Kimber Mail 12-21-2015 "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas... but probs won't happen... Oh Well!"

   Who's excited for Christmas?!?! I sure am!! I wasn't quite sure what to think about last week and this week but I can already tell that this is one Christmas I will never forget. 

   Last Sunday, Sister Thorson and I decided to Fast for opportunities to teach people and be able to serve to our fullest - especially as Christmas break was beginning and all of these college kids are headed home. (Just so everyone understands- very basically, fasting is going without food and beverage, showing the Lord we need extra help) I tell you this because I noticed that this one little sacrifice to fast poured out a fountain of blessings. Here are some of the awesome opportunities that were given to fulfill our calling to be witnesses of the Savior Himself, even more so this week. We were able to:

   - teach a couple lessons this week! It makes my heart happy to be able to teach these people and build off the faith they already have in our Savior. To help people realize, truly realize, that Jesus Christ loves them and that there is a purpose to life is the best!:) I feel like I've made so many wonderful friendships with these dear people that we are able to discuss the saviors teachings with! 

   - meet a member of our church that hasn't been able to show up to activities and church in a while and get her some help from awesome members of our church with math and she was able to ace her test! I love that we are all one big family in the church:)

   - go several times caroling to different retirement homes and talk with the elderly people reminding them they are loved. It made me grin to see these elderly folk belt out the Christmas music with us. It really is the simple little things!

   - See a cute little boy be baptized and see his pure excitement as he committed to follow the savior! Plus president and sister Johnson were there -wooo! I love them so much it made my week to see them  

   - Stop and talk to so many people down town and share the A Savior Is Born video with them and with some even share the Book of Mormon. It made my week to share this book with several people because reading from it paired with the bible I have come to know my savior and know that he loves me so much. If you haven't had the chance to read from the Book of Mormon in a while or have never read from it please open it and let the light of Christ into your life even more so this Christmas season:) 

   Have a merry Christmas!! Love you all<3 

~Sister McDonald 

Ponderize: Alma 23:6 "many were converted unto the Lord, [and] never did fall away."

Quote:  His [Christs'] mission also included the beauty of His service, the miracles of His ministry, the relief He brought to the suffering, and the joy He offered--and still offers--to the mourning. (Be at Peace, Elder Christofferson) 

Kimber Mail 12-14-2015: "Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat! Ha,ha"

   This week there were lots of miracles and lots of smiles!! Way too many to just pick one. So I'll  summarize a highlight from each day:) 

   Tuesday (8th): institute with Brother Done was AMAZING! He asked us to ponder what the Savior means to us and write it down. To me the savior means happiness, light and life. He helps pick me up, dust me off and keep me going. He puts a smile on my face and a warmth in my heart knowing I am truly never alone. He is the best of friends and the greatest older brother ever!! He is a new start and a helping hand each and every day. Jesus is a dear, dear friend of mine. :)  I encourage you all to take the time to write down what Jesus Christ means to YOU! 

   Wednesday (9th): We had exchanges with our Sister Training Leaders (STLs) and I was with Sister Durfee (Bro. Done's niece! Ha,ha) she was so fun and we did a ton! We taught an awesome lesson with Merve about feeling the spirit and tied in Elder Bednar's patterns of the spirit (look them up - they are wonderful.) We spent several hours tracting apartment complexes as well as OYMing (open your mouth) on the street (basically just trying to talk to anyone and everyone one you see and share about Jesus, ha,ha). People..., that OYMing was hard!! BUT we did it and were able to have some awesome conversations with people of all sorts of religious backgrounds. It makes me so happy to share the message of Jesus Christ - all day every day!! 

   Thurs (10th): We had Christmas Zone Conference!! I loved it!! They showed us the mission Christmas video which was so fun to see people that I actually know. There was even a little video of me getting my picture taken when I first got here ha,ha,ha, sooo great.  ;)  Also some great messages were shared, here a few points I loved:

- Say "I love you" more and mean it! (President Price - Stake President)

- Make every day worth it, be joyful and "realize the calling isn't about me but is about Heavenly Father's children" ~ Elder Renlund (President Johnson) 

- Every time we follow in the steps of the Savior we replace doubt with truth and every time we take someone else figuratively by the hand and introduce them to Jesus Christ...we will feel his love for us! (Sister Johnson) 

   Friday (11th): After a rough day of 2 lessons cancelling we had the coolest dinner with the Banya family. They are from West Africa and have 2 little kids! Guys you know what that means....Sister McDonald was in Heaven!! :D Ha,ha,ha,! We tried legit African food and it was pretty good....Sister Banya started telling us what was inside and I was like no, no it's fine we can just be surprised...no spoiler alerts please! They had a friend that's not a member come over with her little boy and we got to all go around and share our favorite scriptures and the spirit was so strong! I love that the gospel is for EVERYONE, no matter where you're from or what kind of life you have, it is for you and me and all of us! 

   Saturday (12th): Happy 4 month click day to me! We taught a lesson, got to go see our branch mission leader's new baby, and had our dinner paid for by a sweet convert that's in our branch who gave his manager his card to pay for us when he saw us walk in! Plus I got ice cream so umm yeah it was a great day!

   Sunday (13th): So those of you that know me well know that I'm not a fan of singing. But being a missionary the Lord gives you LOTS of opportunities to do things you are not a "fan" of. We had our branch Christmas program. It was probably the coolest Christmas program I've ever seen and the spirit was SO strong!! A member of the bishopric did a reading of different talks and scriptures and in between each spot we had a musical number.  Since people were sick, the missionaries got to fill in and sing with the choir.  Wow it was a great experience and one I will never forget!! 

I love you all, have a wonderful week!  :) 

Love,

~Sister McDonald 

Ponderize:"they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." - Matt 1:23 

Quote: "We are to reach out to our fellowman in love to invite, persuade, serve, and rescue" ~ Elder Rasband (Sun morning session) 

Month #4 complete... #missionnotes

Month #4 complete!  Congrats Sis. McDonald on to month #5!

Kimber Mail 12-07-15: "Cue the Christmas Spirit!"

   Great big hello to everyone!! Hope your weeks have been dandy and that the start of the Christmas season has brought peace and happiness to your hearts and homes. I know for me as things have started picking up speed and the hustle and bustle have arrived, one thing is for certain: the Spirit of Christmas (especially Christ) can be felt everywhere I go. I think even more so than normal because so many hearts are being softened, by even the toughest of toughies!! :P

   Sunday was probably my favorite day this week just because of all the miracles I was able to witness. So I'll mention a few..

   - First, the lady we are teaching, Merve, was excited to come to church and fast for an answer to her prayers. She came wearing her nice skirt and the first words out of her mouth were "Sisters! I'm going to try to sing the hymns today!" And as I heard her sing and get gradually louder with each verse my heart couldn't help but overflow with gratitude. To see people on their journey of progression is the coolest thing and I have come to gain so much love for these people!! 

   - Second, as missionaries we got to be in charge of making sure the nativity displays that were set up at the main chapel ran smoothly. It was a fantastic display with nativities from all around the world! It touched my heart to see people ranging from older couples to young families come and take a few minutes to remember the true reason we celebrate the season 

   - Third, we were able to watch a Christmas music thing at the church which included different people from different religions in the hand-bell choir and the middle-school choir and many others. As the whole congregation was closing the evening singing Angels We Have Heard on High I couldn't help but look around and feel an overwhelming sense of happiness that this season brings us all together regardless of faith, background or wherever we may be in the world. We are all praising the Lord and our hearts are full of love for Him!

   - Fourth, the First Presidency Christmas devotional was AMAZING!!! I always love watching it because it always puts you in the right spirit of Christmas. If you haven't had a chance to watch it you should!! The messages of spreading peace and gratitude and coming to the one true source of "light" were much needed to me personally! 

   My challenge to you all is to take time to slow down this Christmas season and show your love for our Savior by pausing to help and serve those around you just as the Savior would. I will be trying extra hard to go out of my way to do this right along side with you! :)  I received this sweet Christmas card from a dear sister in the ward back home and she said something that has really stuck with me: "Experience is greater than knowledge because it is something you feel and not necessarily know."  I know that as we "experience" the true spirit of Christmas by turning outward in service to others we will be blessed to come closer to our Lord, Savior, Brother and Friend Jesus Christ.  May we make this season the happiest one yet!!  :)

Much Love, 

~Sister McDonald.

Ponderize: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" Luke 2:14 

Quote: "The healing and strengthening power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement is for all of us who will ask." (Elder Oaks, Saturday Afternoon)