La Multi Ani!!!

La Multi Ani Familia si Prieteni!! (Happy New Year Family and Friends!!)

Well I'm sorry that it has taken so long to finally send a real letter. I would say that this transfer has not been the easiest for me. Surprisingly, a lot harder than the first. A part from missing my trainer/mother, Sora Atkins, like crazy and having my first Christmas away from home, I have to say that I've learned a lot and it hasn't come easy. It was really abrupt when Sora Atkins left because we were completely caught off guard and though that we would have 2 more weeks to have more lessons together with our investigators and to just be together. She has set a standard for me on missionary work and I will never forget the example of love patience that she had. Needless to say, I really miss her. 

The thing that I think has been the hardest thing for me is honestly, the agency that people choose and the faith that I have to admit, I feel like I had that wasn't fulfilled in relation to my investigators. We had this one, her name is Bianca and before Sora Atkins left we had a really good lesson with her about faith (when I say really good, I mean I actually cried in most of it) and I just know that she is just such a wonderful person--kind and loving. She is our friend and she had been an investigator some months earlier but because of school, she said that she hadn't had time to have lessons again. So we try and set up with her she sort of wants to just hang out. It feels really difficult to explain this in a way that you will understand, but if you've served a mission than I think you can understand what I mean when I say, that I wanted her to come unto Christ so badly! It ate me up inside. 

When I served with Sora Atkins I really learned that when you exercise faith, even if the outcome isn't what you want, you will always see fruit of your faith and it will always be the will of the Lord. And I still believe that. But the will of the Lord that I wanted was that Bianca would have a changed heart and that she would have the desire to progress. I wanted it so badly. I felt like my desire was righteous. I begged God for days to change her heart. Begged. And then... on a Saturday in which we were supposed to try and meet up but it wasn't really working out, and she suggested that we meet up after church the next day and I asked if we could have a lesson and she... basically said no. And I think I was in denial until the next day in church, when (as luck would have it, NONE of our investigators came to church) the sacrament was being passed  and I said a little prayer in my heart to ask why it wasn't working out and it became very clear that she didn't have the desire, that she WASN'T ready and that we wouldn't be meeting with her. 

I cried in sacrament meeting. None of it made sense to me. I was/am having the same situation with our other investigator, Lavinia, and it felt like nothing was happening the way that it was supposed to. This transfer has been full of moments like these. Our recent convert, Claudia, who is amazing and I KNOW has a testimony, won't come to church and has been ignoring all our calls for the last month (I'm so sorry Sora Atkins, I'm doing the best I can for her!). I honestly feeling like I'm trying as hard as I possibly can to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord, and then I feel like my efforts are being wasted and that I don't know how else to fulfill my purpose. 

My heart hurts right now, as I write about these people and I think about all the others that I haven't mentioned. I wish that I could relay how it feels to be a missionary. You know how people say that there is a different chamber of your heart that opens up when you have your first child, I think that it is the same as a missionary. I feel like I can honestly love the people of Romania in a deep, sincere way. And that these people I meet and teach, I love with more of a Christlike love than I thought was possible for people who aren't my family and who I haven't known for very long. I love them so much it breaks my heart! On Christmas Eve I was feeling all of these things, feeling all this sorrow and I read in Alma 29 when Alma is talking about his own experiance as a missionary:

 1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the atrump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

 2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and acome unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

"That there might be no more sorrow upon all the face of the earth!!!!!!!"--that is all that I want, I thought to myself. I really have a strong conviction in my heart and soul that the gospel will save lives, will bring light and hope where the is none. Because that is what it has done for me. 

And then Alma continues on, " 3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me."

and I just huffed and puffed and thought, NO! But then I continued on and he talks about Agency and the Glory of God and explains  

8 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.

 9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

I felt so bitter at first but then I prayed and read these words and felt peace... Just as we learned from President Eyring this last conference "The Lord NEVER hides from His faithful children." My pavilion between me and the comfort of the Lord was not my desire to bring these souls unto Him but to do so and to feel the measure of my calling in His own time and in His own ways. Every day this week I have thought of "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). 

I feel like I've begun to understand what the answer is to all this that I've felt, all this sorrow and stress. I don't think that it is to love the people less, I think that it is just to have more faith in the Lord. Amy Lofgreen told me something before I left that I hadn't actually remembered this week until I saw it in my journal: "Love is never in vain, only sin." I had no idea how much that would apply to my mission. I had no idea how I would come to understand it, but I am so grateful that she said it and that I have come to understand it and still am. Things are still hard but there is always hope and its true, there is ALWAYS a fruit of our faith. In the last two weeks we have received more refferals and had more first lessons than I have since I've been out. AND Fratele Stoica read the Book of Mormon EVERY DAY LAST WEEK! And last night we committed him to have personal prayer every day as well, and we finally found out when his son is coming home so we can set a date 

(April 15-ish,  I know, Sora Atkins, I'm freaking out about it too. He is continuing to progress! I gave him smiley face stickers that Andreea could put on his reading calender every day that he read). AND our wonderful investigator, Sorina, (I don't think I've talked about her much but she came out of no where at church, already trying to live the Word of Wisdom and--things we never knew, Sora Atkins, was that the reason why she came to church was because she was having a really hard problem with her family and she prayed and randomly found the Book of Mormon and received an answer to her prayer somewhere in Alma :):)!), is also doing well. She was sick this week and couldn't come to church and have come to a little bit of stand still with her since she didn't come last week either but she actually brought up her baptism the other day, and she bought some fake coffee stuff and she really has the desire and... I think she loves me as much as I love her so she doesn't break my heart as often haha 

And then... last but certainly not least!! I can ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND PEOPLE! I don't know how, but something has clicked in my brain and I really feel like I understand people and it doesn't hurt my insides as much and doesn't stress me out so incredibly and I think that has really expedited my desire to keep learning and getting even better. And I don't mean to brag BUT, this guy just came up to me to ask me where the girl was who he could buy the time tickets (for time on the computers at the internet cafe) and I actually understood him! and answered back, in Romanian!! (Sora Atkins, I even MAKE PHONE CALLS NOW!! BY MYSELF!!)

As always, there is so much to be grateful for, not the least of which, is my wonderful, supportive family. You really made me Christmas Day one in a million and a really blessing for me. 

The Lord Loves us!! I think that if we can always remember this and have it written on our hearts than we will always have the courage to do whatever needs to be done or face any trial, in whatever form, because we know that nothing comes before us except to give us greater faith and learning--and thus greater happiness. Please make this your new years resolution. It's saved my life on my mission. Elder Slemboski in my mission has decided that it should be my pretend facebook status if I could have one. So make it yours!!

I love you all so incredibly much, and I feel your love!

Katy/Sora Macdonald

Honorable experiences

Dear Friends and family,

In my patriarchal blessing I was blessed that I would "have many honorable experiences in life," I've got to tell you that I have had some very choice experiences this week. I have thought over my blessing many times this week as I have seen miracles before my eyes and felt them in my heart. This last week was zone conference. We took a train down to Bucharest and had a day of hearing from Elder Kerr and his wife, Sister Kerr. Elder Kerr is an area 70 and they are both from Scotland. It was really great to hear them and when Elder Kerr called on me, he had to tell everyone, "Sora Macdonald, look there, that's a REAL Scottish name." I felt very proud, I'll admit. The conference was absolutely fantastic. The spirit was so strong and we got so many good ideas about finding people in the winter time, We had dinner and Sora Atkins and I got to sit by President and sister Hill and the visiting Elder and Sister Kerr. I got to talk to them, mostly Sister Kerr and Sister Hill and they are really great. We really have a great President and Sister Hill with us. I'm so excited to work with them here in Romania. 

So for the last several weeks, really since I've left on my mission, but mostly since I've been in Romania- I've felt lost and been confused and overwhelmed with the language, I've also been thinking about, missing, longing for my Mom. Every day. I think about what she was like on her mission, what kind of missionary she was, how frustrated I am and how much relief I would feel if I could just have her hold me one more time. It's a pain that never goes away, you just live with it, you just continue on and life is fun. But I've forgotten how deep the pain penetrates, how far the emptiness can echo in my chest without her. I mean, she is my mama. You only have one. It's making me emotional just writing about this here. 

Just last week I was lying in bed, holding my chest because of how much I missed her and so I prayed like I had everyday that her spirit could be with me, some relief I thought--a small favor from God. But mostly I prayed that I could do the work, be worthy of the spirit in all that we did and that I could continues to be as obedient as I could be. So I carried on...and then we went down to zone conference. After the day had concluded, and everyone was lingering around talking to President Hill and the other missionaries they hadn't seen in a while, I got in line behind an Elder to say thank you and goodbye to Sister Kerr. She told a wonderful story about her conversion and she was so pleasant to talk to, and I thought about just leaving because I felt awkward waiting behind this other person but then I felt like I should just wait, so I did. I can't really explain how this happened or all that we said but I hope that I can convey the spirit of my experience with her. 

We had some small talk and she gave me a hug and I told her where I was from and about how I wanted to go to Scotland one day to find my heritage there. Then a little abruptly she asked, "How are your parents?" something caught my attention off to the side and I looked away. There have been plenty of times when I'm sure I've just said, " Fine," and I might have said this to her, it wasn't like I would ever see her again, its not like she would ever know. But something told me to turn back to her and tell her the truth. I suddenly felt very nervous. But it wasn't because I had to explain that both of my parents had died, that's something that I've had to do many times before, but it was something that made me start to shake inside. I can't explain, but the second I said, "Actually both of my parents passed away a few years ago," some look came across her face. 

She was surprised but it wasn't because I had a parent that I had died, it was because they BOTH had died. "From when we talked at lunch, I felt that there was one of them on the other side," she said. I explained about my birth family too and how close I felt to my birth dad and how my dad had died when I was 7 years old. When I told her about my mom and how she passed just before I turned 13, she said, "Old enough to know and love her." "Yes, she was my best friend," I think I said. "That's who've I felt around me since we talked. You're mom loves you, she loves you so much." After she said that there were real tears running down my face  and she pulled me into a hug. "This hug is from her and she loves you," Sister Kerr said. As I bent down a little to hug her, I felt something that I can't explain quite right, that is impossible to express. This woman was a perfect stranger but when she held me, I really felt my mom's arms around. I felt like there was no skin holding me spirit inside, and nothing to keep my mom's from holding me. I've never felt that close to my mom before. Not ever, since she had passed. I was shaking because I was crying so hard as sister Kerr hugged me. My mom was there! I know it, I feel that moment in my heart right now as I write this! 

What more honorable experience could I ever have? When I prayed just a couple days before the only thing that made me keep praying and going was the scripture that came to my mind again and again, "Remember even the faithful have felt forsaken and not lost there faith." (Psalms) Not only does he bless those that are faithful but he hears ALL of our prayers and I know Christ has felt every one of our pains. He knows exactly how to succor us, and even when it feels like our prayers are just hitting the ceiling and coming right back to us, when we are faithful, our blessings overflow, and we can "sing the cry of redeeming love," as Nephi did in 2nd Nephi 5:26.
The only more honorable experiance that I can think of is bringing another soul unto Christ--inviting them to come unto Him, witnessing that conversion. 

I've told you about Fratele Stoica and how he said that he wants to be baptized but won't choose a date. The "eternal investigator" as so many have called him before us. But, this last week, his daughter, Andreea just got home from her mission and we had a lesson with Fratele and Sora Stoica and their daughter, Andreea. We had dinner and then pulled out the Book of Mormon for our lesson we prayed and went over the chapter that he had been assigned to read from last time, we went over a couple of things and then the spirit just took over the lesson. Sora Atkins gave the most powerful testimony of how she knows that he is ready, and then his daughter, Andreea testified, in the most quiet, dignified and powerful way. Then she said something that I will never forget, she said, "Noi trebui sa mergem la templul Tata. In curand."--we need to go to the temple, dad. Soon." It's so hard to explain things that feel so driven by the spirit but it was so strong, it felt like it was stretching across the space between each of us to touch our hearts. 

Fratele Stoica was very quiet and we all waited. He wiped away a tear from his eyes and looked up at the calender on the wall. I didn't dare speak, trusting the spirit so much more than my feeble words. Sora Stoica finally said, "When Rodu comes home."--Their son who is serving a mission in Scotland (of all places). Fratele Stoica without hesitation said, "Yes, when Rodu comes home and he can baptise me." He will be home in February. And when me and Sora Atkins left we just complete peace about it. We wanted it to be sooner but the spirit always knows better. We are still so excited and so overwhelmed with how powerful the spirit was and how humbling and magnificent to really witness how it converts hearts! How it can change the very natures of people and give peace, reassurance and guidance about where to go and what to do. I know that it is what guided to make the choice to come on a mission. I can never be grateful enough. This is the best decision that I ever made.
I love you all so much, I know the Lord is taking care of you for me,
Katy/Sora Macdonald

Week 3 in Romania!

Dear friends and family!

FINALLY I have a little time to tell you how life is in Romania! My first area is in Iasi. Its in the north eastern area of Romania. It is beautiful here. Romania has a lot more poverty than probably anyone (or maybe just me) ever thought about. So I mostly just gasped when we landed in Bucharesti. But Iasi is fantastic. As we were walking to this little internet cafe, I realized that I knew my way around, and that it really is starting to feel like home.


But I really want to talk about it the people, the branch, our investigators and the faith that I have to pray for everyday to have the desire to go out and talk to people even though I literally don't speak Romanian. I guess the thesis statement, if you will, of this letter home is about faith. The faith of the people and the faith you have to have as a missionary, especially when you are serving in a foreign country.


So the first few days all passed in a haze... I had my first lesson with Fratele Stoica and his member wife two days after I made it into the country. I'm ashamed to say, the only thing I remember was that the food that she gave us was delicious and that they seemed really nice. I think we talked about the plan of salvation and I said about two lines because I understood even less throughout the course of the hour we were there. I had such a desire to be obedient but I was soo afraid to open my mouth. I am still scared to death! But through the grace of God, my mouth HAS been filled to help his children. I felt miserable and afraid of everything and everyone my first week here. I still get scared everyday, but I have at least a better idea of how to conquer it.

At about day five, I was just feeling beyond belief inadequate, so scared, thinking crazy thoughts like I should be sent to serve in eastern U.S. or something like I thought I was going to but then one day, in my personal studies. I was reading in the last chapter of Ether and it talks about Coriantumr, the king, who had seen how a great number of people had died and he felt such great sorrow and he remembered the words of the prophets and began to repent of the evil which he had done. But the last you here about this before he goes to war with his people again and he dies last and alone, it says, "his soul mourned and refused to be comforted." and in the margin next to it, I had written sometime in the MTC, "to refuse the grace of the atonement, is to refuse Christ." To refuse the grace, the forgiveness and the help of the atonement is to refuse Christ. It is failure.

And it just hit me like a ton of bricks. I have been called to ROMANIA, speaking ROMANIAN. Obviously, God knows that I can do this. But I can't do it alone. How long was I going to refuse the aid of Christ? "I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me." And because I wasn't called stateside, this is what he wants me to do. Even if I still can't understand when people ask me where I'm from or how old I am, or many other simple things, I know that I can learn. When I was reading this story and thinking of all this, I still had such fear in my heart. And it wasn't just that day but everyday since then.

Every single morning, I pray to be lent the courage that I lack, to speak to these people. I get so scared so often, speaking to strangers, let alone members who know that I can't understand anything, But I know that I want to be obedient  I want to give what I have in me and then some on my mission. And the Lord has really blessed me, the mouth really has been filled. The first time I bore testimony, like my one experience I had in the MTC, my mouth was filled. I felt like I could speak fluently because the words were written on my heart and through my faith, they could be called to my remembrance.

Last week, we had a lesson with Fratele Stoica, and his wife is a member, he has two children on missions and has basically been the eternal investigator for the last ten years. But me and my companion prayed to have more faith for him and that he would start to feel ready for baptism  Sora Atkins decided that I--ME! should be the one to invite him to baptism  I was so scared and anxious about it the whole day but I said a prayer in my heart and when Sora Atkins gave me the go-ahead (I usually need one since i get lost when people talk too fast) and I bore my testimony. I said I knew these things were true, that Christ lived and that he was the head of this gospel on the earth. I looked down and took a deep breath. It was quiet and I said, "veti urmam exemplul lui Isus Hristos prin a fi botezat de catre o persoana care detine authortatea preotiei lui Dumnezeu?"
He said "Da"!!!


We didn't set up a date with him but he said yes and for the first time he is actually progressing! since then he has been reading in the Book of Mormon and praying everyday! Even it wasn't exactly what we wanted neither Sora atkins or I could complain at all! because for the first time eh is progressing! And we know that that is the lords will for him! Fratele Stoica's birthday was yesterday and he wants to take all the missionaries out for it tomorrow night. He is so wonderful. There are so much countless experiences here that I wish I could share but hopefully I will have time next week to get them all down. I love you all so much, you are always in my prayers.
love always,
katy/sora macdonald

Safe and sound in Romania!

Katy is officially in Romania!!  If you are sending dearelder.coms- you can now send them to the Romania/Muldova Mission rather than the MTC.  You can email her at kathryn.macdonald@myldsmail.net but Im not sure if she can reply to all email.  Give it a try and let me know!!  If you have a parcel or want to mail her a letter, her new address is:

Sister Kathryn Lynn Macdonald
romania/moldova Mission
Sos. Pipera Nr. 41, Et. 7
Sector 2
014254 Bucharest, Romania

Here are a couple of pictures from her first P-day (which is Monday in case you were wondering) in Bucharest!  This is her companion Sora Atkins.  She is her training companion and Katy really loves her.  She is having fun trying to understand the language- Romanians speak FAST!  She is actually serving in Lasi right now- its pronounced "yash" and its the second largest city in Romania after Bucharest.  Its really close to the Muldova border.

She is dying to hear from everyone and is excited to get pictures from all the holidays that are coming!  She asked that you not send anything large or substantial for Christmas as she has limited space and ability to transport things.  Pictures, letters and small cheap decorations are the best!  She wanted me to make sure to tell you all how appreciative she is for all of the love and support!  

Week 8 already!

Dear Family and friends!
Okay, so once again, it has been a great week in the MTC! Me and my new colega are already best friends. We have so much fun together and are just crazy! I'm so sad that we are only able to be together for another two weeks but we take it as a good sign, convinced that since we aren't "technically" companions, that we might be able to be official ones in the last year of our mission in the field. Like I said, she's British, a black belt, her favorite Austen novel is Pride and Prejudice, and LOVES Downton Abbey as much as I do (They are already on the 3rd season in England!!). So yeah... recipe for besties.


What CRAZY general conference right!! What big news, I am SOOOOO thrilled about the new changes. I doubt that it will be huge for the Elders but so many more sisters will come now! over 2000 missionaries were all watching it together in the auditorium and when President Monson made the announcement everyone was giddy and shouted, "yeah!!" Needless to say, everyone is happy about. The Lord is hastening His work! How grateful I am to be living in this time and having been able to serve when that huge change was made.


Well something that I have decided that I want to write home about this week. I usually like to share an experience from this week that was personal but this week I basically just want to talk about my Elders. Because so many of my experiences have come from their influence.


Well let me start off with my first impressions of them: really REALLY young and scared looking but then.. the second day in the MTC, we had a devotional thing with our branch presidency and we all got a chance to bear our testimony. From the very first testimony to the last I heard the most honest and spiritual testimonies from each one. They spoke like MEN, and that was when I really gained faith that whom the Lord calls, he qualifies. Even young and relatively inexperienced, they are completely worthy of this challenge and this work. It wasn't a week later that I was so impressed with them. So, I had a rough couple weeks in the MTC and I was feeling pretty pessimistic 

We had a club of "the half empty" group and I liked to encourage our negativity, especially when I would say things like, "I hear of people who say that they LOVE the MTC, and I don't think they exist, I think it was all in their head to make it all seem worth it," ( I ACTUALLY said that, I'm ashamed to admit). And Elder Myler behind me just mentioned offhandedly, "I love it." I looked up in surprise that someone was defying the consensus of general disdain of the MTC. "Really???" "Yeah," he shrugged. "Please teach me how to love it," I half joked. He responded seriously, "Its just like that one scripture says, 'If the power is not ready to sow, then he is not worthy of the work.' Something like that." I was in awe of him and felt properly chastised. This was the day that I committed to no longer vocalize any negative things or feelings that I had about the MTC. And now I REALLY genuinely love it! Elder Myler fulfilled his purpose as a missionary that day. He brought me closer to Christ.


I feel like I have learned so much about the priesthood since I have been here. I will never forget the day that two of my elders gave me a blessing. I had gotten some pretty shocking news the night before and I felt a complete flurry of conflicting emotions about it. Not to mention how rough my week had already been (Like I told you about the TRC incident, it was just a couple days before), I was so spent and so distracted. I told Elder Rose and Elder Preece about the news I had gotten the night before at breakfast, mostly because I couldn't keep it in. I was in complete shock. After we got to class I just stared at the floor and missed everything. After we all divided up for the lessons we had to teach, Elder Preece caught me just outside the door, "Hey I want to make sure that you know that if you need a blessing, for comfort or focus or whatever, any of the elders would be happy to give it," he was so sincere, I thanked him sincerely but said that I'm pretty sure that I would be fine.


It hadn't even remotely occurred to me to ask for a blessing. Five minutes later in class, my chest became heavy and I felt like the spirit was literally hitting me in the chest until I finally stood up and asked to talk to Elder Preece and Elder Davis in the hall. "Okay, I need a blessing." I felt embarrassed but they did not show any at all and then we all quietly went into the other room and Elder Davis gave me the most pure and comforting blessing. He seemed so nervous and unsure until the pause right before he began, then he spoke with the spirit--with complete confidence in himself, in the words that he was prompted to speak. After it was done, I looked at them and realized the huge burden completely lifted off my shoulders. I haven't felt that kind of distraction or distress since that day. It was completely lifted. I KNEW that they truly held the priesthood of the Lord, and they had the power to be His mouthpiece and His hands. I know that day that Elder Preece had the power of discernment to offer me exactly what I needed to hear. He was able to know what I needed, even when I didn't. They fulfilled their purpose that day and brought me closer to Christ.


As we know, this last weekend was General Conference and it was the funnest weekend that any of us have had in the MTC thus far. All of my sisters in my dorm: Sister Farnsworth, Bullock, Whitticker, and Sister Jarrett, all got to be together all two days for their last few days before they left. Basically, we had the meals, the sessions in the auditorium and study time for everything in between. All of the sister's elders left the week before since they got left behind for visitor Center training, so they came with me and the new Sora and all of our Elders.  It was so wonderful and we all loved the big news and the talks so much but I will NEVER forget the hour and a half discussion that we got to have with the Elders after on Saturday night. Me, Sora Rivera, Sister Farnsworth, sister Whitticker, Elder Cobabe, Elder Preece and Elder Hollist all sat in a room and we went through the Relief Society talks with them and all shared what the sisters had gotten out of them and THEN, we got to hear about the Priesthood session talks. Elder Preece took the lead with his notes and then Elder Hollist would add something else but ultimately it came to down their testimonies about all these certain things.

I will never forget how they spoke about their duty as men, as one of the speakers talked about. They spoke like complete men and I was so impressed by them. Elder Hollist, the Marine, the tough guy talked about how much he valued his mother and women, and how he considered them sacred and then Elder Preece just talked about how it is a duty of men to  be the one who can love their women the best. And I know it was because they really wanted to be obedient to their duty and be the men that the prophet and that God wants them to be. We all talked about the priesthood. And I can honestly say that I have never been so impressed by any guys in a single conversation than I was with those Elders. They aren't just 19 year old kids, running around (even though it SEEMS that way sometimes :) ) they really are faithful priesthood holders, called of God to do this work.


I only have time for one more story but it's probably my favorite of Elder Hollist. So, every Tuesday  we have a devotional, and every Tuesday we really want an apostle to come and he never does, UNTIL this Tuesday  Elder David A. Bednar came. (He gave the best talk about the word of the living prophets, but I won't digress from the story!) After the devotional, we always have devotional review with a member of the branch presidency. This week it was only our district (with Sora River and Elder Crescenti [the Italian ) with Brother Merrill. We basically just get up and talk about what we got out of it. I went the second and gave some small schpeel about it, but before I knew it, and it came unexpectedly, the spirit swept in and I looked around and all of my Elders were overwhelmed with it.

As each person went, I could see tears in their eyes. Elder Hollist got up, he began so hesitantly  a little unsure, which is NOT like him at all. We always laugh because he does everything with his chin up, his eyes straight and with complete determination. But he looked down at his feet, unsure this time. "I don't know if many of you have ever been in a room with an apostle before, but I haven't..." he talked about the feeling that he felt when he saw Elder Bednar come into the room. He talked about how he had met the secretary of defense and several high up generals but he had never felt the kind of authority and power in the room that he felt that night. He said, "I Knew that he really was an apostle called by Jesus Christ, the same as Peter, the same as John," He paused, "I thought, 'I would give my life for that man,'" everyone looked up shocked when we heard the tears in his voice at the end. He straightened up again and finished stiffly, "I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." I looked over and saw him wiping away my tears. He will be the best missionary because the best missionaries are the ones who inspire. He brought me closer to Christ. Seeing his humility and pure love was like seeing one of God's pure creations, like when I saw my niece be born. I was so humbled and so in awe of his faith.


I feel so honored to be serving with these men. I hope that their faith can reach through my incomplete and imperfect descriptions, and touch your heart a little of the same way that it has touched mine.
I love you so much. This is truly the Gospel of Jesus Christ himself.
I always pray for you and I always will.

Katy/
Sora Macdonald

Familia mele si prieteni mei!

Familia mele si prieteni mei!
Dear family and friends,

I miss you all! This week has been crazy wonderful, like most weeks in the MTC. I don't have a lot of time but I'll at least get down whats been happening.

Well, we all know that I have wanted a companion since day 1 and it has been pretty rough going through different roommates and people but.. its finally happened! Her name is Sora Rivera, she is from Sussex, England, has a killer accent, lots of spunk and we laugh at all the same things. My roommates were all making fun of me the day before yesterday when I was getting ready in the morning and said, "Hmmm guys, if you were about to meet your best friend.. for the first time.. what would you wear??" So I basically consider us best friends, even though we only met yesterday haha!

But funniest thing, my Bestie Stephanie Lofgreen--I mean, SISTER Lofgreen got here yesterday. She is rooming on my floor and I got to find her last night (much screaming and jumping up and down, may or may not have occurred), and her companion that SHE got yesterday is ALSO from England! How funny huh? We both got the gift of a colega (companion) yesterday, the only difference is that I got one six weeks after coming to the MTC haha But I actually think it is working out great.

I love my elders with all my heart and so I've had fun and gotten used to it with them and now Sora Rivera has a companion who knows the ropes around here, which will be especially helpful since, she has a situation that is even weirder than mine. She is a solo sister, in a district with only one other solo elder. Seriously. HAHAHA so basically, its just the two of them. And they will the only Romanians in the whole MTC for three weeks after we leave. Oh yeah, and Elder Crescenti... doesn't speak English. He is from Italia and.. only speaks Italian! He is so funny and is taking it quite well though haha he is always smiling and finds it just as hilarious as we do! After we met him, Sora Rivera turned to me and said, "Okay, I just love him already." I will get pictures with them and show them to you next week. They are so great! I already love them so much!

In other news, Me and my elders are doing great. I'm starting to gain a little confidence with the language. And my spiritual studies are flourishing. I have felt my testimony grow more in the last 6 weeks than in the whole last year. One thing, I really want to share before I go. THE BOOK OF MORMON IS TRUE! I mean... if any of you know me at you, you'd know that being LDS at all came with a leap of faith. Basically just because God told me to and its not like you just ignore promptings like that. And I have found real happiness in my religion. But I've always had so many doubts about Joseph Smith. But Heavenly Father would never tell me to be a religion that wasn't true.

And I've always known that Temples were of God. Because I've always known, deep in my heart that my family really IS sealed for time and all eternity and when I go there, I feel the mantle of His house. It has been enough to intellectually believe that it is true. But I had this moment 3 or 4 weeks ago, when we were watching the Testaments after devotional on Sunday, where it showed Christ healing the sick in Jerusalem and then when he came to the people in the Americas. And I felt it in my heart.. "Wait a second.. this REALLY happened. He really came to them, and ministered His gospel to the people in America." Then my doubts came back in.. all my years of not really trusting Joseph Smith for some reason. But I wanted to believe.

I thought of when the man in the New Testament brought his child to be healed by Christ and he said, "Help thou, mine unbelief." I wanted to believe, because I knew God had sent me for this work! Then I was reading the next day, in the BOM preparing for my lesson, and it was about faith, and how if "ye have only a desire to believe" that your faith will grow into knowledge. Everything that I have read in the Book of Mormon, almost every day, feels so... I don't know, its just deep within me... The Holy Ghost is just teaching me to be more teachable and I feel every word down to my bones. I know that its true!

I've been reading the last books, 3rd Nephi to the end. And Moroni and Mormon make me weep, watching the destruction of a once god-loving people, who had once had faith, beyond anyone else in the world, because Christ could show to them even greater miracles.. I weep for Moroni, wandering alone, wondering if the Lamanites are going to find him and kill him or not. He loved his people so much, and their pride led them to their destruction until he was left by himself, wondering how long the Lord, "would suffer him to live," and then his father was killed.. I just feel him speaking to me.

When I spoke before I left on my mission, I talked about my awe, in standing where I had seen so many stand and bear this beautiful testimonies that I couldn't understand where they would come from. Just like I couldn't understand how people could feel so strongly about Cartea Lui Mormon (BOM). But I could stand there again today and express the same great honor and mercy I feel to be able to stand where they stood and say what they said about the Book of Mormon. It is true, it is the word of God.

I want to bear my testimony in Romanian, (all the symbols won't be right so google translate probably won't work, but you already know my testimony :))
Eu cred in Dumnezeu. El e Tatal Ceresc Eterna. Isus Hristos e salvator meu, si ispasirea lui Hristos este eterna si toate dragoste. El poate ajutor viat noastre si ne da pace si siguranta lui haru. Eu stui ca Cartea lui Mormon este cuvintele lui Dumnezeu si ca Evangelia lui exista pe pamant astazi. Eu cred in Isus Hristos, cu toata inima mea. In numele lui Isus Hristos, Amin.

I love you all, my beautiful family. You are always in my hearts (Kristen, I "always carry you with me" :)). And I pray for you every day. If I haven't had time to write you, its because I really don't have time, not because I don't want to! PLEASE write me. (Kristen, you have no idea how much your letters mean to me, getting them everyday. You the only one who writes me consistently and its meant the world. My sisters talk about their cute missionary mom's and I talk about you. Amy, I am going to try to write you back today, hang in there! You are a hero of a mother, to everyone and to me. Steph looked so happy yesterday and I'll keep an eye on her for you :) Dad/Dennis, I miss you. Write soon. I'm going to write you and Frank today about your big news :) )
Always and always,
Sora Macdonald

It's that time again!

Hello my dear friends and family!!

 I am sending most of you individual letter today so I don't have anything specific for my email home so I'll just share my favorite experiance of this last week with you.

So this last week has been pretty rough just because my other Romanian Soras left last monday and then my wonderful companion Syster Chesley left on monday of this week. And I was feelin particularly isolated like I did the first couple weeks here. But then on Saturday, Sister Chesley and I went to this workshop and I was assigned to teach her as an investigator. We watched this movie about this women who had lost 27 years of her life to her heroine addiction. That she had gotten her children addicted to heroin and the last thing in the video that she said was, "I had no desire to live." And then we were told to teach our companion as if she were Inima (the woman's name, which also means 'the heart' in Romanian), as if that was the last thing that she has said to us. I was feeling so much in the video and then when I turned to teach, I bore my testimony and I said words that I cannot even remember what I said. Something like this has never happened in my life but I really felt a complete burning in my heart, to say all the things I said and that confirmed the truth of my testimony. I literally felt that God's spirit was speaking through me. I felt it so deeply in my heart and that feeling stayed with me, I was literally carrying the light within me. Then I asked her if we could pray. And when I prayed, I prayed for Inima, wherever she is out there and I prayed for Syster Chesley as she departed on her journey. We both started crying in the prayer. It was the most wonderful thing that has happened to me while I was here: to have that experiance of truly teaching with the power of the spirit and to bear my testimony and feel how true it was, how much I actually believe and KNOW of God's perfect love and kindness and desires for us. Nothing is about punishment when it comes to sin. Christ fulfilled justice by taking all the punishment. It is about the peace of God, and our desire and great sense of purpose we feel in the spirit and knowing God has a greater plan for us than anything we have and that everything is going to be okay, that nothing we do can ever be enough but through God, we will be made worthy of trials, we will be made capable, and like him. I have felt that divine sense of purpose. And I know that if I work hard and stay spiritually sensitive, even though everything everyday is so busy and the language is difficult, that I will be able to be His hands in this work.
I hope that all of you know how much I love you. Even though I know that we are far away, I don't worry about you too much because I know that the Lord is watching over you, he has faith in you and all of us even when we don't have as much faith in ourselves.
My time is up, I always pray for you, my family and my friends,
Katy/Kathryn/Sora Macdonald :)

A Picture is worth 1000 words!

**DISCLAIMER- I got three separate emails with pictures so I will do my best 

to make this cohesive...I kind of stink at this...**

mmkay, I think these ones are ones with my roommates and my teaching elders. The blonde one on the left on the concrete step is Elder Davis. The dark one on the right who is glaring in one and smiling in another is Elder Rose. Elder Davis is awesome. He is the hardest working one in the district and he always works so hard to bring the spirit to all of our lessons. Elder Rose is hilarious. We hang. and Elder Davis always puts us to shame in the lessons lol but we all have fun. I teach with them and they get to escort me everywhere so most days I spend with them. 

Then the other pictures of the blonde girl with the curly hair on the bed is Sora Lund. She is basically my favorite human ever. I was so sad when she left on monday this week :) but I am so excited that I get to join her in romania! in just 6 weeks!

The pics in front of the temple with me and two other sisters are me and Sora Lund and Sora Heim. Sora Lund is in the red dress and Sora Heim is the one in the middle. My only other Romanian sisters have left me :( so I'm the only romanian sister inthe mtc now.

The one of an Elder lifting up the other one is of Elder Barclay (the lifter) and Elder Myler (the lift-tee). Myler was a gymnast and barclay just likes being strong.. hahah I love them. Barclay left but Myler is in my district. 

Then there is the big group one of both Romanian districts before the other Romanians left. We are all scattered everywhere but suffice it to say, those are my people. 

Well these ones are all of my district. The sepia one that I could of Elder Rose looking like James Bond has Elder Barney in the background making a funny face. And the one with an Elder in the blanket is Elder Preece. I love them all! and Syster Chesley, my dear dear companion is leaving me on Sunday too :( She is the one with the pictures of us in front of the temple with the blonde, short straight hair. And doing laundry in the laundry room--I think I posted those. we had to document our last P-day together :( 

Everyone who I have lived with and known for the last 3 weeks is leaving me! We got some new sisters last night- four of them. They are all going to visitors centers and are here for four weeks. Sister Bullock and... 3 others lol we just met last night so I haven't had time to get to know them yet but they seem great. 

Even though all my girls will be gone of course I still have my Elders.... always... haha I love them, if you can't tell from the pics I take lol me and Sister Chesley always just exchange funny Elder stories at the end of the day lol they are like our children lol or a litter of hyena's. We don't know. 

anyways, I spent most of my time sending pictures so I don't have a lot of time to write a real email. 

but a couple things:

Love you all so dearly.

Dennis, you had better write me soon.

Keep up the letters sister, they always make my day!

I love you so much, keep telling me about the funny things that they do. And send me a printed picture of Lyza walking! I can't open any digital files on the computers.

Always,

Katy/Sora Macdonald

P.S. Please keep praying for me to have the strength and encouragement to learn this language! 

Two weeks down!

To my wonderful family,

I'm so glad to hear that the baby blessing went well, albeit pretty crazy. I'm glad that sophie liked my card. Let her know that she doesn't need to be sad. I'm in her heart and she is always in mine. The same for you, Kristen and Duncan. Don't be sad, I'm right where I'm supposed to be and I know that you will all be protected and safe at home! I love you all so much.


 mmmm package sounds great! ha ha there are a couple of things that I need. A romanian-english dictionary would be great. just a small pocket one if you can find it. The verbs are all weird and basically you have to know the genders of nouns with some kind of sixth sense. so a dictionary would be helpful. I've written you all handwritten, individual letters so I don't know how much of this you want to post on my blog hahaha I don't know how awesome it will be when I love writing letters so much. But it will have to do since when I get to Romania, I will only be able to get mail every transfer! so every SIX weeks. I will definately promise to utilize email more, when I get there.


Also, big news. When I leave and I'm traveling to Romania. I CAN CALL HOME!!!! I leave October 22nd. I'll let you know when I get my travel plans and I can let you know when for sure, but let everyone know so we can plan on it! its still 7 weeks away haha but I'm already excited! After getting through the first ten days-ish, i am really coming to love the MTC. You basically have the spirit with you all the time! Its hard not to! As weird as it is to kind of feel like your under house arrest 24/7 you really do feel apart from the world, and apart of God's hands in the progression of his gospel. And yes, I LOVE getting so much time to study.


If you do put this on the blog and if anyone reads it, something that I would really love to get feedback about is Babtism. And pretty much why the physical act of covenants are so important ie. babtism in water, the temple endowment. Why is it not enough to simple say, that you want to be a disciple of Christ? Why babtism? we are teaching Oleea (aka, my teacher, who is taking on the role of an investigator that she had), who has a testimony of the Book of Mormon and likes all the of teachings from the missionaries that she has had, which is a lot of different companionships, but she doesn't understand why babtism matters at all. And honestly, I feel like I don't really either. I don't even remember any difference before I was babtized because I was so young. I can relate to the sacrament and why that is important to me. Maybe you all could relate to that too and give me feedback? I don't know how to teach something that I don't even understand. I mean, there are a lot of things that I just do because they are a commandment but becoming a teacher of a religion instead of a student (which I still am) has made me have to really look into my convctions of the gospel and it is lacking when it comes to this principle? What is different about being babtised versus not? If you feel the spirit enough to want to be babtized, what is the difference when you recieve the gift of the hold ghost?


These are the things I think about here... Today, is P-Day so I get to go to the temple. It will be great to ponder over these things there. But I'd still love to hear from everyone via-DearElder.com


I'm so glad that Kris and Suzie were able to come to the blessing though. I really love them. Lynn really is a lot like Mom! Maybe thats why I took to her so quickly! lol I won't have time on the computer to write them back, but I'm going to send them a letter, in case they ask. Also, if you can't get addresses from everyone, could you at least get bishop mortensons and grandpas?? I miss grandpa.


Im sad that I missed your whole family, with whitney and riley this week but I'm glad to know that we'll have time when I get back :) think it will go by fast :)


Oh, in answer to all your questions:
My language training is going... well its going. I've recently really tried to kick it up a notch and I think I'm getting there.

I'm almost always enthused about the gospel while I'm here.

Today, the outfit that I am wearing is my jeans, my Thrice shirt, and tortoise shell glasses. With a ponytail. Neither straight nor curly lol I always curl it on sundays and when I go to the temple, to kind of set it apart, since I'm in church clothes everyday.

Yes, I got my nametags the first day. Good news is that 1 of the 2 is a magnet one so it isn't a problem with my lacy shirts.

I go to the temple every Thursday, on my P-day.

The food is really good.

Last week was the first time that I had been since we were sealed together and so it was extra special :)

Today, I'm going to have my soras take a picture of me where we have that one of our whole family when I was 9 months old :)

I think of home a lot

Dinner's vary. Last night I had this delicious tortilla soup thing. It was the first awesome thing in a few days. Except for the jalepeno bagels in the morning. You are unsurpassed by no one Kristen.

I'm warm enough.

They have Life cereal and Raisin Bran, and Grape Nuts, so I'm set.

My bed is okay comfortable. I'm so ready to sleep at the end of the day that I hardly notice either way.

I do NOT have lice.

I most definately have enough mascara.

And... I'm getting to the point that I HAVE to get a haircut one way or the other... but the MTC salon scares me... they are only used to cutting Elders hair... what could become of mine?!

No, I most definately do NOT get holidays at the MTC.

I think thats all you asked me hahaha


Oh and please send me printed copies of pictures. If you email them to me than I can't print them.
Also, is there anyway that you get me a copy of "portrait of an old jew" by rembrandt??? I've been thinking about it a lot. Just postcard size would be great.


Anyways, I think my time is up and Sora Heim is glaring at me to take our laundry back to the dorm, so I better go!
I love you so much!!! you can edit and repost on the blog if you want! I miss you all and I know God is looking out for you, otherwise I would be a lot more worried! So don't worry about me! Its all in God's hands, who I trust a lot more than my own.
Always yours,
Katy/Sora Macdonald

FIRST LETTER HOME TO THE FAMILY!

kathryn.macdonald@myldsmail.net

Hello my dear family,
Well true the real me I forgot my login for my email so I don´t have as much time as I usually do. I wrote you a letter a few days ago. you should have gotten it my now. (this keybourd is also really hard to type on) I will write you a real letter after this. That includes you, Denny.
One very important thing. Everyone else here gets letters from Dearelder.com like everyday and basically I´m real jelous. Just go to that site and have my address nearby and you should be able to figure it all out. What they do is print it out the day you send it so I get it that day and I don´t have to wait until P day to read it! Pretty cool eh?! Utilize it if you will :) Tell sophbug she can write me whatever she wants everyday and I will love it. I miss you all so much. It has been a lot of hardwork, and a lot of work getting broken into all the crazy rules and the schedule here. Every day feels like a week but for the most part the spirit has really helped me focus despite how strenuous it feels sometimes. Please pray for me that I will get the language! granted it has only been a week, we are all really struggling with it. If you got my letter, you know that I am a solo sister, so its just me and 11 Elders! I love them so much! We hang lol Elder Rose and Elder Davis are my teaching companions right now and they are super fun and enthusiastic. Elder Davis is really motivated, so he gets us all moving. We have already taught FOUR lessons IN ROMANIAN. It has been crazy business! Basically our "investigator" talks and we just say, "Da," (yes) or "bine," (good) with enthusiasm. But its all fun and we've been practicing really hard. This mission is going to be a lot harder than I thought! But after a week, I feel like I'm being broken into MTC life a lot more so its getting easier. A couple of my dear Elders is really struggling with it so keep my district in your prayers too.
I've never had so much time to study in my life! Its been great during personal study to really have time to get into the meat of the scriptures. I studied a lot about sacrifice this week and read about Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, giving her only son to the Lord, in the first couple chapters of Samuel 1. And I've been able to study Jesus the Christ. Which has been really interested. It goes over the span of Christs ministry from before the world was, when he humbly called to the Father, "Thy will be done, and thy glory thine forever," after Lucifer dictated his plan for the souls of men. Anyways, I really love it. A lot of growth with the gospel. After the stress and the... more stress of the first few days is wearing off, I become more and more grateful to be here to serve. I sat under a tree the other day and marveled at how perfect its stems, its leaves and the veins of the leaves were placed and I felt God all around me. I feel him when I am with you, my beautiful family and I feel him when I think of you. May God bless you and protect you.
Ariah,
Makenna,
May,
Averi,
Dennis
you are herby assigned to write to me!! Use Dearelder.com or write me a letter just write!! I want tohear everything that is going on.
Kristen, your corresepondence has been quite exceptional, I will write as much as I can. And try and post my whole address from the letter I sent you so that they can mail me/Dearelder.com me.
I love you all,
Katy/Sora Macdonald

Updated Address

So I just got my first letter from Katy today!  She is doing great and having a great time.  She is a solo sister in the MTC which means that she doesnt have a companion just yet.  She is training in trios with the elders.  She wanted me to let you know that she doesnt have a P-day ( a free day ) until Thursday, so she will respond to letters and mail them out then.  She has an updated address for you to send letters to while in the MTC.

Sora Katy Macdonald
MTC Malbox #129
Rom/Mul 1022
2005 N 900 E
Provo, Utah 84604

Thanks guys!  Hope you are all having a wonderful week!

Kristen

Pictures!!

Hey guys, I finally uploaded some of the pictures from Katy going through the temple in June and the day we left for the MTC!  Here are a few!  If you have any that you would like posted- feel free to email them to me at kristen.parsons@yahoo.com.  Thanks guys!

Draper Temple- getting endowed!

Just a sliver of family :)

So reverent....

LOVE this one- Katy and her Dad Dennis :)

Here we are, at the beginning!

So Katy left today for the MTC in true Katy fashion- over an hour late!  She was at peace and beaming when we dropped her off.  She is excited to be entering the MTC for the next eight weeks.  I thought that I would start this off with a few basics so here we go!

How do I get a hold of her?  

Well, if you are not sure, you can not call her or text her on her mission.  You can email and you can write letters.  She only has access to email one time per week for a very short time.  She can only send emails to my email address so I will be posting her emails here on the blog or forwarding them on if it is urgent.  She is an EXCELLENT writer- so if you send her a letter, you can ensure that you will receive one back.  

Her address is currently:

Sister Kathryn Lynn Macdonald

Romania/Moldova Mission

Provo Missionary Training Center

2005 N 900 E

Provo, Ut 84604

You can send email to:  kathryn.macdonald@myldsmail.net

When sending email- you can attach pictures for her to see but she will not have access to print them off.  If you would like her to have a copy of a picture, please send via parcel service.

Her address in Romania is:

Sister Kathryn Lynn Macdonald

romania/moldova Mission

Sos. Pipera Nr. 41, Et. 7

Sector 2

014254 Bucharest, Romania

Keep in mind that parcel service takes a minimum of two weeks to arrive in Romania.  When sending letters to Romania, take the first one to the post office to find out exactly how much postage is necessary- it varies depending on where you live and the weight of your letters.  

What does Katy like?

Katy's favorite color is green, her favorite candy is Hershey's white chocolate bar with the cookie pieces in it or basically anything chocolate.  (Keep in mind that it WILL melt in transit.)  She loves scarves.  She wears a size 9.5 or 10 shoe and a medium in clothing.  She loves scripture stickers, and Book of Mormon coloring books.  She loves jewelry and accessories of all types.  Keep it small, she has to pack it up and move it with her every couple of months.  Most of all, she loves letters...hand written letters- and pictures!!

What if I want to send her a gift or money?

If you would like to send a gift- send it directly to her via parcel post.  If you live in Utah, you can drop off mail for same day delivery to the MTC at most UPS stores.  

If you would like to send her money, the easiest way is actually to send to her a check to her HOME address and I will deposit it in her account.  It is linked to a debit card that will automatically convert currency for her and it will get there as soon as its deposited.  You can make checks out to Kathryn Macdonald.  If you would like it deposited into her savings account so that she receives it when she returns home, please specify so I know where to deposit.  

You can mail checks to:

Kristen Parsons

13932 Friendship Dr

Herriman, UT 84096

What if I have any other questions?  

Call me!  Or email me at kristen.parsons@yahoo.com  Thanks for all of your love and support!!  This is such an amazing time for her and we are SO blessed with a loving and supportive network of friends and loved ones!!

Hugs, kisses and high fives,

Kristen