Drew mail 9-29-20: "New Day"

 

 Hi everyone! How are things going with you this week? I'm so thankful for your love and prayers, it really makes a difference! I am also so thankful for the things I am learning and experiencing! Even though it's difficult at times, I know that when it's hard we tend to grow the most! This week we had a few neat things I wanted to mention! We've got transfers tomorrow, but I'm going to be staying here in Beaver with Elder Solano for the next month and a half! 

First of all, we did something pretty fun, which I didn't think I'd be doing as a missionary! While I've been here in Beaver, we've gotten lots of great service opportunities, but this last Saturday, we did something a little different! We had a missionary carwash and were able to spend 2 hours in the afternoon just washing people's cars at the church! At first, I was concerned we wouldn't have a lot of people come, but we worked to put it on all the pages we could on Facebook and made a few signs for us to wave on the corner! Turns out we got a LOT of people, and it was really a fun thing for us to do! 

Another neat thing that we got to do was have zone conference yesterday (Monday)! I loved as always getting to feel the Spirit strongly as we learned together about Christlike attributes, the importance of the work we are doing and the power and role of the Book of Mormon in our lives! I love that as we learn new things or even review things we've heard before, the Spirit will testify to us the truthfulness of what we hear or learn. That's how we can know for ourselves what is from God! 

The last neat experience I want to write about is the baptism of Jose and Andrea! It was a great experience to see them baptized and be able to participate in their confirmation, where they become members of the Church of Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! It was a real testimony builder for me that because of the authority of the priesthood, we can do sacred things such as baptism and confirmation, which are steps on the way back to Heavenly Father. I know that at times we can have struggles and it can feel like we just can't do any more, but I testify that Heavenly Father gives us the tools we need to try again and start over! I love that no matter what happens, we can look to Him and His son and know that their love never changes, and that we can begin again each time we fall or make a mistake! Each day can be a fresh start and we can try to be just a little better than we were before! I know that if we give all we have, Heavenly Father blesses us and helps us do more than we thought we could. We just need to focus on taking one step at a time and not lose hope or faith. I love my Savior and am so thankful for the help He gives me each day to keep trying! I promise each one of you, that if you follow Him with all your heart and strength and mind, He will bless you. He will help you try again and see that today is a new day!  😊

~ Elder McDonald

Drew mail 9-21-20: Unity and Love!

 Hi everyone! How has your week been? This week has been a good one, I've learned a lot and I'm grateful for all your prayers and faith and love! We had the opportunity to do a zoom meeting with Elder Neil L. Anderson from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Bingham who is the President of Relief Society! It was with our whole mission and it was such an incredible experience! I wanted to share some thoughts and feelings I had that stood out to me as we discussed with them a few different things. 

The first thing that stood out to me came from Sister Bingham and it had to do with unity. She talked about how we need to be united as companions, as well as with the members around us, with our leaders and last with Heaven. I want to make it a little more personal to you and tell you that you have to be united with your family, your friends and neighbors, those you may struggle getting along with, those you associate with, and with Heaven. I know that this is such an important principle that we can be united with those around us. That's really the only way we can become the best person we can be and help others do that too. I know that when we're united miracles and blessings come, doors open that weren't there before and we can really learn to see others as God does. 

The next thing I want to mention is the importance of loving others. Elder Anderson talked about how the Savior loves everyone perfectly and how we need to let that love sink into our hearts and change how we act. It can be really hard when we have different habits or beliefs or personalities, but I know that no matter what we can always love. It all needs to start with love is change is going to come and I know that this is the best way to open hearts and help others feel the perfect love that the Savior and Heavenly Father have for them. I challenge you to love, not only those you get along with, but especially those who it may be difficult to love at first. 

I loved how throughout this meeting it was an important thing to get to love the Gospel and believe it for yourself. It's a hard thing to change and act on something you don't believe in so we each need to start to form our own believes and decide what to stand for. Elder Anderson invited us to make a private list of the specific things we really believe in. For example: I believe that God exists, I believe He is my Father and that He loves me, I believe that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. Make a list for yourself and if there's something you're not sure about search more and ask God to know for yourself. It will come! Just keep trying. Right now is the time you need to build your foundation and know what is true. The time to act is now! 

I want to share my testimony that I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church of God on the Earth today. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that He knows you personally and can and will help you if you turn to Him. I know that no matter what we can trust in and love Him. I testify that we have been given great resources to help guide us in this journey and some are, Prophets and Apostles, Priesthood, scriptures, ordinances and covenants, and prayer. I know that if you open your heart to Him, He will direct you and accept your offering. He loves you so much and will bless you for your efforts.   :)

~Love, Elder McDonald

Drew mail 9-14-20: "Wait for it!!!"

Hey everyone, just want to share my testimony with you today that I know that if we keep giving all we have to the Lord, He will bless us and accept our offering. I know that what matters is that we simply keep trying and never give up. The blessings and answers and change and miracles will come as we put our all in His hands. Love you so much, have a fantastic week! :) 

Elder McDonald

#Missionnotes - Month #15

#Missionnotes - Bring on month #15 - mine is a God of miracles

 

Drew mail 9-7-20: "Endure to the End"

 

Hi everyone! I apologize for a shorter letter this week, but I just wanted to share an experience we had giving service.  We were asked by an elderly lady to help move some boxes from out of her basement to a shed not too far away. Little did we know that it was a LOT of boxes, and took a lot more time than we expected. We worked hard, but towards the end our strength was just about completely spent, and I wasn't very happy. I just wanted to end it, but then we got some extra support from the other elders here, and that gave me the boost I needed to decide to finish. I know sometimes it can be hard to keep working hard, whether that's with little things or big trials we have, but I promise help will come as you just keep trying and it will be worth it! I love you all so much and know Heavenly Father is watching over you and answers prayers! I testify that miracles still happen in today's world. We just need to put our trust in Him and Act!

~Elder McDonald