August
25, 2016
HELLO!!!!
Where do I even
begin with this email! So much has happened in the course of a week I can’t
really remember everything! I guess we'll start on the day I left because in
the course of me going through security, getting on the plane, and flying to
Utah I had some...interesting experiences..
For one, I had to be
patted down because I apparently had metal show on the back of my neck so I
guess they thought I was going to whip out some iron rod or something and start
judo chopping people but alas they found nothing. (Craig cursed me on that one
I guess) anyway, I got onto the plane and it took me forever and a day to walk
ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK RIGHT CORNER. I felt isolated as if everyone was
warding off the presence of these missionaries but it’s all good because the
story is only just unfolding. I took my seat behind this elder and a random man
you apparently had a mission of his own. He was there to probe this poor elder
for every bit of information the church had to offer. These questions were NOT just
about Christ or our plan here or even Joseph smith. He asked almost every crazy
theory that people had come up with about the church. After this discussion for
about 30 min he proceeded to ask this elder about conspiracy theories and if he
believed on them... this went on for about 15 min before the elder told him he
wasn’t all that interested in them and didn’t like to talk about them. So the
gentleman had to come up with a new line of subject.... Did you know that God
flooded the earth because 200 angels came down and mated with the animals and
people to create demonic giants? Well apparently this happened and in the words
of the man, I’m telling you it’s going to happen again and that’s what will
bring the worlds demise..... I just didn’t know how to stop laughing. I had to
write it all down and one day ill finish telling everything he said but there
are more important things to talk about!
The MTC...... it’s
the best of times and it is the worst of times... Haha! Kidding! I really do
like it here. I have never felt the spirit testify to me in the ways it has
here. We have been teaching from day one and let me tell you I almost came home
when they said "welcome to the MTC. Now in here is your first
investigator, here is some pamphlets and here’s your PMG....." what are
they thinking! this little ARIZONA GIRL IS IN A WORLD THAT IS COLD DURING THE
MORNING AND FREEZING AT NIGHT AND THEY EXPECT ME TO ABANDON MY NATURAL HABITAT
AND JUMP INTO TEACHING THESE RANDOM PEOPLE!!??? Well that’s exactly what they
expected and i guess I lived since I’m here to tell the tale. It wasn’t that
bad I guess. I did enjoy it to be honest. It was cool to be thrown in and then
taught directly after.
I have two investigators
this week, Paula and Anna. They are both such sweet women. I’m impressed with
how willing they are to take what we tell them and actually follow through with
our commitments.... (Considering they are real members who are just pretending
they do really good investigator acting :) Teaching them has really helped me
to know how to recognize the spirit and focus on what the investigator needs.
Just like Doctrine and Covenant 84:85 says, I have come to know that when we
let our cares and insecurities leave our mind the spirit will fill our mouths
and we can teach them what THEY need to know at that time of their life.
I love my companion!
Sister Ericson and I have gotten along so well and I am so grateful that I’ve
been put with her, especially for my first companion. We met and something just
clicked! We teach, study, and laugh really well together! I couldn’t leave out
the laugh because seriously....we laugh all the time! My cheeks hurt by the end
of the day! She is also going to Washington which is super cool!
On Tuesday we got the
opportunity to be in the choir. Something special happens when you are able to
sing with so many servants of the lord. It sounds like a choir of angels. (I
know that’s cheesy but it really is true) we got to perform that night for our
devotional. We heard from a member of the seventy, Juan A. Ucedea. (I don’t
know if I spelled that right) anyway, it was such an awesome experience to hear
his testimony and feel his strength.
I miss you guys so much!
I think about you all and it just makes me smile. I love talking to the
investigators about you and our crazy fun times! I just want you to know that
God loves you all. He truly did send his son to come and sacrifice himself. I
know that the atonement is real and that ANYONE can receive the forgiveness
they deserve if they have the desire and faith in him to know he can heal us. I
am so grateful to be Gods servant. Even during the hard times I just remember
how blessed i am to carry my name next to his. I know this gospel is true and I
can’t wait to go to Washington and share it with god children there. I love you
all!!
-Sister Reynolds
Love Sister Reynolds
