Monday, December 16, 2024

Alex mail 12-16-2024: "Sacred Ground"

 

What's good, what's good everybody?? Hope you are all doing well and having an amazing Christmas season! It was a super great last week of the transfer, and we finally got some colder weather for a few days to make it feel more like Christmas time! All the Mexicans were acting like it was below zero when it was actually like 50 haha, but it was a nice change from the heat! Other fun facts from the week: met and taught a Messianic Jew, helped our ward Mission Leader propose in the ward Christmas party, did 3 exchanges in 5 days, heard a little bit of the Michael Buble Christmas album 😂, officially hit a year in Mexico, and most importantly helped our friend Miguel Angel get baptized on Sunday! He was so excited and happy to have a fresh start and was so willing to commit to Christ and his gospel, even dropping smoking immediately so that he could get baptized!

Sadly, we got transfer news today and I found out that my time in ‘la tierra prometida’ of Boulevard has come to an end 😭. Words cannot describe the amount of love I have for this area, this ward, and this people! I'm excited about what's coming next though, as I'm finally going to Aguascalientes! After a straight year in San Luis, I'll finally see how work in the other state is, haha! San Luis will always be my home but can't wait to see what miracles the Lord has in store!

Definitely one of the highlights from the week was getting to do exchanges in our area with ‘mi líder’ Elder Hunter!!  It was so fun to run it back just like the good old days and visit all of the people we had taught together. As we were walking down the street, he turned to me and said, "Elder, don't ever take these days and this area for granted.  This is sacred ground." And I could not agree more. I am so amazed and astounded by the countless miracles we've seen here over the last 4 and a half months! The amount of people that we've been able to meet who are just so ready to accept the gospel and make covenants with God, the amazing ward and lifelong friends and memories that I've made, and the hand of the lord directing his work. While it definitely is hard to leave and say goodbye to such an amazing place, I know that the Lord has a plan, and His work will go forward. Plus, a little bonus, Elder Hunter and I will be reunited in the same district in Aguas so stay tuned haha! 👀 

Finally, while on exchanges with Elder Canul in my hometown Popular, we saw one of the biggest witnesses to me of the power of the Book of Mormon. We were teaching a fairly older man who has been through it his entire life. He's partially disabled, living in lots of poverty, and the whole lesson just kept asking "where is God?" Out of desperation and frustration. Suddenly he reached out and grabbed the Book of Mormon out of Elder Canul's hand, opened it randomly, pointed to a couple verses and told us to read. The scripture he opened to was Alma 34:40-41 which reads, "40. And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions; that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them; 41 But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your affliction."  We both sat there a little stunned as we felt the Spirit testify to us of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, as it was the exact answer the man had been looking for. I testify that this truly is the Lord's church restored on the earth today, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and can answer any question we might have, and that this work in helping God's children come unto Him is the greatest work on the earth! I love y’all tons and hope you have a great week leading up to Christmas!!

Love, Elder McDonald

Word of the week: Posada (Christmas party) it's not just a fiesta, it's a posada haha

Invitation of the Month: WHO IS JESUS CHRIST?? How has the study of the life of the Savior been going? This week it really stood out to me just how personal and mindful Christ is of each and every one of us! Never doubt for a minute his perfect love and relentless pursuit for you personally!!

**Miguel Angel's baptism!**


**Mi Hunter// Eloisa!!// Christmas vibes**

** Paintin crew// Santa Gordo// Nike Christmas**

**Elder Suarez 🫡 // Elder Burke// Elder Ivie**

**The GOATS Mireya, Alfredo, Luyiana and Megan**

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