Birthday

Video from Science Museum

Well. :) Got some wonderful "Spoiled Birthday" moments this week.  No Birthday packages, but they should be getting here soon.  :)

Hermana Hill showed me the email she sent you and what you replied back.  I am so thankful for the blessings I have out her in Uruguay.  My birthday was more than I had anticipated.  I had all the COOLEST elders and Hermanas sing to me, all the zone leaders and Hermana training leaders.  They all spoiled me all day long. President and Hermana Newsome were quite nice and made sure I knew I was loved, elder and Hermana Hill cooked up some amazing cake and a meal fit for a king!  I am glad that my birthday fell on a leader’s conf.  Everyone there was trying their best to make it the best day possible.  :) My comp woke everyone up five minutes early and woke me up singing, (I had told him that’s what you guys do, so he made it happen. ha-ha) Things just went smoothly all day, no problems with the conf or with finances.  I got an email from my family, Grandpa and Grandma Richard, Joni, Mashayla, and a CCM instructor named Hermana Melerio.  He was a great guy.  Love him to death!  He remembered to email me for my birthday!  Super capo.  

Answer to some questions, Yes, McDonalds tastes just as good here if not BETTER!  :) Ha-ha. not to mention that they have dulce de leche that makes Milk Shakes a bijillion times better. :)  The next transfer day is November 6th.  That is the day I will PROBABLY be leaving the offices.  I had a meeting with president yesterday and he informed me that there is a possibility that I will be asked to stay an extra change because there just isn’t anybody that sticks out in the mission as a replacement.  He ensured me that he wants me out in the mission field just as much as I do and that for now the plan is to have me roll out in November, but he wants me to know that there is the possibility that I will be here for an extra change. :) So it is what it is. :)  I am currently working with the South America South Head of Finances to balance our mission budget, lots of graphs and analysis that I have to do, but I am learning a FULL!!!  President and I are excited to sit down together and have a short lesson on "Opportunity Costs" so that I can not only use it here in the mission, but also in my work after the mission.  He wants to teach me as much as possible.  After all he did run a multi-BILLION dollar company before coming out to serve with us.  I am excited to learn from him and take advantage of this time.

I am learning quickly how to be a district leader, there is lots to do.  I am now not ONLY in charge of my own prociliting area, I am called to help out with the other two in my district.  I help them with their companion problems, investigator problems, and just all around help them be better missionaries.  It is amazing to see the progress in them from the changes we have put in place.

I can’t wait to see the pictures of the cabin and the fun time you spend with the Grams.  Send lots of pictures.  I have plenty of time to download them and look at them later.  I want to see EVERYONE and as always, the classic "After a long ride" pictures. :)  I hope you guys enjoy the cool air, the fun rides, the family time spent together, and the all around happy times that come from one of my favorite places on earth. :)  Weird to think that when I leave Uruguay, it will be BURNING hot here, and when I land, it will be FREEZING cold there. :) Ha-ha.

I wrote a poem in the CCM and finished it the other day:

"Upon my Knees"

His hands were pierced with cold hard steal,

His eyes saw souls that did not feel,

His bright, warm heart they could not dim,

My hands now washed and clean through Him.

His back was whipped and laid in mud,

His garments rent and smeared in blood.

That through his pain, my sins washed white,

So I might bear my burdens light.

His fists clinched tight as pain pulsed though,

The bitter cup Christ drank for you.

His pleading prayer reached high above,

Upon my knees, I show MY love.

I am hoping to improve it little bit by little bit.

Thank you so much for your prayers and all your missionary work you are doing back home.  Sweet family of mine.  We played basketball a bunch today.  I played SUPER good!  Loved it!  

Love you all!

Love Elder Reay