Thanksgiving!

Familia! Sorry for the letter a couple days late! We've been having some things going on in LA lately, so we've had to be ready to drop whatever we're doing and head straight back to the apartment for the past couple days. You probably know more about the situation than I do haha.

 

Crazy to think that all the boys will be in different places this Thanksgiving! It was Sunday and no one had invited us to dinner, so I called an Hermana in the ward and had to ask if we could eat with them haha. I hate doing that, but I needed somewhere to eat on Thanksgiving! Anyone coming back to Toppenish to spend Thanksgiving there with you all? I remember when G&G's house used to be full with a bunch of kids! Glad to hear it sounds like all the plumbing stuff is getting taken care of! I know how long mom has wanted to get all that stuff done haha.

 

Please keep sending prayers our way for my companion and I to be able to find some families who are prepared to receive the Gospel! We've been working super hard, but haven't had much success in finding people to teach. I know with the prayer of faith, the Lord works miracles! I have studied "patience" lately during my personal study time. It's a super good topic! I went to the topical guide in the scriptures and then read through every reference. Lots of blessings come after trials.

 

Famila! Espero que sepan, cada uno de ustedes, que les amo. Estoy muy agradecido por su apoyo y ayuda conmigo. Hay muchas cosas difíciles en las que pasamos nosotros. Pero en cada momento, podemos ver la mano del Senor en nuestras vidas. ¡Sean felices! ¡Somos parte de la iglesia de JESUCRISTO! Él nos guia y ayuda en nuestras vidas si confiamos en Él y ponemos nuestra fe en Él. Le debo mi vida a Él y espero que durante mi mision, voy a poder mostrar mi fe en Él en alguna manera. Siempre hay bendiciones que podemos ver en nuestras vidas. ¡Mi familia es una de las más ricas bendiciones que yo tengo! Gracias por todo que hacen ustedes. ¡Les amo! ¡Qué tengan buena semana!

 

Elder Reynolds

Transfer Calls

Familia--

 

Good to hear from everyone today! Thanks for all the emails! One quote that has been in my mind today that I got from Grandpa Reynolds, "If it is to be, it is up to me."

 

Got a chance to attend the Temple this past Thursday and that was great. It is always said, but it really is true that there is just a certain feeling inside the walls of one of those sacred buildings. I really tried to enjoy every minute inside and forget about everything else going on outside those doors. It was a great chance to reflect on what's really most important. We got transfer calls last night and I'll be staying in this area with the same companion for the upcoming transfer. It's a 7 week transfer that will cover Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all in one haha. Can't hardly believe that the new year will be here before too long!

 

I was reading 3 Nephi chapter 5 this morning for my Book of Mormon reading and really enjoyed that chapter. There's a verse I ran across, verse 13, that is a great missionary verse. "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." I think that just about sums up everything that a missionary is and should be.

 

We found a couple new investigators from Ceiba, Honduras (maybe Dallin knows where that is) that we taught one lesson with this past week. Their names are Delmi and Taira. They are super busy, but we will be teaching them again next Sunday. Please keep them in your prayers. We also have one investigator with a baptismal date, but we haven't been able to contact him since setting that date. His name is Anthony and is from El Salvador. Please keep him in your prayers as well. One of the cool things about this mission is that I get to meet people from all over the place. I think I've met someone from every Central-American country already.

 

I hope you all have the best week. Dad, did you ever get to see the picture of my new bike? I assume you'd like it haha.

 

As human beings, it is a lot easier for us to think of things in the short term. Many times, we are unable to see things as they will be because our minds are stuck on only what is happening right now! The key is to keep an eternal perspective on everything and "find joy in the journey" as President Monson once said. That doesn't mean it is always easy to do, but AS we do, we will be able to find that joy. Thank you all for your emails this week. I love you all!

 

Elder Reynolds

Familia Reynaldo

Spanish-speaking people can't say "Reynolds" correctly, so I just have them call me "Elder Reynaldo" or "Reynaldos" haha. Ethan told me a while ago, that he did the same thing in his mission.

 

Sounds like winter is making the turn for you all! Crazy to think that it's November. Most days I can't believe it because it's still sunny with blue skies haha. I was worried I was going to get sunburnt the other day because it was a pretty hot day. The weather has been kind of back and forth between cold and hot lately. I don't want to complain too much about the cold though because I know in a few months I'll be wishing for cooler weather! Before I forget, I ordained Parker to the office of a Teacher the Sunday of my farewell talk. Get that recorded! Thanks for the spending updates dad, I had to get a new bike so that's what the larger one was for. I sent Parker a picture of the new one, so you'll have to have him show you the new bike. We just got a bunch of new rules for being on bike too, so I'm going to have to buy a lot more stuff. Being on bike was pretty fun, but now I wish I had a car haha. I don't want to go broke out here! Dad, can you explain to me the service program that the missionaries have there as well? I thought I'd do a lot more service out here, but pretty much the only service I've done has been spur of the moment things that only take a minute or two.

 

I've actually felt like I've had to use my Spanish more now since my companion isn't a native. He's been out for 4 more months than me, but my Spanish is as good as his, so it actually kind of boosted my confidence. I've gotten pretty down on myself with my Spanish a lot, but I think I'm probably farther along than I think I am. I've got street contacting down, it's actually pretty fun. I always run into some interesting people. I met a guy from Merida (where Ethan served his mission) and got super excited haha. Then last night I met a guy from Cuba. Hispanic people are a lot nicer than others I have run into haha. It's just been a lot of finding in this area, we haven't had too much success with getting new investigators, but I'm hoping that changes soon.

 

How is Elder Finch doing? Also, dad can you get me Elder Valley's email for me from the stake?

 

I have a talk I want you all to read (maybe for another FHE). It is called "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit" by F. Enzio Busche. It's a really good talk. I especially like the things he lists at the end, I read those a lot. We had Stake Conference this weekend and the Stake Presidency was reorganized so we had Elder Craig Cardin from the 70, as well as Elder Garns. It was a good weekend. I really enjoy just being able to sit and listen to men like that speak. One thing they emphasized was getting to know your neighbors and sharing the Gospel with those you are close with and also those you meet.

 

"Every member a missionary!" Always remember that we all (not just the missionaries) have the charge to share what we know with those we know. It is often hard to share something so personal with others, but as we do, our own testimony is strengthened. That's a promise! I bear a short testimony at least 15 times a day as I talk to people on the street. The majority of them don't seem to care what I say or who I am, but a lot of times it is a seed you are planting within them that will make them (maybe eventually) want to learn more. I hope you all are doing well and have a great week! I love you all!

 

Elder Reynolds

November!

Can't hardly believe it's already November! It has cooled down all of a sudden here and it's been kind of a shock to the system haha. Especially with it getting dark around 5:30 now, there's been a lot of working out in the cold. I'm really wishing I would have brought two big suitcases now! I didn't bring any sweaters or cardigans to wear while working and now I am paying for it haha. Who said it doesn't get cold in LA?!

 

Had a little excitement these past few days. My companion got transferred suddenly, so I've got a new companion now. He's white and his name is Elder Cox. I'm interested to see how everything goes now since I won't have a native speaker to rely on. It's going to be a challenge, but I'm sure I'll learn a lot. Dad, I'm glad to hear you got up to the cabin! I miss that place! I can just imagine the fresh air up there. We had to be in by 6 on Halloween, so it wasn't very exciting haha. There wasn't much Halloween-related action going on in our area either.

 

Sad to hear about Faye! I hope she recovers quickly! She'll be in my prayers. Crazy to think that there was hardly anyone home for Halloween! They had a Halloween activity at the church this past week for the kids and they were actually making chili! We didn't get to participate in it, but it made me miss some good chili from G&G's!

 

I don't have a whole lot to talk about from this past week, but I'm sure this upcoming week will be filled with at least a few noteworthy experiences haha. I hope you are all doing well! Keep progressing in your testimonies! It is amazing how sometimes we are tested beyond where we think we can go, but in doing so we become better than who we are at that moment and then eventually, who we are meant to be. I love the Lord and I love missionary work. It is a blessing to see the lives of people change first hand. Always strive to have the Spirit with you! He is the most important element in missionary work, but also in our lives! I love you all! Have a great week!

 

Elder Reynolds