Weekly report

Hey! Not much new this week. We've just been prepping for Christmas (only two weeks away- crazy!) It hasn't snowed in the past little while which makes me sad but what-ev. We've been doing a lot of member work. Trying to help them get the courage to open their mouths...So yea it's cool.
Well, one really crazy thing that I found out is that the sister of a member that lives in my old area (Wesel) lives here in Koln. We were only able to talk real short and I wasn't able to talk to her about the gospel, but she was really happy to see us and I was amazed by such a "random coincidence". Anyhow, like always, I'm real busy.

Till next week
Elder McDonald

Mir is kalt- #3

The latest email received from Elder McD this morning. He shares a response from an email I sent him. Our patriarch, David Feil, served in the same mission in the 1960's. Russell and Brother Feil have been comparing notes on the area and its changes in the past few years. See my original email below, and Russ' response on top.

Hey that's weird cause I sent a email to Brother Feil a couple of weeks ago if he didn't get it I'll just give it to you right now:

I must admit I never expected to be serving here in Koln- I just didn't think I was a big city missionary. Right now we've got three companionships here. One up north in Leverkusen. One on the east on the Uni center. Then us in Kalk, we're mostly between here and Mulheim we also go down to Portz and of course spend a good amount of time in Deutz. Well, actually at the moment the ward's relatively small (a lot of people have moved out). Right now the bishop's Brother Rimmel. I have no idea how long they've been here. The people who you've mentioned don't ring a bell but I'll check the ward list. After all I've only been here for a month.

It's funny that you mention Rome. We had lunch with an inactive member and his roommates and I learned all about Rome’s travel up the Rhein. It was really cool because I was also able to see the Xanten ruins when I was in Wesel. So I found it fascinating. But history discussions are hard in German.

I'm doing great. At the moment I don't have a German companion but I did! it was sweet. There's also a German missionary in our districkt so it's cool.

Well you know better than anyone a p-day on the computer in koln is just a waste of time.

Love
Elder McDonald.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ok well as for me, Elder Harris and I are staying here in Koln, so The address you have goes. Umm as far as Christmas stuff I don't know, you'll have to use your imagination.

Well, it is transfer p-day so we've got a lot to do (mainly party before the members of our distrikt leave) so I'll send you a longer e-mail later.

Much love
Elder McDonald

-----Original Message-----

From: "Cyndy McDonald"
To: "'russell McDonald'"
Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2008 00:02:34 -0800
Subject: RE: Mir is kalt

Russell;
It was great talking to you on Thurs/Friday. It was good to hear your voice! I hope the rest of your day and weekend went well.

Did you receive an email from Brother Feil? He wrote to you and was wondering if you had responded in an email to me. If you can, send a return email to him- or send it to me and I will forward to him.

Are you staying in Koln? I hope that works out for you. If not, the Lord needs you somewhere else in the mission.

We do want to know where to send packages to you for Christmas. There is another couple in the ward that asked me about where to send packages to you, too. Should I send (and have others send) packages to the mission home? Or to your apartment?

Besides music, is there anything else you need or would like to request?

Food for thought: Helaman 5:44-45.

from an email sent by Russell 11/25/2008

It has gotten cold! It snowed most of Sunday, of course it's melted by now. But still. Transfer calls are this Saturday. So don't mail anything just in case i get moved to another city.

Well here's a story about an awesome guy I met.

J. is a young man who have a horrible car accident about four years ago, which basically made it so he had to learn everything over again, walking talking the works. So we've been trying to meet with him for awhile and finally got our first appointment. He had a lot of questions, but it was funny ‘cause he said "convince me, teach me." He is not ready for baptism or anything yet but he is prepared. When we got to the point where we told him how we found the truth, he asked us why we tell other people and whatnot. Then when we told him that we know this gospel is the key to happiness, no matter who you are. His first reaction was "That's a big claim", then the next thing he said was that he needed that. It was really sweet.

Well, till next week (here's hoping I stay in Kln)

Elder McDonald

I have been very busy in the last two weeks with students, so I have not had time to update our Elder's blog. Here is his email from 11/18/08

This week has been really cool and gone by really fast. This week we had Zone Conference and I loved it. The second counselor in the area presidency came and talked to us and it was amazing. I learned lots of cool spiritual stuff and it's helped me to grow a lot. The more I learn the more amazed I am at the amount of spiritual Giants there are among our church.

We've also had the opportunity to meet with a young man who is extremely honest and searching for the church. At the moment he is really busy but he still takes the time to read and pray and I'm certain that he will come to the knowledge of the truthfulness of our message quickly.

Well I'm off.
Love you all