In the Rough - The Blog of Joel McDonald Jr.

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For the first time since freshman year gym class (about 6 years ago) I, Joel, purchased a pair of sneakers and gym cloths and actually went running. I did this of my own free will…amazing.

Seriously, I’ve had the feeling that I should start exercising partly in preparation for my mission, and partly just to make myself feel good. I’ve never been in what I would consider tip-top shape, so maybe by the time my mission rolls around I’ll be able to keep up with the other Elders on the basketball court.

So yeah, I’m feeling a bit worn. I walked more than I jogged/ran today. I figure it will take a bit before my body learns how to use it’s muscles and process oxegen efficiently again. I know this will improve though. In the beginning of freshman year I was running 14 min. miles, by the end my best time was 8:34 min. So I know I can improve. I’ve just got to go through the days of losing my breath very easily.

Ah…memories of freshman gym class…

Drew: Joel (deep amplified breathing) I am your gym teacher…
Me: NooooOOOOOOooooo!

Ah….good times…good times.

I had a wonderful day today. Any day where ones focus is on the Lord can only be counted as a good day.

I arrived at church 20 minutes early and walked into the sanctuary amid the sweet sound of organ music. I could hear the music before entering the sanctuary and it sounded so wonderful to me that I thought it was a CD being played, which has never been done before. When I did fully enter the room an elderly brother was playing. I feel a connection to him. He is a convert to the church, only baptized two weeks ago. His musical abilities parallel mine and we’ve spoken a few times before about playing organ and piano. He reads very little music. I may have had training in the treble clef, but the bass clef is difficult for me. This brother plays often, usually playing between talks. Today however he was responsible for playing the opening hymn…and was quite nervous about it. We, I and a few others, assured him that his playing was wonderful. When the time for the first hymn came around, he somewhat stumbled through it. I know from experience that it is quite nerve racking and difficult to play and have others sing to what you are playing. I’ve tried, and generally have given up part way through. This brother however pressed on and completed the 4 verse hymn. The newly ordained priest sitting with me on the stand chuckled a bit at his playing, but to me the music was wonderful as it came from the heart of a man who after many years had finally found the truth. He was happy to share his talents with us. For that I am grateful. I am also grateful for the wonderful blessing it is to be able to bless the sacrament. My time as a priest is coming quickly to an end. Finally we now have two other priests to take over the duty of blessing the sacrament. I am grateful that I have been able to be of service. After church we, my home teaching companion and I, were asked to go to the home of a member couple to administer the sacrament. They have been unable to come to church due to health reasons. I enthusiastically accepted the assignment. I am grateful for both the opportunities I was given to bless and sacrament.

Ben received his mission call Saturday. He’s going to be serving in the Sacramento California South Mission. Earlier this week Drew received his call to serve in the Boise Idaho Spanish Speaking Mission. Preceding that, another Ben, the Stake President’s son received his call to serve in the Salt Lake City South Mission. I offer my congratulations to all these future missionaries. I am anxiously awaiting my call to serve along with them.

Tonight we observed the 175th anniversary of the restoration of the Priesthood. A satellite broadcast was shown at the Stake Center where we were pleased to hear from a handful of General Authorities including the Presiding Bishop of the Church, the Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the President and Prophet of the Church. It was a wonderful broadcast. Perhaps one of the major things that we as members, and especially those serving as missionaries, tell the world is that there is a proper priesthood authority on the earth who preside over ordinances such as baptism, the sacrament, confirmation, marriage, and others. This priesthood is headed by Christ himself and the linage of those ordained can be traced directly back to Him. It is a wonderful thing. It is something that Latter-day Saints should cherish and hold with high esteem.

I suppose that is about all for this entry. I hope others have had as great a day as I have. Take Care & God Bless!

You know how the best laid plans…

Hehe. I was supposed to be at the office from 9am to 1pm today. We’re not sure but one of the owners likes to have someone in the office on Saturday for a few hours. Nothing happens on Satudays. I had some business to take care of, but I easily took care of that from home. So, when my alarm went off this morning, I turned it off and basically said “I don’t think so” and rolled over and went back to sleep. Sleep is good.

Around 11am I decided I’d get up and give the front lawn a mow. After that I took a wonderful shower, ate a toaster struddle and a bannana (solid foods are wonderful!).

I spent a good part of the day reading. I had heard somewhere about a stone found in South America that some say depicts Lehi’s vision of the Tree of Life found in the Book of Mormon. I thought it might be cool to maybe get a nice shot of it and have it printed on photopaper for potential use on my mission. However after reading material I found on the FARMS website, I decided that the stone was just too contraversial to use on the mission field. For those interested run a search on “Stella 5″, which is what the stone was named. I also recieved New Era and The Ensign today. I quickly read through some uplifting articles in NE, and then proceeded to read the conference addresses that I missed (Saturday sessions). I missed some great stuff. I love how they print all the talks and pictures from the conference in The Ensign.

After dinner (again…solid food rocks!!) I washed my grandmothers and my car. I haven’t washed my car since I got it (a year ago this August). It’s so nice and clean now. If only I would vaccuum it I might actually be tempted to find a girl to ask on a date, just so I can drive her around. I know, it sounds a bit strange, but if you were in my situation, where I didn’t get my license until I was 19, I bet you’d think along those same lines too. If not…then I’m just strange…and I’m okay with that.

I am so excited about this summer! I leave for Heather-Ann’s wedding in exactly one month. The new Harry Potter comes out on June 4th. Brean mentioned something about a get together in Yorktown to see it. If that happens, then it’s going to be so cool to see her again. If it doesn’t happen…then I’m going to drive up and kidnap her..sshhhh….don’t tell her though. I should get my mission call within a month, and leave early August! So yeah…lots to be excited about.

Well, this has certainly turned into a longer entry than I had intended. I suppose I’ll go read a bit more and hit the sack.

Take Care out There!

Well…now everything is out of my hands. Now I just wait. I suppose waiting is the worst part. I’ve rushed through the past couple of weeks completing this and that. Now I do nothing but wait and wonder. Wonder and wait. Praying that the process will be speedy. I’ve resolved not to be upset if I don’t get my call before going to Heather-Ann’s wedding. For sure I’ll be disapointed, but not upset. It’s quite likely the call will arrive while I’m in Seattle.

I’m tired. It’s like all the energy that was built up the last couple of weeks has left me. I must go…to..bed….zzzzzzzz