Dear Family and Friends
Some phone calls last week reminded me that I haven't sent a mission update to anyone for a long time. My apologies. Our excuse is that we are having such a great time on our mission that we don't want to take time out to record the experiences. I know that sounds lame but its all we've got.
So here is an update:
Rather than recount a history of the last ?? months, it might be more interesting to give you a rundown of what we did yesterday.
It was the Sabbath which is usually a busy day for us. We have complete control over what we do most days and decide where we can be most effective in the Lord's work. We don't have much contact with the Mission President so rely on the Spirit to guide us.
Yesterday was a really wonderful day. Working in three different mission districts and helping missionaries and members in each filled up our day. Since we were transferred last January (to the San Jose State University Institute of Religion), the majority of our free time is spent fellowshipping the young adults. We got to see many of them today:
7:00 shower, dress, breakfast,
8:00 study - I'm on D&C 76 preparing for an Institute lesson. Jill is on D&C 25 in the Seminary program.
9:30 attend Sacrament Meeting in Fremont where one of our young adults - Kate - is giving her missionary farewell talk. Kate attended our Mission Prep class last summer and we have become very attached. She will go into the MTC on Wednesday and then head for the Florida Jacksonville Mission. It was a teary moment to say goodbye (for now).
11:30 attend Sacrament Meeting at the Las Colinas Spanish Branch where one of our young adults - Jenifer - was being confirmed and received the Holy Ghost. I got to stand in the circle. She had also asked me to baptize her so that happened last Sunday. Doing it in Spanish took some preparation but it was a great joy to see her giant smile and get a hug when she came out of the waters of baptism. She gave a very powerful testimony in today's meeting. I was so proud and was really moved by her spirit and desire to be close to the Lord. We are very attached to her and will cry when we go home. Jenifer is from Honduras and living in San Jose with her family.
1:00 head to the Institute in San Jose. For companionship study, Jill reads Book of Mormon out loud to me while I drive. Since we spend a lot of time commuting, this helps us keep the spirit during the day.
1:30 attend Sunday School and Priesthood meetings at the Washington Square YSA Branch. There are some very wonderful YSA's that we are fellowshipping and they miss us when we don't attend. We hang around after for a long time to chat with any YSA members that want to talk.
3:00 Attend a baptism at the Los Colinas building. Luis was baptized and confirmed today. And then he proposed to his girlfriend who is already LDS - she said yes. Wow - how romantic! And what a miracle in his life. Baptized, confirmed and engaged the same day!!!
4:30 head home for a quick dinner of leftovers from Wednesday night's Institute activity. Pull out our homemade cookies from the freezer to give to an investigator family
5:30 Visit the Appa Dadi family - investigators we are fellowshipping. Appa invited us over because its Jetin's birthday. Jill gave a short lesson on seeking the Lord's guidance and she told the story of the brother of Jared. We have been teaching and fellowshipping this family for a while and still have some hope at least one will get baptized soon.
6:30 Attend an open house where we can talk to many ward members from the Central Park Ward. We also "talked" to a few deaf members. I really miss practicing my ASL and its nice to visit with the members of the deaf branch.
8:00 - home to do some family history and scripture study. We could have driven down to the Institute for games with the YSA but we were too tired.
The day was full and though we were tired at the end, the Spirit gave us the energy to do more than we could have done on our own. I'm not kidding - it truly carried us through the day. Jill gave a fabulous lesson at the Dadi home even though she was tired. Our life is a confirmation that the Spirit strengthens people in order to do the Lord's work.
Most of our days are fully booked in advance, and when there is an opening, opportunities to serve are everywhere. Sometimes we take an afternoon nap to recover. And some days are slower than Sundays. Monday is P-Day and we cherish it but many times, an opportunity to fellowship comes up. So we take it. Or if we can do some service, we try to do that as well. We also like to serve the young missionaries by providing rides to the Temple Visitor's Center or having them to dinner. Doing the Lord's work is way more fulfilling than cleaning the apartment.
Before January, we were teaching and fellowshipping many investigators. We haven't done that as much since being transferred. Doing that in our old district was challenging, uplifting and extremely rewarding. We have been a small part of some wonderful and miraculous conversions. Being somebody's "missionary" is a sweet experience and brings us great joy. I'm trying to say that without sounding proud - because its truly humbling to watch the Spirit work in people. It makes one realize how little they are moved by what we do and how much they remember of the Spirit. We happen to be useful instruments to the Lord right now because we are here and willing. But we would be useless on our own.
We have seen the Lord's hand in the lives of those who accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He guided them. You couldn't make this stuff up. Sometimes, there's no other explanation than that the Lord is directing this work.
Its also humbling for me to see how much the investigators love Jill and her sweet acceptance of them. I can teach gospel principles pretty well but its Jill they want to come back for visits. They love her and I get the spillover. One funny experience that humbled me was when Hector (a young adult from Honduras) was planning for his own baptism. He asked Jill if she would come to his baptism - then as an afterthought he pointed to me and said "He can come too". She is the true missionary in our companionship.
We have also been profoundly blessed to have taught people from many different countries. Though we do it in English, this is very much like a foreign mission (only we can eat American food). We have now taught, fellowshipped and baptized people from India, Puerto Rico, Nigeria, Philippines, Japan, Honduras, Mexico. I am reminded of the prophesy of Abinidi in Mosiah 15:28; "And now I say unto you that the time shall come that the salvation of the Lord shall be declared to every nation, kindred, tongue and people." We can witness that that prophecy is being fulfilled - even if just a little - in San Jose.
And, we have made friends that we expect to have forever. Many have promised to come visit us in Salt Lake when they can. Even my Nigerian friend plans to stay with us for next October Conference.
The Fremont Zone continues to do well but we still support and feed the missionaries whenever possible. We had the Chinese speaking Elders over to dinner on Friday . We also attend one of the Fremont wards and their baptisms whenever there is an important event.
However, our role changed in January. Most of our time now is consumed in teaching classes, preparing the meal for Wednesday activity, and fellowshipping. The thought struck me today that we are fellowshipping on steroids. But the Lord has witnessed to us that this is our calling for now and He will sustain us.
Now a thought for my siblings: Since some of you have considered serving a senior mission, my advice is to just do it - or at least research the options. Our schedule is very busy because we want it that way. Senior Missionaries have a lot of control over their level and intensity of work. They can take breaks or cut back the visits. One senior Elder in San Jose has Parkinsons and has a less physically demanding job. But he is still enjoying the work. Many don't do as much as we do. But its really true that the Lord gives people greater energy when they have a desire to do his work. We are a living example of D&C 84:33. We determined before we left, that we wanted to be fully engaged in His work and not waste any time while on this mission. That decision has truly blessed us. Its also blessed our children and grandchildren.
So if you have thoughts about serving a mission please read D&C 4:3. There is a great need for Senior Missionaries and so many ways you can bless the lives of others. It will be an experience you will cherish. I am also reminded of President Kimball - who was the Prophet of my own conversion. I remember that he literally wore himself out in the service of the Lord - and he counseled everyone in the church to "lengthen your stride".
I would like you to know that I have a testimony that Jesus Christ lives and loves us. That the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God’s true church on earth and contains the fullness of His gospel. I know that Jesus Christ is the author of our salvation and our Mediator with the Father. It is upon Him that we must rely to free us from our sins and weaknesses. It is upon His Atoning Sacrifice that we must depend to cleanse our souls, to make us pure. I am eternally grateful that He paid the debt that we cannot pay ourselves. I express my profound gratitude to God for introducing the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ to a prophet in these last days so that we could know Him and do His work. The Savior lives; He has spoken; He directs the work of His Church through apostles and prophets today. What wonderful truths He has taught as the Good Shepherd who continues to look after His sheep. I am also grateful for the additional witness of the Book of Mormon to give us a more complete knowledge of our Savior and his gospel. It is upon Jesus Christ, that I place my trust, my faith and my hope. I am grateful for His everlasting love, His mighty power to save and that His arm is stretched forth all the day long to strengthen me. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
We love you all and pray for you.
Elder and Sister McDonald
