Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Hard at work!


May 14, 2018

WE PLAYED AMERICAN FOOTBALL BABY!! Super fun playing flag football (with old socks and ties). Even the Latinos enjoyed it haha


I LOVE THE MISSION!! I LOVE BOLIVIA!! LIFE IS SO GOOD!!!!

Man this week has been an answer to my prayers. Elder Dameron and I have been putting in the work and God has been blessing us for it. We found new families to teach, a lot of people came to church, and we have two baptisms coming up this Saturday!

Had the best AND LAST Skype call of my mission yesterday. I am so very blessed. I love my family so much. I am eternally grateful that through God's plan I can live with them forever.

DyC 130:20-21 20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—

21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

DyC 82:10
10 I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.


To live righteously is to live happily. I'll testify of that for the rest of my life. God loves us and he wants us to be happy!! Thats why he sent his Son and the gospel:) MEN ARE THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE JOY

Love and miss you all!

Elder McClune






May 7, 2018

So I ran out of time because I was putting in logros for the zone... so I'm borrowing what my comp wrote for his group email. This week was incredible. God lives and works miracles. I feel so blessed to be part of His work.
 Mormon 9:8-11, 15

8 Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them.

9 For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variablenessneither shadow of changing?

10 And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles.

11 But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.

15 And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.

Ether 12:12

12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

When we show our faith and do all that we can, God adds to our efforts and works miracles. I love reading in the Bible when Jesus feeds five thousand. It shows that it matters not how meager, insufficient, or humble offerings may be, in Christ it is enough. He will take our two fishes and five loaves, and feed five thousand.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1994/04/five-loaves-and-two-fishes?lang=eng

E' Dameron:

This week was just.... STUNNING. I am so grateful and awed by the many blessings and miracles we have recieved!

andres is just one of the coolest dudes ever, he is 21 years old, and sarted coming to church almost 2 months ago with some friends. he is really smart and did everything we asked him! he read, he prayed, he went to institute EVERYTHING. and then his dad was like, " no. no you can not get baptized!" ouuuff ouch

so we told fim to pray about it, and that if he got baptized he would give the example to his catholic fam and help them get baptized too. so after that he kinda got sacred and avoided us for a week but then this sunday we managed rto corner him in church and talk to him, and WOW he gave us quite a surprise! i was talking to him and he said something like " so ive been praying  a lot this week, and i just cant deny it anymore i know all of this is true, i dont how to explain it, but all of this is so true" and then he showed us the calender on his phone and said he had decided on a date for his own baptism!

on the 19th of may was a note that said " mi bautismo" and than he asked us if that day was ok to be baptized!!

hah! we about jumped out of our socks! of course you can be baptized on that day! NO HAY PROBLEMA! no problems here!  so THAT was a huge miracle! thank you thank you heaven!

yuli came to church, and got an answer from God about the BOM so now shes also set for her baptism for the 19th!

a women named sylvia ( a reference from a member family)  accepted a baptismal date for the 2nd of june, and then our less active pencion the antelo family not only returned to church for the first time in years, but they brought an entire family of investigators with them!! what a come back!  halleluyah! haha

We taught the Soliz family about eternal families and they agreed to get married!

we taught a new less active family named the chambi family, the wife of jose, angeli is the only non member, so on friday we went and taught them about the BOM and they all went to church too! for the first time in years! it was a great great sunday! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!! ITS THE BEST EVER!

I testify that THIS GOSPEL IS HAPPINESS! I know that CHRIST LIVES and I know that GOD LOVES ALL OF US!

Keep the commandments and we shall be happy! Simple as that!

Love and miss you all,



Elder McClune












April 30, 2018

No pics because no time. Day late and a Boliviano short. S'all good tho

Well cambios.... I'm back in Viru Viru- where I first started my mission. Talk about trunky right? My comp is Elder Dameron from Rexburg, Idaho. Hes pretty cool and a good missionary, it's gonna be a good cambio. He's pretty into working out so we are on that 6 MONTHS TO SWOLL hahaha.

I hope I get to train again before the end of my mission. I don't like being zone leader a whole ton- too much paperwork and administrative responsabilities.

I'm living with gringos again: Elder Dameron, Elder Tayco from Utah, and Elder Baxter- a greenie from Oregon (already hit his first double dragon, this kid is gonna be a legend hahahaha)

Did an intercambio with Elder Smit- got to see Universitario 2- my first area! I got to see my converts. some members and investigators that I was teaching. A very special experience. I am so blessed.

Quote of the week: Elder Smit: "You can only polish a turd so much"

So I've been feeling sort of inadequate and overwhelmed for some problems taht I'm dealing with, but this quote from Neil A. Maxwell has helped me out

“When in situations of stress we wonder if there is any more in us to give, we can be comforted to know that God, who knows our capacity perfectly, placed us here to succeed. No one was foreordained to fail or to be wicked. When we have been weighed and found wanting, let us remember that we were measured before and we were found equal to our tasks; and, therefore, let us continue, but with a more determined discipleship. When we feel overwhelmed, let us recall the assurance that God will not overprogram us; he will not press upon us more than we can bear (D&C 50:40).” 

There you have it. Whatever problem, trial, or difficulty you are struggling with- you can overcome iit. Don't give up hope, let these challenges bring you closer to God. YOU CAN DO IT.!

Love and miss you guys.


Elder McClune






April 23, 2018
Another awesome week. I am so incredibly blessed.

We got cambios Tuesday. No idea what they could be. Man they stress me out. I want to stay one more cambio here in Asai. I love the members and the people that we are teaching, I dont want to say goodbye yet. Who am I kidding- I never want to say goodbye ha. And Elder Millis and I have put in so much work. I want to be able to see the fruits of it. But I'll go where the Lord needs me. I just need to trust in him. 6 MONTHS LEFT BABY AND IM GONNA MAKE THE MOST OF THEM😎

Adrianna got baptized! She had a lot of doubts and questions, but thanks to her testimony of the Book of Mormon she knows that this is the true church. Its been a privilege to teach her. Man I feel so blessed to have this gospel in my life and to share it with others.

Love and miss you guys:)

Elder McClune







Monday, April 16, 2018

Press forward-no matter the trials


April 16, 2018

Well its been a rather interesting week. 

FUTBOL IS BACK BABY!! MY SKILLS ARE INSANELY average. But hey its still fun haha. 
Countdown to wrestling t-minus 6 months ayyyyyyyyyyyyy. Gotta try and get back some of the weight that I've lost but bodyweight exercises, rice and chicken don't exactly make for big gains haha

Elder Millis has been pretty sick so that’s slowed us down a little. But nevertheless, the work moves on! This Saturday Hna Adrianna will be baptized. She was finally convinced by the Book of Mormon. That book is a blessing from God, truly changes lives. 

During Sunday school an Hermano shared a story about Hernan Cortes, an explorer. He ordered his men to burn the boats so that they would have no option but to conquer or be conquered.  Reminded me of an awesome talk by Elder Holland, where he warns us to "Rember Lot's wife"- don't look back. When we believe in Christ, when we make the decision to follow him, we cannot afford to go back. We need to press forward- no matter the trials. Faith is for the future!!  https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland_remember-lots-wife/

Love and miss you guys!!:)


Elder McClune





April 9, 2018

This week was AWESOME!! Man I don't even know where to start. LIFE IS GOOD BABY!!! 

Elder Millis and I went hard and found a ton of new people to teach! I love my area! 

We took a expedition to this little town called Porongo just outside of Santa Cruz. Had to cross the "river" but some homies gave us a lift in their truck. We didn’t know anybody so we just started talking to people. It was super fun and we had a lot of success!

Found this dope bath robe in the Cumambi for $7. Makes me feel like Moses, Gandalf, and Palpatine all at once. Its called Surf Monk and usually its worth about $200 hahaha SO to sketchy Bolivian markets. 

So today starts the countdown of 6 months until I go home.... wow. Mixed feelings about that. I miss home so much but I'm tempted to extend. We'll see what happens.


Just a couple verses from the Book of Mormon that I love. 

Ether 12:8-9


8 "But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.

9 "Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith."
 


Love and miss you guys like crazy,


Elder McClune






April 2, 2018

What a week. 

Got to do an exchange with some other missionaries in my district- so I got to visit my old area-Bajio! It was awesome saying hi to the members and my converts. I am so blessed.

Crazy how fast time is flying by. I only have 6 months left!! Kind of hard to find a balance between enjoying the last bit of my mission and being excited to go home haha 

My area is pretty big. Goes from kilometer 9 to kilometer 16. Kind of wish I had a bike but hey walking everywhere builds character and helps you find more people to teach hahaha

I love the people that we are teaching. Makes me so happy helping them come closer to Christ.

I got pretty sick last week. Feeling loads better now. But the night and morning before general conference I double dragoned hahaha ouch. I've heard that the harder your mission is the hotter your wife will be. Future Mrs.McClune is gonna be una belleza entonces jajaja ayyyy 

All of the talks from general conference were amazing, but here are the links to two of my favorites!:) 

Love and miss you all,




Elder McClune


March 26, 2018

Elder Millis and I did a service project for Hna Fransisca, Cristian's mom. Moved a lot of sand and brick and made potato chips!!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. Got a package from my family. The offices called and sang happy birthday. Hna Paula, Estefani, Ana and Hno Alvaro made a surprise visit with cake and presents! Elder Snyder and Elder Martin bought me Papa Johns. It was pretty dope:) Wierd to think that I’m 21 now. Crazy how time flies haha

Aldo visited me again!! Man I love that guy. He gave me a dope chess set for my birthday 

I got pretty sick Saturday night and a couldn't sleep. I laid down in the hammock  and was resting for a while- until the bar broke where the hammock was hung up and I fell on my backside hahahahaha ouch. Now I have a huge bruise and it hurts to walk�

The mission has been tough but man have I loved it. The experience of a life time. So grateful for all that I've learned and for all of the people that I have met. Truly a blessing.

General conference this weekend!! Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to hear the word of God:) https://www.lds.org/church/events/april-2018-general-conference?lang=eng
Love and miss you all!! 


Elder McClune







March 19, 2018


Well I got transfered. Broke my heart to say goodbye to everyone in Pinos. But the good new is that Flia. Palma Ortiz and Estefany got baptized!! I'll send pictures next week.

Remember how Sid went missing back when I was in Riberalta? I FOUND HIM!! or better said, he found me. Turns out he has some gnarly physic powers- he saw in the future that I would be transfered to Asai! Being humbly aware of his limited speed capabilities, he started traveling down to Asai so we would get here on the same day hahaha



So my new area is pretty cool. Very beautiful, the members are awesome, and there is a lot of potencial. My new companion- Elder Millis (Pennsylvania) is chill. Its going to be a good cambio. 

Cristian got baptized! This kid is a stud. Hes going to help us teach his mom now. I love how this gospel bless families:)

I'm not sure about Spanish, but my Camba is perfect hahaha

Like always I ran out of time. I got a lot more to tell ya guys but Ill save it for next week. Conference is coming- GET SPIRITUALLY STOKED!!!


Elder McClune

Derek Paul McClune
ttachmentsMar 26
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March 5, 2018

This is why I always check inside my shoes before I put them on haha... lil bugga was just camping out haha

Gave my first baby blessing. I thought the first baby blessing that I would give was going to be for my own kid, in English haha. I am very grateful, it was a very beautiful and humbling experience. 

Aldo visited me again!

Delcy and Nilson got baptized! I am so happy for them. In one year they will be able to go to the temple and be sealed together as a family for all of eternity:)

This nasty lil bugga is called "vibora cuco"- literally means viper cuckoo. But as far as I know its actually pretty harmless haha
mage result for vibora cuco

Elder Godoy of the Seventy- (a leader of the Church), came to visit us. Shared some amazing insights on how we can be more effective in sharing the gospel. I learned alot.

Heiver visited me! He just got his mission call, so we'll find out where he will be serving soon!!

Had some dank apple pie yesterday. Sweet taste of liberty!!

I met Ayoub, a Muslim from Morroco that lived in Chile for awhile but now is here in Bolivia. He speaks 4 different languages! It was super cool talking with him and learning more about Islam. He says hes going to get me a copy of the Quran!! He has a ton of questions and doubts that I know can be answered if he reads the scriptures so Im going to try and get him a copy of the Book of Mormon in Arabic. 

We have cambios tomorrow and I am so stressed out. I have no idea if I will be staying or going. I would like to stay at least one more cambio, I've done so much work here. I hate saying goodbye and I love the people here so much. AGHHHHHHHH! S'all good. Ill be okay for ext week but until then I feel sick to my stomach haha

I gave a talk on the Atonement of Jesus Christ yesterday. (https://www.lds.org/topics/atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng)  I might have shared this awhile ago but its something that we all neeed to remember more often:

Alma 7:11-13

“He shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
“And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” 
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me. 

(Alma 7:1113; emphasis added).
The Savior has suffered not just for our iniquities but also for the inequality, the unfairness, the pain, the anguish, and the emotional distresses that so frequently beset us. There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during our mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, “No one understands. No one knows.” No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did. And because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy in so many phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, succor—literally run to us—and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying upon only our own power.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).
Love and miss you guys:)



Elder McClune