Mission Note #10

#Missionnotes #10

Mission Intermission

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers on Andrew's behalf.  Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Andrew, like many missionaries across the world, was quickly returned home.  We are so grateful for the amazing men and women, especially President and Sister Dunford who have cared for him, kept him safe, happy and well.  Sunday morning, our Elder Drew returned safely home to us, and while his mission service takes an intermission while our world heals, we'll gratefully enjoy our time to be together again!  
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!  

Drew mail 3-23-20: "Testimony Triumphs Doubt"

 Hola a todos! Cómo están? I hope that you are all doing well and that you are able to find peace and guidance in these times. Throughout the week this week, we have been put into a quarantine and have not been able to do normal missionary work. It definitely hasn't been easy, but I have been able to learn a lot from it! We also recently received news that we will be returning to our homes sometime within the next 3 weeks to be reassigned to a new mission within the United States. This news has honestly been hard for me to take. I have come to love Uruguay so much, along with the people here, and have come to feel that this is like my home. As I have worked to understand everything that is going on, I cannot deny that Heavenly Father is in control of everything. He has a plan, and even though I don't know what will happen, I must trust in Him. While all kinds of doubts and worries have come, I have found that testimony has helped me feel great peace and hope for the future.

I have been able to rely on those things that I know will give me guidance and peace in moments of struggle. Two of the biggest being prayer, and the words of the prophets in Scripture and modern day. I know that as we hold on to the pure and simple truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and make our foundation upon Him, everything else will fade away and we will be able to continue forward with hope and happiness. Heavenly Father wants each one of us to be happy. He wants each one of us to be saved, and He will do all He can to help us return to Him. Our job is to trust in Him, act in faith, and keep building our testimony. I know that as we do this everything will turn out well in the end. I testify that He has a plan. He will answer us as we seek Him. He will guide us through personal revelation and through the words of our modern day prophet, President Russel M. Nelson. We are preparing for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I testify that He is the source of all peace, hope, light, and life. 

 ~ Elder McDonald

Christ’s Image, by Heinrich Hofmann

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

Drew mail 3-17-20: "The Work of God"

 Hola todos! I hope you are all doing well and are able to feel of Heavenly Father's peace and love with all the things that are going on in the world. As we read the scriptures we find that the world is going to be full of chaos, fear, and darkness as we get closer and closer to the second coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. I testify that we are in the last days. We are preparing for His return. Even though it may seem at times that there isn't a way to have peace or to have security when so many voices are clamoring, and when we don't know everything, there is. Heavenly Father sent Jesus Christ to die for us, to show us the way we need to live to return to our Heavenly Father with our families forever. This is the work of God. This is His plan. He is in control of all things and will fulfill His promises. His work will not be frustrated or ended until it is completed.

Throughout the past week, there have been quite a few changes to the way we as missionaries have to work, but I have had some neat experiences of feeling Heavenly Father's peace and knowing that He is in control. The first change come on Thursday evening when we received word that there would be no more meetings on Sundays or of any kind for a time. This really changes what we do as missionaries, and at first I was confused and nervous at what would happen. But then I was able to go and take a moment to pray and focus on my feelings. As I did, I felt an incredible peace and comfort. 

Again, as I watched a video the prophet, president Russel M.Nelson, published to give peace and hope to all of us in these times, I felt that same peace. As we received information from our mission president telling us we need to purchase materials in the event of a 3 week quarantine, and as he shared scriptures with us that describe these later days, I felt peace. I testify that even when everything we know or do seems to change, when there seems to be overwhelming darkness or confusion, there is always light. There is always peace. This light, joy, and comfort can come only as we choose to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and follow in the path He has established. I testify that Heavenly Father is in control. This is His plan, and His work. If you are in need of help I invite you to pray. Go to your Father in Heaven and seek His love and guidance. You will find it. I promise! This is an exciting time to be here in the Earth as we prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I testify of Him, and of His desire to have all come to Him. He can and will help you in your individual needs. Dejo mi testimonio con ustedes de estas cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo, amén. 

~ Elder McDonald

Drew mail 3-10-20: "What Would Christ Do?"

 Hola a todos! Cómo están? Espero que están disfrutando cada día como una oportunidad de hacer lo que Jesucristo haría. I hope that as we work to be a little more like Christ each day we can feel more abundantly of His love and guidance in our efforts. I know that He wants each one of us to improve and come closer to Him, and we can do this little by little each day. I have found that as I have been working throughout the day I have asked myself what would Christ say or do to help these people? I hope that as we ask ourselves this question we can learn better how to act like Him. 

Throughout this week we have had lots of opportunities to serve. We have helped people move mountains of dirt, branches, old dry corn stalks and delivered food. Recently a man's wife passed away and we had the opportunity to go and visit him and offer an ear and comfort. I know that Christ always would be looking to help in the smallest of ways which really make the biggest difference in the lives of individuals. I invite each one of you to look for ways you can better treat others as Christ would, and that you pay attention to how you feel as you do so. I promise you will learn more of Jesus Christ and will find that as you turn outward you will actually learn more of who you are. 

Les quiero mucho!

~Elder McDonald

Drew mail 3-2-2020: "Santiago's Baptism-Starting on the Path Home"

 Hi everyone! How are you doing? I hope that you are all doing well and that this week you were able to feel a little more of Heavenly Father's love. I know that He wants to bless us and help us, and He wants each one of us to come home to Him and He has established the way to do it. We know that the first step we need to take is to have faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and to act in accordance with that faith. The next step He asks us to take is to repent. This means that we can change. We can become better. Because of the Savior's sacrifice we can become clean from all our sins and leave behind the pain, guilt, and weight. We can move forward and take more important steps in our lives. Including being baptized by God's authority and in His way.

On Saturday we had the opportunity to see Santiago be baptized and choose to take the next steps in following Jesus Christ. Santiago has met with the missionaries for about 4 months and it has been incredible to see his faith grow each time he reads from the scriptures and prays. He truly has gained a desire to follow Jesus Christ and live the way that He asks us to. We had had a few lessons with Santiago and a recent convert named Francisco, who was baptized 2 months ago. Francisco has had an incredible change in his life as well because of his decisions to follow Jesus Christ, and we invited him to be the one to baptize Santiago. It was a special experience to see Francisco help another person start down the path that leads to Heavenly Father and as Santiago was baptized they both were extremely happy and excited. I am grateful for the opportunity that we had to see Santiago take the decision to promise Heavenly Father that he will keep the commandments and follow Jesus Christ forever, and truly his life has been changed.

The next step that we are to take is to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. That is when we can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost to guide, comfort, warn, and direct us. On Sunday Santiago was able to be confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. As we have spoken to him after taking these two important steps he has told us that he feels great peace and happiness and is excited to keep moving forward. 

After we have taken these steps it is vital that we keep moving forward. We cannot decide to let everything go and live in our own way. Heavenly Father gives us directions and guidance and blessings as we keep looking to Him and give Him our all. I have felt in my life the change that comes from doing these things and I know that every single person who chooses to do the same will be able to experience the same marvelous blessings. He wants each one of us to turn to Him and do what He asks so we can be blessed and live with Him and with our families forever. I know that this is the way that we can have a fullness of joy and knowledge. There is no other way to return to our Heavenly home, and it is only through Jesus Christ that we can do these things, repent, become more pure, happy and eventually receive eternal life. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity that I have to be here in Uruguay and see the changes and blessings firsthand that people receive as they choose to follow in this path. I know that each one of you can see and feel these things for yourselves as well. You can pray to Heavenly Father and ask "what is the next step for me to take?" I promise He will answer. He wants you to come home to Him, and He will speak to you to direct you in the path that leads home. I invite you along with our prophet, to Hear Him. 

Scripture of the week: Moroni 10:4-5

~Elder McDonald

#Missionnotes Month #9

#Mission Notes - Oh how lovely was the morning.. 

Bring on Month #9!

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