McMuffin Attends A Baptism, Becomes A Salesman For Family Search, And Ward Chef

HELLLOOOO EVERYONE!!!!!! Hahahaha this is soooooooo embarrassing because it's almost been an eternity since I've written y'all and know that it's not because I don't love you, but simply because I keep losing track of time. Regardless, let's keep the past in the past and focus on the other various and exciting developments in Jamestown, but first.... A SPIRITUAL THOUGHT FROM ELDER MCMULLIN!!!! I recently heard quote that has really resonated with me points out that "you can't have a million dollar dream on a minimum wage work ethic". This principle of determination and grit can be applied to both the spiritual aspects of our life as well as the income based physical attributes. 1 Corinthians 3:8 agrees as well as reemphasizes stating: "Every man [and woman] shall receive his own reward according to his own labor". It simply doesn't matter how talented, persuasive, or even charismatic you are, no success or exhalation will occur unless you have a foundation of effort and determination. Physically this means, you get up everyday with a desire to make the very best of the day the Lord has blessed you with for the betterment of yourself and those around you. Being a missionary I have seen so many people who are depressed/discouraged because they simply don't work or put themselves out in the character building field of life. Spiritually we magnify our callings to the very fiber and assist in anyway we can in helping others get through and endure the refining fire of this life. To put this simply you don't get what you wish for, but rather you get what you work for. Do you want to be a better spouse, teacher, missionary, employee, sibling, or friend? Don't aimlessly wish upon a star hoping with all your heart things will work out. Put some skin in the game, put your head down, and work. I promise you both as a missionary as well as a fellow passenger in life, work is a catalyst for change and miracles. 

 

 

So about the caption... our sweet friend Melissa Shclect was baptized!!! Let me tell you there is no greater joy in this world than seeing someone you love so deeply enter the water of baptisms and make changes in their life to walk the path of peace and joy. Melissa's baptism was absolutely beautiful with the crown jewel of her baptism being the Bridgeton River where her grandfather baptized her. Following the beautiful baptismal ceremony we had a wonderful ward gathering featuring hot dogs, crazy golf, and a special coconut dark chocolate raspberry cake baked by yours truly as a gift for sweet Melissa. Let's just say the beauty of baptism and sweetness of the cake will go down in history for the Jamestown ward. 

 

 

As for being a sales rep for familysearch.org we need to start at the very beginning. Every year in Fargo there is the massive Red River Carnival that lasts for two weeks and has roughly 48,000 attendants. The mission was able to book a booth location at the fair where we as missionaries could introduce others to the best genealogy tool in the industry. Unfortunately looking at the statistics for people interested it wasn't too successful. On average each companionship would get into about thirteen conversations about Family Search in a four hour span. Disappointed and mildly frustrated we received the call that they wanted us to run the booth one more time as a tester to see if it would be more resourceful if we just closed the booth. Let me just say I was absolutely in my element. As mentioned, each missionary averaged thirteen contacts where as we successfully contacted one hundred and sixty seven people, found ten people who would be interested in hearing a message about Jesus Christ and gave away two copies of the Book of Mormon. The Zone Leaders were dumbfounded and immediately called President Camp asking if I could leave my area for a week and permanently run the booth in Fargo. Unfortunately he said no, but jokingly commented that I need to be careful after my mission because 23 and Me or Ancestry.com might kidnap me to improve product sales.

 

 

Finally, I am excited to announce that we will also be having the baptism of Blake Peterson this week and that Elder McMullin will be baking two Blueberry Cheesecakes in honor of the event. However, after the incident with Melissa's cake at her baptism, I am now receiving requests from members in the ward for cake decorating tips, recipes, and even custom orders for desserts for birthday parties. Of course and unfortunately I am too busy with more pressing matters such as preaching repentance and baptizing converts, but it's still fun and super cool to know that I have made an impact in the ward. 

 

 

Well sweet friends and family I am so delighted that I could update you on the happenings of the Dakotas and know that I love you all so much and am always thinking about you! It's hard to believe that this time next year I will be home and living it up again with you all, but for now stay strong, keep working hard, and stay close to God! LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!

 

 

Your favorite McM in the NDBM,

Elder McMullin

 

 

Pictures!!!

1-2) Zone Pday Pics of us brushing our teeth and smiling 

3-5) Red River Fair and Fam History!

6-10) Melissa's Baptism

11) Lunch with my favorite senior couple (We worked together in the office for seven months)

12) The Cutest dog ever named Jesse James!

Leadership Assignment To District Leader

05 July 2021

Elder Adam McMullin 

800 12TH AVE NE APT 205

JAMESTOWN, ND  58401-6543



 

Dear Elder McMullin:

You are hereby assigned to serve as a District Leader. Your area will be the Jamestown District. The purpose of this letter is both to offer congratulations and to identify your responsibilities.

Your major responsibility is to be an example.  Other missionaries will observe your actions and from that example, pattern their own behavior.  You will interview candidates for baptism who have been taught by missionaries within your district.  Zone Leaders or another District Leader will interview those whom you teach. I suggest you review pages 205 through 208 in P.M.G. for direction in relation to conducting interviews.

Other duties of the District Leaders are:

1.)  Set an example for missionaries through study of the scriptures and the gospel, obedience, hard work, proselyting skills, and other aspects of missionary work.

2.)  Carry a full proselyting load and maintain a model area as you pursue your purpose of a missionary.

3.)  Supervise, teach, and inspire other missionaries, strengthen their faith, and help them receive the blessing of the Holy Ghost.

4.)  Plan and conduct regular District meetings (see P.M.G. pg. IX). Note: With permission of Zone Leaders, face-to-face meetings can be replaced by telephone conferences.

5.)  Conduct exchanges with missionaries in your District.

6.)  Look after the well-being of missionaries.

7.)  Demonstrate effective planning, including vehicle use.

8.)  Work in harmony with Zone Leaders. Report concerns to Zone Leaders or the Mission President.

9.) In your weekly letter to the President, report on exchanges and update the status of the companionships and areas!

Elder McMullin, thank you very much for your willingness in accepting this responsibility. As you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call.

Sincerely,

 

 

Scott L. Howell

Mission President

SLH:rn

 

 

P.S. – President Howell is the one who issued your call to serve as a district leader.

I apologize for getting this email out so late.  You will now be serving under the direction of President Camp.

OOOOOHHHHH WERE HALF WAY THERE...

OOOOHHHHHH LIVING ON A PRAYER!!! 

 

 

HELLO AMAZING FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!! I know I can hardly believe it either, but I have passed a year mark on my mission which is so out of this world crazy because it feels like literally yesterday I put on this name tag! I guess what they say is true when you're doing something you love, time really does fly by. For my spiritual thought today I would like to talk about something that has been taught to me ever since I was a wee little lad and that is the power and need for strong finishers. "There has always been a need for those persons who could be called finishers. Their ranks are few, their opportunities many, their contributions great" (Thomas S. Monson). What prevents us all from being finishers? Is it fear? Lack of determination maybe? I personally think that it is a lack of self worth, meaning the individual that is giving up fails to see their potential and exercise the needed effort in completing the task at hand. Do you all know how amazing you are, the things you've seen and done, both before this life and currently? You all choose the Plan of God, the very same plan that would allow you to receive a physical body and experience pain emotional, physical, and mental. You unflinchingly choose this path because you knew the inheritance it brought, the ability to have eternal life with a family you could love for forever. Yes, you and everyone else on the planet made that decision. Now I beg the question, with knowing this divine inheritance why do we give up half-way? You forget who you are. My dear brothers and sisters don't start something that you don't intend to finish or in the words of Jedi Master Yoda: "Do or Do Not. There is no try". This valuable principle has applicability to all aspects of your life. If you're currently in school, work hard and graduate strong. If you're on a mission, put aside thoughts of home or pending relationships and throw your whole heart into the work. If you're living and breathing (which should be all of you) roll your shoulders back and finish nobly your test for eternal happiness and peace. I hope to see you all with me at the finish line.

 

 

I have gained international missionary status! This week the Fargo Elders (Elders Kinikini, Nuguyen, Gleason, Morrill, Leonard, and Higginson) and I (Elder McMullin) were able to go and do service at the International Peace Gardens in Canada! We literally drove for twelve hours and got literally no sleep because we were up too late each night, oops, but I'll tell you it was a couple of the funnest days of my mission. My group (Elder Gleason, Leonard, and the Senior Missionaries Cook and Clark) was in charge of repainting a bathroom out in the middle of nowhere as well as finishing the entrance sign into the peace gardens while the other group power washed out an old gazebo. We were also able to take a two hour tour of the peace gardens and visit some of the pretty cool sights like the international peace chapel, where we all sang "I believe in Christ" and "Ye Elders of Israel". Let's just say some tears were shed from everyone in that sweet chapel. All in all it was an amazing trip, but I was even more excited to go back to work in my area.

 

 

MIRACLES!!! Even with our amazing Canada trip we were still able to see some amazing miracles including the finding of Quantia and Richard. We are currently teaching this sweet lady named Patti who we are currently helping restore her garden while helping her find the true Church of Christ. Well, completely out of the blue she said she wanted to start feeding us twice a week and invite her friends over to also participate in our studies before we go work in the Garden. This week she brought Quanitia and Richard who both want to be more active in finding a Church and coming closer to Jesus Christ and would like to learn more about our beliefs and why we are the true and restored Church of Jesus Christ. Love them both so much and am so grateful to be able to teach them! We also were able to meet this super cool guy named Trevor who invited us over to his 4th of July Karaoke party which we more than happily showed up to. Let me just say that he was so happy to see us, especially since there were only like four other people there and was able to convince us to do one Karaoke song each. Elder Austin, who did choir and theater in high school, sang "Can't help falling in love with you" by Elvis Presley while Elder Brown sang Umbrella by Rhianna. Then it was my turn. Before the music even started I dedicated my song to the Church and invited everyone to learn more about why it was the true and Restored Church of Jesus Christ... and then the lovely synth noises of "Take on me" by A-ha came raging over the speakers. The "crowd" started clapping... and then I whipped out my dance moves and started dancing all over the stage while singing at the top of my lungs. Let's just say the "crowd" went wild and I am now currently being circulated across multiple Karaoke forums. At the end of my performance Trevor said we all brought the Holy Spirit and that he would love to learn more about our Church and the message that we share. KARAOKE CONVERTS.

 

 

Well sweet family and friends, this about wraps it up for this week and the excitement of Elder McMullin in Jamestown and Canada. Know that I love you all so much and see the potential of eternal life in each and everyone of you! Finish strong my friends and have fun while doing it!

 

 

Love your favorite McM in the NDBM

- Elder McMullin

 

 

Pictures!!!!

1) Meet the new mission President of the NDBM: President and Sister Camp

2-7) Canada!!!