February 17, 2013
Dearest Family!
How are you? How is everything going? I hope that everything is going good! Here in the mission everything is going just fine! Last week was quite the week with transfers and everything, but we somehow got everything taken care of. Monday was prepare transfer day, run lots of errands, just lots of craziness! Tuesday, we actually had transfers, and I had to say goodbye to my buddies Elder Luzon and Elder Batista. They really have become some of my best friends, and I loved the time that I had to serve with them!
I guess that's something that I really want to talk about today. People. I think that as time has gone on in the mission I have learned a lot about the importance of people. As missionaries its really not that hard to run around and do "missionary work" to fill up a day, and report that you did a whole bunch of work. But that is not really the point now is it? As missionaries our purpose is invite others to come unto Christ, we focus on the person!
I was reading a talk that Elder Bryner shared with me that talks about leadership, and says that we should focus less on managing programs and be a lot more focused on people and ministering and helping people to learn and grow. Wow, how great is that? Its really easy to start "managing", with our families, our friends, in our callings, in just about every part of our life- whats important is focusing on the people. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to get to know so many missionaries. Sometimes I feel like they are my kids- they cause pain, but the joy I get from them is muy stronger! I love being able to talk to them and do my best to help them out, and I feel as if I am the one who leaves learning something.
Guess what? I have become 100% Latin. I feel more comfortable around Latins than Americans! I guess that's what living with a Latin for the last year does for ya! I'm extremely grateful for the companions that I have had in the mission. I really feel like I have made life-long friends- especially my companions from the office.
Anyways, back to the week! Wednesday we had Zone Council, and after we had to take a zone leader to get an ingrown toenail removed. Don't worry, I already knocked on wood! That always brings back good memories...NOT!
Thursday it was back to the grind! It felt really good to get back to work in our area after so long. We really had a lot of success this week, and I felt great that we could get so much done in such little time! I feel like the Lord just wants us to work just a little bit harder, and then a little bit harder, and then he's gonna open up the heavens and bless us!
A while back Elder Chinchilla and I were walking in the street when a guy on a scooter stopped us, and started asking us about the church. He spoke really broken Spanish, but said he was a member and wanted to go to church. We explained where is was, and the next week he came. He came in jeans and a t-shirt, so I in justly thought to myself that he was a "church on Christmas and Easter" kind of member. After the meeting, he asked me if I would be able to get him a triple and a bible, because he didn't have one, and I said that I would. Well, today, he came again and I told him I had his books but I had left them in the house. So, he said he would walk over with us after church to pick them up. On the way over, I started asking about him. I learned that he was a returned missionary, who served in TONGA, and finished 12 years ago. He then explained that he had been extremely blessed and had the chance to baptize over 150 people. He was zone leader, trainer, and an assistant. When he finished, he returned to his country, studied medicine, and now is a Doctor. His Dad was the first convert in an African country that I didnt understand, and his whole family is members. He was also Bishop for 7 years. All of this was shared in the most humble way, and with such gratitude to our father in heaven. I was blown away. He said he was here without any of his things, and for that he went to church dressed as he was, and that he couldnt work until he got his papers authorized. It was a truly humbling experience.
Well, things are definitely a lot different with my new companion! Its been quite the change, but I know that things are gonna be fine. He is pretty new, so I gotta show him the ropes quick so next transfer I can get our there and work Elder Luzons tail off his last transfer in Pedernales! Hahah!
I love you guys, thanks for everything! Mom, I know your packages never get here, but that's really not important. Just having your support is enough. I know that you and Dad have sacrificed lots so that I can be here, and I will be in debt eternally for that. It is my hope that I have become the son and man that you want me to be. Thanks for everything!
Love,
Elder Riley Ted Reeder
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Transfer!
February 9, 2013
Well, the news isn't exciting....I stay the same, just with a new companion. Elder Chinchilla is now assistant in the capital, and I will be with a Elder Aguiñiga from Mexico as ayudante del sur! Not much changing!!
Well, the news isn't exciting....I stay the same, just with a new companion. Elder Chinchilla is now assistant in the capital, and I will be with a Elder Aguiñiga from Mexico as ayudante del sur! Not much changing!!
Elder Riley Ted Reeder
La Iglesia De Jesucristo De Los Santos De Los Últimos Días
La Misión Santo Domingo Oeste, República Dominicana
Monday, February 4, 2013
Where's the Keys?
February, 3, 2013
I'm good...I have a sweet experience that happened yesterday. So, wanna hear my crazy story? Yesterday at like 7:45 we were walking and I felt in my pocket and I thought crap...where are the keys, because I always have the keys. Well they weren't in my pocket, or my bag, or anything! They just happened to have the car keys, the house keys, the office keys, and the church keys, so it was kinda a big deal! Well, it also just so happened that the whole city of Azua was without electricity. So, we went running to the sisters house to borrow their keys to the church to see if they fell out there (because we had been there earlier in the day) Well, we got there and there was no sign of them. So, we decided to kneel down and say a little prayer, because if we didn't find those keys we were basically SOL. So, we went back to the house to see if we could see them from the window....and lo and behold there they were on the table...inside of the locked house...that has barred windows, and has a padlock, on a metal door, and a locked door behind that. Impossible right? Well, we decided to go looking for a stick to try and fish them out through the window. Well, before we even got to the parking lot of our apartment building we saw a stick- but not just any stick, this stick happened to be a stick of curious workmanship, a 2X4 with a nice little nail sticking out of the end, perfect for fishing our keys! Well, we decided to give it a try, so we went to the window, and lo and behold the stick was no joke exactly the 100% perfect length, and the little nail hooked up the keys and the night was saved. The Lord answers our prayers in miraculous ways!! It was a good reminder that the Lord really hears our prayers! We gave the stick the name of the "palo de Efraim" (the stick of Ephraim), and Elder Batista calls it the "Holy Wood". But really, it was a HUGE GIGANTIC BLESSING!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
A Letter For The Week
January 28, 2013
Dearest Family,
How are you guys?! I hope that everything is going good. As for me, things are going really good! We had a really good week, one of the best of the mission for me! I wanted to start out with something that happened last Tuesday. Tuesday we were leaving the Distribution Center (which is on the temple grounds), heading out to Azua when we saw something really interesting. The temple was closed for cleaning, and they had scaffolding and everything up to clean the Angel Moroni, it was quite a sight. But what really impacted me, was when I saw a couple of men down by the temple with all of the chairs from the celestial room, you know those big comfy ones that couldn't possibly get dirty? Well one was hand sanding down all the wood, another was there with a paintbrush painting the white, and another with an even finer brush painting the gold accents. It was amazing to see the concentration and careful work that each of these men was doing. It also made me think about the things that are found within the temple--they are always perfect. If there is a problem, it is fixed right away. Even if something isn't visually damaged, proper maintenance work is done. I think it is really a lot like us. To enter the temple we need to be 100% ready. If there is a problem...we have to fix it to be worthy to be in the house of the Lord. If we need to "sand down our paint and put on a new coat", we need to do it! The temple is to help us improve, but we always need to be worthy to enter such a sacred place.
Cool experience #2. On Saturday a woman that Elder Chinchilla and I taught in our last Branch was baptized! It was awesome to have been able to participate in that, and to see her be baptized! The missionaries that are there asked us to go help them fill up the font, because the pump in their chapel burned up. So we took our buckets and headed over to fill up a font with buckets. When we got there, we decided to try and do some redneck engineering so that we could fill it up a little more efficiently than with buckets! Well a roll of duct tape and a few plastic bags later, we were ready to try it out. It was then that we decided to say a prayer asking our Father in Heaven to somehow allow our garden hose to accept the pressure of a huge water line. We then opened the valve and poof....somehow it stayed together! Some call it luck, others know it was a blessing from the Lord! Anyways, the font filled up just fine, and we took advantage of the time to clean the chapel.
We have quite a few investigators that are really progressing now! Marcial and Elena (Familia Guzman) continue progressing. His only doubt is that he was baptized in another church and doesn't think he needs another baptism, but we are helping him understand the importance of being baptized by someone who has authority. We are also teaching Cristobalina, an older woman whose husband was a member and died about 4 months ago. She says she feels a "power" when she reads the book of Mormon and is really excited about how she feels!
I got called out to give a talk yesterday. I'm getting pretty good at preparing talks on the spot, but keep that on the down low so that they don't think they can do that when I get home. Remember, the church is true! With the Lord we can do anything!
Hmmm, I think that's about it for now!!
I love you guys! I hope that you have a great week!
Love,
Elder Reeder
--
Dearest Family,
How are you guys?! I hope that everything is going good. As for me, things are going really good! We had a really good week, one of the best of the mission for me! I wanted to start out with something that happened last Tuesday. Tuesday we were leaving the Distribution Center (which is on the temple grounds), heading out to Azua when we saw something really interesting. The temple was closed for cleaning, and they had scaffolding and everything up to clean the Angel Moroni, it was quite a sight. But what really impacted me, was when I saw a couple of men down by the temple with all of the chairs from the celestial room, you know those big comfy ones that couldn't possibly get dirty? Well one was hand sanding down all the wood, another was there with a paintbrush painting the white, and another with an even finer brush painting the gold accents. It was amazing to see the concentration and careful work that each of these men was doing. It also made me think about the things that are found within the temple--they are always perfect. If there is a problem, it is fixed right away. Even if something isn't visually damaged, proper maintenance work is done. I think it is really a lot like us. To enter the temple we need to be 100% ready. If there is a problem...we have to fix it to be worthy to be in the house of the Lord. If we need to "sand down our paint and put on a new coat", we need to do it! The temple is to help us improve, but we always need to be worthy to enter such a sacred place.
Cool experience #2. On Saturday a woman that Elder Chinchilla and I taught in our last Branch was baptized! It was awesome to have been able to participate in that, and to see her be baptized! The missionaries that are there asked us to go help them fill up the font, because the pump in their chapel burned up. So we took our buckets and headed over to fill up a font with buckets. When we got there, we decided to try and do some redneck engineering so that we could fill it up a little more efficiently than with buckets! Well a roll of duct tape and a few plastic bags later, we were ready to try it out. It was then that we decided to say a prayer asking our Father in Heaven to somehow allow our garden hose to accept the pressure of a huge water line. We then opened the valve and poof....somehow it stayed together! Some call it luck, others know it was a blessing from the Lord! Anyways, the font filled up just fine, and we took advantage of the time to clean the chapel.
We have quite a few investigators that are really progressing now! Marcial and Elena (Familia Guzman) continue progressing. His only doubt is that he was baptized in another church and doesn't think he needs another baptism, but we are helping him understand the importance of being baptized by someone who has authority. We are also teaching Cristobalina, an older woman whose husband was a member and died about 4 months ago. She says she feels a "power" when she reads the book of Mormon and is really excited about how she feels!
I got called out to give a talk yesterday. I'm getting pretty good at preparing talks on the spot, but keep that on the down low so that they don't think they can do that when I get home. Remember, the church is true! With the Lord we can do anything!
Hmmm, I think that's about it for now!!
I love you guys! I hope that you have a great week!
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
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Another Week, Another Experience!
January 21, 2013
My Dearest Family,
Well family, there isn't
too much news for this week! This week we got the chance to do more
house checks...not really that exciting! But, we did get to go out all
over the south, which is always an adventure. I kinda feel like a truck
driver, I feel like all I do is drive and drive and drive! So I guess
if I drop out of college, I could be a truck driver maybe? We also moved
a house of 4 elders in 2 trips with a Toyota truck...I guess I could
also be a mover? We moved 4 beds, 2 desks, a washing machine, a stove, 2
dressers, and 8 chairs.....in one trip! When in La Republica Dominicana, do
as the Dominicans do! The conference that we had on Sunday for the Caribbean area really was an amazing experience. I could feel that the messages were directed perfectly for the people, and for me, and it strengthened my testimony of the importance of living prophets. Elder Zwick, President Beck, and Elder Nelson all talked, and it really was an amazing experience.
Today I feel like the Lord has answered my prayers. These last 8 months have been quite exhausting, and today during our meeting with President, he said that at the end of this transfer (Middle of February) "it's possible" that I might get to "rest" from my labors here in the office and as ayudante! It is not positive, but it is a possibility! As much as I am grateful for my experiences and the countless things I have learned, I'm also ready to focus on an area, investigators, and my spiritual growth to finish things off. But like always, I'll go where you want to me to go, Dear Lord. Only time will tell!!
Well family, I'm grateful for you guys! I'm grateful for your support, your love, and most of all that I got sent to such an awesome family! I love you guys more than you can imagine, and I pray for you individually every single day. I know Christ lives, I know that He is our Savior and Redeemer, and I know this is the only true church upon the face of the earth! What more can I say?
Love,
Elder Reeder
Otra semana en la lucha! (Another Week in the Fight)
January 14, 2013
Dearest Family!
It was great to hear from you all! I'm happy that you are all doing good. Sorry that I didn't write last night, we got into Santo Domingo a little late, and we started working on numbers and things and the time went right out the window.
Mom, you asked to tell you a little bit about what we do on Sunday! Well, usually we get up, study a little and head out to look for investigators to take to church with us. Then at church, we do whatever is needed! If they need people to speak in sacrament meeting, the missionaries! If they need a teacher in a class, the missionaries! It is pretty sweet, we have the chance to learn all sorts of stuff! Now, I'll be prepared if they ever call me out of the audience to speak at home, ha ha.
After church we usually run (almost literally) home to cook up some grub! Elder Chinchilla and I have been experimenting with our cooking skills, and we invent some pretty good stuff! You would be proud of all the food I like now-a-days! Anyways, then we eat and prepare to take the numbers from the zones in the south. We take all of their "key indicators" and their progressing investigators that have baptismal dates...so that takes a couple of hours. Then we go running out the door to the visits that we have, then at 6:00 we have Branch Mission Meeting, and then its off to Santo Domingo! When we get to Santo Domingo, we have to put all the info in the computer and send it to President and to Salt Lake...quite the process. So that's a Sunday for us. :)
Dearest Family!
It was great to hear from you all! I'm happy that you are all doing good. Sorry that I didn't write last night, we got into Santo Domingo a little late, and we started working on numbers and things and the time went right out the window.
Mom, you asked to tell you a little bit about what we do on Sunday! Well, usually we get up, study a little and head out to look for investigators to take to church with us. Then at church, we do whatever is needed! If they need people to speak in sacrament meeting, the missionaries! If they need a teacher in a class, the missionaries! It is pretty sweet, we have the chance to learn all sorts of stuff! Now, I'll be prepared if they ever call me out of the audience to speak at home, ha ha.
After church we usually run (almost literally) home to cook up some grub! Elder Chinchilla and I have been experimenting with our cooking skills, and we invent some pretty good stuff! You would be proud of all the food I like now-a-days! Anyways, then we eat and prepare to take the numbers from the zones in the south. We take all of their "key indicators" and their progressing investigators that have baptismal dates...so that takes a couple of hours. Then we go running out the door to the visits that we have, then at 6:00 we have Branch Mission Meeting, and then its off to Santo Domingo! When we get to Santo Domingo, we have to put all the info in the computer and send it to President and to Salt Lake...quite the process. So that's a Sunday for us. :)
I just about died laughing at what you told me about Spencer (his red trousers)! Who would have thought? Well, I don't know what it is about the mission that does that, but I might have that same trend....ha ha.
I wear my clothes a little more snug now as well! I'm still betting on a
Marshall-Burt wedding, but I guess that only time will tell!!
Last week was a good week! We checked some missionaries' houses, and we had interviews! This transfer we have interviews with President, so we did that on Wednesday. I was the last person for him to interview, so he did his normal questions and then we just took time to talk. It was really fun to share some experiences with him, and to talk about my personal progress in the mission. President shared an experience that was really special to me, he said "I know that I have put some heavy responsibility on your shoulders, but the Lord called you. When I received the revelation to call you to the office, it was one of the most clear revelations I have received." It really made me realize that even though sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed, the Lord never assigns us to do something that we aren't capable of doing. He then told me that even though I couldn't see it now, that he was sure that my family was receiving the blessings right now, and that one day, I will see the blessings! I know that he wouldn't have told me that if it wasn't true, and I am extremely grateful that the Lord is blessing you, and that makes it all worth it.
Last week was a good week! We checked some missionaries' houses, and we had interviews! This transfer we have interviews with President, so we did that on Wednesday. I was the last person for him to interview, so he did his normal questions and then we just took time to talk. It was really fun to share some experiences with him, and to talk about my personal progress in the mission. President shared an experience that was really special to me, he said "I know that I have put some heavy responsibility on your shoulders, but the Lord called you. When I received the revelation to call you to the office, it was one of the most clear revelations I have received." It really made me realize that even though sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed, the Lord never assigns us to do something that we aren't capable of doing. He then told me that even though I couldn't see it now, that he was sure that my family was receiving the blessings right now, and that one day, I will see the blessings! I know that he wouldn't have told me that if it wasn't true, and I am extremely grateful that the Lord is blessing you, and that makes it all worth it.
Like I said last week, I really have been focusing on the attributes of Christ,
and more specifically humility. I had an interesting experience that
taught me a powerful lesson. I have always asked myself, how could
Satan rebel against God? How could he, being one of the chosen ones,
living in the presence of his father, choose to rebel? I knew it was
because of his pride, and his desire to have the glory, but I still couldn't
quite wrap my mind around it. The experience I had is simple...Last
week we were in the office when someone commented on a project that was
done in the office, and another Elder said, "Thanks, I did that!" Well, in
truth, I had done it, and in that moment, I felt something extremely
strange. I felt a little bit frustrated that someone was taking credit
for something that I had done. In that moment someone turned the switch
and DING--DING--DING. I realized, that is how Satan fell. It really made
me think about myself and people in general. The natural man is
prideful. The natural man wants all the glory. The natural man wants
the attention. But, the natural man is el enemigo de Dios, y lo será siempre jamas! (Sorry, I really don't know how to quote scriptures in English any more, but it's how that natural man is God's enemy, and will always be.) What I learned is that it doesn't
really matter if we receive the congratulations, the thanks, or the
"glory". What matters is that we do what our Father has commanded us. I
know that if we aren't humble, like a small child, we
cannot be worthy to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father. But at
the same time, if we are humble, we will be able to further develop the
attributes of Christ and we will be able to truly be His disciples!
That's my story for the week. :)
Anyway, we have a few investigators that are progressing, and we feel good about their progress. I'm loving life here in the mission! I love my companion, my area, I just love that I still have time to serve the Lord and the great people here. The church is true!! Keep the commandments, and be happy!!
Love,
That's my story for the week. :)
Anyway, we have a few investigators that are progressing, and we feel good about their progress. I'm loving life here in the mission! I love my companion, my area, I just love that I still have time to serve the Lord and the great people here. The church is true!! Keep the commandments, and be happy!!
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
La Iglesia De Jesucristo De Los Santos De Los Últimos Días
La Misión Santo Domingo Oeste, República Dominicana
Please...Excuse My Tardiness
January 7, 2013
Dearest Family,
I write you this fine Monday morning from Santo Domingo....enjoying some cooler temperatures! Wahoo! Sorry for not writing last night, we didn't come into town until early this morning, and for that I am writing you all today! :) This week has been very enjoyable--just like every week in the mission. Last week we welcomed in the New Year singing (quite loudly--but still reverently), HYMNS! So, Los Cacicazgos, and President Danilo, welcomed in the new year listening to the Elders sing hymns! How exciting is that? Well, we got back to Azua on New Year's day, and honestly, there wasn't too much to do, because everyone was hammered. The scent of alcohol hung in the air. It was interesting to see the "day after". It made me happy that we can enjoy and celebrate things without the corruption of the world....Alma said it best, "Wickedness never was happiness."
On Thursday, it was back to Santo Domingo again for Zone Council, where we and all the Zone Leaders meet with President to get trained and to talk about the goals and things for the month. It was a good experience, even though I must admit my eyes were a little droopy after 9 hours there.
I was thinking a little bit this week about the mission, and I started to think about my personal progress. I was thinking, gee whizz, I have basically 19 months out here. Have I become what the Lord wants me to be? Do I have His image in my countenance? I really began to ponder on that, and I began to think about what I really want to be my focus for the last 6 months of the mission. I came to the conclusion that I really want to take advantage of these last 6 months to become more Christlike. It has become my goal to be able to develop the characteristics that Christ has, and to really become like him. I know that that is the best thing that I can possibly take home from the mission. I want to be a true representative of Christ, by becoming like Him. It is not enough to just wear the badge. I really have to be like Him.
On Friday, we were able to head out to Barahona to go to their Zone Meeting and do an intercambio with the Zone Leaders. We were able to share a little bit with them, and we really just wanted to help them understand the importance of being united. United in everything that they do! The scriptures say "si no sois unidos, no sois mios", and I really know that is true!
I'm grateful for the chance to fast. I have learned to love fasting on the mission. It really is such a blessing, and helps us to be sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit.
Well family, I think that's all for this week! I'm thankful for everything that you do for me, and I pray for you each and every day! I hope that 2013 starts out great and is a great year! :)
Love,
Elder Reeder
Dearest Family,
I write you this fine Monday morning from Santo Domingo....enjoying some cooler temperatures! Wahoo! Sorry for not writing last night, we didn't come into town until early this morning, and for that I am writing you all today! :) This week has been very enjoyable--just like every week in the mission. Last week we welcomed in the New Year singing (quite loudly--but still reverently), HYMNS! So, Los Cacicazgos, and President Danilo, welcomed in the new year listening to the Elders sing hymns! How exciting is that? Well, we got back to Azua on New Year's day, and honestly, there wasn't too much to do, because everyone was hammered. The scent of alcohol hung in the air. It was interesting to see the "day after". It made me happy that we can enjoy and celebrate things without the corruption of the world....Alma said it best, "Wickedness never was happiness."
On Thursday, it was back to Santo Domingo again for Zone Council, where we and all the Zone Leaders meet with President to get trained and to talk about the goals and things for the month. It was a good experience, even though I must admit my eyes were a little droopy after 9 hours there.
I was thinking a little bit this week about the mission, and I started to think about my personal progress. I was thinking, gee whizz, I have basically 19 months out here. Have I become what the Lord wants me to be? Do I have His image in my countenance? I really began to ponder on that, and I began to think about what I really want to be my focus for the last 6 months of the mission. I came to the conclusion that I really want to take advantage of these last 6 months to become more Christlike. It has become my goal to be able to develop the characteristics that Christ has, and to really become like him. I know that that is the best thing that I can possibly take home from the mission. I want to be a true representative of Christ, by becoming like Him. It is not enough to just wear the badge. I really have to be like Him.
On Friday, we were able to head out to Barahona to go to their Zone Meeting and do an intercambio with the Zone Leaders. We were able to share a little bit with them, and we really just wanted to help them understand the importance of being united. United in everything that they do! The scriptures say "si no sois unidos, no sois mios", and I really know that is true!
I'm grateful for the chance to fast. I have learned to love fasting on the mission. It really is such a blessing, and helps us to be sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit.
Well family, I think that's all for this week! I'm thankful for everything that you do for me, and I pray for you each and every day! I hope that 2013 starts out great and is a great year! :)
Love,
Elder Reeder
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