Monday 10 August 2015

Month 1 finished



 Well a month has been and gone. Elder Reynolds has completed 1/24 of his mission already. Time really is flying. He sent a few photographs this week of his flat. As you can see, it is very simply decorated, very few possessions to talk about. Having seen a number of missionary flats, this one looks really nice. Quite anxious about the light carpet though. Unless his appetite has changed, luckily Elder Reynolds is not one for squash or any other drinks that could stain the carpet :)


He looks to have a very organised study area with a few home comforts (CD player and Speakers).







Elder Reynolds explained the meaning of the post-it notes on this door.

He said that it is 'the miracle door'. Whenever, they have an experience that they consider to be a miracle, they make a note of this on a post it note and put it on the door as a reminder to them of what had happened.
So, quick story! Elder Whitehead and I were asked to pray over which Former Investigators that could be baptised in the coming weeks. One of them was an 11 year old. Her dad is a Less Active of the church. So we sent him a text that literally said: Hey B. Does your daughter want to be baptised? So, yes, very bold, very upfront! To our disappointment he replied with a 'no' and a 'thanks anyways'. 

We then thought that a good idea would be to start English Lessons, as we are teaching quite a few Portugese people that don't speak English too well. So we asked B if he knew of anyone that could benefit from English Lessons. Which he replied with: yes, I know many people who would benefit, including myself (he is from South America)! So we arranged to meet up with him and further discuss the lessons. He has his own businesses and one is for welfare, so he is all about helping people! He knows factories of people who don't speak English too well! Also his own family would benefit, at the time of the discussion, his wife and her parents were there (they are from Portugal), so we had 4 "Students" already as B put it! Haha! B had already got in contact with the council about a building we could use, we just told him that we could do it at the Church! 

He then said that even though it is benefiting the people, it will benefit us as missionaries, as we will be able to teach those people English and also teach them about the Gospel if they were interested! As we were coming to the end of the little meeting, B asked that we would give his wife a blessing, to which we gladly accepted! We were told that she hadn't been feeling too well, so it was a blessing concerning her health. Elder Whitehead gave the blessing, and there were a few tears from the family. Then B explained that in the last week, they had found out that his wife had cancer in her kidney, so the fight against cancer had started for them. B fully understood the power of the Priesthood. He then finished off the visit by telling us that his daughter, was on Holiday with her mum and if she would wanted to be baptised then he wouldn't stop her!




 A View into the Life of a Missionary:

06.30 Arise, pray, exercise (30 minutes) and prepare for the day.

07.30 Breakfast

08.00 Personal study: the Book of Mormon, Other scriptures, missionary library and Preach My Gospel. Emphasise the doctrines of the missionary lessons.

09.00 Companion study: share what you have learned during personal study, prepare to teach, practice teaching, study chapters from Preach My Gospel and confirm plans for the day.

10.00 Begin proselyting

You may take an hour for lunch and Dinner at times during the day that fit best with your proselyting time. Normally dinner should be finished no later than 18.00.

21.00 Return to living quarters (unless teaching a lesson; then return by 21.30), and plan for the next day's activities (30 Minutes). Write in your journal, prepare for bed, pray.

10.30 Retire to bed.


A page from Elder Reynolds' diary indicating plans for the week as well as goals in relation to teaching and personal and companionship goals.

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