Temple Trip and Goodbyes

 September 21, 2021

Hey everyone!! This week has been crazy good 

First off, we got to go to the temple last pday! For anyone who doesn't know, the temple is a sacred building that we go to to make specific covenants/promises with God. That was sooo good. It was only my second time going through which is a little sad but I was so glad to be there. I wish I could go more often! I learned SO much this time though. I love the temple and the spirit it holds. The unique part of this temple trip was that it was for a Cambodian member in the ward. It was all done it khmer and... I don't speak that language haha. Me and several others had headphones on with the English translation. That was a once in a lifetime experience. They got sealed too for eternity! So happy for them and for this gospel. 

We had transfers on Wednesday! I had mixed feelings about leaving chambers creek cause there are so many people I grew to love there but it was time to go. I'm going to South Hill! We stopped by a couple people we were teaching to say our goodbyes. It was a little sad but they're in good hands. I met my new companion and he's brand new! I'm training again! It's technically my fourth time and I'm stoked. His names Elder Marx and he's way cool. We have started the transfer off strong. We are also on BIKE! Thats my first time in fourteen and a half months! It's been so fun though. The ward is great and we get fed every day. I am loving it

Last great thing that happened this week was a baptism!! One of ours friends in the chambers creek ward got baptized right after I left haha! I got to be the one who baptized him. It was a wonderful experience

Elder Macfarlane 

Pic 1-4: Temple Trip!

Pic 5: Baptism 

Mount Rainer

September 7, 2021

Pdays were changed to Tuesdays a couple months ago. The reason for it is so we have the opportunity to go to the temple. Well... that wish has come true! We are going to the temple next week! It's for a Cambodian member in our ward so me and my comp will be wearing headphones cause the sealing isn't gonna be in English. That's gonna be sweet. More info to come...

Missionary work is still the best. We've had some pretty cool experiences this week. One of my favorite things about being a missionary is seeing people accept and change through the gospel. I know that that change comes through Jesus Christ. We met this guy on friday that has had a life full of crime and everything you can imagine. We shared a video put out by the church about a member who had a similar upbringing. It was powerful. The guy said he really felt something. He's been to church before several years ago and he said it was that same feeling. I know he felt the Holy Ghost. I felt it. We set up a church tour with him the next day. Sadly things fell through and we haven't been in contact the past couple days. I really hope the best for him though. It's crazy how fast you grow to love the people you serve on your mission.

On a less serious note... we hiked Rainer today!! Thats was a blast. I've never been a huge hiker (cause it's literally just walking) but I actually really enjoyed it. We all made tie dye shirts last week and we wore them so our whole zone would match. I think it was around 8 miles in total. It was long but honestly not terribly. I brought 3 water bottles and still ran out. We hiked Skyline which I've never done before. I went to Rainer two other times and we did other hikes. That's one thing that's cool about Rainer is there are so many different paths and places to see that you never get bored and you can go many times. Totally hiking it with my family when I get back!! (that's not for a while though haha)

Elder Macfarlane 

Pic 1: Our friend Clement at church

Pic 2: Roys Drumset 

Pics 3-5: Mount Rainer 

Christmas Shopping??

August 31

 Hey guys!!

Sorry for the short email this week but things have been awesome!! We have two people on date now and have so many people we're teaching. That's not usually normal so it's cool to see. Hard work pays off

We had a cool service opportunities with lots of missionaries in the area. We went Christmas shopping for kids that are less fortunate. We volunteered at Old Navy and they gave us $150 to spend. I got assigned a 7 year old girl and I was a little lost at first, but it was way fun! There name, size, and favorite color was on a sheet of paper and then we just went around and through stuff in a cart. Its really fun to shop when it's not your money haha

Things have been so good. We had a ward bbq this week which also was so successful. We had close to 20 nonmembers attend! That was amazing and we actually gave a church tour afterwards! 

We all got food poisoning the next day But that's besides the point... 

Love yall! Keep killing it,

Elder Macfarlane 

Pic 1: Me at the park

Pic 2: Member payed for the buffet 

Pic 3: Celebrating a bday

Pic 4-6: Shopping at Old Navy