Several good letters to catch up on!

Here is the latest of all his letters and some pics you may not see on Facebook or in letters I forward. Please send him a quick letter! He loves to receive mail.
Just copy and paste or click (if it possible) on the the email here below and just say HI! to him.
He would love it.

reece.reynolds@myldsmail.net

You can also send mail to him, I get requests for his address all the time:

Elder Reynolds
1250 Main St
Broomfield, CO 80020


2-23-2016

Hey fam,

This week was good. Time fly's when you work hard. Im kinda exhausted from all the hours were putting in. Its worth it though. 

I heard a story listen, there's three mormons visiting a foreign country that's pretty hostile towards their beliefs. One was a stake high counselor, one was an elders quorum president and the last was a deacon. they were captured and put into torture camps. When they were ready to be executed, they were asked what was the last thing they wanted to do before they died.

The Elders quorum president said he wanted to help someone move one more time. Especially someone with a real heavy piano....they let him, then killed him. then the asked the next guy.

The high counselor said he wanted to preach, uninterrupted to a congregation of members of his church, for one hour. They executioner nodded and moved on to the deacon and asked him.

The deacon said.. I just wanna be killed before the stake high councilman speaks.

Yesterday sacrament was great. I took the time to counsel with heavenly father and see if theres anywhere I can improve. Then the talk was about spiritual gifts. I realized as I listened to the talk that god blesses us with specific tools, so were allowed to use them. But they are hinged on our faith and obedience to the commandments. So I was compelled to exercise my gifts. Last night after church we met a less-active guy who was legit. Unfortunately he had been hit with all the anti Mormon bull crap in the world. He tried to pass it on to us but we shut him down with our firm immovable testimonies haha I told him i was anti-ed pretty hard early in and before my mission but I kept the faith and counselled with god. We concluded with him committing to ask god the truth. I came away from that realizing that I was literally prepared in sacrament for that lesson. 

I realized that working hard in the service of god directly blesses us. 

I've almost been out 6 months. 1/4th of my time on a mission is over. Its going too fast.

The doctrine within this church is true. Nothing but it. 

-Elder reynolds

2-29-2016

Hey fam!

I had a neat week.

On Wednesday Ulysses Suarez the president of the quorum of the 70 came to the mission for a tour. It was dope. I had to do the recitation in the mission meeting which means I read a scripture and relate it to the work or something then bear my testimony and recite our missionary purpose. I did it in front of the whole mission and the general authority.. that was a scary time of my life. 

I also found out from Sister Mendenhall that my last companion Elder Nelson went home.. I was real sad because hes a brother I made, but he is doing better back home. He let the stress and depression get to him. Thats something that missionary's constantly fight. He was also from the group that came out to the mission at the same time I did. Ill miss him.

Its transfers this week on Wednesday.. Im staying here in downtown, but getting a new companion, which is sad because Elder Larue and I get along so well. Also I got called to be a district leader here. Im in charge of the city, Im surprised that I have a leadership call being still young on the mission.

We met Jimmy again this week to help him move. Hes the dude who served a mission and stuff but now hes really super anti Mormon. Thats ok we still helped him move and he tried to shake our testimony's with some anti literature but we stood undaunted. We know with conviction who we are and what we stand for, More importantly who we represent.

We ran into Carmelo Anthony's apartment while trying to find an address haha its real nice.. and theres Lamborghini's all over the outside of it. He plays in the NBA. and you can tell.

Also I have officially gained 10 solid pounds of muscle... just thought i would share that haha... and my birthdays in a couple weeks.. dont forget.. oh and happy birthday georgia I love you!!

Lifes good. I love that opportunity I have to be spiritually fed everyday. The letters I get from you are inspiring and motivating. Thanks for your testimony's they're great.

Thats all. Another good week flew by.

The church is true.

Love, Elder Reynolds

3-14-2016

Hey fam,

this week... was crazy. 

We had to drive to the mission home and all over the mission on Wednesday because we had errands the mission office people wanted us to do. So we did them. Also I saw my best mission bud Elder LaRue.. man i love that guy. 

The rest of the week we just kept workin hard and got a lot of doors slammed in our face. no gun threats this time tho so thats lucky i guess.

Oh.. we have a baptism this weekend! thatll be cool!

We helped a lady move. Dear members, you either make our job real easy or real hard. Sorry i know none of you are members but... love thy neighbor haha

I had my first district meeting this week. I made my point very clear to my district that setting goals in life is absolutely essential. They shows the desire of our hearts and are a measurable milestone to help us see our personal progress. 

Also My companion is a real.. good guy. Pray for me.

Oh yesterday was the most interesting church session ive ever. been. to. and ive been to probably a million. Firstly we got there late because our clocks didnt change and we didnt know about the whole time changing theory.. then when we got there. one of the guys we teach showed up!! drunk!! haha that was crazy. he was.. funny. man im sorry words dont describe this guy. Hes my favorite dude. haha

I gotta go and visit some furniture stores because i like spending my PDays testing out sectionals and recliners.. deal with it im different. My companions think im weird. i cant deny what i know to be true.

Real quick i have a crazy story that happenend a week ago.

So we visited a zoo last pday and my companion and i got to go behind the scenes and look at the gorillas and seals and stuff. but we went into the lions cage!! that was crazy they guy was like be gentle theyre pretty territorial. So of course i messed up and sneezed and the freakin alpha lion witha head the size of donald trumps ego, woke up and started to growl. the guide was like oh we better leave shh be quiet. so we left and as i turned around i was tackled to the ground and i felt a huge powerful clamp go around my shoulder!! the freaking lion attacked me!! and i struggled to get it off and the guide was like whistling and trying all the tricks and there i was cligning on to the delicate thing we call life. then i woke up from my dream sweating.

Anyway have a good week. Love ya

-Elder Reynolds

A letter to his mom: 

well we spend a lot of time catering to the needs of member of the ward (relief society presidents, high priest group leaders, elders quorum presidents all the way to bishops) and that doesnt even include the non members and less actives. we have a lot on our plate and spend little to no time for ourselves. Honestly im totally fine with our workload which doesnt finish when we leave the office.. if we had one. mom blessings have come from my service. i have developed an honest love for the savior my family and those i serve. this love doesnt come from disobedience. i just wish youo could see the things we do in a day. i keep a lot out of my emails because talking about it would worry you or frustrate you to hear the disappointments and trials we face. in fact the other day things got so hard that i thought about coming home and not telling you or dad about it. but i didnt make the call to president i had the impression to "keep going". so i am. i dont want to further worry you because i really am pushing through this crap. anyway enough crying. just remember i know who i am

3-21-2016

Hey fam. 

This week was a decent one. Nothing too cool happened really..

Oh wait jk we had zone conference this week it was real good and inspiring just like always. I saw elder Larue and we didnt leave each others side because we are homies. 

We taught a lot of lessons i guess, and one of our investigators decided to blaze up right in front of us in the middle of a lesson and elder bowers said his headache went away after that haha weed is real gross haha

I would like to inform everyone reading that i have a new pair of boots on my person. 

yeah nothing really new or exciting. Ive said it once though church was interesting. President decided to join our ward today. 

3-29-2016

Hey Fam.

This week. well. We freaking destroyed it here. I and my companion went around to teach more lessons then we did last week, and im satisfied to say we did. by a lot. We set our goals high because I have to set the tone for the rest of my district. 

Good news we put 2 people on date. We haven't had that here in a long time because President Mendenhall wants us to focus on the less active list because of its size. Missionaries take advantage of that workload so they dont work as hard. Anyway we have 2 baptisms set for the latter part of April. Everyone should come! 

We get calls all the time to go give blessings because theres like some real high tech leading hospitals down here. So I had the oppurtunity to give a blessing to a guy with leukemia. I blessed him to be restored to full health. Im humbled to say that now the cancer has been 95 percent eradicated, and he is headed home. The priesthood works. because its the same power Jesus Christ had. I learned in a very real sense that god is anxiously engaged in our personal lives and our well being. Turns out this guy been investigating the church for over 2 years, and been through a lot of missionaries. His wife is a member (shout out to aunt michelle) #Memberwerk

Went on exchanges with the zone leaders this week. haha. that was good. 

I curled 60 pounds a lot of times. Im gettin my beach bod ready for summer 2018 haha we have a scheduled time that we are supposed to work out. my companion doesnt do it with me so I take that time to obtain unequaled bliss by liftin.

Anyway, this week was kewl it snowed a lot my companion was grumpy all week. oh well. but hey i have a testimony. DO YOU!?

Love, Elder Reynolds!

4-11-2016

Hey fam, 

Well uh im not sure where to start. This week was a decent average just like the rest of them kind of week.

Zone meeting was cool i didnt have to do a training which is good because i have no room to train missionaries. I am the least of these my brethren.

Oh yo conference was so sick!! D todd christofersons talk was my fav. I cant wait to be a dad... 17 months.. and be a breadwinner and pretty much love a woman.  listen to the prophets and apostles. No for real, ive re listened to conference all week as im getting ready or in the car. i perty much got it memorized. I think the main message was that we all need to repent and go to the rescue to save our fellow brethren, but remember we cant help someone out if we ourselves arent in a spiritual state to do so. SO GET IN ONE FAM! I think that its easy to become engulfed in the distractions of today, like social media, i, loath it. or other things like crafting clubs, sports, friends, tv, diet coke.. idk. But i feel it necessary to say that we gotta prepare ourselves. So im not challenging you, im demanding you to rid yourselves of all ungodliness and hold to the frickin irod rod like a milking puppy to its mother... haha

This week has been a tough one for my happiness im not gonna lie i wanted to join the people of the great and spacious building who were scoffing at us. Sometimes it seems as though it would be easier. However i remembered why in tarnation im on a mission and we got armpit deep in the work. 

Our top progressing investigator dropped us, he got into some anti mormon stuff and was convinced that the church is a hoax. Im sad to say that this is a direct result of not keeping our commitment to pray about it. I KNOW that if you ask for answers from god if this church is true. YOU WILL get one. Sadly we parted ways with our heads down. Its heartbreaking, and plain old awful when we get dropped. Even when Their baptism was supposed to be this weekend.  Its worse then breaking up with a girl... i wouldn't know about that actually..

Anyway on a happy note, transfers are next week and I might be training a new missionary.. and being a district leader at the same time.. i literally have to be on my A game at all times. At the same time i get to do all the work... well thats not gonna be any different.. But i want you to know that i can do hard things. So.. yeah just remember that i guess.. and crappy missionarys dont get this kind of responsibility.

I also want you to know that i have noticed myself maturing and blossoming into a beautiful pond Lilly, ready to harbor any frog that wants to chill. No im serious i feel like little stuff that would make me mad before doesnt bother me. Plus i feel as though My spiritual side is pretty much solid. I ALMOST cried in a lesson last week. I didnt wanna seem sensitive though. I am but.. it wasnt the time. 

Aiight im bored of talking about myself. And zan i had a dream about you.. BE GOOD!! (that was weird i had a dream that you were a missionary and i saw your daily planner and it was empty and then i woke up and got a sandwich and went back to sleep and my dream resumed and i saw your planner again and it was beat to shreds because of good use. I was proud but remember. BE GOOD AND BE STRONG!) sorry everyone that was to her.

Le church Es True.

Translation.. The church is true.

Love, Eldor Reynolds

This is a letter he wrote to his sister, I love his sweet advice. I thought I would include it here:

I love ya'll, im thinking about ya and i want you to know that sometimes life gets hard and we wanna give up and cry for 3 hours in the shower. 

Sometimes people are mean. Heres some advice. Smile at them nicely. Ask them to hang out! BE YOU! and most importantly. Read the scriptures. On your own. everyday. Imagine living with the people you dont like... haha thats been my life for the past 2 months. Heavenly father loves you and cares a lot about you. He wants to hear from you. Remember that you got a big brother on a mission who will watch out for you the rest of your life. Right now im taking care of these people here but when i get home you can come chill with me and my wife anytime you want.. 

I have a story for you. Last week i went to the hospital to give a blessing to a little baby. This baby was born with too big of a heart like honey bun and he had trouble breathing. I put my hands on his little precious head and blessed him to get better. As i was closing my eyes i saw him infront of me as a grown man. He was gonna be ok and i felt that in my heart. I realized on that day that heavenly father loves all of his children so much. even the little babys that havent been away from him for very long. Claira ive had the chance to see miracles happen on my mission and i know that if we are ALWAYS trying to grow closer to heavenly father, he will listen to us in our trials. I promise that if you pray to him to help give you the strength you need to make it through a day of school, he will be there. try it.

Love ya, Elder reynolds

5 months deep, WE WON, THA MISSION THO! Now at 6 months..(this mom is behind) and other amazing messages from Elder Reynolds in Denver North Reporting

Jan 11 2016

Hey fam.

     I had another interesting week. jake our top investigator got out of the hospital and hes on his way to baptism. That guys a freaking stud. Except his friends came over to his house with somebad drugs like.. meth and they spilled on the floor and his dog ate some so it got really sick and almost died... Our other top investigator went to jail... so we had to drop him... and we started teaching his mom in the process.... god really does work in mysterious ways.

We have this guy in our ward that ive never talked about but hes famous to all the missionaries becauase of how unique he is. hes an "investigator" that weve never taught but really wants to be baptized. Weve had to ask our mission president to interview him haha. His name is greg let me tell you a little bit about him. He is a hermaphrodite and hes very confused. hes on a lot of medication. so he says really weird things. When elder arevalo was my companion he would call us for 2 weeks straight and say that oddest things about the roadtrip he was on. apparently he was filming some nature video in cali. When he would call us we wouldnt answer because we were scared to talk to him. so he would leave us voicemails. he would say stuff like this. these are actual quotes ..."with all do respect i would like to let the devil speak through me, ......Hello this is the devil" haha then the next message "i, the devil, repent. there is no more hell." next message "hello this is jesus, this is the second coming of jesus christ, there is no more hell. the devil hath repented." he for real said this stuff. now, we feel bad for him and the ward hates him because he used a testimony meeting to ..."come out" but elder nelson and i have talked about it. Were baptizing him. haha so we had to sit down with him to figure out his knowledge and see his motives. when we asked hi the law of chastity question he said he cant do bad things because "i gave my agency back to god. so im a puppet" im sorry world but i laughed when he said that so hard that i had to leave the room. anyway were baptising him.. e en though the ward doesnt want us to haha everyone needs to be baptised. 

     on a serious note. i ripped my pants at church yesterday so that was akward. these dress pants are not made for hard working fun loving guys like myself. it was pretty funny my companion was face down on the floor laughing and i was laughing pretty hard too.. but i need more pants.. again..  But my testimony of having fun while you work was strengthened. i cant explain the week i had. but i know heavenly fathers watching out for us.. or laughing at us..idk

Anyway, this email isnt very serious because my week was anything but serious. But remember the church is true, and nothing but it.

Elder Reynolds

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January 19, 2016

momma!!! IM GOING DOWNTOWN!!

i was just at the mission home dropping off an elder who is going home and i had the oppurtunity to talk with my mission presidents wife shes so cool i love her. and they have a daughter who livwes in spanish fork and another who lives in springville and im excited!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mom! Sorry. ts been a bomb week! we usually teach around 8 to 10 lessons this week we taught 18 thats hard to do in this area

guess what i walked 38,800 steps on wednesday this last week. its been snowing so we cant ride we have to walke

momma

      i want you to know that i am in downtown denver i proselite in the areas that are shaddowed from the sun because of the large buildings around me. im very not at home. i feel like im gonna get hit by a car all that time. its very loud here. and i feel uncomfortable because i could get my bike or wallet stolen. but i find peace in the work. i notice that the world around me is crazy and loud , but inside of my body i feel happiness and confidence. its an odd feeling i cant really describe. well kinda .. its like being in a fishbowl sorta.. but i realized that a place that wouldve made me feel insecure and miserable such as this. now is just another place to me. wherever i go i know that i am loved. Im so happy to be here. theres so much work to do and fun to have. My companion is a boss too. hes really chill

Love, Elder Reynolds

January 26

WE WON!

Hey Fam.

This has been the coolest week of my life. 

I got transferred to the only ward that covers all of the downtown area. There's like a billion people we could potentially teach. They're all Broncos fans. This city was LIT last night when we won... i didn't watch the game but it was hard to not know whats going on from all the cheers and large tvs in the streets showing you the game and updating the score. Also the stadium is like a couple of blocks away haha I think god wants me to be a broncos fan. Why else would he send me downtown during the playoffs and super bowl. Unfortunately ive noticed my focus has been in doing gods work so i really dont care too much even though its pretty dope.

There's also Lamborghini's and Ferrari's and homeless people everywhere.

My companion is also a real cool dude. He has quite the conversion story.

The first night here a member hands us 100 bucks for dinner and we were like... woah thats like our whole months income haha... also i woke up to 12 voicemail's from one of the poorer members in the ward who was drunk.. he said lots of bad words in the voicemail and he really hates me hahaha. This place is extreme. We hear the neighbors every night.. and smell weed everywhere we go..anyway theres lots of stories to tell but you simply would just have to be on a mission to understand how ridiculous they are.

We like riding our bikes at night through the busy streets and tall buildings but we are fortunate enough to have a car which is a blessing because ive been on a bike my whole mission which is rare here.  

Anyway, its pretty cool to be here. I feel safe even though theres gangs and stuff everywhere... maybe im just naive. But god watches out for us. Other then the aww im constantly in because im not used to the city... everything is going really well we are teaching almost all the homeless people here and a couple of rich people.. they are harder to get to humble themselves and listen.

Until next week. I gotta leave because the parking meters about to expire..

The church is true. I know

Love, Elder Reynolds

February 1 2016

Hey fam.

Yet another wonderful week here in downtown Denver.

Um i really cant remember too much about the week..

The superbowl is coming up... they announced it in sacrement haha

Its snowing.. My bike needs repair,need donations.. haha ive been around homeless people so much im starting to turn into one.. In fact im sitting next to one right now. his smile is brown and toothless yet heartwarming. 

Ive been eating real healthy too.. 

The other morning we woke up real early to go to catholic mass.. all i have to say is that their church is simply not true. they have parts of the truth but not all of it. if you wanna argue.. read the book of mormon thats all i can say haha we get in battles sometimes about our church... we always win because we have jesus at the head of us.

My companion is real goofy. we are bros.. i say that about all of them but this guy has my back and i feel that. 

thats about it...

 the church is true. rep it. 

February 8 2016

Hey fam.

In the shower this morning, I had the opportunity to reflect deeply on my lifes decisions. I came to the conclusion the god has had his hand in my life from the beginning. This may seem like a depressing start to an email home but its not. I realized that ive been blessed to know the truth for the entirety of my life. Now this statement sometimes brings me sorrow because if people only knew what happiness they could find in the gospel, they would drop their distractions and flock toward it. Members and non-members alike.

As of today im starting a 40 day fast, instead of food im putting other things aside. Things that are holding me back from being the best missionary I can be. For example. selfish thoughts, things that remind me of home, and things that distract me such as thinking about football. I feel like its time to "drop my nets" so to speak and fully be a consecrated disciple of Jesus Christ by following his example and laying everything on sacrificial alter for him.

I challenge you to do this as well. What are things that keep you from growing closer to god? social media? Money? Friends? Video games? lets rid ourselves of filth.

We cant outwardly speak of Christ if we arent inwardly heeding his counsel. 

I hope something cool comes from this. Im gonna write a brief weekly letter home and i hope you still keep me updated on things going on. But I wont read or respond to emails until my fast is over. 

The church is true. Dont believe me? ask god.

PS yes i know about the broncos winning and yes the streets were crazy. you didn't think i could go without saying that right? haha 

talk to you in 40 

Love, Elder Reynolds

February 18 2016

Hey fam.

This week was pretty neat I got to sit down with my president and his wife separately and tell them about my progression as a missionary and how the work is going. I have to admit they both love me... 

Yesterday I met a guy in another ward while i was on exchanges with another missionary. this guys son is Andrew George. if you dont know him ill tell you. he played as a tight end for BYU and later played professionally for the buffalo bills. I sat and talked to his dad about how i remember him and Ryan Denny (another former byu player who lives here on Colorado too) and also we talked about good memories that we both share of byu football. that was really neat. In fact he called Andrew and asked if he knew my dad and Andrew said he sure did.  The reason why I met Brother George is because we were sent to check on him because his wife passed away from cancer and he isnt taking it to well.

As always we offered our spiritual assistance and it was a real neat experience.

In my personal study this week i have been catapulted in spiritual strength. I have been reading in the short books of the book of mormon and i notice how prophets have personalities. like Jarom says he wasnt the most obedient to gods commandments but hes still obligated to write about his genealogy. i loved that because of his honesty haha. When we really dive into the scriptures it doesnt take long for the stories to come alive off of the page. Also the powerful witnesses of god from the mouth of prophets is so powerful that no one learned, can deny them.

This week in my pursuit of self mastery has been good. I know im not gonna be perfect ever but im glad to say im doing the best i can. ive also realized that when everything is put into perspective, mundane day-to-day problems melt away and ive turned into a genuinely happy dude.

Sorry nothing too funny happened this week. wait haha no im wrong. we went over to a less actives two days ago and there was a bike cut in half outside of his apartment haha. i asked him randomly in the lesson if it was him that did it and he said yeah it was his neighbors and they hated each other. haha... thats a story no one will ever understand because you had to be there. It was cut clean in half. 

God is great beer is bad and people are really freakin crazy.

Love, Elder Reynolds

February 22 2016

THE MISSION THO

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Hey fam,

This week was good. Time fly's when you work hard. Im kinda exhausted from all the hours were putting in. Its worth it though. 

I heard a story listen, there's three mormons visiting a foreign country that's pretty hostile towards their beliefs. One was a stake high counselor, one was an elders quorum president and the last was a deacon. they were captured and put into torture camps. When they were ready to be executed, they were asked what was the last thing they wanted to do before they died.

The Elders quorum president said he wanted to help someone move one more time. Especially someone with a real heavy piano....they let him, then killed him. then the asked the next guy.

The high counselor said he wanted to preach, uninterrupted to a congregation of members of his church, for one hour. They executioner nodded and moved on to the deacon and asked him.

The deacon said.. I just wanna be killed before the stake high councilman speaks.

Yesterday sacrament was great. I took the time to counsel with heavenly father and see if theres anywhere I can improve. Then the talk was about spiritual gifts. I realized as I listened to the talk that god blesses us with specific tools, so were allowed to use them. But they are hinged on our faith and obedience to the commandments. So I was compelled to exercise my gifts. Last night after church we met a less-active guy who was legit. Unfortunately he had been hit with all the anti Mormon bull crap in the world. He tried to pass it on to us but we shut him down with our firm immovable testimonies haha I told him i was anti-ed pretty hard early in and before my mission but I kept the faith and counselled with god. We concluded with him committing to ask god the truth. I came away from that realizing that I was literally prepared in sacrament for that lesson. 

I realized that working hard in the service of god directly blesses us. 

I've almost been out 6 months. 1/4th of my time on a mission is over. Its going too fast.

The doctrine within this church is true. Nothing but it. 

-Elder reynolds

The Dyreng's from Gunnison went to Denver to visit family and took time out to visit a 

sweet member of our own family.

Christmas Updates and a Recent Letter

A letter from last Monday, January 4, 2016:

Hey fam. 

     Its your fav elder reynolds here in the frigid denver north pole zone. I know I havent written for a bit but tbh ide rather play basketball on pday then write home haha sorry momma i warned you. Oh guess what i also hit my 4 month mark this last week. 20 more to go.

 This week was a tough one. temperatures dropped a lot but it was also a good one as far as missionary work goes. We had a mission meeting. we set a goal for 500 baptisms in the mish this year. yes not a lot it seems like, but that means every missionary personally has to baptize like 2.5 people this year. its do-able but man life happens and we have to remember that theres no such thing as half a person. 

After the meeting I was on a spiritually motivated high and I reflected on the long drive home across Denver, why im on a mission. Why do i do what i do? Why do i brave 9 degree weather at night on a bike. Why do i stay happy when all of our set appointments for the day fall through. Why do i smile in response to a 6 foot 5 gangster who threatened to shoot us for tracting so late. Why do i shed tears over an investigator who we took to the hospital because he was contemplating taking his life and he was the third investigator this week to tell us that.  Why am i here? Ill be honest I had a hard time figuring out why im putting all my heart and soul into a work that seems like such a dead end. But I figured it out. In order for me to become like our father in heaven and inherit all the blessings he has in store for me, I have to see true sadness and true happiness. The mission has highs and lows but we learn invaluable life lessons from this work. Also, I learned that no matter how much I get beat up mentally, its still not about me or how I feel.

The Savior lives. When in his work I am never alone. If thats all i have to say from this week. Its enough, and thats my motivation. *Drops mic* Plus i cant complain because I live across the street from a walmart and of all the places to go on a mission I only wanted to go to a place with one. 

Love, Elder Reynolds

Last weekend (January 3, 2016) Brother Powell, a counselor in our bishopric, read a testimony from each of our missionaries. He sent them an email requesting they write back something he could read over the pulpit. Here is what Elder Reynolds' sent to him from the Denver North Mission:

YO HOME WARD! I'm on a mission right now and it's kinda crazy. I have the chance to reminisce and think about when I was preparing for a mission in primary and I remember singing the songs and thinking, a mission is so far away I don't need to worry. But it's here now! I've been out 4 months today, and it has flown by. As I teach and bear my testimony of the Savior my belief of him becomes strengthened. That's one of the blessings of being on a mission. You cannot deny the Lord and his love or the children when you cheerfully submit yourself to him and align your will with his. I've seen miracles through this.

This Christmas season is the first I've actually been happy with what I've received. I know it's selfish but I never truly took the time to remember why we celebrate Christmas. This year, I did and my heart was filled with so much joy that it would be selfish to keep it to myself. So I don't, I share it. That's why I'm here, to share the love and joy I feel from the Savior in my life. That's the greatest gift I've been given, is the knowledge that the Savior has my back. Simply put, there's no depth of sorrow we can face that the Savior hasn't already felt for us. I bear you my cheerful witness of the Savior and pray that we can all grow closer to God and his son. I'm thankful for all the support this ward has given me. I feel your prayers. They bring not only me, but the rest of God's army on earth spreading the gospel, strength. I encourage all of you to reflect within yourself the relationship you have with our Father in Heaven and His Son and do whatever necessary to strengthen it. You will see a love start to develop for the gift of life we've been given and for those around you. I say this humbly in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.


 Instead of getting an email, we got real, handwritten letter! It was received from Elder Reynolds
12-10-2015. Here is the contents of that letter. I have re-typed it, but it really was handwritten!

Dear Mom, Dad, Didi, Zan, Claira, Eve'Llyn, Georgia, Dane, Addie & Honey,

Just last night I felt the spirit more strong on my mission than I ever have before. Yesterday morning, I got a text from a sister in the ward who is less active. She told me she needed an oven for Christmas because she didn't have one. I told her we would take care of it. I prayed to our Father in Heaven and asked him what to do. Immediately a name of a gentlemen came into my mind. I texted him and told him the situation. Not 1 hour later, as we were walking down the street, the phone rang, it was a text from Brother Lester, who I asked to help. It said, "It is done."

My heart was filled with such a humble and absolute joy that could only come from the presence of the spirit. Now this is what christmas is all about. When I read the text my mind was brought to the Saviors final word on the cross of crucifixion. It is done. Both acts whatever small or large were service. Service for our fellow  man in which can bring no greater joy to ourselves.

This Christmas I challenge all of you to seek out someone in need of service. Pray about a name then pray about what to do for them. The answer is simple if we really want to have the best Christmas, serve. I know I am and I can't be there but I can think of no better place for me but here in Denver, in the service of God.

The Savior lives. I bear you my witness and the love that comes from the words I speak as I testify of His name. He loves us. His arms are always outstretched to us. As a disciple of Jesus Christ this my testimony. I leave this with you in the name of Jesus Christ. amen

Love,

Elder Reynolds

Senior Companion and Matching Sweats

reece.reynolds@myldsmail.net

Elder Reynolds' Mailing Address:

1250 Main St

Broomfield, CO 80020

Dec 7, 2015

This week has been dope. This next week will be more dope. We got work to do and not enough time to do it. its the beginning of another 6 weeks and i got a new companion his name is elder nelson. hes from arizona and we sat next to eachother on the plane out here haha we got two young bloods in this ward. last week was pretty fun though we got so lost in our work. the church has put out a new video and weve been sharing it like crazy. its called a savior is born www.mormon.org/christmas . go look it up and hit share on facebook or twitter. the quicker you do it the more people will see it and the sooner the world will get baptized... no for real this video is an awesome missionary tool. you will fell the spirit instantly. i know of all the 28 times ive seen it, ive felt the spirit every time. anyway we were on fire this week. but i have a new comp and well see how he is. my last comp got called to be a zone leader. and that was crazy but i also went on exchanges this week and crashed on my bike... dont worry the bike is ok but haha im out of a pair of pants. so dear mom please send money. and its sad that were on bike in the middle of the winter anyway but its ok not a lot of people can say that on their mission they were on bike in winter in denver.

anyway. i hear the broncos are doing well so thats good.

until next week. 

Love elder reynolds

**********************The following is from November 30th, we had a new grandbaby on that day, no emails were sent out. Enjoy this one a week late:)******************************************************

YO ITS REAL ITS ALMOST THE END!! haha the end of my 2nd transfer...lol 

TRANSFER DAY so the story of transfers is fun and nervous. we get to move around the mission and get new companions. now i love my companion hes a real homie and weve made some great memories. so im gonna miss him because he was my first real companion. Weve bonded, Weve seen heartbreaks, failures and weve also fulfilled our purpose and seen people enter into the straight and narrow gait which is the way and the only way back to god. im gonna miss him. but looking forward to a new co captain to the old ship zion here in my area of the denver north mission. 

Thanksgiving was delicious. i wanna shout out to the familys that fed us. we are still full. haha we ate at a family named the lesters. they have a daughter who reminds me of georgia so much that i almost called her g haha miss you g! but yeah it was a great day. a little homesickness but it was so joyfull that it went away so quick. 

one family we were at is so fun theyre recent converts named the biglens and we had a rap battle and let me tell you my spiritual rhyms were on point. they were impressed. my mixtape comes out in fall 2017.

also me and my companion got companion unity sweats. usually in missions people will get matching ties, but were different. deal wit it.

Other then that not a lot of spiritual progression happened this week to our investigators because they were all busy all week so we couldnt meet.. sad face. we keep going. the snow is hard to ride in so weve been walking this week. haha blizzards. but no yeah we LOVE snow:) the pics are from a photo shoot we had. do what you will with them haha

The savior lives. its my job to testify of him. so unless im just lying to everyone. hes always there for us. he loves us and knows us, every part about us. i love the savior and i feel his power work through me when i strive to be dilligent to his commandments

Attachments area

HEYYYYY MI LA FAMILIA

reece.reynolds@myldsmail.net

November 16, 2015

HEYYYYY MI LA FAMILIA

HEY,

First things first, I wanna shout out to my sister Georgia. Im still waiting for a letter back from you!

Next things next, This week has been just like the other ones except better because WE HAVE A BAPTISM THIS WEEKEND!!! Its Sebastian hes a stud i love that kid he got his haircut like mine and i must say, he looks fresh. Anyway Yeah were dunkin him this saturday if anyone wants to come they can.. haha jk thats disobedient! 

TOUGH THINGS this week. Paris, Yes we've heard about it. Also more and more everyday about the new regulation from the first presidency. Were under attack!!  This worlds a scary place. If you ever wanna get away from it.. serve a mission because we little missionaries are in a safe little bubble and feel no sense of insecurity. Also this week i had a bit of a sad moment. I was on exchanges with another elder in my district, who is famous for being a complicated missionary among the others, while we were on exchanges we visited a recent convert of his. His name is john. John was baptized earlier this year and is now in the hospital because hes suffering from the repercussions of smoking his whole life. He pretty much doesn't have lungs and there's nothing the doctors can do. My companion who was elder delafuente had a hard time seeing him on his death bed. While we were in the hospital room i felt the spirits comfort very strongly that this sick man laying in front of me was in good hands.  I took the time to reflect on my life a little bit and how ive been able to see gods hand in my life. How my testimony of Christ has grown and how i have changed. As I was thinking, it was as if the hands on the clock had stopped. Time slowed down immensely I was filled with a sense of joy and humble confidence. I knew that like the man on the hospital bed in front of me. God has a plan for me and is always there to help me fulfill it. As we left the hospital I put my arm around a teary-eyed elder i was walking with and told him I loved him. Time immediately resumed to its crazy fast pace that I live as a missionary.

On a happier note I had interviews with President Mendenhall and his wife separately. I found out that their daughter lives in Spanish Fork, my old stomping grounds. Also that there's a big stock show in Denver this December and there might be a family history booth there that we get to run. I said sign me up!! Because that means I might get to see my boss Charles from the ranch!! Also President gave me special permission to get cowboy boots which other elders don't have:)

Anyway, We've got a fun week ahead of us because its supposed to snow a lot tonight and I'm still waiting for my winter coat... hopefully its arrival is not being delayed because its.. kinda cold..

BUT! More work, More blessings. Harder Work, Hotter future wife.

Christmas Wish List:
My wish list is simple!

My list is simple

old spice tinder body wash and deoderant the chalk kind not gel.

A big thing of protein powder and a shaker bottle

costco muffins

Black nike university of utah hoodie

my hawiian shirt from the cruise

ties

black nike socks

those ariat cowboy boots from scheels size 11

Fit BIt

Blue Broncos flag

ps i got cowboy boots approved personally from my mission president.

Love, Elder Reynolds

THA MISH

reece.reynolds@myldsmail.net

November 9, 2015

Its another great day to be alive. Guess what! we got 2 new investigators both are on date to be baptized. 

Also we caught up with a kid who we haven't been able to meet with for a while and we played basketball with him in the gym and i beat him but he was pretty good. Anyway after we taught him we showed him and his friend a movie about the Restoration and the spirit was so strong. i said " do you feel that"? he said .."Yeah" i said " that's the spirit" he got tears in his eyes and we asked him to pray and he said the most beautiful prayer. The most spiritual thing ive ever experienced. When an investigator prays sincerely to our father in heaven.  His head rose from the prayer and it was almost like he was glowing. A 16 year old kid with tattoos and earrings Looked so pure. But he hasn't even been baptized yet?! it just goes to show us that god prepares us. Long story short he was at sacrament on Sunday WITH his friend. That was dope. In like 3 weeks my email with have a picture attached with me my companion and him dressed in white on his baptism day. We are more then excited.

Another dope thing was that we got a picture with Patrick. He got new dentures so he was more the happy to flash he new pearly whites. I freaking love that guy.

Another Nother dope thing was that we got couches in our apartment and man. We have a man cave. Too bad were only there to sleep and eat our tuna sandwiches because that's all we can afford to eat haha 

Something sad was that the broncos lost this week and everyone seems kinda sad and its weird how people are really affected by outer influences haha.

Anyway lifes good i enjoy all your emails. I love hearing from you it makes my weeks fly by. And im going fishing right now after i type this. I love this mission.

God lives, he loves us, and really loves hearing from us.

Love, Elder Reynolds.

From reece.reynolds@myldsmail.net Dated 11-2-2015

This week was SO DOPE!! we had so much fun teaching the gospel haha our goals however were not met. Halloween gave everyone of our investigators every excuse in the book to cancel our appointments. BUT we taught one already this week and its P-Day. No one else in the mission has taught so far this week. So were going the extra mile. 

By the way im staying in this area again i made it through my first transfer. ive already been in the field 6 weeks. its crazy how fast its been. but in order to last another 6 weeks or more. the rain is relentless. but im so happy i get to stay in this ward. the bishop is so nice im ghonna try to get a picture with him because i absolutly love him.

The weather is changing and the Holiday season is coming. As much as i cant wait for snow to fall while im riding my bike, I am so excited for Christmas because of Christ. Man hes my best friend. yesterday in testimony I was dying because I wanted to bear my witness of him but my comp said to wait for a gap in the speakers... there wasn't one. Some of our investigators were there and that made our horrible week so much better. We got a kid whos gettin baptized this month yeet!! he was at church! bigger yeet!! 

We had district meeting this week and i had to give a training.. that was fun.. thats all im gonna say about it.. because how can i train guys who have less days on the mission the i have months.. idk. the lord doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called.

Anyway the church is true Joseph Smith was the man. So is Jesus Ive gotten to know him pretty well. I encourage everyone to do the same. Our lives will be elevated and testimonies strengthened abundantly when we turn our hearts to him. its just hard being a nephite surrounded by lamanites. its just hard. if you go on a mission you might catch a glimpse of it but idk. my mission is well underway now and ive seen the two spectrums of happiness and sadness in full..but remember i love you and keep on keeping on haha 

Also ive been away from home for 2 months TODAY and tbh i dont miss it at all. Anyway its time to go finish my Pday  have a good week keep me posted on the good stuff happening. the broncos are doing great too... we dont watch them play we just hear about it.. trust me. 

Love, Elder Reynolds

P.s check out this pic of me and my mish crew fishing of the balcony of our apartment:)t haha