Hump Day

Super glad you guys were able to go to Dave Acosta's viewing, and that so many people were able to be there to support his family.

I had a very great week! :) So, I am training a new missionary right now, and he is so awesome and fun to be around. His name is Elder Moss and he is from Bountiful, Utah. He graduated from Bountiful High School 3 months ago, and he was originally assigned to serve in Peru. He did online MTC for 6 weeks to learn Spanish, and is now here for the foreseeable future. He is so kind, happy, and energetic and positive; we have had a great week together!

It is so exciting and hard to believe that 1 year ago this week, I entered the Provo MTC for the start of an experience that has proven to make me into who I am today, and a stronger disciple of Jesus Christ. I'm so forever grateful for this opportunity I have been given to serve here in Columbus, Ohio and to make friends with people that will forever have a piece of my heart. In the last year, I have had 11 companions, I've served in 5 different areas, and have loved every single part of what I have been able to do and accomplish this year!

We were able to go out and about these last few days and go street contacting for a couple of hours each day. We were able to hand out 2 pictures of Christ, and then on Saturday morning we were able to walk probably about 3-ish miles with a lady we met that day who was carrying her groceries in a blue bag, and it was super heavy for her, so we carried the bag for her and talked with her. She was super kind and kept inviting us to go to the potluck dinner they were having that night at the Salvation Army bldg down the street from our apt complex. Then, I was helping and teaching Elder Moss a little about how to approach people and start up a conversation -- and so I saw a girl walking her dog, and I asked if we could pet it, so we went and petted this beautiful dog (golden retriever I think), and were able to talk a little about Christ with this girl and give her a picture of Christ as well -- super fun and just goes to show that we can teach in any given set of circumstances.

We were able to help out at the local food pantry here in Wadsworth on Thursday night, and it was so much fun! It was a little more of a crazy night with how many people came to get food, but I was so happy we could provide that help and comfort to those families that night. It taught me a lot about the word humility and what we learn when we are in the service of others. Mosiah 2:17 is a scripture that has been my constant guide this last year. We never know when we are going to be the answer to somebody else's prayer and so we must always be staying in tune to what our Heavenly Father needs us and wants us to do. Continually be striving everyday to look for ways that we can each be helping out those around us and serving them in anyway that we can.

EXCITING NEWS!! So, Elder Moss has not been able to go through the temple yet for his own endowment and so tomorrow morning we will be able to be at the Columbus temple for his endowment! And this next part is what I have just been so grateful for these last few days. His parents are not able to make it here to go through the temple with him, and so President Horgesheimer called on Friday and said, "Elder McEwan, you have a current temple recommend right? Well, would you like to be Elder Moss's escort on Tuesday morning?" I know without a shadow of a doubt, God was a part of that. I'm forever grateful for my time as a temple worker at the Payson temple before I left, to be ready and able to be with Elder Moss tomorrow morning on this very special day for him. So, we are driving down to Riverside tonight at 8:30. And then we have to be up and at the temple gates by 7 am tomorrow, for his 8 am session. They're asking us to come dressed in my white clothes already, to avoid too many people in the temple changing and everything. I'm so excited! I haven't been to the temple since a year ago at the Provo temple during the MTC. 

It has just been a great great week. Something I have been thinking a lot about lately is the importance of staying willing and able to do whatever the Lord needs us to do. My knowledge of that topic has grown so much lately, as I have been able to be a part of things that a year ago at this time, may have been something that I saw that I couldn't do in my life. "The Lord doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called". I know that is true with every last ounce of my heart ❤ My emotions have been very high lately, and me and Elder Moss were talking on Saturday as we were walking outside, about the importance and value of: Not just staying willing and able; but also, recognizing that we are the Lord's hands, and that us speaking up and speaking out for what we believe in, is really the Lord's last act of redeeming love for His people 💛 What I have been able to do out here in Ohio, I will do the rest of my life. My life has been changed and has been touched by the many people out here who love God, love His people, "but are only kept from the truth, because they know not where to find it". That is my invitation to all of us going forward: is to speak up and speak out for what we know to be true and believe in. Dare to have a purpose, dare to make it known. And as we pray to Heaven to make us strong to do this, we will be endowed with power to share the message of our Savior to the world.

Something that has been sticking out to me a lot lately, is something I learned while I was in seminary in high school. It is the topic of: Choosing today who we will be tomorrow. I have learned so much in the last few months, that it is so important to be preparing ourselves today, to be able to have the Lord do wonders among us tomorrow. God is a part of everything, the big and the small things. I know as we come closer to Him everyday, as we choose constantly throughout each day to serve Him and to make a difference in someone's life TODAY, then we will be endowed with power to do just that. 🤗 I love this Gospel of Jesus Christ with all of my heart💚 I have come closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ than I ever thought I would here in Ohio, and these people have changed me into who I am today. I know Jesus Christ lives and that He is our Savior. He suffered and said, "Father, wilt thou take this cup from me? Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done." When we choose to be ready, the Lord tells us to act, and the miracles and blessings come. It may not be tomorrow, or next week, but in the words of Elder Holland, "We will learn, if we have not already, that in frightening almost perilous times, lightning will strike so to speak, and we will be asked to use our power and authority from God." Be ready, be willing, because the Lord qualifies those who He calls. I know this is true 👊💯

So super exciting that Derrick will most likely get his mission call tomorrow!! Just let me know tomorrow if he does receive it tomorrow and then I will facetime with you guys when he opens it tomorrow. We will be back to Wadsworth by early evening, 4 or 5 Ohio time, 2 or 3 Utah time, so I can call anytime after that to watch him open it. So so proud of you buddy!!

How are you guys doing? How is Salem doing? So exciting that the school year starts next week on Wednesday! I know you are going to do so so great this year Mom, and i know that school is so grateful to have you there! How is work going for everyone, and church callings going? You guys will have church this next Sunday right? Tell everyone in Knoll Park ward that I say hi and hope they are all doing great! Hows the weather there?? 🌞🌤 It has been so hot, humid, and sticky here the last few days. It zaps my energy a lot.

I am thinking about you guys everyday, and so so happy you guys are staying healthy and having so much fun this summer and each day. I pray for you all daily, and love you all so so very much guys 💚💛 keep doing amazing and great things, because you all are such great and wonderful examples to me, and I'm grateful for each one of you in my life.

I'm so excited to talk to everyone today!

Elder Dylan McEwan