Personal Revelation!

Elder Reynolds was on the Radio in Ecuador!!

Hello Everyone! 

This week was an awesome week! We hardly had anytime to work though because we were traveling so much! Elder Godoy of the 70 visited us and it was such an amazing experience to have him there. One of the things I learned that I think everyone can learn from is yes we have leaders. and they are SO knowledgeable and helpful to us. But we also have the right to receive revelation for ourselves. Like Joseph Smith said it is the very principle or key to the life after this life. At times we just find ourselves asking questions to other people and although that is good.... we need to develop a relationship with our Father in Heaven and He the very God of the whole universe will teach us through the Holy Ghost! What a privilege we have to have the Holy Ghost. We had two 5-hour bus rides and so as missionaries we were talking about a bunch of questions we have always had about the deep doctrine haha how we are going to ask Elder Godoy to explain them to us but then after the conference we all realized that we can have the answers not from another person, but from the very fountain of knowledge! I am probably sounding a bit crazy right now but it was a moment of aww for me hahah.

Our investigators are struggling right now. They are slowly progressing and man is it hard to just sit back and let them make their own choices. My companion and I discuss after every lesson on what we could've done better and I love that there is always something we can do better. there is no such thing as perfect in this life. We can always strive to get better. I think that's what intrigues me about life. That there is no end. I love the scripture in 2 Nephi where it talks about line upon line precept upon precept. One thing I love to do is finding something I am the worst at, and trying to change it into one of my strengths. I loooove the process. Although it is time consuming and takes a whole lot of patience and work, I love the end product. 

Man am I glad for American volleyball! Today one of the Elders in our district taught us how to play Ecuavolley! It is basically the same rules but with a...SOCCER BALL! Man I thought it hurt at times to play with a volleyball but it hurt sooo bad to play with that thing! haha My arms are so sore already but it was a fun to me lol I love the mission. I am learning something everyday. When we always have goals, life will never pass us by too fast. We will pass by life. Take advantage always of the time we have! I love you all! 

Elder Reynolds

Learning how to play Ecuavolley!!!

Ouch, playing with a soccer ball!

Sharing the great message of Jesus Christ on the radio!

Santo Domingo, Ecuador

Hitchhiking in Ecuador :o

Carl's Jr!

Two 5-hour bus rides to listen to Elder Godoy of the 70!

People were talking about "The Night of Death" and Elder Reynolds was like what the heck are you guys talking about??! So they explained it more to him and he realized it was Halloween!

Always Love God First!

 Baptism in Santo Domingo!

Elder Reynolds was honored to baptize this young man :)

Hello everyone!

This week was another great week to be a missionary. Most of all this week was a week of just pure work and it really went by fast. We have people on date for baptism and we are stoked for them! They are all about our age and I wish I could just shake them and tell them that this is what they have been searching for and this will bless their lives tremendously! haha But as my parents know, I was the exact same way... Darn immature Elder Reynolds haha

Unfortunately this week we had a rough time with some recent converts. They were struggling with lots of problems. As they told us all their problems I was so amazed at their faith. Mainly the faith of the father. It was a bit sad to see the marriage already fighting. Because the mother was totally against the church and blamed everything on the church. But the father remained true.. He was asking us for advice because she asked him, who do you love more...me or God? Wow for a 21 year old to answer that was hard... But as it says in Matthew 22 (I think) that the first and great commandment is to love the Lord thy God with all our heart might mind and strength... And every commandment is based on that.. We read that and he knew the decision he had to make.. Love God more.. even than our spouse. It was so amazing to see his faith in that scripture. And really after this week, we already see the blessings that came because he put God first. Their story is truly amazing because after 10 months of hard work by missionaries, they got married and had their baptism. But almost 2 weeks after their baptism, the father lost his job... It is so easy to question, Why is this happening when we are doing the will of God? Although it is really sad because of course we expect blessings when we make good decisions, but more than that we need to have the faith and the hope. The hope that blessings WILL come, maybe not when we expect them, but when we NEED them. It is interesting because obviously this family is in need of blessings, so why would Heavenly Father not bless him with a job? As we were talking I was learning so much about the plan of our Heavenly Father. How important it is to have the faith in the plan. That in the end everything will work out for our good. Obviously we couldn't tell them the reason as to why all this was happening, but that it was happening for a reason. And in these moments is when our faith increases or decreases. I always loved the phrase in sports, GUT CHECK. When it all comes down to pure will power. Not talent, not skill, purely the will of oneself. But it shows who we truly are in these moments. We are here as humans to be tested. But we have the rest of eternity to enjoy the consequences of our decisions. Always, always love God first...especially in the most difficult moments. He loves us and will always bless us with the best of blessings. I love you all!! Have a great week!

Elder Reynolds

As a District Leader, one of his responsibilities is to interview for baptisms. He never met this young man until his interview with him. He felt a strong connection with him. The young man had been meeting with the missionaries for 4 years and he said it was his time to be baptized! He then asked Elder Reynolds to baptize him! The people in Ecuador have been waiting for Elder Reynolds to serve there!!!

Elder Reynolds looks SO happy!

E X P L O R I N G  E C U A D O R

Santo Domingo

Beautiful place!

Pizza Cone :)

Celebrating life in Ecuador!

Spiritual Experiences while Cleaning!!

These amazing people had a going away party for Elder Reynolds when he left his last area--Ambato. This family is who he has bonded with the most in his mission so saying goodbye was super hard. He made relationships with them that will last a lifetime. They took good care of Elder Reynolds. They said it is impossible to forget people like Elder Reynolds, they loved him very much. We will forever be grateful to the Arias family!

Hello everyone!

This week was a great week, of course full of tender mercies of the Lord each day! We are doing great as a companionship and even though we aren't seeing the results that we want, we realize it is because we are praying for hope haha we are studying hope and charity this week and so we pray for it everyday and although we didn't realize it till the end of this week. Heavenly Father is blessing us with hope!! That in a future moment we will see the fruits of our labors! It was an amazing experience this week because Elder Hicks...one of the missionaries from my former sector is in Santo Domingo and we were talking about old times haha like 9 months ago and he was the missionary that was with me when we were traveling through the rain and how we stood out in the rain for a long time...I forgot how long but we found an investigator all due to the rain! Remember that story?? I hope so... (If you don't, here is the story: So another miracle that happened was it was raining super hard. Hardest I have ever seen it rain here. I thought my umbrella was going to break. But it didn't thank goodness! We were on divisions and I was with another Elder who doesn't have an umbrella so we had to share one. hahaha I bet it looked funny....2 white guys sharing a little umbrella getting soaked. But anyways it was raining super hard. Our appointment fell through so we were stuck outside. We thought hey what better way to access the pity of Ecuador by knocking on their doors and try to share a message on the street so they would just let us in!! So we tried doing that and no one was answering their doors or would look out the window and close the curtains... So we decided to shelter ourselves under a little overhead thing so we wouldn't get too wet. But like I said, since it was raining sideways it didn't help a lot. So we decided to say a prayer that it could stop so that we could work. The rain didn't stop but it did let up and I am pretty sure rain started falling downwards instead of sideways so major blessing! We had another appointment far away and he wanted to contact up there because they never have before. So we took a bus and started knocking doors. About the third door we were standing there for some reason for like 5 minutes. We both were about to leave when a guy came out. We said our opening Hi we are missionaries..... And he let us in! We were able to share the whole first lesson and give him a Book of Mormon! Right when we got in there he said the reason he let us in is because He was praying that he would be guided in the way God wanted him to go. And that's not even the best part! After wards we were wanting to set up an appointment for our next visit and he said he honestly didn't know when because he works from 6 am to 8:30 pm and the only reason he was home today was because the rain was so bad!!!!!!!! We both were like MIRACLE!! I will gladly stand out in the rain soaking wet if it means we were able to find someone to teach! It was pretty amazing. As he said the closing prayer, he said in the prayer that if this is the reason why he was let off work please help him to know this is right. It was a great experience) We didn't have much success with him while we were there.... but he went back for a visit and the guy is preparing to be baptized with his whole family!!! Wow who knew that 9 months or so ago that he would be getting ready to be baptized.... who knew that!! It was amazing to see a fruit of our labors even though we didn't see that fruit till a long time!! It was pretty dang amazing.

So I have another few things that I want to share this day with y'all... haha I don't know why but I had the most spiritual experience... cleaning!! I know right??? I have no idea what or why but as we were cleaning today and listening to music all these things kept coming to me and occurring so I thought I would share them with you all...

1... So we started cleaning... and well for one people can change! Who would've guessed that a macho football player would be cleanly hahaha so yes the first lesson would be people can change!

2... I have always had this question...is there such thing as dirty soap? As missionaries we have to budget pfff well as people in general we have to budget, but as missionaries what 20 year old wants to spend money on cleaning supplies? lol So we were looking around for cleaning supplies and found we think 200 year old soap haha but as we were rinsing it I thought of how we are like the soap... it doesn't matter what we have gone thorough or what we have done, with a little bit of work we are back to new. We always have the capability to do good, we are never ever at the point of useless ... so I answered my own question there is no such thing as dirty soap haha

3... As I was mopping I felt pretty dang good. The floor was nice and sparkling and wet... and right then my moods collapsed as I saw my companion walk across the floor in his dirty shoes and I looked at him and he looked at me... are you kidding me??!! hahahaha As we partake of the sacrament each week how often do we get home and then get impatient because we are hungry and then yell at our brother or sister for stealing the last piece of cake... boom there goes our cleanliness and Heavenly Father is up there.. are you kidding me Elder Reynolds? haha Obviously He is more patient but you get the picture.

4... There is a process in getting clean. We have to sweep the floor before we mop it.. I tried to mop the floor before my companion swept it because I was getting impatient but then obviously that doesn't work out too well.. but I realized its like us...we can't expect to go from dirty to clean ready for the temple and expect immediate blessings. it' a process and if done right, we will become what we need to become...pure and ready to receive all that Heavenly Father has for us.

Who knew cleaning could help a missionary with all these lessons! I love you all! 

Elder Reynolds

Going away party for Elder Reynolds!

"It's impossible to forget people like you. We love you!"

The Arias family, huge hearts and so much love to give :)

Love the people in Ecuador!

Elder Reynolds' last District

BOWLING!!

Elder Mamani and Elder Reynolds

P-day Adventures!!!

Week full of Miracles!

Santo Domingo is SO beautiful!!

Hey there everyone!

Wow this week was a week full of miracles. One right after another. It is awesome to know that when we are worthy, Heavenly Father is so willing to use us in the best of ways in order to bless the lives of others. As a missionary we are constantly finding ways to be better and serve in a more effective manner. What I love most is that we have a companion! I have learned to trust my companion a ton! haha at first it was because I had too but now it is because I want too. During lessons at times I feel we should take a complete 180 degree turn and go in an opposite direction and then after we talk about it and how he was feeling the exact same way too! We are doing great as a companionship and are learning one from another.

One of the crazy things that happened this week was we were teaching a family about how we need to read the Book of Mormon and if we don't we wont find the answer we are looking for. We testified that if they would read, their lives would be changed because we know this book can change lives. Then that took a wild turn and they started asking about what does it mean to change a life.. Then that is when we had the impression to literally start the lesson all over. So we were about 15 minutes into the lesson and decided that we needed to pray again and in the prayer ask for the spirit to help us see if the book was true. Then after that we waited for what it seemed like an hour haha But then the impression came to us that we were going to read the Book of Mormon together. But then the question came.. What are we going to read? That is when it got a little bit interesting.. haha We literally felt like we were doing a magic trick because after the prayer we waited a bit, then said to take the book and to open it to any random page and there would be the answer they were looking for. As we were saying this I was just praying with all my heart that this would be a Liahona story instead of a fail story that you see in a missionary journal haha So he preceded to open it up to Mosiah 28 verses 2 and 3 where it talks about how the spirit of the Lord worked in them and they were the vilest of sinners.. BOOM!! Miracle! crazy how the spirit works!! We were shocked just as much as they were. The spirit was so strong and they all said they felt something different. It was an amazing experience and one that although was super awesome, isn't sufficient for a true conversion. I know it takes a lot of hard work and constant prayer. I love this gospel and I know we always have and hear these crazy miracles.. But that isn't what changes us truly. It may be a start but what truly changes us is the work we put in and the process as a whole. I love this gospel and especially Jesus Christ allowing us to be partakers of salvation. I love you all! 

Oh another crazy story. we were feeling pretty gutsy today while we decided to go fishing and then as we were digging up worms, decided to eat one of them!! At first it just tasted like dirt.. and then actually when it bursts in your mouth.. that is when it got interesting and hopefully don't get sick from it!! haha But it was a good experience. 

Elder Reynolds

Eating worms...

The people here are so so so friendly! Like you say Hi and right then it sparks up a conversation!

I love this opportunity to serve the Lord!

Pretty cool!

We cut this coconut from a tree, cut it and drank it...pretty cool!!!

P-day Adventures :)

The Book of Mormon, a one-size fits all book!

Elder Yanqui and Elder Reynolds

~Santo Domingo~

Hello everyone! 

So I am in a new sector it is called Santo Domingo. My companions name is Elder Yanqui he is from Peru. He has a lot of time in the mission and I am sooo lucky to be his companion. Just from the week that we have been together I have learned so much from him. He is a great example about enduring to the end. We work hard everyday. Although our situation is a bit difficult because we are getting to know another sector because the missionaries that were there were taken out and now we are in charge of that sector. It is crazy because probably if we took a bus from the sides of our sectors it would take 3 and a half to 4 hours! We are constantly traveling and constantly trying to be better. Although it is so stressful, we feel the spirit strong in our planning sessions in order to plan for the people that need us. I love that Heavenly Father is so willing to help us out if we ask Him. This is His work and man I can say that this is my glory too. I love bringing the word of God and really the fount of happiness to the good people of Ecuador.

If I am being honest this was a hard week. We left on Tuesday to travel to our new sectors and I had to leave the relationships that I had made with the members and investigators in Ambato. it was literally like another farewell. It is crazy the amount of love and the huge hearts the people here have. Just in weeks we make relationships with these people that will last a lifetime. It was hard to work and at times I just wanted to take a bus back to Ambato because it felt like home there. The city, the people, just everything. I never thought I would be so sad about leaving a sector haha Don't judge me about how emotional I am.... lol But like always the perfect remedy for everything is working. So that is exactly what we did. We were constantly trying to talk to people and keep our minds occupied so that we can focus solely on the work. I can testify it works. Just like when Jesus Christ was suffering in Gethsemane, it says that He prayed even more intensely. In the very moment He was suffering the most pain anyone can possibly feel, He decided to pray MORE intensely. Not give up or distance himself from the pain, but to read the scriptures more intensely, attend church more intensely, pray with more faith... all these tools we have are here for us in these moments. And always in these moments that we have it seems our first reaction or decision is to throw away all these things.. How crazy are we to think that!! Why would we distance ourselves from a God that knows all? A God that above all wants the absolute best for us? I know it seems so simple now, but when the time comes to actually show it.. We will see who we love most or what we love most. I definitely have so much to work on. 

I absolutely loved General Conference too! How lucky we are to have that every 6 months!! Man its literally like God is talking in these Conferences... oh wait He is!! Through the apostles we have the counsel of God. If He were here, he would've said the same exact things. How cool is that promise? I love this gospel. I know it is true. I know the Book of Mormon can answer every single question or doubt that we have. It is amazing this book we have. So so amazing that it is perfect. A one size fits all book! I love you all so dearly. Apply the things we learned and be better than yesterday!

Elder Reynolds

He said the food is way better!

Transferred to Santo Domingo!!

Goodbye Ambato!

Hello Everyone!

Well this week was changes (transfers) and it's my turn to go to the coast! I am pretty excited because every missionary here longs to go to where I will be at. Its called Santo Domingo. For me personally I don't like the heat but I want to get to know all area of Ecuador so I got the city, now I am going to the coast, and I only lack the Oriente! Although I can't lie I am going to miss this ward a lot... ALOT. Especially one family named Family Arias. They are literally like my family here. When we are sick they are always there to help us, they always are so supportive of the work, and just have this special love for us missionaries. The changes have changed so we receive the calls as to where we are going Sunday night, then we have P-day free, and then Tuesday morning we leave. It used to be we receive them Sunday night and then leave the very next morning bright and early. So it was nice because we spent most of the day with their boys and we are going to have dinner with them a little later on. It is a bit hard because I know there will be crying involved and it kills me. ha But its all apart of the mission. Like the hymn goes, "Ill go where you want me to go dear Lord!!"

This week was a hard week. I don't know what about it but always the weeks right when we leave are the hardest weeks. Its like all the investigators don't want to listen to us and we have no success. Elder Mamani was the motor this week and it was so amazing to see that. At times I felt like I don't know how I am going to make it through these next few lessons, but with his enthusiasm and with the spirit so strongly in the lessons it was amazing to see the change in myself. The change in attitude and the change in spirit. I loved the opportunity to fast this past weekend. I love that Heavenly Father gives us these trials so that we can become what He wants us to become. Part of the reason why this week was so hard is we found one of the investigators making bad decisios (decisions) We found him and he was with his cousins doing not very good stuff. Although I was a little mad at him, I did realize that I have developed a love for him. Because I just felt this love and longing for him to make the right decisions not for the reason that we can get another baptism and have good numbers, but for the fact that I know with a surety that this gospel is the fuente (source) of happiness. It was the first time in the mission I cried over an investigator. But it helped me realize how Heavenly Father must feel when we make the wrong decisions. Especially ESPECIALLY me! But I will never ever lose the hope. Never. It was a tender mercy also to see that other investigators that we are teaching attend church.. At the beginning of sacrament meeting, there was no one and we can't lie we were really discouraged. But 2 minutes past and some of our Menos activos (less actives) walked in, 5 minutes passed and some investigators walked in, 10 minutes and more investigators!! Tender mercies of the Lord... He will always comfort us. I love this work. It has brung brang (Elder Reynolds is losing his English!!!) haha me closer to God. My relationship with him is real and so strong. He lives. I know it with all my heart. Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are real beings. And they are there for us in whatever phase in life we are in. I love you all! Bring a question to General Conference!! What a privilege we have!!! I love you! 

Elder Reynolds

P-day Adventures!

Volcano Quilotoa

It is a water-filled caldera and the most western volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes.

Elevation: 12,841

Last Eruption: 1280

Location: Pujili Canton, Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador

Elder Reynolds and Elder Wilson

Exploring Ecuador

Brotherly Love

Wow, these Elders are tall!

Stake Conference filled our little Chapel!

Hello everyone!

I am sorry but this one is going to be a short one! This week was a great week because we had Stake Conference and Zone Conference! Even though I love the work, I love when the leaders of the church get to talk to us and we get to listen. What a blessing! I love how here in Ecuador they put so much emphasis in the conferences! They make flyers and they talk about them for weeks and weeks in advance! It just showed me that it is all really about the mindset we have when we go into things. Talking about spiritual or about temporal things. When we know or are excited to experience this specific meeting or something like that, we will always get so much more out of it because of our mindset.. it is that simple!!

The topic of the conferences was mainly about obedience. But not about obedience for blessings, rather about obedience because we love our Heavenly Father. They were all telling stories about how when the kids are unusually nice it is because something they want or something happened.. haha how true that is!! It is the same with our Heavenly Father. No doubt there is always promised blessings that come when we obey an commandment. But that shouldn't be the sole purpose of following the commandments. Mas que todo (more than anything) it is because we love Him. Truly love Him. It was also a really crazy conference because we had over 800 people in our little chapel! haha crazy stuff! Because usually there is something like 100 people and it felt a little squished! But it was nice being a big group of saints being there because we love HIM!

Our investigators are doing good. Abraham didn't get confirmed a member of the church the last Sunday because of Stake Conference so he is going to get confirmed this next Sunday. He is super excited for it! It is amazing to see the change in his rostro (face). It is amazing to see first hand the power of the atonement in one's life. 

We visited an awesome volcano this Monday called quilotoa! It is a Laguna but it used to be a volcano!! WWAAAYYYY cool. We had to get up at 4:30 to goooo.. but it was well worth it!! Last Monday we went to a waterfall that is called pailon del diablo! Look it up on YouTube because pictures don't do the work to see the majesty of it!!!

The mission is going great. When we truly discover the why of all things, we see so much more and are motivated to not only resist temptation, but alejarnos (get away) from it too! As far away as we can get. This is an awesome work we are in. I love you!

Elder Reynolds

Doesn't he look so happy???!!!