Dearest Family, 

Well, this really was one of the hardest, bitter-sweetest days of my life.  Today during Sacrament Meeting I felt pretty crazy.  I feel as if half of my body is crying and half is shouting for joy.  But, I will start out with my last week.  Well, it was pretty normal until friday, friday I was enjoying my lunch when I received a phone call to be an ambulance once again- great way to finish the mission I though to myself!  In all honesty I was just a little bit frustrated- I just wanted one last peaceful day to work, but I received the notice that I wouldnt be able to do it.  But, while we were driving a thought came to my mind...."when we are in the service of our fellow man, we are only in the service of our God".  Well, it brought a lot of peace to my heart, I know that even though I have had a little bit of a different mission, I have served with all my heart, might, mind, and strength- and I know that in doing this I have served the very best mission that I could.  

On Saturday, we were able to go to the temple with Alberto and Aurelina to do baptisms for the dead.  I was able to baptize them in the temple, and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  The spirit was so strong, and I felt such a great joy as I participated in ordinances in the temple.  They were able to take names from their families, and it was an amazing experience.  

Today was honestly one of the greatest days of my mission.  It was hard saying bye to Alberto andAurelina and their family, but it made it all worth it.  Yamie, the little girl, who is also probably my best friend in the whole world started crying really hard when I said I was leaving, she said, "no,esperete".  It was really sad, but I feel great because they are well on their way to being sealed.  There is nothing better for a missionary.   

But after, we were able to do the best thing ever!  I was able to go back to Madre Vieja Norte, my first area, and all of my converts, and members that I love were in the chapel to meet me there!  I was so happy to be able to see them, and to know that every single one of our converts there are active, and all were in sacrament meeting today.  Seba and Felix didnt know that I was coming, and when they saw me Seba yelled, NO!!!!, and ran up and gave me a huge hug.  Mami, gave me a hug, and Betsy was doing really good, and amazingly everyone remembered my name.  It was such a great feeling. It was as if my Father was telling me, look at the people we could help.  Look at how happy they are from living the gospel.  It was such a satisfying end to the mission. 

So happy, and yet so sad- what an interesting feeling.  But, I just want to share what I have been thinking recently.  I have been thinking about a scripture.. it says (in my translation from spanish toenglish), this is life eternal, to know thee, the one true God, and thy son, whom thou hast sent.  How can I get to know God?  How can I get to know his son Jesus Christ?  Will I recognize him when I return to his presence?  Well, I found the answer in another scripture.  Mosiah 5:13- For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart.   Well, being in the service of my God, and his son Jesus Christ has led me to know them.  Of all the things that I have learned, I have learned that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.  I feel as if my thoughts and intents of my heart have been put more in line with those of him, and doing so has allowed me to know him.  I know he is always by my side, and I know that he is my savior and redeemer.  I love him, and I love his work.  I am so grateful that I have been able to serve him, and I will always look back on the mission with joy.  I enjoyed every minute.  I have no regrets, I served with all that I have.  I know that as I leave part of my heart here, I will also bring back something a little bit more special.  I will bring back a knowledge of my Father, and his son Jesus Christ.  

Love, 

Elder Reeder 

Elder Riley Ted Reeder

La Iglesia De Jesucristo De Los Santos De Los Últimos Días

La Misión Santo Domingo Oeste, República Dominicana 

 

Well, it is almost that time of the year.......

June 9, 2013

Dearest Family, 

I know its a little early for me to be writting you a letter, but I'm here in the office a little early (to welcome the new couple), and I have a little bit of spare time so I decided to write you a little somethin somethin.

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind.  So much to do--so little time to do it.  Everyday feels like I wake up..and boom its time to go to bed again!  I've been pondering a lot recently about all of this....the mission, life, all that good stuff, and its left me to realize a lot of things.  #1- Serving a mission has been the best decision I have taken up to this point in my life.  In no other place could I have learned the many lessons that I have learned here.  I would never trade my experience here in the mission for anything.  I'm extremely glad that when it came time to serve a mission- it wasnt a question.  I dont know when I oficially decided to go on a mission, because I dont think there was a specific moment- it was always part of the plan.  I owe a lot of that desire to Dad- the best example that there is.  I hope that someday I can be that example to my children. #2-  "it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things."  What?!  Why?!  That stinks!  I dont want opposition! - my attitude before the mission.  Now I know that opposition will make me stronger- and is an important part of Gods plan.  "we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all thing whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them."  #3  Living without a family for two years makes you realize that  you have to do everything possible to make sure your family will be eternal. Two years is hard- imagine an eternity.  The only place the family can be eternal is in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom- we better make sure we are all gettin there!  #4-  Going home is just as hard as leaving home- because I really will be leaving a home here in the D.R.  

Anyway, this week I'm just going to live up every moment!  I am so grateful that the Lord has allowed me to participate in his grand work.  I know that I will never be able to repay him for what he has done for me- and I am more thankful each and every day for his sacrifice.  I love him, I love my family, and I am grateful for the restored gospel in my life.  I testify of its truthfullness with all of my heart.  I love you all!

Elder Reeder
-- 

Elder Riley Ted Reeder

La Iglesia De Jesucristo De Los Santos De Los Últimos Días

La Misión Santo Domingo Oeste, República Dominicana 

 

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An Exciting Week!

May 19, 2013

Well family,

This week was extremely exciting- not just because I was able to see all of your bright shining faces on skype (although that was quite pleasant), but this week was just full of crazy adventures!  Let me tell you about them...

So this week we received a special assignment from President. Get a queen size mattress and frame (I don't know why this house had a big mattress, but it did) from a missionaries house and take it to a needy member in an area clear out in the boonies--sounds easy enough right?  WRONG!  We got to the house, which is on the third story, and realized that after they put the bed in the house, they had done some remodeling, and it no longer fit down the stairs...Dilemma?  YES! Well, we are in the good ole' Dominican Republic, so anything is possible.  Well, a little bit of engineering and 75 feet of rope later--the queen size bed frame was swinging from the 3rd floor on its way down!  Oh you should have seen all the people in the streets watching losmormones repel a bed frame!  Well, all said and done it got down fine :)  It was quite the adventure...I have video proof.  

Adventure number 2.   Yesterday, the sisters in our branch had 2 baptisms!  Well, they are kinda green still and left the font on....so it got really, really, really full..and our font has a problem so it takes like 4-5 days to drain...so the font was full right to the brim!  Well, when 2 great big old men got in there, it was hovering over the edge!  The prayer was said, and then the member baptizing literally thew him into the water...and the whole first row got a tidal wave of water thrown at them....(I was a witness so I got a little as well)...needless to say it was a very....unique....baptism!  Something I will never forget.

On Friday, we had a meeting for the district of Azua where we talked about missionary work, and all recent converts and reactivated members were invited.  Well, the District President asked Alberto to share his testimony, and although he was extremely nervous, I have never felt so happy in my entire life!  It was an extremely simple testimony, but the spirit testified of his words, and they penetrated to my heart.  He and Aurelina are working with the branch president to put a date to be able to go to the temple and be sealed.  It has been an experience full of ups and downs, but it really was the crowning moment to hear Alberto share his testimony!  Yesterday, we were teaching them about eternal marriage, and we studied a little bit of section 132 in Doctrine and Covenants.  I invite you all (all you married folk) to study that section again and again.  I really have never seen greater promises in all of the scriptures!  It is my hope and desire that we can all obey the covenants that we have made.  I know that I'm a little behind, and still have a few more to go, but I hope to be prepared to make them in the house of the Lord.  I have learned that although the ordinances allow us to receive blessings--it doesn't mean that we can do them and "eat drink and be marry".  We must "obey my ordinances" as the Lord teaches us.  The Lord is bound when we do what He says, but when we are disobedient--we have no promise.  In Spanish, the scripture says that The Lord is obligated when we obey the commandments.  When we are obedient to the commandments and the covenants that we have received, the Lord is obligated to bless and to fulfill his promises!  I hope that we can all reflect a little on that, and do a little more to be a little more obedient each and every day- because the Lord has promised us his greatest gift- that of eternal life.  I know with all my heart that this is true.  Families are eternal--when we live worthy of such a grand reward. 

I am grateful for this time that I have to be a representative of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for Him, for His infinite atonement, for His charity, for His grace, and His example.  I hope that each and every day I can become a little more like Him, and that I can one day be worthy to be in His presence.  

Love, 

Elder Riley Ted Reeder

-- 

Elder Riley Ted Reeder

La Iglesia De Jesucristo De Los Santos De Los Últimos Días

La Misión Santo Domingo Oeste, República Dominicana 

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.