Warm weather in Washington

 June 28, 2021

Hey guys, this week has been awesome but HOT. The high today is 111 degrees!! Thats insane!! Right?? I think its like a record for the state of Washington. I thought Washington was suppose to be cool and rainy all the time. Nope. Its rough because everyone here also doesn't have air conditioning! We have had fans going 24/7. Its been hard and I feel like I can relate a little more to all the missionaries who serve in super hot areas outside the states. Besides all of that... this week has been really good.

We have done a ton of service. I'm gonna be honest, I never really enjoyed service before the mission and now its one of my favorite things ever! We helped a couple families move. It was a lot of work. We moved two pianos in a uhaul and it was tiring. Pianos and stairs do not work well together. Luckily we had a lot of people helping. 

We had transfers! I got my trainer back Elder Wilson. Its been a lot of fun. Just like old times. Its a little different cause now I have to take the lead in all our lessons cause I know the people in the area more. I enjoy it. Before Elder Rasmussen left, we went around and said bye to our favorite families in the ward. We went to the food bank too cause we are pretty close with all of them. 

The teaching here in chambers creek has been awesome. I have met some pretty cool people and I love being able to see God work through them. Its crazy how many people I would never have met if I didn't chose to serve. I'm grateful to be out here. Its not easy by any means but I never expected it to. Missions are so important. 

That's it. Love yall,

Elder Macfarlane 

Pic 1: Sunset

Pic 2: Foodbank peeps

Pic 3: Last day with Elder Rasmussen 

Staying in Chambers

June 21, 2021 

Hey everyone!!

We had transfer calls this week! It was actually today. We were all so nervous but its also exciting. I am staying in chambers creek and I am so stoked. I thought for sure I was gone. It was sad cause my comp Elder Rasmussen is leaving and going tech elder. Transfers is always hard but also so fun! I'm excited for whats to come.

We have been teaching SOOO much. Its the best. We should have around 4-6 people at church this week! Its crazy how much this area has improved in just one transfer. A lot of it has to do with hard work. No matter where you are, either on the mission or off, if you work hard... things will improve :)

We had zions camp this week!! It was so cool. Its basically like a little get to gather with half the mission and we do a bunch of team building stuff. So fun! I got to see a ton of old comps which is always a good time. It was like an hour drive and we had to leave super early but... totally worth it.

Not a super long email but I am loving the mission! Love you all,

Elder Macfarlane 

Pic 1-2: Meeting Elder Martinez Family with the district 

Pic 3-4: Zions Camp!

The Power of the Priesthood/Social Media

June 14, 2021

Whats up!

Let's get right into it.

Tuesday we had a "social media exchange" with some of the sisters in our mission. They are the professionals when it comes to social media and missionary work. It wasn't actually an exchange cause thats a big no no with sister missionaries haha. It was basically a meeting where we discussed the pros and cons to Facebook and stuff like that. It was actually SO good! Me and my comp were both stoked to do more facebook finding after that. Social media is really hard but so awesome... and it works!!

Speaking of social media, my comp is big into photography and film making which is so cool. We have been doing lots of brainstorming of different video ideas we could make and put up on our Facebook page. Speaking of which, is Come Unto Christ in South Tacoma and you should go check it outfits! Its been a lot of fun. We have some sweet ideas. There's a video we've been working on for several weeks and it'll take several more until its done. Its gonna be awesome so stay tuned!

The main thing I wanted to share in this email was the power of the priesthood in both blessings and conversion. We had the opportunity to give 3 blessings this week and the spirit that was present during those is unimaginable. I swear I've never felt the spirit stronger. Its giving me a lot of time to reflect on the preisthood and how important it is and how blessed we are to have it. I love that a blessings effectiveness is dependent on the persons faith. Faith is the key! If you believe that you can be healed than you will be! Just think about that.

I've been thinking a lot about is the role of the priesthood in conversion. We've been teaching this family for several months now and it's always gone super amazing. This past week we had another lesson with them and had a chance to bare testimony of the importance of baptism. In previous lessons the mother has shared her history with the church and said she will "never be a mormon". We understood her concerns and worked through them with love and patients. After we testified of baptism in this past weeks lesson, she told us that she was ready to be baptized. Me and my comp were shocked. She still has concerns that we are working through but seeing the change inside her and her desires change in an instant was remarkable. I truly believe that that change of heart is only found through the power of God (also known as the priesthood).

A little more of a serious weekly this week but you get what you get :)

Love you guys,

Elder Macfarlane 

Pic: Jamba Juice 🤙

Hard Work

 June 7, 2021

Man we have been BUSY this week! I love missionary work but I love it even more when we're busy. All through this week, we have been running from one appointment to another. Its insane. I've never felt like this at all in my last areas and jts not like Chambers Creek gets a lot of baptisms or anything. I think it all just comes down to work. We have been busting our tails off since the start of the transfer and its paying off. Nothing beats hard work. I feel so much more focused as a missionary. I don't even have TIME to be distracted haha! We have had tons of lessons (both with members and nonmembers). 

First off, we knocked into this guy named Robin a couple weeks ago and we taught the restoration yesterday. He is the kindest guy and cares so much for his family. He is so open too to hearing our message! During the lesson we were testifying of Joseph Smith, and the spirit hit like a wrecking ball. We both felt it and I know Robin did. He appreciates our visits and we are praying that he grows his own testimony of the BOM!

I love service. We had several service opportunities this week and they are so fun! We went over to an older lady in our wards place who has a huge garden in her backyard. We did a bunch of yard work. We also did service as a zone at a nonmembers place. I love this zone! Everyone is so funny and its always a good time. Basically just did more yard work :)

Crazy thing that happened this week. We got a call from Brother Tutu who is someone we are teaching. He was having car troubles and was stuck in the middle of the highway!! It took us a solid 45 minutes to find him but we brought him some more gas. His car was still not working so had to get it towed sadly. It was crazy cause we were chilling on the side of the highway. Not safe! We were only there for a little bit cause we've seen too many safety zones haha! Gotta stay safe.

Love you guys,

Elder Macfarlane 

Pic 1: On the highway!

Pic 2: District lunch 

Busy Times in Chambers

May 31, 2021 

HELLO EVERYONE!! Hope everyone's smiling and having a fantastic day today. I didn't write a weekly last week, so be prepared to read a hefty letter this week. Might want snacks.. just saying... you're gonna be here a while 

First off, we had zone conference on thursday and it was amazing!! I got to see several of my old comps which is always a blast. It's fun seeing other missionaries that you used to serve around. President Metts gave a super great training about listening and acting on spiritual promptings. Our mission calls them BINGS which stands for Be Inspired Now Go! It was great though and he told a story about when he worked in air traffic control and he didn't listen to the spirit... and two planes almost crashed into each other! Crazy! Always listen to the spirit. Sometimes it won't logically make sense, but listen anyways!

We found a new little family to teach and they are awesome. Its just a father and his 8 year old son but they are so elect. Hes from Ghana. Funny story, he actually thought he was a member!! But he wasn't baptized by proper authority so we're reaching him everything and it's the best.

Also our bishop is an absolute legend. He is the definitely of charity and love. We go and knock doors with him for 3-4 hours every Saturday. We stop by SO many people and most of them are less active that we are trying to bring back to church. It's a good time and we actually learn a lot from bishop. Hes an awesome missionary.

The youth had an activity Wednesday night with the stake. We were invited and a couple other missionaries were there too. They had a bunch of games for everyone to play. It was outside on the field next to our church building. They had spikeball, cornhole, disc golf, football, musical chairs, and a bunch more. It was not only a fun time but we also got to get closer with the youth in our ward.

Today we went to... *drum roll please* MOUNT RAINIER! I got to go last transfer too and it's so cool. There was still quite a bit of snow towards the top of the mountain but it was better than last time. A super nice member family took us all. It took basically the entire pday but worth it! 

Elder Macfarlane 

5 in the wap house

May 17, 2021 

Heyy

There has been a lot of change this week but it's been awesome! We had transfers this past week. I am training a new missionary. His names Elder Rasmussen. He's actually technically not a new missionary cause he served in Japan for a couple months before covid hit. I'm basically just training him into the watac but it's a good time. 

I'm still living in the wap house. It's the BEST! One of the elders is going back to his original assignment this next week, so we have 5 in the house for a little bit. Its a lot of fun. 

We've been working HARD this past week. Elder Rasmussen is a way hard worker and it's great. He makes me work harder and we work well together. We've been trying to work through members more. We had a meeting with our bishop and hes really helpful. I can't think of anything else to write. The work is progressing and I love being a part of it :)

Elder Macfarlane 

MOUNT RAINIER

April 26, 2021

Not a ton to report on this week but things are going really well! Me and my companion have been trying to find people to teach but this new area is pretty hard. I got transferred to chambers creek this past transfer, so I'm still getting use to it. It's hard to teach people the gospel when you can't find people to teach the gospel to haha!  We have the faith though and things will work out. Just gotta trust in the Lord.

We had exchanges this week and I got to spend the day in Sunset with Elder Newbold. It was such a fun day! I dont even know why I enjoyed it so much because we just did the usually knocking doors and all that, but it was a way good time. It's fun to switch things up and Elder Newbolds really cool. 

We've been doing a little bit of service this week which is always fun. We stop by this member named Brother Mckie every week just to talk to cause he gets pretty lonely. He's having us mow his lawn on Tuesday so that's pretty cool! We also do service at the food bank twice a week. The people there are the nicest people ever. It's so fun to have a conversation with them and it usually ends up with us talking about the church (probably cause of our name tags). Everyones super respectful. They invited us to a barbecue next week which also is a bonus.

Last thing for this week, we go to go to Mount Rainier!! It was super fun. For those of you who aren't super familiar with Washington, its basically just a very big volcano and it looks sweet. The weather was nice until we got up on the mountain and it started snowing a little. Nothing too bad. It was super bright though for some reason. I think the sun was reflecting off the snow or something. There were 6 of us missionaries that all went up together with a couple members. It was a good time and hopefully got some sweet pics! 

Everythings good,

Elder Macfarlane 

Pics from Mount Rainier!