Drew mail 7-6-20: "Freedom and Obedience"

 Hi everyone! How are you doing? I hope that this 4th of July was a great one for you! We were super blessed in being able to have a p-day (preparation day) and enjoyed spending time with our district, making root beer floats, messing around with Coke and Mentos, and watched the Disney movie "Coco" with the mission, it was awesome! 

This week seems to have flown by, with lots of incredible things happening! First of all, I have a new companion! His name is Elder Hafener and he is from North Carolina. He was serving in Peru for 3 months before being sent home to be reassigned here. I am so thankful to be here with him, he is a hard worker and super nice!

We have worked super hard this week and have tried to help as many people as we can, while being as obedient to the mission rules as possible, and it has been pretty neat to see the blessings that have come from that. One of the biggest has been finding an even greater joy and gratitude for being here. We have been able to have some pretty neat lessons with people here and have been having good experiences which I know are because of our efforts to be obedient!

I know it can seem like obedience is restricting at times, or is a hard thing to do, but I recently heard an analogy that I really like. Obedience is like flying a kite. We may want the kite to fly higher, and think that it would do what we want to cut the string (not be obedient,) but the result would be that the kite just falls to the ground. We need the guidance and direction to hold us in place and help us get the most out of the experience that we can. I hope that makes sense, but really what it comes down to is that Heavenly Father loves us so much and asks us to do certain things for our benefit. It isn't always easy, and can be hard to recognize the blessings or reasons sometimes, but I know that as we put our faith in Him and act in obedience, we will be blessed. He knows each one of us perfectly and has a plan for us! I know you will be happier and feel greater changes and blessings in your life as you work to be obedient to what Heavenly Father asks you to do :)

Much Love

~Elder McDonald

Drew mail 6-29-20: "Tender Mercies"

 Hey everyone! How was your week? I hope it's been a good one, and that you've been able to see some tender mercies in your lives!  We've been able to see quite a few, which have helped us keep going and remember that Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us. 

One of the first things is that we've been working with a lady named Helen since I got here. Her mom was baptized at the beginning of the year, then went to Las Vegas to stay with her other daughter  and got stuck in the quarantine there. We felt it would help Helen a lot if we could have her mom support her and share her experiences with her, but we hadn't been able to get a hold of her and we were struggling with knowing how to help her.  On Friday we called Helen after she got back from visiting her mom and sister, and it turned out that her mom came back to Beaver with her! So we were able to have the lesson with both of them and it was a neat experience! Hopefully now that she's got that extra support she'll keep moving forward towards baptism! 

Another silly little tender mercy we had was when we were going on a walk around our area. We were crossing the crosswalk and a man pulled over and told us to come over, and gave us 20 dollars. Ha,ha, we were like what??  But it was a super nice thing!

It can be hard sometimes when we feel like a lot of good things aren't happening, but the truth is there are lots of tender mercies. We just have to look around! I know Heavenly Father loves you so much and is mindful of everything going on! He wants to bless you and will, so just keep your eyes open! Love you all! 

~Elder McDonald.

Drew mail 06-22-20: "Heavenly Guidance"

 Hey everyone! This week was a good one! Something neat that happened was we got to have zone conference with about 7 other mission companionship's and our mission president. We were able to learn a lot and have some fun, and I'm grateful for the opportunities we have to receive guidance and personal inspiration. I know that if we give our hearts and efforts to the Lord, He will help us know what we can do better and how to help others. I know He loves us so much and is watching over us and will direct us through lots of different means. Whether it be leaders, the scriptures, prayer, music, He wants to guide and help us! 

Just another thought I've had as we've just had father's day on Sunday, I am so thankful for the guidance and strength we can receive from our fathers. My dad has helped me out so very much, and is an incredible example of Heavenly Father's love and support. I know that Heavenly Father puts certain people in our lives to help teach us and mold us into who He wants us to be. It's also important we're thinking about the effect we're having on others and that we give thanks to those who help us! I hope you all have a great week this week and feel a little more of Heavenly love and guidance in your lives! 

~ Love, Elder McDonald

Drew Mail 6-15-20: "1-Year! (ish)"

 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 can't believe how quickly time is going and just want to share some of the things I've been able to learn and experience in my time serving as a missionary. 

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

Drew Mail 6-9-20: "Seeing the little things"

 Hi everyone! How are you doing? I hope this week has brought you a little more peace and comfort, as it seems things are slowly getting back to normal! Just a little bit longer! It's been incredible how quickly this week has gone!  We're doing well here, there's not a whole lot of new things to report, but I do want to share that I have seen many tender mercies and have been able to witness that Heavenly Father has his hand in our lives. I also have seen that even when we have difficult times, He can help us change our perspective, feelings and heart! 

Throughout the week this week I've been blessed to see many little things which maybe some would say are coincidences, but that I've come to know are God, directing us to fulfill His will. He knows where each one of us are at, and what we are needing. He will inspire us to help others and learn if we listen carefully to Him. I love that so many times I've thought I don't know what to do or say, then the thoughts and feelings have come to me directing me in the way I need to go. I am humbled to know that he listens to each one of our prayers and cares so much about each one of us that he will help us and answer us.

It takes a lot of work to be able to change our perspective, and even more to change our hearts, but I know it's possible. Because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, He has felt and experienced EVERYTHING  you will ever feel. He also has overcome EVERYTHING you will ever struggle with. I know that He has a perfect love for each one of us and will help us as we give our all to Him. It'll take time, it'll take work, but He can do it. I testify that no matter what He will always love you and work to help you if you let him. Make the choice today, to follow Him no matter the cost. I promise you it will be well worth it!

Much love,

~Elder McDonald

Scripture of the week: Alma 5:12

Drew mail 6-1-20 "Listen to the Spirit"

 Hi everyone! How are you doing? I hope that everything is going well for you! It seems sometimes like just when we think things are going well, or that we know what to do something new comes along to change our situations up doesn't it!? Something that I have been able to learn, and am still learning, is that no matter what happens one constant we can have is the guidance and companionship of the Holy Ghost. 

I have had a few different experiences this week where I have seen again there importance and value of listening to the Holy Ghost. First of all, I know that when we are in doubt our having hard times, the Holy Ghost is the best friend we can have. He will help comfort and direct us in our needs. I have felt so many times answers to my prayers, felt fears and pains go away because of His power. I know that if we do our best to seek his companionship, we'll be in good hands. 

Sometimes though it can be hard to follow the guidance we receive. I know that as we do though, we will be blessed. So I want to share two experiences I've had this week that show both different sides. 

First, I'll share a time I felt I needed to do something but didn't. My companion and his former companion had been teaching a man for some time, and his whole family are members of the church, and he isn't. My companion and his comp decided to give him some time to think and decide for himself what he was wanting to do. We were able to have a lesson with him just yesterday, and at the start I had the thought that I should ask why he hasn't been baptized yet, but I got distracted and didn't do it. Luckily right before we're were about to end the call he told us he needed to tell us something. He said "After the last time we met, I feel that I received revelation... and I'm going to be baptized." This was such a neat experience for us, and I remembered having felt before to bring up baptism. I'm grateful that the Lord promoted him to bring it up and that even though I didn't follow the guidance I received, the Lord's will was still fulfilled. 

Another experience I had was following a prompting to call someone who had already expressed that they weren't interested. It was easy for me to just say, she already denied us, why should we try again, but instead we called. It turned out that we were able to have a neat call with her and shared certain things she was needing. It was humbling to know that I could've missed out on that experience if I hadn't obeyed that promoting, but I felt such great love and comfort knowing that the Lord again knows each one of us and will direct us for good if we listen and obey. 

Just because we make a mistake or don't follow a prompting when we receive it doesn't mean there is no hope. I know that the Lord has a plan for us and will give us chance after chance to choose the right. He is perfect and loves us perfectly. Even when it seems we don't know what to do, He does. We can always have his peace and guidance if we do our best to live righteously and obey the guidance of the spirit. I invite each one of you to think more about how you receive guidance from the Lord, how you "hear Him" and I promise that as you do you will be blessed with peace and direction.

~Love Elder McDonald

Scripture of the week: Mosiah 6:6. When we are obedient, we are blessed.

Mission Notes #12

#Mission Notes - on to Month #12

Drew Mail 5-26-20: "A New Adventure"

 Hi everyone! How are you doing? It's been a little while since I've written, and lots of things have been going on since I was last in Uruguay. I hope that all of you are safe and well in the midst of the crazy things going on in the world today, I know Heavenly Father is in control and will help you as you put your trust in Him. 

So I was sent home about 2 months ago because of the Corona virus, and it has been one of the hardest things for me to leave the place and people I have learned to love so much, but I have seen so many blessings as I've worked to just trust in God's plan and have faith.  I have been so blessed to be able to spend this time with my family and make new memories with them. Then I received a new mission call. I was told I'd go to serve in the St. George, Utah mission and I was excited, nervous, sad and happy all at the same time.  I knew I'd have to leave my family again which would be incredibly difficult and I would be in a new place, unsure of how long I'd be there or what the differences would be from my time in Uruguay to this new experience.

The time finally came when I was ready to leave again and what an incredible new adventure I've been given! I was able to travel to Utah without any problems and was able to speak to a few people along the way about what I am doing, which was an answer to prayer and really just a tender mercy. I arrived in St. George and met my new Mission President,  President Kaluhiokalani, and his wife, received some instructions and met my new companion. His name is Elder Vega, and he is from the Philippines. He's been here for 5 months and really is an amazing missionary!

We've been assigned to serve in the Beaver City area, and are in charge of the Beaver Stake which has 6 wards and a Spanish group. I have already come to love this place and people which is such an amazing blessing for me because I quite honestly didn't think I could love anything quite like I did Uruguay.  We're part of a Spanish/ English zone and we've been able to work with people using both languages which has been neat. 

So a little bit about what we've been able to do here so far:  We still aren't able to meet directly with people in their homes unless we have specific permission, which we do for once person :) , and we are working lots with social media and teaching online lessons. It has been quite a big shift for me to work in this way from what I was doing before, but again lots of blessings.  I was concerned about working in English and in not being able to meet directly with people, I was thinking it wouldn't feel the same in online lessons and had doubts along those lines. However, it has been such a neat experience though as I've seen my worries aren't the truth of how it really is.  In my first online lesson I felt such a special Spirit and joy and was amazed that it was just the same feelings as before. This was really just a testimony builder to me of the fact that even when things change or we have concerns, God is the same.  He is still doing His work and He will make things work the way they should to fulfill His purposes. 

I've been able to meet quite a few amazing people while I've been here: Andrea and Jose (from Mexico, they have a baptism date of June 6th, really amazing people! ), Kimi (baptized recently and working to overcome some challenges in her life,) Antonia and Alfonso (working to be baptized, have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ,) and Priscilla (interested in learning more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and really strong faith.)  I truly am so grateful to be here and be able to work with these amazing people. I love them so much! 

Ok, I know this has been the world's longest letter, but I'm just so very grateful to be here. I know in the world the past few months things have been hard, and turned upside down, but I've learned to look at it in a different perspective. It's a grand new adventure, that we can make the most of. Throughout all our lives we will have challenging moments and trials that seem too much for us, but I KNOW that Heavenly Father ALWAYS loves us.  He has a plan for each one of us and will bless and direct us as we follow Him and have faith. The fear can be replaced with peace and love. Even in the midst of the hardest storm, we can find strength and know that with Him we will make it through. He has all power and wisdom and can be our greatest friend so let's all start this new adventure together! I promise He will guide your steps and help you return to Him if you just trust in Him. 

~Love Elder McDonald 

 Scripture of the week:  Helaman 5:12

Mission Note #11

Mission Note #11 

(Intermission period)

Mission Note #10

#Missionnotes #10