#tooblessedtobestressed

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears...

That's literally all that I remember from my entire Sophomore year of high school. A line from Shakespeare... Mission brain and only remembering the gospel is real folks.

Kay

Let's get down to business.

I have not had time to breathe or eat or do anything besides save souls in the 2 weeks I've been here in Newark. All three of us woke up this morning and felt like a truck came through the Newark apartment because we have been walking, talking, biking, riding, and coordinating so much goodness over the last few weeks. The praises for Preparation Day were real this morning. Here are some updates on all of our friends.

-Ryan. He's been investigating the church for months now, and is finally ready to begin his interview process. He has been a spiritual and emotional roller coaster for all of us who have taught him but

last night he opened up to us about all of his concerns. He felt the spirit and we were able to teach a powerful lesson about repentance to him. He is so excited to prepare to be baptized and loves this gospel so much. He is a living testament if the change the atonement brings about. We also had a dance party as we were leaving his porch because he said we didn't listen to cool music so we had to show him Mormon music is awesome too. It was cool to teach him as well because I have felt so guided by the spirit in every interaction I have had with him. On Wednesday after a long hot day of biking, he came up to us and explained he was done investigating the church. We didn't fight him or

say a lot but I was prompted to invite him to go on a tour of the temple grounds with us  this next Saturday. He called us back on Sunday and explained he had a change of heart, and after our lesson on repentance yesterday he explained he was sooooo excited for his temple tour. He said that was one of the things that pulled him back. I know that when we listen and follow spiritual promptings, others have the opportunity to feel that sake spirit and we can help them build their

faith.

-Autumn. We met her and her family this week. She immediately invited us in and we were able to teach her about the restoration of the gospel. She is looking for a new church and her kids literally love Jesus. They talk about him, and she is so excited to read more of the Book of Mormon and a bible to teach her family more. They are coming to church this Sunday 🙌🏻🙌🏻

-Ken. Sister Parsons and I met him last week before we were companions. We followed up with him yesterday and he had read the message, but didn't like the idea of a new book of scripture. We

testified and invited but he was just too scared of more revelation. It was honestly super devastating. I have such a hard time when people refuse to even read the Book of Mormon. It is not an addition tit he bible, or a replacement. It does not testify if Joseph Smith, and there is nothing crazy inside of it. It is the word of God, sent to us because he loves us and we can find all the peace in the world if we just open it up and read. We will try again with Ken some day!

-Becky. She is adorable and is scheduled to be baptized in 2-3 weeks. Her son is a member here and she has amazing neighbors who let us teach lessons in their home. This week she came to a baptism and a movie night and is loving learning all of the new things. Her lessons are always a blest because we work so hard to help her hear and understand. She is a testimony that no one needs to be stuck in their ways, we can always change!

-Mat. Mat is the coolest investigator ever. He loves captain America and comics and he said I could be his friend when I knew Batman, Spider a man, and Captain Americas real name. We read the Book of Mormon with him this week and showed hi how he can apply it to his life. He picked a super bizarre chapter, Moroni 9, (you read that right Sister Pead) but it turned out to be a really spiritual

experience. We are trying to get him to come tour around the chapel with us this week so he will come to church! I'm excited to teach him more and learn more about comics from him #blessings

-Shaun got baptized. She's just amazing. We are taking her to the temple on Thursday so she can get pumped for her next adventure

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

Funny quotes of the week:

-"thank you for showing me that the sisters are normal people too."

-Ryan in his prayer after our miracle lesson #dancepartyfordays

-"Jesus wants us to go back to church!" -Mario, Autumns five year old son after we explained Jesus wants us to be happy

-"That was a sight to see, three lovely sisters biking down Mt Vernon Rd, in blazing skirts and dresses." -a ward member on Sunday after he witnessed our biking adventures on Wednesday

The spiritual thought this week comes from one of my most favorite Ensign articles ever. It's called Tenacity and Discipleship, from June 2016 magazine. Elder Evans describes his experiences as a mission president in Japan. My favorite quote form the article is;

"We need tenacity in order to become true disciples of the Savior and to achieve the truly good goals--becoming a great missionary, completing our education, finding an eternal companion, and starting a

family--that our Heavenly Father knows we need to achieve to prepare for eternity. Our ability to be tenacious in all good things will determine whether we become the sons and daughters of God that He knows we can and must become... Great promises are made to faithful, persistent, and tenacious

missionaries who open their mouths with boldness and love and who work with all their might in the ways the Lord has set forth (see D&C 31:7). But some missionaries become fearful of rejection and let their fears overcome their loving boldness. Not Sister Barr! She found and taught, and she taught and found all of her mission. On the last day of her mission, Sister Barr was traveling to the

mission home in Nagoya. That night I would interview her and tell her that she had done a wonderful job. The next day she would go home. As she traveled, she saw a group of high school–age girls talking together on the subway. She approached them and asked if she could visit with them. She spoke of the gospel and its Restoration. Then she gave a missionary tract to one of the girls who seemed interested and told her of the sister missionaries who could teach her the gospel. Then Sister Barr came to the mission home and had her interview, never telling me of her experience on the subway. To her it was unremarkable. She was simply doing what she knew was right, all the way to the end. Perhaps this is the best definition of gospel tenacity I know: No matter what, continue to have faith in God and His promises, and do what is right all the time, regardless of who knows."

I love this story and I love the idea of tenacity. This is what I'm working on for the last few months of my mission. When we know what is right, and we know God is on our side we can accomplish anything. We don't have to be afraid of what is coming or worry about the past. As long as we work as hard as we can to move in the right direction we will be successful in all that we do. If we tenaciously work to do what God wants, nothing can stop us. Be tenacious this week, follow the spirit, and make miracles happen!

✌🏻️Sister Reynolds✌🏻️

the new district at the mission activity

sister McDonald biking in style on McDonald St

when your friends accept the gospel ❤️