Transfers

Familia!

Happy Leap Day! I'm a little short on time, but I'll try to fit
everything that I can in! Transfer calls last night brought the news
that I'll be staying and getting Elder Fifita who is finishing his
mission this transfer. We met way back at the beginning of our
missions and have been pretty good friends since, so I'm real excited
for this transfer. It should be a good one! I've loved being with
Elder Villanueva this past transfer though. This past one was the
quickest transfer of my mission!

We didn't end up with any baptisms this weekend, sadly. But we're
going to keep working with German and Mardo and help them to realize
that they are ready. They both know it's true and have a testimony of
the gospel, but still feel like they need to be more sure. They'll get
there soon. We also set a date for the 20th of March with Patricia
Orellana on Wednesday! She met with missionaries before but then
contact with her was lost. She's currently assisting at a different
church, but she lives right next to ours, so we'll get her there this Sunday
haha. Keep them in your prayers!

I have a testimony that the Lord knows us personally and takes account
of our individual and specific needs. I've seen many times throughout
the mission where there have been occasions I didn't think I could
continue on with something or it seemed like a difficulty wouldn't
end. But the Lord always comes exactly when we need Him! I'm reminded
of a special meeting we had with Elder Clark of the 70 when he toured
our mission in the which he mentioned that we all pass through our own
personal times of being in the "wilderness" while in this life. But as
we learn from the scriptures, that wilderness always ends. Those
difficult times always come to an end and the Lord always has His hand
outstretched. I'm so grateful for the Savior and for His willingness
and humility in coming to the earth to atone for our hard times
difficulties. I know He lives! And I know He loves us. Thanks for all
your prayers! Make this week the best one you've ever had!

Elder Reynolds

Sent from my iPad.

(02-22-2016)

Familia!

The weeks have been flying by lately, they've been great though! German didn't make it to church yesterday which we were pretty bummed about. We went by his house before church started to remind him and he wasn't there, so we gave him a call and he said his water heater had stopped working, so he was out getting stuff to fix it. C'mon now! He could still get baptized next Sunday because he's been to church three times, but we're going to see where his testimony is at this week and go from there. Mardo Valdez made it to church though! He's also got a date for this Sunday, but hasn't been doing a lot to prepare for it. He loved church though and we're going to go to the VC with him on Thursday to sure up that testimony. He's had some doubts and feels like he hasn't quite received a definite answer, but we're going to give him the best opportunity to use his agency in the right way and get baptized! I'll give you the update next Monday on how everything goes. 

Thanks for the update on Grandma, I'm glad to hear that she's doing better. That skate park you mentioned Elder Budica going to might be the one that is in my area haha. There is one right across from our church building. There are always kids out there skating. I hope he's doing good! 

We had interviews this past week with President and Sister Weidman, so I had the chance to have a good chat with both of them. They both asked me about my plans for after the mish, which I was kind of surprised about haha. They are both heroes, I love them a lot. This is week 6 of the transfer, so we'll be getting transfer news this Sunday. I'd love to stay another one with Elder Villanueva, but I got the feeling from interviews that there will be a change. Either way, it has been a great transfer so far and this week will be the best one yet! I love you all and am grateful for your thoughts and prayers. The church is true! Read the scriptures and pray daily!

Elder Reynolds

Heat Wave! (02-15-2016)

Familia!

I'm sure you've all seen that we're getting hit with some nice summer weather! I can't complain! This week was awesome! We've been talking with tons of people. In our mission, each companionship is expected to have at least 20 meaningful gospel conversations each day (a gospel principle taught, a testimony shared, and an invitation left) for a total of at least 140 each week. We report that number each week to President in our weekly email. Last week, we had 189 and he actually called us during the week and we had a good little chat haha. He is such a stud. We had 201 this past week. We still haven't seen a lot of improvement with new people to teach, but I'm sure it will come!

That conference was super good! I was real impressed with all of the talks. FEAR NOT. I loved that. In my studies this morning, I came across this scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 38:30, "I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear." That last line though! "...but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear." So much of that counsel, I felt, was to help keep us focused on the most important things to keep us on the straight and narrow. It's sad to hear about people losing their way when the Gospel offers so much safety. I hope we'll be able to get the text of those talks soon so I can study them again. Good stuff!

German Cuello is doing good. We taught him some of the commandments this week and did well in accepting to live them. We're going to try to get him to the Visitor's Center this weekend to fortify him for the 28th. Keep him in your prayers! Satan always works super hard the last couple weeks before baptism. We met a guy this week who said he's run in about 270 marathons throughout his life. I couldn't believe it! He said he didn't know the exact number because he's never run a marathon for sport, just for exercise haha. I did get the birthday card, Mom! Thanks so much! I got it last Monday after I emailed, so that's why I didn't get the chance to mention it. You're the best! Dad, I didn't get the chance to send the pictures to you, but I'll get it off today or tomorrow. 

I realized that I had been slacking at smiling at everyone, so I recommitted myself and have my companion keeping me accountable. It's funny to see how hard people will try to not smile. It's tough not to smile when someone else is smiling and happy right in your face haha. Kill 'em with kindness! 

This work is the best! The mission is the greatest experience. Please keep us in your prayers and pray for the hearts of the people here to be softened. We ran into a lot of hard hearts this week haha. But I know the elect are out there, we've just got to find them! I love you all so much. Make it the best week yet!

Elder Reynolds

Summer Sun

Familia!

This week has been crazy with the weather! I think it's probably the nicest weather I've ever experienced. It definitely doesn't feel like winter haha. I think it was up in the 80s and high 70s this past week and looks like it'll be doing about the same this week as well. I've already got my farmer tan lines going!

It was a pretty full week this week. For the past couple months, I've been kind of debating on extending my mission service another 6 weeks or not. I never really got a firm confirmation of whether I should do it or not, so a few weeks ago, I decided I would and then a few days later, I didn't feel right about it. Then on Monday, I found out that all departure dates will be moved back one week, so I'll be going home June 1st! There must be something that's going to happen in that last week, so I'm excited to have an extra one to work! It was an answer to my prayers! It was funny that I mentioned in my last email how I have been trying to immediately respond to spiritual promptings, because Tuesday, I ended up having an experience with it. We were teaching a lesson in a pretty rough part of our area and while we were sitting in this apartment complex teaching, I got this feeling all of a sudden to "GET OUT NOW." I knew I couldn't sit there through the rest of the lesson, so we set a return appointment and then got out of there. As we were walking back to our bikes, I mentioned to my companion the impression I received and immediately received the confirmation that we needed to get out of that area right then. I'm not sure what would've happened if we wouldn't have left, but I'm okay with not knowing! That was only the second time on the mission I've ever had a prompting that strong and direct. Act immediately!

On Thursday, we set a baptismal date for the 28th of this month with a man named Mardo Valdez! He's been taught a lot and knows it's true, but is caught up on some little doubts and things he doesn't fully understand. So keep him in your prayers that he'll get the confirmation that he's ready! Friday we got a call from Maribel saying that we wouldn't be able to keep visiting her or her kids, Chris and Natalia, anymore. We've had some of the relief society stay in contact with her and it sounds like she brought up marriage to her husband and he didn't like the idea. It's always the husband! I've lost some sleep from that phone call though. Please keep Maribel, Chris, and Natalia in your prayers that we'll be able to continue teaching them. That same day, I went on an exchange with an Elder in the district and a conversation we had that day led to a miracle that happened yesterday! We pulled up to our dinner appointment and said a prayer before getting out of the car. Just as we were getting out of the car, a couple with their little son was walking by. We started talking and they were super nice and happily accepted a return appointment for Sunday (yesterday). This was in the other Elder's area, so I didn't have the chance to be there, but it turns out that we were actually an answer to a dream the wife had just a couple days before! They happily accepted to be baptized on March 13th and are excited to keep learning! SO SWEET! Their names are Jesus and Dania.

Dad--I got the BYU stuff taken care of and got the endorsement from President Weidman. Thanks for the reminder. I've got a picture that I'm going to get in the mail for you soon, so be looking for it. 

At church yesterday as I was sitting in sacrament meeting, I took the liberty to take a minute and just kind of reflect on things. The Church is true! It truly does bless families and bring happiness to anyone who accepts and lives the things that are taught within the church. I still have so many imperfections and things I need to work on, but I'll forever be grateful for this chance I have to be a missionary. I love the Lord and I love this work. Make this week the best one yet. I love you all!

Elder Reynolds

Bigger Boy (02-01-2016)

Familia!

Thanks for the birthday wishes sent my way! Can't believe I'm 21 years old haha. Time goes quick. My companion wanted to make sure I didn't feel bad by reminding me that he's 27 haha. I got a letter from one of my trainees, the letter from G&G Lott, and then a couple packages from Shannon that I opened this morning, so it almost felt like a birthday! No better place to celebrate a 21st birthday than the mission field. A family invited us over for dinner tonight, so we'll have a Mexican dish called bambazos (or something like that) and some tres leches cake. I'm looking forward to it! As for doing something special, we're pretty limited since we're on bike, so I think we're going to try to play some ball with some other Elders and then just hit the streets and talk to at least 20 people about the Gospel!

Thanks for the update on sports! I heard about the super bowl, but hadn't heard anything about basketball or tennis. I've been surprised that I really haven't been updated much out here from people we talk to. They're all just into soccer I guess haha.

About 2 months ago, I made the conscious decision to strive to immediately act on every single prompting I receive. At first, it was pretty tough, because I always find myself thinking, "That was probably just in my head." I haven't been perfect at it, but as I've tried to do that, I've seen a ton of great miracles and met a lot of great people! A lot of the times, it's just walking past a house and having the thought to knock the door, or sometimes it's going down a specific street. Many times, nothing comes from it, but sometimes there are obvious tender mercies. On Friday, we were walking around this neighborhood and there was a white guy sitting outside on his porch, smoking a cigarette and talking on the phone with a huge pitbull sitting next to him (without a leash or collar). He looked like a pretty rough guy and every natural instinct in me told me to just keep walking haha. But I had the impression that I needed to talk to him. We stepped onto his lawn and his dog started barking at us, and then he yelled at us from his porch and asked us if we were "slanging Jesus" and where our horses were haha. I almost felt like it was a waste of time and was not too excited about being destroyed by this pitbull, but he actually hung up his phone and said he wanted to hear what we had to say. We found out he works at a Hot Rod shop and has had a pretty rough life. I asked him what his favorite car is and he took us around the back of his house and showed us his perfectly restored 1926 Model T! He invited us inside and we ended up having a great talk about the Gospel and he promised us that he'd go to church at least once just for us and gave us his information.

I'd invite you all to act on those small promptings that you receive and I promise that as you do, although maybe not immediately, you will have faith-building experiences. I love the Gospel! I have no doubt that the true church has been restored and that it is this church. I know the Gospel blesses families and that it gives us the chance to continue to improve and become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. I appreciate all the love and prayers! Make this week the best one yet!

Elder Reynolds