Blog of Elder Hamish Macpherson

Well first of all I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Different as it is out here, I still had a very good time. And it’s always a joy to call home and talk to family. Everyone is excited for me to come home, so the call was pretty “trunky” — not much I can do about that though!

By the way, just a reminder for those of you who get this update by email or on facebook, if you go to http://hami.sh/mission/ you’ll find that my parents have uploaded a few pictures that I’ve sent them (right hand column). I just wanted to say that, because I know that they’re not included in these messages, so some might be missing out.

Anyway, as I said, Christmas was great! I have so much Chocolate now it’s ridiculous. I’m sharing it with as many people as possible, because I really can’t eat it all myself. We had breakfast with the Stake President in the morning, and dinner with some members in the River Park ward later on. We had steak for dinner, and I couldn’t even finish mine. It was good though. I just don’t eat a lot, especially since we’re in a car. Obviously I’m burning a lot less fat, and so I don’t have as much of an appetite. I think people get disappointed when I don’t eat like it’s the only meal of the day. They seem to expect that of a missionary. Ha ha. On the flip side, some of the RMs here say I’ll really miss being fed a full meal, and often dessert, every night once I get home. They’re probably right.

Things have definitely slowed down this last week. It’s the holidays. A lot of the people we’re teaching are still on vacation. The weather is getting… drearier. More rain and clouds, less sun and warmth. It was neat though, because the other day we were driving east on Highway 50 to an appointment, and as we drove I found we were leaving the thick gray cloud cover behind us and coming into clear blue skies. The shining sun was a welcome change. It was really pretty. But hey, rain or shine, I’m going to work. “The time is far spent, there is little remaining!”

Now for the paragraph you’ve all been waiting for.

I got my transfer call last night… and I’m leaving! I guess that was my last call that really matters, because, well… we all know what he’ll say in the final one six weeks from now (that was set from day one.) But anyway, like I was saying; I’m leaving this area. President Jardine is transferring me to the Sacramento North Stake (aka. “North Sac”), Foothills Ward. My assignment? Training a brand new missionary. Which is really exciting! Even more so because when I say “brand new” I mean it in more than the usual way. You see this Elder isn’t coming from the Missionary Training Center. He’s coming directly to the mission field from his home. And I have to train him… from the ground up.

To be honest, I’m not sure why. My guess is that he is from somewhere in California but may not be a legal resident, per se. And so flying to Utah is out of the question. Hence the putting him right in the field. I’ve been told I’ll have a training plan to use for the first week, so I’ll update you all next time.

I’m sad to leave here. I love the area. I love the people that we’ve taught. I love the wards. I love Elder Evans (as much as he makes fun of me, haha). But, “I’ll go where you want me to go dear Lord.”

I think interesting times are ahead in the adventures of Elder Macpherson!

Till next time!

Love,
Elder Macpherson

Christmas music is ringing in my head. But that’s not a bad thing, right? Elder Evans has this great Mo-tab (Mormon Tabernacle Choir) Christmas CD and it’s almost always in our car’s player. I think my favorite is “Carol of the Bells”, I believe it’s called. “Ding dong! Ding dong!” — It sounds best when you blast it with your windows down in the hood of Sacramento… Ha ha. But on a more uplifting note…

Cortnie and Samantha’s baptism this Sunday was amazing. It took place immediately after church on Sunday. We pulled everyone out of class during the third hour and got them into the necessary white suits/clothing. Then we did some role-plays to make sure they knew what to do. Samantha’s boyfriend Will was there to baptize her. It was his first time. Our branch mission leader, Ashton, was ready to baptize Cortnie.

Friends and family began to arrive in large groups. President and Sister Jardine came too! When the baptismal service started we had to meet in the Chapel because the Relief Society room wasn’t big enough! The talks were great, short and sweet. When it came time we ushered everyone into the Cultural Hall where the Font was located. Samantha went first, and Will did a fine job. The spirit was so strong. There’s nothing like seeing someone you’ve taught and encouraged for months finally entering the water of baptism. Then came Cortnie! Her knees came up when Ashton tried to baptize her. But she didn’t know that, and so she ran out of the font after… audibly slipping on the wet bathroom floor! We called her back. She was just laughing. Ashton did it again, and this time she went all the way under. Done!

Once they changed into dry clothes, we came back to the Chapel, and they were both confirmed. Will confirmed Samantha, and I confirmed Cortnie. After which they both bore their testimonies! That was my favorite part. It always is. Because they tell their story, and I always learn something I didn’t previously know. I really just love hearing testimony. Especially of new converts, because it’s so real. You can see how they’ve changed. I think they see it more too when they speak it out loud.

Cortnie leaves for home in a few days, but she’ll be back before the new year starts. Samantha is back home now in the Bay Area for the holidays, and she won’t be back in Sacramento until the end of January. I said my farewells to her. If I get transferred after Christmas (as I’m anticipating) then I probably won’t see her for some time. But no worries. We’ll be in touch when I get home, as with all the great people I’ve met and taught on my mission. Thank goodness for facebook.

In other news, we’re teaching a girl named Amanda, and she came to church as well as the baptism! Her boyfriend is a member, and she’s been to church with him elsewhere several times. She loves how she feels at church, and when she reads the Book of Mormon. She’s already accepted baptism. She just needs to dive in and pick a date. I think she’s a little concerned about family opposition, but I know it’ll all work out.

In a similar boat, is a girl named Laura. She has member family; her dad is actually a less-active member, but her Mom doesn’t like religion much at all. Some of Laura’s uncles are also members. She spent several months with her uncle’s family in Arizona and now that she’s been back for a while she’s decided that she wants to get into Church more. She’s been to church a few times now, and has also accepted baptism!

Well we have a lot going for us. We’ve been blessed. Christmas is this week. I’m excited for that. It’s always fun to call home. On Thursday we’re meeting President & Sister Jardine in Elk Grove to get our Christmas packages and gifts that they’ve been holding at the office.

I want to thank friends and family for the wonderful cards I received this week. I hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas!

Love,
Elder Macpherson

Hey Everyone,

Here I am for another week of adventure, etc.

So Sacramento is coming alive! Fancy lights have covered the houses, those fake reindeer are in the yards, and cheesy Santa hats are everywhere. However, I must admit, it still feels so… weird without snow. It’s my second Winter, but It’s almost as if last year I was on “vacation” and that everything would be “back to normal” by this time, but here I am again, snow-less, in the balmy weather of December in Sac. But, hey whether I like it or not, I guess it’s official; Christmas time is here! And It’s the best time to be a missionary.

So last night while I was tracting with another missionary an old lady opened the door and said in a strange voice, “Jesus is the reason for the season!” And then she slammed her door shut. I guess I can thank her for 1) the nice reminder, and 2) a title for this entry. The latter especially… because I’m always trying to think of clever titles.

I love the work. Samantha and Cortnie’s Baptism is this Sunday. So we’re stoked about that. We took them on a Temple Tour that we did as a zone. So a bunch of missionaries brought people they were teaching as well. We got there and quickly realized that the usual tour guides… weren’t there. So, Elder Evans and I sort of… lead the tour ourselves. Haha. We’ve both seen the tour several times, so we knew enough (kind of) of how it was done. It was funny. Everyone seemed to enjoy it though.

We found some more great people to teach this last week. Almost all of them are YSAs. They’re all really promising too, so hopefully I’ll have more to talk about next time.

It’s finals week here at Sac State so a lot of the people we’re teaching, and many members of the Branch, are working hard as the semester comes to an end, giving way to a welcome winter break. It’s weird to think that I’ve been serving here in the Cordova stake for a whole “Semester” now. I imagine Church attendance is definitely going to be low in the next few weeks as many return to their families to celebrate Christmas and New Years.

I’m excited for the weeks ahead. I don’t think I’ll be writing again until Christmas day. I hope you all enjoy the coming weeks, hopefully with some good friends, food, and family.

Merry Christmas!

Love,
Elder Macpherson