There Was A Donkey That Looked Like Bugs Bunny

Hey guys, 

So this week was pretty great. Mom is gonna be mad because we had the Christmas conference and I didn't take a single picture. I didn't take my camera out of my bag. Others took pics though! 

Regarding what I want to do when I get home - I would be happy to help you finish the upstairs and also just kind of see my options. I don't want to do that for too long but I have no plans to get home running to college because I can't, haha. I would actually appreciate it if you guys could reach out to some old soccer friends for me and see if there will be any indoor teams I can join.

I am totally fine with the white Hyundai. It has a hitch on it which makes it more useful to me. And it is AWD. 

We have 3 investigators who will be getting baptized before the end of the month. They are doing great. Also at the moment we are contacting 20 people or more during the day everyday right now as a goal and I really like it because it opens up a lot of options. Obviously not everyone will make it to the end but some will. 

The Christmas conference was good because we got to watch Coco!! The Disney movie. It was a great movie! I realize that you guys have all seen it and moved on but I dont get to watch movies like you do so it was special! 

We did a Jeopardy separated by zone and there were 5 zones in total. Who`s zone won? Thats right MINE! I was so happy about that! My zone is like a little family. We were the only zone that sat together at lunch and I didn't even tell everyone to. I sat down at a table and everyone sat down there and we just had a great lunch. I love em all. 

This week we also had a Christmas dinner in our ward and Elder Saavedra and I helped the ward out a lot and it is pretty cool. I have really connected with the members in this ward and I hope president leaves me here for my last transfer. The bishop and his family are really good at giving the example which is great. 

In the ward Christmas dinner we watched the primary do the nativity and there was a donkey that looked like bugs bunny and a lamb that looked like a cloud it was pretty funny haha but it was good. The best part though was when they opened the curtains and a full on mariachi was on stage! Then they offered their hats for pictures and I stood up pretty quick because everyone else was embarrassed. The only problem is that after my brave act of going first I put the hat on the wrong way 3 times so I still ended up looking kinda dumb, hahaha.

Also, I didnt get my package. What is the tracking number? 

Anyways, that is all for this week! Love you! 

Con amor,

Elder Reese 

PS Mom did you get pictures this Sunday sent to your Facebook? From Omaira Millan?

 

Me Rambling English Words Under My Breath

Hey guys, 

So this week was great!! The FHE's started and my ward is doing great! My Bishop is really good at what he does. 

You know you can tell someone is called of God if you just pay attention. He is a convert of about 16 years. He did not serve a mission but that has not slowed him down. One of the most interesting things I have seen in the mission is what the Gospel requires. It is not time, it is dedication. You can be a baptized member from 8 to 100 and that will not get you a spot with God. You have to ACT. And God always chooses his servants that have the ability to act. 

I met an English teacher this week in a FHE and he did NOT speak English. It was SOOO uncomfortable because he kept talking to me in English and I couldn't understand him so I didn't know how to respond him but the son of the member family was his student so I didn't want them to know he didn't speak very good English. The result? Me mumbling random English words under my breath that would require the gift of tongues to translate. It was fun. 

We had interviews as well and they went well. President thanked me for all the work I had done with my companion (who is a great missionary) and with the zone. He said all the new missionaries said that I was always good to them. It was an interview like all the rest. At the end he said that he was just going to pretend like this wasn't one of the last ones haha. 

This week was also Candle Day here in Colombia which I will try and send pictures of (No pictures yet). It is a strange holiday, but oh well.

Probably the coolest part of my week was the temple dedication in Barranquilla here in Colombia. Elder Oaks did the dedication but there are always talks before. One thing that Elder Oaks said while they were putting mortar on the corner stone was when he invited 2 kids from the crowd to participate saying ¨This temple will be here for this rising generation to use it up until the coming of the Lord.¨ I am going to let you translate that how you see fit but I know what I think.

Anyways, thank you for everything! I love you all! Have a great week and let me know about the Skype call! 

Con amor, 

Elder Reese 

PS I haven't gotten my package yet!

I Have Enough Women In My Family...

Hey guys,

So I miss snow. It is crazy for me to think that basically nobody here has ever even touched snow. Ever. Snow is useful for a lot of things. It makes driving a car a lot more fun. It is like God putting life on expert mode. It also creates a softer landing while doing whatever activity. 

Here they are listening to Christmas music but it is not very different from the music they listen to all year round. It just mentions Jesus a lot more. I miss my Christmas music. 

So my Bishop got ahead of the game and scheduled all of the FHEs this month and we will start with the first one tonight at his house. The Church has honestly given us a great way to use Light the World and it will just require a little work!! I am so excited. 

I have not gotten my package yet but I am not worried about it. It will get here when it gets here and I won't open it until Christmas. Might have my comp look through it and fish out my hair gel though haha

So this week we had a mission wide conference which has not happened since April of 2017 when I had literally less than a week in the mission field. When President asked those who were there to raise their hands there were only 10 of us. It was a sad moment. I am basically like old news now. 

It was really cool though. President gave a very strong testimony about temples. He worked in the Salt Lake temple for years and he said that he has had experiences that can only be experienced in the temple. But he was so firm about it. It was awesome. 

I also realized that basically all of the sisters don't like me because I avoid them like a plague. I have none in my zone and I just don't really see the need to talk to them. There are a lot of missionaries that are a little tooo friendly with the sisters. That is weird. So basically all they see is me having to boss everyone around because President asks me to. I have enough women in my family to worry about why add on more problems? 

BSU usually chokes when it comes down to it. It is sad? Hey when is the superbowl? I hope I make it. With my luck it will be the Sunday before I come home. 

I asked Presidents permission to do bumper cars with my zone and he said yes so today we did. It was so much fun. We looked like little children and screamed and laughed it was awesome. I will try and attach a homemade go pro video and a pic! 

Anyways, I hope everyone has a great start to their Christmas season! I love you all and wish you the best! 

Con amor,

Elder Reese 

It is Like Eating At Home

Hey guys,

I did not go black friday shopping if anyone was wondering. 

On Wednesday my pensionista told me she wanted to cook me turkey for thanksgiving but that she didn't know how. So I told her I would help her if she got the turkey. 

She got it and on Thursday morning we went over and I helped her clean it and prepare it. 

It took a while but we had some good turkey and everyone loves gravy! I put a little too much flour in it though but it was still good! 

So I had a thanksgiving lunch with part of my colombian family which is the best I can get for now! 

We have a lot to do right now because there is going to be a FHE every day in December and we have to let all of the families know because no one else has time apparently. I don't even know half of the people on the list. 

Also, with that happening our ward councils have turned into like 1 and half hour nonsense. Which includes all of the ward leaders suggesting food options for events that they know I don't like and then look at me and then have a 10 minute discussion about how strange of a human being I am. It is like eating at home. 

So the plan was to baptize Alfredo this Saturday BUUUUT we are going to have a stake conference and he can't be confirmed so that means it won't happen which also means he won't be able to participate in the temple dedication which makes me wanna punch someone. But I won't. 

Do temple dedications take the place of sacrament meeting in the states? Because on Sunday the 9th there will only be the temple dedication nothing else.

Anyways, I am doing great I hope that everyone had a great thanksgiving and that they enjoy the Christmas music! #iluminaelmundo

COn amor,

Elder Reese 

I Only Have Two Transfers Left...

Hey guys,

So today we had transfers and as all of you know my companion was finishing his mission which pretty much assured my spot here in Floresta for another transfer. And I was right! 

I am now with Elder Saavedra who is also from Peru and the weird thing is that I was at the airport when he got to the mission and everything. So I have known him since day 1. Also, just a side note, like a year and 2 weeks ago I started my time in the offices. Isn't that crazy? 

They have sent 2 more new missionaries to my zone and that means we have 5 areas that are training out of 7. That is a big ratio. 

I said goodbye to Elder Flores this morning in the office and also Elder Sarnowski who is finishing as well. That one was a lot harder. We were in the offices for 7 months together and before that we were in Palmira and Pasto together for 6 months so we have spent over a year of our missions in the same zone. Or house. 

Then I went and picked up my new companion who is a zone leader with me this time which will be fantastic! 

I am a little bummed because the odds of me training just shot way down because I only have two transfers left and usually President wants people to train for all 12 weeks. I will be happy to finish here though if it comes to that. 

Thanksgiving was good! The gravy turned out really good! I was very surprised. I just kinda winged it like I do with most things in life and it came out great!! The Latinos loved it. It doesn't exist here. 

There is a temple dedication in Barranquilla in December. I really want Alfredo and Yamileth to get baptized before then so that they can go to the chapel and watch the broadcast because only baptized members with a recommend can go. I am also super excited for that.

I showed up in the system for my itinerary to be bought but I told Elder Whiting he could wait until after transfers to request the flights. But it should be here in like 2 weeks. Tops. So no worries. 

OH! I don't know if you are doing this in our ward but part of light the world this year is having a Family Home Evening every day in the ward in a different members house from December 2nd until December 22nd. Who are the only people allowed to attend all of the FHE's? That's right. The missionaries. We planned it all in ward council and we are ready to light it up. 

Anyways, I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and a safe Black Friday! Love you all! 

Elder Reese 

He Just Kinda Is There Like a Traffic Cone in the Road

Hey guys,

It is my companions last pday and he is SOOOO ready to go home. In church he takes his suit jacket off after sacrament and then when we contact he just kinda is there like a traffic cone on the road. 

Just a tip to any missionaries or future missionaries or priesthood holders: The first sign of laziness in the gospel is not buttoning up your top button of your whiteshirt. Literally every missionary I know that struggles in the mission doesn't do that. It seems so little and it is but I promise that it makes a difference. 

This week was kind of rough. Not because of my companion haha. I love him and he is a good guy. The biggest upset was Alfredo not being able to be baptized because he is getting thrown out of his house this Wednesday. If he can't find a place he is thinking about going back to Venezuela which would break my heart. 

I just know that he needs to stay here. I know God could make it happen. I know that for a fact. I just know that he can't take away Alfredos agency. I hope that a good offer comes up so that he will stay. 

On the other side, Yamileths husband had a huge change of heart and we went to go get them married and they had problems with some papers so we will have to go back this week again. So that will result in a baptism! 

We went to a desembarco this week in a different area which was kind of weird. Usually you go out with the ward and contact new people but this time we contacted 3 members and then it was over. So I just contacted close to the church until everyone else came back but the member ditched us. 

We should be having a thanksgiving dinner this week as a zone with President Trochez which should be fantastic. They asked me if they could play christmas music and I said heck no that is a sin. I explained to them that no one can listen to Christmas music until after thanksgiving. 

Also, President Trochez was given an american visa this week because he will be in Utah in March so I will definitely be lookin for him!! 

Anyways, thanks for everything! Have a good week! 

Con amor,

Elder Reese 

This Week a Bird Pooped on My Shoe

Hey guys, 

This week a bird pooped on my shoe. Which is half a blessing because a step behind the shoe was my head so i guess I should be grateful. 

This week Alfredo came to church all by himself again and he FASTED!! He also paid his fast offering all by himself. He should be getting baptized this Saturday so we will see what happens. It should be great because we will have his brother baptize him. 

I had 2 baptismal interviews as well which is what happens when you are going to be baptized. The only thing was that the lady I interviewed was a lot crazy. She sees spirits every other second. During the interview she would look at the door and just start to cry because the burnt spirits were there and they scare her. I am not saying it isn't possible. For some the veil is thinner that it is for others but I think a lot of it was loose screws. Nevertheless I passed her because she has a testimony and knows the commandments she needs to keep. 

Also, she is almost 70 and her husband is like 59 and they had just gotten married that day. So when I asked her about the law of chastity she explained it to me and I just wanted to give her and example so I said ¨For example you and your husband couldnt keep the law of chastity before today because you werent married correct?¨ 

To which she responded ¨Actually we have been keeping it because my husband has been a little sick.¨ 

That is the grosest thing she could have ever said to me. 

I got some really good news this week about Yamileth. I dont know if you remember but she has been an investigator for years and has never been able to get marrried and finally her boyfriend has had a big change and they are talking about getting it done this week and that would result in a baptism the following Saturday. Not for me but for A LOT of missionaries. 

I did not just have transfers though. Transfers are the 18th of November. We still have 2 weeks left. 

I am glad that BSU is still holding on to that BYU title. Sucks that Middleton lost to Hillcrest though. Out of all of the schools it had to be HIllcrest. 

Something that has really caught my attention this time around reading the Book of Mormon is that not only were Laman and Lemuel total dweebs but throughout the entire story the Lamanites use the actions of Laman and Lemuel as an excuse to be dumb. They use that example and believe it to be correct. The crazy thing? WE DO THE SAME THING. Maybe not what our parents do but maybe we see someone else that claims to be righteous do something wrong and look for the right in it. When good people make bad decisions it doesnt make it a good decision and we sometimes look at it that way. 

Anyways, if I try for more wisdom it wont come out so smoothly haha. Love you guys! 

Con amor,

Elder Reese 

We Helped Cut Talons off 2000 Chickens Feet

Hey guys! 

I met Alfredo through his brother who is a member from Venezuela. He is a really good guy! He has had a pretty wordly past but he has slowly gotten over those things. This Sunday he came to church all by himself without his brother and that was a big step. 

My camera is currently locked up in the chapel but I will try and send pictures really quick tonight because this week we helped Alfredo cut the talons off of like 2000 chicken feet. Why? Because they eat those here and put them in soup. He was really grateful for the help though. 

Good news from today is that we had a visit from Elder Falabella who is our President of our area and also we had Brother and Sister Homes and Durant who are part of the young men and Sunday School presidensy. 

Brother Homes had this awesome class about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how simple it really is if we just focus on what we need to. He told us that the fuel to keep living the Gospel (Faith, Repentence, Baptism, The Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End.) Is the Word. 

Which means any way that we are able to recieve the word of God. 1. The scriptures 2. Through Prayer 3. Through the spoken work (Going to church). 

He said that if you can find a rythym in life with those things then the Gospel will be a lot easier to live. 

Brother Durant talked about how simple it really needs to be to share the Gospel with others. That there are a lot of things we do only because it is routine. He showed us some ideas and techniches about how to contact. 

We also had an activity this week in the chapel because we loaned our chapel to the goverment for an activity they wanted to do and so we decided to contact all the people we could. 

It was a very cool experience. The only problem was that it was an all day thing and most of the missionaries got tired. A lot of them were a little scared to stop people from leaving to invite them to come participate. So I just started grabbing random missionaries and forced them to contact with me. 

In the end of the day all went well and we got a lot of references for all of Cali. 

The highlight of this week was receiving these pictures of two of my conerts in Prado, my first area. 

They went to the temple to get endowed this week and it was probably one of the most fullfilling moments in my entire mission. 

Anyways, thanks for everything! I love you guys! 

Con amor, 

Elder Reese 

PS If you havent sent my package I would love some more gel!!! My good gel. If you could send 2 that would be great

I Am Super Proud of Grandma Reese!

Hey guys,

Sounds like everyone had a good week. I hope Summer sticks with Volleyball. She could do great. 

I am super proud of Grandma Reese r and I knew that my prayers got all the way over there even though I am here. She once told me my prayers counted as double (Oh Grandma) haha

Out of all of the memories I have from home the ones that I cherish the most are memories from Copper Basin or from other family activities. I am super pumped! 

Ricky (One of Hunter's best friends) will be a great Dad even though he will have some growing up to do in the process. I am super happy for him! Ashlyn is a great girl as well so no worries there.

I cant believe Tyson is getting married. That is so strange. It has been 11 months. I have no plans on beating him on that one. 

The travel arrangers on Salt Lake won't let you know until 3 months before I come home so you should get it (I have been watching for Hunter's flight information when he comes home) in about 6 weeks.

As for me this week, every area in my zone has a baptismal date! WOOHOOO! Including us! For November 10th. His name is Alfredo and he is one of my best friends. I have really enjoyed teaching him. I have seen his desires slowly grow as we have taught him. He is from Venezuela and a super good guy. 

We also had a speacial broadcast with President Nelson and Elder Stevenson. It was super good! He said that 3/4 of the convert baptisms a year come from the Americas. He said that we should be so grateful for the call to serve in this part if the world. 

Today 2 of my missionaries got taken out of my zone and it was sad. Now Elder Hodges is a district leader and that means we will be able to do splits which will be epic. 

Anyways, the recording I made is not working so that will be for next week! Love you guys! 

Elder Reese 

There Is a New Gringo In My Zone

Hey guys! 

Well it was really nice for dad to buy me a new truck it is actually something I never expected....Mom you can keep your car. Anyone who has seen The other guys with Will Farrel and Mark Walhberg know the quote about your car. 

Dad please send me a picture from inside my truck so I know what it looks like!

So this week we had transfers and Elder Saboya is gone and I am here in Floresta as the only zone leader with my companion who goes home this transfer

Elder Hodges is training and he is doing a great job. He is a very obedient missionary. There is also a new gringo in my zone who is not talkative AT ALL. I am running out of gameplays. 

Alfredo finally came to church so we have a progressing baptismal date for next month. WOOHOO!! We had like 4 unexpected people come to church this week.

I took the zone to the zoo today which means I planned the trip. President Whitesides says that everyone has to participate or we can't go so I had to sacrifice and go for the THIRD TIME. I took a total of one picture. The coolest part was this ex missionary from Utah came with his wife and President Trochez came and it was fun to talk with them. His name is Taylor Armstrong and he offered me a job in San Diego installing solar panels. Nice guy. 

E and B have been having a rough time. B's son is rebelling in a big way and she doesnt know what to do and there was this HUGE storm in Aguajira (which is where Esther is from) and her house was 100% destroyed. It no longer exists. The worst part is she doesn't know. They don't know how to tell her. I feel terrible. It is so hard to watch people you care about as a missionary suffer and not be able to do certain things to help them. The gospel will always be the strongest tool but sometimes it requires more. 

Anyways, this week I will make a recording for everyone. I love you guys! 

Con amor,

Elder Reese 

I Couldn't Be Prouder!

Hey guys,

Conference was really powerful this session. I don't know if you could guys could tell, but the 2 hour change is to serperate the weak from the strong. The idea is to use that ¨extra¨ hour in your home strengthening your family. If you don't, your family will not be strong enough to take what is coming. Please don't take it as a chance to breath and relax. It is the exact opposite. 

The messages have gotten more and more direct because there is no time to speak softly anymore. I really loved it. You can tell that there is power behind everyone of them that spoke. 

It sounds like this week was not a good week for any football fans in Idaho or Utah. What a shame. 

As for transfers.....I stayed here in Floresta!!! WOOHOO!! That is what I wanted. The surprise was that Elder Saboya was transferred and my new companion is an Elder that will be finishing this transfer, but they sent him as a normal junior companion and I am the only zone leader in the companionship and in the zone. President talked to me in the terminal explaining that it is a special case and that I will receive more instructions about it later. Either way I am happy! 

There will be three new missionaries arriving to my zone as well which means there are three trainers as well! Elder Hodges will be training a new missionary and I couldnt be prouder. I love that guy. Elder Hernandez and Elder Warr as well will be training. 

I went to the office to go say goodbye to Elder Eldredge today because he goes home tomorrow and he was one of my best companions. 

When we finally had to say goodbye he hugged me and told me that he had learned more from me than from anyone else in the mission. It made me feel really good. I teared up but I didn't cry because I know everything will be alright. 

I will make a long recording this next week for everyone! 

I will be happy with whatever the family decides to do but I refuse to go on a trip if not everyone that goes will be happy about the decision. (We are planning a family trip when he gets back) There will be no complaning or arguing. That is my only request. Feel free to tell that to everyone so that they plan the trip in that way! If not well you can go without me! 

Anyways, I love you guys! Be safe! Have a good week. 

COn amor,

Elder Reese 

We Had A Baptism!

Hey guys,

This week we had a baptism!!! WOOHOOO!!!! Esther Herrera got baptized! I will try and attach pictures!! 

We were running frantic to get her ready because Monday she couldn't and Tuesday she couldn't and she had to have her baptismal interview on Friday! So we were doing our best to teach but without just hurrying through the lessons. 

This week we visited a member that is going on a month long work trip to this place in Colombia where there are no missionaries. It is just farmland. So he asked for pamphlets to be able to share the gospel while he is gone. He is a really good member. So we took him pamphlets and I gave him a tie and my companion gave him an oil thingy for blessings. It was a good experience! 

We had splits this week and I went to another area with a missionary that is finishing this transfer. He is from Lima Peru. It was fun because he is a cool dude. The downside was we had 1 appointment the whole day that was confirmed. We contacted the entire day! 

Then it started to rain. So it was just a great day. We made the most of it though. There was this crazy guy we contacted that just told stories about all the times people have tried to rob him and he has just repremanded them in the name if Jesus of Nazareth and they always run away. 

Its always funny when someone opens the door and all you do is say hi and then they just shake their head and say no and shut the door. Like aren't you just a little bit curious about what we do and who we are? 

On Saturday night this crazy drunk dude started telling us about his current problems. His girlfriend dumped him and his other girlfriend dumped him and then later his boyfriend dumped him. Bummer huh? 

He then told us about this great Idea he had. To just kill himself. Then he said he had an even better idea. Kill everyone in his house and THEN himself. We tried our best to counsel him but he wasn't very coherent. 

I also gave a baptismal interview this week to a 9 year old girl named Lauren. Her parents went inactive for a little while and she was 7 and now shes 9 and the missionaries need to baptized her. 

She was obviously nervous. So for 10 minutes I asked about her and showed her a picture of my family and my dog and we laughed and she was all better. She passed her interview and she got baptized on Saturday with Esther. She is a good little girl. 

Anyways, trnasfers are next week so we will see what happens. There are going to be some crazy changes I think. We will have to see how it goes. 

I love you guys! Thanks for everything! 

Con amor, 

Elder Reese 

I Can Take His Bed and Bathroom

Hey guys,

So I sent the recording to moms Gmail acount so that might be why you didnt get it!(I found it and will get it posted :) )

I am glad Dad had a good Birthday! I forgot to tell him happy birthday last week but I will tell him this week!

A lot of Brazilians have a good background in English (We have a missionary serving our ward and his from Brazil). The Brazilian accent is pretty bad though. I don't like it at all. God called me to speak Spanish because he knew I couldn't speak Portuguese. 

It sounds like Abby has a lot of opportunities coming her way and that makes me super happy! I have a lot of faith that she will do great. 

It sounds like Middleton is doing great in football! That makes me happy. We have the best kicker in the country so woohoo!! 

You guys got rid of the bed with the outlets in the headboard thing!! (We are rearranging and getting rid of stuff we don't need, but we didn't get rid of his headboard) That bed was awesome! Where am I going to sleep now? Oh well. The mattresses here are terrible. I am kinda banking on my companion to get transferred so I can take his bed and bathroom. That would be the ideal transfer. 

I have a recording about a super cool experience that happened this week so I will attach it for all of you! 

Most of my week is in my recording so that is about it! Love you guys! 

Con amor, 

Elder Reese 

God Always Provides a Way

Hey guys,

So, I sent a pretty long recording this week so I hope there are some that can enjoy it (We haven't gotten the recording yet, but if it's a big file, I'm not sure we will get it)! 

I pretty much explained the whole week so hopefully my mom can get it uploaded! 

We have interviews with President and Sister Whitesides tomorrow so that will be fun! I love interviews. 

Elder Hodges is slowly pawning my companion into doing splits so that he can come to my area with me and order food from this restaraunt that he really loves. We will see if he can get the job done. 

We are currently in week 4 of transfers. We will have transfers again on October 7th. 

I went to the offices the other day and Elder Whiting was kinda stressed out. I helped him get some work done so he could go proselyte. 

We should have a baptism coming up here on the 29th of September. She is one of my favorite people ever and I am so glad she wants to get baptized. She lives in the amazons but is here on a visit. 

She speaks spanish and a different language called guaya so that is pretty cool. 

We were really worried though because the closest church to her house is far. Me and Elder Saboya didnt know if we wanted to baptize someone that was not going to be able to partake of the sacrament. 

I fasted twice for that. Nephi clearly said that God never gives his children commandments without a way to keep them. I knew God had a way but we just had to have enough faith to find it. 

This week we found it. Beatriz received a picture of her friend that lives there getting baptized. She spoke with her and her friend was so excited to take Esther to church when she got back home. 

God ALWAYS prepares a way for his children to keep the commandments. So now we will move forward with the baptism. 

Anyways, everything else is in the recording! I love you guys! Have a good week! 

Con amor,

Elder Reese 

They Smoke Weed By The Way

Hey guys,

So this week is mostly in that recording, but it sounds like Middleton will be two stakes when I get home and that is kinda weird!

Our new downstairs neighbors have a terrible smoking problem and it comes straight up to our apartment. They smoke weed by the way, not cigarettes.

I have really enjoyed handing out those sour candies you sent me in the package. It is the best part of everything. Yesterday in Stake Conference I gave them out to this huge family in our ward and they all almost gagged. Classic. 

We still haven't finished all of the left over soda from the conference. 

I enjoy Sundays because it is my day to cook and I always go all out. Yesterday I cooked 3 chicken breasts with teriyaki noodles and it was delicious! I also found a store that sells Mountain Dew so I bought like 20 bottles. 

I really wanna learn how to cook some things from here so I can cook them at home. There is this lady in my area that cooks this chicken cake thing and I love it! Also, empanadas are super great. 

I was reading the Book of Mormon this week and I came across a part in Mosiah that talks about how those who refuse to give a part of what they have to someone who doesn't have anything because they think that they will misuse what is given.

It says that it is not our job to decide what they will do and what they won't. God is the only one who can judge in such a way. So, those who choose not to give are sinning. If you have more than enough of something what are you gonna lose anyways? 

So, here in Cali there are a ton of homeless people and they always ask for money. Before, I said no. Now, everyday I take a handful of coins out of my box of coins and when they ask, I pull out one coin and let them do what they want. 

We may know someone for a druggy or and alcoholic but I know for a fact that people can change. Maybe with a little money someone can finally decide to make something of their life. Who knows? 

Anyways, just a little thought. I love you guys! Have a good week! 

Con amor,

Elder Reese 

He is Going to Africa!

Hey guys,

Well it sounds like it is football season again! I asked President if he could join a fantasy team under my name and keep it up for me but he said no. Go figure! 

This week we had a visit from Elder Held of the Seventy. He is a really cool guy! He and his wife were born in Bogota but their parents were born in Germany. They spoke German in their houses as children and Spanish everywhere else. 

They then moved to Germany and got married. Then one night the missionaries knocked on their door and 10 months later they were baptized. 

They learned about the Gospel when they were 28 years old. And he is now a General Authority which goes to show that conversion has nothing to do with time but it has everything to do with dedication. 

This week was kind of slow in the sense of the missionary work because we had to do a lot of stuff for the conference with Elder Held because it was in our chapel. 

We bought 90 liters of soda. Do you know how much soda that is? 30 3 liter bottles. After the conference there were like 20 left over and we took 10. 

There will no longer be any baptisms this Saturday because we are going to have stake conference and the leaders are in a meeting on Saturday. Esther's baptism will have to be for the 15th of September. 

The ward secretary in our ward just got his mission call and I have been waiting so long for it. 

He always comes out on splits with us and is literally such a good kid. 

Yesterday he opened it at the chapel. He had like a testimony meeting and everything and everyone made guesses on where he would go. 

Now, basically the majority of people from South America go to another country in South America or maybe Mexico. And every now and again the USA. So those were basically the guesses. 

Side note: Latinos are very superstitious and make things up in their brains about everything they think they know. It is terrible. You will understand why I mentioned that in a second. 

He finally got to the part of opening his letter. He pulled it out and read the whole first paragraph and his eyes just got a little big and he had his mom come up and stand by him. 

He started reading the letter, about halfway through his moms eyes got really big and she just started crying and crying and crying like frantically. 

Then he gets to the end and says¨ You are hereby assigned to serve in the Ghana Accra West mission.¨ and I was literally the only person besides him and his mom that knew where that was. And I understood completely why she was crying. 

In the mind of a person in Colombia you might as well be sending the poor kid to the moon. It almost doesn't fit in their minds that he is going to Africa. It was really funny. 

In the conference with Elder Held he told us all that we have to fill out a My Family pamphlet with our 4 generations in it to be able to show to investigators. So this Wednesday my companion and I will be going to the family history center in our chapel to receive help from the ward lady. (He did take this information with him, but I'm not sure he knows it)

This week I gave my first ever baptismal interview. His name is Honorio and he is a great guy. A little strange but a great guy. He passed and was baptized but I really enjoyed the chance to really figure out if he had a testimony which he did. 

Anyways, that is my week! Love you guys! 

Con amor,

Elder Reese 

We literally pray soooo much

Hey guys,

This went by quick! For those that dont know we had transfers today and I stayed here in Floresta with Elder Saboya. We received some other missionaries and said goodbye to some others. 

Elder Kelley is now a zone leader in Pasto and I was sad to say goodbye to him but he will do great things! 

There are no new missionaries here that you guys would have heard about before. I am excited to see what we can do with these new missionaries. 

This week was also the Capilla Abierta and it was awesome. My companion and I assigned all of the missionaries to their posters and they killled it! It was awesome. 

There were lots of new faces and people that were getting to know the church for the first time and I loved speaking with them. I was a guide but I would just kind of run around everywhere making sure everything was going well. 

There was this family of Venezuelans that were members that had just barely arrived here in Colombia and the daughter of the family stopped me in the hallway and told me that her Dad needed a blessing. 

I told her that when he finished the tour that they could ask for me and we would gladly help him. 

He found me and we took him to a room in the back and he started explaining what the problem was and about his life. 

He was a bishop in Venezuela and he is a convert of 2 years. He said there was nobody else in the ward that could do it. He said that his house stopped receiving water about 1 year ago but he couldnt leave because he loved his ward. 

Finally he had to leave and he said that he didn't know why he felt sick but he said that he will go back as soon as he can to help. He asked me to give him a blessing and my companion did the annointing. 

In the blessing I promised him that he would go back to Venezuela and that his life here in Colombia would sustain him enough to be able to return. I promised him that God loved him and that he will always be by his side. 

I don/t remember what else I said but when it was over he was so happy. He looked me in the eye and said ¨I am happy because I now know that God will send me back home.¨ 

Later that evening his daughter saw me and started crying and put her hands out to hug me but I put my hands up, kind of like Chris Pratt in Jurassic World with the Veloceraptors, and she shook my hand. She said that her Dad had not smiled since they left Venezuela and now he was just like he was before. She thanked me and left. 

Everytime I give a blessing I always get a warm feeling along my spine. Everytime. Without a doubt. I have really figured out how to use my priesthood here in the mission and how the power of God literally flows through my hands. It is one of my favorite parts of life. 

As for the rest of the week, it was really slow because we were preparing for the capilla abierta and saying goodbye to the dead missionaries. 

I will have to send you an audio about one of our investigators next week because it is a lonf story. 

I hope that everything went well this week for all of the events that seem to be happening. 

I hope everyone knows that I pray for you all at least 5 times a day. We literally pray soooo much and you guys are always mentioned. 

I love you guys and I hope you have a great week! 

Con amor,

Elder Reese 

It Doesn't Feel Like a Waste of Time

Hey guys,

This week was pretty busy! 

We have this event coming up that is called a capilla abierta or an open chapel in English. It will be held in our chapel and we are in charge of making sure all the missionaries are ready and prepared and we have to set up the chapel as well. 

President Trochez is in charge of everything else but since nobody really helps him he asks us. 

Also, we had to start looking for a new house for a companionship in my zone because their house is a disaster. It is literally one room and a bathroom. 

This week we spent a lot of time running errands and there is a member that always takes us  his name is Hector and he is hilarious. He bought us ice cream at this really good ice cream place and when we get tired in the car he starts dancing and it is really funny because he is a BIG dude. 

I honestly don't have much to report for this week. My zone got me a little fired up this week when we were doing a practice run for the capilla abierta and they weren't even close  to where they needed to be when Pres Trochez came in. They were just talking and not paying attention so I gave a good raise my voice without yelling type of thing. They listened though. 

I am practicing lots of hymns on the guitar because I think it is fun to play hymns and it doesn't feel like a waste of time. 

Looks like Ricky got married so that is good! He got tied down! I wanna go whitewater rafting eventually when I get home. It was a lot of fun when we went that one day with the Webers right after Travis got home from his mission. 

I apologize for this short email but  it has to happen! I love you all! 

Elder reese 

My Shower Is Cold

Hey guys,

Yea I guess I come home in less than 6 months now and it is kind of sad. They say home is where the heart is and mine seems to be split in two. It will be just like leaving home all over again when I head to my other home. 

I am working on getting my birthday package. The government has it in customs so I am about to take em down. 

Sounds like Dad is enjoying the "Retired" life. I always liked fishing but only when it was easy. I was never one to wait for an hour without a nibble. The best part was just being there though. 

It sounds like everyone had fun at Silverwood! I can't even remember the last time I went there. I remember when Aaron used to work their but that is about it. Wait! We went there when we were there for state. But it was Halloween.

I hope they (our plans to add on to our house) get approved! Are the plans you have now the same ones you sent a little earlier? 

Elder Kelley  (I connected with Elder Kelley's mom) is indeed in my zone and we get along great. He is a really good musician and 2 weeks ago we sang Hallelujah together. The Kelley's are pretty much the best. 

I am sure Dad is having tons of fun. Fishing in the great lakes is a pretty cool experience. 

9 o'clock church is pretty good (our ward just switched buildings and meeting time to 9:00). My ward right now starts at 8 and that is like pushing it but we have 2 showers in our house so it is a lot easier. My shower is cold (hehehe) though but I enjoy it.

I have not seen Elizabeth (my aunt) in a really long time but I sure do miss her! I love her house. That is a very well located house. 

Our investigators are doing well. If we work really hard we should have 4 investigators with baptismal dates. I will keep you updated on that! 

This week we had splits with 2 district leaders. I was with Elder Guerrero from Chile and Elder Choque from Peru. They are both great missionaries and I was happy to work with them for a day each. Elder Choque has a pretty thick Peruvian accent so sometimes I didn't understand what he said but I was not the only one so I didn't feel so bad. With both of them we were able to find new investigators and teach some good progressing ones as well. 

With Elder Guerrero I went to his area which is like the most dangerous part of Cali. On the local radio station they have an hourly death count of just that part of Cali. When I was there at 5pm it was up to 14 that day. It is a great part of town. (YIKES!)

We taught this 35 year old lady that could not stop looking at me. I would be teaching and looking away and she would stare at me and then compliment my eyes. We would ask her questions and she wanted to sound smart so she would just say whatever came to her mind but she had no idea what she was talking about. She mentioned "Moses and the ark" more than once. I was so ready to leave. 

Anyways, it was a good week. I hope everyone had a good week! I love you all! 

Con amor,

Elder Reese 

It's All About Delegating

Hey guys,

I sent some pictures from the zone conference and leadership training! 

I am imagining that you have arrived to northern Idaho by now. I hope you guys have fun! 

Conducting meetings is not that bad (I had to conduct Relief Society and lead the discussion on Sunday; I was a one man show). It is all about delegating. You say hi and thanks for coming and then say we will sing this and this person will pray and we will have a lesson. Boom. Don't fret. 

Where did you go out to eat (we went to dinner for my birthday)? I have forgotten what exists there! I forgot that Gretchen and Kevin live in Caldwell now oops. 

I had to go to a walking therapist when I was little but that is because I can't feel my feet! (My grandson is going to speech therapy) He will be talking in no time! He does look a little bit like me. That is what I thought when he was a baby. By the way the pics you attached are of Jaxon and Maddi. Which I am totally fine with hahaha

I am glad Courtney and Lance got to go to Arcadia! 

Duke is a dumb genius.(I'm not sure which instance Hunter is referring to; there has been so many this summer)

As a zone leader we have less time to do normal things than other missionaries. The best part is that it is nothing compared to being in the office! 

I am trying really hard to get to know the missionaries in my zone. There are about  3 that aren't making it very easy. My companion enjoys being the bad cop which is fine with me. I am more than happy to correct people but there is a constructive way and a not so constructive way. 

One of the districts is doing great. We have just put down some new goals and they are killing it! 

Sounds like you could have used me in that conference call Dad! When I get home and you have another one you can pay me by the hour to help hahaha 

I have had a lot of comps from Peru. They are pretty great people. 

As for our investigators we will be having some baptisms pretty soon. An investigator that has been waiting to be baptized 2 years will finally be getting married. Then baptized. That should be next week. 

We had a new investigator just show up to church and she seems really interested. We will have to see how it goes. 

A Venezuelan family is so ready as well but they need to get married first! She just had a baby and he is adorable. We are working hard with them. 

I am trying to find lots of new investigators but there are some obstacles but I will overcome them! 

I love you guys a ton! Be safe! 

Con amor,

Elder Reese 

Organizing Your Life

Hey guys,

I have been wondering if Connor was in the mission or not! (This is a friend Hunter had in high school) I am glad he has plans! I am actually pretty used to hot weather believe it or not because here it is either hot or raining. 

I heard from Natalee (Hunter's sister). I sent the boys (Hunter's nephews) a quick email last week and she said everything is going great. The boys are starting up their sports so we will see how that goes. 

I am sad you guys couldnt go to the reuinion. I hope that they had fun anyways! 

We watched a talk on Sunday from Elder Godoy about how you are supposed to organize your life as a member of the church. 

First, is your family. Always. Keeping a good relationship in your family is the most important thing we need to do. Always finding time for them. 

Second your job. It is important that you provide for your family and yourself and keep your relationship with your job at a strong level. 

Third, your calling. Isnt that a little strange? President Hinkley said that it is third important thing. If you think about it, how are you going to be able to uphold your calling if your family and your job are crashing down around you? You just cant do it. 

Fourth, yourself. You need to find time for yourself as well. Excercise and scripture study etc. 

These are all things that we have to figure out how to balance. So dont let your job replace your family or your calling replace your job. Find a balance. 

Elijah was a very cocky prophet. I say that in the sense that he taunted people with the power of God because he had so much faith. He was so sure that God would back him up that he never doubted it. He trash talked the priests in that story until they started dancing around the altar cutting themselves and then he killed them later. What a guy. 

I have not gotten my package yet. We asked the place here in Cali if they had it and they said that the people that send us the notice that is here in Cali is a different company where the package always goes when it first enters the country. Do you have the tracking number? I might call them or something to figure it out. 

My ankle is totally fine now. I will try and get you pictures of it next week because it was very ugly. Cool story huh? 

I am excited to see the plans for the house! If you a copy you should scan it to me! 

I remember going to Aunt Elizabeths house. It is beautiful there. I wish I could go! I am glad Ty is finally graduating. I hope you guys have fun at Silverwood! 

We have interviews tomorrow and then on Thursday we have zone conference and we have to do a presentation to our zone. Today me and my companion planned a zone activity and we had lots of fun. We had pancakes at President Trochez house. (He is basically a missionary) His wife died 4 years ago and he was stake president, bishop, mission counselor, etc and he always goes on splits with us. 

Then we played games at the chapel. 

I got to do splits with Elder Carrion this week as well which was fun because he was my old companion and we have some good memories together. He goes home at the end of this transfer.  

President Trochez went with us and it was great. Elder Carrion didnt say much but he said enough. President Trochez told me that he liked the way I taught because he could feel the spirit. That made me really happy. He is my favorite person ever. 

Me and my companion get along great. We make fun of eachother in a different way everytime we contact someone and keep going until they let us in. 

Anyways, Grandma told me in her letter to give her and Grandpa a shoutout in my email. So Hi Grandma and Grandpa! I have a lot of letters for you! I will try to send them home with an Elder that is going home this transfer who is from Meridian! I miss you guys a bunch and love you so much! Hope you missed me at the property this week! Be safe and know you are always in my prayers! 

I love you all! Be safe! 

Con amor, 

Elder Reese 

Just So You Know Mom...

Hey guys,

Well here I am! In the field!!! WOOHOOO!! 

Elder Saboya and me are in Villa Colombia which is here in Cali. Elder Saboya is from Lima and he is 25. He is a convert of about 6 years. The only member in his family and an awesome guy! 

Just so you know Mom if you don't recieve an email that means nobody did. I always write you guys first. 

I wish I could have been there to help with Grandmas house. (We are finishing a laundry room for Hunter's Grandma) I miss doing some work like that from time to time. 

The last time I went to Silverwood was when we went there for state my junior year and it was the halloween themed Silverwood. I hope you guys have fun! (We are headed there in a couple weeks with Brittany and Ty)

I will be happy to come home to a half finished house or the same house however you have it. It might be better to come home while it is being worked on so Dad doesnt have to do everything (in terms of heavy lifting) by himself because then he gets grumpy. 

This email will be short but there is a reason that I have kept a secret for 2 weeks. when I hurt my ankle I hurt it pretty bad and they gave me a cast and they just took it off today and everything is better and I am back to normal. Problem solved! The appointment was later in the day so we got back late but I have a recording! 

The recording will explain the rest! I love you guys! 

Con amor,

Elder Reese 

Hunter's New Area

Hunter didn't have time to send an email this week, but he sent a recording that he didn't get sent last week.  Bill was able to chat with him this week; he is in his first area in Palmira and he likes his companion, Elder Leon, who is from Peru.  They were able to make 40 contacts in 4 days and he was excited about that.  He hasn't gotten his birthday box yet, but he thinks he will get it this week.  He is feeling better but he rolled his ankle today "winning" at soccer.  It is so swelled up that his shoe is tight, but he is okay with that; he won and that's all that matters!  That is all the information he gave us.  His recording will be uploaded as soon as I can remember how to do it.

Thanks for all your support and prayers for Hunter!  He should be home in February!  Not like I'm counting or anything, though.

I Will Be Writing on Mondays Now

Hey so spread the word that I will be writing on Monday instead of Saturday! President sent me out into the field for a week because there are some problems with some missionaries and he needs someone out there to just put them to work! Woohoo!!!!

I will be talking to you guys on Monday! Love you!

Be Home Early

Hey guys,

This week we got out to proselyte more than the last couple of weeks. It was really nice.

On Sunday we had an Elder that was leaving on his mission stay with us but he went out and taught with Elder Whiting and me and Elder Chacon went out together and we had fun. We only had 1 hour but it was fun.

When we went to go get the Elder from his hotel before his setting apart we told his mom that we were going to come and get him. When we got there his mother came up to the front window and started getting a little upset with Elder Whiting because he didn’t tell her that we were coming in taxi and she thought we had an office car. I quickly came to his defense because he felt bad and didn’t know what to say.  She was not very happy with me but that is just how it was.

They had their own car but his bag was pretty big. My main goal was to stay on schedule so as soon as the next taxi came by I called it and we put the bag in and got in the car and then they were going to follow us.

We got to the office and so did they. They had brought their brother because he could drive and no one else could. The problem was he was low on some sort of vitamin or I don’t really know so I went with them to Subway, also the brother was a terrible driver.

They offered to buy me some Subway like 5 times but I politely declined. They were a little more on the privileged side of life.

Then he got set apart and they left and we took him proselyting. He was not expecting to go proselyting.

At the airport the next morning his parents got there late so I gave him the choice to check his backs without his bag lock or risk doing it late. He chose to check his bags. When his dad arrived he was so mad that we put his bag through without a lock and asked me why I made him do it. I nicely explained that I gave him the choice and he made the decision. I just slowly lost respect for his parents over time.

After we sent him through we were walking through the airport with his parents and he dad said that I had made a good impression on him. I didn’t understand how but woohoo I guess!

Then we had to take a sister to the airport on Tuesday and I swear she was like 4 ft tall. She was a very nice person though. There was a problem with all the flights though so we had to wait an hour. We had to eat lunch so she came with us. It was kind of weird. I was giving the order and it was just strange to ask her what she wanted and basically just order food with a young woman.

Wednesday we had a meeting with our Ward Mission Leader who is basically inactive. He is so loving though. The meeting was just him telling us to be home early and not contact people in dangerous areas where 3 of our baptismal dates already live. Oops.

Thursday we left right after lunch to proselyte and had 2 visits. They were both pretty good. One of them is a 7^th day Adventist that cant get over the fact that the Sabbath day is Sunday. If he could accept that he would progress so fast!

The other is this couple that we met. They live together and he just got back from the army and he is 24 and she is 17. OOOOPPSSS. That is kinda strange.

Then we went back to the office real quick. We waited for this guy to come but he never showed. Then we visited Edna the one from Ecuador and you can hear that story on my recording.

Then we taught Amanda again and she has kidney stones. I bought her bread and a bottle of water and Pepsi for the rest of us because she wouldn’t tell me what she needed. Her and her daughter said they would go to church on Sunday.

Friday we taught this guy Gustavo and his wife. They are catholic but only because they were born to catholic parents. They never go to church or anything like that but they are very nice.

Then we taught this girl Lisseth and she is very nice and I think could progress very well. We had to teach her at her door  because there was no man in the house.

Then we contacted and went home.

Today for Pday I cut my hair but he did a terrible job. The Whitesides took us out to lunch to a restaurant of my choosing. I chose a restaurant called Mister Wings. It was really good.

That was pretty much my week. I have some pictures to send and a recording so that is good! I have not gotten my package yet but that is okay the longer I don’t have it the longer it will last me technically!

Love you all! Be safe!

Elder Reese

She Always Makes Fun of Me for Not Eating Vegetables

Hey guys!

So this week has been interesting. It has gone by very quickly but we have not been able to leave and proselyte as much as I would like but Elder Whiting is doing great as he is learning.

This week on Monday we had a super long office meeting and I was just looking around and listening to everything and I realized how much had changed since when I had arrived to the office. It helped me realize that the office was no longer the place for me. It doesn’t effect anyone else because they know nothing different.

I also got to go proselyte with Elder Ayala who is a missionary President set apart on Sunday and he stayed with us overnight and we got to go teach this great lesson to a new investigator. Her name is Diana and she is super interested in the Book of Mormon. Elder Ayala did a great job I was very proud of him.

Then on Tuesday we taught Diana the recent convert and her kids but it was a terrible lesson because she is watching this little girl and she is the worst little girl to have in a lesson. We just kind of hurried through the points because the spirit was not there and scheduled an appointment for another day.

That is when we went and contacted higher up in our area and found the Torres family. The husband was not home but the mom and the three daughters were. She had already received all of the lessons in Ecuador from sister missionaries and she said that the sisters helped her and her husband get married in order to get baptized but they had transfers and the sisters never came back and her and her family were never baptized.

She asked if we had a Book of Mormon to give to her because she left hers in Ecuador. We gladly gave her one and we should visit them on Saturday and see how it goes. I am very excited to see what they have to say.

Wednesday we had a zone conference and it was good but President got very serious because the number of baptisms got really low and he asked us if he thought God was pleased with that. Then he told us that he knew he was not because we are not in Europe or Asia this is South America. We should be baptizing a lot more people.

Then on Thursday we went out to breakfast for President Whitesides birthday but it was a surprise that Hermana Whitesides set up. It was really fun because President always shares these great stories and I can usually get him to say some funny stuff and encourage him to keep going.

We also bought him an oscar trophy with a plaque on it that says ¨Mejor Presidente de Misión – Presidente Whitesides¨ which as you can guess says Best mission President. He thought that was really funny and Sister Whitesides loved it.

That day we also had to make an emergency run to the airport because this sister was going to Bogotá and her mom was freaking out and had never been to an airport before and we were supposed to help them anyways but they never answered their phone so I wasn’t gonna go. But then they called. So we hurried there. It took away a lot of time.

Then for my birthday the lady that cleans our house and cooks us lunch (Sister Hermencia) is like our other mom. She is like 55 years old but I always make her laugh and she always makes fun of me for not eating vegetables but she cooked me a special breakfast with just sausage and potatoes. It was fantastic.

Then Elder Sarnowski gave me one of his favorite ties which is really nice of him and I love the tie.

For lunch she made me French fries and fried chicken stuffed with ham and cheese which is one of my favorite meals she makes. Then they put on like classic Colombian music for the whole meal which was weird but it didn’t matter.

I remember my birthday last year I got a cake from like 4 people. I was so full the entire day. We had a family home evening with a member family and they gave me cake and soda and Liliana as well gave me cake. This year it wasn’t cake but it was a special breakfast and lunch and surrounded by some of my favorite people.

Last night we got to the Collazos family's house and Clara was working on a wedding dress forrr....HERSELF!! They are getting married!! On the 19th of August which means I wont be here to see their marriage or their baptism but I am so happy for them! It makes me so happy to see them progress.

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes! I love you all so much even though I dont know who some of you are! I am part of the old crew now! 

President and Sister Whitesides were in a zone conference on my birthday all day so we didn't do anything but it is okay they are super busy and I am not entitled to anything. 

The best part of my Birthday was getting two unexpected letters from Lisseth Bravo, the girl I baptized in Pasto. The APs brought them back just in time for my birthday. She is doing great and finishing up her last year of college. Also, her younger brother is getting baptized on the 30th of this month. 

She also said that her mom still talks about the version of I Stand All Amazed that I played and that we sang as a district at her baptism. Her mom is not a member but she is a very nice person and Lisseth knows she was impacted at least a little bit by all of her family being converted. 

I bought new soccer shoes today because my old ones were starting to rip and because Elder Chacon needed new ones so I gave him my old ones before they got totally ruined. 

Anyways, thank you everyone for all your birthday wishes I appreciate it! Be safe! 

Con amor, 

Elder Reeses 

Everything Is Going Great!

Hey guys!

I have pictures to send this week but no recording I will try and do that next week!

This week was good! On Monday my companion turned 20 so the Mission President and his wife took us all out to eat to celebrate. The only problem is that every Monday at 11 we have office meeting and it usually finishes around 1 because that is when we have lunch waiting for us at home.

The difference on Monday and sometimes on other Mondays, was that there was no lunch waiting for us because they were going to take us out. Every time that we do that President just keeps going and going because there is nothing stopping him and we just keep bringing up new topics and what not and by the end we have all just decided to not bring up anything else until the next week.

We went to this restaurant called the Gringo. It is like an American restaurant that has burgers and lots of other American things. It is also the place where I tried onion rings and liked them. I put them on my burger this time. I still don’t like Jalepeño poppers though.

Elder Whiting is doing really good! He is learning a lot the only thing that is a little hard is that when he does things in his own way which isn’t wrong but just slower than the way I used to do it. I just tell him he can do it however it makes more sense to him. But deep down it slowly kills me sometimes but I know he is doing nothing wrong.

On Wednesday we had a cool experience. Elder Sarnowski got this phone call from a random guy that had found his number on the internet and he said he was right outside our office but we weren’t there. He said he wanted a blessing and that he was from Venezuela. We hurried back to the office and he was just sitting down waiting for us.

As we walked up the stairs he was very tired and walked very slowly. He spoke English as well. He was a member of the church and had all the information to give to us. We then gave him a blessing and after the blessing he started telling us a few things about his journey. He had left his house 17 days prior and walked from the border all the way to Cali. That is a very long walk.

He then told us he had not eaten in 2 full days and that he left an 8 month old son at home and his wife.

He had a friend that was going to help him but his friend left without telling him so he had no way to get home and was stuck with no job and no money.

We took him back to the house and gave him some lunch but he was so ashamed he couldn’t look us in the eyes. He really didn’t want to make us give him anything. He dished up his own plate and took a normal serving of everything. Every now and again he would stop and tell us he was very ashamed to be there.

He said that for 17 years the missionaries had come to his house to eat and now he was eating at their house. He continued to talk a little bit more and then he said ¨I have never…I have never felt so much fear of dying than today. I couldn’t stop thinking about my family and never seeing them again because I just had no way out.¨  And he started to cry.

He literally thought that his life was going to end until he looked us up somehow on the internet and got ahold of us and we called our bishop to meet with him at 6 and we sent him on his way.

He got to the meeting at 6 and now has a place to stay and is going to move forward from there.

It just got me to think about how we complain about every little thing in life. We really do. And here he was genuinely trying to not eat our food that lands on our plate everday at 1 after having walked 17 days and 2 days without eating. Just think about that the next time doesn’t go your way.

The C family is progressing really well. They know they want to get baptized but they aren’t married and they are trying to figure out a date and I am pretty sure it will be after I leave. That is kind of upsetting but at the same time not a huge deal to me. As long as they do it I will be happy!

GREAT NEWS!! Do you guys remember Amanda Guzman? The first lady I was able to baptize in the mission? I received news that she will be going to the temple to receive her endowments in a couple weeks. It was probably one of the happiest moments of my mission to receive that news. That is the goal with literally everyone and she is going.

We got the chance to teach another Venezuelan as well that already read 1^st and 2^nd Nephi. Towards the end of the lesson we asked him if he would pray to God to know if the Book of Mormon was true. He responded ¨I don’t really need to. I already know it is true.¨

That was so cool to hear. It is soooo much fun to teach someone that actually does the things we invite them to do. Because they really do start to gain a testimony and God does answer their prayers.

As for you Dad happy Fathers Day! I know it is tomorrow and I hope you get to enjoy it! Thank you for all the years of patcience and the support you have given me in all my decisions with sports, choir, scouts, church callings, and everything else that I have done. Sorry there is no skype call I didn’t make the rules! I hope you have a great day know that I love you and that you are always in my prayers!

Also, dont feel bad that my package wont arrive on time. I am happy regardless! 

Everything is going great! Transfers are on the 16th of July! I love you guys be safe! 

Con amor,

Elder Reese 

The Lord's Team Always Wins

Hey guys,

So I started training the missionary that is replacing me! His name is Elder Whiting and he is from Arizona. He was actually from the first group I received as a secretary. I have been in the office his entire mission apart from the CCM.

He is a super good missionary. I am glad he is my replacement. Teaching someone how to do all of this stuff is very tiring. At the end of transfers I was super tired because I had to do everything I normally do AND teach someone else how to do it.

The good news is that this means in 5 weeks I will definitely be leaving the office!! I will have 5 transfers left to be a normal missionary! You know that saying that goes ¨Hell hath no fury like a women scorned.¨ Well, heaven hath no fury like a missionary cooped up in an office for 9 months and finally gets out. I made references to the office like it is a zoo because I have this big window right in front of my computer and my desk and when other missionaries come in they just look at me sometimes like a caged animal. They aren’t that far off either.

This transfer I had to say goodbye to two of my best friends in the mission. One was Elder Stucki who was a secretary when I got here and the other was Elder Wright who was my companion and the assistant for 7 and a half months. They were two of the best missionaries I have ever met.

Also, this transfer all of the flights got delayed for everyone so I had to make emergency phone calls to all the families and stake leaders because everyone’s itineraries changed. That was an unexpected mess.

We made some really great progress this week with the Collazo family. They have already expressed their desires to get baptized but they aren’t married. Fernando expressed that he didn’t feel ready because he wanted to get better in a lot of things but we explained that baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost are two major tools that help us become better.

He thought about it and realized that we were right and asked us what he needed to do with his marriage. He said he was just going to have to go get it done at the notary one day and not worry about a big wedding.

The best part was when he told us he really wanted to do it so that he could get sealed to his family which is a topic we had barely talked about. We are going to go back to their house on Saturday and see what date they have chosen.

I learned that there is an Elder From Idaho Falls coming to this mission in October and also one from Eagle and one from Meridian. There is a good chance that the one from Idaho Falls still doesn’t have his call so we don’t wanna ruin that surprise!

Also, the other day we were in the office and we heard this crash and looked at the window and this dude had rolled his car basically on our porch. The car was upside down and I saw this little pink blanket on the ground so I ran down the stairs and it turned out it was some idiot that stolen a car and was the only passenger. I was very relieved to not see a child in that car.

We helped him flip the car back up in its side (before we knew it was stolen) and then he got in it and tried to start it. That is when I realized he was kind of dumb because he tried to start an engine that had been upside down. Anyways, he got arrested and they got the car of our porch.

Funny story, when we went to the airport the lady at the check in desk was a little too friendly but that is just how most the women are in this country. Then when I got all of the papers back she had left me her phone number and address. What did I do? I gave the information to the missionaries that are assigned to her area and they are going to teach her the restored gospel. The Lords team always wins.

Some of my favorite times with President Whitesides is when I can get him to start making jokes and everyone laughs and I keep making comments to encourage him to keep going and then Sister Whitesides gets mad at us both! Now sometimes President will whisper something funny to me and then tell me not to tell Sister Whitesides he did it haha

Dad as for your talk, in Preach my Gospel there are tons of things that talk about how to receive blessings from the spirit and promptings. In order to minister you HAVE to have the gift of the Holy Spirit and you HAVE to know how to act on the promptings he gives you. 

Ministering is planning to teach something and upon the arrival of your visit you change according to the needs of the people. 

Arriving to someones house that is in the middle of unpacking and you prepared a lesson on tithing and you continue to teach that lesson you are failing as a minister. You need to act. You have been baptized and confirmed in order to ¨Feed the sheep of Christ.¨ John 21:17 

Your calling in the church does not set the bar on your ability to minster. Bishop, Presidents, pianists, quorum leaders, or people without a calling are limited only by themselves. You don't have to wait for the relief society president to tell you to take dinner to your next door neighbor who just had a kid. You do it as soon as you know it needs to be done. That is your calling as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

We are no longer home and visiting teacher because God trusts us as his children to not need a handicap such as a coordinator who has to nag on people and try and get them to do all their visits. Do you think my Mission President calls me and every other missionary in the morning to see who we will visit and what time and what we will teach? No! That would be stupid. He knows we are set apart to teach repentance and baptize converts. So he prays for us and gives us council and knows we will do it.

That is a little piece of ministering. 

The next transfer is the 16th of July. 

Anyways, That is all for me! Love you all! 

Elder Reese