, but I've had to pass the opportunity by because
of my lack of proficiency. Oh, how I wish I would have made better use
of the opportunity I had to become skilled at piano! There is a lesson
there. We've all been given time and talents, and we all have so much
we can accomplish and share. May we not die with most of our music
still in us. Just as I regret not taking full advantage of my piano
lessons, we will most assuredly regret not using the precious
resources of time and talents to their fullest. There is still time
for me to learn from my neglect toward piano practicing, but when the
time comes for us to regret the under-utilization of time and talents,
usually it is night, and no more labor can be performed.

Last week in a trainer and trainee meeting, President Calderwood
shared with us his testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He made me
really excited to pass through some of the moments of Joseph Smith's
life during our little tour of Upstate New York this summer. But more
than that, his testimony reminded me of my own. I just want to make it
very clear that I know that Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the
Restoration. What does that mean? That means he was the chosen servant
through whom God restored the fullness of truth and the proper
authority and power by which we can live that truth. What does that
truth lived look like? It looks like the glowing smile of someone who
has come to feel the love of God in their life. It looks like the
peaceful countenance of one who has been freed from years of burdens
and guilt by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It looks like a family,
happy at home and rejoicing in the knowledge that they can always be
together. It is absolutely beautiful. It is pure and precious above
all other things. And it all started when a humble 14 year-old boy
asked a question. I know that Joseph Smith did see God the Father and
His Beloved Son Jesus Christ. They did in reality speak to him,
calling him by name. Joseph Smith was entrusted with the great
restorative work of these latter days. He was called to be a prophet.
He translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. Oh, how
I love that book! Any honest seeker of truth will come to know that
that book is good and true if they will just spend time prayerfully
studying it. Joseph Smith gave so much, even to the sacrificing of his
very life, so that the smile could appear on the face of the one who
found God, so that the burden of sin could be lifted from the heavy
shoulders, and so that families can have joy together through all
eternity. I love that man. I am grateful to him. I do not worship him,
but I rejoice that he did so much so that I can worship the true and
living God.

I love you all! You are all absolutely amazing! Please be happy! Thank
you for your prayers, your thoughts, your letters, and your love.

Love,
Elder McDonald

America!

Sunset over the Great South Bay. Notice the ice in the water.

A Comeback

Loved Ones,

Hello! Happy Love Day! For Valentine's Day, the ward here is having a
chocolate bonanza. There will be three chocolate fountains as well as
a significant assortment of various chocolate offerings. Needless to
say, I'm pretty darn excited. The missionaries are going to perform
two songs for the activity, so we're practicing up! They will be love
songs. But don't worry. They won't have any romantic lyrics or
overtones (that's a missionary joke). They are from the hymnbook, so
they focus on the love of God. Recently, I've been thinking a lot
about Heavenly Father's role as our Father. I have watched "Earthly
Father, Heavenly Father" two or three times. I'm just seeing more and
more how much Heavenly Father loves us. He is literally our Father! I
think I forget how much He loves us sometimes. But when we feel that
love, it is very clear how deep and powerful it is. May we each be
motivated by the love of and for God. That is my sincere desire. It's
hard, but I know it's worth it!

Perhaps the subject of this email has you wondering what sort of
riveting Cinderella story I am going to share. Truthfully, I just
titled this email that way because I think it's the first time I've
had a subject in like a year. So, the subject is making a comeback.
I'll be honest, it will probably be a brief one. Unfortunately, I
still struggle to invent a fitting subject. Maybe I'm just not
applying myself. I don't know. At any rate, I hope that I haven't
disappointed anyone who came here looking for an exciting tale. I also
hope that someone has experienced some sort of a comeback or personal
triumph recently. I hope that everyone is feeling as happy as Heavenly
Father wants for us to feel.

How about a report? Well, Jim is doing swell. He invited his dad to
meet with us, and Elder Booth taught the two of them with a priest in
the ward. We were on splits, the first time in my mission, so it was a
doubly good experience. Jim's dad looks like he walked off the set of
"Duck Dynasty". They are the coolest. We're going to meet with Jim
tonight. He has been sharing his testimony with friends, professors at
school, and his family. He's a great example of opening his mouth and
proclaiming glad tidings. In other good news, the work with the ward
is beginning to accelerate as well. I'm excited! The work of salvation
is exciting! It's fun! It's amazing! I know that the best way to feel
joy and to find success is to become immersed in this great cause. The
immortality and eternal life of all God's children is the goal. We
have the opportunity to share the truth that will make such a goal
possible for our brothers and sisters. Isn't it beautiful that he Lord
has trusted us to do His work? Isn't it inspiring to know that He will
bear us up, lead us on, and fill our mouths with the words that will
bring cheer and light to a cold, dark world? I know that this work is
true. I can never deny it no matter what may happen. I have had too
many witnesses, and to deny those witnesses would be to be dishonest
to myself and to God. I bear my own witness that Jesus is the Christ.
We have a Father in Heaven who loves us. The gospel WILL bring
happiness to all who embrace it. It was restored though Joseph Smith.
I know that he was a prophet. I also know that Thomas S. Monson is the
Lord's prophet in our day. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. My
message to everyone is that you can know these things as well. It is
no secret!

May you all have a wonderful week! I'm happy that there will be plenty
of Disneyland in your lives. Make sure you get a pineapple whip and go
on "Small World" at least once for me :) I love you all! We've been
apart for quite some time now! It's kind of weird. I still love you,
though!

Love,
Elder McDonald

Hello From Narnia!

Loved Ones,

I say hello from my own personal Narnia. Sure, I'm sharing it with 10
million other people, but the falling snow and lamppost outside our
apartment makes me feel as though I will be meeting Mr. Tumnus for
dinner and then charging into battle with Aslan and Co. Alas, there
will be no Turkish delight, because that stuff really isn't that good.
If I would have been Edmund, I would have asked the White Witch for a
slice of New York pizza. In fact, I just enjoyed a slice earlier
today. The elders in my district tried a little spot that was
recommended by a member. It was supreme (get it?). All in all, life is
good.

How are you all doing? I loved the pictures you sent. Everyone looks
good! Dad, that facial hair you were rocking around Thanksgiving time
was sweet. I take my proverbial hat off to you. Why are you all just
such good-looking people? And with such great personalities, too :)

Last week was great! Miracles are happening here! Yesterday, a man who
has been coming to church for years decided he wants to be baptized.
So, that will happen this Sunday. What a beautiful thing! There are
also lots of wonderful people who we are privileged to be working
with. One man, who I will refer to as Jim, is particularly awesome. He
is a self-defined redneck, and one of the most wonderful people ever.
We've been teaching him, and he has decided to be baptized as well. He
bore his testimony on Sunday, and in the testimony, he said that he
knows that Joseph Smith is a prophet and the Book of Mormon is true.
It was amazing! Even so, the biggest testimony is the visible change
that has occurred in Jim. You can see how his light has grown
brighter. This is true for all who embrace the gospel. It is a
remarkable privilege to witness the workings of the Atonement and the
Light of Christ in the lives of my brothers and sisters.

I just love you all so much. I think you are just the greatest, most
beautiful people. I am so lucky to be in your midst. Please continue
in happiness!

Love,
Elder McDonald

P.S.
The attached picture is Elder Wayas and I. He's going to be my wingman
in Laie should I be accepted to the school of my dreams.

Crazy story: In Midwood, my tag fell off me when I was walking down
the street, but I didn't notice right away, so it was long gone. Weeks
later, Elder Durkin was walking down the road when something caught
his eye. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was my tag! It looks
like it's been run over at least once, and possibly ingested by a
feral cat. But it came back to me!

Here I am in Narnia...