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Merry Christmas from Bemidji!

Hello all, and Merry Christmas!

I hope you were on the good list this year and got all your presents! If you got some coal, send it this way - we could use it for some heating! 

This was a pretty standard week of teaching, contacting, and serving. Friday we had the opportunity to serve in the food shelf. One woman recognized me as a missionary as I was helping her shop. Her eyes lit up as she explained to her young child who we were and briefly explained all the good interactions she had with them in the past. Due to the food shelf being run by multiple different church organizations, there is a rule for no proselytizing while working. There are some other things I technically could have done to try and find her - but I know the Lord has a plan, and at a minimum, my small act of service was just another seed planted for the next missionaries who find her. 

Alma 37:6 from The Book of Mormon puts it best: "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise". 

This Christmas, I invite you to try to focus on the small and simple things you can show gratitude for! I noticed as I have this past 6 weeks, I have felt uplifted and at peace. I have found that gratitude is truly one of the greatest gifts we can give to our Heavenly Father. 

I'll end with yet another quote from Elder Kearon in his 2019 Christmas devotional talk - "Take time to be still, to breathe, to wonder. Look up. Focus in on His great gift—the knowledge of who you truly are, and the understanding that trials here are fleeting and that joy here is just the beginning of joy to come. Remember, “the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”

I love you all! I am doing great here in Minnesota and appreciate all of the kind Christmas wishes, gifts and messages! Wishing you a Happy New Year and the Merriest of Christmas. Enjoy time with family!

Sincerely,
Elder Reynolds
Anh Cả Reynolds

Merry Christmas!

A bird lands on a partially frozen lake

Sign on front door

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