Email - January 27, 2014

Hä Hä Hä!

 Most exciting news of the week: I learned to pray in Spanish! "Padre Celestiale, gracias por la dia...". I never ever thought I'd be using that on my mission, but all the Ecuadorians decided otherwise! You'd honestly be surprised how many there are.

 Just kidding! Okay, I did indeed learn how to say a three year old prayer in Spanish, but that isn't the week's highlight. Herr Döschner, or should I say Bruder Döschner's baptism! It was amazing. It's hard to really explain all the feelings and emotions at a baptism, but this one may be one of the most memorable of my life. About two weeks ago he decided he was never smoking again, and to admit it, I was a little concerned. He came to church the next day and looked very white and frail, and I could tell he was battling with it, and I didn't want him to cave. He slowly got a little more color to his face as he continued to hold off, but the baptism was a week away and I wasn't sure if he'd make it. Then on Saturday at the baptism, he looked good, but still a little frail. He hadn't smoked, but he said it wasn't easy. But after the baptism, with wet gray hair still slicked back, his face was as red rosy and colorful as ever. I asked him how he felt, and he said "I have NEVER been better, Elder McGinn. Never " with the biggest smile and light in his eyes. His long investigation progress has now come to an end, and it felt good to change his name from "U Döschner" (U=Untersucher) to "M Döschner." :)

 But as we all know, there must be opposition in all things, and there were a few rough spots as well. 1. I had to play the piano for a musical number, and wasn't informed until the day before. 2. Our investigator, Saidu, said he was gonna come. So we waited and waited for him, because he said he was almost there. While we were waiting, Döschner changed and we missed our opportunity to get a picture with him!!! :( gosh dang it. And then literally five seconds after Döschner was baptized in the water, Saidu walked in. He missed it. But he still wants to be baptized, so it's okay. :)

 Hahahahaha I honestly don't think I can think of a funnier image than Dad with gauze shoved in his mouth, sucking on a potato chip in a desperate effort to draw the flavor from its crispy frame. I hope someone has a picture. :) Remember Syd, hands off the radio while driving, unless you're me. :)

 Thanks for the update on missionary work around the extended fam! It's always good to hear that they're doing alright! In fact, Hannah and I send each other a quick email every 2 or 3 weeks or so! Her old companion knows a Sister in my district. So it's cool to keep in touch!

 Seattle Seahawks, baby. 27-23, final score. If I guess it, you all owe me kinder eggs.

 It's really good to hear that you're all doing well! I actually had a dream the other night that we were at the Orem City Center baseball fields, and the teams playing for the championship were the McGinn family, and the Karlsruhe Ward, and I felt like a traitor going to either team and couldn't decide. But in real life, you all know I'd come to your side. :)

 Things are going great over here! We met our newest investigator yesterday in church, one of our YSA's brought him to church and was explaining and teaching everything to him! His name is Mohsen, and we're meeting with him later this week! The work is cruising, we're super busy, and there's hardly ever a dull moment, and I like it that way!

 Keep doing yo thang, everybody, and we'll hear from us soon. (Is that correct in English? In German they say, "wir hören uns bald.") I love you all!

 grüß von dem Schwarzwald!

 --Elder McGinn