Angels and Family History

August 24, 2021

 WOW. This week was pretty good but we had zone conference and it was INSANE. I had the most spiritual experience ever and I'll talk about it at the end.

First thing this week that was loads of fun was a social media exchange we did. Its more of a training than an exchange. There are social media sisters in every conference and they showed us some good ways to use Facebook effectively. It was fun. We had a video due for our Facebook page that day so they gave us some ideas. We made the entire video in 3 hours with no breaks. It's actually not bad. It should be on "Come Unto Christ In South Tacoma" this coming week!

We had exchanges this week with the Sunset elders. Its good to change it up every once in a while. I was with Elder McKay for the day and it was way fun. Our mission is actually working on a mini tv series and Elder McKay is the main character. The tech Elders cam over to our place and recorded a bunch of scenes. They were there for close to 3 hours. I was basically just there to help/watch. I'm excited to see how it all turns out.

Now for my favorite part of the week. We had zone conference on Friday and I love zone conferences! It was fun to see some of my old comps and friends. We split up into three groups and cycled through some trainings. It was all really good but the ending is what hit me. They brought us all into the chapel and the APs and all the office couples were in all white. They handed us a card with a name on it (like the ones for the temple). You could feel the spirit enter the room. We all sat quietly. One by one the office couples would go up to the podium and tell a story of one of their ancestors. They told the story in first person and there acting was SO good. At the end of their story they would ask... "does anyone have my name?". The room would go silent and either a hand would go up or it wouldn't. If someone did have their name, they would go give them a big hug and say a genuine thank you. It was so sad when none of us had that person's name. It hit deep with me and so many other missionaries. I have never cried more in my life. That's not an exaggeration. I tried to stop several times but someone would say something and the spirit would hit me again. One thing I was grateful for was a mask. It made it harder for people to tell how much I was tearing up haha. I would bet money that every single missionary was balling that day (at least a little). It was so spiritual and it's something I'll never forget. I've never been more motivated to get to the temple and do work for my ancestors. I want to be that person that gets to raise his hand when my ancestors ask if anyone has their name after this life. The other thing they talked about in the chapel was angels. It was in a different way then we usually tall about them. They said that when we are teaching our friends/investigators... their ancestors are in the room with us. They are pleading for their family member to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. I've never thought of that before. The gospel is true and brings so much joy. Go be a missionary!

Elder Macfarlane 

Pic 1: Zone Conference

Pic 2-3: Zone activity at point defiance park

Miracle after miracle

August 17, 2021

 This week... wow

I have never seen more miracles in my life. I know for a fact now that this is the Lord's work. He has been preparing people in our area for our visit and then sends us their way. I've seen it. I know the work progresses only because of Him. He is the captain. He is all knowing and if we can put our faith in him, he will use us to change the hearts of many. Here's some experiences I had this week:

First off we got a referral for this guy named Randy (not his actual name). We set up a time to visit him and everything. We went over on Friday and we initially didn't know what to teach him. My companion started teaching the Plan of Salvation after hearing about Randy's life story. We taught him where we came from and why we're here but we ran out of time to finish. We said our goodbyes and that was that. We go back the next day and when he answers the door, he is in tears. Immediately we were concerned on what took place in the last 24 hours. He shared that his brother passed away that day and he is not doing good. It was a very tender moment but also a wonderful opportunity to finish the Plan of Salvation. We told him that he will see his brother again. He accepted our invitation to be baptized. It amazing what the Lord can do in two days and with two 20 year olds boys just trying their best.

Another miracle that occurred this week was actually just yesterday. We had a nonmember feed us dinner!! It was actually SO crazy. Two days ago we call this guy we've never met before. He answered and told us that he talked with missionaries along time ago when he was in prison. He had heard all about Joseph Smith and he wanted his fiance to hear it! Then he invites us to have dinner with them!! Then yesterday we went over and it was one of my all time favorite experiences on the mission. They were such loving people and he invited two of his best friends to have dinner with us and to hear about Joseph Smith. We shared about the first vision. He was very interested about the early pioneers too so we talk about that. At the end we gave them all copies of the Book of Mormon. They are all praying to know if its true and I know that God will answer their prayers. They were the kindest and most receptive people on the planet. I am still amazed at what happened yesterday that I can't put it into words.

The rest of the miracles won't be as long, I promise :)

Last week we were finishing up knocking doors and we were walking back to the car when my companion stops as says "We can't leave until we hand out this BOM in my hand". He doesn't even give me a chance to respond. He knocks on the closest door to us. We meet this guy named Michael and he's literally the coolest. He accepts the Book of Mormon and we share a quick 15 minute lesson at the doorstep. Literally the first door!! I was amazed. We are doing a church tour next week and he's also gonna attend church this Sunday. 

We gave two blessings this week which we amazing. I won't go into detail but they were special. 

The last miracle I wanted to share about was our missions Facebook devotional. Its called God's Plan and it's the best video I've watched in a long time. It's crazy the skills that some missionaries have in creating videos and inviting the spirit. Go watch it! Heres the link:

https://www.facebook.com/letusbefaithful/videos/392775835603898/

Miracles are real. Hope you're doing well,

Elder Macfarlane 

Pic 1: Saying goodbye to Elder Wilson 

Pic 2: Morning exercise with the district 

Pics 3-4: Elder Wilson came back to visit! (Also his family has a pet rat haha)

6 months in Chambers

 August 2, 2021

Hey guys,

Man, sooo much has happened this week. We had tansfer calls! Actually we are no longer doing physical calls. Our mission president is now sending the whole transfer board which some missionaries like and some don't. There has been so many changes... it's crazy. It's actually so cool cause I feel like President  Nelson is the same way. There have been so many changes within the church and its sometimes hard... but it's a good thing.

Anyways I'm staying another transfer in chambers creek! This will be my 4th transfer here which is a long time. That's 6 months. It's good though cause I know the ward super well and I don't have to say bye yet (which is a plus)! I have mixed feelings about it but that's when I need to humble myself and accept what the Lord wants :)

We had 7 people at church!! Thats the highest number I've heard of (for the areas I've been in at least). We had a church tour with this guy named Ben. He's a member referral and it turned out being more of a Q and A than a church tour. He's so elect. Thats one reason I'm happy I'm staying, I get to continue teaching and getting to know him better. So basically he came and brought his 3 kids. We also had a couple other people come to church... so it was a good week.

A different family we've been teaching has really struggled getting to church on Sunday. They still haven't come, but we set up a time to go play basketball with them. It was amazing. We had a couple preists come too which was great fellowship. They now know where the building is and maybe they'll come to church one of these weeks!

Keep smiling,

Elder Macfarlane 

Pic 1: Party at Buffalo Wild Wings

Pic 2: District whiffleball!

Progression

 July 29, 2021

Man this week has been busy! 

We have been teaching a lot this transfer which is a bit different than most of my other transfers. Its sooo great! We have barely had time to do any finding. I love seeing people light up when they hear about the gospel. We have 3 families we are teaching at the moment. They have changed so much since I first met them. 

We had a lesson with some of our friends named Jeremy, Jennifer, and Tony. It was suppose to be from 12-1 pm but it ended up going until 4!! It was a 4 hour lesson! Thats the longest lesson I've ever been apart of. It was great though. We did a Q and A with them and they had some good questions. We answered basically all of them and that took about 3 and a half hours. Jeremy wanted to keep going and read some chapters in the BOM. I was like what??? You want us to stay longer?? We said yes obviously and read a couple chapters in first Nephi. I love those guys and all the people here in Washington. We have transfers next Wednesday and its gonna be way sad if I have to say bye to them all 

A different family we are teaching has been really struggling with getting to church. We've been working with them for several weeks now. The mom is scared of driving so that's the main issue. We found a great solution. We are playing basketball with them all tomorrow at the church and the bishops wife is gonna take them (because she's great fellowship). I hope it goes so well and they will be comfortable in the building. That a big step for them and I'm excited.

That's really what it's all about. Taking a step in the right direction. We take so many steps throughout our day (figuratively) that either bring us closer to the Savior or don't. It's great to see those steps in the people we are teaching but it's good to reflect it in ourselves too. "Will this step or choice bring me closer to the Savior or drive me further away?" That's just something to ponder when making everyday decisions. Love yall!

Elder Macfarlane 

Pic 1: Slides at last week's zone activity 

Pics 2-5: Going to the zoo!!