LAST EMAIL!

well, we have had a busy week with saying good bye to a bunch of people for the sisters. Sister Penrod is also getting transferred to Grand Forks! should be lots of fun. 

Yesterday we went to the temple with some converts for baptisms it was a lot of fun. after Me and Sister Harris had exit interviews with President. it was awesome. such a spiritual day.

 well, this week will be a weird one. I will be getting home Friday and will be released and won't be a missionary anymore. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have had to SERVE a mission. I'm grateful for everyone I have met and the relationships I built especially with my father in heaven. I know he is always there guiding us helping us a long the way even when we don't want it. I know we all have a Savior who died for us and is always there to support us when we struggle. I know times can be hard but we are never alone.

My homecoming is this Sunday if you would like to come :) 

-- 1 railroad tracks

2  a park in Belfield

3 last District meeting

4 temple yesterday

5 temple!

Sister Haley McDonald

Zone Conference!

well, my week was amazing but kind of boring compared to the last 3 days. so I'm just gonna skip haha

 so this weekend has been the best experience of my life.

  Friday we drove to Bismarck for a youth fireside but they opened it up to everyone so we went. so Elder Cook from the 12 apostles, Elder Parrella a member of the seventy-second counselor in the bishopric Waddell Elder Stacey member of the Seventy and President Soares presidency member of seventy. it was so inspiring the spirit was so strong.

  Saturday was the big day we meet up to take pictures as a whole mission! that doesn't happen here. we sang Elder Cook two songs as we waited for some of the other authorities to come. then we were able to shake all of their hands as we walked inside. there was a choir for this meeting so we sang cast your burden a beautiful number about Christ's atonement. then the conference started! it was amazing we were taught about the importance of The Book of Mormon. and how we need to use it more in our teachings. that is the concern of the Missionary Executive counsel. so amazing. they discussed a lot about how our missions are the best 18 months to 2 years for our lives and how every year after should be getting better and better.we were able to have a question and answer and they taught us more about how calls are issued. and it's never to an area but to our mission president and people inside our mission so cool! they also discussed the difference between Going on a mission and Serving a mission. the Savior served a mission but if you go and don't work you didn't serve. so cool to be able to discuss with them.So Elder Cook is an apostle so in every meeting he bestowed an apostolic blessing on everyone there. it was amazing the spirit was always so strong.

  Sunday we had a multi stake conference with Elder Cook and Elder Parrella it was really good. They talked a lot about Missionary work and Temple work and how those are the things the Lord interferes in. because those are the most important things! how cool is that?

needless to say, it was an exhausting but spiritually uplifting weekend. 

I'm so grateful for the time I have to serve the Lord with all my might and to be able to work with so many amazing missionaries and receive more knowledge from these wonderful men who took time out of their busy day to meet with us. I know the Savior lives and loves us. have a great week Love you!

1 got to see everyone from my group that I came out in minus sister Bennett who is home

2 we got our flight plans

3 car selfies

4 love my comps!

5 so we caught this frog named him elder...

Sister Haley McDonald

To Dickinson

well it was a long week never been so exhausted in my life,

Monday and Tuesday were crazy a lot of packing and then we drove to Bismarck Tuesday it down poured so awesome but I might as well have jumped in the shower in my clothes so wet haha it was fun though I got to see a bunch of other missionaries because we did a choir practice for when we have a conference with 5 general authorities! so excited.

Wednesday was a pretty normal day

Thursday was crazy this man called us and wanted to take us out to breakfast we lost our phone so we missed breakfast but he took us for pie. he knows sister Penrod my new comp! she has only been out for 4 months so green haha. the sisters taught in the prison but I don't have clearance so I get to hang outside its a fun time. it was weird to be alone but I got a lot done. 

Friday we weekly planned so that was good not too much happened that day

 Saturday was a day of miracles! we were supposed to try people all day but instead, people called us and set up lessons we were able to meet this cool semi less active family and they want to go to the temple she just needs to get Sundays off. so many miracles

Sunday was so nice only 3 normal hours of church. and then we tried lots of people it was a good day. 

hope you have a wonderful week love you!

1 we had a water balloon fight it was great

2 the sister made us a cake for 18 months

3 we "killed" this elder meaning he went home

4 18 months

5 Salem sue

6 final picture with sister Bennett

--

Sister Haley McDonald

Only a few weeks left

Well I'm not really sure what happened this past week. we had to prep our place to be shut down so we had a ton of meetings and we had a zone conference. it was a mini one in Sidney again. we drove with 2 other sisters and one elder haha it was approved it was a fun time but i don't have a picture.... sad day 

Saturday we drove up to Crosby with the sisters so they could meet Rita and know her a little bit more so that was fun but man it was exhausting.

 yesterday we taught the burkes and it was so good holy cow i think they are really gonna change this next little bit so im excited to see what happens. 

1 the drive to Crosby

2 the sisters i came out with well some of them

3 Sunday selfies

4 i opened this oyster on Saturday and got a pearl i forgot a picture but it was so much fun! but they smell funny 

5 the family that gave us the oysters 

well not much else to report love you!

-- 

Sister Haley McDonald

transfers...

Okay, so this week has been crazy...

Monday our investigator who got consent for baptism got life lighted to Minot for a stroke

Tuesday she was home didn't actually have a stroke she has some sort of issues that seem like a stroke but actually is fine its confusing but she is home just has a studder. so that was good to hear we did a bunch of trying people but we meet lots of them.

Wednesday  we saw our investigator and she remembers everything so thats good she doesnt need to be retaught anything.we started teaching this less active family and they are super sweet the kids are cute too. we saw the burkes that night it was good he is progressing still and we arent sure why he thinks he cant meet the requirements for baptism.

Thursday we weekly planned and saw some members i have started the good bye process which isn't fun.

Friday was an interesting day.... sister Hess called to tell us whats going on with us.so sister Bennett goes home on the 16th of august so im being moved to Dickinson about 2 hours away im going to be ina trio with sister Harris and sister penrod. i came out with sister Harris so im excited for this last adventure. we had to say good bye to people though also had to plan a last minute trip to the temple.

Saturday we woke up and drove to Bismarck. a 4 hour drive with rain both ways haha. we made it to our session on time and then we went and got some things we cant get in williston and went to olive garden. then we drove back and taught a lesson to the burkes. needless to say we didn't really feel like missionaries that day...

Sunday we had to start telling the ward councils and bishoprics about us leaving so that was fun. kinda long and we have a lot to do this week so everything will be done.

 so if you want to send a letter make sure you send it to the right address if it will get to wiilliston before the 14th then go ahead and send it here but my Dickinson address is 2641 Dakota blvd apartment 302 

hope you have a great week love you!

1 best district 

2 we bought new dresses today 

3 temple trip

4 temple trip

5 sunflowers!

6 more sunflowers!

--

Sister Haley McDonald

Chaos hit Williston!

So we had a crazy week this past week.

So Monday Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty normal days. we got a lot down and we taught a less active family who knows the church is true so that was pretty sweet.

Thursday we picked up sister Bennett in the morning to be in our trio. we went to Crosby and taught Rita we had to tell her she couldn't be baptized until she had permission from her spouse but by the end, she was okay with it so that was good. then we were on our way out to come back to Williston and got a call..... they forgot to call us on Monday to tell sister weeks she was leaving! so we ran home packed her up super fast and then we drove to Stanely so she could go with her new companion. it was crazy so now it's just me and Sister Bennett who goes home in like 2 weeks and I'll be in a trio with the sisters in the other ward so that will be interesting.  So if you are going to send stuff send it before the 11th or 12th. 

The weekend was kinda rough

Saturday we saw the Burkes he doesn't want to be baptized cause he doesn't think he can reach the requirements but his daughter is still able to if she wants and we know one day he will too just not sure when. 

Sunday was long but awesome nothing too crazy happened

But THE BEST THING THIS MORNING! Rita called and she has PERMISSION TO BE BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!! so we are super excited to start planning all of that. she has come so far in such a short amount of time it's amazing.

1 trio for a day

2 emergency move

3 sun flowers

4 transfer day

5 sisters before things changed

Sister Haley McDonald

1 Transfer left!

 how is it my last transfer only 6 more weeks? today was transfer calls and me and sister weeks are staying. we didn't receive a call but heard we will be in a trio with Sister Bennett. so we will find out for sure on Thursday.

   Monday we saw the Burke's and he committed himself to be baptized on the 5th so that was awesome. he wants to be baptized with his daughter on that day.

   Tuesday we stopped teaching an older lady she wasn't super interested but was really nice. we had dinner with some members and their friends showed up so we got ice cream with them and that was fun.

   Wednesday we went up to Crosby. it's a cute little town but our investigator lives up there and she is so ready for the gospel she already knows what she is going to wear when it happens. it was pretty great. then we saw a less active sister in the ward.she is pretty prepared to come back to church so that's pretty sweet.

   Thursday we taught a family and weekly planned so that was fun. nothing too crazy happened.

   Friday we had district meeting. it was good. that we saw the Burkes and taught them about the word of wisdom. it was good they accepted it and want to work on it so that's sweet. 

  Saturday we helped the Clarks move out. it was good we got a ton of food so that was sweet. we taught the Burkes again ad then went to a baptism it was sweet. after wards we put our other investigator on date she is so ready and we can't wait.

   Sunday good not too much happened but there were some great lessons.

  

1 p day selfies

2 I drew on the mirror

3 best district

4 Sunday selfies

--

Sister Haley McDonald

17 months

what the fruit how has it already been 17 months? well, I have been serving a mission for 17 months today and it's the best thing I could ever do. I can't believe how fast time has gone. 

  Monday we had dinner with a family it was a good time sweet lesson with them so that was good. 

  Tuesday we went with a member to a lesson and the lesson was bomb the couple has decided they want to come back to church and it was so sweet how everything happened. then we went to try someone but their address was wrong so we ended up at some ranch it was kinda awkward haha. we tried lots of people that day so that was fun.

  Wednesday we went out to Crosby which is about an hour away our appointment canceled when we were half way up but we were able to try some other families so that was good. then we went to go exchange with the sisters for a while. sister weeks decided her and the car door aren't friends needless to say the car won and now sister weeks has some damage to her finger. she went to the ER on exchanges I was worried but she is still alive so that's good. 

   Thursday we weekly planned and helped a family who is moving out so that was fun. then we tried some more people that night.

   Friday we had district meeting and then basically tried people all day. this week was definitely a try people all the time kind of week but hey it's great.

  Saturday we walked because after attempting to ride bikes sister weeks popped her tire, haha but it was all good. that night we went to a baptism it was sweet our part member family came and the daughter wants to be baptized so we put her on a date for August 5th so that should be fun.

 Sunday we went to church and the Addiction recovery class so that was fun. good times

have a great week!

1 car selfies

2 the sky

3 when we had the truck... but hey a Rav is pretty sweet too

4 we have to wrap the finger everyday haha

5 another selfie

--

Sister Haley McDonald

Another week gone by...

so I have this theory that each week goes faster and faster and it's crazy. how is it already p-day again? this week was awesome though we accomplished a lot,

    Tuesday was a great day. we played softball with the 1st ward and all the missionaries then we had a water balloon fight that was fun! then we played sports and roasted mini marshmallows and made smores. after p-day ended we went to a members and hung out with them then went to another members to watch some fireworks but it was still too light out for us to really do that so we came home and watched some from our apartment since we still had to be in at 1030.

    Wednesday we saw one of our investigators and taught the plan of salvation but we are probably going to drop her this week. we don't think she is super interested. then we saw another investigator and she has a ton of questions its great! we werent really able to teach anything but it was good the member basically taughter the restoration and the spirit was so strong holy cow! then we had dinner with a member and then taught our part member family and they are doing good. so we taught 4 investiagtors in 1 day it was awesome

   Thursday we weekly planned and basically got it all done wohoo. havent done that in a while! then we tried a potential wasnt home so we tried another one and we got an appointment wiht her so thats cool. then we read with the part member family and that was good. the daughter is really starting to understand.

  Friday was chaos. we had a tonof appointments set but a lot fell through. we still met with some people though so thats good. we were able to see a semi active sister who i love she is struggling but we are gonna help her because thats what we do best haha. we also got  a new investigator by trying some one a member asked us to see.oh also we got a call that we will be getting a new car that has a bike hitch so we can ride bikes but we get to drive the zone leaders truck for a day so needless to say im excited haha.

   Saturday we helped someone pack and then re deep cleaned our car(we had permission i swear) it has to be super clean cause its going back to the mission office today. then we saw a less active who has decided himself to come back to church get the priesthood and a patriarchal belssing so that was awesome. then we tried some more people. it was a great night.

   Sunday was busy as usual. we went to 3rd ward and stayed the entire time but a member brought her friend and in class she asked how does one become a member.... so now we are teaching her it was awesome. we were all kinda shocked. then we had ward council it was bomb then the next ward council haha it was good too. then we went to 2nd ward we werent gonna stay the entire time but then part of the part member family we are teaching came so we stayed and were able to show them the baptismal fount and the duaghter really enjoyed it so that was good.then we had dinner and then did some paperwork stuff which was nice to be able to sit and breath since being at church for 11 hours is very draining but still really good.

well i hope you all ahve a great week love you!

1 selfies

2 Happy 4Th of July!

Zone conference!

as the weeks go by they just get busier and busier! we haven't been able to tract at all which is actually super great! we love it!
Monday we met some families in the 3rd ward trying to get to know people so we can best work with them.

 Tuesday we worked on some paperwork to help us in 3rd ward get some things done. then we did service at Bethel. tried some less actives and then had dinner with a family helped someone move and talked to the non-member friends helping so that was sweet then we taught our investigators. we took them off date for the 15th it was too soon but should be just pushing it back in August. they are good though. oh then we exchanged

 Wednesday we helped some investigators move for 4 hours that was fun cute family! then we did some studies and then had dinner and we did a young women's activity. I should have gotten pictures but it was great we answered questions and made them ride bikes in skirts haha it was a fun time!

 Thursday was weekly planning. we tried a potential that night and not only had she read a lot of the book of Mormon but her husband has also read and her daughter wants to read!  They invited us for dinner tomorrow and a lesson.  We are super excited.  So many miracles!

  Friday was district meeting which is always fun! then we tried some potentials and found some cool guys that might want to learn so that's sweet! then we meet some more members in the 3rd ward! 

  Saturday we tried less active and rode our bikes all day! we had interviews with the president which is always great love him it's great! 

   Sunday we had church we taught the young women in 2nd ward and that was really fun. however also had to call the cops. it's a great story. we were sitting in young women's some guys were setting off fireworks in the apartments right by us. they started a fire put it out then set another firework off let it run and then walked away when it was done... well the fire restarted so we found someone to put it out and it was fun. the young women enjoyed watching us outside haha apparently we saved the day haha. 

yesterday was zone conference and we went to Sidney so that was weird I got to talk to the stake president and get some updates so that was nice! it was weird being back but we had to leave right after to get to dinner. it was a good day though

 Well, happy 4th of July have a fun time but don't set anything on fire!

love you!

-- 

Sister Haley McDonald

1 selfies

2 sister Allen and sister Bennett stayed with us

3 on the road to Sidney

4 the Bruhs! from rapid we are missing sister Wright!

5 most of the group that came out with me

what a week!

so one of the craziest weeks of my mission it was great!

  Monday we went and rolled around in a tire! that was fun. so that day we called the mission office because we are supposed to be moving into 2nd ward where we serve well some how it didn't get passed down to us on transfer day but we are now covering 2 wards so we aren't moving and we are serving in 3rd ward as well so that was a little crazy. we had dinner with some members of the 2nd ward they are cool it was a fun time. then we went to a BBQ and then tried to figure out our lives with 2 wards.

  Tuesday we worked on figuring some more stuff out with 3rd ward then we tried a potential and got a new investigator. her name is Joyce she is an older lady but sweet.then we did service at Bethel and the people there are so nice. then we went to dinner they are awesome. then we saw our part member family. I decided I could be having the worst day ever and we could go see them and I would be on cloud 9 haha its great I love them.

  Wednesday we saw Joyce again kinda hard to teach got really distracted but she read what we had left with her so that's good. then we saw a member in the 3rd ward that had her baby.  she is sweet. then we made some calls trying to meet people. then we got to meet with the elders in 3rd ward to get some info about the ward but they were on exchanges so we didn't get too much but it's okay.

   Thursday we weekly planned but it was very broken up so we didn't get to finish. we were able to meet with our ward mission leader in 3rd ward and he is pretty great so that's good.we had dinner with a family that recently moved in but they aren't liking it here so not sure how long they will stay but they are really nice.

   Friday we had district meeting and then got info from the zone leaders so that was fun. we had dinner with a sister in the ward her husband was working but they are getting sealed next week and they are so cute. her story is awesome and it's like the best meal conversation we ever have it's amazing. then we saw a less active who we are gonna start teaching the discussions and she is super excited. also, she has a fox so that's pretty cool. fox tongues are super soft haha!

   Saturday we planned more because it needs to be done. then we went to an appointment with awesome members. they are great I love them.  Then we walked because our mission is doing a car fast every Saturday so unless you have an appointment you aren't supposed to use your car.  I like it we are gonna start biking this week. we had more meeting with 3rd ward then we had dinner and then went tracting it was a good time. then we saw our investigators and it was awesome they were very determined about coming to church and it was super good. they are so ready for the gospel!

    Sunday was a long day... my brain was done by the end but it was still awesome. we got to church at 730 for 3rd ward. president and sister Hess spoke in all 3 wards so that was awesome!  after church we had ward council for 3rd ward then we scarfed down food before next ward council started. then we started 2nd ward church. OUR INVESTIGATORS CAME!!!!!!!!!!! it was awesome and they loved it ahh. so we were at church from 730 am to 630 pm so we were both exhausted but then we went to dinner and they had a non-member friend there who we are now teaching so that was sweet. then we stopped in on our investigators to see how they liked church. it was a wonderful day.

    it was a wonderful week. I hope you all have a great week love you!

1 an oil rig playground toy

2 16  months!

3 the fox Gigi

4 the fox again!