Scotty is growing so much on his mission and it is evident that he is totally dedicated to his work there. His letters are filled with the spirit and each one brings so much joy to me, filling me with even more love for this Gospel, knowing that it is true and has completely blessed the lives of my family. I can't imagine my life without the Gospel and without my eternal family.
Oct. 28, 2013
Dear Mama,
Thank you for the beautiful email and the birthday wishes. This has been a good week. We have had some wonderful people baptized this weekend. Two young guys, Alhaji and Ishmael. They are both so great. I have never seen someone so open to inspiration from the Holy Ghost as Alhaji. Everything we teach him he takes and ponders and has been receiving revelation upon revelation. He truly treasures up the Gospel. He was so happy on the day of his baptism and came out of the water with a big smile. A recent convert Lahai was able to perform their baptisms. Ishmael used to be a Muslim, but now has one of the strongest testimonies of Jesus Christ I have seen. For sometime it seemed too strong, because he couldn't believe that someone who did not believe in Christ could be resurrected. But he now fully understands more. After his confirmation he asked to make sure we continue to come and teach him everything so that he can know all he will ever need to know to endure to the end.
I can see that that is a harder task then people seem to think about, enduring to the end. Everyone in the family knew the truth and had felt the Spirit at some point I am sure. But how have they lost it. It seems people make the resolve to endure to the end. But when they have a small test they are not sure what to do. Sometimes I think the biggest test is not so much a physical or temporal trial. But seeing if people will still treasure those past confirmations and revelations enough to still follow through on them when the emotion with it is gone. I read that that is the true definition of character. To still follow through on something when the initial motivation or emotion is gone.I have had periods on my mission where I feel that I am not feeling enough. Even when I see the Lords hand. I know it is a personal perception thing. So this week I have been improving my senses to feel. More gratitude, sincerity and compassion. Almost on a daily basis recently I have had my prayers answered before my eyes. And I have been now trying to make sure I am fully grateful. I am trying to make sure I can show love and get it into my heart if it is not there at that moment. I can always due to the actions. It is simple to control actions. But how about emotions behind them. The motive behind them. So that is my own personal goal right now is to truly learn to bridle my passions that I may be filled with love.
I have been learning so much on my mission and I am sad I do not have too much time left. But luckily I think I still have enough time. I miss you guys. But it will probably be somewhat devastating for me to come home next June. The months are passing by like a dream.
I mentioned how on a daily basis I have been receiving answers to my prayers. One of them was through you. I had lost some of my subsistence money and ran out about a week early. I had also fasted just before I realized. So I thought holy smokes. How can I afford to pay this fast offering. Because I would literally have no other money having had no personal money or anything of the sort. I thought maybe I would have to mooch. But then I realized I wouldn't want to. So I said, well let me put myself into the Lords hands on this matter and test him. So I still payed my fast offerings and then, the next morning (last Monday) I see that you had sent me money through Western Union( which I retrieved and have). So Mama, you got to help answer my prayer and bless me. Thank you so much for it. It will last me for a long time.
Anyways I love you Mama,
Love your son,
Elder McDonald
Oct. 21, 2013
Dear Mama,
This week has been so nice. Thank you for sending the money. I am going to go get it right after this. It is more then I had even expected.
I hope Jared is having a wonderful birthday. Tell him Happy Birthday for me.
This week we had a wonderful baptismal service. We had a young man baptized and he is the most sincere and humble person. His name is Brother Abdulai. He is one of those people who will do anything to come closer to Heavenly Father. So many people came to the service. Over 60 people came to witness. There were some people baptized in the other branch as well.
The mission here is growing very quickly. 26 new missionaries arrived last week and so it is always very fun to see them.
Thank you for the advice on prayer. I have always admired your own ability in following the spirit and I want to make sure I do the same. I am so proud of Uncle Barry. Tell him that is so wonderful. Even this morning I was telling the other Elders on how proud I am to have had my Granddaddy give me my Patriarchal Blessing.
Sometimes it is not easy to follow the Spirit. I cannot believe how hard it is actually. But I suppose that the things the Lord requests of us are typically appear to be the hardest thing to do. But always compensated and most rewarding. I have been trying to improve my own positivity lately. I am beginning to recognize a pattern, I can see others following my own ways whether it be good or bad. I have had some times when I am tired and then it seems everyone becomes tired. But if I can stay lively and positive it seems almost all can. I have realized I need to try to be much more perfect, I cannot really afford to not be my best at all times anymore. But I can see that is going to take the Spirits influence at almost all times. I hope I can do it. But I know I can never force anything of that matter. So I am still learning to cultivate the atmosphere for it. Anyways, this coming week is going to be wonderful.
I love you mama,
Love your son,
Elder McDonald
Oct. 14, 2013
Dear Mama,
This has been a very nice week. We have been proselyting with our recent convert a lot lately. He is the most amazing guy and his testimony is so strong. He joins in on our examples and is so sincere.
This weekend Sister Alice and Sister Josephine were baptized and confirmed. They were so excited for their bapstism on Saturday they said they woke up at 5:00 am because they could not sleep because of excitement. It was so wonderful and they bore a good testimony at the baptismal service.
By the way Elder Gherkins and I were only companions for like 2 weeks about 3 months ago. Last transfer I was with Elder Animba and the past 6 weeks I have been with Elder Mosenthal. Elder Gherkins is the District Leader.
We had our transfer news a few days back and I am very happy to still be staying in Wellington. I have much more I have to do before I leave this place.
But I am honestly sad I do not have much time left on mission. I feel like I should not be half way yet. It has been so fun.
So I need to make sure I continue to do my most. Now that we are in another transfer we are making more goals for us and the zone.
For the package just send one of those thick envelope ones that are like 10 or 15 dollars. But I could use as much personal money as you can send as well as maybe some spiritually uplifting music. All that music you sent me before I never listen too. In fact I am not sure what happened to that card. But oh well, on the new one make sure you include The canadian tenors. And lots of Josh Groban stuff. I am not to big on choir stuff. I like a small amount of voices. But anyways I love you mama,
Love your son,
Elder McDonald
PS you will never be able to beat me up!
Oct. 7, 2013
Dear Mama,
This week has been so nice. I am sorry I do not have too much time to write today I have 2 minutes left so I will talk fast. Excuse messiness. This week my companion and I have been finding a lot of new people lately. But for some reason my love for the people is growing a lot at a fast rate. I love Sierra Leoneans. I do not really ever want to leave this place. Maybe I should just marry a Sierra Leonean woman. But I hope you are all doing well. I am excited and I love your advice on prayer. I am going to try it today.
Anyways I love you mama,
love your son,
Elder McDonald
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