Almost Christmas

For everyone that has had a missionary serve, you understand what we are going through right now in our home. It has been almost 7 months since Donald left us. 17 more to go, but right now it is about Christmas. The first phone call from our very missed son.

We will be face timing him in the morning of Christmas day. I am so looking forward to it, my wife is as well. My mother is so emotional about it she cries on the phone just talking about the day. And Donald is looking forward to it as well. I am proud of him. He wanted to face time with his friend as well, and he was going to come over. But a General Authority reminded them that it was supposed to be immediate family only, so Donald is following the rules. I have encouraged him to do so since the day he left and before. The Spirit cannot guide you if you are not obedient.

For those that have missionaries out that will not be able to face time, and some that will not even have a phone call, I feel your pain. These are tough times as we have let our sons and daughters leave us to serve the Lord. We sacrifice them for 2 years or 18 months, so that others can learn how to have their families forever. When I think of that, it is easier. Plus I have already been so blessed by Donald's decision to serve.

One last note, BlogSpot was nice and let me do pictures again. Following is from Donald

Enough of me. He did not say a lot but I will share what he did say. Ron

Be ready to face time about 7-8 o'clock your time in the morning and one thing that is really important thegeneral authority told us they really want us to be obedient about is not having any friends it has to be only immediate family I will tell Travis sorry so don't worry

I will talk to you and mum Wednesday I am excited love you I want to talk to everyone at once not individually so I don't get asked the same questions that would be great so just be ready about 7-8 in the morning it should be around then.

 

I have been like sick all this week it has been horrible hopefully I am all good by Wednesday, my head feels like it is going to pop I hate staying in and not working to so I didn't until last night we stayed in the last 3 hours of the night its probably good I did but I ended up not being able to sleep it was horrible ahah I love you see you soon!

 

Elder Blackwell my comp from Tracy California!!!

 

My Samoan brother ahaha he's hilarious!!

My district with the aps and one of the zone leaders, they love my district ahah best district!!!

 

Christmas party elder mosley and I matching outfits we sang a song together ahaha

 

30 hot choclates!!!!!!!

 

2 zones christmas caroling in the middle of leeds trinity shopping centre!!!

 

My christmas presents ahaha

 

Another week, and Christmas is coming.

This week was super crazy but so good, it just flew bye. We did a lot of traveling, and I also had many meetings to attend. We had a wonderful ward Christmas party, with a lot of attendance. We had some investigators come and also many less actives, it was so great to see them have lots of fun and socialize with so many great members. We had a area seventy speak to us this week also, his name is Patrick Kearon, he is so good and brought the spirit so strongly. I took many things from him in what he said at the meeting, and one of them being letting heaven take over me as I work each day harder and harder. It is such a great blessing to know that I am set apart from the world, in other words I am "made holy" We have another busy week ahead of us including a mission Christmas party on Wednesday, it should be good.

Tell the Nutters I say congratulations!

If you can look online for our last name tartan tie because we have Irish in us someone said I should get my tartan thanks love you




( I am sorry but this week it will not allow me to put pictures. I will try posting them on facebook. Ron)

December 9th, 2013 he is busy

Hey Dad!

 Its been a good week, we have really been working with less actives and members of the ward, to get them really excited about missionary work. I gave a talk in sacrament meeting on missionary work and had to talk about a missionary in the book of mormon. I chose Ammon, he was such a great missionary and servant to others. Church went well, the new ward is great, I am in the biggest ward in Leeds. But still a lot of less actives, it is so great to see them come back though. Like I said we have been working with less actives trying to get them back and it is definatley working with the lords help. We have a really busy week coming up this week with many things planned. Yes I still am district leader and we have to have a special district meeting this week, because President Pilkington I guess wants to see how I run a district meeting, it should be intresting. I am excited though I dont get nervous about things like that. haha We also have a mission tour this week with a area seventy speaking to us, and also I have a district leader specialised training this coming Saturday. So we are going to be busy! I love it though. We also have a ward Christmas party this Saturday to it should be really good. It is such a great time of year to remember our saviour. I am so greatful for him.

 

Love Elder McGinnis

(in response to the report of AJ, Emy, and Dane reporting to High Council.)

 

I cant believe they are all home already, time just flies bye, it is unbelievable. and yes she did come up to me aha How is mum doing tell her I say hi and I love her very much. Hope you both are doing well.

 

(decisions, decisions.)

 

What time are you wanting to wake up to skype? because when it is like 4 in the afternoon here it is like 8 in the morning there so let me know the details if you can give me your facetime account and or skype account that would be great. and also what are we doing about my christmas present? You everyone just giving me money thats totally fine just let me know how we are doing this if I am just pulling the money out of the account. Love you so much

(I wanted to post his calendar but for some reason it will not let me today. No pictures this week.)

 

 

Been slacking

I never did get to this last week. I was busy, Donald emailed on Tuesday instead of Monday, and we went to the river for Thanksgiving. With all of that, I just never got a round tuit. All I had was square tuits.

Here we go for today. I am going to post his short notes from last week and then follow with his comments from this week. Enjoy, Ron

Hey dad

 This week has been crazy, super busy with zone conference and transfer calls. I am getting transferred! I am going to Leeds 3 which is the Gilmores ward I believe. I am sad to be leaving Wakefield, but am glad to go somewhere new at the same time. I have really realised how much love I have gained for the people here in the wakefield ward and area. I guess my new companion is from Californiahe has been out for 3 month so I am excited to serve with him. I will definatley miss Elder Van Scheltema, I love him so much, we got along very well. Being a district leader is a lot of fun. I enjoy especially because I get to think and worry about other people, not just myself. I really love seeing the changes in others, and also seeing little changes in myself. I dont know if ive gained or lost weight, just trying to stay healthy. People eat a alot of sweets and chocolate here haha. I dont really know yet what time I will skype, But I am pretty sure it is whenever I want to. I will find out soon though. Thank you for everything you do, we will see how the new area is!!! I am excited and will let you know next week!

Love Elder McGinnis

 

In the beginning of the week it started snowing like slush it was crazy!!!! It is freezing here!!! ahaha Never been in such cold weather in my entire life ahaha the wind and air is like ice!!!

(note, actually he has been in colder but does not remember our Montana flash trip when he was 5, Ron)

 

This is from the mission office:

 

My current address is: 7 Poplar Croft Leeds England LS13 4SX

 

All packages and letters for Christmas need to be sent to that address, after Christmas back to the the mission office address. If someone already mailed packages or letters to mission office already dont worry it is okay I will get them. If you send a package it has to be marked as personal items NOT FOR RESALE.

 

Thanks dad I kno we already have the christmas present thing situated we just had to inform this to our parents I love you and mum thanks for all you do!

 

Love Elder McGinnis

 

 

Hey Dad!

 Its been a hectic week with transfers, but so good. I am in my new area Leeds 3 with my new companion Elder Blackwell, hes great. He is from Tracy California, about 4-5 hours away from Orange County I guess. Church was good in the new ward, and also knowing a couple families already. Hopefully we will be able to skype at the Gilmores/rushworths on Christmas day since you know them. ahah We also have the assistants to the president living rght next to us, its great, they are a lot of fun. They just moved into the ward we are in to. It was wierd not having a Thanksgiving dinner, but it was great having to work. I honestly love my mission so much. I am starting to see the little changes that are happening in myself as I work hard and help others. I am really focusing on giving as much charity to the people here in England with nothing in return. It is such a great attribute I want to try to perfect to become more like Christ. I am so greatful for the gospel and for the atonement in my life. Thank you for always watching over me I love you and mum so much thank you.

 

Love Elder McGinnis

 

 

 (for some reason it would not let me add pictures today. Ron)