First e-mail from his First assignment

Donald wasn't very talkative but more pics.

"

BIG DADDY!!!!

How was fathers day? mom get u anything? did u get the mail from me? My first area is called Wakefield and my companion is elder smith hes from arkansas hes sweet! It is pretty crazy out here so many ppl r always drunk and so many teens have kids its so sad! my ward seems super small to me but it is normal it was good they had me bare my testimony to. I love finding ppl on the street and talking to them about the church. Im not big on door to door knocking but im starting to get the hang of it I love it here besides the weather ahah Im gonna go shopping in a lil to buy a rain jacket and a bag so it should be fun I hope u had a great week dad I love u. Imma use drop box after this email so check it. If u send me a package anytime soon put some ties in the package i need more ties they r in my room even the white and black tie i can can wear it they rnt stricked out here. and I need some hot sauce ahah. and I mightwant to buy a suit soon so i can just use the suit i buy here for sundays and meetings i go to. my procelyting suits r gonna get gross from always raining. They have cheap suits here so let me know in the next email if u put money on there. Ilove u so much dad tell mom I said hi and I love her to have a wonderful week. read your scriptures and try to give a book of mormon out its not always the easiest but it will make u feel great i love u!"

He arrived safely at his first assignment.

Letter from the mission President.

 

 

 

 

 

THE CHURCH OF

JESUS CHRIST

OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

England Leeds Mission

 

 

14 June 2013

 

 

 

Mr. & Mrs. Ron Martin McGinnis
8572 Enault Lane
Garden Grove, CA 92841
USA

 

Dear Brother and Sister McGinnis,

 

It is with pleasure we welcome your son, Elder Donald Yugene McGinnis, to the England Leeds Mission.  We find him prepared and committed to serve the Lord and to share the message of the Restored Gospel.

 

Your son's first companion is Elder Smith who was prayerfully selected to ensure the best introduction to missionary work for Elder McGinnis. They will be serving in the Wakefield Area of the Huddersfield Zone.   We are confident their relationship will be a mutual blessing.

 

Weekly encouragement from home will certainly help inspire Elder McGinnis's missionary effort.  We encourage you to write him once a week with your letters uplifting in spirit.  Please let other family and friends know how important it is to write positive, encouraging letters that support missionary work.  Your son's permanent address is now:

 

Elder Donald Yugene McGinnis
England Leeds Mission
Lister House, Lister Hill
Horsforth
Leeds LS18 5AZ
England

 

Families and friends are asked to not visit or call their missionaries in the field.  Such calls and visits will undermine the effectiveness of missionaries and their companions.  Please feel free to call the mission president in the event of an emergency at home.  Missionaries are not to call home without the president's permission.

 

Any anxiety of the missionary about finances will hinder the work.  Please do not send excess funds, too much money can be as detrimental as not enough. Personal, practical and inexpensive gifts from home for birthdays or Christmas are encouraged.  However, because missionaries move frequently, and space is very limited; large, heavy or unnecessary items are discouraged.  Your missionary is limited to two bags and a briefcase.  The best gifts are consumables, such as ties, socks, small personal items, and goodies.

 

Also, if sending packages from abroad that have a large declared value (US $70.00 or more) there may be extra Duty and Tax charges incurred, which may cause unnecessary expense and delays.  It has been our experience that packages sent by US Postal Service and Parcel Post usually arrives without any further charges.  Please do not send via Federal Express or other ground delivery service.  This may incur duty charges for which your missionary will be billed before the package will be delivered.

 

I want you to know that Sister Lindley and I consider it a privilege to serve with your son and promise to help all we can, and strive to direct his efforts in the Lord's way.  We are available at all times, and Elder McGinnis's physical, emotional and spiritual welfare is of utmost importance to us.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

Jerel D. Lindley

 

Jerel D. Lindley
President

First companion and Mission President with President's wife

Yea, E-Mails today

Got some e-mails from Donald today. He is leaving the MTC in Preston on Wednesday, so they let him e-mail today. His P-Day from now on will be Monday.

Address correction

I received a short e-mail this morning from Donald. He said he had made a mistake on his address. It is Elder Donald McGinnis

England Leeds Mission

Lister House, Lister Hill

Horsforth

Leeds

LS 18 5AZ

One week and first real e-mail from Preston MTC

I woke up many times last night and kept checking for an e-mail. There were none. Then finally when I was done playing basketball, I had one on my phone. All it said was hey Dad. I was dumbfounded. A whole week and all I get is "Hey Dad". Then when I got home and checked e-mail on the computer, there were 11 from Donald. Lots of pictures so I will slowly get some posted. For now I will just post his e-mail.

post this on facebook if you want this is my address

England Leeds mission

Lister House, Lister Hill

Horsforth

Leeds

LS185 AZ

On Wed, Jun 5, 2013 at 3:32 PM, Donald McGinnis <donald.mcginnis@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Hey Dad!

Its so good to hear from you! You could send me the pedigree chart just send it in a new email, and yes there was more missionaries in chicago about 10. There are about 52 missionaries at the MTC. Our dily schedule is packed you have no free time I love it. The spirit at the MTC is so stong! Its with me 24/7. I have learned so much in just one week it is so awesome. Im in classes all day and teaching investigators. My companions name is Elder Kiikko he is from Finland. He was called a zone leader in my district. He is kinda quiet and not confidnet with his english. He learns so much from fun me just cause I like to take control and take the lead. But i have learned from him so much also. when we speak to an investigator I always want to teach the whole lesson but i have taught myself to let him speak half the time. He is a great guy he was a navy seal in Finland and he is 21 years old. I leave next Wednesday morning to leeds so idk if i will be emailing next week. The food is okay nothing special I love there sald bar though salad with tuna is my favorite now ahah but thats the MTC. I have learned so much dad I am so happy that i get the opportunity to bring others unto christ to help them recieve the restored gospel, it is such a great blessing. My testimony has grown so much just in this last week. I love this gospel so much and i cant wait to be in the field. Tell Bro B and Sis P I said congrats I am so happy for them. I did go to the temple today on P day it was such a good experience I thought of you sitting next to me the whole time. I love you so much dad you are such a great example to me.I know evans email so its okay. we went to the store today and driving in the car i almost got car sick from how its totally opposite. pretty funny, and the money is crazy here! ahah but i think i got it down. I love you so much dad I pray for you and mom every night. I think I brought the sun here but it is still cold! I sometimes cant understand peopl when they talk to there accents are crazy! I may need need u to send me more ties but i will let you know on the next email and i wish i woukld of bought a new camera ahah the zoom on it is pretty bad but i can live with it for now. I enjoy working with the lord dad it is such a great blessing. The spirit can testify this ospel to anyone in the world if they are willing to hear it and pray about it. encourage mom to go to the korean branch i pray for her every night.

Tell mom I love her and I am doing well tell her i miss her! Hope everything is going well for her and her job. you guys need to stay busy you to dad. tell grandma I love and miss her to and everyting will be okay. Tell mom sorry for all the times i got mad at her it wasnt necessary I love her so much for putting up with me.

I love you so much dad thanks for everything read your scriptures and pray everyday I have never prayed and read the scriptures so much until the MtC and it has made a different in my life. I love you!

your loving son,

Elder McGinnis