Following Jesus Christ

Dear Mama,  

First before I forget, for the SD cards, make it look like they are not in the letter. They are secret. The full size or Micro, either one works. Just make the one for my camera full size. And put whatever music you want but make it sooo sweet! We are pretty free on music. Just send everything I would like that allows the spirit to be felt still and uplifts.

I enjoy the long letter. Makes it exciting to come for emails when I have a lot to read. I can tell that this week is going better for you, which I am happy for. I hope you had a good Birthday, I did think of you. I wish you a happy natal day. I want to try to get something, but it is still in the woodworks.

This week has been fun. We have several people going to be baptized this week. But we had a small scare yesterday, when one was interviewed we found he was from a polygamous family. But since he is older and his father’s 1st wife passed away, so that he is currently not practicing polygamy, we have permission to baptize him.  But it about broke my heart, when we went to visit him and for a small

time he was worried he would not be able to be baptized. So I am so grateful it will work out.

Elder Lokpo and I have had fun. We have walked a lot this week. The sun is different here so I do not tan all that much, but this week I think I have tanned a bite more than normal. But I am still waiting for the rain.

Brother Henry is doing great, he is so busy with work now we do not have much time to see him. Which is a blessing for him. But he is at Church every Sunday, he gave the closing prayer in Sacrament meeting

Yesterday.

We have been meeting some sweet people this week. There is a teenage boy who stays with 2 of our people being baptized on Saturday. He had the most wonderful and inspired questions when we first met him. He has been involving himself in all the Church programs as well.

I heard from Cameron, I am so excited for him! He got his call the same day as me, exactly one year later. He is going to have fun. And holy smokes Austin is getting married?! That is crazy. Is he going to be getting married in the temple?

I really enjoy everything about your testimony of Jesus Christ, I have really been thinking more about how Jesus Christ taught, really about who Jesus Christ is. In this mission it really makes you think about Jesus Christ being the Son of God. Out here there is many Muslims who will try to attack you on that, especially those Saudi Arabian Sheiks. But it drives me deeper into my studies. No matter how I look at it, I know that Jesus Christ is my redeemer. But I am out of time.

Love you mama,

Love your son,

Elder McDonald

Just your friendly Petrol Station

3000th Stake in Sierra Leone Video

Elder Holland is such a wonderful man and I have always had great love and respect for him. I am so happy that Scotty was able to be a part of this wonderful celebration, a moment in time that he will always remember.

Plumpy Nut? I Like It

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Dear Mama,

     I hope everything is going alright.

How is school going? I hope you are able to deal with your stress lately. Maybe you should tape those pillows back together and make Jared hold them and kick them like I would. That is always fun and a good way to relieve stress.

     This has been a good week here in Bo. But I am so jealous of the snow

You guys are having. This dry season sun is very draining. I cannot wait till the rainy season comes back. I love the rain. I love stormy weather, some of the most relaxing times I ever have.

     I still do not know where Cameron is going and when he will be leaving! But I am so excited for him and Kaitlan as well.  I am also happy about your hysterectomy. I am assuming that will be very nice. But now that adds to the removal of your gall bladder. If you keep losing more body parts they will start having to add robot parts. But I guess it would be cool to have a cyborg for a mother. I cannot believe it’s already your birthday again. We were just in South Carolina, still excited about my mission call because it was fresh.

     I am excited for the music. Do not worry about the time you have taken, I just hope it is sweet. Send me like 2-3 cards including a very large blank one for my camera.  But for the package, it would be nice if you and Dad could get me the matching bag for my geiggerig bladder pack from Holmes Clothing. I want to take it out more for water but it does not work well with my bag. I need the one made for it. But that is all I got so far. I will let you know about further stuff.

     So this week my District and I have been gymming hard core. We hit up this little gym in near our apartment and the personal trainers work us so hard. But we spend most of the time doing pushups in the dirt. But I have never been so sore in my chest and arms before. Elder Lokpo and I have to push all the girls away, they really like our muscles. Really though we had a weird lesson yesterday.  But also all I have been eating is Plumpynut which is the sort of gritty peanut paste meant for children suffering for acute malnutrition. I used to struggle to eat half a packet, but I have eaten 3 so far today. I love that stuff. I think it is actually illegal though. Hmm…But we are happy.

     Whenever you feel down mom, just call Jared a nerd and tell him to go to sleep. That is always fun. Or call Breck and Cameron and make fun of them. But I love you mom.

Love your son,

Elder McDonald

Teaching Foday

This letter was sent Feb 4.

Dear Mama,

     I hope you are doing ok, as well as Dad.  I can tell you that it has been a good week here. We had interviews with President Roggia and it is always a great learning experience. He is a great mission president. I think the interviews are extra interesting since he was a psychiatrist. But things are going well with Elder Lokpo and I. He is the sweetest guy.

     So the music I am very excited for. Send a couple SD cards. Including one really big blank one for a back up for my camera and one that can replace the one in my camera.

     But back to the mission field. This week has been very busy. We recently received transfer news, that is always very exciting here. But there were no changes in my District. Which I am happy about, I really love the people we have. 

 

     We have been exploring parts of our area where we currently do not have any investigators. So we are looking to expand. We have been teaching some sweet people. My favorite one is a young man named Foday. He has so much faith, he is so sincere about the Gospel. Especially about Joseph Smith. He seemed a bit distraught when we told him about how Joseph Smith was killed. But recently we found out he has had a smoking problem since he was young, but he says now he knows he can stop. And I believe he will do so.

 

When the time for my mission to end comes, I do not know whether I would want to extend or not. But it is not allowed, people have not been able to extend for years now. So you can expect me in June.

     But I have not heard where Cameron is going yet. But I am very eager! I would probably throw up of excitement if it was Sierra Leone.  But I am hoping things get better for you at home. Keep praying.

Love you Mama.

Love your son,

Elder McDonald

More pictures of Bo area where Scotty is serving.

Coconut Tree

BAPTISMS AND BLESSINGS

Dear Mama,
     I am happy to hear about everything going on. I am thrilled you love your oil painting. I would love to take it up when I get back. This week has been a good week.
For the music, just send some SD cards inside a letter. Make sure the music are mp3 files. And as soon as I get a blank one for my camera I can send you the one I have full of pictures.
I am so excited to hear about Cameron's mission call, I hope he is writing me immediately to tell me. I know he will do well.
     I am glad to hear that Grandaddies health is well. How old is he now?
So this Saturday we had a baptism, it was our Brother Henry. He is an older man, almost 60 now. He used to be a frequent drinker and was unable to quit. But he has been able to abstain since we began teaching him. He is one of the most impressive converts I have seen. He attends everything and does everything required of him. The place we do baptisms is a distance from our Branch. And he wanted to know where the place is earlier so he went and found it on Thursday. So he called us and was excited that he found it. On Friday we went over there for an appointment. But he was unavailable, he was hired for a small construction job. He has been out of work for a good amount of time now. So we planned to see him the next day at the Baptism.
Then the next day he was baptized.
     So yesterday after he was confirmed, in Elders Quorum, people were discussing about blessings they received. He expressed how on Friday morning he did not have an money at all. And he was worried about how he would get to the Chapel. But then he was blessed with a job. This man was full of gratitude. It was very sweet.  We have had fun as a District here in Bo.

Elder Nwosu

   
Speaking of which my best bud Elder Nwosu, needs a girl to write. I will have a picture of him. Someone write him. You will enjoy talking with him, he is cool.
Also please thank the Young Women of the ward for the wonderful treats. I had all the neighbors that the chocolate coins were pure gold.

But I love you mama,

Try to send out the memory cards this week!
love your son
Elder McDonald

Brother Henry is standing in the middle