09-21-13

So we celebrated your birthday today! :) We all went to McDonalds and splurged.  haha.  We will be going to this Space museum around three o’clock today.  There are like rides there or something.  I’ll send you photos next week.  

Happy Birthday Dad!  Hope you are able to spend as MUCH time possible with the family.  I enjoyed Dad’s birthdays so much.  (Not just because he always gets hunting birthday gifts...) We always spent such great quality time together when it was mom’s or dad’s birthday.  I love every memory I have of time with you guys. :)

OK, Here in Buceo, we are struggling, but we are working our tails off!  I haven’t seen so many people reject the invitation before.  We have had more time in our area lately, getting out of the offices more but we are still sitting with almost NO fruits.  Haha. I know that there are people here waiting to be baptized and ready to receive the Gospel.  I just have to go out and find them. :)  Oh how I love this work, it fills me with joy when people stop in the streets and talk to us.  There is nothing more fulfilling than to have a child of God standing in front of you, and have them talk to you as if you were a regular human being. So many contacts are forced and pressed, where the people that are listening really DON’T want to be there.  They see the tie and tag and immediately sign us off as worthless.  It fills me, to see those lost sheep look past the tie and tag, and see who I really am. When they really listen and FEEL what I am telling them, that’s when all the trials disappear.  I am so grateful to be called of God and working here in His vineyard.

We had another elder go home last week, then another Hermana this week... It is truly sad to see the energy just leave their body’s as soon as they realize the magnitude of their actions.  That for me is defiantly the hardest part about being in the offices.  Seeing the damage that some missionaries do to themselves while here on the mission.  I truly have compassion on them and pray that they will be able to work things out with their stake president’s when they get home.  

I bought a new suit!  A grey one! :) Looks pretty good if you ask me.  AND it fits. :) haha.  I bought two pants that match the suit just in case.  So, that is one of those little missionary blessings that I have received.  Oh and I am finally buffing out a little.  Finally got myself motivated to eat healthy (Except this McDonald’s run today) and work out.  So I am feeling better about my look. Haha.  I have about 6 more weeks here in the offices.  Next week I will begin as District Leader here in the offices... So that will be a big change.  Elder Rydalch is being transferred this change and he will be going to Maldonado. (The best zone ever) I am super excited to see what great things he can do.

I just got your email "Heli Ride" so I will send this one and reply to your other email.

Love you,

Elder Reay

09-14-13

Oh how I love hearing from my family!!!! haha.  I signed in to my email this morning and had the following messages:

One from Joni Olson with a short message on how she is doing

one from Mashayla in response to my email last week

One from Audrey Shumway talking about ryla

and one from Chelsea Dawn telling me she is up at the cabin today. :)

I felt somewhat spoiled to see more than the usual authors, BUT there wasn’t one from my mom or dad, so I signed off and came back in a while. :)  haha.  Oh how it truly heals my heart to hear from my mother.  I can’t even explain it.  I can’t believe that I will soon be turning 20!  Can you believe NONE of you will see me in person the ENTIRE twentieth year of my life???  That is crazy.  The only correspondence you will have with me is email/photos and two skype calls.  THAT IT!  to me, that is crazy. plain and simple (Yes i did spell plain plane to start off with and had to correct myself. haha I have a little bit of that Reay blood in me and I love it!)  

I am happier than a kid on Christmas morning to hear the miracle that Kobe has gone through.  I was quite worried all week knowing that he had been hurt.  I prayed for him along with some other choice people quite fervently this week.  I am so filled with love for my savior that He cares enough for us that he gives us such HUGE trials and yet ALWAYS provides a way for us to come out on top afterwards.  There is not one single trial that we have faced that can’t strengthen us if we endure it well and with faith.  God has supplied me with my share of trials and although they left me a couple scars, they remind me of where I have been and how hard I have tried to repair the cuts.  

Hearing about Chelsea’s trip up to the cabin is TOTALLY going in my journal. :)  haha.  You might be taken aback if you knew how many dreams I have of spending time up by the cabin reading my scriptures.  I have named a certain mountain "Revelation Mountain" because I truly believe that there is something serial about reading the word of God in God made places.  If I am ever to receive large revelations, I think it will be in one of three places: 1) In the Lords Holy Temple 2) In the Lords Created Scenery or 3) time spent with my wife in preparations for the Children we will have.

I am so happy to hear that Chelsea is going to get her Honor Bee.  Both JJ and Chelsea are super exceeders.  You two know how important it is to do your very best and never stop.  Dad has instilled in all of us the importance of that principle but I feel that Chelsea has magnified it the greatest and taken it to the next level.  I for example never got palms.  (Equivalent of an Honor Bee in Eagle scouts) and never did quite as outstanding as Chelsea did in school.  I am thankful that Chelsea and Jaylen have taken dad’s advice along with my example (weather good or bad) and made their life’s the way they want them to be.  

Watching that video of Hazel made me cry like a big stinking missionary baby!  I had really been somewhat informed and was not really affected by the loss in the family until I watched that video and really saw the struggle that everyone has gone though with the loss of a choice Daughter of God.  I am glad that someone had the strength to snap the pictures of those life changing moments. 

I never did get a link to the funny game Shawn and Grandpa played mom... mind sending it again?

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This week has been FULL of conferences.  I have spent almost no time in my area... but I have spent some high caliber time with the Pugmires, Hills, and Newsomes.  Thankfully I have such amazing people around me to help me see past the heart-ache of home sickness or lack of progress in our area.  The Hills are such an amazing family.  I have truly learned so much from Elder Hill that I wish I could just replay every bit of advice he has given me so that I could write it down.  I wish that I had taken the time to talk with Grandpa Connolly more, I feel like I defiantly missed that grand opportunity.  (One of  my "woulda-coulda-shoulda´s")  

I am learning an incredible amount about finances... we are currently working on a budget plan on how to get us back under budget and im learning every step of the way.  God blessed me with this calling knowing much more than I know or Knew.  I am thankful for this time I have in the offices, even though it is quite difficult some times. :)

Love you all so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! muah!

Elder Reay

09-06-13

A week full of photos and wonderful experiences from back home.  :)  You all expressed such love and emotion though your letters and photos. :)  I have to say... seeing the pic of Holden and McKay flexing made me feel SUPER fat. :)  We rearranged our room so that there is more room for work outs now. thank goodness. I am so thankful that you all had that time together as a family and the time spent looked like it was high quality!!! so many fond memories of spending family reunions at grandma and grandpa´s house. :) :)  I love those memories with all my heart. 

What an INSPIRATIONAL experience with Frances!!!!  That filled me with love and gratitude to hear about how God reached out to help one of his struggling Children.  I know that God sent Hermana Nelson.  Are you sure it wasn´t hermana Howlett??  That´s who i think it was.  Ask her if she went to the west mission or if it was mine. :)  I am so very thankful that Hermana Nelson has stayed worthy of the guiding Spirit that helped her find Francis.  The Valdez´s are so incredibly special and i am so thankful that God sees feet to bring them back.  We must remain friends with them.  :)  MOM... you know as well as i do that this miracle was brought about by just as much by YOUR prayers and searchings for missionary experiences as it was by my prayer and service. :)  Thank you for always looking for ways to serve and help God´s kingdom progress here in Uruguay and back home in Arizona.  :)  yes your prayers help the work HERE as well. :)  There is nothing more powerful than faithful prayers combined with righteous acts.  I hope and pray that together we can change the world an help our brothers and sisters to grow closer to God.

I have had a great last week, even though it was full of conferences and financial problems, we got out to work a couple of good nights and found some new investigators.  Hopefully they stick and we can get SOMEBODY into the waters of Baptism. :)  I am so eager to see some more fruits of my labor, but i will be patient and continue faithfully praying and working my tail off. :)

I saw that on one of the screen shots you took there was a post from Chelsea... in her post it showed her location, "LDS Seminary Building"  CHELSEA!!!! :)  Texting and posting in SEMINARY????  Where on earth did you learn THAT little habit ?  I´m sure that there is some good explanation  :)  (Knowing sweet little Chelsea, it was probably before class had started or during a break. :)  way to go Chelsea... wish i would have followed the same discipline that you do.)  Thought i would just give you a hard time on that one seeing as i am your older brother and all. :) Love ya sis..

JJ may is getting TALL!!!! man and she is slimming down too!  I´ll bet all that V-Ball is helping her tremendously.  I am so proud of you two girls and the success that you are both having and are GOING to have.  Thank you for the wonderful you set for me and Braden.  

Dad sent me off a nice email this week. :)  I love hearing from you and even if it was to get a little "I told you so" in there, i´ll take it. :)  haha.  i can´t fathom the troubles some of these elders and hermanas go though when they show up to the computer on pday and see NO emails whatsoever.  That has to be so incredibly hard.  Thank you for keeping me in touch with the family and ensuring that i feel the love.  I love you all so stinking much and can´t believe that life back home continues to chug along. :)  (Mom, no more count downs in my email.... hahah)  You will see me when you see me, till then i am twenty four seven at the Lord´s service. :)  I love you.  Thank you for all of your words of comfort and help..  You really do know the way to a missionary´s heart. (Not talking about the package you will be sending)  haha.  You fill me with light and esperanza that just makes me so happy.  

I can´t believe Brett is endowed! What an experience that is SO vivid in my memory. :)  Do your remember mom... Kayli and Ethan were at the temple the day and SESSION that i went though?  Looking back at it now i realize how special that really was.  I know that Hazel is still with them and that she is prettier than ever dressed in her spiritual beauty.  Tell Kayli that i love her and am grateful to have a cousin like her to teach me.

I love you all,

Elder Reay

09-02-13

I can´t believe that i have been away from you 5 for nine months already.  A year ago we were home, the girls were going to school and i was fishing. ;)  Probably right???  Now i sit in awe as i witness the immense growth that my  family is making as they pass through some of the most difficult times of their lives.  I know that God chose for these trials to come while i was gone, there is no other way He would have it.  It is hard at times to hear about the hard times you are having back home, but it is very necessary, i am still part of the family so i still need to be part of the loop. :)  But this week had a lot of bummers, looks like Kayli and Ethan are going through one of the very  hardest times in their life’s, JJ is recovering from a tough time in High School, Chelsea is juggling School and Work, Dad is working on supporting our family, Mom is stressing over school troubles and then working on helping all the tragedies going on in the family.  Braden is thrown in to the mix as the big red cherry that tops it all off. :)

I have you all in my prayers and i know that God is going to help each of you in the manner that you need the most.  I am super excited for Brett and his Mission call.  I can´t remember where he is going or what language,so could you fill me in again? :) Thanks.  You will all be seeing him today right?  That is weird to think about sometimes... That you are all enjoying the warming love that our family shares.  All eating and talking as you sit outside in the wonderful "Grandma´s House" atmosphere.  I miss that so very VERY much.  We are just moving into warm weather here FINALY.  i have froze my butt  off.  We played Basketball today with the office elders of the West mission and had a blast!  do you know how long it has been since i have spent 4 Hours out in the sun playing sports?  LONG TIME.  I got quite the sunburn and feel great!!!  I have been so sluggish lately.  It gelt so great to get out and exert myself little.  (It is going to be hard to wake up tomorrow though... haha.)  We played five on five.  I played quite well, wish i was in better shape though. 

I am doing great here in buceo.  Frustrated with the investigators we have right now because they lack desire and will power to take the necessary steps towards baptism.  But we are working with them and trying to get some more references from the ward.  

Mashayla sends me the emails she sends to her family every week, so she is keeping me informed as to how she is doing... Guess she got quite sick and hasn´t been able to go out and proselyte much.  Hope she gets feelin better.

Hermana Coon is quite a sweet young girl.  She and i met when she got here to Uruguay.  You had sent me a picture of her and told me she was related to Dawn and Brandon stockbridge.  She is doing great. :)  Just got her Momma´s packages and loving the life as an Oro.  :)  She and i talked for quite a while when she was here, gotta love her smile.  She is now in her area and far away, but i did my part in taking care of her when she got her. :)  haha.  Love for her to be in my district down the line.  

I absolutely love the money clip that you guys sent me, i use it everyday now. :)  I´m not sure what to ask for now... haha. so just send me some love, a couple hugs, and .... a ..... LARGE ORANGE ...... DRINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  hahah.  I said that the other day and totally busted out laughing while everyone else sat there looking at me funny. :)  haha.  So i definitely want some pictures of the house, some photos of you guys just doing normal things around, mom cooking. dad working.  that sorts of stuff. :)  Chelsea i put you in charge. :)  YOu and jj both have iphones, so start snapping and sending. :)  K?

It was totally awesome to see the photo of Brett and I at my baptism. :)  Did my heart good to see those precious memories.  :)  :)  

Well.  I love you all so much!!!!!  Have a fantastic week and don´t ever let the bad out-weigh the good.  That is your choice so "Chose the right" . ;)

Love you all from the bottom of my heart.

Elder Logan Reay