Drew mail 2-24-20: "I Stand all Amazed"

 Hi everyone! This week has been a really quick one! Even though it has gone by quicker than I thought possible, I have seen that Heavenly Father will work his miracles immediately as we put faith in Him and do what He asks us. He has the power and love to bless and change hearts and lives. He will do so in His time and in His way as we keep following in the footsteps of Christ. I know I have said before how amazed I am at seeing the changes in people as they decide to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, but the truth is this is one of my favorite things about being a full time missionary. So it's worth it to mention it again :).

We recently met a lady named Lorena who lives in our area. When she was a young woman she went to the Church of Jesus Christ with her friends, but then her friends were in an accident and several died. She decided to not continue going to church for some time. When we found her she was very kind and even wanted to start reading the Book of Mormon again. We were able to give her a copy on Saturday and had a good lesson with her about the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the end of the lesson she was sharing her testimony with us and she was in tears as she expressed her love for her Father in Heaven and her desires to be with her family forever. It was a special experience to see that she has worked in her life to come to know Heavenly Father and wants to keep developing a relationship with Him.

We have been able to meet a man named Santiago. He is from Cuba and came here to find a better way to take care of his family, and has great desires to follow Jesus Christ for the rest of his life. He has told us several times that he will do everything he can to follow Him, and it is remarkable to see his dedication and love for his Savior. He has accepted the invitation to be baptized this next Saturday, the 29th and it is very special for me to see his faith and happiness grow each time he has chosen to take steps towards Christ.

I know that Heavenly Father has His timing and His plan for each one of His children and will help them along their individual path to return to Him. I know that as we choose to open our hearts to Him and put our love and faith in Him, our lives will change. Each one of us can be a little better tomorrow than we are today, and that is thanks to Jesus Christ. He wants us to keep progressing and improving and just asks that we keep doing the best we can. It doesn't matter how many mistakes we make or how big our mistakes may seem, He is always there to help us change and return to our heavenly home. 

I would appreciate your prayers for Santiago as he prepares to be baptized this Saturday that everything can go well and He can have a special, personal experience as he takes this important step in his life. I invite each one of you to pray and ask how you can more fully experience the changing, healing power of Jesus Christ in your lives. I promise that He will help you and will bless you each step of the way. 

~Elder McDonald

Drew mail 2-17-20: "A Helping Hand"

 Hi everyone! This week seemed to fly by really quickly! I am doing well here in Rivera and having lots of experiences that I will never forget! I know that Heavenly Father has a reason for everything that happens and will guide us as we seek his help.

This week we have worked to find and talk with as many people as we could, and it hasn't been easy but it has been worth it! We have been able to talk with quite a few people, and I have been able to learn lots from talking with so many people about their beliefs. It has been hard for me at times when people are so closed off that they don't want to listen to anything we say and only want to beat us down, but something remarkable as well, is the love that I feel for them. It has not been easy, but something that I am so thankful for is that the things we have needed to say or ask have come to mind when we need them. Even after we have talked and given everything we could to these people it is hard when they reject what we have to share with them. But the truth is that every time after an experience like this, the peace and comfort that we can feel is incredible. At times it doesn't come for a moment, but it always comes. I know that this feeling comes from Heavenly Father as we can know that we have done everything that we could do, and that He is in control. It is such a sweet feeling to know that He loves each one of his children perfectly and knows where they are at in their lives. He knows exactly what each one of us needs and will help us in the perfect way.

In this life we have many difficulties and it can be difficult when things don't go the way we hoped or planned, but I promise that Heavenly Father is always there to help, comfort, answer, and guide when we turn to Him and give our all. I testify that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He knows each one of us perfectly. He knows exactly how to succor us, and I promise He will.

~Love Elder McDonald

Drew mail 2-10-20: "What Church is This?"

 Hi everyone! I hope that you are all doing well and are enjoying your week! I am doing well here in Rivera! It sure is hot at times, but I am having lots of incredible experiences which I won't forget! I have had some pretty special experiences this week and have learned lots, and I want to share some of those things with you.

First of all, this week I have had lots of experiences which have strengthened my testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. When we look in the world, we can see that there are so many different churches, so many different ideas and beliefs and at times it can be hard to understand where we should go. But what can be even more difficult at times is to understand why we need the church in our lives. To understand what it does for us. We had the opportunity as missionaries this week to have a special conference with one of the Twelve Apostles that live and testify of Christ in the world today. On Saturday we were able to meet with Elder Uchtdorf and hear some guidance and direction from him. This was a really neat experience for me, as it was the first Apostle that I have ever met in person, and as he spoke to us it was clear that He is a representative of the Lord and has been called specifically to bear testimony of Him and help direct His church today. One of the things that stuck out to me was when he spoke to us about what the big question of religion is in today's world. He talked about how in the time of Joseph Smith the question was "Which church is true" and in some instances that is still the case with many people, but now the focus has changed. Now the big question is "Why church?" What does it do for me? Why is it important for me to go to church? I have heard many people here in Uruguay ask this question and tell me that they believe in God in their own way, that they do not need a church, and it is hard to understand the reason why we need the church if we don't understand what it does for us.

You can come to know why the church is important for you by experiencing it. You can pray and ask Heavenly Father what it is He wants you to do, and I promise that as you act in faith and search for why it is important to go you will find your answer. I testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is His church in the Earth today. It is vital for each one of us to be there so we can draw closer to Him and prepare ourselves for His second coming. I invite each one of you to think about what role His church has in your life, and to examine how you can make it more important to you personally. There are so many blessings and wonderful things about the church, and I promise that you will find what you are needing. I promise that by going to the Church of Jesus Christ you will be able to feel of Heavenly Father's love for you, and will receive guidance and answers to your personal questions. I have felt a difference in my life because of His church, and I know you can as well. Come and See! 

~Elder McDonald

#Missionnotes Month #8

 

#Missionnotes - On to Month #8 

Keep sharing the good words of Christ!

La Vida Missional #3

Drew mail 2-3-20: "We've got to work on our Brazilian" - [Elder Harris]

 Hi everyone! I am here in Rivera and I am really thankful for this new opportunity to learn and work.  We are just outside the city center so it is pretty different than my last area, and its pretty hot, but we found lots of new people already and are working hard with our ward to help strengthen the members. We have found some people who have talked completely in Portuguese which has been fun! They understand Spanish so we talk to them in Spanish and they respond in Portuguese which is a little difficult to understand but I am working on it! I am amazed by being able to see that Heavenly Father puts people in our path that we need to find, and has been directing us each day. I am also amazed by the love I feel for these people and this area that I don't know very well. I know that it is a blessing from Heavenly Father, and I am so thankful to have this opportunity to see others as He does.

I testify that Jesus Christ is mindful of every single one of us. He wants to bless and help us, and will when we trust in  Him and act in faith. I testify that there is space for everyone in the family of our Heavenly Father, and that it is never too late to return to Him. If you have questions, you can go directly to Him and ask. He will answer. I testify that the atonement of Jesus Christ is powerful enough to heal, strengthen, cleanse, and change hearts. I know that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on the Earth today, and that we can receive all the blessings Heavenly Father has in store for us as we follow the path laid by Jesus Christ. Sé que Dios nos ama y tiene un plan. Él va a bendecirlos a medida que pongan su confianza en él!

Much love, 

~Elder McDonald 

scripture: 1 Nephi 17:50-51

Drew mail 1-28-2020: "A New Chapter"

 Hola todos!! ¿Como están? I cannot believe how quickly the time is going!  I have been so, so blessed to be able to have had the experiences I have had and learned so much in my 6 and a half months on my mission! I have been able to have so many special experiences and learned so much. I have met so many incredible people and made memories I will never forget. Throughout my time here in Uruguay I have been able to serve in the area San Fernando Bis, in Ciudad del Plata, San Jose. I truly love this area and have come to know the members and ins-and-outs very well. But now the time has come to change from my first area to a new one. I am going to go to an area called Chico Dos in RIVERA, up in the North of Uruguay.  I am going to be with an Elder who has only 3 more transfer periods, so he will probably end his mission with me. His name is Elder Harris and I will get to know him tomorrow. I will be traveling all day to get to my new area with my new companion. We're going to be sharing the house with another companionship. I am super excited and I don't know a whole lot more about it other than it is super hot, everything is cheap, there supposedly are lots of hills, and it's right by the border of Brazil so the people speak "Portuñol," which is Portugese mixed with Spanish.  That should be fun! I am excited for the change that is about to come and just wanted to write today about how grateful I am for the time I have spent here in San Fernando, as well as for some of the people I have been blessed to meet and work with.

First of all, I have been able to meet just about every type of person imaginable in my time here. The people for the most part in San Fernando are very kind and comfortable with their lifestyles. I have taught some youth to elderly people, and specifically have worked with three couples that I am sad to leave but believe they will keep progressing. The first is Melinda and Marcelo. Elder Loperena and I found them a few months ago, and at first it was a little difficult to help them overcome their doubts and understand the importance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  But now they are all in and have strong desires to be baptized. The only step they need to take is to be married and they are in the process of preparing to do so. The second couple we met was German and Ana. Elder Letelier and I were able to find them at the start of my mission, and I learned a lot from these dear people. They have lots of faith and despite their difficulties, continue to move forward. I have learned with them the importance and immediate blessings of acting with obedience. The last couple I was able to work with is one that was really special to me. Elder Loperena and I had been looking in the area book to find people the missionaries had taught in the past and found the names Paula and Joaqin. I remember that in the very first lesson we had with them, we started to explain the history of the Book of Mormon, and as I spoke I felt the purest most incredible happiness I have ever felt in my life. I could not stop grinning as I explained why this book was so important. As I saw light come into their eyes and faces I felt even happier than I thought was possible. They are also preparing to be baptized and I don't have doubts that soon they will accomplish their goals and will start to receive great blessings from their decisions to follow Christ. 

I have seen people decide to change their lives, as well as others who decide to turn away and not open their hearts. I can testify that when we only have the smallest desire to try, the Lord can work His miracles. I saw the power of the Book of Mormon, prayer, and action with a lady named Biviana. She had always believed in God, but never acted on her beliefs. As we began teaching her, she would open the Book of Mormon and literally read something that would be exactly for her that day. She has worked to change her life and to put God at the center, and through it all we have seen an incredible change in her. We have even seen miracles. As she has been working on changing, the light and joy that she is gaining has spread to her family as well. We met her daughter Pamela, who is about 28 about a month ago. At the beginning, she didn't want anything to do with us, but then she began to see the change in her mother and one day sat in a lesson with us. Still she told us she didn't want to read the Book of Mormon or change her beliefs, but little by little the Holy Ghost worked on her, and today she is reading and working on changing her life around as well. It is truly incredible to see what the Gospel of Jesus Christ does for everyone who is willing to open their hearts just a little and act. 

I want to share my testimony that I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of us. He loves you perfectly, and knows exactly where you are at in life, and what you are needing. He will answer you, in His timing and in His way. I testify that Jesus Christ has the power to heal, love, forgive, guide, strengthen, and save. He will never leave you alone, but you must turn to Him to receive help. Everything starts with your desire to act. I am amazed by the experiences I have had so far in my mission. I have learned and grown more than I thought possible. I know that Heavenly Father wants this same thing for each one of His children. Please, turn to Him and ask Him what He would have you do. I promise that He will answer. He loves you and will be with you every step of the way, but we have to be the ones to move our feet. I testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on the Earth today. I testify that the teachings of Jesus Christ, when acted upon, can and will change hearts, minds, and lives. This is the way we can be happy in this life, and come to the point where we can live with our Father in Heaven and families forever. I promise each one of you can have these blessings. All you have to do is ask, then go and do. I leave my blessing and testimony with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 ~Elder McDonald

 Scripture of the Week: Alma 32:27

La Vida Misional #2

Drew Mail 1-20-2020: "Won't you be my neighbor?"

Hola todos! Espero que están bien y que disfrutan su semana! Realmente quiero compartir que yo sé que nuestro Padre Celestial le ama perfectamente y tiene un plan para su vida.   (Hello all, I hope you are well and enjoying your week!  Mostly I want to share that I know that our Heavenly Father loves you perfectly and has a plan for your life.) I have felt and seen that Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives and wants each one of us to return to Him one day. At times in this life we may have times where we don't understand why we need to experience a certain trial, or when we have a question that shakes our foundation, but Heavenly Father has perfect wisdom, and everything happens for a reason. 

This week we had the opportunity to have a ward activity where the missionaries got together and cooked hamburgers and put together a party in the church so we could get members, in-active members, interested persons, and everyone we could to come to the church and see what it is we are, and begin to feel a greater amount of Heavenly Father's love in their lives. The activity went really well, and several members brought their neighbors, people we are teaching came, and it was a fun experience to help others understand that they are not alone in this journey but that they can find greater joy and purpose as we come together and focus on Christ.

As we were setting up the activity, a man came and stood in front of the Church door. As we started to talk with him, he told us that recently the missionaries (us) had stopped by his house but that he wasn't home. One of his family members had told him that we had stopped by, and he decided he needed to come to the church. He had also recently found in a dresser a pamphlet the missionaries had given him before he was baptized almost 7 years ago. He had distanced himself from the church and now was feeling the pull to return. It is amazing to me that Heavenly Father has his perfect timing and plan, and even though we can't understand everything that happens, we can put our trust and faith in Him. He will always come through for us. He is always there with His arms open, offering us the greatest of gifts. His love. It is there for everyone, it doesn't matter where you have been or what has happened, you can always come back to Him and He will give you of His love.  

Much Love,

~Elder McDonald

 

Drew Mail 1-13-2020: "Bold as a Lion"

 Hey everyone!! How are you doing? It's crazy to think that I now have 6 months as a missionary!! I am eternally grateful for the lessons that I have learned and the person that I am becoming. I know that Heavenly Father truly has a plan for each one of us, and that He will help each of us reach our divine potential to become like Him as we put our faith in Him and fear not. Often times when we go through life we can have fear of acting or doing the things we know we ought to do. It can be hard to move forward when the way isn't clear, but as we act in faith and choose to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ we can have our path lit step by step and eventually return to our Heavenly Home safe and sound. 

As I have spent time here in Uruguay serving as a missionary I have had moments where I have felt doubt and uncertainty of how to help others learn and come closer to Christ, but as I have been able to just open my mouth and try, I have seen Heavenly help and guidance. So many times when I have been on a bus, passed someone in the street I have felt the desire to help them and said a silent prayer that Heavenly Father would help me help them if I just open my mouth. I have had many times when I have been given what to say, and have been directed what to focus on with this individual person. On the other hand I have had times when I have not actively listened to what someone is saying or what the Holy Ghost is trying to tell me, and have missed opportunities to help in the best way. But I know that as we truly try, Heavenly Father will lead us and make up the difference.  

The other thing I have been able to learn is the importance of standing for the truth. When someone says something that is not true, or when others are acting in a way that isn't right we need to stand up and not be afraid to speak up. I have struggled with this as I do not like to offend others, but I know that we have a responsibility to defend the truth and act as Christ would. We can have the confidence that he will help and support us as we put our faith in Him and boldly give our all to Him. He has a purpose for all things and as we truly do the best we can, He will bless us and we will be led safely through back home to him. 

Quiero testificar que yo sé que al ser leales a Jesucristo, podemos ver milagros. Podemos superar desafíos, aprender y progresar. Testifico que no importa lo que pasa si tenemos Jesucristo al lado. Testifico que todas personas pueden cambiar y llegar a ser más cerca de Dios. Testifico que él nos ama y que va a ayudarnos en todas las cosas a medida que pongamos nuestra confianza en él.  (I testify that I know that by being loyal to Jesus Christ, we can see miracles.  We can overcome trials, learn and progress.  I testify that it doesn't matter what happens if we have Jesus Christ by our side.   I testify that all people can change and become closer to God.  I testify that he love us and that He will help us in all things as long as we put our confidence in Him.)

~ Elder McDonald