This is it, I guess...

Happy Monday everyone!!                                                                 2/26/18

Me and Sister Miller, I love her

 This past week has been an interesting one but good as always! We got to go to institute with Zach to get him used to it. He is going to start going every week to meet people his age! It was SO fun to go and see people who I served with in the James hill YSA ward! I have missed then and it was good to catch up on their lives. 

 One of our weekly lessons is with a less active member and her boyfriend. We have been going to their home since December and sharing little messages with them. It's amazing to be able to go into their home and help them feel the spirit. This past time we went was truly amazing. They both opened up a lot and shared some personal experiences they helped us greater understand them and their situations. Not to long before the lesson, we felt prompted to change the lesson plan, True inspiration! We ended up reading the Living Christ with them. The moment we started reading that message to the world the entire atmosphere of their home changed. I could feel the spirit coming into their home and doing his best to touch their hearts. It was a powerful moment and I think, and hope, that they will remember that and strive to return to the church. 

We had Zone conference on Thursday. We talked ALL about using smart phones in the missionary work. (p.s. I don't think I have mentioned it but we have smart phones as of last week.) It was kind of weird to just talk about phone safety and how to use it as a missionary, especially because I will only use it for a short time, BUT I did learn a lot about how I want to use my phone in the future. Something that stood out to me was being transparent, if that's the word to use. Basically, I always want my phone and devices to be in a state where I could hand it to ANYONE and I wouldn't be worried about what they might find. I've made it a goal to keep all the things I use in that way. 

After 18 MONTHS OF TRYING TO WIN THIS 

FOR HAVING A CLEAN CAR WE FINALLY 

GOT THE GOLD PLATES!! #TENDERMERCY! lol

 Towards the end of zone conference we talked about the Book of Mormon and its power in people's conversion. The book of Mormon is the tool of the harvest. It is truly through this divinely inspired book that our lost brothers and sisters can gain a testimony of this restored gospel! Other people will recognize it's power if they will just read, and we can have the same experience. The words on every page are so powerful and can change our life! I know that to be true. I love the Book of Mormon!

 I honestly cannot believe that this will be my last email home. It is insane to me to think that 18 months have come and gone. In so many ways this mission experience has been incredibly hard. One of the most heart breaking things I have experienced in my mission is coming to love someone and seeing them start to change their lives, and then they decide to stop learning for whatever reason. I never thought my heart could hurt so bad. I believe it has come to hurt me so much because throughout my time here, I have come to better understand the pure joy that comes from actually living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But the greatest thing I have loved to do on my mission is watch someone I have come to love enter into the waters of baptism. That moment of seeing them go into the water and come out clean and pure is something indescribable. My heart is full just reflecting back on those moments. I love these people. I have loved sharing my testimony with everyone. It has changed me and I know I am coming home better than I was. I know that even though my mission is ending, the real mission is beginning! We are all missionaries even if we don't have a badge. We can all share our testimonies with those around us, family and friends, and help them find the joy that we have just as Lehi wanted to do after he partook of the fruit of the tree of Life! (1 Nephi 8:12)

I love this work. I know it is inspired from God. I love this gospel. I know Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet of God and that he did, in reality, see our Heavenly Father and our savior Jesus Christ. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I have felt its power in life and I have seen its words change people into Disciples of Christ. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that He lives. I am eternally grateful for his Atoning sacrifice. I know it applies to each of us. I have been blessed every day to be here with the people of Washington. I love them.  

I know I was meant to be here 

It SNOWED!!! Forever...but it was fun!!

and I know I was called here by a prophet of God. 

These people have changed my life. I feel like I'm leaving home and family again!!  I will miss them but I am excited to see you all!

 I love you all! I guess I'll see you soon! Have an amazing week! 

Sister Reynolds