Nov. 24th update

Well, it looks like Elder Reed is beginning to sporadically receive snail mail - yay! :) Hopefully he will keep receiving things that have already been sent. I guess we are all learning patience with this little hiccup!

Elder Reed's update this week is short and sweet, with a few pictures of him and another Elder. He (Elder Reed) was telling me that Elder Derr looks like one of the actors on Studio C (Adam Berg) - which he does! Too funny! Elder Derr didn't believe him. :)

From Elder Reed: "This week... on the 18th I got [Mom's] first Dear Elder, a letter from Aunt Bonnie and my patriarchal blessing!!! I WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!! Thanks for that... I now have 2 months... 9 weeks... in the field and have heard talks from Elder Waddell and Elder Uceda both of the [Quorum of the] 70 in my time here on a mission! They are great men of God.

The pensionista makes all our meals... and all of them are good!!!

Ive have a ton of opportunities to spread the gospel and I cant believe just how much time has passed.

Elder Reed"

Thanks to everyone for your continued support and prayers! Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Nov. 17th update

I am going to post the pictures first, then the update below. I didn't get any information on the pictures, but it looks to be Elder Reed and his companion, Elder Puma. Enjoy the update!

Elder Reed & Elder Puma

From Elder Reed, in several emails: 
"I havent recieved any mail of any kind... sorry, but that is the truth for now. I have heard that if you are sending packages you might want to send it with Christian symbols on it. that way the people dont open the package and take anything before sending the package on, or just take the package by itself! Christian symbols: all over the box you might put crosses or scripture references that are cool that you have found this week!

on friday i was inside a building when a 5.8 earthquake hit... very scary!

Mom: remember those multicolored pipecleaners you had me put on my seminary scriptures for the minimission? well, they came in handy this week when my companion and I were in a lesson and there was a little boy who was just screaming his head off!!! i thought of those pipecleanersand I gave tham to him and there were no more problems from him for the rest of the night!

I have been struck by food enemy of north americans... the runs. Dont worry about it... the problem is being taken care of and the right people have been notified!

I did have some awesome food though, before my problem hit! I finally had something in the lobster family and some serious rice mounds! When I get home I want a pizza, milk, m&ms, and some sweedish fish (not actual fish, which I have eaten several times here and have liked!)

I was told that I should read, only after I get back, Miracle of Forgiveness and Doctrine of Salvation!

Los Souces is my area, ward, and I have no idea where it is on a map!

Elder Reed

I have some pics attatched and I am proud to say that I now have 2 months (8 weeks) under my belt as a missionary!"

"As it turns out, no missionary in Perù Lima East washes their clothing nor cooks their meals. We have what are called Pensionistas (os)... but generally pensionistas... that are paid out of the money we get every month to cook all our meals for us. For E[lder] Puma and I, we have another member who washes our clothes, but once we submit our ropa [clothes] we need to wait for 4-6 days!!! Yikes!

elder puma is from Arequipa, Peru

this is my goodbye this week!

E. Reed"

Nov. 10th, 2014 update....

Here is Elder Reed's update for this week. It looks like the snail mail (postal system) is much less than desirable. He said he hasn't received any mail yet in that way, and I sent some letters before he even left. So, if you want to write him, please use the DearElder site he refers to (the DearElder website) - choose Peru Lima East Mission. This is free (through POUCH mail, when it is printed and sent with other mail going to the Mission from the Church), so it's the most likely way to get it there. Please know that this isn't necessarily a private way to send mail, as it will be printed by others and sent, but it is a way for him to receive mail.... and I think he is needing some mail. :) Enjoy and I hope to be able to post more pictures next week when I hear from Elder Reed. :) For now, here is his update: 

"Could you have everybody send letters using the DearElder site? that way i will definetly get the letters! 

[A] rather cool point though!... I was able to meet Elder Maxwell at the temple on my second day in the field, shake his hand, tell him that I had enjoyed his blog, and wish him success in his area!

The people here love to laugh and have a good time, but they know when it is time to work! 

I have yet to find a SERPost, but im looking ( and very new to the area!) Ive been able to see that going to church is a HUGE blessing, because all the people there believe the same thingand wont question you for what you say about believing!

There are sooooooooooooooo many dogs here in Los Sauces and they all poop and pee and sleep in the street. ive already stepped in two giant piles of poop!!! i aspire to be a millionare one day!!!

I think that next week im going to send pics, but only because i have like 4 minutes left!!! Please convey to everybody that missionary work is very very difficult, that it is exhausting, but that I have been able to see noticable improvements about my feelings towards others, about my spanish, and towards others.

Elder Reed

PS- callings are important and everyone needs you. When the bishop takes a chance and calls someone who might not be good for that calling, just think to yourself, "the Lord took a chance with me!" "

[For a little explanation, the Elder Maxwell he speaks of is another missionary in the field that has a blog here, and we were able to see a little about Peru before Michael left. :) 

Also, "SERPost" is apparently the Peruvian National Postal System.]

Nov. 4th, 2014 update - in the field!

Elder Reed sent an email last night - he is officially in the field! It was a short, sweet email. :)

"I just thought i would tell you that I am safe here in Lima con Elder Puma (apperantly the best companion ever!!!) and I am in Los Sauces! I am humbled by the living conditions of those around me and I am very grateful I have the opportunity to live around them!

I would just like to remind you all again that I am very grateful for all your examples and that i cant wait to get to work! (In the taxi ride to my area, my compañero helped to spread the gospel to the driver and he was referred to missionaries in another area!

Hope you are all well, my next pday is ... en el campo. 

Nos vemos (google translate that...),

Elder Reed "

Looks like he is doing well! Los Sauces, from what I could find, seems to be in the southern part of the city of Lima. "Nos vemos" means, roughly translated, "I'll be seeing you!" So, until the next update, remember to count your blessings! They come in all sizes!

October 30, 2014 update

Hello all - this is Sylvia (Momma) - this week's update is mostly pictures - YAY! :)  There were a few words from Elder Reed that I will post after the pictures - so enjoy! He leaves the CCM next week - time is flying by!

Name tags - it's real! :)

His district in the CCM.

The Lima Peru Temple

I love this note - it goes along with the picture below .....

This is their big rain in Peru! :)  I told him that it's not like when we got about 5 inches in 2 hours here in Tipp City - that's different for him!

Elder Reed and his District when they visited the Temple

For this picture, he had sent "Elders Sands, Van Uitert, and Mann - and I'm not sure who the one on the far right is...."  :)

Outside the Temple

Another view - this temple is very similar in design to the Chicago Temple. :)

It is a magnificent building!

"Holiness to the Lord - House of the Lord"

Elder Reed also tried to send a picture of Peruvian transportation (a chobi), but it didn't come through. However, he said this: "The small bus ... is called a combi. it fits anywhere from 2 to 45 people(depending on whether you like being a sardine and almost losing your hand because that is the only thing keeping your body from flying in the crazy driving of these peruvians!!!) I really like them!!!! and a ride only costs S/. .50 (.5 soles). search google for cramped peruvian combi! prepare to laugh!"  

He also said that his mission is entirely a walking mission, so no bike or driving. :) He also said, "i did however buy my first non-essential item today for 4.2 soles. a 3L bottle of granadilla, maracuyo, and mango fruit punch bottle! it is delicious!!!" - Soles is the currency of Peru - actually it is Nuevo Sol. Soles must be the plural? I know I (his Momma) have a lot of Spanish to learn! :)

Elder Reed said that he can't wait to get to the mission field, and it's coming so quickly! He also sent this message to all, "Also being here has taught me something else... please have everyone in our family make an effort to get to know the investigators that the missionaries bring to church! have them shake their hand, get to know them, show them around! most of the reason that they dont return is because they dont feel welcome! offer your help to the missionaries in that effort. you might need to directly say that you are willing to help with any new people that come to church, but the investigators need your help to!"

 

That's the update for this week - enjoy!

PS - He said he hasn't received any mail there yet - not sure how that's happened, so be aware that the mail system may be **very** bad. I know I sent a letter to him at the CCM before he left and it still hasn't gotten there. Hopefully he will receive items soon!