Haleyville Roller Coaster Ride‏

What a wonderful Christmas it was to talk to family! What a blessing to have Christmas on your mission. I realized this was the only Christmas I'll ever have on my mission. ... Thursday was a little rough getting into the routine of things, but by Friday we were feeling great! Friday evening the Elders texted us and asked if they could borrow the car Saturday to visit all the single males on the Branch roster who live in Double Springs and Bear Creek. Sister Downs joked, "Watch. Tomorrow will be the coldest rainiest day in Haleyville." ... Jokes on us. It was! Saturday was such a fun day though! We tracted all day in the rain, up hill, both ways ;) until evening. Not much luck, but we did get to see Kelly, who's Paul's best friend. Kelly's dad died on Thanksgiving day this year. We finally found where he lives (by his southern directions) We met Kelly through Paul who hasn't been to church in a while, but Kelly is interested in the Book of Mormon. We talked about the Atonement and what that meant and shared the scripture about when Christ cried out, "Abba" meaning daddy. He really likes inspirational books and learning more about the Savior. He's in his late 20's and his son Peyton who is 6 is just the cutest thing. He kept showing us all his toys he got for Christmas. Other than seeing Kelly, we didn't get any return appointments, but we did talk to a baptist man who called Joseph Smith a quack and then tell us to take no offense to it ... It's like saying, bless your heart but I hate you. So that's when you take Sister Pates advice, to shake it off and read some scriptures. So we kept skipping and dancing along in the rain with frozen toes. By dinner time the Elders brought back the car, and we went out to see Angie and Oscar. We ended up teaching them all of the Commandments in ONE VISIT! We went through the baptismal interview questions, and committed Oscar to prepare to be baptized on January 11th. Then we went back Saturday to make sure they were coming to church, etc. ... Sunday morning we call them and they say they are coming. It's 9:00. They haven't showed up. It's now 9:30 ... they didn't show up. We have dubbed Sundays to be a roller coaster of emotions no matter what. Then later that day because we are oh so smart, we drive to Tonya's (she lived up past a dirt road). ... not thinking, it RAINED ALL DAY SATURDAY. So naturally we get the car stuck in the mud. Being prideful we wanted to try and get ourselves unstuck by shoveling the mud and pushing the car. Well we aint' pioneers, because the car was going nowhere. So we go to her neighbors to ask for help, and he says, "Y'all got stuck again?" We had gotten stuck at her house a few weeks ago. So we were actually happy we got stuck because it left us some comic relief after the Sunday morning we had had. And I'm pretty sure we went through a cycle of EVERY EMOTION this week since Christmas day. But always all in all, it was a great 'nother week in the life of a missionary! Oh the joys of being a Sister Missionary on a Haleyville Roller Coaster Ride!

Love y'all!

Sister Reyne

There's No Place Like Haleyville For The Holidays!‏

This week has been non-stop since ... Well it never started at any particular point. It's just been non-stop ever since ... This last week we had a Christmas Party with President and Sister Hanks and a few other zones. Sister Williams was there!!! Our District (Haleyville and Hamilton) did the 12 Weeks of Training. The Sister sang, and the Elders held up the signs. I have pictures, but my camera is dead and I can't find the cord ... so maybe next year y'all can see them. So sorry! Then on Thursday we had our Haleyville Branch Christmas Social that Sister Downs and I got put in charge of. We actually aren't sure how that actually happened, but thankfully it turned out fabulous! Oscar read the Nativity Story from Luke 2, Sister Downs and I were in a skit with Starr, Dayne and their friends, as well as the Elders. I'm sure President Pate posted it on Facebook. We also sang Silent Night with the Elders, there was food, Santa came, and I could not stop smiling that whole night because Angie and Oscar and their 4 kids ALL came!! 

So Sister Downs and I are sure that the Zombie Apocalypse is going to start in Haleyville. (First because everyone pretty much has the plague right now. It's hit Elder Barben too) On Saturday night we had a Tornado Warning, and then Sunday morning on the way to church we didn't see one human soul outside. .. Then later that day there was a dead cat on the side of the road (sing it Anthony). But really. There was. Speaking of animals though ... Well first here's the Southern explanation of the story. Angie and Oscar didn't come to church Sunday because of the storm and were up until 2:00 a.m. So naturally we dropped by their house after church. They were just about to leave to finish some Christmas shopping so they asked if we could come back that night. We talked for a little and Oscar made jokes at us about our bikes because he's never seen us in them. So being the cool missionaries that we are, Sister Downs and I road our bikes to their house last night. We watched Joy to the World with them because that's what they missed in Sunday school. We bore testimony of the Savior, answered some of their questions, and gave Oscar a spanish Book of Mormon, and invited him to read Alma 32, and talked about baptism again ... I just LOVE that family so much!!! So, as we are riding back, it wasn't but 1 minute later, and a pack of DOGS comes towards us out of NOWHERE! I mean, there were at least 10. So my reaction is to freeze, and I start screaming, while Sister Downs is yelling, "Peddle faster! Just peddle faster!" ... We get home to text Angie, and her response was, "Sorry about the dogs. There are a lot of them out here." Embarrassingly enough they must have heard us screaming and yelling! She told us to stick to the car. I do NOT like dogs out here! There are so many stray dogs. 

We tracted a little with the Elders looking for a referral yesterday and it was a sketchy area and so Elder Thompson said, "This is the kind of area where people come out with shot guns." We told him that as Sister we try and avoid these kind of places for that reason. We were trying to find some less actives on Saturday and right as I went to knock on the door I turned to Sister Downs and she said, "Let's go!" We both had the WORST feeling! So we ran to the car and drove away. After that we felt so shaken up that we went to the Pates, and then texted the District Leader and went home because of the Tornado watch. 

There's no place like Haleyville for the Holidays! .. Right?!

Love y'all!

Sister Reyne

I Blinked And Now It's December!‏

First off, I'm so sorry I didn't write last week! I ran out of time. So this week I'm going to write the email first, so I can enjoy reading my other emails. The last two weeks have been fabulous! We met Stephanie who is 21, that the Elders tracted into, and she is AMAZING! Oh my gosh! She and Steven have a little boy named Ryland. I could just see her being best friends with Kasey. Her apartment looks so much like how Kasey decorates too! She and Steven want to be baptized! She also has a friend who is Mormon and from what she has told us about her we want to thank her unconditionally because of the example she's set for Stephanie. I just wish y'all could meet her!! Last Friday was the temple trip. I learned SO much. I love how close I am able to feel to the Savior when I'm there. And I've felt rejuvenated ever since. I love my Savior! The only way to get to our Father is through Christ. I know that with an assuredly of heart. 

On Saturday we volunteered at Christmas at the Lake. I have pictures, but I lost my cord to hook up to the computer, so until then ... Haleyville has done Christmas at the Lake for 12 years. There is a long trail of Christmas Lights, and we helped at Santa's workshop passing out hot cocoa and cookies. We met a lot of people doing that, and had so much fun. Sunday was Christmas eatin' Sunday and President & Sister Hanks spoke in Sacrament about the Savior and how we are saved by His life. Going through Matt, Mark, Luke and John we can learn so much about what Christ truly did during his life. 

Tomorrow we have our Christmas Party for all the missionaries! It's being split up for the next few days because there are like 300 of us. But our District (Hamilton and Hayville Sisters and Elders) are doing a skit called The 12 Weeks of Training. Here's how it goes ... y'all are getting a sneak peak before all the other missionaries. On the first week of training my trainer gave to me ... (And for the sake of time and space I'll just list the days)

1. Cold, empty, sad mailbox

2. Rabid dogs

3. Missing teeth

4. Waffle houses

5. Hallelujah's I'm saved!

6. Hours of tracting

7. Dinner appointments

8. Check your speeds

9. Baptist preachers

10. Dead armidillas

11. Other lessons

12. Mosquito bites

I hope no one will take offense to this, it's just SO Hamilton and Haleyville Alabama!

On Thursday our Sister Training leader did exchanges with us and we gave away Lindsay and Daniel's puppies across the street from Walmart. Lindsay make little treat bags to go with the dogs, and then we talked with the people and gave them pass along cards. No one was interested in us coming over, but we did give away all 8 puppies! So it ended up being great fellowship for Lindsay and THEY CAME TO CHURCH SUNDAY! We also had a great lesson with Angie and Oscar on Thursday! They agreed to be baptized December 28th (if they get their answer that this is what they should do) We said that we had prayed about that date for them,  and received an answer that that was the date we should set for them to work toward as a goal. Oscar said he's searched a lot of religion, and this is basically the last one. Well he's found it! I love that family so much! 

Sister Downs and I are also planning the whole Branch Christmas Social for Friday! We are stressed to our teeth, and are going to take 8:00 - 9:00 everyday to plan and decorate, make the programs, etc. But we're excited! And then NEXT WEEK IS CHRISTMAS!! We're going to the Bradberry's for brunch and then to the Pates! And we will SKYPE there! More details next Monday. 

Well that's the basics, I find it hard to write in my journal every night because so much detail happens in ONE day. And wasn't it just Halloween? I blinked, and now it's December! 

Love y'all!

Sister Analise Reyne

Three Turkey's, One Turkey Bowl, and One Alabama Game!‏

I've got 10 minutes. .. Thanksgiving was fabulous! Thanksgiving morning was the Turkey Bowl! It was so much fun! I'm awful at taking pictures, so I'm going to try and get some from Sister Bradberry. I LOVE playing football! Where has it been all my life? Then we ate with the Pates! And then a few hours later we ate at the Evans. We tracted a few people that day and .. why we didn't think of this before I don't know, but we sang! We brought our little hymn books (thanks D!) and sang as a way of tracting and finding people to teach. We got one return appointment and they know the Bradberry's! The third Thanksgiving we had was Friday with the Bradberry's! We played games and had a huge bonefire. I actually remembered to take pictures then. Go figure! And sadly Bama lost to Auburn Saturday. Maybe that's why no one wanted to see us haha But Sunday was wonderful! 

I love our members! And I love this gospel! I know that it is THE way to everlasting happiness! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ's church restored to the Earth. I'm grateful for my family! I'm grateful for the Priesthood that has been restored. Without it we couldn't be sealed together as families. I'm grateful to be a missionary in Alabama. The BEST Mission EVER! Yes ... I'm one of those missionaries. I'm grateful for Sister Downs! An awesome mission companion! I'm grateful for my Savior! And I'm grateful to be a part of His church! I love y'all!

Me & Sister Downs

Me and Brother Bradberry. I love this man! 

Less Active Finding

Love y'all!

Sister Reyne

The Church Is SO True!‏

It's been a fun filled week full of Emmaus Experiences! This week I'm choosing to share specific experience. So let's start with Sunday shall we? After church we had a lesson with Cara at her in-laws the Evans who are members. We taught The Plan of Salvation, and when we invited her to be baptized, she said she is 50/50. That's a huge improvement! She is still afraid she won't be a "good Mormon". We made cute little pictures of the Creation, and what was created each day, etc and then the Sun, the Moon and the Stars to represent the Kingdoms of Glory. We put our little heart and soul into those pictures, and then me being the scatter brain that I am spaced our pictures of the creation and jumped into "..So Adam and Eve". However we did use our pictures representing Heaven. 1 brownie point?

P-day was really fun! We actually had time for a nap for about half an hour, and before that we played four square and football with Dayne who's 11, his sister Starr who's 15, and Nick who's 13, and the Elders. So you are probably wondering how we played football? Right? Ok, maybe not, but irregardless Sister Downs and I played quarterback because we can't really play tackle football. No explanation necessary. We're missionaries ok. That night we saw Jaime who is less active and the Elders have been teaching her husband who is not a member. She is AWESOME! Sister Downs felt prompted to share the story of Jared and the Brother of Jared and related it to Jaime that it's ok to pray to God how ever often we want, and it's ok to ask Him things. And she was told us what a great lesson it was, and how it's funny because she has been struggling with that. She feels "bad" asking for things, like God has more people to worry about. I know I've worried about this most my life of, why does He want to hear from ME? Other people need Him more right now. But of course that isn't true. We all need God always! And He wants us to pray to Him often. That's how we exercize our faith. Will he answer my prayers? Is he listening? Does He need to hear from me? As we pray it's exercizing our faith that Yes He will, and yes He is, and yes He does! 

Tuesday we met Angie and her family who met missionaries when they lived in Mexico for a few years, and met the Hamilton Hermanas a few weeks ago, and then the Elders not knowing that, tracted into them and then referred them to us. We are super excited about them! They're busy, but all of them can be there Wednesday evenings. We had thought that the Elders knew the Hamilton Sister met them, but they had no idea when they tracted into them. And because it's getting darker earlier we have to be a little more creative with what we do, so we wrote thank you notes to some members and door bell ditched them. It was super fun! And Wednesday we played murder in the dark with the kids for Mutual. The Branch is trying to get mutual started and having Starr and Nick invite friends. 

Gosh there's just so much more to write, but for the sake of time I have to be short. But Thursday's weekly planning was amazing! We had companionship prayers taking turns with each prayer for each investigator, and received the same inspiration for each of them! It was the coolest thing! And we have both been getting the prompting to tract, and so of course my studies led me to Matthew 10 and Alma 8 which had me laughing all study because it was so direct to the point of, ok ok I get it. We need to tract. haha So we tracted and met someone that basically said, I'm Baptist and not interested but hey, go see my neighbor, they need it! It was a house that looked abandoned, just behind our apartments. We would have NEVER gone there if we hadn't had tracted. So when we went to knock on the door we were hesitant, and because of all the NO TRESSPASSING signs. Then as we get to the front door, written in black sharpie is says, If it's past 9 pm, go away! Sister Downs said, "Well it's not after 9!" We knock. A voice says, who is it? We state who we are. "Come in! I'm in bed, I just had back surgery." We couldn't decide whether she was crazy for letting two strangers in her house or if the spirit was able to let her know it was safe to let us in. We were able to get a return appointment which NEVER happens! People always say, "Oh yeah! Come whenever!" So we set a time to come back Saturday!

Friday we had Zone Conference which was amazing! And so much of what we learned was applied so perfectly to our day Saturday. We saw Amy and asked her if she wanted to be baptized. She said not right now, but she's very open to us coming over and she really needs direction in her life! She offered us a drink and Sister Downs said her sister said the elect offer you food and drink. We turn to each other! "She's getting baptized!" Ha We are just super blessed to have found them and super grateful for the Heavenly Father is pushing us to where and what we needed to go and do. 

Last but not least, a funny story and something that I can and will never forget! At Stake Conference this weekend Sister Hanks told a story of when she and President first got to Alabama and were trying to decide how to pronounce the city Tupelo (which is our stake). They couldn't decide so they went into a local establishment and asked the employee, "Can you tell us where we are, and say it slowly and clearly?" The employee's response, "t a h - c o - b e l l" ... Presidents talks are always hilarious, direct, and inspiring. He said, "If you are wondering if Joseph Smith really saw God and Jesus Christ, ask God, He was there!" ... It's something to think about for anyone who has not received an "answer" and who is even struggling with their testimony. I'm going to invite anyone who reads this, who wants to know. Follow President Hanks advice. "Ask God. He was there." The Church is So true! 

Well I love you all! I cannot thank you enough for the support! I'm so very blessed! 

I love all y'all and each y'all!

PS - Am I aloud to ask y'all to pray that Alabama beats Auburn this Saturday? Ok ... maybe just pray that we can find meaningful activities during the game. NO ONE will let us in I guarantee it! 

Sister Reyne

God Is Great! Rootbeer Is Good! And People Are Crazy!‏

Where has the week gone? Where has my mission gone? I've been out over 5 months now. I'm loving Haleyville! We're at the end of the transfer, but me and Sister Downs are both thinking we will stay another transfer, which means we will be here for Thanksgiving and Christmas! Blessing! I sure love the people here! The only reason I wouldn't want to stay another transfer is because I'll start loving the people here even MORE like I did in Northport and it's that much harder to leave. Sister Downs and I are convinced and have faith we can find someone ready to be baptized by November 30th!

Miracle recap! April PRAYED at the end of the lesson! She has never prayed out loud! Tiffany said before we met her she was praying about churches and direction and then we show up! Sister Downs and I have been praying for Jerry to quit smoking. He said every time he wants to smoke he feels dizzy! (Little does he know, he has no idea we've been praying for him.)

This week is Zone Conference, and this weekend is Stake Conference! So excited! Now if only we could go to the Temple this week!

God is great! Rootbeer is good! And people are crazy! I'm convinced this country song came from Haleyville! 

Love y'all!

Sister Reyne

Get Yer Fix

Every Day Is Different ...‏

Story for the week. Had about 30 minutes "to kill" so we tracted (which luckily we don't ever have to do). We knock on the door. Little children are screaming. A child answers the door. We say, "Is your mom or dad home". Dad answers the door. "Come on in!!" In 5 minutes we find out all 5 kids have ADD and/or ADHD. The dad tell us his father used to shoot at missionaries. He wants to know more about the Mormon. We ask if there is a better time we can come back. Gave restoration pamphlet. I invited him to be baptized once he comes to know our message is true. Agreed. Scheduled return appointment. As we are leaving, he runs out the door looking for lost child that must have escaped. Finds child. ... What just happened? Now there's the story of the week from Haleyville! 

It's been a good week! We went to the Evan's for Halloween. We carved pumpkins the Saturday before with Cara and Ricky. We met Lindsay! I just love her! Her fiance' Daniel is taking the lessons and we met their friend Cody. We committed Daniel and Cody to be baptized! Sister Downs and I both have a good feeling about Cody!  

Sorry to keep it short! Lots more has happened, but that's why I come home from my mission to tell the in between stories! 

Love y'all!

Sister Reyne

Haleyville! Call 911!‏

Fact of the day. Ever heard of Haleyville? No? Don't worry, you aint' alone. But did you know, Haleyville has something in common with the whole country? Haleyville started 911! Sister Downs said, "No wonder! People are crazy, and want out of this town!" So let's backtrack. 

It all started when we got the call Saturday night at the end of transfers. "Sister Reyne, you will be in a new area, and receiving a new companion. Sister Williams, you will be staying in Northport and receiving a new companion." I knew it was inevitable, and that's kind of what we had figured was going to happen. I was excited and ready to take on a new area! Saying goodbye to people in Northport was harder than I thought. It was like leaving home. Wednesday, transfer day came. We have a slide show that shows who will be with who, and what area they will be in. My picture comes up. In Haleyville, Sister Reyne will be training Sister Downs. I can't even explain how unprepared I felt. I knew when I was going to be training Sister Williams, but I wasn't mentally prepared to train, because I wasn't told. But the Lord truely blessed me, because I feel like Sister Downs is training me. She is an excellent missionary! I have already grown and learned so much in the last 2 weeks. It's already the middle of this transfer in Haleyville! We are starting this area (as Sisters) so we had no area book to go by, we were starting fresh. So we really relied on our members, and they are wonderful! We have received so many referrals, and so many ideas of who to contact. That's the blessing of a small branch and small town. The hard part ... hearing people have been in Hamilton (which is close to Haleyville, also a small town) for 9 months. Now that would be rough! For those that live in Lincoln California, Lincoln is huge compared to this Podunk place. 

So where is Haleyville? What is Haleyville? It's just what it sounds to be. It's a small village filled with hay and hicks. Well that's an exaggeration, but a little bit kind of true. Population 4,000. Branch members at church last Sunday, 20. A lot of people who live here have lived here their whole lives. We have met lots of scary dogs .. A LOT! And there is a lot more to say, but for the sake of time, this is the best things we've heard yet. Many people literally wanting to kill their spouses. One story in particular, she said she had a gun ready to shoot her husband, but nothing happened because there was no bullet inside. That's just one. So you get the gist. It's a small hick town. It's been a really rough 2 weeks, but we've been working SO hard! And we have been so blessed with busy schedule already! And I'm starting to love the people here so much!

We started teaching Sue and her daughter April. Sue is 50, and April is in her 30's. Sue's daughter other daughter Felicia is 8, and April has two little girls Peyton and Isabelle. April says she isn't a church goer, and Sue was raised Penicostal. I really like them a lot! On Monday we had an incredible lesson with them! It was one of the few times I can honestly say, I truely walked out of that lesson and KNEW the spirit guided it. I knew we were teaching through spirit. It is the most incredible thing. 

We are also teaching Cara and her less active husband Ricky (Ricky is April's brother-in-law) A lot of people are related in Haleyville. They have a 4 month old Annabelle. Cara was raised Catholic and is afraid to join the church because of her grandmother who passed away would be looking down on her. Cara is blunt and hilarious! I love her already! We have met a few others that we have started teaching.

We're working on getting Ward Coorlation started, and getting involved in Ward Council. The first Sunday we were here we taught Primary which consisted of 7 kids, but that's only because the high councilmen was here with his 5 boys. The other 2 .. well you get it. Then this last Sunday Sister Downs spoke in Sacrament (we don't have chapel, its' just one big room used for Sacrament, Sunday School, and Relief Society. Then there's a little trailer just by the building that the men go to for Priesthood). Then I taught Relief Society which consisted of 5 people, including me and Sister Downs. So we are building up this area and getting people active! 

Missions are hard. Waking up at 6:30 everyday is hard. Being in a new place is hard. Sleeping in a new apartment every few months is hard. Getting new companions is hard. Meeting all new people is hard. Teaching is hard. Constantly thinking of how you can build others faith is hard. Knowing you are responsible for bringing souls unto Christ as His representative is hard. But if it wasn't hard, it wouldn't be worth it. Something that President Hanks quoted from Jeffrey R. Holland says, "This is hard work. It's the hardest work you will ever do. That is why I say, it is the most important work you will ever do. I know this work is real! It's hard, but oh so worth it! I love my Savior, and I hope I can be a better missionary each day! I know that His Church has been restored so we know how to gain peace in this life and the life to come. We have the tools that help us get there. I love y'all! Thank you for all the support!

Roll Tide!

Sister Reyne

HALEYVILLE‏ - New Address!

My new address is 1201 23rd St. Apt 6C, Haleyville, AL 35565 

I'm training Sister Downs, and we are the first Sisters to be in Haleyville!

Love y'all! Email you Monday!

Love,

Sister Reyne

What A Miracle

This has been one of the most amazing weeks on my mission! There is always just SO much that I NEVER know where to start! But first, transfers are this Wednesday and I'm leaving Northport! I'm sad because this area has been all that I've known on my mission. But I'm also excited because I know I need to be stretched. I'm ready for a change. You tend to get more comfortable as you stay in the same area. So I'm excited and ready to go! (If anyone was planning on mailing anything, wait until I get my new address. If I can I'll email it to y'all Wednesday, if not next Monday. If you send mail to Northport I won't get it for a long time.)

An ABSOLUTE MIRACLE of the week! On Tuesday we had Zone Training. It was one of the best meetings we've had yet (although they are all amazing). We set a baptismal goal of 14 for the whole zone! We talked about setting a goal each day of invitations to be baptized. We also are trying a new thing - Baptismal Calendars! When an investigator commits to a date to be baptized you make a calendar so that you can track their lessons with them and they can SEE their goal! Sister Williams and I were pumped! That night we had a planned to go to Dequalins game and also use it as a way of finding. (We met Marquilla and Jay-Jay and Marquilla's three kids - one being Dequalin - a few weeks ago and started teaching them). About 2 hours before we asked if we could do a short lesson after his game. We were really excited to teach the Plan of Salvation with them using visuals for the kids. She said no lesson because it would be too late by the time the game ended. Then not even an hour later she sent us a text that 'she read about the Book of Mormon and our faith and her faith were not the same, and she didn't want us to continue teaching their family. Then it said that she didn't want us to come to her sons game. Thanks, but not thanks.' ... Can I just say I HATE anti-mormon literature. It's so sad! And there are even churches out here that just straight up teach anti-mormon as their service. 

But anyway, Sister Williams and I being "smart ones" didn't have a backup plan for Marquilla's fam so we went to the apartment to check the area book really quick to pick out some former investigators teaching records. I picked out 2 and Sister Williams picked a teaching record with the name Tekiela. It said that she was very open and loved the lessons but there was no description of her being dropped. But we took two records that seemed to be in the same direction, got in the car and started driving. A VERY faint impression came that we go see Tekiela. We get there, she let us in, we teach her about the Book of Mormon, we ask her to be baptized and set a date for October 25th! She said YES! ... I'm STILL in awe of what happened. ... But that's not all! .. She was taught almost 2 years ago and the missionaries stopped going by because she couldn't commit to be baptized. She was raised by her grandmother. Her grandma was sick, and so she said she would be baptized if her grandmas passed away or if she herself moved out. She's 20 now, her grandmother passed away which kind of tore her family apart, but the Lord has SO prepared her! She has such a light in her eyes! She is really special! I just loved her instantly! Ronald from Fayette was baptized on Saturday, and Tekiela came. Afterwards she said, "I'm so ready!" Everyone was SO welcoming to her! I was so proud of our ward. The ward members make ALL the difference! I can't even say that enough. And then Friday we had interviews with the President and then afterward Sister Williams, Elder Thayer, and Elder Jensen (from Demopolis) and I made baptismal calendars. We showed Tekiela after the baptism Saturday and she was so excited!! She came to church on Sunday and next Sunday she will go to the new YSA Branch! We are going to do team teaching with Sister Leifson and Sister Millard (YSA Sisters) so she can be fellowshipped into the YSA Branch. 

What's so crazy is that having a GOAL and a VISION in mind makes ALL the difference. You have to know what you want and the Lord can make it happen! You can't just say Lord, show me, guide me, we have to do our part in knowing what we want to happen and He will make it happen in His own way! I love my Heavenly Father! ... Other missionaries have shared experiences like that, where they meet someone and 2 weeks later they are baptized. ... Well I can now say I have experienced that! I still am in shock! Is this really real?! And although we were so sad about Marquilla's family, the Lord provided a miracle. This is His work! We are just the tools and instruments and spreading it. ... Because I'm being transferred I WILL come back for the baptism! I just pray I'm not in a city too far away.

Sister Williams and I had great birthdays! It didn't feel like birthday's at all, except when we opened our presents. But Saturday morning all the Sisters came for pancakes and cake! I'm sad I don't have pictures this week because I forgot to bring my camera to the library, but next week there will be lots of pics from birthday's and transfers.

It was an incredible week! I loved what Sister Isaak said in Zone Training, something so simple but it pierced my heart. "This work is real!" This morning I just yelled to Sister Williams, "Everything about this gospel just makes SENSE!" Shoot! I love how everything really starts to connect the more I study and teach.

I love all y'all and each y'all!

Sister Reyne

It's finally FALL!‏

Wasn't Conference AMAZING?! People aren't joking when they say that General Conference on your mission is the greatest! ... But before I get to that, I'll get to the highlights of the week. Pday last Monday was one of the best! It was so much fun! We went to SaveCo .. wait no ... SaveMart? ...  No, SafeWay? Sister Fedrizzi, Sister Layton, and Sister Williams and I could not remember the name of this ghetto grocery store! Ha It was called Save Alot! .. Does that not sound like a high quality market? And yes, that's concidered fun, going to Save Alot. So we grab our buggies and spend probably 30 min in this tiny grocery store. Y'all may not understan but it was fun! Then Monday night we went to the Footes for FHE and watched a Bible video and then played charades. I just love that family!

 

 

Tuesday was kind of interesting, but that isn't unusual for me and Sister Williams. We go out to Buhl (that just means dang far away ... long story). We tried finding someone house and ended up driving 20 miles and once we finally found their house there were two HUGE dogs outside and it was basically in the forest, so we decided "no good for no one". Wednesday we saw Roxanne with Sister Gee being a member present. It was a great lesson! The spirit is always so clearly present there in our lessons with her! Then we saw Susan and Greg! Two of my favorite people! (Everyone knows this by now) Sister Williams and I asked Greg if he wants to be baptized, and he said YES! We aren't sure when that date will be, but we can SEE and feel their faith growing! THEY are the reason I came on a mission! There is nothing like seeing light come more abunduntly into someones life. I remember very vividly an experience I had when I was going back and forth between deciding whether or not to go on a mission. It was me, mom, dad, gma & gpa, and Dallin talking after dinner one Sunday. Even though we weren't talking about anything to with me deciding to go or not, the spirit came to me very strongly and said, you are going to change someones life! But it encompassed an explanation that came all at once. I knew it wasn't ME that was going to change someones life, but it was my decision to go. The gospel that I would share on my mission would change their life! I know MY life has been changed! Already. I don't know if I will ever know exactly who that "someone" is, whether it be Susan and Greg, myself, and others I will meet throughout my mission. I just KNOW Sister Williams and I came to this area as a companionship for so many different reasons! I can't imagine growing and loving even more people, and heck I still have over a year left (that just isn't fair that it's been almost 6 months already though??!)

 

This weekend alone changed my life! It's incredible how on your mission you study scripture, doctrines, the lessons, history of the church etc for others, but you totally end up building upon your own testimony while doing it. If I was just studying for myself it wouldn't have the same effect. In Preach My Gospel it says that we can't convert someone beyond our own conversion. I understand that more so now, because as I have seen others faith increase, mine has grown with them. I really knew nothing of the Book of Mormon to be honest. I always had the faith and testimony that it was true, but I didn't fully appreciate and understand it. My heart is just so full today! One of my favorite words is enlightened, and that is exactly what this weekend has been. My mind has been enlightened. Conference was incredible! I wish I could just convey my thoughts and feelings more perfectly. And today to top it all off, it finally feels like Fall! It's not humid today, and the wind if cold. I can actually wear a cardigan other than just in the freezing chapel on Sundays during Sacrament Meeting. Fall makes me so happy! I'm so glad it's finally FALL! This week is gon' be great!

 

Roll Tide!

 

Peace & Blessin'

 

I love you all,

 

Sister Reyne