During this week, the LDS Church had the semi-annual General Conference of the Church, where prophets, apostles, and leaders of the Church speak to the membership, instruct, edify, encourage, and uplift us all with God's words. During this time, President Thomas S. Monson announced that there would be a second temple in Lima Peru! (See here) When Elder Reed heard the news, he said that he and his companions were "SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!" :) What a blessing for the people of the great land of Peru!
This week, Elder Reed got a lot of letters and packages and he really loved it. :) His new companion knows 3 languages and is learning English. Elder Reed said that his new area is massive, which is quite a change for him.
Elder Reed really likes being on his mission, and likes meeting people. He was realizing he is closer in time to coming home, and he was a little down about that, realizing he would be away from the people he has really grown to love. He also realized that Mother's Day is coming too, and he felt he will be in Huertos de Manchay for that.
Elder Reed said that the area he is in is super super sunny, super super windy, and super super hot! There is no shade, a lot of dirt and hills.
Elder Reed has been praying for more opportunities to learn charity, love, and patience, and he felt that the Lord heard his prayers and sent him to a companion that is "the master of the application". He is grateful for that for sure! The Lord works in His own way, for our best good.
Elder Reed stated that they walked a lot this past week, though they didn't get to teach a lot. He did get an idea of how willing the people are to listen to the Gospel. The church building is pretty far for them though, so that presents a challenge. He said it's about a 20-30 minute bus ride.
Elder Reed thanks you all for writing and for your support and love - it helps him so much! It can make such a difference when there is support and love. His spiritual thought for this week is this: "For those who are priesthood holders, be worthy to keep the priesthood, be worthy to bear the priesthood. "The rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness." That is my message for today. If you have the priesthood, have been given that responsibility, be worthy to hold it. If you are a female, my counsel is to help those around you to be worthy to hold the priesthood, because they need your help just as much."
Until next week, Elder Reed sends his love and thanks -
