On Mon, Nov 10, 2014 at 11:09 AM,
 Alex Macdonald <alex.macdonald@myldsmail.net> wrote:

hola padre! como estas?? its a great week for me if i dont have the runs that week! hahahahaa... wow off to cali again! jealous,,, very jealous! good to hear that you are staying busying in the job! means that things are going good there.  bummer for doobs that this football team couldn't pull it out.  i really believe that they had the team but once again, crappy coaching, which leads to discouragement which leads to losses.  same way in the mission.  thank goodness we have a mission president who is just ready.  he has taught us so much doctrine it is crazy.  cant wait to talk about doctrine and about all the things you know dad.  but wow, what a cool experience about how Kyle didn't get injured after the blessing... yesterday my convert carlos recieved the sacerdocio mayor! i gave it to him... it was alot to say in Spanish and i had a little struggle saying the sentence but i did it. i didn't even know that he wanted me to do it until right there on the spot so imagine it, i wasn't really prepared and it was the first time in my life giving the sacerdocio mayor to someone else.  still remember when you gave me the priesthood like it was yesterday. i am curious where does the line of the priesthood go in our family... to grandpa macdonald, to who next? and how was the conversion of our family? and GOOOOOO ASU AND CARDS! sounds like we are kicking butt in football... how are we doing in basketball? 

the trio is alright... its quite hard and i don't know why but i have a comp that has 10 months in the mish and is more trunky that mish that are finishing their missions.  i mean he is a great kid but i just don't think that he has really found his purpose here in the mission or what i am still confused.  my other companion who has 17 months is as well a follower... as you know i am the leader and i have really learned why.  its been a great experience for me to gain alot of confidence in my self and my abilities along with the spirit.  at times and still is hard to hear the still small voice but its been something that i have been really trying to work on... being quick to observe and to see what the lord is telling me.  it was an attribute that Mormon had as a kid... and i am sure all the prophets of old had... in that they were kick to observe and obey.  that is what i have been working and praying for.  i know that if i master this ability, i will be able to make alot of connections with people and help them come unto Christ here and after the mission and most important, with my future kids.  transfers are next Monday...i will know next Monday... if i go, i will not see the baptism of the family of 4 that i am teaching ;( and of the young man of 29 years old.. their dates for baptism is the 22 of Nov.  that following Saturday... if they change me, i going to ask for permission to see if i can go but that is if they change me and i hope they give me one more change here and that one of my companions go.  the family that we are teaching are awesome! they are loving the gospel and coming to church... came for the 2 week in a row! super excited... we have a family home evening with a recent convert family to help the family that we are teaching to help push them for baptism and make them feel ready.  this week we went to the beach again and we checked out the caverns of Ventanilla... as we were walking down the beach several crazy things happen... one, there was like 10 dead sea lions... one of them i stood on and pretended to surf it.  picture included.  the other one was, as we were walking we heard like a quad or motocyle coming up from behind us.  elder crouch was the last man behind so he turned first, he started yelling and that is when we are turned back and a helicopter flew like 10 feet over our heads... it was crazy! we were like deer in the headlights as this army helicopter flew over us.  it was like a movie! hahaha... after that we had fun exploring threw caves and having a good time! cool moment of the week was stake conference... we had elder Costa from the 70 de Argentina come and preside over the meeting.  he gave a great talk about se puede... which means you can do it.  we also had the president of the lima temple there as well. a great talk and i learned that i need to memorize and study the scriptures more because this man didn't look at his scriptures once but was just throwing out scriptures like it was no bid deal.  and at the end, my convert got the priesthood and is preparing with his wife to get their family to the temple... happy of the influence we have made in their lives.  and thanks dad! i have really tried to grow up and get my mind more in line with the lord and his will and do what he asks.  its interesting, the lord will always ask for what we love most.  but yeah, i know i have changed i hope to continue changing to become more of the man that god wants me to be and the type of father he needs me to be to this spirit children that he has created for me.  anyways, glad to hear that it was a better week for the Keithster.. it was a good one for me as well.! love you with all my heart dad! thanks for everything that you do for me! 

love your son

elder macdonald 

On Sun, Nov 9, 2014 at 10:01 PM, Keith Macdonald <kekelolli5@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear Alex;

How's it going Elder Mac?  I felt really bad for you that you have the runs all the time.  What a bummer!  I guess I can survive having them for a week.  Well, Mom, Jake, and Josh are all in Carlsbad.  Mom took them over because there is no school on Tuesday.  It is veterans day on Tuesday.  I have a very busy day on both Monday and Tuesday so I stayed here to work.  I sure miss going to the beach.  I'm sure you know how I feel.  Kyle and I have been keeping busy.  Kyle had his playoff game on Friday night against Chandler (#2 in state).  We are ranked 15th and we got our butts kicked .  Kyle had a pretty good game but the score was 54-14.  So, his high school football career is over.  I gave him a blessing at the beginning of the season that he would not sustain any major injuries.  I tried to remain confident in that blessing and have faith in the power of the priesthood throughout the season.  I am so grateful to the Lord for granting this blessing.  Kyle did not suffer any major injuries and had a good experience.  I think he is glad the season is over.  He has been moving in a much more positive direction lately and it seems like he's getting his crap together. 

We went to the ASU game against Notre Dame.  ASU is ranked #9 and Notre Dame was ranked #10.  it was a great game but we beat them.  We had a great time.  The cardinals are the top team in the NFL right now and the top of their division.  They played against the ST. Louis Rams today and came back in the 4th qtr to beat them.  Great game.  So.....a lot of football lately. 

How has the tripanionship been working out?  When are transfers?  Sounds like you might be moving from Ventanilla.  Let us know what's going on.  I was glad to hear your comments on Michele.  I can tell that you have really grown up and I like how your thinking.  The Lord will bless you for your service and I know that he blesses you now.  I hope all is well with you and that you know how much I love you.  Keep working hard and trusting in the Lord and he will continue to bless you. 

Love.................DAD