HELLO AMERICA

First skype since the new announcement!!

March 3, 2019

Hey guys! Another week down for this guy. And unfortunately it was a week where not much happened. So here's a bunch of small things from this week that made it pretty good.

A spider (a pretty big one I might add) climbed on Elder Sau and scared him pretty bad. Elder Sau, being the big guy he is, is pretty scared of spiders.... so when he saw this big one he screamed like a little girl and had to walk around for a while. I couldn't help but laugh at him haha.

A member in our ward made me some mashed potatoes, that was a nice piece from home :)

ummmmm the burgers that we usually get for lunch were extra tasty this week haha

This guy just got back from working abroad for 6 years and he wants to be taught because his family is all members. So that's pretty much a guaranteed baptism. Sadly I don't think I'll be here in Mapandan much longer to see it :( 

But anyways that was my week! Nothing special. And sorry, another week with no pictures. I'm trying to get better at that (sorry mom)

Love you guys!

Elder McDonald

ANNOUNCING CHANGES TO MISSIONARY/FAMILY COMMUNICATIONS:

Notice Date: February 15, 2019 

To: General Authorities; General Auxiliary Presidencies; Area Seventies; Stake, Mission, MTC, and District Presidents; Bishops and Branch Presidents 

From: Missionary Department (1-801-240-2222) 

Subject: Missionaries Communicating with Their Families 

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently approved updates to the missionary communication policy. Effective immediately, missionaries are authorized to communicate with their families each week on preparation day via text messages, online messaging, phone calls, and video chat in addition to letters and emails. Missionaries are encouraged to communicate with their families using the approved method that works best for them and their families. The means of communication may vary depending on the circumstances, location, and schedule of the missionary and family. If a missionary’s parents live in different locations, the missionary may contact each parent separately. It is not expected that missionaries will call or video chat with their parents every week. In addition to communicating weekly on preparation day, missionaries also are encouraged to communicate with their families on special occasions such as Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, their parents’ birthdays, and other holidays that are significant in the missionary’s home country or culture. Missionaries should initiate all text message conversations, online messaging, phone calls, and video chats. If a family needs to contact the missionary directly, they should contact the mission president first. When communicating with their families, missionaries should be wise in considering the duration of phone calls and video chats. In making these decisions, they should be considerate of their companions and keep in mind the purpose of their service. Missionaries should choose cost-effective methods of communication so they can stay within their monthly budgets. They may use Wi-Fi at Church buildings and computers at public libraries, internet cafes, and other public facilities to initiate online messaging and video chats with their families.