Week 6 - Christmas

Good day to you all!

First I wish you all a happy holidays! The holidays definitely aren't the same as I am away from home, but nonetheless they are a good experience. But first, I'll tell you about what has been happening lately or anything like that! We have been mostly going through our former investigators, well not ours but former investigators from the area, I call them mine now though! That is mostly where we have found success. It's hard this time of year because everyone is always gone and busy with all sorts of different things, or sick. Basically all of our investigators we haven't been able to meet with in what seems like forever now. But we have been able to find a few of the formers who actually want to be taught again! One thing we do is we will shovel their walks and then go and talk to them. Simple acts of service can truly open doors for people. But a lot of it goes back to missionaries not staying diligent in the work and how important that is. I was actually studying that attribute this morning and it hit me. Diligence and obedience are two things on a mission that are so crucial to your success. To always keep pressing forward, no matter how tough the situation may seem. And then as you do that, you must stay obedient to remain worthy to have the spirit with you. The spirit truly is the converter-easily the greatest tool we are given as a missionary. Another cool experience we had was at dinner one night in a restaurant. We were sitting there with a member. (Brother Bill, who is one of the greatest guys ever) and anyways, an older couple overheard us and just jumped right into our conversation. Family history was the main topic at first, but then they of course get onto the topic of "why on earth are two young men dressed up and up here in Canada" which we get quite frequently still. But we had the amazing opportunity of teaching them of our purpose and why we love the gospel so much. It was powerful, which is funny cause we were in the middle of a restaurant! ha but I remember the lady actually said, "well I think I really like your church!" She doesn't live in our area but we gave her a pass a long and told her to contact the missionaries where she lives, hopefully she does do that! Something else that happened this last week was that we had a guy who seemed fairly open to meeting, but upon meeting he actually just wanted to refer us to his brother, but at the same time we kept talking and eventually he asked us basically what is the greatest thing your parents have done for you? My response was something that I hadn't really thought of before. To put it into one word, I explained it as, 'opportunity'. Not everyone gets the opportunity to grow up in a loving home, where the home and family is centered in the gospel. And with that, no matter what decision I made, I always had parents who stuck by me and continually would invite me to make the decisions according to the teachings of the gospel. They did this through their example. An example that comes by living the gospel. What a blessing that is!! 

Christmas was definitely a different experience this year! Christmas Eve we basically spent with a family and my companion and I were taught to crotchet, were I did make a tie! It's pretty cool! the things you learn in Canada right?! hah then Christmas came along and it was good, just not really what I had expected. Christmas is supposed to be spent with family. At the end of the day that is all I was longing for. We spent time with members and they warmly welcomed us into their homes, which was fantastic! We even got presents! I would easily say though the highlight of my day was being able to Skype home, and talking with my loved ones. I wish I could have talked to em forever! There is something special about actually hearing someone's voice. I truly can feel the love from everyone back at home, and it is greatly appreciated. I can't tell you how many times I get down onto my knees during the day and ask for strength to keep pushing forward, to give me the feeling that I can do this. I have always been a positive person, and I believe that is helping me immensely out on the mission. Things are tough, but I know this is where I need to be! Without a doubt I do know that. I am grateful for the family and loved ones that I do have back at home, you all mean the world to me. I hope you continually strengthen your testimony; you never know when someone is going to call upon you and want to know more. This gospel blesses lives more than I can explain, and that is starting with my own. Thank you everyone for getting me to this point in my life, hopefully now I can strengthen you as much as you have me. 

A few things about Canada. I miss good bbq food, I like can't get it up here and it kills me! Mark Goodwood down as a must go in two years!! Haha. Under Armor is a life saver! I love it so much. Seriously though, I think yesterday I had on like 6 layers? haha I hate the cold... You know that though. Nobody really runs dogsleds up here, which is lame. They might in parts, but none that I know of yet! It's definitely different up here, but very great nonetheless!

Have a happy holiday and a very happy new year! Make goals that aren't just temporal this year, make goals of spirituality. I have found great joy in the scriptures. Read them, study them, love them. They are truly a roadmap of how to live your life. I'll talk to you all very soon! You all remain in my prayers daily. 

Love, Elder McFall

Week 5

Hello everyone and all!

It was a good week up North! Definitely getting in the swing of things while up here. Already halfway through my first transfer, which is weird! The days are slow, but weeks are gettin faster and faster! which is weird to say that already. Some days I am convinced that my mission won't end! haha It seems like such a long ways away, but I am enjoying it for sure!

This week we had Christmas Conference! It was awesome, basically it was a morning full of "trainings". President Campbell talked about a few different things but one that really stuck out to me was he talked about how we always pray to know have the spirit with us, but are we doing everything we can to actually allow the spirit into our lives? Basically are we qualifying ourselves? I thought that was a very interesting point! Then we had a nice turkey dinner, and then a talent show! My district performed a little song, basically a jingle bells parody, it was pretty good! I've definitely learned how to have a good time while on the mission, I couldn't really help it though! It's just my personality, but at the same time we work hard! It's weird cause some days it feels like maybe I am the trainer? Ha my comp has days where he is super "burnt" which basically means he doesn't wanna do anything! In the mornings he doesn't like to study, I've learned how to be a good example though and just study away and try and do everything I can! I don't waste any time while on the mission, because I have so much more to learn, and the times to study are never enough!

Another good thing this week was we had Blitzes. Basically the other missionaries in our District come up and we work in our area for the day. While doing that I taught with Elder Gold (He is from Centerville) and during that I actually invited my first person to be baptized! It wasn't like a "woah!" moment, basically just felt like a missionary! ha But it's pretty good to see how I am really learning how to teach so much better! Well really I am learning more doctrine and everything so really I just know  more stuff to teach now! One thing that has been useful though is that I realized that although I may not know a ton, or may not have known a ton coming into this, that allowed me to really jump into everything wanting to learn. Also with that it made me realize how important those things are that I am learning. With all that in mind though, I have come to know how powerful testimony is. I may not know everything, and probably never will, but I have a testimony of the things I do know to be true. And because of the things I have gone through I am able to teach from the heart, and that is more powerful than remembered words!

It was too weird this week though, I'm tellin you Canada is getting more weird as the days go on. I saw a Zamboni driving down the street. It blew my mind. There are seriously hockey rinks everywhere, which is weird too! I am still getting used to this whole kilometers and celcius thing, I am stubborn though. I kinda just ball park it and call it good. It just gets cold, and who cares what the temperature is, right!?

The work is going pretty good though. We found a new investigator this last week which was awesome! Most we find are formers and haven't been taught forever, so it works out for us! Tracting really is not successful up here, we still do it though! We got one Less active family back to church, and an investigator family of kids( her mom is a less active, and due to legal causes can't be baptized yet), so we had 12 new people at Church this last week! Speaking of church though, being such a small town, we had a potluck after church on sunday! it was awesome! haha people just love getting together up here!

I am having fun, sometimes probably too much fun for a missionary! I can't help it though! haha and the time is going by faster and faster already! I feel good about what is happening, but continue to keep me in your prayers! They are felt, and when the times are hard, I can feel the love from everyone back at home! Have a wonderful Christmas season! I love you all very much! Remember to always give all that you can to the others that are less fortunate! We are all very blessed!

Love,

Elder McFall

Additional excerpts from family letter

It's true about the family stuff (Proclamation to the Family), and yea it has been nice to be able to have all the resources we do have! The things we have are definitely for our time on the earth right now! Modern day revelation is the best! I will share more but I will have like my first baptism sorta! Basically the girl is gonna wait til March for her cousin, but yea so that will be awesome! This same family we have basically reactivated and between our investigators last Sunday we had 12 more people back at church that are either less actives or investigators! I won't lie, it's been tough some days. I really do miss home, but it's a good type of miss. I can feel your prayers. I read my patriarchal blessing quite frequently, and what a blessing that is. The scriptures are something I have found a lot of joy in thus far, I will probably finish the Book of Mormon again later this week, and I have found that this time as I have really studied it and wanted to know more, I have retained so much  more than before! It's cool to see how things start to jump out to you and principles are repeated just like telling you in your face how important they are! The teaching has been pretty good. Our numbers are pretty good also. We found one new investigator last week, which was really cool. We don't have a lot of times where it feels like we just teach lessons, definitely a lot of finding! But the biggest thing I've found is to be myself as I teach. It's nice because of how I love to talk to people, it helps tremendously. And as I have seen my knowledge continue to grow, I can teach people in a much different way than I am used to! 

I am getting the hang of this mission thing for sure! I can't believe I have been in Canada 3 weeks already! What a trip!  It's nice though, I am enjoying it! I have a lot of fun too, which helps! I make my companion laugh, and the members laugh all the time! Hopefully not to the point where they think I am ridiculous, I think that is just kinda my tool to win people over haha it's good because that really is who I am! I am serious when I teach, but the serious me is not the serious of other people! I feel good about it though! Trust is such a big thing with 'gators that you really do have to be yourself! 

Something else as I have grown so much with my testimony and everything is how I look forward to eternal families, and with that I mean being sealed to my future wife and family.  I don't even know how to explain how much that brings joy to my life. It's incredible! Something I was thinking about is how I have come such a far way along. Looking back at where I was a year ago almost blows my mind. The atonement is easily the most incredible gift that we could ever receive. And during this Christmas season I was thinking about that. How I always wanted the nice things, how I always seemed to have those nice things. But yet the thing that has brought me the most joy is the Atonement. I have seen already on my mission how I have begun to more fully utilize the atonement. I have seen how my mission already has blessed my life more than I could put into words. Already to feel the way I do about this gospel, to want to share this with everyone I meet; and really to let other people see the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives is something I never have wanted before. It is truly amazing. I find myself sometimes dumbfounded at the Love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for each and every one of us. Cherish that. 

Elder McFall and Elder Johnson

 Elder Johnson (companion)

 Zamboni in the street - "There are hocky rinks everywhere!"

 The District

 Yea, it's cold!

 2012 Ward Christmas party

 Elder McFall and Elder Groskreutz (friend from home)

Week 4

Hi Everyone!

This week was overall pretty successful. Number wise we didn't kill it, but we have seen a lot of good things happening. This week we were able to get two less active families back to church, which was awesome! But also we had a ward Christmas party where we got even more less actives to show up for! One of the families we are teaching had two of their nieces move in, and one is 9 and we have begun to teach her the lessons! So fingers crossed that should be a baptism very soon! We have almost ran through our ward list and area book, there is not much to come from because the missionaries before us didn't really do all too much. They lost the trust of the members and the bishop pretty badly. So the first thing I did when I got here was to try and mend those relationships. We have already had people begging us practically to come over for dinner (supper) and the bishop gave me a great compliment after my talk on Sunday! Slowly but surely we are making our way back in! I even had one member invite me to come back up after the mission and get me on a whitetail hunt, and moose hunt! He has a guide license, and said he would love to take me out, all I have to do is buy a special tag through him and its super cheap!

Some more strange things about Canada though. First it's always frozen. Boo on that. Two, everyone thinks I am a hick cause I have a funny accent to them...they all think I am so southern. It's funny though! I mean lets be serious, I really am in a giant redneck town, yet I am the hick? haha oh well. Oh, we use the backdoors to like all the houses!! Well like 90% of houses use the back door! It’s too weird. So be aware when I am back in the U.S. and you hear a knocking at your back door! Oh we go to the old folks home and talk to some older members right, they have walker parking! It’s hilarious! The ward is split; it's either really old people, or young families. But they are all nice and enjoy the missionaries; now they do at least! So that's been good. The biggest struggle for people up here seems to be Word of Wisdom. And inactivity is usually because we have them as members but they haven't gone to church in years. Also because nobody seems to care if they are married to live together in Canada, so that is a big problem too.

My companion and I do get along quite well! He is into computers and enjoys that stuff. He comes from a small town in Washington. Not really an outdoors guy, but I am slowly corrupting him! Haa. I am my usual positive self and that is really seeming to help. I know I am notorious for being the positive person all the time and I like to sugarcoat things. Our district only has four of us in it, two companionships. Our area just has Elder Johnson and me. His first name is Ace. ha it's a good time! Okay here it is. The work is tough. The finding is very difficult. Not a lot of people seem to want to hear the gospel. There is so much negative propaganda on the internet that even though I pass out mormon.org pass-along cards, they seem to find all the wrong sites...People have such a wrong idea about the LDS Church still! It's been really awesome though to see the Spirit in our lives as we teach. Basically everything we do we feel is guided by the spirit! Last week we were on blitzes down in Spruce Grove, and we decided to just randomly go talk to this Elderly Woman. We got talking and she told us her conversion story, it was so powerful. But at the end she broke down into tears and just said I know you were sent here today for a reason. "I have been struggling heavily with my testimony, and you coming here was a blessing!" How cool is that? And that seems to happen all the time! I really can't even explain to you how wonderful it is to see others, like less active families, come back to church and see the blessings of the gospel in their families. It’s tough being up here and seeing so many broken homes. There are so many single mothers. The things we teach are centered around Jesus Christ first and foremost, but the family is central to God's plan. We see that with a strong belief in the church people can build their families and strengthen those relationships within families. I just want to yell at people and tell them to not be stupid and listen to us! We know how to help! AH! The blessings of the gospel reach far beyond that. So many people struggle with things, and seem so lost. Yet they don't see that the church could help them...it's so tough. I definitely have times where I do miss the family, but I always remember how the gospel has blessed our family immensely over the years. What a blessing we have had to have grown up in the gospel and be able to experience homes that were uplifting and the gospel was a priority. Don't ever forget that. The gospel is an opportunity to find happiness we have never known. Conversion is a never ending process. Always strive to align your will with God's and I can promise you that you will see blessings and happiness in your life you did not know possible...Okay enough missionary mumbo jumbo. :)

I think my accent has gotten stronger since I’ve been up here? uhm...I work out every morning, I think I've continued to lose weight even though the members feed us every night! I am keeping warm, I bought a real nice jacket up here, which helps a whole lot! And my companion gave me a pair of nice mittens that don't fit him. I came highly prepared! My beanie is great! or as they say here my "touque"...yea I refuse to say that! I have some confessions though. 1. I love the markings we sewed into my clothes (to tell my clothes apart from my companions).. haha 2. the high shoes were the greatest idea ever. 3. the electric shaver is the best, I use it every day and stay away from the blade haha.  Oh also I already used the wooden Plan of Salvation teaching aide thing, it was awesome!!

Anyways wish me luck this week! You are all in my prayers every single day! I look back to the letters I have received and at times they are like personal scripture in themselves. I read things that I didn't think would help as much in the moment, but when I read them now I see how I look to those things for so much inspiration. Keep the letters and emails coming. You never know how much they can help! Have a great week everyone!!!

Love, Elder McFall

Week 3 - first week in Canada

Hello Everyone!

Okay where to begin, first Canada is freezing. It's like -15 Celsius every day, which really isn't bad, but it's always cold and it’s gonna just get colder, like -15 Celsius every day. Today its -20.... You can't get away from it! I use the thermals like crazy. We only tract like an hour or two maybe per day, but you get so cold in that amount of time! I am in an area called Barrhead and Westlock! It's north of Edmonton, and it is definitely a small town feel, well cause it is a small town. There are about 4,500 people in Barrhead and about 4,800 in Westlock and they are about 30 minutes apart. Mostly nobody wants to hear about the gospel. The people for the most part are really great, well the members. Canada is a huge mixing pot with people coming from all over the world. I serve in a ward, but there are probably only about 50 people at most at church on Sunday. We do a ton of reactivating, or at least trying to reactivate so the work can be tough at times!  Mail has to be sent basically to the mission office. Where I am is like an hour and a half from there so getting mail here is every few weeks, which sucks, but that is okay! So keep sending stuff there and I will get it whenever.

Some stories... All right my first door right? I knock on the door and I'm like, "Hey, my friend and I are missionaries from the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We have been walking around your neighborhood sharing a message about Jesus Christ and his teachings" okay not too bad right? well her response was, " I  Don't need any more messages" SLAMS the door! hahah oh well it was a good time! Definitely not how I imagined it going but that's okay!! let’s see what else...I have handed out my first book or Mormon and stuff! That was pretty cool! The lessons have gone good when we can actually have them. Since I’ve been here we have taught around 16 lessons! Go us right?! We had a really cool experience though this week, while tracting we were about done with a street and walking to the car and a guy is walking down the street. My companion and I (OH! His name is Elder Johnson from Washington!!) kinda look at each other, Elder Johnson says something and just walk towards him. Well it turns out he really enjoys religion and wanted to know more. So we are going back probably this week to talk! it was cool to really feel the Holy Ghost guide us to someone like that!

The ward I serve in is awesome! The members are all so awesome!!! I think we get fed basically every night!! haha and the members up here love to...HUNT! HA I talk to it with just about everyone, and I can talk to just about anyone with the things I have done! Which helps! this small town feel is definitely weird, I mean the town is just bigger than my high school, that's crazy to me. But anyways, yeah all the members love to hunt it seems like so we can usually open with that and I stay pretty entertained because of it.

The work is tough up here; there is no doubt about that! And being this far away from the city is weird! It takes some getting used to, and definitely a humbling experience. However the power of prayer is so necessary and staying positive and diligent in the work is a must. There are a lot of tough moments when you are serving, and sometimes you just feel like there is no point, then you meet someone walking down the street and you realize and remember why it is all worth it. There are some out there that want to hear the gospel, and we have to go through and find all of those that do. I can feel the prayers, and they help immensely. I love hearing form all of you. I hope everything is going great back at home and everything! It's definitely a good time here, but I wouldn't recommend Canada in the winter! haha I'll talk to you all soon.

Love, Elder McFall

Arrival in the field

November 27,  2012

After an early departure from the MTC and arrival at the Salt Lake City airport, a group of 15 elders boarded their final leg to Edmonton Canada in Denver. Unfortunately the flight was delayed for over an hour, but fortunately for us, we had the pleasure of speaking to Elder McFall by telephone during that time. He was very excited to be on his way to the mission field and expressed gratitude for the things that he has learned, his relationship with his Heavenly Father, and for the wonderful support that he has received from family and friends. His MTC companion, Elder Leyerle, was unable to depart the MTC with the group due to a dental emergency and will hopefully be on a flight to Edmonton in the near future. While challenges arise in companionships, it was clear in Elder McFall's voice that he was somewhat disheartened about his companion which reflects on his true character and the caring person  he is. It is unclear when his scheduled preparation day will be once he arrives in Edmonton, but he has heard rumored that it will be on Monday. Until then, please read the letter received from Elder McFall's mission president and his wife, President and sister Campbell.

Dear McFall Family,

Elder McFall arrived in Edmonton on Tuesday, the 27th of November.  He arrived with 14 other missionaries that he worked with closely at the MTC.  They looked a little anxious when they stepped through the doors, but thankful to be here. We were there to greet them at the airport, President and Sister Campbell and the assistants showed up shortly after they arrived with the van and trailer.  

It was a pleasure to finally meet your son, Elder McFall, after studying his picture for the past few weeks.  The assistants helped them load their luggage into the van and we were on our way to the stake center.  Once at the stake center, as the mission office just won't accommodate a group this large, we introduced them to the office staff and had a bite to eat.  They were very tired and hungry and appreciated the lunch we provided for them.  We had the opportunity to sit down and eat with them and enjoyed the time to just visit.  They filled out and signed the necessary forms that would allow them to get right to work.

After the business at the stake center,  we went to the mission home, where the missionaries were able to sit and rest while President Campbell had the privilege of interviewing each one of them.  We welcomed them into our home and saw that they were well cared for.  During interviews they received their first training by the assistants. 

We provided dinner and then had a fireside where they watched a DVD of sights from the mission.  Then we had the privilege to hear testimonies from each of the new missionaries. 

Thank you for raising such an amazing son and preparing him for the work.  We look forward to serving with him and watching him grow in testimony and purpose as he serves the people of the Canada Edmonton Mission.

Enclosed is a photo of your son with us on the day he met his new companion.  May God bless you and your family during Elder McFall's service here in Edmonton.

With warm regards,

President and Sister Campbell