Well this has by far, been the weirdest
week... because there's been a constant thought running through my mind
"take it in it's not going to last much longer!" Which, in some ways was good because I was a
lot more reflective this week, just
taking everything in. But it's also been the greatest of weeks, here's why:
Blessings:
This week I got pretty sick one night and I
was like are ya kidding me?! Not now! I
don't got time for this! So I asked the
elders for a blessing the next day. Guys,
not only am I so grateful for wonderful friends that can give a blessing
whenever needed but I'm most grateful for the priesthood power- the power to
act in God's name. As Elder Heywood was
giving me a blessing I felt immense peace and comfort. At the end he mentioned to remember how much
Heavenly Father loves me and how many people I am leaving out here that love me
too. *Cue tears- they've been free
flowin' all week ha, ha* But it just really hit me that sometimes we just never
know just how many people we really are affecting around us.
You Never Know:
Probably my favorite day of the week was
Sunday. As I looked around I felt once
again overwhelming joy. I love
Pennsylvania. I have loved serving in Monongahela
and seeing so many people change so quickly in such a short time. Here's a few glimpses of the lives of people I
love so much:
I sat by Rebecca and the kids in Church and
Maddie and Greyson kept asking me if I could just stay at their house. I love kids😂 Rebecca was cracking me
up she's like "no crying on me yet! Jim and I are bringing the kids to Greentree
(transfers) so we can see you right before you go!" I LOVE THE CHABALIES 💗
Janice is still a spiritual stud and you
would never know she's just been baptized! She seems like she's been a member forever.
She walked up to me at church and said "This is the tough part about all
of this- letting you guys move on. Thank
you, Sister McDonald for teaching me and for your insights and for being
you." I love Janice she feels like
another grandma.
Sam: our Investigator we've been teaching
that just agreed to a baptism date, #miracle. He came to church on Sunday and after Sacrament,
we asked how it liked it and he said "I LOVE IT!" Ha, ha, well in Sunday-School he raised his
hand as we were talking about prophets and kinda rambled about how much he
appreciates me and Sister Jackson helping make all these topics clearer for him
and for leading him to the true church. He's
the sweetest fella!
Sister Johnson and Mal! So these are two
ladies I was just my crazy self around and they both walked up to me crying and
saying how grateful they were that I served here and that they loved that I was
really myself. It touched my
heart!
Sister Jackson: I've really come to love
this girl. If you guys knew what she's
been through... wow she is really so strong! I'm grateful she's been so patient and loving
this whole transfer and especially this last week #CryBuddies. It's never easy to send your 'mom' home so
this girl is a champ. But she has taught
me so much and I know that she will continue to work miracles here! J
Some other people that have had a HUGE
impact on me, it is obviously all the comps I've had. Right before my mission I remember having a breakdown
and freaking out about getting bad comps and my wise dad said something to the
extent of “there's nothing that says
you'll get a bad comp, just have faith!” I am SO grateful all of my comps have
been amazing. I could ramble for hours
about each one but here's just a few things I learned from each one:
COMPS: Shout
Out to these winners🎉
Campbell: naps
are exercise 😜,
testify as much as possible, be yourself, listen.
Hansen: never
be afraid to testify, be exactly obedient, laugh, love unconditionally.
Thorson: pray
for challenges- ha, ha, or not! talk it out, don't be afraid to be sassy, have
faith and rely on Lord.
Chuah: never hesitate
to remind people they are loved, hug lots, be optimistic.
Roberts: LOVE,
work hard and do it now, be confident, testify always, laughing and crying are
a must.
Taunima:
testify to the max, good prayers, service and turning outward brings true
happiness, llama pal.
Jacobson: be
energetic about the gospel, notice good in every day, be a real friend.
Roper: always
strive to improve, take time to breathe, be brave and strong and talk.
Jackson:
fearlessly defend your witness, complete faith in the Lord, push through
trials, laugh and love like there's no tomorrow.
Leavitt:
patience, There's a scripture for everything, be yourself.
Testimony:
So I'm going to share my last testimony as
full time Sister McDonald with yinz kinda differently. I made a little video so
enjoy. ;)
The Hardest Thing I've Ever
Loved To Do:
So yes, I chose the well-known Nashville
Tribute Band song as my title because it sums up so well what this experience
has been for me. I wanna share like the last verse of the song with ya:
"The
hardest thing I've ever loved to do was getting on this plane and coming home
to you. In a million ways completely torn apart as a land so far away still
owns my heart.
In the
most sincere prayer I've ever prayed- I thank my God for each and every day.
For the blessing of the (woman) I've come to be as I walk up and kiss my mommas
cheek…"
I am in awe and amazement that
God is so good. He knows perfectly where I needed to be. He knew I needed to
serve with President and Sister Johnson to grow to my fullest. He knew I needed to be with each one of my
companions at that specific time. It
blows my mind how perfect his timing is. This experience has made me fall to my
knees in tears pleading for help more times that I would've ever imagined. There have been times when I've been ready to
pack my bags and leave, but I've realized the good always, always, ALWAYS
outweighs the bad. There have been beautiful moments where I want to pull
an Ammon and serve for another 14 years. I remember coming out here and hearing
missionaries talk about how their best friends and family were the other
missionaries around them. I remember
thinking ‘you guys are a bunch of weirdos!’ Ha, ha, ha, ha, but it's true. This mission has been the hardest thing I've
truly come to love to do and it breaks my heart to have to see it come to a
close. I know the work continues even at
home. I want to share this awesome poem
Sister Roper shared with me when I was with her. It's called the Plane Ride:
As I
stare out the window, the tears still in my eyes.
I see
friends, family, and those I love as we've said our last goodbyes.
The ride
was long and trying as two questions plagued my mind
'Do I
want the life that's up ahead or the one I left behind?'
Two
years is such a long, long time for going door to door,
In my
reflecting I thought to myself there really must be more.
I
dragged myself down off the plane and stared smiling at the beach,
When a
man turned me the other way and said 'sister, go find and teach.'
I sit
reflecting once again as this day is my last,
Please,
Lord, this isn't fair. The time goes way too fast.
And I
stare out the window the tears still in my eyes,
I see
Elders, Sisters, and those I love as we've said our last goodbyes.
The ride
was long and trying as two questions plagued my mind
'Do I
want the life that's up ahead or the one I left behind?'
So let’s all keep striving for
perfection along with the perfect one by our side leading us if we will allow Him.
I know coming to Him brings fullness of
joy. I love Him. I love the PPM and I love you for taking the
time to pray for me, write me, and for having played a part in the last 18
months of my life. I love you all! See
yinz soon J
Signing off for the last
time-
💗Sister McDonald
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