5/18/2017

Transfers came this week and Elder Hatch and I are staying in Lebanon

for another 6 weeks together!! Putting in work for this city though!

This is Elder Hatch's 4th transfer here so he knows the streets here

like the back on his hand. Shout out to my boy Elder Reyes who is

going home this Thursday back to the valley of the Sun!!! Ciao Pescao

baby!

Lunes: Happy Mayo! Last PDAY we went to a members house out in

Gordonsville which was some of the most beautiful back country I've

ever seen in Tennessee! Vacas, trocas, y campo! We also went to a

massive dam they had as well. The area is in danger of flooding due to

a leak in it. They had a goat farm in their house and they fed us the

best chicken Parmesan in the league.

Martes: Servicio alllllll day! We were helping some of our members get

a house ready for real estate agents to come and take pictures of to

put up for sale. We did all the outdoor landscaping which including

unloading 10 Tons of soil and mud hahaha my back is done. Elder Porter

and I went on a mini split today too! We met a lady who used to be a

member who had a drastic concern about temple work and didn't belief

in it. After some following of spiritual prompting she opened up to us

and said she'd like for the Elders to come back and start teaching

her.

Wednesday: there's this guy. Hermano Salazar. He's a legend. He used

to be our Branch President but now he's in the English Ward! He

finally came out on a split with us tonight and gave us some of the

most golden advice on how we can get the members more involved in our

missionary work. Basically he got me so hyped up it brought me back to

my football days haha

Thursday: D-Meeting this week went super well. We always go a bit

overtime because we all have a super fun time. I try to create a

relaxed, fun atmosphere while also bringing the Spirit into our

trainings. Our District only has two baptismal dates for the month of

June. Since I got here those numbers have fluctuated but this place

has taken a complete turn around. The missionaries here are excited to

work and are obedient. The success will be given on God's time not

ours:). My training this week was about the first thing people really

notice about a person, or the first thing people notice about us when

we knock their doors or stop them in the streets. I emphasized that

people radiate off what they see in your eyes (windows of the soul).

We need to make sure when we talk to these people that we see them

with the same amount of potential and love that our Heavenly Father

does which can be demonstrated by having hope (optimism, enthusiasm,

confidence, and patient perseverance)! We had a super fun Pamphlet

role play as well. Also had exchanges with Elder Urry. We had the time

of our lives. Every time I go on an exchange it rains. They had the

perfect day set up too and everything fell through. Still a really fun

day haha:)

Friday: ¡Cinco de Mayo! You already know our branch had a rage hard

party haha. Best night ever. Hispanics are crazy when the music comes

on hahaha. Previously though, we were driving and I had the prompting

to go see and old Referral the Sisters gave us as we were driving by

and we ended up meeting Efrain Luna whom we talked to for like an hour

or so. Take away for the chat with him is that is that we should

always act on those first promptings we receive.

Saturday: first time playing basketball in weeks. I sucked haha sorry

Jake. We helped some English members for most of our day doing some

service for them. By the way Dad I've learned to love yard work out

here!! It was this dude named Chad's Bday. He lives the life I want to

live. He showed us a video called "The Wanderlust King". Shows him

traveling all over the world. That'll be the day. We had a BBQ at

their place. Their fire pit is a giant dug-up tree foundation. So

dope! Esther and Raul were up late so we hung out with them and shared

a brief message and ate pupusas. Viva la Vida.

Sunday: we got flaked on and no one came to church, but all good. We

took part in a record for me of 5 priesthood blessings! They are a lot

of women in the ward who haven't been feeling great and also my

companion and I were insisted to sit down and receive blessings so

that we could perform miracles. Hermano Alduenda who is probably the

funniest guy I know, took part in all this as well and gave us the

blessings to be able to perform our priesthood duties haha. Guapos!

Another transfer down and another one to make some improvements. Elder

Hatch and I have figured out our game plan and we ready to shoot for

the stars ✨!! I'm enjoying my time here in Lebanon. It's a chill place

with good people and good food. What more can I ask for. This week

I've learned a lot about humility and how in order to be able to apply

the "enabling power" of The Atonement of Jesus Christ we need to

humble ourselves and recognize that who God wants us to be in someone

different that who we want to be sometimes.

Scripture of the Week: Ether 12:27 (God is the author of our

weaknesses, not Lucifer)

Elder Macdonald