Testimonies, Ties, Freebies and God has a hand in All...

Another Delicious letter from James!  His testimony is so strong and vibrant!  I hope you can feel it too!



"Dear Mother!!!!

Sorry I haven't been writing!!  Found out I can only write once a week!  Also, the response to these letters may be out of order ;)   BUT!!!

I saw Parker Davis the other day!  My best friend in 8th grade?  His dad wrote "The Other Side of Heaven!"  Also, saw Sister Hiatt!!  One of Prez Hiatt's daughters!  Oh!  And I saw Sister Jocelyn Verkist as well!  So long story short, it is soo cool -- when you haven't seen a friend in soo long -- to see them at the best place they could be!  The MTC!!!  I imagine that the same experience will happen at heaven..."Wow!"  I'm sooo stoked we made it!

Thank you for all your prayers!  I do go to bed on Fire!  I feel that I get inspiration on a daily basis!  I just need to follow it more!

Hey!  On June 23rd!  Please watch the Leadership Broadcast!!!  I'll be in the choir!  The missionary part of the choir will be about 1300 strong!  That's a ton!  I hear it's gonna be a huge announcement!

I tried to go up a cement step yesterday and instead, proved gravity exists ... I slammed the pavement ... mas, Tudo bem!  Though I probably won't spell this right, Eu Falei Somente Portuguese haje e eu posso pensar mais meihor em este lingua!  Eu amo isso!

We heard a fantastic talk on Sunday by Stephen B Allen.  He showed a lot of Mormon Messages - commercials -- the best one talked about the Spirit.  We are counseled to lean not unto our own understanding, to expound on that -- when we follow the Spirit, 'we must not seek the reason - just be obedient."

I still love your pictures soo much!  Today,  I found two gnarly but colorful ties in the Free box ( a treasure trove of unloved items for the benefit of whoever comes first.

We watched the Testament this Sunday - and I felt like I watched it for the first time!  I want you all to know that Eusei que Jesus Vive.  Eu tento animo por cuando Ele volta na Terra Va ser LEGAL.  Nos devemos trabalhar a conhece Jesus Cristo por meio da Expiagao antes de Ele vem.  Es amo Ele, e eu posso pregar suas palavras Eu gosto deste igresink, e eu espero que todos pessoas podam escutar meo testamente.

Before I close ...

I want you all to know that I love you.  I could not ask for a better family, and I'm sure that we had already decided that we were going to help each other out in this life -- in the life before.  If you need anything from me - anything at all, let me know!

PPS -- The night I received the letter saying that Grandpa wasn't doing so hot .. I prayed HARD.  It was not a fun night.  I can tell you though that as my Companion Elder Capaviara and I stretched our voices up to Heaven, I received a personal witness that God loves Grandpa and Grandma - He truly does - whether they like it or not - and even though I would love to see Grandpa on Earth - if I have to see Him again on the other side - that is ok.  I know that if so, Grandpa will be receiving the blessing promised in 2 Ne 24:3.  I know that if anything, when I see him in Heaven, his mortal body will be perfected.  His stature will be coupled with Heavenly Glory.  Though I pray that I can see Him again -- and I know He can do it!  I also trust that God has a hand in whatever happens!

Tudo Ben.  Ate-logo.  Eu amo voces.

James

...The Metalsmith and purification...

Sorry, I'm behind in posting!  James, in this letter asked for all of you to write to him -- he wants to keep in touch!  -okay, Chelsea Burnett, Brookly, Justin, James!!!!  He misses you guys and says hi!
Anyway, this is from a very delicious letter James sent home on June 14th ... enjoy!


Hey Mom!

I'll be writing a ton of letters today, so this email will be kind of short ...but just wanted to say thank you (and thank you Dad, Jamie, and Jayson!) for all your support!  Thank you for having me grow up in this beautiful gospel!   Life is good on this end!

This week's picture is just us at lunch =)  I love the people here!  It is very interesting finding ways to work with people that you're with 24/7.  While on a mission, you are to be with your companion at all times - except for when using the restroom/showers -- "within sight and sound."  I'm so blessed to have a companion that is super hard working, funny, from Idaho, loves similar music, easy going, and we just get along too well =) - He'll probably be my best man -- well, whenever marriage starts to look welcoming! ;)

The hardest thing so far is trying to find out what my investigators need.  I know that you are really great with giving  your friends (and me) what they need as far as friendship, counsel, and love goes.  As I try to figure out what my investigators need in their lives, I am finding out what questions to ask them, how to listen (in another language), and how to use their responses to know if they need to hear that God loves them, or that His gospel is back on the Earth, etc...

At times I feel quite inadequate to teach someone in their native language.  But I know that as I learn more about this gospel, the Portuguese language, and work hard, God will make up for the rest.  I know that everything in this life relates back to the atonement of Jesus Christ.  Whenever we feel inadequate, that is the Devil talking.  We need to remember what God told Moses in Exodus 4:12... has he not made our mouths?  Has He not made our minds?  Has He not made our bodies?  We already have bodies given us that reflect the body of our Lord.  When we follow Him and keep His commandments, we can be an instrument in His, the Master's Hands.

Do you know how the metalsmith knows when the metal has been purified?  The metal worker puts the steel in the very hottest part of the kiln.  He then waits ... if He pulls the metal out too quick, it might still have impurities.  If He leaves it in too long, it will be ruined.  He knows it has been in the fire long enough when HE CAN SEE HIS REFLECTION IN IT.  We just need to keep holding on, even when it's hot.  He will always save us at the second before we are about to break if we really really giveit our all.  Is that now what our purpose is here?  To be tried and tested so that we can be more perfect -- more like our perfect Father?

When we fall short, it's ok.  Our perfect and celestial older Brother, Jesus Christ, already did the hard part for us.  With the perfect love that he has for us, He combined his Godly will with his mortal body and suffered the most tragic agony and most pure act of love to happen for you, for me, for everyone who ever lived, is living, and will ever live.  He already suffered the pain for every pitfall that comes upon us from our own sins, fromt
he sins of others, or from just living on this mortal sphere.  HE HAS ALREADY DONE THIS, we just need to accept Him, follow Him, and we will live a happier life.  That's all there is to it!

I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU to take up Jesus' offer to follow Him.  I can guarantee that you'll love Him for it.  I can also guarantee that there is opposition in all things -- when you start to do something good, a storm will come; Satan will try to discourage you in any way possible...However who's side do you want to be on?  I'm on team Jesus.  It may not be easy, but I promise you it will be worth it!

Em nome de nosso salvador, Jesus Cristo, Amen

A quickening of Spirit....

We were so tickled to see James and his companion on the NEWS!  Thanks a ton for sharing this, Suzy!!!  James is doing great at the MTC and really thriving in his calling!  Here are some excerpts from his latest letters!  Thanks again for all of you and your support for James -- and all of our missionaries out in the field!  What an exciting time!



" Am I waking up on fire every day?  I'm waking up happy, that's for sure!  I go to bed on fire though!  

Instead of just reading scritures with a pen, I pray with a pen.  I have a sure testimony that God guides this district through letting me receive inspiration.  I feel like my mind is quickened whenever I am using my calling:  companionship interviews, meetings, giving counsel, etc.

Thanks for sending my white clothes!  Thanks also for the care pakage - the elders here loved the licorice!  I'm so thankful for the letters and love!  As district leader, I'm the first to see the mail -- even though I don't look at it til the evening when everyone gets to :)  And I always love seeing letters from my family!

Oh, my GOODNESS!!!  I went to the Provo Temple today with my best friend!  Elder Capansura is not only a stud, but we're so similar!  Both from ID, his family comes up to Sandpoint to see his grandparents, he is a hard worker, doesn't complain, studies the language a ton, into cycling, loves and befriends everyone, has a GRAND sarcastic humor (and can look you straight in the face and with his gameface, get you to believe anything he says, just because he's excellent at telling tall tales with a straight face)  and enjoys actually staying in the temple for a long time!

Please get this address out on facebook or just the dear Elder thing:)

James.reinhardt@myldsmail.net

Elder James F. Reinhardt
MTC Mailbox #94
BRA-VIT 0701
2005 N. 900E.
Provo, UT  84604 - 1793

I love you!  And I love God!

Much Love,
Elder James Reinhardt

James in the News  (go to 1:33 and you'll see him walking into devotional with his companion!)

Looking for the Best in Others...and in ourselves ...

Greetings from Elder Reinhardt!  5-28-2013

I love how in each of James' letters, he expresses such deep love for those he serves with and serves for.  Even as a small child, he always looked out for and lifted others.  Enjoy this letter, and don't forget to email him!  - His email is below!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Ya'll have no idea how much Spirit is here!  I hope that I can convey that through this letter.  Did you know that these grounds are consecrated??  Like the word that we can experiment with (the scriptures), we can experiment with the Spirit here!  This is a place where I can see what promptings are what!  And my elder Knudson said that he completely sustains me as leader!  I can truly be a vessel for God's work!

I'm scattered and letters are few because I feel I have soo little free time! - But that is soo great!  I LOVE my district!

Elder Capaurama - my companion and best friend (...but they're all closer than that!) -- He's from Idaho (Moscow), Then there's Elder McKnight, Elder Willett, Elder Knudson, Elder Weaver, Elder Cervantes and Elder Pinaryote (who left).  So many experiences to share - but so little Time!!! - It's 10:30, so lights out!

It's tomorrow! Thank you for the letter!  I have to definitely start applying the "quiet dignity" and listen more! I'll say again that these elders are the best!  I can't adequately describe the stores that we've shared -- but I can say that we all have extra strengths that we build each other up with.

Knudson's leadership, McKnight's ability to stay on time, Willett's ability to stay on focus,  Weavers love, Cervantes quiet dignity, Caparuina's friendliness...(can't forget the sister)  Sister Sermons' pure love, Sister McEldery's straightforwardness -- these are all traits that I strive for.

The food here is the BEST!  and very prevalent!  The sisters here -- to put it in missionary terms ... God is pleased with their appearance! ;)  In all honesty, it is so easy to not want dates, music, dancing and boarding!  I know that 1) they work us hard and 2) The Spirit is palpable here!!!

Most recent council? -- When thinking about how hard death can be - sing Come, Come ye Saints.  When with an investigator and trying to get them to know if the things you way are true ... (when the Spirit prompts)  pray right then and there!  This is also a type of how we can receive council from Him for ourselves.  Please read:  Omni verse 26.  2 Nephi 31:13.  Preach My Gospel page 122 - the quote from L T. Perry.

PS  Find out about the 'Dear Elder' email -- letter system!  Please give everyone my email:  James.reinhardt@myldsmail.net -- And tell Ryan, James and Ben -- They need to get their BUTTS out here!!! There is no better place to be!!!

Love,

Elder Reinhardt"