Alex mail 12-25-2023: "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!"

 

Merry Christmas everyoneeeee!! I hope you guys have all had a super fun day! Our day was really fun here even though it was a little different than Christmas in the past haha. I Got to talk with my family for a while this morning which was awesome! Loved seeing them open presents and be able to celebrate with them, super grateful for that blessing! This afternoon we went to downtown San Luis Potosi and it was super cool! Awesome to see some of the old Cathedrals and buildings and there were some awesome Christmas decorations! Also got to play some soccer with the district which was fun! Overall it was a really great Christmas and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve as a witness of Christ during this time of the year, He truly is the reason we celebrate and why we can feel so much joy during this time and always!

This week has been really solid! Each day is a little better than the last when it comes to adjusting to Mexico and I'm so grateful for the many miracles and blessings I've seen from the Lord! I truly know this is His work and that he is walking beside me every step of the way! Also shoutout to my comp Elder Sanchez he's been a huge help, super patient, and an awesome teacher to me I'm really grateful for his love and support! I also forgot to mention last week that he's a crazy good singer he even produced some songs and music before the mission! Dude is a tank haha he's awesome.

We weren't able to have a ton of lessons with our friends this week because a lot of people have been gone or busy because of Christmas but we were able to meet a lot of really cool people while walking to and from our area each day! We also had one really cool lesson with our friend Juan. He and his girlfriend want to get baptized but they're not married so we worked to help explain why marriage is necessary and the blessings that will come from it so hopefully they will receive that witness for themselves!

I got to go on exchanges one day with one of our ZL's, Elder North from Utah and this dude is legit! Super hard worker while still having fun and it was really good to just get his advice about a lot of things and hear from someone who's been exactly where I'm at! We had some cool lessons in their area and some money member food, super blessed!

Speaking of food I've loved it so far! The members here are so awesome to feed us every day and they don't disappoint its been really good! It's also so funny to me how famous Idaho is for its potatoes, actually like half the people I meet when I tell them I'm from Idaho, they bring up the potatoes 😂  Always makes me smile! haha.

We had zone conference this week! We do it a little different in this mission from DC instead of each individual zone having their own like we did there, each State is combined. So all 3 zones that are in San Luis were combined for this one but the zones are a lot smaller here so it felt pretty similar in size! We had some amazing trainings on how we can keep momentum rolling into the new year and some super powerful thoughts on Christmas from President and Hermana Webb! They are so awesome and I'm super excited to get to know them more and keep learning from them! Had some money food, and then did a Christmas concert with each Zone doing a few songs! Super fun first conference here and I'm really excited for what's to come this next year!

We had our ward Christmas party this week too which was awesome! Got to do my first piñata here in Mexico (which are a huge thing for holidays) and it was crazy fun! Super good to get to know the ward more and share some good laughs!

Christmas Eve yesterday was so much fun! I honestly feel like people celebrate more on Christmas eve here than on actual Christmas day which is different but cool! For church we were combined with 2 other wards for sacrament and had a really good meeting! After we had lunch and played games with an awesome family in our ward, and then directly after had a dinner with a different family in the ward! We ate a ton yesterday haha but it was so much fun! These families definitely know how to party we played some fun games, did some more piñatas, and sung a song in a Christmas program. Super grateful for these families who welcomed us in and showed us so much love during this past week! These people are truly amazing and so grateful for their kindness, love, and generosity!

While it's definitely been a little weird and tough at times being so far away from home during this Christmas season, I've really been able to strengthen my relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ and really ponder and reflect on why we celebrate him each year! I'm so grateful for his atoning sacrifice for every single one of us and to know that because of him, we can overcome any trial, heartache, pain, sorrow, or sadness and truly find ever lasting joy! I know he loves each one of us so much more than we can imagine and I invite you all to continue to make him the center of your lives always, not just during Christmas! Love you all and hope you had a wonderful Christmas! Hasta luego!

Love, Elder McDonald

Word of the Week: Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) I feel like a lot of people know the word Navidad for Christmas but one I didn't know before the mission was Nochebuena! Kinda cool especially since it's such a big celebration here!

Invitation of the Month: LIGHT THE WORLD! Just because Christmas is past doesn't mean the world no longer needs your and the Saviors light! Lets finish the Month strong and keep blessing and lighting the lives of those around us! We got this!

**Professional Pinata destroyer / Christmas Eve Family Dinners**

**Game Time / Zone Conference**

**Ward Fiesta / Mission Fam @ Zone conference / Sanches GOAT**

**San Luis Potos!**  

**Pinata Arbol**

Alex mail 12-18-2023: "MÉXICOOOOO"

 

Hola holaaaaaa!! Hope everyone has had a great week! Mine has been crazyyyy but super good! I made it to Mexico! Everything is way different here but I'm super excited and like it so far! Here's some of the highlights from my last few days in DC and my first few days here in Mexico!

We learned how to make papusas with a hermana in our ward on Tuesday! I don't really know how to describe em haha but they're like tortillas stuffed with beans, cheese, and meat and then grilled and they're so good! Basically a pro chef now what can I say haha

Guys I dunked for the first time on Wednesday! On a 10 foot rim and with a full size basketball 😏and not even joking it was on my last attempt the day before I left DC haha. Also shoutout to Elder Ingles for tossing me the dime of the century! And don't even worry we got video proof check it out below 😂  Also on Wednesday had a super awesome last district council, said goodbye to the district, and then got Chick fil a one last time with my dawg Elder Ingles

Thursday we got up at 3 am to head to the DC airport to catch my flight at 6am. I flew to Houston and then to Aguascalientes! Also for some reason flew first class so that was hype I'll take it haha. When I got to Mexico and got through customs the AP's and a senior missionary couple met me and we drove to the mission home! There we had some good food and I got to see some of my boys from the MTC district, including Elder Horoba my MTC comp! That night they split us up with elders in Aguascalientes around the mission home and we went into their area and stayed the night with them. I was with Elder Hunter in a super poor part of Aguas but it was so much fun! Super humbling and powerful to visit with people who have literally nothing but regardless are still so full of light! Also had a bombbbb Quesadilla so far the food does not disappoint!

The next morning we took a taxi to the Aguas stake center and had a big meeting with all the new missionaries in the mission and some of the trainers. It's super interesting to see what things are similar to DC and what things are completely different. I'm really grateful for the time I had in DC to adjust to missionary life and hopefully I can take what I learned there and now apply it in Spanish! At the end of the meeting we found out which area we were going to and who our comp would be. I'm with Elder Sánchez, a native from Mexico, and we're in the state of San Luis Potosi in an area called industrias! Our mission covers basically 3 states in Mexico so after that meeting me and all the elders heading to San Luis hopped on a 3 hour bus ride there! When we got there that night, met Elder Sánchez and dude is a legend! He actually speaks really good English just from learning on the mission so if I have questions we're still able to communicate but it'll be really nice to have a native Spanish speaker to learn from! Our area is definitely one of the wealthier and nicer parts of Mexico which is nice! Definitely a blessing to still live in a pretty nice place while adjusting to Mexico!

Saturday and Sunday were both pretty similar, studies in the morning and then we have to walk about an hour into the part of our area where most of our friends and members live. We usually walk everywhere but sometimes take busses or taxis. Luckily the weather isn't too hot right now haha. Here they basically do 1 big meal each day in the afternoon at like 2 or 3 and each day we get fed by members which is a huge blessing! It's also super nice that everything is crazy cheap so if we ever need more food it's not too big of a deal!

Gave my first talk in Spanish on Sunday 😂  luckily I had like one days notice so I could prepare a bit but I think it went alright haha. Our church starts 4pm here which is wack but our ward is fairly good sized and it was super good to meet a lot of members!

While it's definitely been a wild first few days here in Mexico and sometimes pretty stressful and overwhelming, I'm so grateful for the blessings the Lord has given me and the many miracles I've seen! One of the biggest lessons I think I've learned so far on my mission is how to truly have sincere prayers with my Heavenly Father and it has helped strengthen our relationship so much! Even though it might be pretty crazy these next few weeks I know that my Savior will be right beside me through it all and he will help me accomplish his work! I'm going to really try to focus on the blessings and miracles around me this week and I invite you to do the same! Love you all have a wonderful week and have an amazing Christmasssss!!

Love, Elder McDonald

Word of the Week: Chido (awesome/that's dope) one of the first slang words I learned here haha it's just another way to say "that's awesome" or basically how we say "that's dope" in the US

Invitation of the Month: LIGHT THE WORLD! One more week until Christmas! Who can you share your and Christ's light with this week to give someone a super memorable Christmas? You guys got this!

**My Boy & Chick-Fil-A / Making Papusas/  DUNKINGGGGG!!**

**Adios DC / Hola Mexico**

**Beautiful Mexico/ Auguascalientes Cathedral / dope mural**

**Elder Horoba / Nuestra Casa / Nuesta Capilla / COMIDA!** 

**DUNKINGGGGGG VIDEO**

Alex mail 12-11-2023:"The Grinch🎄🎁"

 

Holaaaaaaa!! How was everyone's week? Hope you all are doing well and having a super fun Christmas season! This week was probably my busiest week on the mission we were packed with things to do every day but it was also so much fun! Tons of highlights this week and memories that I'll remember forever!

Before I get into the highlights though I leave for Mexico this week! I fly out super early Thursday morning and am definitely nervous but super excited! It'll be sad leaving here I have loved my time and the people here in DC but I know I'll love it in Mexico as well and that the Lord needs me there! I am so grateful for the time he allowed me to serve here and I'm forever grateful for the people I met, they truly changed my life!

I got to give our doctrine lesson in district council this week on virtue and obedience and I highly recommend studying these two topics this next week! I learned a ton about the power they bring into our lives and how they go hand in hand. We also had a big family breakfast as a district before district council which was so fun! except for when our car got egged by Hermana Acosta, scared her one too many times hahaha

Had two really awesome dinners with some of my favorite people I've met on the mission! Nelda, Graciela, and Issey are a single mom and 2 little girls that are just the sweetest! I've talked about them before and how they'll always feed us even though they don't have much themselves but I'm so grateful to have gotten to know them! We also did a pizza party with Eddy and Erling, 2 crazy but awesome little kids haha. Super grateful for all these amazing people that have blessed my life.

We got to go see the festival of lights at the visitor center with one of our recent converts in the ward named Edgar! He's 15 and such a legend, super fun to hang out with him and it reminded me a ton of my cousins Nathan and Sam, love you boys!

Now here's where the subject of this email comes in 😏  so for our ward Christmas party they had us do a skit with the sister missionaries in our ward and it was the grinch. Let's just say we brought the house down, comedy goldddd haha. We got an $80 grinch costume for Elder Ingles and then returned it the next day for a full refund you already know 😂  but let's just say the skit featured a phenomenal chase scene between me and Elder Ingles, me breaking his ankles, Hermana Acosta (she's from Mexico) telling Ingles she was going off script and he just needed to react in Spanish, and some other gems. It was a super fun party and definitely something I'll always remember!

Also got to sing in our Missionary Choir in Downtown DC this week! We did a 30 minute Christmas program and a ton of people came which was really cool! Super fun to sing about our Savior Jesus Christ and help spread his light with others.

While it's definitely sad saying goodbye this week I'm super grateful for all the memories I've made these past 2 transfers! I can't believe I've already completed 4 months of my mission! I know Mexico will be amazing and can't wait for the memories to come! Nos vemos en Mexico!!

Love you all, Elder McDonald

Word of the Week: Ojalá (I hope God allows it) this one is super cool! I've heard it a couple times saying goodbye to people and they say that hopefully we will see each other again if God allows it! It's super sweet and shows people's love and trust in God!

Invitation of the Month: LIGHT THE WORLD! How's everyone doing so far this month? Remember it doesn't have to be service in big huge ways, sharing the light of Christ can be done in little ways, but these are often the most powerful! Let's do it this week!

*Scaring Acosta AGAIN / Dinner with Hermana Perez / District Breakfast*

*DC Choir*

*Edgar the GOAT*

*Pizza Party / Canessssss*

*The Grinch Cast*

*Yeah, I'm a Pro Photographer*

*Visitor Center con amigos / Saying goodbye to best family ever!*

#missionnotes #5

 

Alex mail 12-4-23: "Festival of Lights🎄"

 

Happy December everyoneeeee! Ya'll excited for Christmas?? This is my favorite time of year so I'm super excited! Super grateful for the time each year to celebrate and remember our Savior Jesus Christ! This week was crazy busy and super fun but here are some of the main highlights!

We had my last new missionary training mission wide meeting this week, crazy I'm almost done with 3 months in the field! Got to share my "farewell testimony" since it was my last meeting with a lot of the people in the mission. It'll be sad to leave here I've loved it! The people, the area, all of it! I know God needed me here and has a plan for all of us! I also know Mexico is where I am needed now and so excited to get there!

We got to go to Cheesecake Factory this week because of a member and it was soooo good! Definitely the best food I've had on the mission and while it's definitely not the norm, it was such a blessing haha.

We got to help out with the kickoff for Festival of Lights this week! Elder Renlund was here to start it off and I didn't get to talk to him but I did get to see him! And his like 8 bodyguards hahaha. We got to help set everything up for their ambassador night and then we helped with parking. It was pretty cold but super fun with a bunch of elders and lightsabers 😂 . Also super cool to see like representatives from 50ish countries! The lights were beautiful definitely not as many as temple Square but still really cool!

We got Chick-fil-A again this week with Hermano Garcia, the goat!! Gonna miss my Chick-fil-a in Mexico, gotta enjoy it while I can haha.

I became an AP for the day 😎 . Just kidding not really we just did exchanges with them one day and so Elder Kenison and I got to go with Elder Awit in their area! Super awesome Elder this guy is 25, from the Philippines, served in the military for 5 years before the mission, but loves the work! I learned a ton from him about diligent and hard work but also having fun while doing it! We also went to the Amish market in their area which was hype 😁  they have some moneyyyy ham and cheese pretzel rolls things too, highly recommend!

Had a lot of really good lessons this week! Our friend Allison is progressing really well! She's the 11 year old daughter of a part member family but loves learning about the gospel and coming to church! She's really close to getting baptized and just wants to pray about it to make sure it's the right decision for her, she's so legit!

We had a ton of people come to church this week! We had 5 friends and 9 new members or returning less-active members come, so 14 total! So cool to see people show that faith and choose to come to church to grow closer to God! I'm so grateful for church and the opportunity to strengthen our faith with others each week, don't take it for granted!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week this week and a great Christmas season! If you didn't have the chance to watch the first presidency Christmas devotional I invite you all to do so! It's a great message of hope and joy from our prophet and other church leaders! Jesus Christ is our only source of true joy and lasting happiness and he is the reason for this time of year! Love you all tons, have a great week!

Love, Elder McDonald

Word of the Week: Helado (ice cream) No real reason for this one haha but just a fun word!

Invitation of the Month: LIGHT THE WORLD! Stole this one from the church haha but it's my favorite! Do something each day to share the light of Christ and spread joy!

*Festival of Lights*

*President and Sister Clarke*

*Scaring Acosta / Cheesecake Factory*

*Elder Ingles every night right after 9pm*