Merry Christmas!

Skype with Elder Reynolds

I get a phone call from him Saturday evening (12/23/17) to arrange the skype call and first thing he says is "Hi Mom!! You don't have to worry, we are safe from the earthquake. All the missionaries are safe. Did you hear about the earthquake?" My heart dropped and I responded with no, I didn't hear about it and then asked questions. He then said...just kidding. Yep this is Elder Reynolds, always joking around and making people laugh! I loved hearing his voice and he sounded SO very happy.

Here are some interesting things said on our skype call:

*He is serving in Santo Domingo and he said it is a dangerous area of the mission! We did not know this and he probably didn't tell us because he didn't want mom to worry!!! There are no sisters serving in this area. They have an early curfew. If they have an appointment past curfew they have to get a ride. He said one evening they had an appointment literally across the street and it was past curfew. They asked the zone leaders if they can just walk and they said no. They arranged a ride where they felt dumb because it was across the street. He said the driver was looking at us like we were some spoiled Americans.

*The weather in Santo Domingo is hot and humid. They don't have hot water in their apartment which is ok with them because it's hot! Their towel really never dries because of the humidity.

*The area he is serving in is huge. He said it's from like Farmington to Albuquerque and remember it's a walking mission! So they have to pay for buses and taxi's.

*His companion is Elder Fillmore from Utah. He is 3 months into his mission. He is learning the language so Elder Reynolds does most of the talking.

*Elder Fillmore is 6'6" and so they REALLY stand out!

*Elder Fillmore plays volleyball too!!

*In the beginning of his mission, he was doing his laundry as much as he could. Now he pretty much has to choose--do my laundry or eat since he doesn't have much money. They spend lots of money on transportation.

*Speaking of money, he lost his debit and credit card.

*They have about 80 investigators. They pray everyday on who they need to drop because there aren't able to keep all of them and this breaks his heart.

*He would rather read the scriptures than workout!!!

*Toilet paper is scarce so he has to look for creative ways for an alterative!

*He skyped from a members home so they were in the background. He introduced his "mom" and she kept reassuring us that she will take good care of him and we don't have to worry. She has a missionary serving in the mission field and so she was saying how she knows how it is to have her son away. She hopes others will take care of her son. She said many times "I will take care of your son, I love him." She was cooking a shrimp dinner and told us not to worry and she will make sure Elder Reynolds eats and is taken care of!

*The people there have nothing yet they are the most happy people.

*He couldn't remember English words so he had to keep asking his companion what the English words were!

*He bore his testimony in Spanish :) He wants to see us all living better lives through the gospel. The second coming is near and we don't have much time. Keep striving and get to the temple!! He loves you all :)

F E L I Z  N A V I D A D !!