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Got Áo Dài?

 Xin Chào và chúc mừng năm mới! 🎆🐉

Tết is here in Vietnam! People are returning to their home towns and the Áo Dài are coming out! (An Áo dài is a traditional Vietnamese outfit for Tết. See photo of mine below). I'm so excited to be here for the holiday and can't wait to see what adventures unfold from it. I hope my friends celebrating the new year are staying safe. 祝你们平安,，福，和高兴！新年快乐(⊙o⊙)！

I hope you have had a lovely start to your February! We have been staying busy here. 

Authentic Home-made American Burgers:

Last P-Day Elder Vassantachart, Le and I stepped up and made some DELICIOUS homemade American burgers. Double-patty, tomatoes, lettuce, ketchup, smash style burgers. We even made some french fries. After eating we all needed a nap - we definitely made American size portions. 

Following burgers we did a vist to the War Remains Museum. This museum had a variety of US Military equipment that was left behind from tge Vietnam War. It also had a variety of exhibits that showed how the Vietnam War influenced the civilian life here in Vietnam. It was really interesting and insightful to learn about the war from a different perspective. 

Exchange with DL:

Tuesday I had a great exchange with our District Leader Elder Tolley! Got to speak Mandarin with some students at a bookstore we had finding/studying in. 

The Bike Adventure Continues:

We went back to the bike repair shop and met with the repairman to get an update on my bike. We explained how we needed the bike to do our work as volunteers. He was interested in hearing more about our message, after we explained what we as volunteers do. He offered that while I wait the next couple days for the bike to be fixed, that we could use one of his rental bikes. (It was such a nice bike hahaha). This came in good timing too, because that same day we did a 14km bike ride to drop off a Book of Mormon to a friend. 

When returning to pick up my bike, we were able to give the repairman a Book of Mormon. We should be meeting after Tết to discuss more! It's interesting to see how our trials and inconveniences can sometimes be a blessing. In the moment we aren't able to recognize it, but as we move forward and continue to have faith, things will work out.

Tết Gift Deliveries: 

Friday and Saturday we biked a ton delivering gifts to low-income member families. It was an interesting experience to get to visit people's homes and have a lesson with them. I love seeing how people decorate and all of their family on the walls. Every home is so unique and different from the other. 

Baptism of Long!!: 

Got to have my first baptism on the mission which was so exciting!! Long was already being taught when I arrived, but hey, I'm gonna count it! He is an awesome person and has a great testimony of Christ and how he has supported him. He is going through a really difficult time with his health currently. We are hoping and praying to see some improvements with him. 

Spiritual Thought: 

I was reading through Alma this week and thought I would share Alma 37:36. This chapter in the Book of Mormon teaches us about guidance and direction in our life. It states: 

Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

Although we do not have things like the Liahona, (the Liahona was a tool given to a prophet in The Book of Mormon to help him navigate the wilderness. It worked like a compass) we do have things like prayer, scriptures, prophets, church leadership, spouses, family and friends to counsel and support us. God will be our biggest support and best counselor. When we focus on Him and trust in His plan, we will recieve blessings. We will end up happier, safer, and stronger by trusting Him. __________________________________________

Wishing you all the best. Life is Tết here in Vietnam. 

Love,
Anh Cả Reynolds
Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KXNEyuJ6epdKQtAq6
















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