Like a War Eagle

I can't even begin to explain the jolt and impact of strength and clarity I've received this past week. It's been dang hard, but God knows what WE need. Of course we aren't out here to find out what WE need. We are out here to help other find what THEY need. But in return we truly find out how much God truly desires for US to find Him just as much as the people we teach. We had Zone Training this last week and I got to do some training. I LOVED it! I needed that! I am going to be honest. I have never wanted to come home from my mission until this last week. It's been HARD. And I haven't been as positive, or kind, or as grateful as I should be. I've definitely learned a lot about myself this transfer. It's cool how I learn something completely different each transfer. Last transfer my testimony was strengthened more than ever. God knew I needed that to get through this transfer. Being a missionary, a representative of Christ, this is real life! We are inviting people to the live in the presence of God eternally.

Now for some funny stories. On Saturday, Sister Wilding and I decided we really need to do service, and we were dang sick of finding all day. And it happened to be nice outside. (Speaking of, we made up a rap ... I'll tell you about that later) So we went to a random door and asked if we could do some service for him by cleaning out his gutters. He was extremely confused at the fact that we just wanted to do service. No "catch". He figured out we were Mormon and proceeded to tell us how we were wasting our lives away. He said our core beliefs are true, and we are some of the nicest people. But he said he had "been there and back", that there is a God and there is a Christ, but no Joseph Smith. Long story short, we were HIGHLY offended by his language and what he told us. But that experience just led me to an awesome personal study the next morning! I read in Doctrine & Covenants. Basically God is only going to show us what we are prepared to receive! AND this Friday we go to the Temple! It's going to be a special one. 

All in all, I'm hanging on every day. Endure right? It means to have a brightness of hope as President Hanks explains it. It may be hard in the moment, but it's worth it in the eternities. 

And for those Hot Rod fans, I feel like a war eagle. .. not like an Auburn fan, because I prefer elephants, but really I have more strength and a stronger testimony than I sometimes realize. And it's only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that that is made possible.

Love y'all,

Sister Reyne 

 

 

I'm out of control. I don't know. 

Me & Sister Wilding

 For Chad

It's A Train‏

1/3 of the mission were able to go to a special training this last Thursday! It was INCREDIBLE! We talked about how to better work with members, and how to be better teachers. But the best part was when we talked about the Doctrine of Christ. The Doctrine of Christ is merely to have a brightness of hope! It is as 2 Nephi 31: 20 says, to be steadfast in Christ. The gospel gives us hope that we can change and become more like our Savior. We also talked about what it means to endure. Endure doesn't always mean, "You can do it! Push through! It's rough!" Enduring means to keep and renew your covenants, repent - meaning to change and follow Christ, and to become more like God. The spirit touched me, that this is truth. God has a plan for us. God wants us to become like Him. We just have to align our lives to meet Gods standards and we can become heirs in His Kingdom. The gospel forever changes lives. I will never deny that. This is Gods work that we are able to do because of Jesus Christ.

Back in 'Bama‏

Is it bad that I hate emailing? I love reading emails, but it just takes so much time and brains to even remember what happens each week. Sister Butterfield and I were double transferred out of Tupelo, and they put in Elders. There are still 10 missionaries in the Tupelo Ward though. Gosh I miss that gurl! I'm in Huntsville Alabama now. The ward is fabulous! We are the first Sisters in the Weatherly Ward (atleast it's been years and years). We don't have a car in our area, but thankfully it's been beautiful for biking and walking. Maybe I'll lose some weight? I'm not worried about my weight on my mission. If I gain, oh well. Too many other things to be stressed about on a mission other than your body fat. Our apartment is great other than there may or may not be a rat or maybe a friendly spirit in our kitchen? We hear random noises every so often, and the floors are super creeky. We seriously like gutted that apartment. Elders left a ton of food though which was thoughtful. .. We've met a few people within the last few days. We've explored quite a bit, getting used to the area. I feel like I'll be here for a while. I'm pumped to be back in 'Bama!

 

Love y'all,

 

Sister Reyne

 

 

 

Tupelo. Elvis.

 

 

 Ashton gives the cutest prayers I've ever heard.

 Julius. His mom always says, "JU! Ima woop you!"

A friendly note from the Elders in our new apartment. 

 

Nine Months......

This week has been a little rough. We tried different ways of giving out Books of Mormon but were denied every single time. People were just denying the word of God all day long dangit! What's that all about? But then there were SO many miracle this week too! I wish I could convey my feelings of how the Lord has built me up! On Wednesday we had exchanges with the STL's and it was so much fun! Thursday Morning we get a call that NATHAN WAS GETTING BAPTIZED SATURDAY!!!!!!!! The greatest tender mercy! On March 1st was my half point of my mission. Gosh it's gone by so so fast! I was worried how I would "celebrate" my half point and what fun thing we could do. Driving to Tupe' Town for Nathan's baptism was the BEST "gift" I could have received. The Elders let us have the car for the weekend so we could drive to Mississippi for the baptism. I got to speak at the baptism! Gosh it was just the best experience! I got to teach someone from the beginning to end and see them change! My miracle story of my mission. The stories you hear from missionaries all the time but then never feel like you have them yourself. Just in 2 weeks since I've been gone I saw a change in Nathan! Jessica has had a really hard time since Sister Butterfield and I left. It made me so sad for her to tell me that. I love that family so much! I LOVE being a missionary dangit! Now it's like the "count down" of the mission and I don't like that thought. I had some other sweet experiences this past week that I will forever remember. 

 

This Thursday I get to go to a special conference that I'm super stoked about! I'm sure next weeks email will be full of even more spiritual experiences. 

 

Love y'all,

 

Sister Reyne 

 

On the road to Tupe' town

Nathan's baptism!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me & Sister Wilding