Sitting on top of the world....in Peru

8/11/2014

hey daddo! 

como estas! i am sorry that i didn't write you a quick note last week... i clicked on your email and then afterwards i wasn't able to find it so i just sent the note to mom.. but how are you doing dad? sad to hear that you are away from the ocean again... now you get to suffer a little bit like i have to suffer but your are right at least i am getting wet in the baptismal font and right now, that means so much more to me.  wow how was the concert of the counting crows... its surprising that alot of Latinos love counting crows, and coldplay... every once and awhile me and my companion listen to some jack johnson... he loves it now... its awesome! i hope one day that i will be able to see him live... great dream of mine... we have baptized 3 weeks in a row, we have another one this week, that will be 7 baptisms with my time so far with my companion.  not to mention we are teaching a family that is MARRIED and the other elders of the other ward just baptized members of their family so they are really excited to hear from us.. we are going over tuesday... its a family of 5 too!!!! we are stoked! the lord really is blessing us with his sheep that are ready because we understand putting our trust and faith in him is what leads to blessings and not hesitating to act, it just has to be a part of you.  taylor is coming to my mission? in these next few months we are going to be losing 80 missionaries... almost half the mission... it will be some huge changes... huge... and good is kyle changing is act and getting better? he hasn't wrote me for awhile... i guess he is too cool for me... haha... and that is an awesome talk... i remember hearing it and thinking about you and the family and dave...that is why uckdorf is my favorite man... his talks just hit deep in the soul... everyday he talks, it impacts me... he is incredible... ill try to read it again... good to hear that jakester is driving to the hoop now... he is going to be a great little baskeball player in the future... don't worry dad...i know that these two years are the two years to prepare me for the future... its only something to prepare me to have even more happiness and joy in this life.  i am learning how to do the missionary work the way that the lord wants me to so that i can take it back home and apply it... the mission is to make you become a missionary for life to make it become who you are for forever just how president monson wants all members to be missionaries.  being a missionary is who i am now becoming.  and i look forward to being able to help other families find the hope that the gospel brings back in the united states.  its selfish of us to not share the gospel with others. in doctrine and covenants says that we must warn and open our mouths to everyone about the gospel and how it is a commandment.  there are alot of families that need this gospel and being a kid born in the bonds of the gospel makes me feel that much more privileged and willing to share it will whoever, whenever.  i look foward to my future alot! i cant wait to have a wife as beautiful as mom and my own 4 boys and maybe one girl ;) hahahaha... anyways dad, thanks for always showing me such a great example.  thanks for always doing your best to show me the path and the way to eternal life and happiness.  thanks for being my dad.  my testimony is strong and if it weren't for you, jason, and gramps, i do not know where i would be right now! this Thursday i will have one year... got to really dedicate it to the lord as best i can! love you with all my heart dad! you are the man

your son elder macdonald 

Yo Alex;

I didn't get a letter from you last week but I read what you wrote to Jake and mom.  Enjoy the pictures I sent of Josh on his first day of school and the Counting crows concert.  I was stranded in AZ this weekend and there was no surfing for me.  I Sure miss the ocean when I am away from it.  But, you will not cry for me as you haven't been "wet in over a year.  I guess you have been wet lately from all the baptisms you guys have had.  I bet that feels awesome.  What is your companions name again?  I'm glad you guys get along so well.  Matthew Lebaron got his patriarchal blessing recently and they had a very cool experience.  I forwarded it to you so that you could enjoy it.  I was so stoked that you sent a little note to mom through the email.  she was so stoked to get it.  We are going to denver next weekend to enjoy the mountains and to see Jack Johnson at Red Rocks.  We have always wanted to see a show there.  Taylor Christensen leaves on his mission
 Wednesday and he is stoked and ready to go.  He spoke in church today and did a good job.

I got home from work Thursday night and a friend of mine posted on facebook that he had two extra tickets to the Counting Crows/Toad the wet Sprocket concert.  I had never seen either band but had always wanted to. So, Mom and I went down to Comerica Theater and enjoyed the show.  It was really good.  Very talented bands,  Friday night Josh and I went to the Diamond BAck game and had a great time.  They suck this year so we got in for $5 and had excellent seats.  Kyle is working hard in football and finally finished his online class with an A.  He seems to be doing better these days and I am working hard to be kind to him.  Jake is starting basketball again and is trying out for the FRemont 8th grade team tomorrow.  He had some good club games this Saturday.  His shot is off but he is driving to the basket well.

While riding my bike this weekend I listened to a talk from the last conference by President deiter Uchtdorf.called :  "Of Regrets and Resolutions".  I am going to have the family listen to it for family home evening.  It is truly a great talk.  I would encourage you to reread it or re listen to it.  It is the second time I have listened to it and it is truly phenomenal.  It is a great talk to consider when deciding how to live your life.  It talks in detail about being happy and being content.  After living on this earth for 46 years I know that living the principles of the gospel is the way to lasting happiness.  I am so thankful for the many wonderful things that I have in my life.  A beautiful wife and fantastic kids.  A testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.  Great family support on both sides of the family.  A love of the ocean and of nature in general.  I hear young men sometimes say that a mission was the best two years of their life.  I
 find that sad.  It is a good two years....but the opportunity to find and marry the girl of your dreams and raise a family and enjoy your kids....is so much better.  I know you are working your but off and that is fantastic.  The Lord loves you for it and will bless you forever.  You have so much to look forward to in the future.  I miss you more than words can communicate but am so pleased with what you are doing.  Love to you Son.....

DAD