What an amazing week

Hey guys! Thank you so much for the emails that you have sent me. It was a joy reading them! It is so nice to hear about the things happening at home. The weather has been going wonderful. I am loving how perfect it is. What a great week to be a missionary in the Utah Ogden mission!!!! I want to make a shout out to my most awesome MOM because she is one great momma!  Happy Mothers Day!

My companion, Elder Simbeck, is from Arlington, Washington (a hour north of Seattle). He is 21 years old and he is a really cool guy. We have a lot of fun together. We joke around a lot and we get along just amazing. I am so happy that he is my companion. We have a lot of fun! So, we had an amazing week this week! :D

Elder Simbeck and I were able to have two lessons with the Cefalo family and it was amazing. The first lesson we had is the 10 commandments and we taught with the hand signs. They were able to TEACH their friend who showed up late to the lesson. It was amazing. After that lesson, we were able to solidify Gage and Ethan Cefalo for baptism. They really want to be baptized and they are SO SOLID! In fact, the family is having a family barbeque in celebration for Gage and Ethan's baptism. May 24 is going to be an amazing day! :) 

Elder Simbeck and I were also able to go see the Detar family. They have two daughters who are twins and is 15 years old. They accepted a baptismal date from Elder Kelley and I but it fell through because the mother didn't want them to deal with extra things right now. We later found out that the father committed suicide and it really hurt the daughters. That lesson, we were able to go and share Mountains to Climb with the family. We talked about the Atonement and we can have the strength from Jesus Christ to overcome trials. It was a very spiritual lessons; in fact, it was one of the MOST spiritual lessons I have ever been in. The fellowshipper shared this amazing story about his trials in his life and I was able to talk about my deafness and how Jesus Christ helped me get past trials. The mother started crying and it was an amazing lesson. 

Elder Simbeck and I were able to teach the Stop Smoking program to Shauna King. Shauna King is a single woman and she lives alone. We have a fellowshipper who comes with us so we can go inside. The morning of the day when the lesson is going to happen, I texted the fellowshipper, making sure that he still knows about the lesson. He confirmed and guess what?! He never showed up. We called/texted him and we had to teach her on the doorsteps and it was a very interesting lesson. The fellowshipper called us later that day and apologized. It was a cool experience and I can't complain. Now, I can say that I taught someone how to stop smoking on a doorstep. :D 

Hahahaha, I am just dying of laughter thinking of this story. So last Saturday, I told Elder Simbeck about a balot (22 day old baby duck) and told him that if James Wales offers one, he has to take the offer (I was playing a prank on him). I told him that James would get really offended and get mad at us. I was joking about that. James is a very chill, laid-back guy. I also told him that the balot is very expensive. About 10 bucks per egg. It is only a dollar. He got so scared and guess what?! JAMES OFFERED HIM ONE and knowing about the whole deal ! But we were out of time so we had to leave. Elder Simbeck was so happy about that but I told James that we can come back after the lesson. As we walked out, I was trying so hard to not laugh. Elder Simbeck was FREAKING OUT! I wish I have recorded it. I told him that it's easy. Just eat the whole thing and down it with water. Later that day, we came back and he was dying of nervousness. He got the balot and proceeded to eat the whole thing and trying to not throw up. It was HILARIOUS! After that, James told him that he was a man for eating the whole thing and told him that Elder Kelley and I only took one bite. Elder Simbeck gave the FUNNIEST reaction!! The entire family and I was laughing SO hard. After sharing a spiritual thought, we left and Elder Simbeck told me that he is happy because he can now tell his future kids that he ate something super disgusting. It was one of the funniest times I had on my mission!

It was a fantastic week and I love being a missionary. Tomorrow, I hit my NINTH month mark and it feels like it has been a short time. I can't wait to see what the next 15 months will bring. I love working so hard and seeing so many miracles to happen. I love all of you and don't forget to stay strong! God loves you! Love, Elder McGrath