Blessings of the Temple

March 22, 2022

 

Hey you guys,

Missionary work is awesome. We had some good lessons this past week and met some way nice people. I've been reflecting recently on why I chose to serve a mission and it all goes back to the PEOPLE and my desire for then to feel true joy. I've realized that this applies to members too. I love talking to people of all faiths and turning them to Christ. It makes me feel good. The spirit is real!

We had some good service opportunities this week. We take out the trash for this handicapped sister in the ward every week. She appreciates that a lot. We helped a lady in our ward build a chicken coop! That was fun haha! We also help out at the Salvation Army food bank every week. I love serving others and I feel a greater love for all of God's children as I do.

We had the opportunity to go to the temple today for pday and it was great! The whole zone went last week but we didn't sign up in time, so we went this week haha. I love being inside the temple and even on the temple grounds. It's just so beautiful. The sun was shining today and that doesn't happen very much here in Washington! That made me appreciative the temple even more. Afterwards, we stopped by Cafe Rio which is a tradition for us missionaries. Right when we walked in, a member offered to pay for our food! That was a huge tender mercy. That doesn't happen very often either. We are blessed in so many ways as we serve in the temple and make it a priority in our lives.

Final thought, my favorite primary song when I was younger was always "I Love To See The Temple". That sentence still stands true today. I love to see the temple!

Elder Macfarlane 

Pics 1-4: Temple Time 

Pic 5: Zone Conference 

This weeks recap in 327 words

 Hey everyone! 

March 15, 2022

Man this week has been tough. We have had tons of lessons fall through and it's hard to see that happen. We have lost contact with a couple of our main friends we're teaching. I've learned a lot about diligence and patience this week with our friends. It's all in God's hands and His timing!

We had stake conference this week. That was really good. There was a LOT of talk and gossip about possibly having ward boundaries changes or something of the sort... NOPE! It was just a normal stake conference with normal talks. It was still very good. They talked about service missions and I thought that was cool. I learned quite a bit. Service missions are becoming more and more popular in today's youth and I believe that's a good thing! That should be celebrated. It really a wonderful program that is so necessary for today's times. I believe this type of missionary service will continue to grow and develop and strengthen so many people's testimonies (both the missionary and the people they come in contact with)

On Saturday, we went on a mass contacting spree with all the missionaries in the zone for the YSA ward. It was an event put on by the stake. They gave us all a list of names and 2 hours to visit as many people as we could. It was a very smart idea. Afterwards they fed us dinner and it was all provided by the Samoan ward. It was gooood! We didn't eat to much though cause we had a dinner appointment right after. The ward had entertainment for us too! They had live music (that was very loud haha) and a bunch of cool dances. I love there culture. It just so fun!

Yesterday we got to help our driving coordinator bring a bunch of 2022 equinoxs back to the church building. They didn't have tiwi... haha. Good times.

Love you all,

Elder Macfarlane 

Transfers/ Why I believe

 March 8, 2022

We had transfers this week! It was sad to see Elder Stanger. For those who don't know, we've served together twice now and a total of 6 months! Thats a long time. My new companion is Elder Groethe and he's great. We get along really well. It fun to lead the area now too. 

We had a stake meet and greet with the stake president and the whole zone. The STLs were suppose to conduct it, but the night before, President Betteridge comes up to me and asks me to do it instead!! I was like... what. I think it would've been more stressful if I didn't do it last transfer. I was still nervous a little. Everything went great!

We have stake conference this week which is way exciting! There's gonna be some changes and I'm stoked to see what happens. This past Sunday we had a "Why I Believe" fireside and it was awesome! They had rescent converts share their conversion story!! So good! We were going to have a nonmember there but she couldn't make it last minute. That was sad. 

We haven't had a ton of teaching opportunities this week but that will change! Haha! Love you all,

Elder Macfarlane 

Pic 1: Sunset

Pic 2: MLC