I think this week was the most tiring, busy, stressful, longest, spiritual, anxious, rewarding, and uplifting week of the mission. It was packed! On Tuesday, we had the chance to have a conference with Elder Clark of the 70. That guy is a hero! He has 3 degrees from Harvard and was the Dean of their business school. He is just packed full of knowledge, but was able to teach in such a simple, direct way, I was super impressed. I didn't want that day of inspiration, guidance, and revelation to end! I wish I could just send you all my notes, but there were a couple things he talked about that stand out to me. He talked about how we can make a greater influence in the wards we serve in and in the missionary work in general. He gave us four things that all of the greatest missionaries have. 1-They are deeply obedient. They want to be obedient and strive to do everything they can with exactness. 2-They work hard. They are diligent in everything they do and don't stop working or make excuses. 3-They have the Spirit. They are trusted with the Spirit because of the things they do to prepare for it; mighty prayer, great studies, positive thoughts, etc. 4-They love the people. They are extremely humble and are able to understand the different circumstances of those they serve and are thus able to love them, no matter who they are. He challenged us to try to get our wards to work with us more in the missionary work in order to better move the work forward. Another thing he talked about was the wilderness. He talked about in life and especially in the mission, we all pass through a time where we are "in the wilderness." Whether it's because we feel alone, or aren't getting along with our companion, or aren't having success, or whatever it might me. But he said, "The wilderness doesn't last forever. God always comes." He shared the story of Ammon and his brothers and how much they went through, but that God always came to help them. After the zone conference, we had a special meeting with him with just the zone leaders and sister training leaders and pretty much just had a Q&A. It was such an awesome experience to just get to sit and learn from this choice servant of the Lord.
Thanksgiving wasn't much out of the ordinary. It was cold though! We didn't have any appointments, so we just walked around all day and talked to everyone haha. A family invited us over for dinner though, so that was nice. We had chicken soup, roasted hen, and some venison. It wasn't the usual, but it was good on a cold night! I appreciate the pictures that you took for Thanksgiving! You sure are a good looking family when I'm not in the picture! Haha!
Then yesterday, Lourdes got baptized! She is so sweet! It's been so fun teaching her and helping her to make it to this point. It was a little crazy leading up to it, but it always is. But she loved it and so we'll confirm her this upcoming Sunday. I can't believe December is already upon us. I don't know if it's just because I'm with the same companion I was with at this time last year again, but it feels like I was just celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas. Time is going too fast. We've got a new initiative called "Discover Why" on the church's websites, so you'll have to check it out. We've got pass-along cards we're handing out for it now.
Family, I am so grateful for the mission. I was reflecting last night on the people I've been blessed to meet out here and how I probably would have never met any of them if I hadn't come on a mission. Being able to see the change in peoples' lives as they learn and make changes is one of the greatest things. All the experiences and things that happen on the mission I feel like have just solidified my testimony that Jesus Christ lives, that Joseph Smith really saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and that the sacred power of the Priesthood, along with Christ's church, have been restored once again to the earth. At times, it's hard not to get frustrated because people aren't willing to simply ask God if what we share is true. But one thing that Elder Clark emphasized on Tuesday was that, "It's God's work. It's all connected." Everything that happens has it's purpose if we rely on God and do what we know is right. I'm grateful that I was spoiled to have the best family as well! I love you all so much! Have a great week!
Elder Reynolds
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