Skip to main content

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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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 ...
Post a Comment
Read more

30 Chưa Phải Là Tết

  Alo, It has been a great week. After eating some delicious tacos and having a crossover with the Binh Duong/Phu My Hung districts in Saigon, we flew back to Hanoi in the evening. We finished our Hanoi Zone Conference and welcomed our two new senior missionaries. We've been meeting with lots of our friends and having member meals, which is always enjoyable.  On Sunday we had a man from China come to participate in a sacrament meeting. We aren't certain how he found out about the church, because he randomly showed up at the building. I helped "interpret" for him, but I could really only give him the general idea of what was going on. I was feeling a little embarrassed how little I could communicate, despite my previous studies. During the sacrament, I was just praying I could at least do the basics to help him the best I can. After we took the water, he tapped me on my shoulder and asked me a question. I had to ask him to repeat it 2 times because I thought I misunder...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unphởgettable

  Alo-  This week was enjoyable having our MLC meeting and preparing for the upcoming transfer. Lots of changes are happening, which is exciting. It just means more unforeseen good things are yet to come!  Tuesday, I conclude my time as a missionary. Service as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been such a blessing to me. Both written and spoken words are inadequate to share about what I've learned in these last 23 months. So I'd just like to give a brief, but sincere testimony: I testify we have a loving God, who is our Heavenly Father. I know he has a Son, Jesus Christ, who sacrificed his life for us. I've learned how God's Plan for us will lead us to eternal happiness and joy. I know as we repent, we can overcome our burdens and be strengthened by the Lord. I know as we read in the Book of Mormon and pray, we will have an increased knowledge of His love for us. Overall, I testify true, pure happiness and joy is found in Jesus Christ...
Post a Comment
Read more