Well my first week through taking over the area! Man it has been pretty stressful, but I am getting into the swing of things. I do honestly miss Elder Newbold. He is a super good missionary and just knows what he is doing, but my new companion's name is Elder Park. He is a big tall guy too and played basketball out at BYU Hawaii for a year before. He is from Mesa, Arizona. He just finished being a zone leader and now is with me. Lots of changes were made. We now have three sets of missionaries in our ward and so we split the area a little. I was a little scared about losing some investigators to them, but it turned out fine. He is a chill guy and a hard worker also though. I'm excited to see how it goes! 

 

I did not see Jake (his best friend from Georgia who just got to the mission) however so I was pretty bummed but hopefully soon! At least he is here now. 

 

Also, A and R just got confirmed, and I was talking to them afterwards about how they felt. She said she was a little scared, and they both felt just a very warm feeling in there shoulders and everything. It was powerful. I told them it was the Holy Ghost for sure just maybe letting them know it was there. 

 

I forgot to send the pictures for that 5k cause there are plenty. We went into the Phillies stadium and everything. It was super cool. 

 

All of our other investigators are doing great. We have one guy H who is the husband of a member who should definitely be getting baptized soon. All their family is mormon, and he just got back from his trip from being in El Salvador, and while he was there he went to see the temple, went to church and read a lot of the Book of Mormon. He is totally ready! So we will see.

It is definitely colder. It snowed the other night and is supposed to later today I believe. Also, we had freezing rain last night so that was so fun. I can't believe y'all got snow there already! Well looks like it is going to be a cold winter. You should see the leaves here! All the colors are gorgeous.

I loved it(package I sent)! I eat it too quick lol I mean I haven't eaten it all but the hi chews and stuff. Um just anything you see that might be real good. I did like the sour patch a lot and stuff so yeah. Also all the clothes are great and I think those socks work pretty well actually. You can always just send some thermals as well. That might just be easier. 

Some of the couples that work here in the mission made us a Thanksgiving lunch for our new zone and it was soooooooo good. Turkey and all. 

I remember watching that same talk (from Elder Holland that Ryan talked about in his e-mail last week). He is so powerful, and I love hearing all of them speak that is for sure. I am excited for the temple here! It is going to be an awesome experience for sure. Hopefully I will be here but not positive! 

Sounds like you might be hitting some snow up there for sure! But it'll probably be alright. Better bundle up though! 

Well I am sure it is nice to have a little relief and just relax a little bit (since being released as YW president). I definitely understand the stress now! There is soooooo much that goes into missionary work that is for sure, but it just teaches you. I heard there was one missionary that President Andersen told us about the other day in our district meeting. He said that this missionary would pray and pray everyday saying, "I don't want to plan, I don't want to go out, I don't want to study, or anything. Lord please help me." Everyday he would pray but ended up being one of the best missionaries. I thought that was interesting. 

Well I think and hope I am doing an ok job now! Seems like it. I'm excited for the holidays and to skype! But for now everything is going great. I guess some big testimonies I would say recently to me is thinking about Joseph Smith how he wouldn't deny what he saw no matter what and I was just reading about Abinidah and how he would not deny what he knew no matter what King Noah was going to do. I mean he ended up being burned and everything. It's just they can't deny it cause it's true. Well I'm doing good and I love you so much mom!

Love, 

Elder McArthur

 

                                             Subway with Elder Villaba and Elder Tyler

                                          Elder Taylor heading home.  Elder Story photobombing.

                                             Elder Mower headed home too.