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
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