Blog of Elder Hamish Macpherson

Elder Evans and I had a great week! I’ll try to make this a quick update.

Oscar’s two kids, Omari and Oscar Jr. got baptized this last weekend. It was great! The Primary sang a song, Elder Evans gave a talk, I did the baptizing, and there were lots of people there to support them. Oscar, their Dad, wants to be baptized too — he’s just got to work through some things to prepare.

Samantha is doing fantastic. She finally told her parents about her baptism. It didn’t go over so well with Mom (Dad’s sort of indifferent, I guess). Either way, it doesn’t sound like they’re coming to the baptism at this point. She’s doing well though, and is still commited to the 19th of December! Her boyfriend Will, his family, and many other friends will be there though. Will is preparing to baptize her in fact. The ward is also supporting her well. I’m so grateful for her faith and example.

Do you remember Cortnie? I know I mentioned her back when we met her in October. She’s 22 and going to school here. Like Samantha she’s been coming to church almost every week since we met her. We met with her several times, but eventually she told us, very firmly, that she would not get baptized! But she wouldn’t say why. And so we stopped meeting with her for about two weeks, just to give her some time. She continued to come to church, without us calling or texting. So recently we decided to meet with her again. She also decided she would tell us what was holding her back. We met at a members’s home. The lesson was powerful. There were things in her past that were still causing her grief and pain. We taught and testified of the Atonement, and it’s healing power. The Spirit was there. Two of her friends from church were there as well (Samantha and Cayla) — we helped her get past the “road block” and invited her to be baptized on the 19th as well, and she accepted! In fact she told us she had prayed about it, several times, and the answer was always “Yes.”

I’m so grateful for that experience, and to have met Cortnie. I’ve seen an undeniable change in her from the first time we met. I’ve seen the gospel bring more happiness and light into her life. I know she feels that too. It’s amazing to see that change of heart. I think of Ezekiel 36, where the Lord promises that our stony heart can be replaced with a fleshy one.The Spirit can do miraculous things!

We took Cortnie & Samantha to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional this last Sunday. They really enjoyed it. I hope everyone was able to catch it too.

It’s getting colder. And wetter. But it’s looking like a White Christmas for us!

Love,
Elder Macpherson

It’s a brisk day in Sacramento, but people everywhere are happy to be off work and with their families & friends. It’s Thanksgiving, which seems almost as big a holiday as Christmas here! It’s nice. Early this morning there was a “Run for the Homeless” down J Street and Elvas. It looked to be a good turnout. While it went on we had to take a long detour across the American River to get to the zone activity — football at a nearby turf field. A few missionaries in the zone are injured and can’t play sports, so the four of us sat together on the bleachers, listening to Elder Maio play his Ukelele and make up silly songs (think “Flight of the Conchords”) — it was great!

Right now I can smell a sweet apple pie baking… which is funny, because we’re in the Church building… I guess sometimes one oven isn’t enough! Haha. Soon we’ll be having Thanksgiving dinner with some kind members in the River Park ward; the Paddons. The husband is actually from Ontario Canada so we get along great.

As I said it’s been cool. We’ve had a few showers. Nothing serious, but it’s definitely winter weather. Also, the missionaries in this zone are really young! Most under 10 months. I think they look up to Elder Evans and I. We all get along well so far, so I’m happy. Zone-wide we have 7 people preparing for baptism for December. More to come I’m sure!

Well folks;

I’m grateful for the people we’re teaching right now. They’re wonderful. I’ve learned a lot from them.

I’m grateful for a car that works, as well. (Car troubles this last week, but sorted out now.)

I’m grateful for warm clothes in cold weather.

I’m grateful to be missionary, here in Sacramento.

I’m grateful for repentance only made possible by our Savior.

I’m grateful for YOU. Thanks for caring. :)

What are you grateful for?

Love,
Elder Macpherson

A few years ago in the Kirkland Ward, brother Mark Mitchell organized a young priesthood choir to sing Hymn #320, “The Priesthood of Our Lord” — I think in a sacrament meeting. I was reminded of this experience just this last weekend, when I opened the hymnbook to that very song. Here are the words:

1. Brethren, pow’r by earthly standards
Comes by rank or wealth or sword;
But the pow’r above all others
Is the priesthood of our Lord.

2. It is ours, the total armor—
Priesthood held by Christ, our Lord—
If, as brethren, we are worthy
Of the Spirit’s whispered word.

3. Let us venture forth in freedom
With the priesthood as our guide—
Deacons, teachers, priests, and elders,
Seeking virtue side by side.

What a great hymn! And how much more it means to me now, years later, serving as a missionary, where truly our power is not in “rank or wealth or sword” but in the Priesthood of God which I hold. If Brother Mitchell is reading this somewhere, I hope he accepts my thanks for that experience!

This week was good. Elder Evans and I got our transfer calls last night, and we’re staying together! I’m excited. That means we’ll be together for Thanksgiving and Christmas, just like last year! We get along like brothers, which is great.

Samantha is doing great. Oscar and his kids are progressing. Both of them are scheduled for baptisms in December. We also had a guy randomly show up at church this Sunday, Chris, and after teaching him yesterday he accepted a date in December for baptism! We’re definitely being blessed. But, there’s still more work to do!

We had a bunch of non-members at church in both our Ward and YSA branch. Some we aren’t even teaching yet! Some we have taught in the past, but they won’t keep their commitments, so we’ve held off on teaching. One lady at church, Kathlyn, was there for her first time. We’ve taught her twice and she has a LOT of questions. She’s not shy at all, in fact she was really involved in the discussion in our Gospel Principles class! It was great. The lesson was on “The Post-Mortal Spirit World.” Something she’d had a lot of questions about anyway!

With transfers we’ll have several new missionaries in the zone, most of them are really young in the mission field. We’re going to do our best and set good examples for them. I can tell some will be great leaders.

This Sunday we both spoke in Sacrament meeting. I talked about using Preach My Gospel, and I exhorted every member to obtain and study a copy of their own. I know that will boost the missionary spirit. The ward here is really diverse, and I’m grateful for all their support. I feel like we’ve gained there trust.

I won’t write again until American Thanksgiving, November 25th, which is our next Preparation Day. I hope you all have a great week (and a bit)! Till next time,

Love,
Elder Macpherson