Positive in the Present

August 31, 2019

Wow, this week has been so wonderful and spiritual in every way. I know this gospel is true and when

we do all we can and have a desire with real intent, Heavenly Father will bless us. I invite us all to go to the temple once a month starting September 1, and when we are there, to think of the spirit that is inside of us and keep it there. We are just leaving for our last time at the Provo Utah Temple for two years. I have been so grateful for the opportunity to attend the temple each week since I have been at the MTC.

So on Saturday night last week we got stuck in an elevator . . . . A few kids were jumping and it got it stuck. We sat there for about 40 min sweating and breathing hard. We all said a little prayer and had faith. It reminded me of my farewell talk of getting answers to prayers and so I prayed with all my heart and the fireman came and got us out. Everyone said I was being really calm. I told them I knew we had limited oxygen and didn't want to waste it by freaking out. I was thinking about the conversation we had with Mom's friend at Walmart who works for BYU security and I was like, "Yeah, my mom told me to be obedient and listen to the rules, so I am going to take the stairs from now on." It helps get my steps in for the day so that's a plus :). Be strictly obedient, even when it is the road less traveled. I love you forever and always mom and am so grateful for the love and support. I'm so grateful for everything you and dad have taught me and for always being the best parents in the world, and I love you both. Thanks for being my best friend!

We had some great lessons this week! We taught district council on Sunday. We taught Samantha on Monday and Wednesday (she is doing so great and progressing, which is awesome!) And then Mikayla on Tuesday and Thursday. We think Mikayla might get baptized here pretty soon if she keeps meeting with the missionaries. She progressed a lot this week and the spirit was there testifying to her of our words. Super cool thing on Wednesday, we got to teach of member of the church, which was awesome! We practiced this whole week of how to meet with members and work with members. It reminded me of when we have the missionaries over to our house :).

The Zone Leaders said me and Elder Cowdell did such a great job teaching district council last Sunday that want us to teach priesthood tomorrow.  I'm super pumped for it! We are teaching on how we can recognize and feel the Holy Ghost.

For our devotional on Tuesday night, Bishop and Sister Cause from the Presiding Bishopric of the church came and spoke to us. They talked on how we must stay positive, and we must also be bold and be brave -- A.K.A Have courage and be kind ;).

We are going to have a birthday party on Monday night is what I told everyone in my district :) I told them my wonderful family sent pie and treats to have, so they are very excited for that! I told them pie is my absolute favorite and to come ready to eat:).

We have our departing devotional tomorrow night at 5:15 and then class on Monday and Tuesday mornings. I am probably just going to stay awake all night on Tuesday and then plan to head over to the travel office at about 3:50 am on Wednesday morning. I can't believe the time has come to head to Columbus!! I'm so excited and hope I can do a good job out there.

How has your week been? Any new or exciting news? I heard BYU lost sadly . . . We could hear the game and fireworks from the field by the MTC. We had exercise time that night at 7:30 so we were listening to the announcer until we had to go back inside.

How has good ol Salem been? I miss it a lot. What's your plans for the 3-day weekend? I love love love all of you so very much and am so grateful for your love, support, and prayers. I miss you all so very much each and everyday and you all are in my constant prayers. It's crazy that the time at the MTC is about to come to an end in a few days but I'm so grateful for what I've learned here.Thank you for your constant love, care, and support :) Some days are harder than others for me, but I just remind myself that my wonderful "village" taught me that I can do hard things.

I love you forever and always!
Elder Dylan

Speak, Dress, and Act the Part

Hey Everyone,

How's life? Any new experiences or adventures you've had? I've had a great last few amazing days! First things  first, I flay to Columbus next  Wednesday, September 4.I leave the MTC at 4:15 a.m. (early :)). My flight from SLC t o Detroit Metro is at 9:40 a.m. and will land at approximately 3:08 p.m. (I am assuming that is East Coast time). The flight number is Delta 1164. I have a 2 1/2 hour layover in Detroit and leave there at 5:45 p.m. and get to the great state of Ohio at 6:46 p.m.The flight number is Delta 6002. It's so crazy and exciting that I leave next week. I'm stoked and all  ready to go :). I'll be traveling with 13 other missionaries to the SLC airport  and 7 other Elders and I believe 2 Sisters are going t o Columbus Mission. So 10 of us in all!

We had a service day yesterday and it was so much fun. Me and Elder  Cowdell swept the sidewalks and picked up trash outside. Service is the best and I challenge all of you to do one random act of kindness everyday. I know that when you do this, you will be blessed. It helps each of us to get outside of ourselves.

Elder Tad R. Callister and his wife came and spoke to us on August 18 for our first Sunday devotional. He talked on the importance of The Book of Mormon and how we can find joy with it in our lives. I encourage all of you to read The Book of Mormon from start to finish and write down your thoughts and feelings as you read it.

We also had a thing called "Match His Message" our first Sunday here. We learned that we must, we have to, speak, dress, and act the part of being a disciple of Christ. ALL of us must do this. It was so cool to see that  as we do this, we learn how  Christ would be and do.

I also made a commitment to write one page in my journal every night of my mission. I counted and between my two journals, I have enough pages to last me until March 2021, so I'll need  to get one more journal when those two are all filled up. Journal writing is very important and I've come to realize this. I would encourage each of you to try writing one page in your journal every night and watch the miracles happen. Guys, this gospel is true and I know it  blesses lives. Temple time is the Lord's  time and important time. I love the temple.

How is work? How is registering for school going, Momma? Could  you possibly send me more Oreos? :) I'm craving them tonight as I am writing to you. Dad, how is work and your church calling going? How did your Sunday School lesson go?

I pray for you all everyday and I miss you more and more and m ore everyday. Thank you for the love, support and prayers. Have Courage and Be Kind . . . Always.

I Love you forever and always!
Elder Dylan McEwan
Alma 26; Moroni 10:3-5

It's Not Our Time, It's the Lord's Time

August 24, 2019

Hey family! :)

How was your week? How is everything going with the first week of school Momma? How is work?

This week was so so crazy busy but so rewarding in every way :). Our Sunday started off with sacrament but I was not called on to speak so the chances of getting called on tomorrow are very high :). We watched a video from Elder Bednar titled, "The Character of Christ." And it was so so good! He talks about what it means to be like Jesus Christ and that we always have to be loving and serving as He did. We also had our first district council this day, where we talked about concerns and strengths within our district. Overall, super good first Sunday!

We found out that we will be doing an hour of service every Monday morning from 6:25 to 7:40, and for it we clean the S1 building where the cafeteria and chapels are. Elder and Sister Bednar came IN PERSON to the Tuesday night devotional to speak to us!! And, he just went to the Columbus Ohio Mission like 3 weeks ago :) He talked about how we have to get out of the way of the Spirit and let it guide us, we are not perfect, but we do have to be good boys and good girls and strive to be our best everyday.

Our TRC lessons were very interesting this week. They all were sick on the days we had them scheduled for, but we just went with other people and taught them. Super cool thing too, me and Cowdell taught a guy on Thursday and it was his very first time ever meeting with missionaries. This gospel is true! We were able to teach the power of faith and how that can lead to prayer and blessings. Their names were Kailey, Mikayla, Trevor, and Juwon.

We contacted yesterday and met this super sweet girl named Samantha. She just started UVU this week and is really striving for answers with how prophets work and how they relate to the Bible and the Book of Mormon. We are teaching her on Monday afternoon.

We were also able to sing in the choir for Elder Bednar. We sang Testimony, which I believe is a remix of I Know That My Redeemer Lives. It was so powerful and moved everyone to tears,

We had two talks to prepare for tomorrow and me and my comp were asked to teach for district council. I'm super pumped! We are teaching about the importance of the Book of Mormon and why we need it in our lives.

Everyone here teases me about waking up at 5:30 to workout and get ready by 7:00. There are eight of us including me that are going to Columbus. I know of me and Elder Gardiner and six other Elders going to Columbus, but its weird because we hardly have any Sisters in my zone.

I love you all so much and miss you even more :) I pray for you all every day and am so excited to talk to you guys today! :)

I love you all forever and always!
Elder McEwan

P.S. We literally just got stuck in the elevator for 40 minutes, and they just barely got us out! Some very dumb kids jumped while the elevator was moving. All doing good, just trying to catch our breath. The security guard is here getting our names. I think I'll just take the stairs from now on :).

It's Getting Real

Letter from the Ohio Columbus Mission . . .

23 Aug 2019

Dear Elder McEwan,

We trust you are having a wonderful experience at the MTC and we look forward to your arrival in the Great Ohio Columbus Mission. Below are some things you will want to consider as you prepare to leave the MTC.

1. You may want to bring some food/treats for your trip. You will have a layover and it will be a long day.  While you cannot bring bottled water through the security checkpoint, you CAN bring an empty bottle and fill it once you pass through security (everything is expensive in the airport--even water!).

2. When you arrive, your suitcases will be loaded into a trailer. BRING A SEPARATE, SMALL TRAVEL BAG OR SUITCASE WITH AN EXTRA DAYS' CLOTHING/PERSONAL ITEMS, since you will not have access to your suitcases until you arrive at your assigned area.

3. When you arrive in Columbus, you will be taken to the Mission home, where you will have dinner and spend the night. Next morning after breakfast, you will have orientation, training and lunch--then you will meet your new companion and go to your first area!

We're excited to welcome you to your appointed destination as a full-time missionary! If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call or email the Mission office.

One Week Already

August 22, 2019

Hey Family,

How are you all doing? How has work and school  been going? It's so crazy how fast time is going! They keep us pretty busy each day. We have class from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays we have TRC lessons from 9:00-9:25. Then we either have afternoon or night time classes. The night time classes are not my favorite though because I always fall asleep by about 8:30 and the class gets over at 9:15 :).

Me and Elder Cowdell are teaching our District Council this Sunday. It is on the importance of the Book of Mormon.

I got your package yesterday. Thank you so very much! Momma, thanks for the package and the Oreos. They came on just the day I was needing it :) The homemade Oreos made it less than 24 hours. Everyone in my district says thank you and that the Oreos were heavenly! We loved them. When I saw that there was Oreos, trail mix, Trollis, and gold fish, I was so excited! Some home food:):). The cafeteria food is getting to be pretty much the same taste in my mouth now. I miss the  protein powder.

One of the Elders in my room got sick this week and has been coughing like crazy. Now I have had a stuffy nose and sore throat since Sunday night. I've been drinking lots of water though, so I am hoping it can just flush it out of  my system. I haven't been sleeping very well on a stiff bed and am very much missing my queen bed :). I remembered we had packed the curcumin from Nature's Sunshine, so I have been taking it, and it is helping me to relax more and sleep better. I keep fearing I am going to fall off my bed at night. I am on the top bunk and there is no railing from stopping me from doing so . . . Build-a-Bear has already fallen off a few times on accident :).

Tonight we went to the field for exercise time and played volleyball and did some running. The sunset was super cool! As much as I am loving the MTC, it felt so nice to be off the campus and out in the open.

We just got some new neighbors by our dorm/residence room. One is  from Liverpool England (maybe London, I can't remember for sure :)). They are all headed to Russia.The 13 other missionaries in my district said they are going to have a birthday party for me on September 2. They actually called it a "barmitzfah" but I told them I wasn't turning 12 and I am not Jewish :).

It has been wonderful to see so many familiar faces at the MTC. Elder Brad Cloward leaves on the 2nd for the Phillipines. He is very excited. I saw Sister Glancy (aka cousin Meg) when she got here  yesterday. She was still pretty shocked I think when she came up the stairs from the parking garage. She said you all went to One Man Band on Tuesday night before she left. That sounds so fun.

How is everyone  doing? How is cousin Dallin doing? Aunt Carolynn sent me an email last week but I didn't know what his plans are going forward. How are cousins Austin and Daniel doing with football? I think by the time you guys receive this letter, they will be two games into the season. Tell them to work hard always and to do their absolute best, their very best (Facing the Giants).

So I'm guessing I will get an email next week from the travel department about what time I am leaving on September 4, and then I'll send it to you guys so you can track the place (just like old times :)), and soI can let you all  know  what time I can call at the airport on the 4th.

I know this church and gospel are true. I believe we all have to come unto Christ everyday and serve and love everyone. We are all  God's children, and as we strive with all our hearts to do good, we and our families will beblessed.

I miss and pray for you all everyday! I will talk to you on Saturday. I'm so glad we get to talk on the phone. It really helps me.

I Love YOU forever and always!
Elder Dylan McEwan
Mosiah 18:8-10; Alma 34

Pictures from the MTC

First Week Adventures

August 17, 2019

Hi family,

Elder McEwan, Elder Young, Elder Campbell

How goes your adventures? How is work and school treating all of you? Haha this is a little different being on this end of the emailing instead of emailing you guys on your missions ;)

Wednesday - We had an opening devotional with all 350 new missionaries that came this week and had that with the MTC presidency and wives. I had class all afternoon and Sister Callie Peterson is one of my morning teachers. It's a super fun district. Including me and my companion Elder Cowdell, we have 14 elders in our district and 28 elders in our zone, no sisters in our district or zone at all. We had 3 investigator lessons on Wednesday night where we talked with 3 less active and non members as a small group. Super touching experience. This gospel is true and I know that God prepares those he calls and wants His children to have faith. We met our zone leaders on this night but they leave tomorrow for the Adriatic North Mission I believe.

Thursday - We started learning about how to contact and teach lessons, which currently we are learning how to teach the principles in the short lessons of preach my gospel, also another touching experience yesterday that our whole district is now memorized in the first lesson of this and can now teach the 3-5 min lessons! We met with our branch president on Thursday night. Haha but funny story, me and the 3 elders in my room were 20 min late for the mtg because my comp spilled on his suit and had to change, Haha so we walked in right as Sister Monson was talking :) I'm not sure if there is relation between President Monson and Sister and Brother Monson who are my 2nd counselors in branch presidency. I got an assignment as the tech specialist in my district, and the organization person :) which made me happy :)

Friday - We had a TRC orientation where we learned how to contact more and then we were able to

Even though he has been doing
laundry for a while, this is a
big deal :)

meet volunteers who are less active and non members and were able to get to know them. We will be teaching Sister Caldwell on Monday and Wednesday night next week. I did laundry last night and glad I did because it is so busy today because a lot of missionaries leave this week. We are currently over capacity at about 2,000 missionaries! One of my garment tops accidentally got in with my coloreds, so now it is a little blue :(. We also had our first free time so we went on a run and did the fitness room with Elder Cowdell.

Saturday - We just finished up at the temple today. It was so much fun! Kind of cool when everyone looks at us with our badges on, we really are about the Lord's work. We have p-day until about 6 tonight, then we are having our first official lesson with our mock investigator, Dawn at 6:15.

Sunday -- We were all asked to prepare a talk for tomorrow and we won't know till tomorrow if we are speaking or not. Our whole district is also going to be going to choir practice starting tomorrow! :)

I wake up at 5:30 every morning to workout in our room in the dark because no one else wants to wake up ;) The food here is great! As you can see in one of the pictures, I've eaten a lot of bananas and protein, but we had pizza Friday last night which I very much enjoyed.

Found out I am leaving on September 4th for Columbus. There is me and and 7 other missionaries going to Columbus mission!

I love you all so very much and miss you all like crazy! Thank you for the love, support, and prayers! I pray for you all every day:)

I love you forever and always! :)
Elder McEwan

Miss You All

August 15, 2019

Dear Family,

It's the end of day 2 here and man oh man it has been busy busy! After you guys dropped me off, I put my luggage in my residence and went to my first class, which Sister Callie Peterson is one of my teachers. We then had lunch (a little side note: I have eaten probably close to 12 or 13 banana and lots of protein. That way I won't gain unwanted weight while I am at the MTC :)). We finished out the day doing what is  called People and Purpose, which the greatest thing ever! We get to teach non-members and less active m embers and have a little bit of a role play in teaching them.

Today we learned how to contact investigators (our teachers) and how to approach people on the streets. Then tonight we met our branch presidency. Our branch president served as mission president in the Italy Milan Mission I think. His name is President Scott Dunaway.

Elder Bednar is coming to speak speak on Sunday. Woot! Woot! I am super stoked for that.

Elder Gardiner and Me

I have met Elder Gardiner and two or three others going to Columbus. There are eight of us in all going there.

How did SHHS football do this week? Mom, I hope the firsts week of school is great and you have fun! Not too much fun though :). Dad, I hope bishopric and work is going wonderful. BTW . . . the tarps are at the front of the garage:).

I love you all so so very much!! I miss you like crazy. This is by far the hardest  thing I have ever done. Thank you all for your support, prayers, and love. My Elder Bear says "Hi." He is sitting on my bed and it's about 10:10 p.m. Can't wait to email and call on Saturday!!!! :)

I Love YOU ALL Forever and Always!
Elder McEwan
2 Nephi 31

Made it to the MTC . . .

Me and my MTC companion, Elder Cowdell

Made it here! :) In class right now. Sister Callie Peterson is one of my teachers! :) Elder Cowdell is my comp, he is from Sandy. My p-day is Saturday. I also saw Elders Cloward, DeNaughel, and Mangum:).

I love love you all forever and always!
Elder McEwan :)

Elder Josh DeNaughel and Elder McEwan

Elder Brad Cloward and Elder McEwan

Elder Preston Stone and Elder McEwan