Happy Birthday Holly!!
I hope that you have a great birthday today! I can`t believe that you
are already 7 years old! You are growing up :) just kidding I know
that you are now 10 ;)
Big news from Elder Reed, I am no longer assistant to the President in
Concepciòn. Hence why I am writing to you right now instead of last
saturday. President recieved revelation and said he needed me to act
as an assistant, district and zone leader up in the northernmost zone
of the mission. So, here I am in Curico Norte tearing it up!! I love
being back in the field but first let me tell you how all of this came
to pass.
On Monday we had a meeting with President at 8 in the evening to
decide where we were going to open up the 8 new sectors that we will
have in two weeks. While we are there President decides to drop the
anvil of revelation upon by saying "Elder Reed, I think we need you to
go early so pack your bags tonight" It was very exciting. I am just
happy that I didn`t get to influence where he sent me, I know that
this is where the Lord needs me to be and life is great. So anyways, I
didn`t actually get to my new sector...oh and nobody else in the
mission knew what was going on, not even the other office Elder`s...
So we left to do a mission tour on Tuesday morning to get more
interviews done and I didn`t make it to my new sector until Friday. It
has been an adventure and just in the few short days that I have been
here we have found 8 new investigators one being and amazing family
that is made of pure gold! The father, jose, has been looking for
truth his whole life and if we get him going the rest of the family
will get baptized as well. We also have a great inv. named carlos who
is progressing rapidly and doing amazingly well. The month of March
could be big for us.
On a side note in just the last couple of days I have lost like 10
pounds and my feet hurt more than ever! It looks like I got a little
soft in the office driving the truck. Nevertheless pain is just
weakness leaving the body and missionaries need to be strong so life
is great.
Anyways, I love all of you and hope you have a wonderful week!
Elder Reed
Monday, February 20, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Brent has one more transfer to stay in office
Hey Family
How have your weeks been? Mine has been a little crazy. It is transfer planning week and it took us 3 days this time to do all of the cambios. We pretty much had to plan for the next three transfers because we will be opening 15 new sectors, losing half of our leadership, and having a quarter to half of the mission training at the same time. We have a lot of big changes coming, it is really exciting. Even though it has taken a solid 3 days it has been fun doing cambios with President.
As far as other crazy things happening our truck broke down! We were on our way out to do mini cambios when the clutch gave out and the car stopped moving. We had to push it to the Ford Dealership. It was really a pain losing all the time we did getting it fixed but at least it is safe to drive in. While we were fixing it we found out that our previous mechanic had been jimmy rigging the truck instead of fixing it the right way so it was a blessing to have the dealership look at it. We also went Urban Paintballing as a zone and it was pretty much the most epic zone activity I have ever planned and been on. I will send some pics but we did it call of duty style and played on a big villa that had two or three empty houses to go through an empty pool and terrace and everything it was a good unity builder jaja.
We also had this intense miracle happen this week. On Sunday a woman walked into church that I had never seen before and I felt a very strong impression, stronger than I have ever felt, to go and talk to her. Well, I was waiting until the end of Sacrament meeting to go do that but ten minutes b4 it ended she got a phone call and left. All I could think of was to ask the people who sat next to her if they knew where she lived. Thankfully the bishops wife is good friends with her but had never had the confidence with the missionaries to send them over to her house. Well, I got the direction from her and we went over to the house and met Barbara. We had a very powerful lesson with her and we have kept coming over to her house and she is amazing and so prepared. She reads and prays and wants to get baptized. She has been going through a lot of difficulties in her life with her family and now has recognized how the gospel is bringing a peace and tranquility into it that she has never had before, it is great. She should be getting baptized in two weeks
Oh, and as far as transfers go...I will be staying in the office for one more cambio which means that I will officially spend more than half of my mission in the office. I am not complaining it has just been strange to see the Lord´s plan fold out for me here and I am glad that I can be happy wherever I am if I am in the service of my God.
Also, one of the needs in our mission is a greater understanding of gospel principles, because almost everybody has less than 6 months on the mish right now, so Elder Stermetz and I are making a program to help us in just knowing the doctrine better, it is going to be sick. I am now memorizing all of the scriptures that are found in lesson 3 of Preach My Gospel and, don´t be hatin, I have found that now that I understand and have a personal testimony of the principles of the gospel memorization has been an important tool to expand that understanding and I have been learning a lot.
Other less important news, because of the mission I have found a love for both bananas and Ketchup, things that I hated before the mission, and regularly consume them both, however, I still do not like mint.
How did everyone like the talk that I sent out?
Well, I love you all! If you ever feel down in a day make more plans to fill your time with meaningful activities(things that build new skills, attitudes, or love for yourself or for others), not just menial to do lists, and you will not experience disatisfaction in your day to day life.
Love,
Elder Reed
How have your weeks been? Mine has been a little crazy. It is transfer planning week and it took us 3 days this time to do all of the cambios. We pretty much had to plan for the next three transfers because we will be opening 15 new sectors, losing half of our leadership, and having a quarter to half of the mission training at the same time. We have a lot of big changes coming, it is really exciting. Even though it has taken a solid 3 days it has been fun doing cambios with President.
As far as other crazy things happening our truck broke down! We were on our way out to do mini cambios when the clutch gave out and the car stopped moving. We had to push it to the Ford Dealership. It was really a pain losing all the time we did getting it fixed but at least it is safe to drive in. While we were fixing it we found out that our previous mechanic had been jimmy rigging the truck instead of fixing it the right way so it was a blessing to have the dealership look at it. We also went Urban Paintballing as a zone and it was pretty much the most epic zone activity I have ever planned and been on. I will send some pics but we did it call of duty style and played on a big villa that had two or three empty houses to go through an empty pool and terrace and everything it was a good unity builder jaja.
We also had this intense miracle happen this week. On Sunday a woman walked into church that I had never seen before and I felt a very strong impression, stronger than I have ever felt, to go and talk to her. Well, I was waiting until the end of Sacrament meeting to go do that but ten minutes b4 it ended she got a phone call and left. All I could think of was to ask the people who sat next to her if they knew where she lived. Thankfully the bishops wife is good friends with her but had never had the confidence with the missionaries to send them over to her house. Well, I got the direction from her and we went over to the house and met Barbara. We had a very powerful lesson with her and we have kept coming over to her house and she is amazing and so prepared. She reads and prays and wants to get baptized. She has been going through a lot of difficulties in her life with her family and now has recognized how the gospel is bringing a peace and tranquility into it that she has never had before, it is great. She should be getting baptized in two weeks
Oh, and as far as transfers go...I will be staying in the office for one more cambio which means that I will officially spend more than half of my mission in the office. I am not complaining it has just been strange to see the Lord´s plan fold out for me here and I am glad that I can be happy wherever I am if I am in the service of my God.
Also, one of the needs in our mission is a greater understanding of gospel principles, because almost everybody has less than 6 months on the mish right now, so Elder Stermetz and I are making a program to help us in just knowing the doctrine better, it is going to be sick. I am now memorizing all of the scriptures that are found in lesson 3 of Preach My Gospel and, don´t be hatin, I have found that now that I understand and have a personal testimony of the principles of the gospel memorization has been an important tool to expand that understanding and I have been learning a lot.
Other less important news, because of the mission I have found a love for both bananas and Ketchup, things that I hated before the mission, and regularly consume them both, however, I still do not like mint.
How did everyone like the talk that I sent out?
Well, I love you all! If you ever feel down in a day make more plans to fill your time with meaningful activities(things that build new skills, attitudes, or love for yourself or for others), not just menial to do lists, and you will not experience disatisfaction in your day to day life.
Love,
Elder Reed
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Oops-Dec. 10
Well as far as opening things for christmas if anybody else wants to send me a package it would be most graciously recieved. I totally forgot that Savannah was getting married good for her!
This week has been wonderful! We did cambios and we are having a lot of changes in the mission because we will be recieving a lot of new missionaries so we are preparing all of the zones for that also we are opening or reopening 4 sectores and by the time I leave we will have opened 15 new sectors. It is so amazing be able to witness as President Humphrey recieves revelation according to the needs of the mission and of the missionaries. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be here again.
We also had an investigator get offended in church this week but we felt like we should let it settle for a couple days and when we visited them they were still mad but we just laughed about it and told them that it might happen for the rest of their lives and that they needed to get over and then we shared a powerful lesson on keeping the Sabbath day holy. Our investigator was able to overcome all of his feelings of offense and re committ to going to church every Sunday.
Other things that I have been doing is making the mission video....again. and organizing mission conference and a special christmas devotional and another christmas devotional I am super busy with office stuff which is a little lame but I know that it will make all of the missionaries feel more motivated to work during the holidays. What are the plans for christmas?? Specific plans? I love all of you thank you so much for your support!
Love,
Elder Reed
This week has been wonderful! We did cambios and we are having a lot of changes in the mission because we will be recieving a lot of new missionaries so we are preparing all of the zones for that also we are opening or reopening 4 sectores and by the time I leave we will have opened 15 new sectors. It is so amazing be able to witness as President Humphrey recieves revelation according to the needs of the mission and of the missionaries. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be here again.
We also had an investigator get offended in church this week but we felt like we should let it settle for a couple days and when we visited them they were still mad but we just laughed about it and told them that it might happen for the rest of their lives and that they needed to get over and then we shared a powerful lesson on keeping the Sabbath day holy. Our investigator was able to overcome all of his feelings of offense and re committ to going to church every Sunday.
Other things that I have been doing is making the mission video....again. and organizing mission conference and a special christmas devotional and another christmas devotional I am super busy with office stuff which is a little lame but I know that it will make all of the missionaries feel more motivated to work during the holidays. What are the plans for christmas?? Specific plans? I love all of you thank you so much for your support!
Love,
Elder Reed
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Thanksgiving
Hey family!
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope that all of you have a wonderful time. I am not sure what I will be doing but I might have lunch with President or something. It just so happens that my companions birthday is also this week so I am sure that we will do something special. Lindsay, you should go build a snowman. Just sayin. jaja
This week was great! We have been traveling around doing interviews with President and his wife and we have been training on how to focus teaching towards commitment. My testimony on the importance of personal commitment has grown so much as I have been "committed" to applying all of the principles that we are teaching the missionaries into my own teaching. From studying Preach My Gospel we learn that Conversión is commitment and that and that our level of commitment to the gospel reflects our level of conversion. It has also been great creating better bonds of friendship with all of the missionaries. Are mission is extremely united and everyone is working really hard.
Well Alan the son of Chundo and Bernardita is getting baptized next week and we are all stoked for it. They are so great. we actually missed an appointment with them this week becuase we were traveling and they told us that they had held there own scripture study by themselves. Bernardita studies everyday without fail and Chundo is stopping smoking. We also found an amazing new investigator named Teresa but she doesn´t live in our Sector so we passed her to the other office Elders.
Today we went to the zoo. I sent Dad a pretty cool picture so you should all go and see it. The zoo was very interesting because there were no guard rails so you could go and touch the animals if you wanted to. It was one big petting zoo...except it wasn´t that big and you could pet lions and tigers and bears oh my I actually did pet a lion two tigers and a giant bear it was sick. Tell about what is going on? How is life for everyone? I love all of you have a great week!
Elder Reed
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope that all of you have a wonderful time. I am not sure what I will be doing but I might have lunch with President or something. It just so happens that my companions birthday is also this week so I am sure that we will do something special. Lindsay, you should go build a snowman. Just sayin. jaja
This week was great! We have been traveling around doing interviews with President and his wife and we have been training on how to focus teaching towards commitment. My testimony on the importance of personal commitment has grown so much as I have been "committed" to applying all of the principles that we are teaching the missionaries into my own teaching. From studying Preach My Gospel we learn that Conversión is commitment and that and that our level of commitment to the gospel reflects our level of conversion. It has also been great creating better bonds of friendship with all of the missionaries. Are mission is extremely united and everyone is working really hard.
Well Alan the son of Chundo and Bernardita is getting baptized next week and we are all stoked for it. They are so great. we actually missed an appointment with them this week becuase we were traveling and they told us that they had held there own scripture study by themselves. Bernardita studies everyday without fail and Chundo is stopping smoking. We also found an amazing new investigator named Teresa but she doesn´t live in our Sector so we passed her to the other office Elders.
Today we went to the zoo. I sent Dad a pretty cool picture so you should all go and see it. The zoo was very interesting because there were no guard rails so you could go and touch the animals if you wanted to. It was one big petting zoo...except it wasn´t that big and you could pet lions and tigers and bears oh my I actually did pet a lion two tigers and a giant bear it was sick. Tell about what is going on? How is life for everyone? I love all of you have a great week!
Elder Reed
Friday, November 4, 2011
Brents super busy week
This week has been soo buy but soo amazing and next week will be even betta. We had two mission conferences and it was really cool being able to participate in the training portions of the conferences. Also, I was able to sit down and have dinner with President and a general authority. Elder Richards is in the second quorum of the 70 and is so spiritual and knowledgeable it is crazy. We were talking after dinner and he would just cite the most random scriptures that applied perfectly to what we were talking about. He is a very intelligent man. I find that he lives in his calling. He is always teaching us about spiritual things and we are always being uplifted by him it is intense.
Also, another cool experience, we are teaching this family of three. Chundo, Bernardita, and their son Nicolas. We haven´t been able to teach them very much because of all of the travel. We went by there house last night and it was amazing. but first there are some things you need to understand. When we found them Chundo couldn´t read, Bernardita was extremely unhappy and Nicolas never went to school. The First thing that we gave them was the Book of Mormon each. We told them that we might not be able to pass by every day but if they wanted to be happy and recieve answers from God how to improve their family it could be found in The Book of Mormon. Well, we visited them last night and Chundo can now read better than I can and the family recognizes how the Book of Mormon has changed their life. Bernardita is happy and has read the entire Book of Mormon and Nicolas is behaving himself. They are coming to church this sunday and will be baptized as soon as Chundo divorce papers have finalized. They are an amazing family.
Other news, we might have an apostle coming to the mission in two weeks and we are making preparations for that. We will have a mission wide conference, o sea, the whole mission will come together at once to hear him speak. I am very excited.
Well, I have got to go but I love you all! Keep working hard and if any of you are having a hard week, read the Book of Mormon and you will find support and council.
Love,
Elder Reed
Also, another cool experience, we are teaching this family of three. Chundo, Bernardita, and their son Nicolas. We haven´t been able to teach them very much because of all of the travel. We went by there house last night and it was amazing. but first there are some things you need to understand. When we found them Chundo couldn´t read, Bernardita was extremely unhappy and Nicolas never went to school. The First thing that we gave them was the Book of Mormon each. We told them that we might not be able to pass by every day but if they wanted to be happy and recieve answers from God how to improve their family it could be found in The Book of Mormon. Well, we visited them last night and Chundo can now read better than I can and the family recognizes how the Book of Mormon has changed their life. Bernardita is happy and has read the entire Book of Mormon and Nicolas is behaving himself. They are coming to church this sunday and will be baptized as soon as Chundo divorce papers have finalized. They are an amazing family.
Other news, we might have an apostle coming to the mission in two weeks and we are making preparations for that. We will have a mission wide conference, o sea, the whole mission will come together at once to hear him speak. I am very excited.
Well, I have got to go but I love you all! Keep working hard and if any of you are having a hard week, read the Book of Mormon and you will find support and council.
Love,
Elder Reed
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Oops-I forgot to post.
My week has been amazing, we went with President to go finish the new missionary training in the northern zone of our mission and it was a great experience. I have been able to see the many strengths of our mission and it gives me such a stronger testimony that this is the Lords work. All of the missionaries are so different and there stories of how they got on the mission are outstanding and fantastic. Many are new converts, or are in part member families. They are so strong in there testimonies and in their understanding of why they are here. We have seen a lot of miracles this last month and the Lord is pouring out his spirit on the land literally, it is awesome!
Something funny that happened this week was a lesson that I had while with one of the other zone leaders named Elder Glass. We went and were teaching the commandments to a young couple. They aren´t married have one daughter and we started teaching them the law of chastity. The lesson was funny because they are great people and very open about there questions and concerns about the logistics of keeping the law of chastity. They were willing to attempt it but said they didn´t have much will power so we explained that if they made a marriage date that was soon and got married soon then the law of chastity wouldn´t be a big problem for them. This got them excited and the boyfriend said he wanted to get married as soon as possible because he didn´t want to feel guilty by breaking a commandment. We´ll see what happens.
Anyways, I´ve got to go but I love you all!!
Elder Reed
Something funny that happened this week was a lesson that I had while with one of the other zone leaders named Elder Glass. We went and were teaching the commandments to a young couple. They aren´t married have one daughter and we started teaching them the law of chastity. The lesson was funny because they are great people and very open about there questions and concerns about the logistics of keeping the law of chastity. They were willing to attempt it but said they didn´t have much will power so we explained that if they made a marriage date that was soon and got married soon then the law of chastity wouldn´t be a big problem for them. This got them excited and the boyfriend said he wanted to get married as soon as possible because he didn´t want to feel guilty by breaking a commandment. We´ll see what happens.
Anyways, I´ve got to go but I love you all!!
Elder Reed
Monday, September 12, 2011
Brent
Hey Family,
I can´t believe that it is already time to pick up Lindsay. Makes me feel old haha. This week has been awesome but also a big struggle. My sector is doing great though and if we didn´t have great struggle we wouldn´t have great victory. And one great victory is worth at least 5 great struggles so it all works out in the end jaja.
Not much to report this week except that I am feeling extremely good because all of my new converts are still active and progressing at a million miles per hour and we have now made specific goals for them to make it to the temple as soon as possible. How are all of you doing?
This week my testimony has grown a lot on the need to be guided by revelation and the need to speak by the spirit. Many times when we need to repent and someone is telling us that it chafes but when the spirit is there testifying to the heart of the person the message is understood and changes are brought about. That is why we are commanded not to teach without the spirit becuase we ourselves cannot bring about the change of heart necessary for God´s children to be able to repent and follow the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Tell me about what is going on. Mom I saw the picture the kitchen is looking awesome!! Anyways, gotta go but I love you all!!
Read the Book of Mormon everyday!
Elder Reed
I can´t believe that it is already time to pick up Lindsay. Makes me feel old haha. This week has been awesome but also a big struggle. My sector is doing great though and if we didn´t have great struggle we wouldn´t have great victory. And one great victory is worth at least 5 great struggles so it all works out in the end jaja.
Not much to report this week except that I am feeling extremely good because all of my new converts are still active and progressing at a million miles per hour and we have now made specific goals for them to make it to the temple as soon as possible. How are all of you doing?
This week my testimony has grown a lot on the need to be guided by revelation and the need to speak by the spirit. Many times when we need to repent and someone is telling us that it chafes but when the spirit is there testifying to the heart of the person the message is understood and changes are brought about. That is why we are commanded not to teach without the spirit becuase we ourselves cannot bring about the change of heart necessary for God´s children to be able to repent and follow the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Tell me about what is going on. Mom I saw the picture the kitchen is looking awesome!! Anyways, gotta go but I love you all!!
Read the Book of Mormon everyday!
Elder Reed
Last email-Lindsay
Anyway, this week had some ups and downs, but it was still good, we still saw miracles. We are just trying really hard to stay strong and be focused. I want my last week to end with a bang. I just can´t believe it will end this week, it is so weird. I can´t really imagine myself not as a missionary. We were singing a primary song in companionship study today, We will bring the world His truth, and I started crying ha ha. Luckily, I get one more zone conference before I leave.
I am glad that you are reading Jesus the Christ, it is so amazing, I love it so much. And don´t worry, I am not panicked about packing. I am leaving a lot behind. My books will be heavy, but we could just check them on the plane I think, tha would probably be easier and cheaper than mailing them home.
Not much happened this week that I can think of, I know I had more things I wanted to write about but my mind is blank!!! I love you all so much, keep studying your scriptures and everything this week!!! I love you all!
Hermana Reed
I am glad that you are reading Jesus the Christ, it is so amazing, I love it so much. And don´t worry, I am not panicked about packing. I am leaving a lot behind. My books will be heavy, but we could just check them on the plane I think, tha would probably be easier and cheaper than mailing them home.
Not much happened this week that I can think of, I know I had more things I wanted to write about but my mind is blank!!! I love you all so much, keep studying your scriptures and everything this week!!! I love you all!
Hermana Reed
Monday, September 5, 2011
Lindsay now has one more letter to write home
Ok, you are more trunky than me, you are writing very short letters ha ha.
If you don´t like this change of plans, we can just go to the hotel, but we will lose a bit of time, But just tell me what you would like to do. It is not a tradition to bring things, if you want to you can. You can bring the Hinckley´s something if you want, but again, it is not a tradition or anything so it is whatever you want to do. A mi me da igual.
And to answer your question, I am not allowed to go on facebook at all, for no reason. This mission is strict, but we don´t care because we all like to be obedient, no one ever gets sent home because of disobedience. I love it.
Alright, to stop talking about trunky things. We have a baptism this weekend. Her name is Julia. We have beein working with her for awihle, and she has had a fecha, but this week she was getting really nervous and didn´t know if she could do it. Well, on Saturday night we had a lesson with her. It came to a point in the lesson when I realized we just weren´t relying enough on the spirit, and that we needed help. So I told Julia that we were going to kneel down, and I invited her to pray and ask Heavenly Father if He wants her to be baptized. She began to say a very fervent and sincere prayer. I was also praying very hard in my heart for a lot of faith, and that she could receive an answer right now. After the prayer there was some silence, and then she told us that she was going to be baptized. It was such a wonderful experience.
This transfer has been so amazing, we have seen so many miracles. I love you all so much!
Hermana Reed
If you don´t like this change of plans, we can just go to the hotel, but we will lose a bit of time, But just tell me what you would like to do. It is not a tradition to bring things, if you want to you can. You can bring the Hinckley´s something if you want, but again, it is not a tradition or anything so it is whatever you want to do. A mi me da igual.
And to answer your question, I am not allowed to go on facebook at all, for no reason. This mission is strict, but we don´t care because we all like to be obedient, no one ever gets sent home because of disobedience. I love it.
Alright, to stop talking about trunky things. We have a baptism this weekend. Her name is Julia. We have beein working with her for awihle, and she has had a fecha, but this week she was getting really nervous and didn´t know if she could do it. Well, on Saturday night we had a lesson with her. It came to a point in the lesson when I realized we just weren´t relying enough on the spirit, and that we needed help. So I told Julia that we were going to kneel down, and I invited her to pray and ask Heavenly Father if He wants her to be baptized. She began to say a very fervent and sincere prayer. I was also praying very hard in my heart for a lot of faith, and that she could receive an answer right now. After the prayer there was some silence, and then she told us that she was going to be baptized. It was such a wonderful experience.
This transfer has been so amazing, we have seen so many miracles. I love you all so much!
Hermana Reed
Brent had an awesome week
This week it hasn´t rained everyday yeahhh!! Another amazing week has come and gone in a flash, I feel like I wrote you guys yesterday. Though, at the same time so many things have happened that it couldn´t possibly have been only one day. Well to answer a few of your questions mother dearest a couple things I need would be a very large bag of chocolate chips, lots of rice a roni(the four cheese kind), and an american gift for my favorite columbian compañion. If that is possible. haha loves and kisses
Yes the girls absolutely loved the hats and all of the rings fit! It was truly glorious, I hope I never have any daughters because I know I will give them everything they want.
Of Course I have amazing friends, they are great missionaries all of them, I can tell.
As far as the 18 year old mission privilege Chile is the only country in the world that has this permission unless you are the son of a stake president. This will help a lot of Chileans to make the decision to be a missionary. One of our investigators named mauricio tells us everyday of how he wants to be a missionary like us. He is 14 years old and a stud...goes to seminary every day and will be getting baptized in two weeks. I do not know many chileans who work in the mines but that is because they are gone all the time. There are a lot of mothers who raise the kids practically by themselves because the husbands will be gone for 15 days with 3 days leave oh it is not good to work in the mines.
Yes, transfers are coming up and unfortunately I am thinking about them a lot because a lot of things are going to be changing in my zone. Big changes. President usually keeps us informed as zone leaders about big changes that will happen so we can prepare wards and their mission leaders for the change. Also, we are responsible for the inconspicuous training of the future zone leaders so Pres. usually tells or asks us about the personal progress of the Elders in our zone. So usually I know exactly what is going to happen, who the new leaders are and so forth. But I never tell anyone in my zone where they are going. Planning transfers is a sacred process where President Humphrey researches through us and then recieves revelation about the new assignments that the Lord wants given. I have a very strong testimony that my President is an inspired man and is guided by revelation during this whole process of Transfers...it is so cool! Usually it is pretty obvious if a missionary is going to leave, and we also have 3 missionaries that are dying this transfer in my zone so everyone already knows a lot about what will be going on. But we officially find out the 19 of september.
Um actually, we can watch any movie approved by president that we want(those are usually limited to Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks movies). and to a certain degree it depends on baptisms. Really, we can watch a movie as a zone once a cambio. Permission is predicated upon the work efforts of the zone, so not just baptisms but good key indicators.
My favorite food here is definetily porotes con tallarines y longaniza....delicioso!
This week my testimony of the power of fasting has grown substantially. As you know the father of the Cofre family can´t come to church because he has to work. So on Friday night we taught the whole family about the law of fasts and offerings. We committed together to fast so that there family could recieve answers that the book of Mormon is true and that Hermano Mauricio would be able to come to church on Sundays(They also committed to paying fast offerings every month...I love them). Anyways, we have our follow up appointment Sunday night, Erica and Mauricio jr. came to church and loved it but the father was at work so he couldn´t come...fast in vain one might ask....nope. That evening through tears Mauricio explained to us that for the first time in 5 years someone appeared ( I am assuming a new employee) and he felt the impression to ask him if he could change turns with him on sundays so that he could come to church and now he will be coming to church next sunday. I know without a doubt that the Lord responded to the fast that we did and opened the heart of one of Maurcios co workers so that he and his family would be able to come to church together. I know the Lord answers prayers and that miracles happen when we have righteous desires and are willing to sacrifice. It was an amazing experience.
Well, I hope you all had as great a week as I did. Make sure to read your scriptures everyday. Love ya!
Elder Reed
Yes the girls absolutely loved the hats and all of the rings fit! It was truly glorious, I hope I never have any daughters because I know I will give them everything they want.
Of Course I have amazing friends, they are great missionaries all of them, I can tell.
As far as the 18 year old mission privilege Chile is the only country in the world that has this permission unless you are the son of a stake president. This will help a lot of Chileans to make the decision to be a missionary. One of our investigators named mauricio tells us everyday of how he wants to be a missionary like us. He is 14 years old and a stud...goes to seminary every day and will be getting baptized in two weeks. I do not know many chileans who work in the mines but that is because they are gone all the time. There are a lot of mothers who raise the kids practically by themselves because the husbands will be gone for 15 days with 3 days leave oh it is not good to work in the mines.
Yes, transfers are coming up and unfortunately I am thinking about them a lot because a lot of things are going to be changing in my zone. Big changes. President usually keeps us informed as zone leaders about big changes that will happen so we can prepare wards and their mission leaders for the change. Also, we are responsible for the inconspicuous training of the future zone leaders so Pres. usually tells or asks us about the personal progress of the Elders in our zone. So usually I know exactly what is going to happen, who the new leaders are and so forth. But I never tell anyone in my zone where they are going. Planning transfers is a sacred process where President Humphrey researches through us and then recieves revelation about the new assignments that the Lord wants given. I have a very strong testimony that my President is an inspired man and is guided by revelation during this whole process of Transfers...it is so cool! Usually it is pretty obvious if a missionary is going to leave, and we also have 3 missionaries that are dying this transfer in my zone so everyone already knows a lot about what will be going on. But we officially find out the 19 of september.
Um actually, we can watch any movie approved by president that we want(those are usually limited to Disney/Pixar/Dreamworks movies). and to a certain degree it depends on baptisms. Really, we can watch a movie as a zone once a cambio. Permission is predicated upon the work efforts of the zone, so not just baptisms but good key indicators.
My favorite food here is definetily porotes con tallarines y longaniza....delicioso!
This week my testimony of the power of fasting has grown substantially. As you know the father of the Cofre family can´t come to church because he has to work. So on Friday night we taught the whole family about the law of fasts and offerings. We committed together to fast so that there family could recieve answers that the book of Mormon is true and that Hermano Mauricio would be able to come to church on Sundays(They also committed to paying fast offerings every month...I love them). Anyways, we have our follow up appointment Sunday night, Erica and Mauricio jr. came to church and loved it but the father was at work so he couldn´t come...fast in vain one might ask....nope. That evening through tears Mauricio explained to us that for the first time in 5 years someone appeared ( I am assuming a new employee) and he felt the impression to ask him if he could change turns with him on sundays so that he could come to church and now he will be coming to church next sunday. I know without a doubt that the Lord responded to the fast that we did and opened the heart of one of Maurcios co workers so that he and his family would be able to come to church together. I know the Lord answers prayers and that miracles happen when we have righteous desires and are willing to sacrifice. It was an amazing experience.
Well, I hope you all had as great a week as I did. Make sure to read your scriptures everyday. Love ya!
Elder Reed
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Lindsay preparing to come home
Ok, items of business. I am afraid to see the picture of me at the zone training because I was not matching, but that is ok. Second, I went to the office for something and Elder Araujo showed me the email you sent, ha ha. So, I honestly do not want to first time of me seeing you in 18 months to be at church with everyone. If you arrive at 8ish in the morning, you probably won´t arrive in time anyway for church, so you can go straight to the hotel with your luggage and sleep, because I would rather see you not tired. :). Hermana Roberts and I have a plan. We will come to your hotel room and I can see you there! It will just be the two of us, and I can see you, and maybe bring some of my luggage and have you pack it better, ha ha. And if you want you can come with us that evening to meet some of our recent converts and investigators. We would probably come to your hotel room by 3 or 3:30. And we can bring you food, or, if there is room service you can give us food :). ha ha.
Then, on Monday when I find out what time the interview is at we can decide what time we will meet and I will have things planned to do for Monday. And I am sure I will be able to stay with you in the hotel Monday night because my companion will probably be with some of the other hermanas. And then Tuesday I need to be at the office at 5:00 pm, and I will be there until we have to go to ¨singing for the angels¨ at 8:30 that night. I will show you how to get to the place, it is not hard, before that so you can meet us all there at 8:30. That is just until 9, and then I am with you forever.
Ok, that was very long, I hope it made sense. Tell me if it doesn´t. As for weather, it was very very hot last week, but it has begun to cool down. But for you it is probably still going to feel hot, and it is so humid here. So, I would pack summer things, and realize that you will sweat a lot.
So just send me the address of the hotel, and tell me what you think of that plan. What are we doing after we leave Spain?
Ok, now for missonary stuff. ERNESTO, JUAN CARLOS, AND LINA WERE BAPTIZED!!!! They are so amazing, and it was probably the most spiritual baptism I have ever seen. And their testimonies afterward were so strong and amazing. All of the members were crying, and they just felt the spirit so strong. These 3 people are probably the strongest converts I have baptized.
Sorry this was such a business like email. But I love you all so much! Always remember to be an example to others so they can see your light and want to know more about our Savior and His church.
Love, Hermana Reed
Then, on Monday when I find out what time the interview is at we can decide what time we will meet and I will have things planned to do for Monday. And I am sure I will be able to stay with you in the hotel Monday night because my companion will probably be with some of the other hermanas. And then Tuesday I need to be at the office at 5:00 pm, and I will be there until we have to go to ¨singing for the angels¨ at 8:30 that night. I will show you how to get to the place, it is not hard, before that so you can meet us all there at 8:30. That is just until 9, and then I am with you forever.
Ok, that was very long, I hope it made sense. Tell me if it doesn´t. As for weather, it was very very hot last week, but it has begun to cool down. But for you it is probably still going to feel hot, and it is so humid here. So, I would pack summer things, and realize that you will sweat a lot.
So just send me the address of the hotel, and tell me what you think of that plan. What are we doing after we leave Spain?
Ok, now for missonary stuff. ERNESTO, JUAN CARLOS, AND LINA WERE BAPTIZED!!!! They are so amazing, and it was probably the most spiritual baptism I have ever seen. And their testimonies afterward were so strong and amazing. All of the members were crying, and they just felt the spirit so strong. These 3 people are probably the strongest converts I have baptized.
Sorry this was such a business like email. But I love you all so much! Always remember to be an example to others so they can see your light and want to know more about our Savior and His church.
Love, Hermana Reed
Brent
Wow sounds like you guys had an interesting week. I hope everyone feels better. My week has been very interesting as well and very wet. It has beeenn pouring rain non stop for the past 7 days and this morning it finally let up. The good thing is that when it rains some people have more compassion on us and let us in while others are even more frank with us and tell us to go inside and stop wasting time. So we actually work a lot more effectively when it is raining outside haha. The Cofre family that we have been teaching came to church and have accepted baptismal dates and are probably the most prepared people I have ever met in my entire life. They have us coming by their house every day to teach them and this week they have recieved all of the lessons and love it! I love them so much. This next week we are going to review everything we taught this last week to make sure they understand everything. They are a perfect example of what the prophet Alma was teaching when we plant a good seed in our hearts... It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me....This week has been such a precious experience for me, witnessing the change in this family{s life as theirs souls have been enlarged, understanding enlightened, and as they now desire the gospel more than anything else because it has become delicious to them. The gospel is true! It might have been raining this week but not even that could calm the fire that is consuming my sector, the unquenchable fire of the spirit!
Mom I would not be able to go to Disneyland without being released, the stake president would have to release me over the phone..but that is enough talk about getting released. You can talk about Hermana Reed cooming home, that{s fine, but I still have a long time and a great work to do still. I am excited for you guys to be able to pick Lindsay up and to finally make it to England I know that you guys have been wanting to go there for some time. Oh, there is one thing that I need from barcelona.....and I mean NEED!! haha it is an authentic Barcelona Jersey, Hermana Reed should know where to find some. jaja.
Has Connor gotten his eagle scout yet? You mentioned scouts and that popped into my head. How is Holly doing on her personal progress? All of our new converts that are as old as them we have going to seminary and all have recieved the priesthood it is soooo cool. I don´t konw if I told you this but youth from Chile can now leave on the mission at the age of 18. Anyways, I have gotta to go. I love you all!!
Cariño.
Elder Reed
Mom I would not be able to go to Disneyland without being released, the stake president would have to release me over the phone..but that is enough talk about getting released. You can talk about Hermana Reed cooming home, that{s fine, but I still have a long time and a great work to do still. I am excited for you guys to be able to pick Lindsay up and to finally make it to England I know that you guys have been wanting to go there for some time. Oh, there is one thing that I need from barcelona.....and I mean NEED!! haha it is an authentic Barcelona Jersey, Hermana Reed should know where to find some. jaja.
Has Connor gotten his eagle scout yet? You mentioned scouts and that popped into my head. How is Holly doing on her personal progress? All of our new converts that are as old as them we have going to seminary and all have recieved the priesthood it is soooo cool. I don´t konw if I told you this but youth from Chile can now leave on the mission at the age of 18. Anyways, I have gotta to go. I love you all!!
Cariño.
Elder Reed
Monday, August 22, 2011
Brent
Hey Family,
Mom, I got your package and it is wonderful!! Thank you so much for sending it to me. I haven{t been able to give the stuff to the girls yet because they went out of town this weekend but I will let you know how they like it. Way to go Connor first stake dance! I am glad you had a good time. I am happy that you had a good first week...has snow started to fall yet haha. This week was a great one for me and my companion. We found another family to teach, had a baptism, and just felt the Lord guiding us in our efforts to find his sheep. The baptism of Valeria was significantly more special than usual becuase her tio was able to baptize her...Yes it was Juan the father of the two twins that we baptized two weeks ago. He baptized her as a worthy holder of the aaronic priesthood. It was spectacular!! To think that 1 month ago he was a chain smoker and alcoholic and now he is a worthy holder of the priesthood...it is one of the strongest testimonies that I have of the healing power of the Atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is such a humble and faithful man. That whole family that we baptized are angels, the most amazing people that I have met, I had been praying for a complete family and the Lord provided, not only that but he gave us a surplus, this new family that we are teaching is amazing as well. Mauricio,, the father, told us of a spiritual experience he had when he was younger right after we finished explaining the restoration. Now first of all, when people usually ask us if they can share a spiritual experience they tend to share strange things but that wasn{t the case with Mauricio. He said that when he was younger he had had a series of dreams where he saw a young boy in a grove of trees kneeling and being surrounded by light..then he testified to us that he knew that what we were saying was true. The whole family is way stoked to be learning from us and I know that they will be baptized.
With the zone Elder Valderruten and I have been planning some seriously awesome activities and this last week we went to go see a floating musuem on the oldest ship floating by its own means in the world. It was sweet!! and today we had a bbq and wacthed a disney movie. I will send you pics. Well how are you all doing? How have your testimonies been growing? Or what are you doing so that your testimonies can grow?
I love you all very much and you are all in my prayers.
Love,
Elder Reed
Mom, I got your package and it is wonderful!! Thank you so much for sending it to me. I haven{t been able to give the stuff to the girls yet because they went out of town this weekend but I will let you know how they like it. Way to go Connor first stake dance! I am glad you had a good time. I am happy that you had a good first week...has snow started to fall yet haha. This week was a great one for me and my companion. We found another family to teach, had a baptism, and just felt the Lord guiding us in our efforts to find his sheep. The baptism of Valeria was significantly more special than usual becuase her tio was able to baptize her...Yes it was Juan the father of the two twins that we baptized two weeks ago. He baptized her as a worthy holder of the aaronic priesthood. It was spectacular!! To think that 1 month ago he was a chain smoker and alcoholic and now he is a worthy holder of the priesthood...it is one of the strongest testimonies that I have of the healing power of the Atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is such a humble and faithful man. That whole family that we baptized are angels, the most amazing people that I have met, I had been praying for a complete family and the Lord provided, not only that but he gave us a surplus, this new family that we are teaching is amazing as well. Mauricio,, the father, told us of a spiritual experience he had when he was younger right after we finished explaining the restoration. Now first of all, when people usually ask us if they can share a spiritual experience they tend to share strange things but that wasn{t the case with Mauricio. He said that when he was younger he had had a series of dreams where he saw a young boy in a grove of trees kneeling and being surrounded by light..then he testified to us that he knew that what we were saying was true. The whole family is way stoked to be learning from us and I know that they will be baptized.
With the zone Elder Valderruten and I have been planning some seriously awesome activities and this last week we went to go see a floating musuem on the oldest ship floating by its own means in the world. It was sweet!! and today we had a bbq and wacthed a disney movie. I will send you pics. Well how are you all doing? How have your testimonies been growing? Or what are you doing so that your testimonies can grow?
I love you all very much and you are all in my prayers.
Love,
Elder Reed
Lindsay-only 3 letters left
Ok, I think that you should still write me longer emails, endure to the end mom!!! ha ha
I am so happy that Connor went to a dance! How cute! And he danced with girls, wow! But I don´t understand why he is not playing sports. What will he do for exercise? And what will he do as an extracurricular activity? Won´t he miss playing sports?
Ok, I will just talk to President Hinckley then about what I will and will not be able to do. And I know that metro stop where your hotel is.
Hermana Roberts is very excited to meet you as well, I tell her all the crazy stories of our family. And I don´t think that you will be able to call me on the cell phone, that is not allowed. I really honestly have no idea how it will all work out. I assume that someone will tell me at some point. We went to Park Guell last week, but it is so incedibly hot and humid that we didn´t stay too long. We don´t have many desires to be outside on Pday because we have to work in the hot sun throughout the week. Plus I have no money to do anything cool here in Barcelona, but that is ok.
This week was another amazing week. This weekend Juan Carlos, Lina, and Ernesto will be baptized! They are probably some of the most prepared people that I have ever met. We were teaching them tithing and they bore their testimony to us about the blessings they received when they paid tithing. And they know that when they pay tithing, they never have to worry about not having what they need. They are amazing!!
Well, I just don´t really know what else to write. We are seeing so many miracles, I know that this is the work of the Lord. Through all the ups and downs of my mission, I have seen miracles. The Lord is always there, ready to show us that He knows what is going on and we do not have to worry.
I love you all so very much,
Hermana Reed
I am so happy that Connor went to a dance! How cute! And he danced with girls, wow! But I don´t understand why he is not playing sports. What will he do for exercise? And what will he do as an extracurricular activity? Won´t he miss playing sports?
Ok, I will just talk to President Hinckley then about what I will and will not be able to do. And I know that metro stop where your hotel is.
Hermana Roberts is very excited to meet you as well, I tell her all the crazy stories of our family. And I don´t think that you will be able to call me on the cell phone, that is not allowed. I really honestly have no idea how it will all work out. I assume that someone will tell me at some point. We went to Park Guell last week, but it is so incedibly hot and humid that we didn´t stay too long. We don´t have many desires to be outside on Pday because we have to work in the hot sun throughout the week. Plus I have no money to do anything cool here in Barcelona, but that is ok.
This week was another amazing week. This weekend Juan Carlos, Lina, and Ernesto will be baptized! They are probably some of the most prepared people that I have ever met. We were teaching them tithing and they bore their testimony to us about the blessings they received when they paid tithing. And they know that when they pay tithing, they never have to worry about not having what they need. They are amazing!!
Well, I just don´t really know what else to write. We are seeing so many miracles, I know that this is the work of the Lord. Through all the ups and downs of my mission, I have seen miracles. The Lord is always there, ready to show us that He knows what is going on and we do not have to worry.
I love you all so very much,
Hermana Reed
Monday, August 15, 2011
Lindsay -only 4 more letters to post
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CONNOR!!! AHHH!! I am glad Connor had a fun bday. I can´t believe that he is 15!!!! What in the world!!! That is so crazy. Connor and Holly are going to be so different when I get home. I am excited to see them. And I was wondering why you were letting Holly watch Glee, I thought it was a bit old for her, but then she told me you said she wasn´t allowed to watch it. I actually had thought that I won´t watch it when I get home either. But I will listen to the soundtrack because it is amazing.
And the kitchen looks very nice, I am so proud of you mom. You are woman. I can´t believe Tyler is going to DR, that is crazy. So how long will he be there? He gets to stay at the MTC for free, and is paid? That is very nice. And I feel better knowing he is living somewhere safe. :) Maybe he will find a beautiful Domincan princess to marry.
Well, this was such an amazing week!!! We stomped the area this week, it was amazing! And the family from Honduras is doing amazing in their preparation for baptism, and we have found some other people with fechas as well, and we are working with them for the beginning of September. We honestly saw so many miracles this week. We now are trying to work on being focused, because since we haven´t seen each other in a few months we just talk and talk about what has been going on. But don´t worry, we are still working hard, and seeing so many miracles!!
My testimony just increases everyday! And seeing others grow and obtain a testimony of the book of mormon and the church and the restored gospel just makes me so happy! I honestly am so happy to be an instrument in the Lord´s hands! It is the happiest thing to just put our lives in harmony with God. That is where true happiness comes. The Lord can do anything on His own, but he lets us help, He lets us teach and help and serve His children. What a blessing! I just ´don´t want to stop being an instrument in the Lord´s hands! I know I am not perfect, but I am trying to live the way God wants, and when I make a mistake, through the help of my Savior I can repent and be forgiven. The Lord loves each and everyone of us so much. I know that He lives, He exists, and we just have to do our part, our tiny part, and we will have eternal life!!
I love you all so much! Look for ways to serve others, and to improve, and progress. Have a good week :)
Hermana Reed
And the kitchen looks very nice, I am so proud of you mom. You are woman. I can´t believe Tyler is going to DR, that is crazy. So how long will he be there? He gets to stay at the MTC for free, and is paid? That is very nice. And I feel better knowing he is living somewhere safe. :) Maybe he will find a beautiful Domincan princess to marry.
Well, this was such an amazing week!!! We stomped the area this week, it was amazing! And the family from Honduras is doing amazing in their preparation for baptism, and we have found some other people with fechas as well, and we are working with them for the beginning of September. We honestly saw so many miracles this week. We now are trying to work on being focused, because since we haven´t seen each other in a few months we just talk and talk about what has been going on. But don´t worry, we are still working hard, and seeing so many miracles!!
My testimony just increases everyday! And seeing others grow and obtain a testimony of the book of mormon and the church and the restored gospel just makes me so happy! I honestly am so happy to be an instrument in the Lord´s hands! It is the happiest thing to just put our lives in harmony with God. That is where true happiness comes. The Lord can do anything on His own, but he lets us help, He lets us teach and help and serve His children. What a blessing! I just ´don´t want to stop being an instrument in the Lord´s hands! I know I am not perfect, but I am trying to live the way God wants, and when I make a mistake, through the help of my Savior I can repent and be forgiven. The Lord loves each and everyone of us so much. I know that He lives, He exists, and we just have to do our part, our tiny part, and we will have eternal life!!
I love you all so much! Look for ways to serve others, and to improve, and progress. Have a good week :)
Hermana Reed
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Lindsay
Pretty sure here in Spain no one celebrates pioneer Day. But all of us American Missionaries will be celebrating it by a huge game of...VOLLEYBALL!!! Yea, I will finally be able to play!! Next week, oh yea.
So, we have had to postpone some of the baptisms because our investigators need to understand the importance of coming to church. But they are amazing and have the desires, so they will come!
My new companion is Hermana Quintana, from Bolivia. She is a lot of fun. I totally got to do intercambios with Hermana Bennion this week!! WE loved it! WE never thought that we would get to serve together. But luckily we are buds with the ayudante, and since our areas are super close, we let him know that we wanted to do intercambios. It was great. We were just as unified as we were in the MTC, but now we can both speak spanish and actually ahve teaching skills, ha ha.
I am trying to think of what happened this week. Umm, it was kind of a slow week. This area is great, but so up and down up and down with emotions and investigators.
I was thinking a lot this week about the ministry of our Savior, and how many times he was sad at the lack of faith on the part of the people. I just can´t comprehend the love that He has for us. He saw the unbelief and wickedness of the world, He experienced it, but He still atoned and suffered for us. Nothing was going to stop Him from doing it, as hard as it was, if it was the Father´s will, He would do it. He lived a perfect life, and then he felt the sins of everyone else. There is no way that we can repay Him. All He and our Heavenly Father ask, is that we keep the commandments. That we love one another. Honestly, we have no right to look down upon others. We have to forgive. If we are expecting mercy, we better be more than willing to show forgiveness to others. We are all sinners, none of us can make it back to our Heavenly Father without Jesus Christ.
Anway, my testimony of our Savior has just grown so much while being on the mission.
I love you all so much! Thanks for the pictures and video of the basement. I love you!!!
Hermana Reed
So, we have had to postpone some of the baptisms because our investigators need to understand the importance of coming to church. But they are amazing and have the desires, so they will come!
My new companion is Hermana Quintana, from Bolivia. She is a lot of fun. I totally got to do intercambios with Hermana Bennion this week!! WE loved it! WE never thought that we would get to serve together. But luckily we are buds with the ayudante, and since our areas are super close, we let him know that we wanted to do intercambios. It was great. We were just as unified as we were in the MTC, but now we can both speak spanish and actually ahve teaching skills, ha ha.
I am trying to think of what happened this week. Umm, it was kind of a slow week. This area is great, but so up and down up and down with emotions and investigators.
I was thinking a lot this week about the ministry of our Savior, and how many times he was sad at the lack of faith on the part of the people. I just can´t comprehend the love that He has for us. He saw the unbelief and wickedness of the world, He experienced it, but He still atoned and suffered for us. Nothing was going to stop Him from doing it, as hard as it was, if it was the Father´s will, He would do it. He lived a perfect life, and then he felt the sins of everyone else. There is no way that we can repay Him. All He and our Heavenly Father ask, is that we keep the commandments. That we love one another. Honestly, we have no right to look down upon others. We have to forgive. If we are expecting mercy, we better be more than willing to show forgiveness to others. We are all sinners, none of us can make it back to our Heavenly Father without Jesus Christ.
Anway, my testimony of our Savior has just grown so much while being on the mission.
I love you all so much! Thanks for the pictures and video of the basement. I love you!!!
Hermana Reed
Brents super week
Hey Family!
I just had a killer week I hope all of you did too. That makes me so happy that Aunt Kira doesn´t have anything wrong and that Jaci is improving. Dad I am really excited for you and mom to get your MBA...finally...hahaha. and I would love to fly to the ceremony in Maryland( we could go jousting which if I remember correctly is the state sport of Maryland, and or DISNEYWORLD) I would imagine that that would be our last family vacation before somebody gets married. Don´t tell Lindsay this but I´ve got her pegged to be at least engaged by then haha.
What day is Pionneer day?? We celebrated the fourth of July, but that is about it. I don´t think anyone even knows about pionneer day here....they don´t even know about Thanksgiving.
Well, this weekend we had two baptisms, Damian and Braulio, and it was awesome!! I love planning baptismal services!! So this is what went down...We had stake youth conference on Saturday so we talked to the stake president and planned the baptism as part of the stake youth activity. We had like 100 people there, members from our ward and all of the youth of the stake and their leaders. It was sick. Everything worked like clockwork until the actual batizing part when braulio did a jackie chan high kick which made it so I had to baptize him again haha but it was all good. We have also been working on the father of the family and we had waited until the baptism to commmit him to a date. Well, he is getting baptized in two weeks on the 30th. By the way we are now starting our Bapitsathon!!! YEAHAAHAH!! We have at least one baptism every week for the next month and we are working extra hard to keep that streak going!! But let me back up. The father of Damian and Braulio, has had a drinking and smoking addiction for the better half of his life...don´t even get me started on his worse half. Anyways, he is one of the most humble and pleasent persons that I have met. The first time we taught him was the friday night before the baptism and right away we shared the word of wisdom and asked him to read the chapter in Principles of the Gospel about it. After the baptism on saturday and after we commited him to be baptized we went over to their house to teach and take once. When we passed by him and his wife had thrown away all of there coffe, cigarrettes, and alcohol and said that they would never touch it again. I was soooo happy for them and their faith practically knocked me off my feet. We expressed our happiness to them and congratulated them on there decision but stressed the happiness that the Lord has now that they have committed to keeping the commandments. They are such an amazing family. This next week we are going to have a viaje a Hawai with our ward that I am planning and it is going to be amazing!! Hopefully all of our investigators can come.
To answer your question Mom, I have been working hard for the past 2 months to change the culture of the ward towards missionary work and our ward has totally changed!! They are so amazing and friendly and nice to not just our new converts but all of our investigators as well. My ward is probably one of the best wards in Chile. This next week we have 2 more baptisms at 7 and we are trying to get the whole ward to attend. It will be a spiritual feast!
Have a great week and read your scriptures everyday!!!
I just had a killer week I hope all of you did too. That makes me so happy that Aunt Kira doesn´t have anything wrong and that Jaci is improving. Dad I am really excited for you and mom to get your MBA...finally...hahaha. and I would love to fly to the ceremony in Maryland( we could go jousting which if I remember correctly is the state sport of Maryland, and or DISNEYWORLD) I would imagine that that would be our last family vacation before somebody gets married. Don´t tell Lindsay this but I´ve got her pegged to be at least engaged by then haha.
What day is Pionneer day?? We celebrated the fourth of July, but that is about it. I don´t think anyone even knows about pionneer day here....they don´t even know about Thanksgiving.
Well, this weekend we had two baptisms, Damian and Braulio, and it was awesome!! I love planning baptismal services!! So this is what went down...We had stake youth conference on Saturday so we talked to the stake president and planned the baptism as part of the stake youth activity. We had like 100 people there, members from our ward and all of the youth of the stake and their leaders. It was sick. Everything worked like clockwork until the actual batizing part when braulio did a jackie chan high kick which made it so I had to baptize him again haha but it was all good. We have also been working on the father of the family and we had waited until the baptism to commmit him to a date. Well, he is getting baptized in two weeks on the 30th. By the way we are now starting our Bapitsathon!!! YEAHAAHAH!! We have at least one baptism every week for the next month and we are working extra hard to keep that streak going!! But let me back up. The father of Damian and Braulio, has had a drinking and smoking addiction for the better half of his life...don´t even get me started on his worse half. Anyways, he is one of the most humble and pleasent persons that I have met. The first time we taught him was the friday night before the baptism and right away we shared the word of wisdom and asked him to read the chapter in Principles of the Gospel about it. After the baptism on saturday and after we commited him to be baptized we went over to their house to teach and take once. When we passed by him and his wife had thrown away all of there coffe, cigarrettes, and alcohol and said that they would never touch it again. I was soooo happy for them and their faith practically knocked me off my feet. We expressed our happiness to them and congratulated them on there decision but stressed the happiness that the Lord has now that they have committed to keeping the commandments. They are such an amazing family. This next week we are going to have a viaje a Hawai with our ward that I am planning and it is going to be amazing!! Hopefully all of our investigators can come.
To answer your question Mom, I have been working hard for the past 2 months to change the culture of the ward towards missionary work and our ward has totally changed!! They are so amazing and friendly and nice to not just our new converts but all of our investigators as well. My ward is probably one of the best wards in Chile. This next week we have 2 more baptisms at 7 and we are trying to get the whole ward to attend. It will be a spiritual feast!
Have a great week and read your scriptures everyday!!!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Lindsay had a great werk
This was an interesting week. I got a call from President Hinckley on MOnday telling me that Hermana Fernley and I would become a trio. Because an Hermana from Bilbao is doing a mini mission (month and a half) and he sent her to be with us in Barcelona. So she didn`t get any MTC time or anything, she will just be here for one transfer and get to experience the mission before she is able to turn her papers in in December. She lives in Bilbao but she is from Bolivia. She is very nice and fun. It will be good.
We had a hard week, but we also saw miracles. Amalia dropped us!!! Well, she dropped us until August when she is done with school because she is feeling stressed and does not have enough time to meet with us! So sad! We will stay in contact with her though and hope that she really will continue toward baptism in August.
But our other fechas are excited for baptism. Oh, and I found out that Lidia, in Valencia, was baptized! We started teaching her my first week in the mission, but she was living with a menos activo and they were´nt married so she couldn´t be baptized. They started the process for the papers and everything to be married, which takes forever, and we taught her everything. And she only missed one day of church in my 4 months of being in Valencia and she read the BoM in 2 months and I am so happy that she was finally able to be married so she could be baptized!!!!! Sooo wonderfuL!!!
Anyway, I love you all so much. Something funny...well, I just can´t think of anything right now. And what is funny to me probably isn´t funny to you, because you just have to be there...sorry. But I love you.
We had a hard week, but we also saw miracles. Amalia dropped us!!! Well, she dropped us until August when she is done with school because she is feeling stressed and does not have enough time to meet with us! So sad! We will stay in contact with her though and hope that she really will continue toward baptism in August.
But our other fechas are excited for baptism. Oh, and I found out that Lidia, in Valencia, was baptized! We started teaching her my first week in the mission, but she was living with a menos activo and they were´nt married so she couldn´t be baptized. They started the process for the papers and everything to be married, which takes forever, and we taught her everything. And she only missed one day of church in my 4 months of being in Valencia and she read the BoM in 2 months and I am so happy that she was finally able to be married so she could be baptized!!!!! Sooo wonderfuL!!!
Anyway, I love you all so much. Something funny...well, I just can´t think of anything right now. And what is funny to me probably isn´t funny to you, because you just have to be there...sorry. But I love you.
Brent and a killer spider
Hey Family!!!
First of all, Mom I love you more than I weigh too hahaha that was a good tag line. I am happy that everyone is having a good time. Connor I hope you and Devon have a lot of fun, I love scout camp!
Holly congrats on Honor Bee and I am so happy that you are reading the book of Mormon. Learn to love that book because it will help you the rest of your life. Connor how is your scripture study going, how is seminary, who is your teacher?
Mom thank you so much for the package! The smaller pants fit me and the other ones are way to big for me haha I can´t believe I got that fat haha. my suits are all loose on me now but in the sector where I am right now I think that I might start to gain weight again.
Also, thank you so much for the hot sauce...I use it literally everyday.
Today I planned another zone activity...we do zone activities every Monday haha. We were going to have a BBQ but it rained. So we just tossed all the meat in a huge oven that the members have who we live with and it was all good. I finally used the Hickory BBQ chicken seasoning that I had and it was delicious!! But now I don´t have anymore haha.
These last two weeks have been awesome. I love my companion, he is soo hilarious. I am not sure if I told you but he is from Columbia and a convert of 5 years...pure power. We have been working hard and we have two baptisms this weekend and hopefully 3 more the next, I am stoked!! The Lord has been blessing us so much. The zone has totally changed these last two months and we are going to be a power house zone!! It is amazing to see how it doesn´t matter what sector you are in or what zone...if you come to work and gain the Lord´s trust He gives you the sacred trust to baptized those whom He has prepared and there are usually a whole bunch!
I hope you guys liked all the pictures last week. Yes mom, I am writing in my Journal, oh I wish that you could see it, it is a work of art a masterpiece that just keeps getting better and better haha.
My companion and I cleaned our house a couple days ago and we found a rincon spider, the most dangerous spider in CHile, chilling in our bathroom. The only problem, it was tucked safe and sound behind the top part of the toilet. Solution, take apart the bathroom. Mission, find and kill deadly spider. We had to cut the water to the whole house and the members helped us take apart the toilet. The spider was huge!! and about to have baby killer spiders so it was good we found it when we did. Needless to say the mission was accomplished and we can continue using the bathroom in safety and comfort haha.
Oh I almost forgot, I love missionary work!! This last cambio we have been working with 5 families menos activos and investigators and as of right now all are active in the church and plan on staying active!! Also, we are going to partially complete a family this weekend by baptizing the kids and the Dad is the only one left and he is awesome he will be baptized fo sho!!.
Well, I love all of you, next week you should all tell me a spiritual experience you had this week.
Love,
ELder Reed
First of all, Mom I love you more than I weigh too hahaha that was a good tag line. I am happy that everyone is having a good time. Connor I hope you and Devon have a lot of fun, I love scout camp!
Holly congrats on Honor Bee and I am so happy that you are reading the book of Mormon. Learn to love that book because it will help you the rest of your life. Connor how is your scripture study going, how is seminary, who is your teacher?
Mom thank you so much for the package! The smaller pants fit me and the other ones are way to big for me haha I can´t believe I got that fat haha. my suits are all loose on me now but in the sector where I am right now I think that I might start to gain weight again.
Also, thank you so much for the hot sauce...I use it literally everyday.
Today I planned another zone activity...we do zone activities every Monday haha. We were going to have a BBQ but it rained. So we just tossed all the meat in a huge oven that the members have who we live with and it was all good. I finally used the Hickory BBQ chicken seasoning that I had and it was delicious!! But now I don´t have anymore haha.
These last two weeks have been awesome. I love my companion, he is soo hilarious. I am not sure if I told you but he is from Columbia and a convert of 5 years...pure power. We have been working hard and we have two baptisms this weekend and hopefully 3 more the next, I am stoked!! The Lord has been blessing us so much. The zone has totally changed these last two months and we are going to be a power house zone!! It is amazing to see how it doesn´t matter what sector you are in or what zone...if you come to work and gain the Lord´s trust He gives you the sacred trust to baptized those whom He has prepared and there are usually a whole bunch!
I hope you guys liked all the pictures last week. Yes mom, I am writing in my Journal, oh I wish that you could see it, it is a work of art a masterpiece that just keeps getting better and better haha.
My companion and I cleaned our house a couple days ago and we found a rincon spider, the most dangerous spider in CHile, chilling in our bathroom. The only problem, it was tucked safe and sound behind the top part of the toilet. Solution, take apart the bathroom. Mission, find and kill deadly spider. We had to cut the water to the whole house and the members helped us take apart the toilet. The spider was huge!! and about to have baby killer spiders so it was good we found it when we did. Needless to say the mission was accomplished and we can continue using the bathroom in safety and comfort haha.
Oh I almost forgot, I love missionary work!! This last cambio we have been working with 5 families menos activos and investigators and as of right now all are active in the church and plan on staying active!! Also, we are going to partially complete a family this weekend by baptizing the kids and the Dad is the only one left and he is awesome he will be baptized fo sho!!.
Well, I love all of you, next week you should all tell me a spiritual experience you had this week.
Love,
ELder Reed
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Lindsa things stolen again
Sorry this is coming late, we didn´t get our pday until today. Transfers week, and then they changed things around a bit so we had our pday today. I am still in Barcelona with Hermana Fernley.
Ok, wait though, so if you didn´t cancel my wells fargo debit card, the people can´t use it right? did you order a new one before or something? I wasn´t mugged. I was sitting in a restaurant and my bag was literally touching me at my side, and we were sitting by the window. But someone told us that 2 guys came and sat behind us and just professionally took the bag and ran. My companion was sitting right across from me, but she didn´t see anything. And her stuff wasn´t stolen, haha, and she was sitting next to the door! I guess I am just a target.
Ok, and tell Grandma Ross I got her letter and thank you so much! And Savanna´s ring and dress are gorgeous! They are so pretty, I love them.
Our investigators are doing really well. The main problem is helping them come to church though!!! So many of them work on Sundays and we are trying to help them have the faith to come to church and trust in the Lord. And yes, the woman who ran into me with her bike is our investigator now and she is amazing! We have set quite a few baptismal fechas this week, with some amazing people, we just have to help them come to church. The people here work so much. Because they do the work of 3 people a lot of the time, and of course they don´t want to not work sundays because there are people who have no work who will work sundays. Seriously, the economy here in Spain is so bad. The crisis is just ridiculous. Our investigators really show so much faith when they put the Lord first and come to church instead of work. The Lord will always take care of us, we just have to show our faith in Him.
I am glad that Holly liked girls camp. Sleeping on the ground isn´t that bad ha ha. I also am excited to be able to watch Holly play volleyball, and I am excited to play volleyball!!! woot woot, it´s been over a year!
Well, I love you all and I am glad everyone is doing great. I hope your summer is going amazingly. At least you do not have to be all gross and sweaty everyday like me. But it is ok, I have a smile on my face.
Love you,
Hermana Reed
Ok, wait though, so if you didn´t cancel my wells fargo debit card, the people can´t use it right? did you order a new one before or something? I wasn´t mugged. I was sitting in a restaurant and my bag was literally touching me at my side, and we were sitting by the window. But someone told us that 2 guys came and sat behind us and just professionally took the bag and ran. My companion was sitting right across from me, but she didn´t see anything. And her stuff wasn´t stolen, haha, and she was sitting next to the door! I guess I am just a target.
Ok, and tell Grandma Ross I got her letter and thank you so much! And Savanna´s ring and dress are gorgeous! They are so pretty, I love them.
Our investigators are doing really well. The main problem is helping them come to church though!!! So many of them work on Sundays and we are trying to help them have the faith to come to church and trust in the Lord. And yes, the woman who ran into me with her bike is our investigator now and she is amazing! We have set quite a few baptismal fechas this week, with some amazing people, we just have to help them come to church. The people here work so much. Because they do the work of 3 people a lot of the time, and of course they don´t want to not work sundays because there are people who have no work who will work sundays. Seriously, the economy here in Spain is so bad. The crisis is just ridiculous. Our investigators really show so much faith when they put the Lord first and come to church instead of work. The Lord will always take care of us, we just have to show our faith in Him.
I am glad that Holly liked girls camp. Sleeping on the ground isn´t that bad ha ha. I also am excited to be able to watch Holly play volleyball, and I am excited to play volleyball!!! woot woot, it´s been over a year!
Well, I love you all and I am glad everyone is doing great. I hope your summer is going amazingly. At least you do not have to be all gross and sweaty everyday like me. But it is ok, I have a smile on my face.
Love you,
Hermana Reed
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