Two for One! (because I forgot to post last week) And Lots of Pictures!

November 30, 2016

Last week in Peru!! Next time you hear from me I'll be in Bolivia. On Thanksgiving they served "turkey" for lunch. It was a nice attempt haha. Turkey Bowl was a blast. It was so funny teaching the Latinos how to play "futbol Americano". So much fun, I miss football. Somebody needs to keep me updated on sports!!

Had a Christmas devotional last night (even though it's still November?). Beautiful music, wonderful talks (all in Spanish). I got to see Elder and Hermana Merrill!

I can't speak English anymore. Sometimes I'll be speaking and its just gibberish. Which would be a good sign except I'm not fluent in Spanish yet haha. Its taking all of my concentration to type this up, hopefully Aubs can weed out most of my mistakes.​

My Spanish teacher reminds me of Aubs. She's so sweet, funny, and a little sassy haha. We have a lot of chistes (jokes). Makes me do push-ups whenever I talk in English​

Things I miss most (aside from family, friends, and my dog): Wrestling, ice, BBQ, music, toilet paper that’s more than single ply, sweet delicious clean Washington water, regular clothes. Life is good though.

The Latino Elders had me show them my workout. Made me do a 100 pushups and show them some wrestling moves haha

I don't remember if I sent this before but me and my buddies tried to recreate that "Creation of Man" painting. I was holding up Elder Ujifusa by his legs but we kept laughing too much hahaha

After a devotional, Elder Beck and I were asked to bear our testimonies. Turns out that was Elder Becks first time doing it! He did a great job, the Spirit was so strong. I testified of the love that Jesus has for each of us. About the Atonement, and the happiness and peace that it can bring into our lives. That I knew that I was meant to be out here sharing the Gospel. Powerful experience.

I'm so grateful for all of you and your support. I keep you guys in my thoughts and prayers.

Con amor,

Elder McClune

November 23, 2016

Last week we went to the temple and the whole session was in Spanish, pretty unique experience. I never understood why the temple was so important when I was a kid, I just thought it was a really beautiful building. I'm so grateful that I've had the opportunity to go while I'm here at the MTC. Wish I could go while I'm in Bolivia too.

We went proselyting last week. Holy crap I was nervous. I wasn't feeling super confident in my Spanish and I didn't think I would even know what to talk about. But it turned out to be an incredible experience. We drove about 30 minutes to the Lima South mission (through some crazy traffic). We each got partnered off with a missionary already out in the field. I got Elder Reynolds from South Dakota. Great guy, gave me a lot of good advice. Started off walking to a recently baptized member to give them materials about family history. I understood everything Elder Reymolds said, but the natives are harder to understand.  We gave a 45 minute lesson to an investigator. The rest of the time we spent contacting, trying to find new people to teach. We just talk to people and hand out pass along cards. First time I tried it I got totally ignored, dude just kept walking past me haha. Oh well, tis the life of a missionary haha. After that I got the hang of it. Can't wait to be out in the field! ​

We usually play soccer for Physical Activity but yesterday we played football. We're having a Turkey Bowl on Thursday, can't wait!! The bruise on my leg has gotten pretty colorful but I don't remember how I got it. We started District Olympics today. So far my district is in the lead because I won the gold medal for wrestling haha. Next event is soccer, things could get Messi hahaha

The Latino missionaries here are great. Super friendly people. Its pretty funny trying to communicate with my Spanish and their English haha They call me the Rock, Elder MacClune, and Elder McClunee.

Heard a fantastic talk by Elder Bednar the other day. It was on the character of Christ, so inspiring. I'm continually amazed by Christ´s example. Made me realize that I have a lot or areas that I can grow in.

Love and miss you all! Sorry that these letters aren't more detailed. There's so much to talk about and not nearly enough time to type it all.

Con amor,

Elder McClune

MTC- Half way there!

Not a whole lot of new stuff this week.

Got a gnarly bruise and misc turf burn from soccer. I finally got to weigh myself the other day, 175. Food is still good but I'm not gonna lie, chicken and rice is starting to get a little old haha. Elder Beck and I have been doing well with our mock investigators. We always go in with a lesson plan, but we typically end up abandoning it and just speaking about what the Spirit prompts us to. Keeps us on our toes! My Spanish is progressing well, I'm learning past tense (imperfect and preterite) and future tense right now. I got a Peru soccer jersey the other day, now to get Bolivia and Portugal!

The group of missionaries before us left last night so the MTC feels kid of empty right now. The new group will get here tomorrow. Crazy how fast time has flown. Three more weeks and I'm off to Bolivia!

The Spirit is super strong here and the atmosphere, but occasionally I need a little motivation. Some quotes that have helped are:

"Ain't no rest for the wicked and the righteous don't need it!" - Lyle McClune

and

"Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." -Theodore Roosevelt

I know how much the Gospel has changed and blessed my life, and I know how much it can help the people of Bolivia. I'm so grateful to have this opportunity, and for the amazing support that everyone has shown. Love and miss you all.

Con amor,

Elder McClune

MTC, continued!

Well, where to begin. I've been so busy that I've kind of lost track of the days. I left for the MTC October 25th, my family took me to the airport to say goodbye.....but I missed my flight cuz I took a long time saying goodbye to Dutch (my dog). I was able to get on a later flight, which actually turned out to be a blessing though because I got more time to say goodbye, and I got to meet Elder Rompain. He's a super funny guy from Canada. I was waiting for my flight to Lima when I saw the only other white dude in a suit, so I figured he was a missionary too. Elder Rompain didn't know any Spanish so I had to use my two years of high school Spanish to get us to the MTC. The traffic here is INSANE. It puts Seattle to shame, there is literally an inch of space between cars most of the time. No one follows speed limits, stop signs, lanes or anything, its just go go go go. No fear otherwise you aren't going anywhere and you'll probably get in a wreck. Anyway when we finally got to the MTC everyone else that made it on time was still asleep. At the end of the first day in Lima, I hadn't slept for almost 70 hours because I was up the night before I left packing and saying goodbyes, and I can't sleep on planes. Needless to say I crashed haha

Crazy how fast my Spanish is coming along. I have a good teacher, but I really think that I have been using the Gift of Tongues. I can understand like everything, just have trouble replying sometimes because I don't know a word or two. Wish I had paid more attention in high school hahaha

I love the people here. My companion is Elder Beck. He's a great guy, we get along really well. We've been rocking our lessons with our mock investigators. The Spirit is so strong here, I wish I had more time to share some experiences. One time, when I was praying in Spanish, I said how grateful I was for my mission call, and I just felt this hot feeling in my gut. No doubt that it was the Holy Ghost, no doubt that I'm supposed to be here.

Doesn't mean that its easy though. They keep us busy here, we get up at 6:30 and go to bed at 10:30. I'm so FLIPPING TIRED all the time. I've played a ton of soccer, got a gnarly turf burn. I work out everyday but I'm losing weight, I don't know for sure because I don't have a scale but I'm guessing I weigh about 175ish. Must be because my body senses that wrestling season is almost here.... ​

Every Wednesday is Prep day, so we get to do laundry, email, and go to the temple. Last Wednesday was my first time going to the temple in Peru, what a wonderful experience. And guess who I saw there?? Brother and Sister Merrill! It was great to see them.

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My favorite ties so far are the one that Elder Lund made me, the fish tie that Ben gave me, and this BYU one that I bought outside the temple! Gotten a lot of compliments on those

I was talking with Elder Reeder (he's also going to Bolivia Santa Cruz North) about how I was worried that I had a lot to improve on as a missionary. I loved his reply, he said "It's not about being the greatest missionary, but about sharing the greatest message."

Thank you so much to everyone thats been emailing me. Sorry if the the replies take awhile or if they're kinda short, I only get one hour every Wednesday and I suck at typing haha. Love and miss you all!

Con amor,

Elder McClune

Elder and Sister Merrill! 

First week in the MTC

Elder McClune did not have time write much this week, but he seems to be doing well! This is the brief part of what he shared:

"Hey I have to make this short we only have an hour. I have made a lot of friends here and everything is going fairly well.  I've really had to humble myself here.  My Spanish is really good, or at least I think so.  I can understand almost everything, I just have trouble replying sometimes.  The spirit is so strong and I know that I have used the gift of tongues here.  Food is good, I haven't been as picky and I've tried a lot of new stuff.  I LOVE PINEAPPLE...my Spanish is coming along well, love the people here"

Love and talk to you soon!!

Elder McClune

Other than that, we got a lot of great pictures!

Elder McClune's drawing he made at the airport

Elder McClune and his companion, Elder Beck

Turf burn from soccer

Elder Lund's tie, he got lots of compliments!

In class

Elder McClune's District!

He promised to give more detail next week, stay tuned!!!