Kelons mom got baptized!!??? Oh man that really just almost made me cry reading about the baptism. That makes me so happy for him and his family. Me and Kelon are good friends and i always regret not hanging out with him more before the mission. But i´m sure we´ll have plenty more chances. Tell him i love him and i´m praying for him. Seems like yesterday we were in the MTC together.
Happy birthday to all those who have had birthdays or who are going to have them!! Sorry im the worst with remembering dates. Hopefully i´ll be better after the mission.
Yeah it was sad to hear about Sister Monson. They announced it in church a week ago and i had no idea that she wasnt doing well. I remember always seeing her in a wheel chair but i didnt know. I´m sure it was hard for President Monson but i bet he still feels very close to her. Its always comforting to think when im going through hard times on the mission that Emily is there on the other side working with me.
Thanks dad for your email about the temple and about the restored priesthood keys and authority restored to the earth. One of my favorite things to testify about as a missionary is that we literally have been given this power and authority from God and we are authorized to work in His name. Its something that no other churches can testify about. President Pace taught me that we should never be afraid or shy to say that we are representatives of Jesus Christ.
This last week we did an intercambio with the elders from Vitoria. I was with Elder Miller. We had a great intercambio and had fun working hard. Just at the end of the second day, on wednesday night, we got out of our visit a little early at about 9:30. We were about 10 minutes from piso so we had 20 minutes left to use in our area. Elder Miller asked me, "well what should we do for these last 20 minutes?" The thought came to me that we needed to pass by a contact again that we were going to visit earlier that day but then wasnt home when we passed by. I wasnt sure if that was the best way to use our time but i felt like there could be something that comes out of it. So we started walking towards the street where this contact lived. As we turned the corner and started heading up the street, we saw a couple walking with their 2 kids. As i looked at the dad, i immediately recognized that Elder Pearson and I had contacted this same family about 2 months ago! When we met them 2 months ago, we had set up a visit to meet with them but the dad, Alvaro, (he later told us) had lost his phone and we weren´t able to get in contact with them. As Elder Miller and I talked to them, they told us that they were making preparations so move pisos and live in a new home up the street. We asked if we could help them and set up to meet with them Saturday morning and help them move. We called the Elders quorum president and he came to help saturday morning with a small truck. As we helped with the move, we put a Book of Mormon on the dashboard right on the passengers side where Alvaro was going to sit. As we were driving to the new house, he picked it up and starting looking through it. We were able to talk about the Book of Mormon and a little bit about the restoration. He told us that about 10 years ago, he went to our church and the missionaries taught him a couple of times but then he stopped going and started getting into bad things. We were able to testify of the Book of Mormon and "teach" as we did service. It was great. We´re going to help them again this saturday with some more stuff and once we finish with all the move Alvaro told us, "i want you to come and teach our family." It was a huge miracle that we were able to find them again and i know it wasn´t a coincidence that the spirit had prompted us to go back to that street.
Love you all family. The church is true
Elder Reeves
Monday, May 27, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
Bilbao week 22 - Elder Teixeira
Buenos días mi familia,
Just want to say thanks to everyone for letting me be focused and not have to worry about anything at home for these last couple of weeks. It really helps a lot. Yesterday at church, Kevin who just got baptized was there passing the sacrament! Man i was so happy. We gave him a new tie on saturdayand taught him how to tie it. He was so excited. Teresa and Gabriel didnt come to church yesterday which kind of scared us. We called Teresa and she said that everything was ok she was just not having a good day. So we´re praying hard for them so that they can be baptized soon.
Yes mom and dad the conference with Elder and Sister Teixeira was a mission wide thing. It was their mission tour for this year which was super weird because this was my 3rd mission tour that i´ve seen since i´ve been on the mission. Most missionaries only have 2 on their missions. But i would have to say that this conference was my favorite. Everything that was said i felt like was directed completely towards me. Elder Teixeira first talked about one of his companions Elder McCoy when he became a zone leader. He said that Elder McCoy was in his last transfer and was the most obedient and hard working missionary he had ever meet. Elder Teixeira said that it didnt matter what they were doing, Elder McCoy always had his foot out the door at exactly 10:00 and talked to everyone in his sight. He worked so hard that when it was the day for him to start packing his bags and go to the mission home, Elder Teixeira wasnt sure how to stop him because he was just going non stop talking to everyone and preaching the gospel. Finally Elder Teixeira looked at him and said, "Elder McCoy, I´m sorry to say this but dont you think it´s time for us to go back home and pack your bags?" Elder McCoy looked at him and then looked at his watch and said, "yeah, I guess youre right. Lets go home." On the bus back to their piso, he was just in complete silence realizing that it was time. Elder McCoy went home having worked his guts out and giving it everything he had. It made me really reflect on my mission and what I´m doing in these last weeks. I realized that there are a lot of moments when I´m not going my absolute hardest and when i need to repent and dedicate myself even more. I thought a lot about Elder Pearson and if i was being the same example for him as Elder McCoy was for Elder Teixeira. Elder Teixeira said something that really hit me hard. It´s a quote that I now have up on my wall next to where i study to motivate me every day. He said, "Elder McCoy had such an impact on me that i knew exactly what kind of missionary i wanted to be. I told myself, 'The LEAST you can do is FINISH like Elder McCoy.'" I´m going to do everything i can each day to be able to say at the end that "I finished like Elder McCoy".
Alright, enough of that trunky talk. But thought you all would like that story. Elder Teixeira then talked a lot about getting referrals from everybody. From members, less actives, recent converts, and investigators. He gave us a really effective way to ask for referrals which is just simply telling the people you are visiting that you want to pray for some of their family members or friends and you ask them for the names of those people who are passing through hard times. Then after you pray, to INVOLVE the member, investigator, or whoever it is, to meet and teach those people who you prayed for. It was so good. Elder Pearson and I have been trying it and we´ve been getting a lot of referrals. Most of them have been for other missions but some of them have been for our area. Elder Teixeira promised that if we did this, withing a transfer our areas would completely turn around. It was perfect because I have exactly 6 weeks to see this work its magic.
Sister Teixeira was soooo good too!! She had me come up and do an example of how we need to continuously give our investigators and converts "spiritual" water. She had me cup my hands together, stand over a basket of flowers and try to hold all the water in my hands as she poured it in. As hard as i tried, the water kept leaking out. I dont know maybe i just have really weak hands. It was pretty funny though because she said, "Dont let the water fall through! I would hate to have to tell your mother that you weren´t successful the next time i see her!" (they say hi by the way, mom and dad). Then they took a picture with Elder Pearson and I after the conference. They´ll probably be sending it to your email dad, if they havent already.
Anyways. Everythings good up here in beautiful Bilbao. It still rains almost every day and it feels like we´re still in winter. Hopefully by the time you all get here it will be good summer weather. Bilbao is impossible to predict. Love you all so much. Stay strong always in the gospel. Especially in the little things. The blessings are always there waiting for us.
Elder Reeves
Just want to say thanks to everyone for letting me be focused and not have to worry about anything at home for these last couple of weeks. It really helps a lot. Yesterday at church, Kevin who just got baptized was there passing the sacrament! Man i was so happy. We gave him a new tie on saturdayand taught him how to tie it. He was so excited. Teresa and Gabriel didnt come to church yesterday which kind of scared us. We called Teresa and she said that everything was ok she was just not having a good day. So we´re praying hard for them so that they can be baptized soon.
Yes mom and dad the conference with Elder and Sister Teixeira was a mission wide thing. It was their mission tour for this year which was super weird because this was my 3rd mission tour that i´ve seen since i´ve been on the mission. Most missionaries only have 2 on their missions. But i would have to say that this conference was my favorite. Everything that was said i felt like was directed completely towards me. Elder Teixeira first talked about one of his companions Elder McCoy when he became a zone leader. He said that Elder McCoy was in his last transfer and was the most obedient and hard working missionary he had ever meet. Elder Teixeira said that it didnt matter what they were doing, Elder McCoy always had his foot out the door at exactly 10:00 and talked to everyone in his sight. He worked so hard that when it was the day for him to start packing his bags and go to the mission home, Elder Teixeira wasnt sure how to stop him because he was just going non stop talking to everyone and preaching the gospel. Finally Elder Teixeira looked at him and said, "Elder McCoy, I´m sorry to say this but dont you think it´s time for us to go back home and pack your bags?" Elder McCoy looked at him and then looked at his watch and said, "yeah, I guess youre right. Lets go home." On the bus back to their piso, he was just in complete silence realizing that it was time. Elder McCoy went home having worked his guts out and giving it everything he had. It made me really reflect on my mission and what I´m doing in these last weeks. I realized that there are a lot of moments when I´m not going my absolute hardest and when i need to repent and dedicate myself even more. I thought a lot about Elder Pearson and if i was being the same example for him as Elder McCoy was for Elder Teixeira. Elder Teixeira said something that really hit me hard. It´s a quote that I now have up on my wall next to where i study to motivate me every day. He said, "Elder McCoy had such an impact on me that i knew exactly what kind of missionary i wanted to be. I told myself, 'The LEAST you can do is FINISH like Elder McCoy.'" I´m going to do everything i can each day to be able to say at the end that "I finished like Elder McCoy".
Alright, enough of that trunky talk. But thought you all would like that story. Elder Teixeira then talked a lot about getting referrals from everybody. From members, less actives, recent converts, and investigators. He gave us a really effective way to ask for referrals which is just simply telling the people you are visiting that you want to pray for some of their family members or friends and you ask them for the names of those people who are passing through hard times. Then after you pray, to INVOLVE the member, investigator, or whoever it is, to meet and teach those people who you prayed for. It was so good. Elder Pearson and I have been trying it and we´ve been getting a lot of referrals. Most of them have been for other missions but some of them have been for our area. Elder Teixeira promised that if we did this, withing a transfer our areas would completely turn around. It was perfect because I have exactly 6 weeks to see this work its magic.
Sister Teixeira was soooo good too!! She had me come up and do an example of how we need to continuously give our investigators and converts "spiritual" water. She had me cup my hands together, stand over a basket of flowers and try to hold all the water in my hands as she poured it in. As hard as i tried, the water kept leaking out. I dont know maybe i just have really weak hands. It was pretty funny though because she said, "Dont let the water fall through! I would hate to have to tell your mother that you weren´t successful the next time i see her!" (they say hi by the way, mom and dad). Then they took a picture with Elder Pearson and I after the conference. They´ll probably be sending it to your email dad, if they havent already.
Anyways. Everythings good up here in beautiful Bilbao. It still rains almost every day and it feels like we´re still in winter. Hopefully by the time you all get here it will be good summer weather. Bilbao is impossible to predict. Love you all so much. Stay strong always in the gospel. Especially in the little things. The blessings are always there waiting for us.
Elder Reeves
Monday, May 13, 2013
Bilbao week 21 - Baptism of Zulema, Sofia and Kevin
Mom and dad it was great to talk to you yesterday. A little different this time from the other times but it was still really fun. Sorry i wasnt able to talk to the rest of you but we´ll be seeing each other soon.
We had a great baptism this last weekend. I just wanted to write some of the story about Zulema, Sofia and Kevin. About 2 months ago, we saw a guy in the street that seemed like he was kind of lost. We went up to him and started talking to him. His name was Oscar and he gave us his info really easily and said we could pass by his house another day. It almost seemed like one of those contacts who just quickly gives you fake info so that we just go away but it turned out to be the right address and the right number! We went to teach him a couple of days later and met his family, Noemi his wife, and his kids Sofia (15 years old) and Kevin (13 years old). Sofia and Kevin were really shy and didnt say much in the lessons but Noemi LOVED everything we taught. After the first couple of lessons they finally agreed to set a date for baptism. Noemi was the most excited and was reading every day in the Book of Mormon. Sofia and Kevin were reading because Noemi was telling them to read but they still werent very excited about everything. While teaching them, we met their cousins Zulema (17 years old) and Gabriel (12 years old) and their aunt Teresa (Oscar´s sister). We started teaching their family as well and all of them started progressing. Zulema caught on really quick and loved coming to church and reading in the Book of Mormon. As we kept teaching these 2 families, we found out some pretty sad news. 1. Oscar and Noemi werent married and cant get baptized until they do get married. Noemi was heart broken when we told her that she couldnt get baptized. Oscar wasnt too excited about the idea about getting married and just kept pushing it to the side. And 2. Teresa worked every weekend and couldnt come to church. But then, miracles started happening. Teresa gave up her work and came to church with her kids. Sofia and Kevin still werent excited about baptism and we found out that they hadn´t been praying at all. We kept inviting them to pray to know if they should be baptized but they still werent doing it. So we decided to invite their whole family to have family prayers every day, in hopes that Sofia and Kevin would soon catch on and start praying. About a week later, Kevin was ready and excited to be baptized. Teresa, Zulema and Gabriel were also excited and wanting to be baptized. This last sunday (the 5th) we announced their baptism for this saturday (11th) of all 5 of them: Teresa, Zulema, Gabriel, Sofia and Kevin. After hearing the announcement in church, Sofia was NOT happy because she still wasnt feeling prepared for baptism. We told her that she didnt need to be baptized but all we were inviting her to do was to pray and ask God if she should be baptized on that weekend. The next day, she prayed. She felt and knew that she needed to be baptized. Elder Pearson and I felt so blessed and knew that God was answering all of our prayers and the prayers of our investigators. We went throughout the week making preparations for the baptisms and then went to Teresa´s house on Friday to have the interviews of all 5 of them. As we got to her house, everyone was happy and smiling as we were getting ready to do the interviews. Then out of nowhere, the unthinkable happened. Teresa said, "Gabriel and i wont be getting baptized this weekend. Im so sorry" The whole room went silent and Elder Pearson and I didnt know what to say. At first we thought she was joking because she loves to make jokes but then by the look on her face we realized she was being completely serious. We asked her what had happened and what was stopping her from being baptized the next day. She kind of avoided our questions and wasnt answering or telling us why they werent getting baptized. We testified to them of all the miracles that they had seen and the spirit that they had felt. We invited them at least to have the baptismal interview and to see how they felt. Teresa refused to have her interview and Gabriel said ok. But after his interview he still said that he didnt feel ready. Zulema, Sofia and Kevin passed their interviews and were all ready to go. After inviting Teresa and Gabriel to pray about what God wants them to do, we left the house a little confused and a little bit discouraged. We called Teresa again that night to talk to her more in private to see what was going on and she opened up a little bit more to us. She said that she had talked to her husband (who shes separated from) who lives in Barcelona and told him that she and the kids were going to be baptized. The husband was furious and said that if they got baptized that he would never talk to them or see them again. So Teresa made the decision that they werent going to get baptized but still allowed Zulema to make the step.
So it wasnt the baptism that we were hoping for this last weekend but it was still an incredible service. There were a lot of members there, especially the young men and women of the ward. They all sang a special musical number and the Spirit was super strong during the service. Zulema asked Elder Pearson to baptize her and Sofia and Kevin asked me to baptize them. It was a happy day. We're still going to be working with Teresa and Gabriel to see if we can get the permission of the father and we're still praying that Oscar has a change of heart and that him and Noemi can get married soon. I love these 2 families and i know satan is trying hard to stop them from being in Gods pathway but God is making miracles happen.
Love you all fam
Elder Reeves
We had a great baptism this last weekend. I just wanted to write some of the story about Zulema, Sofia and Kevin. About 2 months ago, we saw a guy in the street that seemed like he was kind of lost. We went up to him and started talking to him. His name was Oscar and he gave us his info really easily and said we could pass by his house another day. It almost seemed like one of those contacts who just quickly gives you fake info so that we just go away but it turned out to be the right address and the right number! We went to teach him a couple of days later and met his family, Noemi his wife, and his kids Sofia (15 years old) and Kevin (13 years old). Sofia and Kevin were really shy and didnt say much in the lessons but Noemi LOVED everything we taught. After the first couple of lessons they finally agreed to set a date for baptism. Noemi was the most excited and was reading every day in the Book of Mormon. Sofia and Kevin were reading because Noemi was telling them to read but they still werent very excited about everything. While teaching them, we met their cousins Zulema (17 years old) and Gabriel (12 years old) and their aunt Teresa (Oscar´s sister). We started teaching their family as well and all of them started progressing. Zulema caught on really quick and loved coming to church and reading in the Book of Mormon. As we kept teaching these 2 families, we found out some pretty sad news. 1. Oscar and Noemi werent married and cant get baptized until they do get married. Noemi was heart broken when we told her that she couldnt get baptized. Oscar wasnt too excited about the idea about getting married and just kept pushing it to the side. And 2. Teresa worked every weekend and couldnt come to church. But then, miracles started happening. Teresa gave up her work and came to church with her kids. Sofia and Kevin still werent excited about baptism and we found out that they hadn´t been praying at all. We kept inviting them to pray to know if they should be baptized but they still werent doing it. So we decided to invite their whole family to have family prayers every day, in hopes that Sofia and Kevin would soon catch on and start praying. About a week later, Kevin was ready and excited to be baptized. Teresa, Zulema and Gabriel were also excited and wanting to be baptized. This last sunday (the 5th) we announced their baptism for this saturday (11th) of all 5 of them: Teresa, Zulema, Gabriel, Sofia and Kevin. After hearing the announcement in church, Sofia was NOT happy because she still wasnt feeling prepared for baptism. We told her that she didnt need to be baptized but all we were inviting her to do was to pray and ask God if she should be baptized on that weekend. The next day, she prayed. She felt and knew that she needed to be baptized. Elder Pearson and I felt so blessed and knew that God was answering all of our prayers and the prayers of our investigators. We went throughout the week making preparations for the baptisms and then went to Teresa´s house on Friday to have the interviews of all 5 of them. As we got to her house, everyone was happy and smiling as we were getting ready to do the interviews. Then out of nowhere, the unthinkable happened. Teresa said, "Gabriel and i wont be getting baptized this weekend. Im so sorry" The whole room went silent and Elder Pearson and I didnt know what to say. At first we thought she was joking because she loves to make jokes but then by the look on her face we realized she was being completely serious. We asked her what had happened and what was stopping her from being baptized the next day. She kind of avoided our questions and wasnt answering or telling us why they werent getting baptized. We testified to them of all the miracles that they had seen and the spirit that they had felt. We invited them at least to have the baptismal interview and to see how they felt. Teresa refused to have her interview and Gabriel said ok. But after his interview he still said that he didnt feel ready. Zulema, Sofia and Kevin passed their interviews and were all ready to go. After inviting Teresa and Gabriel to pray about what God wants them to do, we left the house a little confused and a little bit discouraged. We called Teresa again that night to talk to her more in private to see what was going on and she opened up a little bit more to us. She said that she had talked to her husband (who shes separated from) who lives in Barcelona and told him that she and the kids were going to be baptized. The husband was furious and said that if they got baptized that he would never talk to them or see them again. So Teresa made the decision that they werent going to get baptized but still allowed Zulema to make the step.
So it wasnt the baptism that we were hoping for this last weekend but it was still an incredible service. There were a lot of members there, especially the young men and women of the ward. They all sang a special musical number and the Spirit was super strong during the service. Zulema asked Elder Pearson to baptize her and Sofia and Kevin asked me to baptize them. It was a happy day. We're still going to be working with Teresa and Gabriel to see if we can get the permission of the father and we're still praying that Oscar has a change of heart and that him and Noemi can get married soon. I love these 2 families and i know satan is trying hard to stop them from being in Gods pathway but God is making miracles happen.
Love you all fam
Elder Reeves
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
No coffee??
I cant believe i'll be calling home again this week. It seems like i just talked to all of you a month ago. Sorry that not a lot of you will be able to be there but it makes it easier for me anyways. Its a little hard to talk to 20 different people within 40 minutes. But happy mothers day to all my sisters and sisters in law!! Where would we all be without our mothers? Definitely not on the earth because there would be no one to give birth. Love you all. Thanks for your examples and your love.The miracle we saw this week was more of the faith we saw from Teresa, the mom that's going to be baptized this week. We had taught them about the word of wisdom about a week and a half ago and they accepted it and said they were going to live it. Teresa told us that it would be hard for her to give up coffee but that she was willing to do it. This last week when we followed up on how giving up coffee was going, she said that she went one day without drinking it but then fell back into the temptation. She said that she had 2 bottles in her kitchen and that every time she saw it she just had the temptation to drink it. So we said "Thats alright. We'll take it out with us when we leave and throw it all away for you!" She kind of laughed thinking that we were joking at first but then realized that we were being serious. We told her that if she really wants to give it up that she has to get away from the temptation and that if she threw it out right then, then God would help her overcome it. She agreed and let us take the coffee with us as we left the visit and we went straight to the trash bin in the street and threw it out. The following visit we asked again how she was doing with not drinking coffee and she told us that after we left she found another bottle full of coffee but took it straight out and threw it out herself. Man, this woman is incredible. It seems like every time she makes a decision, Satan tries to tempt her some more to not be able to keep God's commandments but she always overcomes the temptation. I love her so much. Be praying for her and for her family so that all goes well with their baptism this weekend. We're going to go visit her tonight with the Bishop which will be really good for them.
Right now we have Teresa and her two kids Zulema and Gabriel who are preparing for this week, then we have Sofia and Kevin, their cousins who are also preparing for this week. Sofia is looking pretty iffy about being baptized this week but the rest are doing well. We're going to be working and praying hard to make sure all goes well this week. The week of a baptism is always the most stressful. Haha but i love it. It will be a great weekend.
So I had a little surprise from a visitor this last saturday. Elder Pearson and I were studying Saturday morning and our timbre rang (the doorbell from down below on the street). Elder Pearson got up to answer it and the guy said, "Hola, tengo un paquete para 'Elder'. Pero tienes que bajar y ayudarme con el paquete." We thought it was pretty normal because they always send us boxes of Books of mormon for our zone through the mail. We went downstairs and when we looked outside, there was no one in sight. I went out and looked to the right and there was......... Elder PERICLE!!!! My trainer!! Haha it was a huge surprise and his dad was there standing behing him filming the whole thing. They stayed here in Bilbao for the weekend just to visit Elder Pericles recent converts and some other members. It was so crazy. They came to church and i was able to catch up a little bit with Elder Pericle (well i guess he's Nick now). I'll send some pics. Love you all fam. Talk to you next week
Elder Reeves
PS the last picture is in front of the famous museum called the Guggenheim. You can see the famous bridge in the background too. (it was really bright that day)
Right now we have Teresa and her two kids Zulema and Gabriel who are preparing for this week, then we have Sofia and Kevin, their cousins who are also preparing for this week. Sofia is looking pretty iffy about being baptized this week but the rest are doing well. We're going to be working and praying hard to make sure all goes well this week. The week of a baptism is always the most stressful. Haha but i love it. It will be a great weekend.
So I had a little surprise from a visitor this last saturday. Elder Pearson and I were studying Saturday morning and our timbre rang (the doorbell from down below on the street). Elder Pearson got up to answer it and the guy said, "Hola, tengo un paquete para 'Elder'. Pero tienes que bajar y ayudarme con el paquete." We thought it was pretty normal because they always send us boxes of Books of mormon for our zone through the mail. We went downstairs and when we looked outside, there was no one in sight. I went out and looked to the right and there was......... Elder PERICLE!!!! My trainer!! Haha it was a huge surprise and his dad was there standing behing him filming the whole thing. They stayed here in Bilbao for the weekend just to visit Elder Pericles recent converts and some other members. It was so crazy. They came to church and i was able to catch up a little bit with Elder Pericle (well i guess he's Nick now). I'll send some pics. Love you all fam. Talk to you next week
Elder Reeves
PS the last picture is in front of the famous museum called the Guggenheim. You can see the famous bridge in the background too. (it was really bright that day)
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