The Future is Revealed!!

Loved Ones,

Hi! How is everyone feeling? Good? For a split second, I just felt a
bit like a motivational speaker beginning an address to a crowd. I do
feel a lot of motivational energy right now! I hope you all do as
well! Life is just really, really good. There is so much to be
grateful for all around us. The sun, the moon, the grass, the flowers,
the sea, the sky -- it's all amazing! We've been counseled time and
time again to have an eternal perspective, and I've often thought of
that as meaning that we should see time in the context of eternity.
That is a part of it, but I think that having an eternal perspective
also means seeing the world, situations, other people, and yourself
the way Heavenly Father does. That means, at least in part, viewing
all things with a hopeful optimism and a love of life. If we will but
look up and try to find the beauty in it all, we can have this
perspective, and I testify that such a perspective brings great joy.
Now, I have an unfair advantage because I am surrounded by such
wonderful people, and for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you all
for who you are and what you do. In ways that I don't even know yet,
you have incalculably blessed my life.

From what I've heard thus far, everyone is doing swell, and I'm happy.
Jase, you are the man! I am so excited for you to receive the
priesthood! There is so much good to do in your priesthood service.
You will do absolutely terrific! Jacob, I can't believe that you are
going to be 17. You have reached the age that I have a clear memory of
being, and so that is weird for me. As I look back, it is easier for
me to remember what I was thinking and feeling at around the age you
are now, and it's crazy to me that you're at that point. I'm sure
you're doing a better job at being (almost) 17 than I did. Keep up the
good work. Mia, you are just the cutest girl in the entire world! You
are so grown up and amazing! I am lucky to have such a great little
sister. And Mom and Dad, you both are powerhouses! The longer I live,
the more I realize how difficult it is to do what you do, and so I
stand in awe at the grace with which you live life and fulfill that
most sacred of obligations that is parenthood. How could I ask for a
better family? I can't! I include in my praise all my extended family
who mean so very much to me. You too are incredible, and "blessed be
the name of my God for it". I am so grateful to all of you.

I would like to mention that exciting things are happening here in Bay
Shore. The Lord is hastening His work here, and it is a thrill to see
such times unfold. The members here are being touched by the
missionary spirit, and there have been so many great things that have
happened, and they are continuing. We're working a lot with the young
men, so that's a great time. Did I mention that we went with the youth
to their temple trip? Elder Booth and I served as missionary helpers
at that event, and it was grand! The day was absolutely gorgeous, so
it was fun to be in the City at that time. And, as always, the temple
was so good. What a privilege it is to serve in the Lord's house!
Elder Booth and I began teaching a lovely couple who are living in a
motel room right now. They have run across hard times, but they're
making it work, and they are a ton of fun. We also began teaching a
couple who we helped shovel snow. They're from Jamaica, and they're
fantastic people. That situation is a great testament to the power of
service. All in all, all is well.

I have an announcement to make, and this platform seems like as good a
place as any. It has come time to decide where I will be living out my
educational future, and I have made a choice. I have decided that I
will be attended BYU in Provo. I am very surprised that I haven't
chosen to attend BYU-Hawaii, where I have dreamed of attending for
years now, but I have felt the Lord's hand guiding me back to the
Motherland. President Eyring's talk "Where Is Thy Pavilion" has been
on my mind lately. I very much want to leave cold and snow behind and
dwell in a tropical paradise while pursuing my education. It would be
a lot of fun to attend BYU-Hawaii. But, the Lord has "called [me]
another way". This decision has been difficult to make, but I know
that if I "trust in the Lord with all my heart, and lean not unto [my]
own understanding" the Lord will "direct [my] paths." I trust that
Heavenly Father wants me to be happy, so I feel confident following
His direction, even though I do have to put aside some things that I
personally may "want". I'm excited for the adventure ahead! Thank you
again to all of you who have helped me get to this point!

Well, my dear loved ones, I do love you. I want to say that I do know
that I am here doing the Lord's work. I know that God lives and that
He loves us. I also know that the Book of Mormon is true. I love that
book, and a testimony of its truthfulness carries with it more
significance than we might first think. May you all be well always.

Love,
Elder McDonald