The Blessing of Silence

Hey Everyone!!

I hope everything back at home in the snow is going good. Or wherever you are, if there is snow or not, I hope it is going good for everyone. Here in Washington it is rainy and wet and dark every day starting at about 4:30 and until early in the morning too! It sucks but isn't too bad at the same time, because as long as we stay dry, which we do, things are so great. This last week has been good. We had a zone meeting on Wednesday that talked solely on Member Missionary work and the things that we as missionaries can do to help members get more excited and for them to do missionary work so that we can focus on Harvesting and helping people to be baptized and confirmed. Qtip my new comp and I have been doing our best to inspire members and we are going to be working extra hard to find people to be baptized in the next month and a half.

One thing that has really stood out to me is the blessing of silence. Elder Quinton and I watched a video about being patient and allowing people the opportunity to let the spirit teach them,. I thought for the last 2 months that I needed to teach people and testify so strongly so that they would be convinced by the spirit. Then I realized, "Where do each of our inspired thoughts come from?" They come from the Holy Ghost and the Holy Ghost allows people to do that same thing. They have the opportunity to feel and learn from the spirit and I don't even have to say a word. People know that this is true. They know it, they just sometimes don't want to accept it, and that is okay, but my job is just to allow the spirit to be there.

We have an investigator named Nicole. She grew up baptist but is looking for a church. We have met with her twice and are meeting with her again on Wednesday at 3. She is also meeting with the JW's and says she gets this good feeling from both of us. I was talking to our district leader about it last week before we taught her and he said, tell her we celebrate Christmas and she'll be baptized next week! He said it as a joke, but then when we taught her the plan of salvation lesson, she asked us if she can celebrate Christmas and we were like YES!!!! She is on date to be baptized on December 6th! She drinks coffee but she is really interested and so awesome to talk to and to teach. She is the first person that I have taught where I feel like I am teaching her and not a lesson because she wants to know if this is true. My friends and family. If we want to know if something is true all we have to do is ask. If we seek wisdom, ask of God because he will give it to each and every one of us as he has given the answer to me to know that this is the only true Church of Jesus Christ here in the latter days. I love this gospel and the church is true.

Everyone have a great week and starve yourself so Thanksgiving can be full of fatty foods and football! Love you all so much!!

Elder Trev Reynolds

Winter Season

Hey Everyone!!

Things here in Washington are alright. These last two weeks have been awesome but always pretty rough at the same time. The week of Halloween was great and we carved pumpkins at the Bishops house and if you have seen the picture I tried to carve a Book of Mormon pumpkin...but It ended up Book of Momon and I got made fun of. Then Elder Piel left. On Halloween we were at the stake center and we played games as a zone and watched 17 miracles. The spirit was so strong when it comes to the pioneers and the things that they went through so that we can all have what we do have and be happy. It was an awesome day. Then this last week. My first full week with Elder Quinton...it was a pretty rough one. Our numbers have been super duper slim and it wasn't that great because we aren't teaching anyone right now. We have a few people that are potentially investigators and are actually somewhat solid but we are definitely still working on making things better and working harder. We have set goals this week to invite people to be baptized and do better.

We have had some funny experiences too! I have had some struggles. But one thing that I realized big time this last week: If I am happy and go lucky then the people that I am talking to see that. They realize how happy I am and then they have the desire to have that happiness for themselves. It works for everyone too. I recognize that the personality that you carry really does have an effect on people. (I hope I used the right form of effect/affect idk!? Oh well) So anyway. If I am happy then people want to have that happiness too and that is why people are curious about the church and have desires to learn and grow in the church more.

Elder Quinton is a lot more quiet than Elder Piel and taking over the area has definitely been an adjustment but not too bad. This first week together was really rough and definitely a rebuild week but we are looking for great things to come.

The rainy season is here. It sucks but I love it at the same time. Most of the time the rain isn't too heavy so we can walk around in a light jacket and not get too wet but I have had my jacket soak through once after walking around in the rain for a few hours. SO that is fun. I'm getting used to being wet all the time and it isn't that bad anymore. I have heard about some snow in the Utah area and the mountains here are beautifully snow capped and it is absolutely gorgeous. I wish I could capture a picture of it but it wouldn't even do a justice. Things are settling in and becoming more real but I don't feel like a missionary yet. I'm just out here doing what I know my heavenly father wants me to do and I know as we do so we will be blessed.

I love hearing from each of you and feel your prayers. We are way behind on our baptismal goals as a mission but I know we can reach them with faith. So pray for us here. We can do hard things and make accomplishments. Nothing is insurmountable when the Lord is on your side. Love you all!!

Love,
Elder Reynolds

Halloween and Baptisms

Hey everyone!!


Things here in Washington are so amazing. This last week was awesome. Ave MacDonald was baptized and it was so spiritual and amazing. My fist Baptism. Then Halloween. Our Zone all got together from 3-8 and watched 17 miracles and played games and just enjoyed it. Other than that everything is good. I love the mission and the mission life. Oh my new companion is Elder Quinton if you haven't heard. I'm still in the same apartment and everything is the same. Just a new companion and teaching and a few things are a little bit different. I really love it here. I'm out of time for this week. But things are so good and everything here is awesome. I get along with my new comp well and I am even driving already. Hopefully that lasts?!? maybe (: Other than that things are going great. Thanks for all your support.

Love you guys!!!!

Elder Reynolds

Last Week of the Transfer

Hey everyone!!

I don't have a lot of time this week but things are going really good. Tomorrow the 27th is transfer day. I'm staying here in the same area for at least another 6 weeks but I will have a new companion. His name is Elder Quinton. He has only been out for 3 months so thing are kinda crazy. We are both young and we will continue working hard. I will see my first baptism this week. This last week on Monday after the last email that I sent we were knocking downtown...this little boy was with his grandpa and he pulled his pants down and peed on a bush right in the middle of downtown. hahahaha it was so funny. that same day we had a really cool experience with a man named Mathew. We walked passed and he asked what book we were carrying so it was way too easy to be able to talk to him. We taught him the restoration and haven't seen or heard from his since but he is moving to California so hopefully missionaries will find him there! This week has been crazy. Saturday President Blatter called and told Elder Piel he is going to Lacey and going to be Zone Leader and I am going to be here still and I am driving the car and taking over the area...holy cow!! I can't believe it. I don't have much time but things are going good and I will share more next week. Keep praying and helping others to come to Christ. Members are the means for others to come unto the gospel so everyone don't be afraid to open your mouth and share the message of salvation through our savior Jesus Christ. I'll update you more next week!!

Love you all!!

Elder Trevor Reynolds

Poulsbo is Home

Hey Everyone!!

Things here are going just great. My mom let me know that the Box Elder girls soccer team is in the state semifinal!?!? Everyone better be there at Juan Diego supporting them and cheering and sending them to Rio Tinto on Friday!!! That is the sickest thing ever! Good luck to all the girls playing and who are on the team for all the hard work they have put forth I'm super excited to hear next week that they are State Champs!!!!! I wish there was a more frequent mode of contact but hey once a week will do.

This last week I went on my first exchange ever in the mission. I went to the other ward in the same city the Poulsbo 1st ward. I was with Elder Stuart for a day. Elder Stuart has been out since June so he graduated this year too and he is awesome. He is in his third transfer. He is a lot less straightforward with people and so Tuesday was a great confidence builder for me because I had to talk. Elder Piel talks and I don't always have to say or explain as much but with Elder Stuart I definitely needed to do that more. I invited 3 people to be baptized and found 3 new investigators for their ward. It was so awesome and such a confidence builder in talking to people and realizing that I do know what I am talking about. I really enjoy talking to people and helping them understand the gospel.

Then we had a mission tour with Elder Gay from the 70 on Friday. He focused on working with members and finding a vision for your area. I have been praying for that vision this weekend and as long as I am here for longer I definitely will be looking to effectively work with members to accomplish the vision of seeing people baptized here in the Poulsbo 2nd ward. I learned how to overcome challenges better. PRAYER. I think prayer is kind of the cliche answer to everything and anything but this isn't cliche. The power of prayer with faith is so real. We haven't quite caught that vision yet, but I know when it comes it will be clear and will be what is needed here in our area. I love the people here and especially now that I know the members. I love them. They are so willing to help if we remind them and ask them. I am always scared to ask members to do things because it is a burden to them but I have realized that they are willing to do things, Just like investigators who are ready are willing to keep commitments if we just invite. I really love the saying that "nobody can accept the invitation to be baptized unless they are invited." I have realized that people won't do things unless they are asked, but if they are asked to do something, they will be willing to do them.

As a member of the church back at home support the missionaries in every way that you can. We are teaching only a few people so we are working to teach more people and find more to teach so that we can more effectively work with the members. So much happens in a week that it is hard to share so much. I hope you all know that I love you and pray for you every day. I know that this is real. I haven't seen anyone change their life fully yet but I do know that it can and will happen as long as I do the things that I am supposed to and I am exactly obedient.

I also encourage you all to ask yourself the question, "Am I a burden or a blessing?" WE were giving a lesson to a family who has a 9 year old daughter who will be baptized on November 1st. The Pacquettes. They are awesome. Elder Piel shared Genesis 12:3 with them and I realized that it brought up the burden or a blessing principle very well. I ask myself when meeting or interacting with anyone if I am a burden or a blessing in their life and I am striving to be a blessing in everyone's life. I encourage you all to do the same. Just ask if you are a burden or a blessing and you will see improvements like crazy.

I love you all!!!
Love,
Elder Trev Reynolds

Pictures of me feeding some Donkeys and a funny sign that we found about everyone bringing happiness that is kind of funny. (:

and here is a link to some more of the pictures Elder Rey Rey uploaded this week

another great one here in the WA-TAC

Hey everyone!!

This week has been another great one here in the WA-TAC!! This week was my companionship's bike week so we walked a lot!! Bike week just means that we don't have a car. This week me and my comp didn't ride our bikes once! It sucked but I'd rather not ride the bike in this area because the hills are SOO bad. We did a lot of walking and I got really tired but the walking is getting easier every day because we do more and more of it each week. I really like going to work and if we aren't out doing something I feel really guilty so it's good because we always find ways to be busy and working hard.

I bought a golf club so when we are bored at the apartment during decomp at night time we play mini golf and things at the apartment and the feeling is always relaxed and super duper fun. We got haircuts a week ago. My hair was getting so long and now it is so short. My first haircut of the mission was great!! The Bishop's wife who is not professional cut it and she did a good job. My hair hasn't been this short since my freshman year so it's kinda weird but not bad and I'm adjusting well!

This week I had my hardest working day yet. We got up and we had on schedule 4 member lessons with investigators that all fell through in the morning, so we looked at each other and said, "alright lets go to work then, we gotta find more people to be teaching." We left the house at about 12:30ish after lunch and walked to downtown Poulsbo and went to work. We ended up knocking on doors for like 4 1/2 hours that day. I got home and was so exhausted but we actually found 2 new investigators on that day and it was the most successful day yet!! It was fantastic. Exhaustion always pays off and I realize if I'm not exhausted by the end of the day than I didn't do something right.

I also had my first time in the mission having the F word said to me. We knocked on this door and this guy was really nice and we were having a good conversation with him. He told us that Jesus Christ was reincarnated and all my companion said was No. It took about a half a second and this flipped a switch in the guy and he was scary and devilish!! He looked at us and said get the F off my property right now and don't come back. So we turned to start walking away like, What just happened?? We got about 10 feet down the sidewalk to the dirt road and he opened the door and yelled that no missionaries had argued with him before and that he was going to call the church and things. He used the F word a couple more times and yelled at us to leave and we turned around and left. It was unfortunate because what we were talking about wasn't arguing or anything. It makes me sad to see people not want the things of the gospel but I know that if and when they are prepared we or other missionaries will find them and they will be baptized.

The mission is soo much fun. We also had the Pineapple express come into town. That is a storm that came from a typhoon that hit Hawaii. It was rainy and warm so it was cool. There was some crazy flooding in the area but none of it affected too many homes or anything that we know of. It was taken care of by like 6ish that night and it ended up a really pretty day. It was soo much like Utah weather. I love this gospel and the mission life is now my life and I am doing everything that I can to help others come unto Christ through baptism and confirmation and that is my sole purpose and the lives of people being changed is inspiring to me and I hope that I can continue helping others to do that always.

My comp sings in the shower every day now and it is so much fun to sing country songs. Momma you told me I better enjoy the music while I can...well we still sing those songs. I hear them all the time from other missionaries and especially from Elder Piel. He does well singing and I actually enjoy it.

Things here in the mission are great. Thanks for all your support at home. You are all the best. Love you!!

Love,

Elder Rey Rey

Elder Rey Rey is my new nickname by my comp and District Leader so I'm gonna roll with that for a couple weeks. hahaha love you all!! Have a great week. <3

The work is going forth (a little bit slower, but forth nonetheless)

Hey everyone!!

This week has been a good one even though it's probably been the hardest for me yet here in the mission. Not because of homesickness or anything just because the work has been a little bit slower even though we have still been working just as hard. It's been a really long week too especially because of General Conference. I got so much out of Conference. One of the favorite things that I got out of it is the things that mothers do for us. My momma is the absolute best. She has raised me so well even though sometimes she probably thinks different.

This week was good though. We had a chance to meet a new investigator and his son. His name is D and his son is E. Monday night we taught them and we weren't expecting much. We met them through a member who is having them live at his house. This member had us come over and meet with them as a part of them living at his house. We thought it would suck but we ended up putting D and his son on date for the 24th. They were supposed to come to conference but when we called the member E answered and things got really weird and they didn't come. Hopefully we will be able to keep working with them though. D just got out of prison a couple weeks ago and is looking to be baptized and change his life for the better so that should be really good for us. It was a miracle that he actually allowed us to meet with him and that he is interested and fairly solid.

T is also on date for the 24th and is doing really well she is reading and has desires to change even before we tell her so hopefully as we teach the commandments she will continue to accept and live them. Her dad is a member so that could be a really good influence. Our mission is focused on getting lessons with members in the home with us. We call them Member lessons. We are really focused on getting members with T so that she will feel the love and support that the church can and does bring to people every single day.

We are also teaching a few others but I don't have a lot of time to write so I'll just keep it at that. Keep praying that we can find those 400 more people in a few months! I have faith that we can make it there. I love this work. I have found regeneration through conference to come to work harder and invite people to be baptized and come into this gospel that has blessed so many peoples lives every single day.

I just need to center myself in Jesus Christ and allow God to mold us into whatever he has a desire for us to become and whatever he wants me to become I will allow him to help me get there and do all that I personally can to get there.

A lot of people here seem to think that all we have to do is say that we accept who Jesus Christ is and that we will be saved and we don't have to do anything while we are here. Friends and family, we do have to do EVERYTHING that we can in our power to find our way back to live with our Heavenly Father. I love you all so much. Things here in Washington are amazing and the work is going forth. Keep praying and hoping for missionary opportunities yourself and you will find them. I promise. You all are the best.

Love,

Elder Trevor Reynolds

Elder T uploaded some pictures to DropBox.  I think it pops up with a box telling you to start a DropBox account, but you can close it and move on to the pictures without starting an account.