So yeah....Elder Stevenson, Elder Kunz and Elder Hallstrom all came to the mission this weekend. It was pretty much the greatest day ever! Saturday was a day I will never forget!
Let me give you a little sneak peak into what the conference was like:
We walked into the chapel and immediately I saw so many of the amazing friends I've made on my mission. I am overwhelmed with so much gratitude that the PPM really is a huge family, I have no clue what I'd do without all my mission homies. Poor sister Roper, haha I'm like having her meet everyone "hey this is Elder so and so or Sister so and so" - but it was fun!
Then we got all seated and PJ got special permission to show us all the Christmas initiative and it is SO GOOD. I think its my favorite one and you all better get pumped and use it up this year because it's going to work miracles! So keep an eye out for it at the end of the month:) Oh man I could just ramble for days about the whole day but so as not to bore you (more than I already have haha) I'll just share some highlights:
- Standing and reciting D&C 4 and our Purpose as a whole mission (180+) was POWERFUL. It really hit me how lucky and blessed I am to be serving right now alongside so many amazing servants of the Lord
- Laughing and yet being still and learning from these amazing men that I had witnessed to me over and over again, that they really are called of God.
- Feeling much needed overwhelming peace and love. In everything each of them said there was so much love it was...ahh I just don't even know how to describe it. It was as if they were talking just to me. I didn't want it to end. I know this is where I'm supposed to be right now.
- I loved the personal stories they shared it was awesome to see that they really do respect their calling but that they are hilarious at the same time. It was cool because Elder Stevenson grew up with President Johnson and shared some great stories!!
- It was so cool being able to shake Elder Stevenson's hand. As soon as he grabbed my hand I was filled with peace and love. All the stress and worries and struggles seemed to melt away for a moment and it was amazing!
- Something I loved most, that I learned from the conference came from both Elder Hallstrom and Elder Stevenson. I was reminded of the power and blessing it is to witness of Christ's name and that we need to be promising blessings just as Christ would if he were teaching the very people that we teach. I had a pretty cool experience with that this week- we were visiting a less active, Brother Himes, and he was telling us about his financial struggles and how he wanted to come to church but didn't have the gas or money to do so. I promised him, in the name of Jesus Christ, that if he would make the effort to come he would have the means provided for him until his next paycheck comes. Well Saturday night he texted us saying someone just came and bought his van, he had the money needed and he would be at church! And he came. Sitting in church on Sunday I looked around as we were singing the sacrament hymn. In front of us were a couple recent converts, next to us sat Bro. Himes, behind us sat a less active and her recent convert granddaughter. I started to tear up as I realized how selfish I've been the last couple of weeks thinking how rough this is and how I'm not doing anything. I realized once again- this isn't about me. This work is about bringing all of our family together and making it home. I am grateful for all the wonderful things I learned on Saturday and for the inspiration all 3 of them- Elder Kunz, Hallstrom, and Stevenson had when they spoke.
So as you can see it was a once in a life time amazing experience and really was just what I needed. I love serving and being able to be on the Lord's errand. I know I'm far from a great missionary but I know that I'm doing all I can do and doing what the Lord needs and that is enough. :)
Okay and here's some other sick highlights of the week:
- We taught the restoration to this awesome guy, Brother Miller, who referred himself on mormon.org. So you're probs like: "okay Sister Mcdonald you probably teach lots of restoration lessons why is this one special?" Well this one was a gem because 1) We brought a member that is trying to come back into being active in the church and the whole time she was grinning ear to ear and said afterwards 'wow! I felt so good the whole time!! I haven't felt the spirit that strong in a long time' and 2) Brother Miller is such a gem he had such great questions and really has that sincere desire to learn. It's not every day you see that so it was legit!
- We had an awesome lesson with our investigator Melissa and set her with a baptismal date in December. She loves the gospel and it's been cool to see the gospel change her and her families lives just in the few weeks we've been teaching them. This family needs all the prayers they can get so pray for the Hurleys!!
- Alsoooo I hit my 15 month mark. It's CRAZY! This is legit every person's like "wow...you're almost done!" Nope nope haha still in denial....now I've just resorted to saying "I've just been out a little over a year..." haha;) time is a flyin!
Welp! I think that's all for today folks! Thanks for the love and support. It means more than you know. Sorry I'm not the best at emailing or writing letters to you all individually but just know that I love you TONS and couldn't do this without all the love and support. Love you:)
💕Sister McDonald
Ponderize: "For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven" ~ 3 Nephi 12:12
Commitment: "Seek, study and ponder restored truths and ask 'can ye feel so now?'" And "let today be a day of gratitude " ~ Pres Uchtdorf
Charity Attribute: "seek not her own"
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