Hi everyone! How are you doing? So I can't believe how quick the time is going by! I haven't quite reached serving as a missionary for a year, but when I got here to St. George I found out I will be heading home the 15th of June next year. So I kind of am at my halfway mark!
I have been amazed time and time again at God's perfect love for each one of us. I know without a doubt that He loves each one of us more than we can understand and that He wants the best for us. That's why He's given us all the commandments, scriptures, and blessings he has. He knows each one of us perfectly and wants so badly for each one of us to choose to follow Him so we can live with Him and our families forever. I have felt that love burn within me and it has strengthened me and led me to do what I need to do. He gives us personal revelation and guidance that we need in our lives to protect, help and heal us. I know that He will help each one of you in your needs and will bless you to feel a greater portion of His love as you follow and trust in Him.
Another thing I've learned about is the importance of turning outwards to help others rather than turning inward. When I was in the MTC (Missionary Training Center) I heard a talk by Elder Bednar that talked about just this. It has stuck with me ever since and I think just recently I've really started to understand what it means. It is hard for us to turn outward, because the natural man in us wants to focus on ourselves and not worry about others, but as we do our best to see others as God does, our hearts slowly change and we come to understand how vital it is to lift others up and help them progress. That's exactly what we promise to do when we're baptized in the church of Jesus Christ. We promise to act like Christ would, and lift and help others. I have seen that as we do this, our focus changes and even when we have questions, fears, or trials, we feel joy and peace because our focus is aligned with God's.
The most important thing I have been able to experience and learn about with others is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know without a doubt that He died and suffered for each one of us. He has experienced every pain, sorrow, sin, regret, weakness that we will ever have. He knows perfectly how to succor, heal, change and forgive. I have felt and seen in others the incredible blessings and peace and healing that comes when we choose to repent, or turn our hearts to God, and follow Christ's plan for us. He wants so badly to heal and forgive and all we need to do is trust Him to touch our hearts. It is such an amazing process and miracle to experience for ourselves and to see on others when we let Him in.
I want to share a bit of my testimony in Spanish, and I just want each one of you to know that Heavenly Father loves you so much and has a plan. I promise you with the authority i have as a representative of Jesus Christ, that if you give your all to Him, eventually all will be made right in Him.
He tenido la bendición de servir como misionero de Jesucristo durante casi un año, y tengo un año más hacerlo. La verdad es que no puedo explicar con palabras los sentimientos, milagros, lecciones, y experiencias que he tenido. Solamente puedo testificar que el evangelio de Jesucristo es verdadero. Sé que la iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días es verdadera. Testifico del amor de Dios y de su hijo perfecto, Jesucristo. Ellos nos aman y nos conocen perfectamente. El quiere lo mejor para sus hijos y les van a guiarnos y ayudarnos en todas las cosas si nos seguimos a ellos. Comparto mi testimonio de que Jesucristo es nuestro Salvador y que la expiación de Él pueda limpiarnos y sanarnos de toda iniquidad y herida. Dejo esto en el nombre de Jesucristo amén.
~Much Love from Elder McDonald
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