Dear familia
So transfers are today......... and............. me and Elder Pearson are staying together!!!!! We're super excited because we're seeing miracles every day and i feel like God is just giving me the chance to focus everything for these last weeks and not stop. Not sure what's going to happen during the 2 extended weeks that i have but we'll see.
This week we saw a huge miracle with one of the families that we're working with: Teresa, Zulema and Gabriel. The kids have been progressing in these last couple of weeks and had a fecha to be baptized this last weekend but because they didnt feel prepared enough we had to push it back. The mom Teresa hasn't been able to progress very much because she was only working on weekends taking care of an old lady and was never able to come to church. Then this last monday we went to visit them and we asked her how her work was going. She said that she had had some problems the day before and the daughter of the lady that she works for called her and was complaining for what had happened (not sure exactly what it was). She threatened Teresa that she was going to lose her job if she didn´t do better. Then out of nowhere Teresa told her, "ok fine! Find someone else to work for your mother"! As Teresa told us this story she started to laugh and said that she doesnt know where that came from or why she said it to the daughter of this lady but she said it and the lady told her that she'd call her in a couple of days to let her know what was going to happen with the job. Teresa then said that she normally would be really worried because she might be losing her job (especially with the econimic problems that Spain is having right now) but that she felt totally at peace in that moment. She said that she felt like God was telling her that she needed to leave her job, to be with her kids on the weekends go to church with them. Elder Pearson and i just sat there in shock listening to this story and were amazed at her faith and her desire to go to church and keep God's commandments. We testified to her and promised her that as she does all that she can to come to church on Sundays that God will provide and take care of her family. Then the next visit we had with them on Wednesday, she said that the daughter of the lady she takes care of called her back and gave her the option of keeping the job and still working on the weekends. But Teresa told her no and that she would have to find somebody else. This last sunday, Teresa came to church with her kids for the first time and loved it! She felt the Spirit so strongly and started crying while she was in church. The 3 of them are now preparing to be baptized on the 11th. Miracle after miracle with this family. They've been so prepared by God and are progressing towards becoming an eternal family one day.
Miracles happen fam. God knows us and loves us. Love you all
Elder Reeves
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Bilbao week 18 - 2 young men with a blue book
Hello family,
Well things are still moving a long here in Bilbao. Moving a long just a little too fast. Elder Pearson and I are seeing miracles every day and just loving being missionaries. A miracle about a week ago was when we saw a man running through the beautiful streets of Bilbao with nothing but a speedo and a País Vasco flag tied around his head. He looked like he had been running for days straight he was sweating so bad. Haha oh man you gotta love the Vasco pride here. Alright on to the real miracle. Just thought that some of you would enjoy that.
Yesterday Elder Prieto gave me a call (he said he had permission to do so haha) and he told me about what happened after the Hospitalet Stake conference yesterday in a recent convert meeting where they invited all of the recent converts of the stake to meet with the 70 that was there and with Pte and Hna Pace. He said that the visiting general authority gave some time to the converts to share their conversions stories. There was a lady that stood up in front of Elder Prieto and started telling her story and how she had come to know the church. She talked about how everything in her life was going bad and that she was in a really tough situation with a couple of her friends... i cant remember the details but she was having a hard time in her life. Then one day as she entered into the metro she saw two young men dressed in suits and white shirts and ties. One of them was holding a blue book in his hand and she wanted to go up to them and ask them what that blue book was. As she looked at them and thought about going up to talk to them, she got scared and didnt know how to just go up to them and ask them. Then before she knew it, one of the young men sat down at her side and the other one sat across from her. They started talking to her about prophets and about this blue book, the Book of Mormon. They gave her the book and told her that other missionaries would get in contact with her to teach her more. Later on, the other missionaries got in contact with her and taught her the gospel. She was baptized 3 weeks later. She said that the first two missionaries that talked to her in the metro was an American and a Mexican. As Elder Prieto listened to this story he realized that he was that Mexican missionary and that I was that American. He told me that when he realized that he just wanted to shout, "that was me and my companion!" After the meeting, Elder Prieto went up to her and shook her hand and asked, "do you remember me?" She then burst into tears and just sat there crying. She thanked Elder Prieto and asked where i was so that she could thank me as well. She talked about how her life had been changed and how she was able to overcome her problems and turn things around. I dont remember her name but i remember seeing her and knowing that we had to talk to her. We contacted her when we were in Barcelona for the zone leader counsel in February i think it was. I know the Spirit is real. That is a truth that has become more real to me in my mission more than anything else. That and that God loves His children. He knows and loves them and He provides the way for them to come back into His fold. This is His work and we can become instruments in His hands.
Noemi and her kids are doing well. The kids, Sofia and Kevin had the date to be baptized this weekend but they want to wait a little bit longer. As well as their cousins, Zuleima and Gabriel. So we're going to give them a little more time to prepare but we're positive that they'll be getting baptized here in May. They're such an incredible family. We just fall in love with them more every visit.
Love you all. The church is true.
Elder Reeves
Well things are still moving a long here in Bilbao. Moving a long just a little too fast. Elder Pearson and I are seeing miracles every day and just loving being missionaries. A miracle about a week ago was when we saw a man running through the beautiful streets of Bilbao with nothing but a speedo and a País Vasco flag tied around his head. He looked like he had been running for days straight he was sweating so bad. Haha oh man you gotta love the Vasco pride here. Alright on to the real miracle. Just thought that some of you would enjoy that.
Yesterday Elder Prieto gave me a call (he said he had permission to do so haha) and he told me about what happened after the Hospitalet Stake conference yesterday in a recent convert meeting where they invited all of the recent converts of the stake to meet with the 70 that was there and with Pte and Hna Pace. He said that the visiting general authority gave some time to the converts to share their conversions stories. There was a lady that stood up in front of Elder Prieto and started telling her story and how she had come to know the church. She talked about how everything in her life was going bad and that she was in a really tough situation with a couple of her friends... i cant remember the details but she was having a hard time in her life. Then one day as she entered into the metro she saw two young men dressed in suits and white shirts and ties. One of them was holding a blue book in his hand and she wanted to go up to them and ask them what that blue book was. As she looked at them and thought about going up to talk to them, she got scared and didnt know how to just go up to them and ask them. Then before she knew it, one of the young men sat down at her side and the other one sat across from her. They started talking to her about prophets and about this blue book, the Book of Mormon. They gave her the book and told her that other missionaries would get in contact with her to teach her more. Later on, the other missionaries got in contact with her and taught her the gospel. She was baptized 3 weeks later. She said that the first two missionaries that talked to her in the metro was an American and a Mexican. As Elder Prieto listened to this story he realized that he was that Mexican missionary and that I was that American. He told me that when he realized that he just wanted to shout, "that was me and my companion!" After the meeting, Elder Prieto went up to her and shook her hand and asked, "do you remember me?" She then burst into tears and just sat there crying. She thanked Elder Prieto and asked where i was so that she could thank me as well. She talked about how her life had been changed and how she was able to overcome her problems and turn things around. I dont remember her name but i remember seeing her and knowing that we had to talk to her. We contacted her when we were in Barcelona for the zone leader counsel in February i think it was. I know the Spirit is real. That is a truth that has become more real to me in my mission more than anything else. That and that God loves His children. He knows and loves them and He provides the way for them to come back into His fold. This is His work and we can become instruments in His hands.
Noemi and her kids are doing well. The kids, Sofia and Kevin had the date to be baptized this weekend but they want to wait a little bit longer. As well as their cousins, Zuleima and Gabriel. So we're going to give them a little more time to prepare but we're positive that they'll be getting baptized here in May. They're such an incredible family. We just fall in love with them more every visit.
Love you all. The church is true.
Elder Reeves
Monday, April 15, 2013
Bilbao week 17 - Sarah's conversion
Buenos dias familia,
Hows it going?? Im glad to hear the news about Brittany and Greg and also the news that theres going to be a temple built in space! Haha Ally, not sure where that one came from. How are the scars doing Brett?
So 3 weeks ago on Sunday we got to church and found a recent convert Christopher with a friend that he had brought - Sarah. Shes from Nigeria and is 21 years old. We met with her and Christopher immediately after church and had a lesson 0 and talked about baptism. She told us that she had never been baptized before in any church. We invited her right then and she accepted the date for the 13th. We gave her a conversion plan and set up some more visits for that week and gave her the Book of Mormon. Later that week we met with her and she had read what we gave her to read and had written down all the questions that she had. We answered her questions and taught her about the restoration. She accepted everything and was excited to keep learning. The next visit we had with her, she had read the first couple of chapters in the BOM and was eating everything up. As we kept teaching her, she got more and more excited for her baptism. She kept reading every day in the BOM and praying. Because of that she gained a testimony of the restoration really quick and just loved everything about the gospel. She came to general conference this last week and loved it. There were a couple of doubts that she had with some of the commandments but we invited her to pray and to ask God. Thats what she did and she received her answers. Sarah is so humble and so willing to accept everything that God asks of her. Seeing Sarah progress so easily and so quickly made me think of the scripture in Mosiah 3:19 that when we become as a little child, we are willing to submit ourselves to the will of the Father. And thats all that matters. She asked the Bishop to baptize her and it was a great baptism this last Saturday.
Bilbao is such a special place. The ward and the members are the best. Last night we met with the bishop in his house and he just never ceases to amaze me with how much love he has for everyone in the ward and for all of the investigators and recent converts. Mom and dad youll definitely get the chance to meet him. He and his wife are incredible people. Reinel and Zuleima Gonzalez from Colombia. They had two handicapped children that only lived for a couple of years and both of them passed away from their sicknesses. Their testimony about the plan of salvation and about the restored church is amazing.
Noemi and her family are all doing well. The only problem is that Noemi and Oscar arent married... so the kids have dates to be baptized but we're going to have to work more with the parents. Pray for a miracle! I love the people here and i love the mission more every day. Love you all
Elder Reeves
Hows it going?? Im glad to hear the news about Brittany and Greg and also the news that theres going to be a temple built in space! Haha Ally, not sure where that one came from. How are the scars doing Brett?
So 3 weeks ago on Sunday we got to church and found a recent convert Christopher with a friend that he had brought - Sarah. Shes from Nigeria and is 21 years old. We met with her and Christopher immediately after church and had a lesson 0 and talked about baptism. She told us that she had never been baptized before in any church. We invited her right then and she accepted the date for the 13th. We gave her a conversion plan and set up some more visits for that week and gave her the Book of Mormon. Later that week we met with her and she had read what we gave her to read and had written down all the questions that she had. We answered her questions and taught her about the restoration. She accepted everything and was excited to keep learning. The next visit we had with her, she had read the first couple of chapters in the BOM and was eating everything up. As we kept teaching her, she got more and more excited for her baptism. She kept reading every day in the BOM and praying. Because of that she gained a testimony of the restoration really quick and just loved everything about the gospel. She came to general conference this last week and loved it. There were a couple of doubts that she had with some of the commandments but we invited her to pray and to ask God. Thats what she did and she received her answers. Sarah is so humble and so willing to accept everything that God asks of her. Seeing Sarah progress so easily and so quickly made me think of the scripture in Mosiah 3:19 that when we become as a little child, we are willing to submit ourselves to the will of the Father. And thats all that matters. She asked the Bishop to baptize her and it was a great baptism this last Saturday.
Bilbao is such a special place. The ward and the members are the best. Last night we met with the bishop in his house and he just never ceases to amaze me with how much love he has for everyone in the ward and for all of the investigators and recent converts. Mom and dad youll definitely get the chance to meet him. He and his wife are incredible people. Reinel and Zuleima Gonzalez from Colombia. They had two handicapped children that only lived for a couple of years and both of them passed away from their sicknesses. Their testimony about the plan of salvation and about the restored church is amazing.
Noemi and her family are all doing well. The only problem is that Noemi and Oscar arent married... so the kids have dates to be baptized but we're going to have to work more with the parents. Pray for a miracle! I love the people here and i love the mission more every day. Love you all
Elder Reeves
Monday, April 8, 2013
Bilbao week 16 - General Conference weekend
Dear fam,
Wow i loved General Conference!! Still havent heard the sunday afternoon session because here in Spain it starts at 10 at night and ends at midnight so were never able to watch it. It scares me to know that this was my last conference in my mission. For the last 3 conferences in my mission, i´ve always just been looking for answers for the next 6 months of my mission... I went into this conference with a little different look on things but i can still testify that all my questions were answered. The miracle of conference is that that ALWAYS happens. Not just the questions that i have are answered but even the questions i didnt realize i had were answered. After every general conference my testimony is built that our leaders are called of God. That we truly have a living Prophet and 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ. I love it. It helps me have the peace and hope of a bright future because i know I'll always have Gods guidance and his direction through his living servants. I know that just as it was taught about in conference that true peace and happiness in this life comes through Jesus Christ and living his gospel. I love being able to be a servant and missionary of God to help others find this peace and happiness and come to their Savior Jesus Christ.
I was trying to think of same main themes that stood out to me in conference and the one that stood out to me the most is this: True peace in this ever changing world is found as we are obedient to the commandments and stand in the light of Christ. Mom you asked me what some of my favorite talks were and i really dont know what to say. Honestly i loved all of the talks but I really loved the talk by Pres. Uchtdorf about coming to the light of Christ and Pres. Monson's about Obedience. Elder Pearson and i felt that sometimes we dont emphasize enough about the pure truth and doctrine of obedience in our teachings to investigators. Obedience is everything. Its how we continue living by faith and showing our love to God. Ive gained a strong testimony about that in the mission that we only receive blessings when were obedient to Gods commandments.
I didnt see Carole M. Stephens talk? Mom does that mean your not talking in this next conference?
So a little bit about whats going on here in Bilbao right now. We'll be having a baptism this weekend of this Nigerian 22 year old girl named Sara! She was a referral from a recent convert Christopher who was baptized about 2 months ago. Shes never been baptized in any church before and she´s gained a huge testimony about baptism and the Book of Mormon in the last couple of weeks. She´s so excited to get baptized. What Pres Uchtdorf and Elder Dickson said about Nigerians and the African people is so true. Some of the most humble and God fearing people ive met in my whole mission and the faith that they have is incredible. I love them.
We're also working with a new family that we found from contacting the dad in the street. The dad, Oscar, is Bolivian (tons of Bolivians here in Bilbao, dad. I dont think theres anyone left in Bolivia anymore... theyre all here) and the mom, Noemi, is from Argentina. They have 2 kids, Sofia, 15 years old, and Kevin, 13 years old. They all came to church last week and came to conference yesterday except for the dad Oscar. Were going to have to work more with him. We're also starting to teach the sister of Oscar, Teresa and her 2 kids, Zuleima, 17 years old, and Gabriel, 12 years old. Theyre incredible families!! We invited them all to be baptized in the last visit and they all said yes but we werent able to set the date. Were sure that now that they came to conference were going to set the date in the next visit. The members have just been eating them up at church and they love it there. So be praying for all of these amazing people so that they can make the step of baptism and enter into the path of God!!
Thats so great that you got to meet the Pearsons mom and dad. Elder Pearson teaches me more and more every day. Hes got so much faith and helps me raise my vision even more. Our zone is going to be turning around and be seeing a lot of miracles in the next 2 months. I love each day being in the mission and it really helps when you have a companion that's even more committed than you are.
Well fam, life is good! It's good to be a child of God and feel of His love every day as we stay close to Him. Love you all.
Elder Reeves
Wow i loved General Conference!! Still havent heard the sunday afternoon session because here in Spain it starts at 10 at night and ends at midnight so were never able to watch it. It scares me to know that this was my last conference in my mission. For the last 3 conferences in my mission, i´ve always just been looking for answers for the next 6 months of my mission... I went into this conference with a little different look on things but i can still testify that all my questions were answered. The miracle of conference is that that ALWAYS happens. Not just the questions that i have are answered but even the questions i didnt realize i had were answered. After every general conference my testimony is built that our leaders are called of God. That we truly have a living Prophet and 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ. I love it. It helps me have the peace and hope of a bright future because i know I'll always have Gods guidance and his direction through his living servants. I know that just as it was taught about in conference that true peace and happiness in this life comes through Jesus Christ and living his gospel. I love being able to be a servant and missionary of God to help others find this peace and happiness and come to their Savior Jesus Christ.
I was trying to think of same main themes that stood out to me in conference and the one that stood out to me the most is this: True peace in this ever changing world is found as we are obedient to the commandments and stand in the light of Christ. Mom you asked me what some of my favorite talks were and i really dont know what to say. Honestly i loved all of the talks but I really loved the talk by Pres. Uchtdorf about coming to the light of Christ and Pres. Monson's about Obedience. Elder Pearson and i felt that sometimes we dont emphasize enough about the pure truth and doctrine of obedience in our teachings to investigators. Obedience is everything. Its how we continue living by faith and showing our love to God. Ive gained a strong testimony about that in the mission that we only receive blessings when were obedient to Gods commandments.
I didnt see Carole M. Stephens talk? Mom does that mean your not talking in this next conference?
So a little bit about whats going on here in Bilbao right now. We'll be having a baptism this weekend of this Nigerian 22 year old girl named Sara! She was a referral from a recent convert Christopher who was baptized about 2 months ago. Shes never been baptized in any church before and she´s gained a huge testimony about baptism and the Book of Mormon in the last couple of weeks. She´s so excited to get baptized. What Pres Uchtdorf and Elder Dickson said about Nigerians and the African people is so true. Some of the most humble and God fearing people ive met in my whole mission and the faith that they have is incredible. I love them.
We're also working with a new family that we found from contacting the dad in the street. The dad, Oscar, is Bolivian (tons of Bolivians here in Bilbao, dad. I dont think theres anyone left in Bolivia anymore... theyre all here) and the mom, Noemi, is from Argentina. They have 2 kids, Sofia, 15 years old, and Kevin, 13 years old. They all came to church last week and came to conference yesterday except for the dad Oscar. Were going to have to work more with him. We're also starting to teach the sister of Oscar, Teresa and her 2 kids, Zuleima, 17 years old, and Gabriel, 12 years old. Theyre incredible families!! We invited them all to be baptized in the last visit and they all said yes but we werent able to set the date. Were sure that now that they came to conference were going to set the date in the next visit. The members have just been eating them up at church and they love it there. So be praying for all of these amazing people so that they can make the step of baptism and enter into the path of God!!
Thats so great that you got to meet the Pearsons mom and dad. Elder Pearson teaches me more and more every day. Hes got so much faith and helps me raise my vision even more. Our zone is going to be turning around and be seeing a lot of miracles in the next 2 months. I love each day being in the mission and it really helps when you have a companion that's even more committed than you are.
Well fam, life is good! It's good to be a child of God and feel of His love every day as we stay close to Him. Love you all.
Elder Reeves
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Bilbao week 15 - Easter sunday
Hey fam,
A miracle that we saw this last week was that the Lord really has been blessing us with opportunities to invite someone to be baptized every day. We were blessed with finding new investigators and we were able to invite someone in a real visit every day this last week to be baptized. It´s been incredible how while we´ve been focusing all of our efforts on the baptismal invitation every day, I feel like i´ve been growing closer to my Savior. That is really why we are here as missionaries. To invite all to come unto Christ and follow him through baptism. I´ve always known that that´s what we´re here to do but it´s taken me a while to really understand it.
Eva, our fecha for the 20, is doing good except she just left to visit her family in Portugal for this week and maybe next week. We got her address and info in Portugal and sent the reference to the Portugal mission so that the missionaries there can help her get to general conference and also baptize her family there. We´re still able to call her so we can do some follow up while she´s not here, but we´re praying that everything goes well in Portugal and that she keeps continuing to read and pray so that she can be prepared to be baptized on her date.
This last Sunday we were able to celebrate Christ´s life that he gave for us and took up again. The only way we can use the power of his suffering and atonement in our lives is through living the Gospel. I am eternally grateful for that act of love and for preparing the way for all of God´s children to be able to return to live with Him again. I love being able to help my brothers and sisters have the opportunity to walk in that pathway and find the happiness and hope that we have. Just like dad testified, i know that Christ came to the earth. That he is our Savior and redeemer. It is through him that we find true joy and happiness. He lives and he and our Heavenly Father speak to us through their servants the prophets and apostles. Im so excited for this general conference to be spiritually fed and to find more answers and revelation directly from God.
Keep going strong fam. Sorry if these emails are gettin kind of boring but that´s all i got to write. haha love you all.
Elder Reeves
the first picture is the only one i have with Elder Pearson. He´s on my right side.
The second is the baptism of Luz Marina. Most incredible lady ever.
A miracle that we saw this last week was that the Lord really has been blessing us with opportunities to invite someone to be baptized every day. We were blessed with finding new investigators and we were able to invite someone in a real visit every day this last week to be baptized. It´s been incredible how while we´ve been focusing all of our efforts on the baptismal invitation every day, I feel like i´ve been growing closer to my Savior. That is really why we are here as missionaries. To invite all to come unto Christ and follow him through baptism. I´ve always known that that´s what we´re here to do but it´s taken me a while to really understand it.
Eva, our fecha for the 20, is doing good except she just left to visit her family in Portugal for this week and maybe next week. We got her address and info in Portugal and sent the reference to the Portugal mission so that the missionaries there can help her get to general conference and also baptize her family there. We´re still able to call her so we can do some follow up while she´s not here, but we´re praying that everything goes well in Portugal and that she keeps continuing to read and pray so that she can be prepared to be baptized on her date.
This last Sunday we were able to celebrate Christ´s life that he gave for us and took up again. The only way we can use the power of his suffering and atonement in our lives is through living the Gospel. I am eternally grateful for that act of love and for preparing the way for all of God´s children to be able to return to live with Him again. I love being able to help my brothers and sisters have the opportunity to walk in that pathway and find the happiness and hope that we have. Just like dad testified, i know that Christ came to the earth. That he is our Savior and redeemer. It is through him that we find true joy and happiness. He lives and he and our Heavenly Father speak to us through their servants the prophets and apostles. Im so excited for this general conference to be spiritually fed and to find more answers and revelation directly from God.
Keep going strong fam. Sorry if these emails are gettin kind of boring but that´s all i got to write. haha love you all.
Elder Reeves
the first picture is the only one i have with Elder Pearson. He´s on my right side.
The second is the baptism of Luz Marina. Most incredible lady ever.
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