MTC Happy 19th Birthday

September 2, 2019

Dear Family,

Wow! What a day. Being 19 is exhausting :). It has been a great day. I want to start this letter off by saying that the gospel is amazing! Jesus Christ is there for each one of us. Sometimes He withholds things in our lives  either to test our faith and  truth in Him, or  He wants  to  show His power through us to the rest of His children. "Why are you taking me through troubled waters?" "Because your enemies  can't swim." Never forget this. The Lord loves  us and only asks that we all trust and have  faith in Him. I've learned this so much.

How are you all doing? How was Labor Day? What did you guys do for it? Today was a great birthday for me even though it was very different not celebrating it at home. Everyone sang to me and Elder Cowdell wrote, "Happy Birthday, Elder McEwan" on our whiteboard in our classroom we  are  in everyday :). I missed going to Brick Oven. I was telling everyone it is #2 all-time place to eat and  #1 is . . . subway :) . . . just kidding, it is still Chuck-A-Rama!

I'm excited to see what grocery stores and places to eat are in Ohio. Hopefully I won't need a Sam's Club card (huh Mom? :) :)). Course, I don't even know if Sam's Club is big back East. Maybe it's just Costco and thrift stores :). Since we went to the thrift stores when we visited Missouri to see Grandpa and Grandma, I can say I know how to shop at a thrift store and can find good deals -- Thanks for teaching me, Dad.

I can't believe I leave on Wednesday and in 48 hours from now, I will  be at the mission home. I can feel the nerves of it all . . . "The Real Thing." But I know Heavenly Father has prepared me for this  time in my life. I encourage you to read and ponder 1 Nephi 3:7. Time is of the essence. We must be full  of positive energy everyday and be instruments in the hands of the Lord. I can feel myself changing everyday and it feels wonderful.

I also encourage you all to write in your journals every day. In fact, keep two journals -- one for positive thoughts and one for negativity. After you write  in the negative journal each night, rip up the past and crumble it. Then look at the positive journal and read it. God is there and He always wants us to recognize His blessings in our lives. I have accepted this challenge and it is so very wonderful and amazing to see my blessings and not worry about the negative.

Mom - How is teaching Sunday School  and BYU-I registering going? Maybe they just need  you to do it for them. You should tell them you are a registrar and to "thank you later", hahaha :).

Dad - How did convention go? Did you and mom take a road trip and drive down? :). Also, I saw on member tools that I'm not on our ward mission page under "serving," so I was confused if they had  me in there????

I miss you all so very much. I pray night and day for you and I'm looking forward to calling on Wednesday morning.

I love you all forever and  always!
Elder Dylan McEwan
Mosiah 18
2 Nephi 31
Enos 1

"Be Thou Humble" -- Hymn 130
Alma 17:11
Alma 38:2

We can do this by trusting in God . . . ALWAYS!