Jiikendam Niibaa-anami’aa Giizhiigan!

Shores of Red Fish Lake

To the Tune of Hawaiian Christmas:

Jiikendam Niibaa-anami’aa Giizhiigan is the Ojibwe way, to say Merry Christmas to youu!

________________________

Hello, Xin chào, 你好, boozhoo, and MERRY CHRISTMAS! Hope you are having a very Merry Christmas and enjoying the holiday.

The Volkswagen

This week was full of driving and trying not to slide off the roads in the icey mornings. We got a new 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan last week and it has been interesting. Our vehicle coordinator, (the person in charge of giving vehicles to people) said although we don't have snow tires, the tires we have "should do" and "will be fine". After sliding around on the dirt snowy roads and ice, I can confirm they have done "fine".

Whenever we try to refuel the car, the gas cap refuses to open. We have searched both the manual and online. There is not button inside the car, outside, or digital to open the cap. (Das Auto). Last week when running late to District Council, the cap didn't open. So, I quickly said a prayer and then it popped open right when I said "Heavenly Father, why now?". Later when on a reservation in a bit of a sketchy place, it was stuck again. So, I told Elder Mayne to say a prayer. Right when he did we heard a pop and the cap opened again. I'm certain there is a logical and reasonable explanation for why the cap opened or we are doing something. Regardless, it is still a fun story to share regarding the power of prayer.

This week we helped with the Ward Christmas party as the announcers because we had "radio voices". Sunday, I gave a talk about how we can light the world. I'll attach it below if anyone wants a read!

It has hardly snowed here in Minnesota, I'm starting to think people are messing with me. I was told to prep for tons of snow, freezing temperatures, and the northern lights! So far: It was 49°F last week, there has been about 2in of snow and no northern lights. Regardless, it has still been so fun serving here. Just pray I get to see the northern lights! This week we got to see all the ice fishers on Red Lake, because it had frozen over! It's a whole city out there. The ice just isn't thick enough for cars yet... (See attached photo).

I'll attach some of the photos from this week below. If you want to see all of them and fun videos go to my Google Photos Link. I also have a blog where all my weekly emails go.

Wishing you a safe, warm, and magical Christmas! Make sure to get yourself a fun present or treat this week. You deserve it! Love and miss you all,

Sincerely,

Elder Reynolds

Anh Cả Reynolds

ethan.reynolds@missionary.org

Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KXNEyuJ6epdKQtAq6

Puppies!

The backend of a pickup truck sticking out of Red Fish Lake

Comments

Hanoian Hamburgers

Alo- Hope you are doing well and enjoying the Spring Weather. We are hoping to start getting some warmer weather this next week (meaning the grey overcast that has been here for the past 3.5 months leaves). This week I don't really have much to report on. Always Adjusting: This week was mainly just adjustment to the new area and assignment. This transfer I'll be helping as an Assistant, which is mainly a lot of behind the scenes work. It reminds me a lot of when I was doing Social Media work a little over a year ago - rather than managing the social media, you help with different aspects of the mission. There isn't anything extremely stressful or overwhelming -- it is just lots of small tasks you have to learn to do. My current companion has great experience in this role and has been teaching me lots. He leaves at the end of this transfer, so I am trying to absorb as much as I can to get it ready for the next transfer. The Mission Branch: One aspect I have been enjoying ...

Escaping and Entering The Matrix

Alô, Wishing you a happy end to your summer break and a successful start to the upcoming semester, or whatever adventure you are onto next. If you have some spare time, send me some photos or a little update of what you have been up to! As for me, this might be the busiest/chaotic I've been on my mission so far. I'll do my best to organize this email the best I can. The Matrix As mentioned in the previous email, my new companion Elder Bird and I are currently in a temporary apartment, until we get to our new apartment later this week. [ The last apartment Elders were staying in got sold out underneath them, resulting in this situation ]. We've just been living out of our suitcases - just waiting to move and get settled in. The apartment we have been staying in is called "The Matrix" - and it has certainly been a fitting name, as it truly is an escape to try and enter and leave the complex. It's also resulted in me making plenty of movie references. My pers...

Buddist Monks and Ba Đình

Hello everyone! Hope you have been doing well. Congratulations to those of you finishing up your semesters, and keep pushing on for those in the end game! Remember in my last email I said "pray for some stories?". Well - I don't know who prayed for them, but Heavenly Father certainly answered your prayers. This week has been quite crazy, but fun. Last Preparation Day: Last Preparation Day was a blast. We planned with our district to travel to a cool hike with a cave and Buddhist temple. So, we ordered our taxi and went on our way. Thirty minutes into the taxi ride and checking on the map we realized we were in fact not going to the correct Buddhist temple - we put in the wrong address, and were riding in the opposite direction. Being 10 minutes away from our new destination (and almost accidentally leaving the zone) we decided to see what the temple would be like. Upon arrival, it was clear the temple was under major renovations and closed. We checked out the lit...

Elder Reynolds in Hanoi

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