wanta stay here

Note:  This is our very last email from Russell as a missionary. He is responding to our last email.  I wrote him that we plan to return to Germany with him to visit.  He is not saying "Good-bye", only "Till we meet again."  He completes his mission tomorrow, Wed, Jan. 27, 2010.  He returns home Thursday, Jan. 28, at 10:00 pm.  We can hardly wait!

Yea, tomorrow we go to the temple in Frankfurt. I'm excited, it's been a long time since I've done a session.

I can't wait to visit. We've got about a million families that have offerred their homes to us. But I'm warning you now I've decided to do everything I can to do a study abroad here in germany. I just haven't had enough.
Anywho, I'll see you all in two days.

Elder McDonald

An invitation to Welcome him home!

"Finishing his mission"

We received a letter from President Ninow, Russell's mission president recently. It is the concluding report on our Elder's work as a missionary for the past two years. We would like to share the letter:

"As you son, Elder Russell Allen McDonald finishes his mission, Sister Ninow and I express our gratitude to you for the privilege we have had of serving our Heavenly Father with your son in the Germany Frankfurt Mission. During these last two years, he has deepened his love for the Gospel and has strengthened his faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ. He has gained a righ appreciation for the people here, their culture and their language and through study and dedication has learned the German language as well. He has been able to teach the doctrines of Christ and bear firm testimony of their truthfulness and by so doing, has been an instrument in the hands of the Lord.


During his mission, Elder McDonald had the opportunity to serve in the capacity of a District Leader. He demonstrated a great love of the people which is critical to the Lord's work here and he gave Christ-like service to those around him. We commend him for the service he has given to the Lord. He will be missed by many her in Germany and his influence will be felt for generations to come.


Elder McDonald's release date from the mission field is the 27th of January, 2010 and he will travel home the following day. The Lord has richly blessed your son and we are certain of His great and abiding love for him. He will continue to be an asset for good in our Heavenly Fathers' kingdom here upon earth. Sister Ninow and I love him and pray for the Lord's choicest blessings to be with him. We will always cherish our time of service together and hope that Elder McDonald will keep in touch from time to time as he progresses forward.


Again, I express my deep gratitude to you for your love, your support and for the sacrifice made while your son has faithfully served here in the Germany Frankfurt Mission.

Christmas Greetings

FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!!

 
I got the package with the pictures of Lyndy's wedding. Brandon has gotten huge! I got a bunch of letters from Nicola's primary, Am I suppossed to write each one individually?

Oh transfers came and went. Elder Melum and I are staying together here in Krefeld. Thankfully. Well, next weeks crazy so I'm not sure when our p-day will be. So I'm going to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS this week.. 


alles liebe
Elder McDonald

New Address

A googlemap of Krefeld, Germany.  Krefeld is northwest of Dusseldorf



I had asked Russell about his address for sending items from home. Here was his response to that question:

"Don't send it to the peter strasse address,
I'll try to get the address to you in the next few days.
Otherwise the christmarkets are open and I'm Loving life.
Elder McDonald

He followed through and DID send his current address.  Here it is in case anyone wants to send a card to him:

R. McDonald
Rosen Strasse 4
Krefeld, 47807
GERMANY

22 months and counting

     Well as of yesterday I've been out for 22 months. As you can imagine I'm starting to feel the vast amount of time that is behind me.

     Unhappily it's been affecting me quite a bit. I had a very interesting conversation with a missionary (also a good friend of mine)- where I realized how much the past year and a half had drained me-also how I wasn't allowing the Lord to lift me up. A trend I've noticed in this mission is that all of us missionaries are stubborn. Which is necessary, It takes a certain bit of toughness to be able to grind through the doors that one does. However, though we have determination and desire, during this conversation I realized that there's a level of humility that I lacked in that I had my idea of what was right and my desire. Although I may work hard- what's the use if it's not what the Lord wants or needs. I can be obedient but if it's not out of love for the Lord what's the use. I realized I always brought myself down because I thought I was failing at what the Lord expected from me when I realized in reality It was what I wanted and I was assuming what I wanted was what the Lord had planned. When in reality I need to focous more on what the Lord needs and requires of me and less on what I want.

      22 months and still don't have everything figured out. Guess that's what eternal progression means- it doesn't end.  Well it's not necessarily someone getting baptized or something but, for me, such a realization is just as important as anything else. 

Elder McDonald.

Looking to the Future

Note: Lee sent Russell an email informing him he is scheduled to speak in church on Feb. 14, 2010.

Dude, I really find it weird. Thinking about going to church in English again... na ja, Well I'll give a quick update.
As you know we're now the only two missionaries here in Krefeld and it's awesome. The members realize that they have to do the work. So now they're asking us to come over and help and talk with them, which really gives us a chance to build relationships of trust and respect with them.
Ok well much to do. We're going to another city on a British base with some other elders.
See ya later
Loves,
Elder McDonald