You might be a Mormon if... you have ever used the phrase "with every fiber of my being."

Dear Family

This week has been one full of interesting experiences!  I am training again!  This time....its just a senor couple!  The Schmidts came on Monday, and this week has been quite full!  I am not only teaching them how to do the office work, but also how to turn on a computer, right click, copy and paste, print, all sorts of stuff!  I have gained lots and lots of patience on the mission!  They are an absolutely amazing couple, and its great to have a couple more grandparents here in the mission again- we needed that!  

My thoughts are quite jumbled like always, but I'll try to get them out.  This week Elder Brimely and I have been racking our brains with ideas to try and help out the mission.  We feel like the missionaries just aren't enjoying the work- and we just really want to help them work hard-but also enjoy it!  No one wants to listen to a message from a couple of people who with weary and sad faces say- "we have a message that can change your life..."  Who wants that kind of change?  Moral of the story, we need to work hard and be obedient- but this life also isn't merely to be endured, but enjoyed!  I'm making a template of a weekly newsletter- to put things for the missionaries.... record...photos of the week....etc, if you have suggestions that would be great!  

Yesterday I had a cool experience.  I went to show the Schmidts how to deposit money in the bank account of the mission.  Well we went, did the deposit and all was well.  Well, as we left, I realized that the cajero (don't remember the English word)  put 4,000 pesos less than it really was.  Well, when I noticed that it was wrong, we said a prayer that everything would be okay, and went back inside.  Well, I went and talked to the person that helped me, and she was sure that she did it right, but I was SURE that I had counted correctly.  Well, I then was able to tell her exactly how many of each bill and coin there was.  It was over 27,000 pesos, with all of the denominations, and somehow I was able to remember how many of each and every one there was.  They then came and counted the drawer, and realized that it indeed was over 4,000 pesos, and that she had made an error.  To me it is such a simple miracle.  By myself, I could never have remembered how many of each bill and coin was in a stack of money that I counted the day before, but the Lord was able to bring it back to my memory.  It is amazing how much the Lord blesses us when we are just willing to ask!  

Our investigators are doing great!  Manuel is progressing tons!  He just loves everything that we teach him, and I think in every lesson at least he throws up his hands and says "thank you!!!  I have thought that my whole life!"  It is amazing how the gospel truly does answer the "preguntas del alma".  I absolutely love every opportunity to preach the gospel.  I think that part of the reason the Lord sent me here was to help me realize the joy that is felt while teaching the gospel, because it really brings a joy that is indescribable!  

Mom, you asked a lot of questions...so here are the answers!  I honestly don't remember who is Lakuna Elite--that was forever ago!  Sorry, don't remember!  Also, I can't believe they sent my Preach My Gospels to the house!  I told them to sent them to me here in the good ole' D.R!  If you would like to send those to me...that would be great!  But if it costs a lot, dont worry about it!  But I think the other box with the wedding announcements should be there in a week....we just have to get the pictures taken...that's the only hard part!   Hahahahaha. Speaking of weddings....who else has gotten married?  Ummm I still haven't gotten any new pants...I went looking today...but I'm just too big of a tight wad to buy anything!  I'm just washing a lot :) 


Well family, sounds like you are all high tech and staying in communication!  I want you to all know how much I love you!  I really do have the most amazing family in the world...and I cant even begin to tell you how thankful I am for you!  I hope you are all happy and well, I pray for you always!  

I love you!

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 

Short On Time

September 22, 2012

Well,

Just like always, I'm a little bit short on time!  I'm sorry that my letters are a little bit shortish recently.  I think I'm just going to start writing hand letters or something!  Haha well sounds like you had quite the trip, and that it stunk leaving Ms. Keagan!  I'm sorry...I'm sure that wasn't easy!  This week we had the zone conferences for the mission with Elder Anderson (Caribbean Area President).  We also had the chance to have a meeting, the office and President and him, and he let us ask questions and stuff- its not every day you get that chance with a general authority so that was neat.  We have really been working on getting to the area earlier and being able to work more as "missionaries".  My companion and I put the goal to be in the Area every single day at 6 o'clock, and somehow or another we have been able to do it.  Elder Anderson told us, we could pay someone to do finances, or records, but we cant pay someone to preach the gospel- its just that important!  Its amazing that if we put faith in the Lord we really can do anything.  We have two amazing investigators right now that are progressing really good.  Alex, and Manuel, they both are really sincere, and have received answers about the truth fullness of the gospel.  Sad news of the week, they just banned pistol pocket pants (like all of mine are.....), so I have to get new pants.....so could you let me know how much money I have in my account so I can try and take care of that little problem?  Sorry to be so short, I love you guys! Thanks for everything! 

Elder Riley Ted Reeder
La Iglesia De Jesucristo De Los Santos De Los Últimos Días
La Misión Santo Domingo Oeste, República Dominicana 

WAHOO!!!

September 15, 2012

Hello Family!

This message is coming in a little bit late today....sorry about that!  First off, Mom and Dad, sounds like you guys have quite the road trip ahead of ya!  I hope that all goes well.  Even if they are building a house behind us....I'm not sure if I want to go home to Montana!  Hahaha.  Question....are the girls with you guys?  I'm glad you guys made it to Jon's welcome home.  I'm sure he did great!  That made me laugh way hard that he told that same joke to start out.  I remember like it was yesterday when he told that joke at his farewell!  This week has been pretty normal-lots of work!  Right now we are getting things ready for the Schmidts.  They are coming on the 24th, and we still have to get their house all ready!  I don't know too much about house contracts as it is, but in Spanish!  WOAH!  I'm learning lots of useful stuff in the mission!  

I just wanted to tell you the good news that the family that we were teaching in Independencia, all of them, got baptized!  They won't go down technically as our baptisms, but that isn't the point now is it!  I'm just extremely happy that they were able to make such an important decision to be baptized.  We have a new investigator, a reference from a member, named Manuel who is progressing really good!  The first couple of lessons he wasn't too interested, but we started asking a lot of questions, and it sparked his interest!  He is from Venezuela, and was raised in a family without religion, but he really understands!  Yesterday, in a visit, we were teaching him about the atonement and how it is important in the plan of salvation.  I decided to share from Alma 7- and invite him to be baptized. (after we read verse #14)  He responded saying he was scared, and that he wasn't sure if he could.  It was amazing how all we had to do was keep reading in verse 15 to find the words of the Lord to comfort him.  
  15  Sí, os digo, venid y no temáis, y desechad todo pecado, pecado que fácilmente os^aenvuelve, que os liga hasta la destrucción; sí, venid y adelantaos, y manifestad a vuestro Dios que estáis dispuestos a arrepentiros de vuestros pecados y a concertar un convenio con él de guardar sus mandamientos, y testificádselo hoy, yendo a las aguas del bautismo. 

How amazing is that?  I know only Dad understands that, but you others can look it up!  Its amazing how the Book of Mormon answers questions.  It helps us know what we should do!  I especially love the part that says we must leave behind all sin, sin that wraps us up.  This week I was studying a talk that Jeffrey R. Holland gave, and he said when we are tempted, we must slam the door and run from it!  And, we can't leave a forwarding address!  How interesting is that?  We all have different temptations.  What tempts me, might not tempt you, and vice versa.  But, the solution is the same!  Leave it and run!!!!! I love the simplicity of the gospel.  I love that as a missionary, the more I learn, the more I return to the basics, and the more I understand, the more simply I teach.  (My grammar is going right down the tube, sorry.)  

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is what brings us happiness.  Keeping the commandments brings us happiness.  I love the talk in last conference that talks about the difference in being active in the church, and active in the gospel of Christ.  I think its good to sit back and think "am I really living the gospel of Christ, or do I just go to church every Sunday?"  I am so grateful for my Savior, Redeemer, and Friend, Jesus Christ.  I am grateful that He walked the lonely road, so that He knows how I feel when I feel alone, He walked alone, so that we don't have to.

I love my family.  I'm grateful for such wonderful parents and a great sister and brother-in-law, and a full of it niece!  I'm grateful for the examples in my life, from family and friends.  Estoy muy agradecido por todo que el Señor me ha dado, y especialmente por la opurtunidad de venir a la tierra.  

Today we went to Johnny Rockets to celebrate the big 15 months.  How weird is that? 

Other exciting things from this week.....cant think of any!  Thanks for the letters, love you guys!  
-- 

Elder Riley Ted Reeder
La Iglesia De Jesucristo De Los Santos De Los Últimos Días
La Misión Santo Domingo Oeste, República Dominicana 

GREAT WEEK!

August 4, 2012

Hello Family!

To start things off I've gotta tell you the news that has made me most happy this week!  Today I logged on to my e-mail and had a message from Brad Gonzalez.  He was just telling me a little bit of the news from the Best Buy gang, and at the end he threw in the tidbit of information that he is getting baptized next week!!!  He said he is getting baptized the 9th of August!  How awesome is that?!  I asked him to tell me at what time and where, and if you guys would be willing I would really appreciate it if you would go.  I will send you the information when I get it, but that would be great if you could go.  Anyways, that's part of the good news for this week!

This week in the mission has been a little stressful, but extremely good!  This week I took over the finances and exec. secretary work.  I have been extremely busy, but I am learning a ton!  But, the most rewarding part of this week happened yesterday.  Yesterday we had a second visit with a family that was absolutely amazing.  We were working as a trio with one of our Zone Leaders, and we showed up a little bit late to the visit.  As we were walking to the house, the husband was leaving.  He was absolutely furious and said he was done-he was leaving.  We mas o menos dragged him up the stairs to the house to share with him.  We started off by singing When There's Love At Home (maybe that's what its called in English...don't remember).  We then said the prayer, and immediately he started saying some pretty rude things to his wife.  We stopped him, and began to teach.  We started off by talking about the family. Why is it important?  What role does it have in Gods plan?  We then started applying the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this family.  It was amazing how us 3 missionaries who had hardly ever worked together just started clicking.  The lesson just flowed.  Towards the end, the husband said "I feel something I have never felt in my life..it is a peace and comfort that I can't describe".  The member who was with us said..that's the spirit.  The spirit was so strong in that moment it was unbelievable.  We left them a bunch of "homework" to do as a family.  They are going to pray, read the scriptures, and have family home evening.  To end, we all knelt and the husband said a beautiful prayer, and we left.  Oh, and they now have a baptismal date for the 22nd of September.   :)

I share that not only because it was an amazing experience, but also because it made me think once again of the family.  I was thinking about all the times that I heard "say your family prayers, have family home evening, and read the scriptures together".  As I teenager lets be honest, that's the last thing I wanted to do with my free time.  Well, I now see the importance.  Those things are what keep a family together.  That's what turns a house into a home. That's what prepares a family to be eternal.  I encourage all to do those things!  Mom and Dad, I guess family home evening would be a little boring with just you two, maybe you can join an old people empty nester's club :)  Hahaha.  Just kidding :)

I want you to know that I know that the gospel of Christ is for the family!  It is central to the plan.  All that we do leads to the temple, but not just to the temple, more specifically to being sealed in the temple!  That's the most important thing we can do!  If we have done it, always keep those covenants. They are what bind us together as a family. 

I love you all!

Elder Reeder

Challenges in Life Bring Blessings

Hello Family,

Well, it was good to hear once again that everything is going good!  I was surprised to read that Mom also had a tire blow out.  How was that?  I'm assuming everything is okay?  I sure hope so.  It's interesting that all of these things have been happening seemingly at the same time.  I was thinking of the why?  Why did the wreck happen?  Why do all these seemingly fluke things happen?  I received my response quite directly and quickly.  Monday mornings we have a meeting with President and Hermana Rodriguez, the senior couples, and the A.P's.  To start out this meeting we always have a devotional.  This week, the President was in charge of the devotional.  He started off by saying he had been thinking a lot about challenges in life.  Challenges for missionaries, for investigators and for everyone.  At this point I'm sitting up a little straighter in my  chair.  He then talked about how there are always challenges before the blessings.  Something I have heard more than once, but in this moment, it was exactly what I needed to hear.

We then read from Mormon 9, where it talks about miracles.  This part really stuck out to me.  27 "O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need.  Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.  28 Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God."

Be wise in the day of your probation.  Right now we are experiencing our probation!  Times are tough!  Ashley and Sven had a rough accident--and now have to move halfway across the country.  Dad is working like crazy.  Mom had a tire blow out.  These are our tests!  I hope that we will apply the guidance of this scripture--ask with a firmness unshaken, that we will yield to no temptation, but that we will serve the true and living God.  I know that these trials aren't easy, desired, or fun--but they are an opportunity to grow!  In the mission I have experienced trials, but the times I learned and grew the most were during these trials.  The Lord tests our faith.  He has to know that we will remain true and faithful, and then He opens up the windows of heaven, and we receive the blessings.  So many blessings there isn't room to receive them!  I know that the things that happen here in the earth have a purpose.  We can shake our heads and ask why, or we can hunker down and get stronger!  I pray that we always accept our challenges head on, and that we will learn and grow!

I love you all so much! 

Elder Riley Ted Reeder
La Iglesia De Jesucristo De Los Santos De Los Últimos Días
La Misión Santo Domingo Oeste, República Dominicana

Count Your Many Blessings!

July 22, 2012

Hey Guys,

Well, this weeks letter is going to be a little bit different.  First of all, Ashley, Sven, and Keagan--I can't say it enough how grateful I am that all of you are okay!  The way that I received the news was quite interesting.  It was a normal P-Day, and we were going to go bowling.  Well as we were getting ready to leave, I started feeling extremely weird, and I decided that I didn't want to go.  I ended up staying at the house with Elder Brimley, because I just felt weird.  Well, I then did something even stranger, and I went to check my e-mail at an extremely unusual time.  Well, I logged on just 5 minutes after Dad sent me the message.  As I read the message, I immediately knew why I had lost my desire to go bowling.  As I read the message, the words seemed extremely unreal and shocking, to say the least.  I was beyond relieved when I saw that everyone was okay.  I immediately got in touch with President who approved my using E-Mail to communicate with you guys.  When I explained the situation he said, "the Lord protects the families of His missionaries."

I am extremely grateful that in such a serious accident, everyone left fine!  It left me thinking about what really matters in life.  In one second I went from thinking everything was fine at home....to knowing about a serious accident.  What I'm trying to say is--we never know what is going to happen.  In this moment no one was thinking about the Honda Element with the cholo wheels.  (Sorry Ash, I couldn't help but notice those wheels!) :) :).  What mattered was the safety of my and our family.

Today in church in Elders Quorum, our teacher shared a story from last conference.  I think in English it's called Life in the Fast Lane (by President Monson).  In this talk, he talks about the woman who never let people visit her house because she was scared it would get dirty.  She lived continually like this until the day she found out she was deathly ill.  She then, suddenly, didn't care about the cleanliness of her house, she cared about her family.

I just want you to know how grateful I am to have a family that has always cared more about each other...than objects.  I know that the Lord truly did protect Ashley, Sven, and Keagan, and I am extremely grateful that everything is okay.  Cars can be replaced.  Sven--do not take blame in any way.  It was an accident because of weather conditions and something you didn't have control over.  Everyone is fine--don't beat yourself up over it.  Move on, and be grateful that the Lord protected you and your family.  I want you to know how much I love you all!

Nothing is-and never will be-more important than my family!  I continually pray for your safety, health, and well being.  I hope that we always remember to do our part, as the Lord continues to do His.  The simple 3 things:  Church.  Scriptures.  Prayer.  Please don't forget the importance of these things.  I don't really know what to say, other than I'm so happy you are all okay!!

I love you so much!!

Elder Reeder 

Eventful Week and the Continuation

Hello Family!

How are you all?  From what I heard, it sounds like you guys had quite the....hmmm.....¿eventful? week!  Guess what, me too!!  Wanna know what happened?.............................I'm going to assume that you do.  Here's the story:  We got in a car wreck!!!!!  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!  Okay, Mom please stop screaming, don't call the mission office, and just keep reading.  Here's the highlights.  One peaceful Monday, July 9th, 2012, Elder Taveras and I were working away.  Well, part of our work was fixing up a house so that we could entregar (Sorry, I can't think of the English word--like when you give a rented house back to the owner) it.  Well we needed a few things from the hardware store so we headed to Ochoa.  (Closest thing to a Home Depot that there is here).  Well, we bought our stuff and were out.  Alright, now comes the part where you have to use your imagination real good.  Here's the circumstances.  4:30 P.M.  Sunny and Clear.  Road Conditions- Dry.  So the road we are talking about is one of those less intelligent roads that have the divider with cute little trees and stuff in the middle.  Anyway, I pull up, look to the left, look to the right too (cause we are talking about the D.R. here) and pull out.  I then do a very smooth head check, turn on my blinker, change lanes, and enter into the little space to give a U-turn.  All is good right?  Well, we sit there for a few seconds--completely parked--watching for a spot to pull in to go the other direction.  It is during this delightful little moment that we hear BOOM!!!!  I look at my comp and say, "What the heck was that?"  Well, then I look in my mirror and see two guys jumping around like crazy!  My mind then put 2 and 2 together and realized that we got slammed into by a motorcycle!!  We jumped out to make sure they were okay and to evaluate the damages.  First of all, they were fine.  In some pain, but fine.  But boy did they do some damage!!  Anyway, what happened, is they came around the corner going who knows how fast, lost control and slammed into my pretty little parked truck.  :( First off--it wasn't my fault!  The truck was 100% in the middle, and, well, I was parked!!  Anyway, they banged up the back driver's side door, the bed, and a little part of our tie-down bar!  Exciting story right?  Well anyway, right away we took it in to the body shop, left her there, and they started to fix it up.  Now, she is good as new :)   But during this time, we had to drive our gigantic white Hyundai H-1, 15 person van that Elder Brimley and I named Moby Dick.  I know that I'm going to get about 15,482 questions about this next week, so I'll just answer the questions instead of trying to explain everything.  But anyway, that was the highlight of my week!    

Sorry, I have to go be ambulance!  I'll write more later!!!  

Love you guys!


The Continuation........................

Well, I'm done being ambulance for the day!  I think.....anyway, I don't really remember where I was...so I will answer/ask questions!  To answer Mom's questions, my family from San Cristobal is struggling a little bit.  They are going to church every week, but are struggling on getting married.  President wants to do a conference call with me and them to try and give them some animo.  Keep them in your prayers! 

Elder Brimley is from Sandy.  I don't know if you remember, but he was in Madre Vieja Sur when I first started.  He had about 8 months when I got to the field.  We had a lot of fun back then, and then we both got put in the office together, him as assistant and me as office elder.  He now has 18 months.  We have a ton of fun together!  My companion is a really great guy!  We have a lot of fun, and we get along just fine!  Its kinda stressful in the office, so I probably have more fun experiences with Brimley because we just talk and have fun in the calm moments. 

So Sven is getting recruited by the big dogs!!  Congratulations!  I'm gonna be honest....I am about 1,000 hours away from my niece right now, so she better be closer when I get home!  Speaking of which...I did get the DVD!  She might be the cutest thing I've ever seen!  But really, that's a great opportunity, I guess the only thing I can say is ask the Lord.  If I have learned anything from the mission, I have learned that the Lord answers prayers.  He is anxiously waiting to answer our prayers. 

The song that always comes to my mind when I'm feeling a little stressed, overwhelmed, anything, I think of the primary song, "Heavenly Father, are you really there?  And do you hear and answer every child's (or adult or missionary) prayer?"  The response is so clear and powerful that He is really there.  He really does hear and answer every child's prayer.  I don't remember if I have said this before, but something that really has changed my prayers is something extremely simple.  Lots of times I pictured praying to my Heavenly Father and Him being a long way away.  Well, I think that it is a lot better to think of Him as being right there by my side.  Every night I can just pour out my thoughts and feelings, and am lifted up by His strength.

Change of subject....guess what I did this week.  I sang in Sacrament Meeting....wait wait wait..........what?!?!  Yeah it wasn't by choice.  One day we were sitting in sacrament meeting and they said, and now we will have a special musical number from the Priesthood!  Well, us being priesthood, we went up.  Problem...no one decided to come with us!  Well, us, the 6 missionaries from our ward, ended up singing by ourselves!  Yeah, chalk that one up in the "firsts" column! 

Oh news.  President finished transfers, and I'm staying here with my same comp!  He now will be in his 7th transfer here in the office.  Looks like I just might spend the rest of my mission here, ha ha. 

I love you all so much! 

Elder Riley Ted Reeder
La Iglesia De Jesucristo De Los Santos De Los Últimos Días
La Misión Santo Domingo Oeste, República Dominicana