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!!!
