Elder Reed shared his love with everyone - and he was amazed at how quickly another week flew by!
Elder Reed shared that they got to go to Cieneguilla for preparation day and play kickball - and he really enjoyed it :) He said that they also talked with the Bishop of their ward and are really excited about the help they are receiving.
This week, Elder Reed and his companion did a LOT of walking and were trying to find more people to teach and also to find investigators or less-actives that have come to the English classes that he teaches. Elder Reed shared that he now has 3 fully-Spanish-speaking companions in his room (in other words, they are all native Spanish speakers). He said that has helped him to speak even better Spanish. Yet it has also caused more difficulty in his English speaking [which is able to be heard in the recordings, but I just grin and enjoy hearing it].
They didn't have a lot of time to study this week, as they had a lot of meetings and trainings. They were glad to have the trainings, but also missed having that time of study. They received a call during the week from the mission president's wife, with a referral from someone in the States - it was a wonderful blessing! They went to look for the person and searched for a time, and eventually found where the person lived, but they weren't at home. However, hopefully it will work out in the next few weeks to meet with him.
President Boswell shared with the missionaries that if your faith doesn't change in the course of your mission, you have come here in vain. He then extended an invitation for the missionaries to pray to the Lord and ask how strong their faith is, and ask for opportunities for their faith to grow. Elder Reed took up the invitation, and was given opportunities that were difficult that helped him to see where his faith was at, and to help grow his faith. Remember, if you ask the Lord, He will answer!
Elder Reed also shared a story of a lady in their area who had been in another stake and had moved a couple times, then was now in their ward. She hadn't been to church for a year and a half because of something unkind someone had said. Elder Reed cautioned everyone to be careful what you say. Try to say things that would uplift others, because it can be such a blessing if you do, but can be so harmful if you don't. Always always always be kind to others!
The Elders had been looking for this lady for about an hour and a half, and weren't having any luck. They had about given up when suddenly the woman's son found them! What a blessing! They were able to talk with her and help her feel welcomed to come to church.
Elder Reed said that they had a multi-zona conference, and he was excited to get to see all the missionaries and see President Boswell. There will be fewer missionaries in the near future in that area overall, but the work is still going very well!
Elder Reed thought he would share a riddle for this week - and you can email him your answer [because I don't know yet!] -
"If I say that every monkey can see three monkeys, how many monkeys are there?"
Stay tuned for the answer!
Elder Reed shared his love again and hopes that you are all strengthened by the tests of character and of faith - remember that blessings come as you choose the right path -
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
June 27, 2016 update
[Pictures first!]
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| Many elders getting ready to eat pizza - YUM! |
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| "The new missionaries and their trainers! We lost about 25-30 missionaries, but gained 9!" |
Elder Reed only had a quick update with a few pictures. Elder Reed is excited about his new companion, and is ready to help him learn as well as learn from him.
Elder Reed has felt stressed this week as he's now district leader again and a trainer too, but he is doing the best he can. He said that he feels there is never enough time in the day, but he does try to write in his journal [at least a line or two] each day.
Elder Reed shared that he really enjoys being in his mission, and loves the people. He shared that he sometimes gets down when people don't come to church, but he does see blessings happening. He shared about a lady who lives very far away from the church building [on the boundaries of his area], but who wants to come to church and learn more about the gospel, which is awesome!
Elder Reed is grateful for his missionary companions, and his mission overall. He said to keep doing what the Lord would have you do, and you'll be blessed!
Until next week - remember to count your blessings - you may be surprised at how many there are -
June 20, 2016 update
Elder Reed said that he woke up and saw this:
Elder Reed also shared the book they use to track different things like contacts. While he said it's not about the numbers (and it isn't), he was very pleased with the work they were doing! It's always good to see progress!
Elder Reed sent a recording from the previous week that hadn't gotten to us, so he was explaining some things from the past week. He explained that their preparation day for two weeks was on a Tuesday, which really is different for him. [Elder Reed does like routine :)] They were able to go to the temple, which they loved. His spiritual thought for that recording was to always live worthy to attend the temple, even if you can't get to one right now - live worthy of those blessings.
From his recordings this week, Elder Reed shared that he will knows the details of the transfers for this time around (which he wanted to wait until the end to share with us). Elder Reed was excited that, on their preparation day, they were able to find a deal on pizza and they had pizza twice and loved it :) They had a hawaiian barbeque chicken pizza (or two) - ha ha.
Elder Reed shared that they had some understanding come as to why some of the investigators weren't progressing - things like alcohol and addictions. It was a bit discouraging, but they continue to love the people because that is what is most important. Elder Reed and his companion testified about the Book of Mormon and felt that it was helpful in several situations.
Elder Reed said that they were able to give service and help a sister build an outside kitchen because her son is coming home from his mission and they were able to help out with that.
Elder Reed said that, even though there are some tough times, there are always good points in the week too. Elder Reed got to see the mother of a less-active family that he taught while in Huachipa (the mom is active, but the rest of the family is less-active). The mom was visiting her son in Huertos and he was grateful to see her and her son and get to visit a little with them. He is grateful to see how much your example counts for good for others, even if there aren't a lot of baptisms. Always treat others like they are the most important person in the world, because they are. When you leave them, people will think well of you, and you will have made a good difference in the world.
Elder Reed shared that he and Elder Mamani did a LOT of work there in Huertos, and were very grateful for their time together, and have seen improvement from the last transfer. Elder Reed shared that it is so important to fellowship those that are learning about the Gospel. It's so important to help them to know they are loved!
And now, the news is that Elder Reed will be getting a new companion. He will be getting a brand new missionary and he will also be a district leader again. He doesn't feel prepared at all to be a trainer and a district leader - he hopes to keep up with the hard work that was being done, and he feels a bit overwhelmed at the moment. However, he knows that the Lord doesn't call the prepared. He calls the unprepared so He can prepare them. :)
He shared his love with everyone and hopes that, wherever you are, you find success and give it your all in whatever you do - the Lord will bless you as you do!
Until next week, remember that you are loved, even if it doesn't always feel that way. The Savior and our Heavenly Father always love us, no matter what. See Romans 8:35, 38-39.
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| Quite a foggy winter morning :) |
From his recordings this week, Elder Reed shared that he will knows the details of the transfers for this time around (which he wanted to wait until the end to share with us). Elder Reed was excited that, on their preparation day, they were able to find a deal on pizza and they had pizza twice and loved it :) They had a hawaiian barbeque chicken pizza (or two) - ha ha.
Elder Reed shared that they had some understanding come as to why some of the investigators weren't progressing - things like alcohol and addictions. It was a bit discouraging, but they continue to love the people because that is what is most important. Elder Reed and his companion testified about the Book of Mormon and felt that it was helpful in several situations.
Elder Reed said that they were able to give service and help a sister build an outside kitchen because her son is coming home from his mission and they were able to help out with that.
Elder Reed said that, even though there are some tough times, there are always good points in the week too. Elder Reed got to see the mother of a less-active family that he taught while in Huachipa (the mom is active, but the rest of the family is less-active). The mom was visiting her son in Huertos and he was grateful to see her and her son and get to visit a little with them. He is grateful to see how much your example counts for good for others, even if there aren't a lot of baptisms. Always treat others like they are the most important person in the world, because they are. When you leave them, people will think well of you, and you will have made a good difference in the world.
Elder Reed shared that he and Elder Mamani did a LOT of work there in Huertos, and were very grateful for their time together, and have seen improvement from the last transfer. Elder Reed shared that it is so important to fellowship those that are learning about the Gospel. It's so important to help them to know they are loved!
And now, the news is that Elder Reed will be getting a new companion. He will be getting a brand new missionary and he will also be a district leader again. He doesn't feel prepared at all to be a trainer and a district leader - he hopes to keep up with the hard work that was being done, and he feels a bit overwhelmed at the moment. However, he knows that the Lord doesn't call the prepared. He calls the unprepared so He can prepare them. :)
He shared his love with everyone and hopes that, wherever you are, you find success and give it your all in whatever you do - the Lord will bless you as you do!
Until next week, remember that you are loved, even if it doesn't always feel that way. The Savior and our Heavenly Father always love us, no matter what. See Romans 8:35, 38-39.
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