Charity Week

Familia!

This past week, as a mission, we had "Charity Week" where we focused on developing the Christlike attribute of charity as we extended invitations and followed up with our investigators. It was a super cool week! The biggest miracle we saw was on Wednesday night when we were walking back to our apartment after a coordination meeting. It was already 9 and we were right next to the apartment, but we saw a lady a little ways down another street and felt like we should go talk to her. She looked African American, so we assumed that she wouldn't speak Spanish, but she ended up being from Belize and speaking Spanish as her first language! We chatted with her for a little bit and set a return appointment for the next day. We went by and taught her the restoration and she said that as we shared the first vision, she had a feeling of peace and clarity come over her and that she felt as if everything just made sense. She told us about some of the tough things she's been going through lately, but knew that the message would really bless her. She committed to be baptized, but she's going back to Belize this week, so the missionaries down there will get a golden referral! Tender mercy!

That's exciting that President Button will be the new Patriarch! He is a great man, I admire him a lot. Well I can't say that it's hit me yet. I know that I'm going home in a couple weeks, but it doesn't feel like my mission is coming to an end. I have my departing missionary training with president tomorrow which I'm looking forward to.

Happy Birthday to Parker Lou this week! Can't believe he's going to be 16 already. I hope you all have a great week. I love you all!

Elder Reynolds

Mother's Day

Familia!

It was good getting to talk with you all yesterday! I'm excited to see you in a few weeks. We had a real good week this past week as well! OnTuesday, we saw Mari Carmona and read 1 Nephi 1 with her. We invited her to be baptized, but she said she felt like she needed to know more and didn't accept a specific date. She did say that she wants her family to be a part of it as well and knows that if she keeps her commitments, that they'll see a difference in her. On Wednesday night, we ran into a guy named Camilo from Nicaragua. He's got a pretty humbling story. He's been here in the states for 12 years and has a wife and 2 kids back in Nicaragua that he hasn't seen since coming here. He works and sends them the majority of the money that he earns. We taught him on the street about God's love and families and showed him the Easter initiative video. We closed with a prayer and it was apparent that he felt the Spirit, but he didn't accept a return appointment. It was pretty humbling to think about the circumstances that some people live in though. Thursday we taught Mari again and brought a member from the High Council with us. It was a good lesson, but she didn't make much progress as far as commitments go. On Friday, we had a zone meeting and I got the chance to bear my testimony again. It was a good chance to reflect. Afterward, we taught a guy named Jose Lara. We shared the restoration and committed him to be baptized, but he didn't accept a date. He's leaving for Mexico this week and will be there for a while, so we won't be able to meet with him until he gets back. Saturday we had a Mother's Day event at the church and it was a success! There was a huge turnout and we got a lot of non-members there. I'll send a video of the mariachi that came haha. Then Sunday I was able to talk with you guys! It was a good week. 

I was reading this past week about Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon and was impressed at how he never stopped making preparations for war. He always had his men engaged doing something and he himself was always coming up with ways that he would be able to defend his family, people, and freedom. I know that's the way that it is with us--we have to be "anxiously engaged in a good cause" in order to fight of the attacks of satan. I'm grateful that the gospel teachings give us that direccion and guidance we need in order to follow safely along the path of discipleship. I hope you all have a great week! Love you!

Elder Reynolds

Hello May

Familia!

It was kind of a tough week for us this past week. On Friday we went
to see Laura and Alex and Laura came to the door with tears in her
eyes saying that we wouldn't be able to meet with them because they
were moving out that night. They had been living with Laura's sister
and had been having some problems, so she pretty much kicked them out.
She said they were going to be staying in a hotel for the weekend and
then possibly moving up to San Bernardino. We asked her to let us know
if they were still in the area, but we haven't heard from them. Keep
them in your prayers! I love that family.

I had an exchange on Wednesday with another Elder in my zone and it
was a great day! His name is Elder Lara and is from Peruvian, but has
spent most of his life in Spain. He's got the Spanish lithp that I'm
not a huge fan of, but we had a great time together haha. He was
baptized when he was 14 and played professional soccer before coming
on the mission he's a stud!

I had to get up and bear my testimony yesterday seeing as it was my
last fast Sunday out here. I remember bearing my testimony my first
fast Sunday in the mission in the South Gate branch. It definitely
doesn't seem like that was nearly 2 years ago. I love Spanish. I wish
I had the chance to speak to more people in Spanish around here, but I
try to use it as much as I can. It should be a great week this week.
Every Tuesday morning we volunteer and a food pantry focused on giving
to the homeless and needy here in the area of Inglewood and it's a
blast.

I'll probably shoot you guys a call Saturday night to try to set up
the time for when I'll call on Sunday. I guess I'll be talking to you
soon! Love you all!

Elder Reynolds