Hey Family,
Sorry this will be short since I went back and forth with mom a little bit already today. Elder Newbold is awesome! We are having a great time together and seeing some awesome miracles!
This was a super weird week. During the week we saw some awesome progress in some of the people that we are working with but our weekend was full of setbacks. So it's been kind of a roller coaster week. It's a huge blessing to have Elder Newbold here though because he has a great sense of humor which makes those slow days a lot easier to cope with.
On Saturday we were having a pretty slow day but it ended with a miracle. We were able to contact a less active member who was super excited to hear from us. On top of that we asked him for referrals and he said he has a few people that he wants us to meet with. He's super cool, we think he'll be the key to a lot of the success we are expecting to have here in the next few weeks.
I'm so proud of you Ike! You're double digits! That's crazy! Are you like 6ft tall now? What color pants are you wearing these days? Love you bro!
Have a great week family!
Con Amor,
Elder Sam McBride
Monday, February 27, 2017
Monday, February 20, 2017
February 20, 2017 The Temple is a Really Cool Place
Hey Family,
It's great to hear from you. I hope you had a great Valentine's Day. It sounds like Isaac will be the lady's man of the family. We had a great week this week and some special experiences on Saturday. On Saturday we went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead with a recent convert named V-- (He's Indian and has an awesome conversion story that I'll tell you all about later). While waiting in front of the temple for him to show up Brother S--- (the 80 year old man who we helped get the Melchizedek priesthood in my last area) was walking out with a few members from New Rochelle. He had just been endowed! I had no clue that he would be doing that that day but it was just a crazy coincidence* that I was there. And to top it all off Elder Mackintosh was out contacting people on the street right out in front of the temple so he got to see him as well. It was a pretty amazing experience especially going to do baptisms with V--- for his first time right after. The temple is a really special place.
Today we went to the Tenement Museum with the senior missionary couple that's assigned to our Ward. It was pretty cool, we learned all about what it was like for the millions of immigrants who moved to New York in the late 1800's and early 1900's. New York is a pretty cool place. Our area has so much history. We have the World Trade Center, the UN (which we're touring in 2 weeks), We have most of The Financial District, the Chrysler building, Chinatown, little Italy, and the Empire State Building across the street from where our area ends. How cool is that?! Joseph Smith even walked and did business on some of the streets in the southern part of our area. Well family, that's all from me. Love you!
Con Amor,
Elder Sam McBride
It's great to hear from you. I hope you had a great Valentine's Day. It sounds like Isaac will be the lady's man of the family. We had a great week this week and some special experiences on Saturday. On Saturday we went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead with a recent convert named V-- (He's Indian and has an awesome conversion story that I'll tell you all about later). While waiting in front of the temple for him to show up Brother S--- (the 80 year old man who we helped get the Melchizedek priesthood in my last area) was walking out with a few members from New Rochelle. He had just been endowed! I had no clue that he would be doing that that day but it was just a crazy coincidence* that I was there. And to top it all off Elder Mackintosh was out contacting people on the street right out in front of the temple so he got to see him as well. It was a pretty amazing experience especially going to do baptisms with V--- for his first time right after. The temple is a really special place.
Today we went to the Tenement Museum with the senior missionary couple that's assigned to our Ward. It was pretty cool, we learned all about what it was like for the millions of immigrants who moved to New York in the late 1800's and early 1900's. New York is a pretty cool place. Our area has so much history. We have the World Trade Center, the UN (which we're touring in 2 weeks), We have most of The Financial District, the Chrysler building, Chinatown, little Italy, and the Empire State Building across the street from where our area ends. How cool is that?! Joseph Smith even walked and did business on some of the streets in the southern part of our area. Well family, that's all from me. Love you!
Con Amor,
Elder Sam McBride
Monday, February 13, 2017
February 13, 2017 "You are the most mature missionaries I've ever met"
Hey Family,
The first week back here in Manhattan was pretty great. We have got to have the coolest/weirdest (in a good way) ward ever. It's a total change of pace from the office and normal missionary work but it's awesome. We have a solid 9 active priesthood holders, 1 pathologist, 2 lawyers, 1 investment banker (who works 100hrs/Week), 1 financial consultant, 1 student at NYU, 2 entrepreneurs, and 1 guy who just lives here for fun. The rest of our 60 active members are the bishopric and women. It's a pretty interesting dynamic for a missionary to work with.
I'm sure you're wondering about the subject line. On Tuesday night we ate dinner at a fancy restaurant with one of the entrepreneurs. He asked us a bunch of really deep searching questions. We responded thoughtfully and he was actually really impressed with our answers so he called us "the most mature missionaries he's ever met". It was a very unique complement to receive as a missionary, but it was very heartfelt.
The work is chugging along. We have two pretty great progressing investigators that we are hoping to give Baptismal dates soon. Thanks for the update from home. I hope your trip is safe. Have a great week.
Con Amor,
Elder Sam McBride
The first week back here in Manhattan was pretty great. We have got to have the coolest/weirdest (in a good way) ward ever. It's a total change of pace from the office and normal missionary work but it's awesome. We have a solid 9 active priesthood holders, 1 pathologist, 2 lawyers, 1 investment banker (who works 100hrs/Week), 1 financial consultant, 1 student at NYU, 2 entrepreneurs, and 1 guy who just lives here for fun. The rest of our 60 active members are the bishopric and women. It's a pretty interesting dynamic for a missionary to work with.
I'm sure you're wondering about the subject line. On Tuesday night we ate dinner at a fancy restaurant with one of the entrepreneurs. He asked us a bunch of really deep searching questions. We responded thoughtfully and he was actually really impressed with our answers so he called us "the most mature missionaries he's ever met". It was a very unique complement to receive as a missionary, but it was very heartfelt.
The work is chugging along. We have two pretty great progressing investigators that we are hoping to give Baptismal dates soon. Thanks for the update from home. I hope your trip is safe. Have a great week.
Con Amor,
Elder Sam McBride
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
February 7, 2017 Transfers!
Hey Family,
Super sorry that I won't be able to write much this week (and that it's late) because it's transfers. I've been transferred! I am in the Manhattan YSA Ward with Elder Wilson. The Ward covers the entire Eastern half of Manhattan and my area is the whole Ward. Elder Tabor will be replacing me as an Assistant and I will be completely released from all leadership responsibilities. I'm excited, relieved and nervous.
This Ward is super cool. Basically everyone is young, ambitious, successful & crazy busy. It's fun being in a totally different church culture than all of my last areas. If you have any ideas for fun activities that would interest 18-30 year olds that live in Manhattan please send them my way.
Love you! I promise I'll write more next week.
Con Amor,
Elder Sam McBride
Super sorry that I won't be able to write much this week (and that it's late) because it's transfers. I've been transferred! I am in the Manhattan YSA Ward with Elder Wilson. The Ward covers the entire Eastern half of Manhattan and my area is the whole Ward. Elder Tabor will be replacing me as an Assistant and I will be completely released from all leadership responsibilities. I'm excited, relieved and nervous.
This Ward is super cool. Basically everyone is young, ambitious, successful & crazy busy. It's fun being in a totally different church culture than all of my last areas. If you have any ideas for fun activities that would interest 18-30 year olds that live in Manhattan please send them my way.
Love you! I promise I'll write more next week.
Con Amor,
Elder Sam McBride
Monday, January 30, 2017
January 30, 2017 No clue what to title this
Dear Family,
This week was pretty great. We had a pretty crazy Sunday. Monday I got asked to speak at the Westchester Stake Priesthood meeting which happened yesterday at 7am. I was so nervous but I think I did a good job. We were asked to share a missionary miracle then give some advice to the young men who are either preparing to serve or thinking about serving a mission. I chose to focus on prayer and invited them to learn how to really pray.
Yesterday we had an awesome experience. Some of the Spanish Elders told us they had found a 19 year old guy for us to teach. When we showed up to the house we realized that we had tracted into his single mother just a week before we gave her to the sisters, they weren't able to contact her. We found out that the woman that we tracted into had ordered a bible a few months ago and the sisters weren't able to contact her then either. Then we found out that the other Spanish elders had taught this woman as well. Literally all of the missionaries in the area had had contact with this family in the last few months. We were able to go teach them and had a super spiritual lesson. They are so prepared for the Gospel. We are super excited for them and hope that they will progress super well. The Lord is preparing his children and will help us find them even if it takes 4 tries.
Transfers are next week. I have no clue where I'll be. Sorry for the short email this week. I'll be happy to talk your ear off in a few months. Love you!
Con Amor,
Elder Sam McBride
Pic: we taught a lesson in a tent set up in someone's living room... fun
This week was pretty great. We had a pretty crazy Sunday. Monday I got asked to speak at the Westchester Stake Priesthood meeting which happened yesterday at 7am. I was so nervous but I think I did a good job. We were asked to share a missionary miracle then give some advice to the young men who are either preparing to serve or thinking about serving a mission. I chose to focus on prayer and invited them to learn how to really pray.
Yesterday we had an awesome experience. Some of the Spanish Elders told us they had found a 19 year old guy for us to teach. When we showed up to the house we realized that we had tracted into his single mother just a week before we gave her to the sisters, they weren't able to contact her. We found out that the woman that we tracted into had ordered a bible a few months ago and the sisters weren't able to contact her then either. Then we found out that the other Spanish elders had taught this woman as well. Literally all of the missionaries in the area had had contact with this family in the last few months. We were able to go teach them and had a super spiritual lesson. They are so prepared for the Gospel. We are super excited for them and hope that they will progress super well. The Lord is preparing his children and will help us find them even if it takes 4 tries.
Transfers are next week. I have no clue where I'll be. Sorry for the short email this week. I'll be happy to talk your ear off in a few months. Love you!
Con Amor,
Elder Sam McBride
Pic: we taught a lesson in a tent set up in someone's living room... fun
 |
| Our Old House in Stamford! |
Monday, January 23, 2017
January 23, 2017 Slow But Solid Week
Hey Family,
We had a pretty unremarkable week this week. It wasn't bad, but there weren't a whole lot of "things to write home about" (haha it's funny because it's literal).
In my studies I've been learning a whole lot about the Atonement. What a wonderful gift!? We don't have to be perfect to be saved in the kingdom of God. Sometimes in my life I've, in Joseph Smith's words, "felt condemned for my weakness and imperfections". It led to a lot of internal anguish and a never ending feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt. While I've learned and experienced the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I've come to know that the whole reason for the Gospel is to make it so we don't have to feel that way. Through faith in Jesus Christ and repentance we can let the Savior take those feelings from us. He picks up the slack when we've done all that we can do. Therefore I don't have to be perfect. I just have to try. There is no reason to make myself miserable when I mess up. "Let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance." Any extra sorrow beyond the sorrow necessary for repentance is not from God. And the beautiful thing is that with agency we can choose to rid ourselves of Satan's influence. God is good.
Love you family have a great week.
Con Amor,
Elder Sam McBride
We had a pretty unremarkable week this week. It wasn't bad, but there weren't a whole lot of "things to write home about" (haha it's funny because it's literal).
In my studies I've been learning a whole lot about the Atonement. What a wonderful gift!? We don't have to be perfect to be saved in the kingdom of God. Sometimes in my life I've, in Joseph Smith's words, "felt condemned for my weakness and imperfections". It led to a lot of internal anguish and a never ending feeling of inadequacy and self-doubt. While I've learned and experienced the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I've come to know that the whole reason for the Gospel is to make it so we don't have to feel that way. Through faith in Jesus Christ and repentance we can let the Savior take those feelings from us. He picks up the slack when we've done all that we can do. Therefore I don't have to be perfect. I just have to try. There is no reason to make myself miserable when I mess up. "Let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance." Any extra sorrow beyond the sorrow necessary for repentance is not from God. And the beautiful thing is that with agency we can choose to rid ourselves of Satan's influence. God is good.
Love you family have a great week.
Con Amor,
Elder Sam McBride
Monday, January 16, 2017
January 16, 2017 We have 1 more member of the church
Hey Family,
We had such a great week. Zone conferences are done. We had the last one on Thursday in Manhattan. They are such great spiritual experiences, but they are quite a marathon. Now it's onto the tough part for President. Having 190+ personal interviews with missionaries 2 weeks.
J--- is doing great. He was confirmed yesterday! Our Bishop was the one who performed it. The Ward is so excited to have him. After his confirmation and the sacrament I gave my talk. I think it went pretty well. It was kind of a rough start because one of the younger young women from the Ward was supposed to speak before me, but she was too shy and embarrassed to give her talk so, after a few uncomfortable minutes, I got the nod from a member of the bishopric to go first. I had never seen something like that happen before. We hope she doesn't feel to bad.
We had another cool experience after church was over. We helped an 80 year old man that Elder Mackintosh & I had worked with, who had recently been ordained an Elder, exercise his Melchizedek Priesthood for the first time. He did an anointing. It was a really cool experience for me because since he was having trouble remembering the words to say (partly because he was so nervous) I got to whisper it to him. I felt like a proud parent helping a man take his first couple of steps as an Elder. He's such a great man.
I'm so happy to hear Isaac is doing well. I'll be praying that his recovery goes well. Thank you so much for all that you do for me!
Con Amor,
Elder Sam McBride
We had such a great week. Zone conferences are done. We had the last one on Thursday in Manhattan. They are such great spiritual experiences, but they are quite a marathon. Now it's onto the tough part for President. Having 190+ personal interviews with missionaries 2 weeks.
J--- is doing great. He was confirmed yesterday! Our Bishop was the one who performed it. The Ward is so excited to have him. After his confirmation and the sacrament I gave my talk. I think it went pretty well. It was kind of a rough start because one of the younger young women from the Ward was supposed to speak before me, but she was too shy and embarrassed to give her talk so, after a few uncomfortable minutes, I got the nod from a member of the bishopric to go first. I had never seen something like that happen before. We hope she doesn't feel to bad.
We had another cool experience after church was over. We helped an 80 year old man that Elder Mackintosh & I had worked with, who had recently been ordained an Elder, exercise his Melchizedek Priesthood for the first time. He did an anointing. It was a really cool experience for me because since he was having trouble remembering the words to say (partly because he was so nervous) I got to whisper it to him. I felt like a proud parent helping a man take his first couple of steps as an Elder. He's such a great man.
I'm so happy to hear Isaac is doing well. I'll be praying that his recovery goes well. Thank you so much for all that you do for me!
Con Amor,
Elder Sam McBride
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)