Hello From Liberia!!!!

Hello Family and Friends, let me tell you this week has been so crazy, but so much fun! To give you an idea of what has happened this week let's just say I haven't slept on a bed until tonight, I've lived in a total of three apartments, and have driven or ridden in 6 different cars, and of course had 4 companions.

Now you may be wondering, why is the subject line of my email called "Hello from Liberia". Apparently, Fargo North Dakota is the location of one of the largest refugee camps/programs for Liberian, Sierra Leone, and Ghana citizens. Well, my assigned area in Fargo is to only be teaching these African Citizens, but not only in the US but also in Africa directly. Yep you heard me right, each day my companions and I swap names (our names are too hard for Africans to pronounce so we go by Elder Adam, Zach, and James) and directly teach over zoom, Facebook and hangouts to African citizens. Let me tell you African citizens are some of the nicest people you will ever meet, and are always so excited to be introduced to the gospel. However, very few of them have a wide enough range of the English to understand what we as Americans say on a day to day basis, this has definitely been a challenge for me to slow down to around 13 words a minute and use only words a four year old could understand, but I know that as long as I try my hardest the Lord will bless me for my efforts and allow the spirit to come to those I teach in Liberia.

I mentioned in the beginning that I have had over four companions, and let me tell you they have all been awesome! When I first flew out I was assigned a companion named Elder Heaps from Farmington, UT and we stayed companions until we separated to go with our trainers (right now he is serving in Mt. Rushmore on an Instagram mission). Right now, I am in a quad with Elder Bishong (served in Martinique), Elder Mathews (served in Ghana) and Elder Behunin (called to serve in Liberia, but has not made it there yet). Needless to say, it has been a party with these Elders and we have really worked well together even despite our drastically different backgrounds. I love these guys so much and I'm going to be so sad to lose Elder Behunin tomorrow to move to another apartment in downtown West Fargo.

Funny experiences of the week: It was right after final boarding on my flight from Minneapolis to Bismarck and my flight district of five were all squeezed onto this tiny Canada Airlines jet that could only hold around twenty passengers. We waited for our plane to be taxied for about 15 mins until our captain came on and told us that there was a crack on the interior of the plane, but a repair man was fixing it in around 45 mins. After 45 mins a mechanic with a toolbox boarded our plane and started duct taping the inside of our plane to the metal hull of the exterior side. However, if that wasn't bad enough, he started swearing because the tape wouldn't stick so he had to put at least 6 layers of duct tape with a covering of like four layers of scotch tape.

My second funny experience was when I found a guy on Facebook who was interested in the Gospel. He was from Minot North Dakota and I found him when Facebook was searching on an organic foods group page. Anyways, I tried to set up a meeting with him and he was more than happy to have the first discussion that evening. Two minutes before the meeting started I got another message from him double checking that it was okay if he was comfortable. At first I thought comfortable meant like he was wearing sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt, but no. Ladies and Gentlemen I taught a member of the Nudist and Naturalist club of Fargo, North Dakota who felt like having to wear clothes to church was too much to ask.

To conclude I just want to say thank you for all of the love, support and prayer that I have felt from all of you guys back home, and I just also want to testify of the wonder of the Gospel and the joy that it not only brings into my life but the joy that it brings to others who have never known true happiness. Love you all so much and stay tuned to see what else may happen in the wild world of Fargo North Dakota!

-Elder McMullin

Pictures:

1) Me in Minanaoplis Airport Taking a selfie with a emotional support service dog names Getty

2) Flight District from SLC to BIS (Order from left to right: Elder Wright, Sister Seriko, Sister Kennington, Elder Heaps)

3) First glimpse of North Dakota

4) Bismarck Temple (Sixth of the size of Salt Lake City Temple)

5) Missouri River, where I was taught how to be a missionary in North Dakota

6) Teaching Alex in Liberia the Book of Mormon

7) Giving a church devotional to Liberan Saints

As One Adventure Ends, A More Exciting One Follows!

I literally can't believe that I'm leaving for North Dakota in only 3 DAYS!!! The last week of my virtual MTC has just Zoomed by (sorry for the pun, but I couldn't resist :), not only because the lessons and workshops have been so fantastic and uplifting, but also because my district has transformed from a group of similar-aged teenagers to now a spiritually enriched family. By making this transformation, attending classes and workshops are no longer tedious or exhausting, but instead insightful, meaningful, and of course full of fun! For example, this week we met all together to discuss a missionary devotional and while discussing we noticed that there were nine of us on the conference call with each person in their own little box, from that point on we were the 35A District Brady Bunch. Let's just say we jot so into our roles as Brady Bunch Characters we even filmed a music video and let me tell you, honestly, I think cable T.V should try to hire us once we get back from our mission cause we pretty much nailed it. I am going to miss these guys so much not just because of their spiritual insights and comments, but because they genuinely are some of the most dedicated and noble people I have ever met with a love for both people and the Gospel.

The next thing that I want to talk about is Elder Moody and my recent practice teaching sessions. In these sessions, Elder Moody and I practice both our approach, teaching methods, and invitations. I don't want to sound boastful or anything but we are killing it! Each session we have felt the spirit so strongly and received profound inspiration that guides our lesson in a way that is more meaningful to the person we are teaching, and not only has it made us more confident in our teaching abilities but strengthened my belief that if we try our hardest when teaching and sincerely bear our testimony the Holy Ghost will only amplify what you say and prick the heart of our friend even deeper than we ever could. We may be missionaries that spread the word of God, but the Holy Ghost is the one that converts them.

Lastly, I just want to bear my testimony about friendship and love for one another. This pandemic has been hard on us all, whether physically, mentally, or even financially, but through it, all the one thing that has kept me grounded is friendship and love. I know that sounds like a line from a 70's Rom-com but in all seriousness, it has blessed both my regular life and MTC life in so many ways I can barely describe them. For one, my District Brady Bunch family has been evidence to me that even over technology I can still feel love and see people the way our Heavenly Father sees each one of his unique and divine children. I have also felt the power of the Holy Ghost provides comfort to me not only as I fly out into an area that I forgot was even a state in the United States but also whenever a discussion or role-play went down like a flaming disaster. Regardless of the situation, our Savior loves us and looks out for us. He loved us so much he sacrificed his life for us so that could repent and be resurrected and live together once again a happy eternal family. I challenge you all this week to look for and distribute love to someone who needs structure in their lives or simply the feeling that they are not alone, and I promise you with my testimony Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ will give you blessings full of love beyond comparison.

Excited to write to you all next week from North Dakota and hope that life is treating the best it can be!

-Elder McMullin

Photos:

1) Elder McMullin going Hiking with Elder McMullin on our P-Day to Horsetail falls

Livin' It Up At The Virtual MTC!!!!

I can't believe that I'm already through week two of the MTC! The classes and teachers are so cool here and despite having to do all meetings on Zoom or over email, the spirit remains so strong and powerful! I also want to talk a little bit about my district, and let me tell you that the MTC has never seen a district more spiritually in-tune and motivated than my district of 35a. Each time we sign on for a daily lesson over Zoom I always get so excited because everyone's comments are so profound and deep that it feels like electricity crackling in the air. I love them all so much and have started to see them the way Heavenly Father sees and loves all of his children. 

In addition to getting to know my district better, my companion, Elder Moody, and I have begun teaching the gospel to new friends in the MTC. In case you’re wondering, the church is moving away from using the term "investigator" hence why I said, "teaching the Gospel to new friends" just in case your confused :). Elder Moody and I are like Batman and Robin (I'm not going to tell who who is because I do not look good in fluorescent yellow with green tights) in the fact that we build off of one another and save each other if there is a question that we can't answer. I also want to mention how fantastic my other companion is, my Dad. For my whole MTC experience so far he has dressed up in a white collar shirt and tie to honor my mantle as a missionary and acted as my senior companion. Honestly, I'm so glad that I have the opportunity to have two of the coolest companions in just my first two weeks as a missionary. I couldn't have asked for better companions!!!!

I just what to conclude with one of my favorite scriptures which is Alma 37:5. "And now my son, Shiblom I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trails, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day. In these trying times both with sickening racism, political polarization, and COVID-19 I ask you to remember that our Heavenly Father loves His children and that if we put our trust, anxieties, and infirmities in his hands He will stand with us and be our foundation and support in this life and the next. I'm so blessed that I can have an opportunity to have this wonderful and inspiring mission that has already added insight and joy in my life in ways I thought never possible. I also want to bear my testimony of the Book of Mormon and the truths that it holds and that "a man can come closer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book". I love my Savior Jesus Christ so much and am ecstatic that I have the opportunity to proudly wear his name for the next two years.

Love and miss you all so much and am hoping that life is full of joy and happiness!!!!!

Elder McMullin

P.S If you would like to watch my weekly spiritual Facebook posts feel free to follow this account (Adam McMullin) and share what you feel with anyone that you feel would benefit. Also, here's a photo of me and my district living it up on Zoom (ignore how my face looks like I'm about to break out into song).


Pictures:
1. MTC sign
2. Snack buffet at home MTC. 
3-4. Prep for the harsh North Dakota winters
5. The district I was in.

Virtual MTC

Chilling with the District that I had while in the remote South Jordan and Highland Virtual MTC's from July 1, 2020, to July 20, 2020.