Father's Day isn't over yet!‏

Elder Yue and I were greeted on Father's Day morning with an unexpected phone call, because it turned out that the Assistants to the President were making transfer calls a little early. We were told that Elder Yue would be transferred to the Kamloops 1st ward; that is still within the Vernon Zone, so I'll be able to see him again at Zone Conferences. I was then told that I would be staying for another transfer here in beautiful Salmon Arm.


I was then informed that I'm going to be a dad! Well, that is to say, I will be training a brand new Elder, fresh out of the MTC. Missionaries like to refer to trainers as dads, much like my "dads" were Elder Smith and Elder Sloan; it was very fitting that I received this call on Father's Day. I will not know who my son is until we meet at our Thursday training meeting, so I have a few days of anxiousness ahead of me.


My feelings toward the call are much like I imagine the way that many new parents feel. It's a nifty blend of fear and excitement, and I often question if I am ready to bring a person into this life. It doesn't seem that long ago when I was taking my first steps of missionary work. However, no matter how I feel, that baby is coming in just a few days, so I better make what preparations I can.


My mother has made me aware that I've recently passed my 10 month mark; it seems a little preposterous that I'm almost halfway done.


It's been a pretty fun week. We roasted hot dogs with an investigator at a cabin up in Blind Bay, which is a little tourist town right on the lake. We also had a wacky 4-way companion exchange between Salmon Arm, Kamloops 1st, Vernon 1st, and Vernon 2nd. It was a lot of fun to spend some time with the other Elders throughout the zone.



And now we must depart, because we have an investigator taking us out for Chinese food tonight!






-Elder Reynolds

Like Father, Like Sun

As many of you are likely aware, this upcoming Sunday is Father's Day. However, you might be less aware that this upcoming Sunday is also the Summer Solstice, which is considered by some to be the "longest day of the year." Obviously, this is not due to an extended amount of hours in the day; it is because the sun will be in the sky for a longer amount of time than at any other point in the year. Now, being this far north, that doesn't mean very much to us. When we awake at 6:20am, the sun is shining, and when we return home at 9pm, it's still bright as day. On a missionary schedule, we don't see very much night.


Nonetheless, I find it extremely appropriate that we commemorate Father's Day by spending time with our Sun. I love my dad, and I am grateful for the many lessons which he has taught me. For Mother's Day, I had the privilege of looking into the eyes of my family, particularly my mom. I do not have such an honor for Father's Day, but I pray that I too can be a shining son.


Yesterday, Danny was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and we'll be bringing him with us to a lesson on Tuesday night. We also received a mormon.org referral for a man named Duane (like "Dwayne"). He requested that we come by and give him a copy of the Bible; Duane feels like he needs to start building a relationship with his Father in Heaven, and we'll be meeting with him later this week to help him on his journey.


Also, I'd like to wish a Happy Birthday to my sister Megan for June 19! I know that if I forgot to mention her, she'd punish me later!


http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/earthly-father-heavenly-father



-Elder Reynolds

In-N-Out

There is no In-N-Out so the elders decided to make their own version.

Shane also took an In-N-Out selfie.

Stand Still

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." (Doctrine and Covenants 123:17)

The above scripture has proven to be a summary of our past week. Elder Yue and I have been working hard, and though we've not been perfect, we have tried to do "all things that lie in our power." Our week was particularly focused on a good friend of ours named Danny; he lives in Enderby, which is a 30 minute drive from our house, but we were doing all that we could to teach him and serve him, particularly as we prepared him for baptism. 

In preparation for the baptismal service, we had to make a lot of phone calls, design a program, do some paperwork, and prepare music. Then we invited as many people as we could, member and non-member, and had to travel to Kamloops for some white baptismal clothing. The baptismal service was to take place right after church; when we arrived at church, we shut off our phone, and all we could do was "stand still, with the utmost assurance."

Sure enough, the service was wonderful. We had a lot of people in attendance, and the Spirit which was felt was wonderful. After his baptism, Danny said "I feel great! I can't really describe this feeling, but it's really strong. It's kind of like the feeling I had when I first met you guys; it's just overwhelming."

Following the baptism, Angie, one of our friends that has been coming to church pretty consistently, asked us for a priesthood blessing. Following the blessing, she also said that she was feeling something her heart that she could not describe, and she was in tears. We will be meeting with her again this Thursday.

It is notable that Christ is referred to as a Shepherd, as opposed to a sheep-herder. A sheep-herder drives the flock from the rear, while the Shepherd leads in the front, beckoning to his sheep. Remember, sometimes you have to leave the ninety and nine to go save the one.

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Have a great week!

-Elder Reynolds