The Last Letter - It's a Good One

You know what amazes me here on the mission?!  I have learned so much though experiences here.  The other day we were walking down the road and some guy drove real close with his motorcycle and smacked me on the neck!  I shook it off and kept walking... as I was walking, rubbing my red hot neck, I thought about some of the things I have gone though on my mission.  I have been spit on... I have been ridiculed, I have been hit with stones and garbage, I’ve had harsh words thrown at me left and right all day, I’ve had people blindly reject me as they see us at the door, I’ve had a lot of things happen to me on the mission, and I’ve turned the other cheek.  Some say I’m too nice, some say I’m weak, some say I should get even and retaliate.  People say I’m a lot of things... But in the end I still hold true and remember my sacred calling.  I represent the Christ and do everything He says.  Why retaliate or lose my temper when He suffered MORE THAN I?!?

Elder Reay

Next time I talk to you, it’ll be face to face. :)

 Sandra Ponte!  :)  With her sisters.  One, baptized a month ago, the other is getting married so she can ge baptized!  :)  HEE-HAW!!!

 

 

 This is our zone meeting.  Great presentation :)

Yoli, she is getting baptized on the 15th.  She is SO AWESOME!!!!! She is the one that Dad was talking about.  haha.  Funny that she is also my LAST baptism!  She is so prepared!  She has had contact with other missionaries, but never had any luck.  We showed up and contacted her house and she accepted everything from the beginning!  We talked about baptism and she only had a few problems, such as her family not supporting her but she took care of those problems and is going STRONG NOW!!!! :)

Last Couple of Weeks

What a wonderful week!  My family is such a missionary family!  Jacqueline is so well loved and I’m sure that God has a great plan for her and it will be brought to pass by YOU GUYS!  :)  Thank you for helping the ward so much.  I am seeing blessings every week thanks to your dedication.  This week we had a lot of help from the members and I think it is because you all have been such great members there!  The Mosquez family invited three of our investigators and one recent convert over to their house last Sunday for a Family Home Evening.  They LOVED IT!  Sister Mosquez is such a missionary, her husband is our ward mission leader, her son is a returned missionary (Three months ago) and her other son is fifteen, who helped watch the Kids while the adults had a spiritual and enjoyable time in the living room. :)  I am so thankful for the help of the members here in La Costa.  Our ward is so powerful, it is quite amazing.  Yesterday was a HORRIBLY rainy day yet we still had members pass by all our investigators with their cars and they ALL came!  :)  Can’t wait for Sandra´s baptism this Wednesday and Yoli´s next Saturday.  :) :) :)  We have been doing about three intercambio´s per week and it is wearing me out, but I am staying much focused as I am getting down to the niddy-griddy. :)  Thanks for all the support you have given me.  Your emails are uplifting and inspirational. Know that I am working hard, there is no down time. :)  I love you all so much!

Elder Reay

First Family to make it to the temple in my whole mission. :) the Lamela family.  Elder Torres (My current comp) and elder Ochoa (His old comp) baptized the Lamela family a month and a half ago and they were sealed this Thursday in the temple.  One of the most informative and spiritually uplifting experiences yet on my mission.  The Patriarch talked a lot about the sealing power as well as the endowment session. I am so thankful that I was born under the Covenant.  THAT IS SUCH A BLESSING!!!

Trip to the temple.

The one in the red skirt is our recent convert.  She went with us to get to know the temple.