Letter and Pictures from Scott

Scott was able to attend the Accra Temple with these elders.  He is loving his mission, and said that he has a wonderful companion, Elder Narteh (far left next to Scott).  Elder Narteh is from Ghana, and will be going on to Sierra Leone with Scott.  He said he is really struggling understanding the African, half the time they speak, he has no idea what they are saying. 


These are the first set of pictures he has been able to send, and is still trying to figure out how to label each with the persons name.  He's not homesick yet, which I am thankful for.  He is really excited to get out of the MTC and actually start teaching.  He is working hard with his studies and feels that he is getting better each day.  He says that Accra, Ghana is very different from the USA, and he is told by everyone that Ghana is the nicest area in all of West Africa.  He is told that Sierra Leone is the poorest of all the states.  He is so excited, which makes me excited and very happy.  Hopefully we will soon be able to put some names with these faces.  I miss you Scotty!

Scotty is well known by his family and friends for always standing out in the crowd by the crazy things he wore, now he stands out just for being white.  Scott's companion, Elder Narteh, is standing next to him on the end.

Scott with his companion Elder Narteh, who is from Ghana

Scott took this picture of the Ghana Temple

Accra Ghana LDS (Mormon) Temple Photographs

Accra Ghana LDS (Mormon) Temple Photographs

HAPPENINGS AT THE GHANA MTC

Scotty is doing great in the Ghana MTC. His diet consists of mainly fish (including the head) rice and sauce. There are 8 elders total in his district, and he is the only one that is white. He has always been one to stand out in a crowd. His companion is Elder Narteh, a native of Ghana, and he will be going to Sierra Leone with Scott.

He has been working hard attending classes all day, and he is very anxious to get out and be with the people. The only thing he is struggling with is understanding the Africans when they speak, he catches about half of what they say.

He was able to attend the beautiful Accra Temple yesterday. Many of the native elders had not yet been endowed, so he was able to be a part of their first temple experience. He said the temple was beautiful and took a lot of pictures which I will post when he can send them.

He loves the people in Africa, saying they are very friendly as well as quite funny, which we all know is an important trait to have, especially for Scott. He said the temperature is hot, but the humidity is what he is trying to get accustomed to. He says he feels like he is always sweaty, which, having lived in the south, is not a comfortable feeling.

Gordon and I are so proud of our boy, and have faith that he is where he is supposed to be. We miss him so much that it hurts, so we pray for strength and peace to carry us and our son, Scott, through these two years.

Officially Elder McDonald

Just after being confirmed a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He placed his pin on his mission for the Stake Missionary map board.

Scotty, we are so proud of you and know you and Heavenly Father are going to accomplish so much in Sierra Leone.  You are going to touch the hearts of those people and they will fall in love with you and never want you to leave.  God be with you always son.

First Letter!

I recieved my first email from Scott this morning....I am so relieved that he is there at the mission home safe and sound, and is eating!

Dear Mom I do not have a lot of time, we are about to eat. But I am here at the Ghana MTC safely. It is pretty crazy out here. Love you, I will email you when I have more time. Love Scott.

The Call

This is the moment we found out that Scotty was going to Africa.  I was in shock, as you can tell with all my "oh my gosh!"  The time from this moment to the present has flown by and I am so excited for him.  Now it's time for me to learn how to be the best missionary mom possible.  I hope all of you will enjoy  and interact with this blog.

Called To Serve

Members from the Freetown and Bo Districts of Sierra Leone

Scott Ross McDonald has been called to serve full-time in the Freetown, Sierra Leone Mission in West Africa. He reports to the Ghana MTC on June 15, 2012.

Mission Prep

Scotty has been very busy getting ready for his departure for Africa, which is sneaking up on us rather quickly. I haven't seen much of him because he has been having a bit more fun hanging out with his friends...can't blame him much.
We had his first farewell in the Tremonton First Ward where he is officially leaving from. We had a good turnout with family and friends, driving up from Utah County. Jan Rawlinson, a wonderful friend, was so gracious in opening her home for the dinner, we appreciate her so much. Scott and I also want to thank everyone for the wonderful food that was provided, making it a very nice dinner.

For those of you who missed Scott's talk, I have to say that you really missed out! He gave a wonderful talk that had us laughing one minute, then crying the next. I am amazed with his ability to speak with so much humor, and yet, really feel his deep testimony and love of the Savior. He is going to be an incredible missionary and touch the lives of so many. Africa will never be the same once Scott arrives.