Wednesday, December 17, 2014
in James' words -- this is way cool -- and will touch your heart! - from a recent convert, to James...
Hi boy, how are you? Sorry but I could not wait until the 25th to open this, I was so happy when I received
that could not stand to wait long kkkk I'm fine, and missing a lot, I had very good experiences and wish you
were here, has not a thing I do that I do not remember you rs, Larissa okay, whenever possible I help, I am
very glad she is firm and happy with the choice we made, now I'm helping a friend, taught him a little alone
and I took a Book of Mormon with my testimony to him, and today he decided to be baptized, he lost his
father recently, and I understand his pain and to glad're being useful to him at that stage so hard, but I
know God will comfort him and his family for sure .. I have so much to tell, but if I count the email will be
giant kkk I wanted to share the testimony that I wrote to you, is a little big but I'll be happy if you read rs,
here it is: Many times my faith in God and the things I believe were put to test when I decided to learn
more of the church, people around me wanted me to believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of last days
was an evil cult, and it was not my place, showed me horrible things through videos, texts and etc ..
Even before knowing the other side of the story, God was putting my faith proof, after all, faith is that we
do not see but feel, even with all the things never wanted to judge the church with my conclusions only
based on what he saw, however, confess that gave me little afraid of my intuition was wrong, yet not
I'm back from that moment I felt that God was touching me, because even with all those things to believe
something in me told me not to give up, throughout history there are two sides, and only one is true,
when I met the missionaries the most amazing is that they do not tried to convince me, asked me to
pray and know for myself if what they kept telling me was true, I decided to do what was asked of me,
I was so far from God that did not know whether he was entitled to ask him something, and days before
doubted even his existence because of events in my life, ever met various religions never made any such
proposal to pray and know me if they spoke was true, I believe that none of them had evil intent, but this
difference of the Mormon church for other made me think "Because I believe in the Bible?" You may
say that is because many things the Bible are happening, but if so I would not need to pray about the
Book of Mormon is true, after all many things it is also happening, however, I did WHAT missionaries
showed me, I prayed and my prayers I said to myself, "God, I do not know how to pray in faith, but I have
real intention to really know if these things cometh Mr. "I say, my answer did not come through a signal or
a voice, but it came amid such a joy that I started to cry alone, you can believe or not, but I cried, I felt a
happiness so great because it was the first time I really had a desire to know, desire to learn more about
these new things that showed me, do not want to convince anyone to believe what I believe, but I ask
you to believe that really happened, really had my answer, and I I always say, I have my answer every
day, have baptized me in this church was the best thing I did in my life, you might say that I am new to
have all that sure, once when I was defending the church of a sister was doubting the message, she told
me I could not say with certainty that it was a short time in the church and that my euphoria was because
the church for me was like "my first love" at first I was angry she was saying when I was not sure what
he was doing, but today I say that I'm glad she have done that, after all, our first love is eternal, is one
that we never forget, remember that even in our last breaths, but say , my first love was God, because
from small, not even understand what he was really I have loved him more than anything, I remember that
was afraid of hurting my mother to love God more than her, so today I say, first love can become one
eternal, just wanting to us, just we strive for it, and I say, I will fight with all my strength to keep on the
right path, the only right way is the way of the church of Jesus Christ. I believe that this church is true,
I believe that Jesus Christ lives, I believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and I believe that
there is a living prophet, I believe and testify to all that this is true. I leave my testimony in the name of
Jesus Christ, amen.
I mean that I am immensely grateful to Heavenly Father for having chosen you to teach me until my sister
I mean that I am immensely grateful to Heavenly Father for having chosen you to teach me until my sister
said that if it was not you who taught me I would not have all this and not sure it would be as I am today,
you can say it was the Holy Spirit that helped me, yes, it was him, but through you, and you with this
your way and with this truth brings you made me want to feel what you felt, and this was one of the
reasons I became interested to know more , wanted to feel the same joy you feel when passing the
message, and so I say, not all the world thanks would be enough for me to thank you for everything you did for me. I love you, buddy.
Love, Martina.
Love, Martina.
The Church is true! The Book is Blue! And I'm a Mormon!
jamesreinhardt.blogspot.com
please share mormon.org/christmas and that video with everyone you see. Invite them to accept the gift of Christ and show God the gratitude that we have by way of making a promise to always follow Him - being baptized by someone who has the priesthood authority of God.
please share mormon.org/christmas and that video with everyone you see. Invite them to accept the gift of Christ and show God the gratitude that we have by way of making a promise to always follow Him - being baptized by someone who has the priesthood authority of God.
|
Dec 8 (9 days ago)
 | | ||
Portuguese
English
Translate message
Turn off for: Portuguese
hey! send her an email too or add her on face!!! tinanunes3f@gmail.com
2014-12-08 10:06 GMT-03:00 James Reinhardt <james.reinhardt@myldsmail.net
Natal and the Baptism Dance -- sharing the gospel in Brazil.....BATIIISMOOOOOOOOOOO
PS - please thank grandma for all the AWESOME TIES!!!!!
Sorry that each letter is very disorganized. This week we did many divisions. I'm so happy that everyone in the zone wants to baptize. We were on a splits with an elder and were standing at the bus and invited everyone to be baptized and have a new life in Christ!! IN the whole bus, only 4 people raised their hands to speak to us. One gave her son's address so that we could visit him!
Elder Mortensen help out and get to the people on Sunday. He had two people with dates for baptism for the next week ... he did not give up. We not only knocked on the door, but pestered them, we left, we returned, we called, did everything and then some to get these people to church! Then he told me, better that somebody gets annoyed than to miss an oppurtunity for salvation. He told me that the difference between the missionaries who baptize and who don't is the that one is willing to sacrifice. Elder Mortensen is working more but isn't seeing baptisms. Which is what he wants the most . But he has made a big change in the life of Elder Weaver - helping you to accept the fast baptisms.
Elder Weaver and I talked twice this week about the decision he made to come here. He feels he 'let the lord down.' That the Lord has given you the option to stay and he chose to go here for selfish reasons. I told him that he actually showed much courage and was ready to fulfill what the Lord wanted him to. He is performing miracles here and that any feeling that says that 'let the lord down' does not come from God. While he is here, with the name-tag, working diligently so any feeling of dissapointing the lord is coming from the enemy.
I'm super very happy to be with Elder Branco again! However, I was living with all Americans before. Living with all Brazilians is a big difference. We had the opportunity to stay in a musical will be the young people here in Cariacica, but I said we could use our time better and suggested that we should go out and seek for new investigators. Even though it was hard and he wanted to stay, we still headed out and found a boy and a family (mother and daughter) they are golden!!!!! I know that God still works miracles at 7 pm on Sundays! I am so happy that my companion was willing to make the sacrifice and really made a difference.
Fought for everything! PS - Please thank Grandma for all the ties!
Elder Reinhardt
This guys is great!! Marcos Bruno! We have been working with him for a long time. Already believed in God, but had a hard time accepting that there is one church that has all the truth because God wants to teach all of his children the same thing. But, he prayed, got up the courage, and chose to follow Christ more perfectly!
!
Yes! I did get the package with the craziest hot sause in the whole planet!! I take it to some of the lunches with the members and it's becoming quite renowned!
Thank you so much for taking care of me! l have been soo blessed this week! Like almost everyday that we take the bus to go to a distant area, i get up and invite EVERYONE to be baptised and come to chruch! i am trying to loose all my shyness with the things of God. I heard someone say here that the profets wer always bold when the preached the gospel. Whay cant we be??
I remember that i, being a slacker, never did the dishes until i knew that you guys were serious about me doing that task. (now i know that you were always serious about me helping out)...but when we don't have the attribute of obedience, him who is inviting to repentance needs to be bold - but loving so that he who needs to repent recognizes the need for such repentance.
I know that i'm not getting out what i want to say that well, but i just hope that i can be parents like you two when i have kids. =)
the mission presidnet invited all of us to start in Luke chapter 1 and read one chapter everyday until christmas eve to prepare for christmas!!
also, pass this around to everyone!! we are doing so over here: mormon.org/christmas
I love you all to pieces!!!!!
I am soo glad to hear that you all are doing excellent!!
I also sent a christmas letter to naida...together with a call to repentance, baptism, and a panflet of the restoration!! hahaha!!! I hope she and julie open their hearts - tom as well!!
Thnak you so much for taking care of everyone over there! I am doing great here!! I will be staying in cariacica for christmas!!! A sister from the ward saw my shoes and bought me new ones! when the others arrive, i will give to a missionary who doesnt have. Another sister had a suprise birthday cake waiting for me yesterday and another - who you HAVE TO MEET she is like your spitting image. Super sassy and preaches the gospel like its going out of style!! she stood up in the bus with me and distributed thoses little cards of (he is the gift) while i invited every one to be baptized!!
I am very well taken care of.
I suppose that the only advice that I could ask of you and Dad is that i think that I am thinking so much about baptism, that I am forgetting the missionaries. Like, i'm super obedient, but I'm like martha from 'martha and mary.' one who does all the background work while the other really pays attention to the guest...does that make sense? Since i've been ZL i feel like i am trying to be more 'effective' and losing a little patience and love...I still have to reflect about this for myself - but if you or dad have any advice.
Also, check out Pentonix an awesome acapela christmas group!!!
ldouble love!!
Elder Reinhardt
FELIZ NATAL - merry christmas!!!!
Trunky para casamento!!!!
Letters and photoss - to and from my favorite Missionary!
Hoi Mom!
Maybe it's better to take the little longboard to school and just use the big ones all the time around the neighborhood -but he's gonna be better than me soon!!! Holy cow its like you guys are changing and not changing all the time! I feel like so much is happening here everyday! I wish so much that all of you could see and witness all of the miracles that God is giving us every day.
Maybe it's better to take the little longboard to school and just use the big ones all the time around the neighborhood -but he's gonna be better than me soon!!! Holy cow its like you guys are changing and not changing all the time! I feel like so much is happening here everyday! I wish so much that all of you could see and witness all of the miracles that God is giving us every day.
I am learning the same thing about accountability here on the mission. We call the missionaries to help them. We ask them about their investigators because they need the gospel. Though we are here for the missionaries, our focus is the people recieving the gospel. SO we will help to make sure that they havent forgotten something and we will give advice when they ask and correction when they are not doing it in the lords way. following up isn't not believeing in those that you are supervising, but it is showing that you love them and those that they are taking care of! I believe in you mom! Check out the end of Chapter 8 in preach my gospel under the topic of accountability - there can be some really good tips to help out your nurses.
I am just starting to apprciate how fast you get things done. When i was washing the dishes really slowly, you just went in and did them for me...I love my companion to death but now when we teach, we explains every little detail - I just want to be completely streamlined and effective every hour of every day - more or less. It's hard! ANd even harder when you and your companion have to have the same vision, but we'll get there!
I think we're gonna have a baptism this sunday!!!
pray for ALEXANDRE
He is amazing!!! a 16 year old teenager that recieved an answer to his prayers the first night that we asked him to pray! more on him later!
James
a message i sent to dad! about ALexandre!!
Holy cow i'm loving it out here!!! I'm finally starting to apply myself. In every house that i've lived in on the mission, there has been a 'fubeca' or slacker. Like I was never the most disobedient because there was always somebody that was below me (i'm trying to find the right words but it's not coming - so i hope that that made sense). Now, we have 4 gringos in one house in brasil! Sounds like a bad sit-com.
But everyone is trying their best to be worthy, hard workers, obedient and so on. So i am having to up my game. I love a good challenge!
Dad, we have found an awesome family!!! Theres one young man who knows english better than we do who is already a member of the church - he apresented us to the rest of his family and we are teaching everyone!!! Some are more acceptive than others, but there is one teenager, ALexandre, who dis as we asked: Heared the message and asked God. He felt an answer to his prayres that very night that we met him!!! I'M SOO STOKED!!! He wants to be baptized and follow what christ taught but his family is pretty catholic and so he was afraid to hear what his mom thinks...but the good thing is that if she opens her heart and asks God, she'll have the same feeling! (p.s. the offer is yours as well dad!)
As we are teaching the rest of his family, the better part of them have all heard a bunch of bad things about the mormon chruch from other preachers...but we are taking away the doubts, inviting everyone to pray and seeing real progress with all of them!! woo hoo!
Elder Reinhardt
Oi James!
Well, can you believe it's almost Christmas?! It's chilly tonight, so I can sure feel it coming! - Glad I got so much done this weekend -- thanks to borrowing dad's manly muscles and talent in moving boats and trailers! :)
A lot is happening this week -- Lisa just got into town - haven't seen her yet, but there will be a service for Ted Saturday - I'm hoping one of the nurses will take call for me so I don't have to answer any phones - I just know I'll be a wreck. She had him burried earlier -- just Master Fernette and Don - Goodman were there. ..... I know it will be tough for her.
We've been spending a lot of time at Saied's -- 1-2 night per week since they had their house broken into. Crazy --- 10 am, there was a knock on the door - by the time they got to the door, no one was there. Said, and Muzna and Mala were all home. Saied was upstairs, asleep. Then they heard a loud crash -- I guess the guy threw a brick through a downstairs window --and when Muzna screamed, Saied hollered out for who was there -- the guy chased them upstairs and pepper sprayed Saied! He and Mala were trying to keep the door closed -- I guess the pepper spray got all over the guy, and the police got him at dad's office, trying to wash the pepper spray off! Anyway, Muzna and Mala are pretty shaken .......
It's cool to be getting to know them. They are very open to hearing about our beliefs, and love to share theirs with us. Did you know that they are Muslim? They think that Jesus was a prophet - that's all. That he will come again to save the world. Very interesting. I'm going to give them a Book of Mormon this week -- we're having FHE with them this Thursday. I am so enjoying getting to spend time with them and getting to know them better ....such a lovely family. I feel I must have know Muzna before - in the pre-existence!
Pray for them. They're scared, ....We have been praying for them every night, with the Greenblotts - I really feel like God has His hand on them -- they just may not feel it yet. :)
How are you, buddy? We pray for your awesome success each day. We love your gutz!
Dang, I got some sore ol' lady muscles -- really tough workouts 2 days in a row!
- Gotta get to bed so I can get up and crank em out in the am!
I love you buddy!
Your #1 Fan,
Mom
The second coming sure is close... holy cow.
I wouldn't ever imagine any of this happening...but one thing that I know for sure is that God is still directing all of this. He cannot take away the agency of any of his children, but He already knows each one of us so well that he is still planning the best possible circumstances for us to make it back to him. I have a firm testimony that all that is unfair about life will be perfectly made up for through the power of the atonement.
We got the oppurtunity to go on a raod trip with the mission president and his wife...during the conversation he said something that will stick with me forever. He said that we will be amazed at the capability that God has in saving His children...
I hope that that helps.
Also, Alma 12 could be a really good chapter to suggest the saieds
love you to pieces mom and dad and jayson and jamie!!
Love
Hi there, James!
Ah it was a good, but hard weekend, buddy.
Had Ted's servjce up at Pinecrest cemetary....which was beautiful. ...but so hard. Lisa just looked so...so... oh just hard stuff. .... almost like a lost look.
We all went to the dojang afterward, & She beautifully and graciously hugged and spoke with each person as they came in the dojang. More tears, laughter memories. Mala performed a beautiful song for him, & she shared it with us. The Experiences shared a DVD they put together of some pictures of him. It really was nice.
It was a good weekend to get through with friends. ..to be sure.
Hugs to you!
Mom
Mom!
I don't have much time to email again...so this is the google translated version of the email I sent to the President about our zone. Hope it makes sense!!
We are in need of help. The Fields area christened 22 last transfer and now baptism did not have two weeks. I will present some ideas about how the problems and how we have to improve.
In the last transfer, we do not know how we reached 22 - only God was taking us much mercy. Elder Giancoli F.LIMA and elders were the only baptizes. Still kept the guidelines baptism of the president, but if we wanted to do an interview before the person was taught everything they left. We did much division because we see that every person who was in the church had potential then seek to interview all the world. Now, Elder Simonsen is more spiritual and takes much care of his district - however, want to teach everything and prepare more for the interview. I do not know if it's right or not. It is very good try to follow the spirit, but sometimes we stopped wanting them to have a 'stronger testamunho before baptism' or 'teach everything before the interview' or 'respect their choice.' These desires are good, but I think that Satan will use these good reasons to disrupt the person's progress.
Elder Simonsen is a spiritual giant ... but still lack confidence in the assistants. It's the same problem that has Elder Stilson, they will only baptized against the will of the elders and the people themselves. We are trying to help them, but sometimes I feel intimidated because-Elder Simonsen seems more spiritual than me.
Elder Gonzales told me-I was thinking of going back to the house this week. On Sunday in sacrament meeting, received a reply that was so strong that he knows he has to stay here in the mission. He left very much at home and have a little fear that he will return the good old mission and without the things that could have won if he stayed at home. He also wants very much to have more responsibility in the mission. He teaches very well and loves people, but I think he will be upset until he also changes slightly. He does not seek to be obedient - obedient only to the things with which he agrees. Not have its own pattern of obedience. He asked if we were going to hous lan in normal ropas - to see if we would or not.
He's having a piano lesson and members are giving some references but so far only two people who had led friends. The piano does very well for him, but it seems that're increasing the number of researchers.
The new sisters who are in Guarus are doing super well! Only Sergio Sister who is missing from home sometimes when they have time to think. Elder W. Silva and Pinargote are working just right too.
My mate always has a smile. We're thinking that we have to set a better example for that area also. We're trying to be more effective. How to do everything we want in lessons and still limits them to 30-45 Mintos - is very difficult.
I personally am pushing myself more to have more powerful and focused prayers. However, for some reason, I more-distracted during personal prayers! I feel that there is a pavilion above me.
We will always improve!
Thank you for receiving letters so messy - I'll try my best in next-express.
Elder Reinhardt
James!
Hello buddy! All is well here this week. The kids are doing well, they're very excited about Halloween and are looking forward to decorating for our Halloween open house. Of course we have to do the mad scientist lab, but there is no doctor love this year!
The greenblott's seem to be doing okay. Frederick looks okay. The dojang here is trying to get back to some kind of normal. I do have some pretty awesome news for you: caleb is getting married next August! You are on the wedding invitation list! He is doing really well. Of course he says hi.
Dad has the day off, and he has been busy already doing all my chores for me, well I go out to see patient. How delightful!
We had the Murdoch kids over here this weekend! A house full of happy chaos. And of course you know, that is just how I like it. Dad on the other hand, needs a sedative. Lol
I love you very much! You have a phenomenal week.
Love,
Mom
DUDE!!!!
Yes - he’s getting married in August! - You’ll be home then!!!! Shut up, I know! I just about busted out of the seams!!! - I’ll explode, I’m sure, when you get married!!!! - - The most important decision of your life. Your mission will help you prepare for marriage, and help you be a wise discerner! - Gotta pick a 10-cow wife! 
LOL
Been a good week here. -- Got finished reviewing all of the charts -- 365 of them, to be precise! Huge project.
Jamie is at her CHEER clinic today, and Jayson goes to BBALL clinic -- little warm up - fun day today before the Season Starts! - They love Upward! Dad is coaching Bball again. I start coaching VBall next Thursday - Jamie is jazzed!
Here’s Jayson:
My birthday was AWESOME by the way I am now in counciling for 80hd.also I love minecraft!!!!!!!!+
(interpreted by mom: counselling for 80hd = ADHD) LOL.
Hi again -- Jayson is excited to get on mincraft! He’s building a cool little village on it.
I have a light day today - phew! - Got some MK orders out, only seeing 2 patients and calling a few coaching clients. - Snuggling by Bugglings!
We love you TONS! I miss your gutz! -Super proud of the work you are doing. I can tell you a re giving your all - and that makes all the difference!
Love,
Mom
Hi Dad,
Wow, that is a powerful message. I thank that that is soo true. At times we create expectations of what we think should happen. I am trying my best to rid myself of that. In myt praryes, I am asking that God guides our prayers so that we ask for what He wants to give us. That way, our prayers will be answered.
We had two huge miracles that happened this week where we went to one house and no-one was there. And God guided us from house to house until we met that eleite person that accepts all that the gospel has to offer! of course, now i'm getting transfered...but at least my companion will stay and help these people recieve the fullness of the gospel!!
I hope that i will get the chance to train someone!
I have to send out some pictures now and still have to send an email to president!
I love you dad, and i thank you for being the rock in our family.
Love
James
On Mon, Nov 3, 2014 at 12:04 PM, James Reinhardt <james.reinhardt@myldsmail.net
i promise to reply next p day sorry that i dint have time to read and write but i love you all!!
On Mon, Nov 3, 2014 at 5:15 AM, Rick Langford <rick.langfordfamily5@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Elder Reinhardt,How was your week? It is as busy as ever here and starting to get cold. That is good news for Jamie and Jayson...sports starts. They are both playing volleyball. I missed Jamie's game , but you should have seen your brother. He scored on several of his overhand serves...made two saves...and set it three times. He is a little uncomfortable playing with all the girls...but he is coming around...he is definately more comfortable on a basketball floor. Jamie was very excited for Halloween this year. I think she tried 8-9 different costumes. She gave out candy while Jayson went around trying to scare people. I think it was a bit of a let down since we dont get many trick or treaters on our street. Of course your Mom dressed up all week....now I know where Jamie gets it.There was a man on my mission that taught me a simple principle when I was frustrated or felt things were not going as well as I thought those should. He asked me what I expected? I was not sure what he meant. He pointed some of the missionaries in the BofM. Enos cried unto the Lord and was given a promise that the lamanites would receive the gospel. Then he labored diligently to bring the lamanites to the truth. He did not live to see it come to past. (Enos 1) Ammon and his bothern fasted and prayed much to go among the Lamanites. They were told to be patient in longsuffering and afflictions....showing forth good examples. (Alma 17) There were a lot of cities they went to....few received them....but some that did.What were their expectations? At times they could not see what was at the end of the path or that expectation. Instead they had faith and hope and the asurance that they were on the Lords errand. Does that mean you dont expect miracles or great successes? No. I means you do your duty with all diligence and patience.... watching for those opportunities as Ammon did, Nephi did, and Alma did where they could demonstrate the miracles and power of God.I pray that you will be given those opportunities. Keep watch and be a great example for those missionaries you have stewardship over.We love you,
Dad
yeah, not even a zoo. These are someone's pets!
he also accepted a pamflet of the restoration!!
elder Branco, the ladies man (oh boy!...) from Curitiba!
HAHA só BATIZA TUDO MUNDO!!!
the picture that i took 6 months ago our last day together, and now we're back!!!
Thursday, October 2, 2014
More letters -- and How to be POWERFUL in Families....
Dear Elder Reinhardt,
Hows it going? I hope it has been a great week for you.
Im sure your Mom will tell you about her evening with the missionaries.
I was able to invite one family to visit with the Sisters, but they
could not make it. Maybe next time.
I was reading in Mosiah and read something about attitude.
Chptr 21 it says how the people of Lemhi murmurred because of their
afflictions. They trusted in their own ideas and stregnth going against
Lamanites 3 times....each time being driven back. Then then
changed..the humbled themselves and accepted their stuation. Instead
of murmurring the began to cry unto the lord. They became patient and
then over time the Lord started to bless them.
Sometimes we need to look at ourselves...are we murmurring or crying unto the Lord.
Not much this week. Saturday Jamie and Jayson helped me
clean the church for three hours. Ok so maybe they did not last three
hours. So this week will be national kids day/week.
Elder Freebairn spoke in church and leaves for his mission
in a week. Elder Foster just got back and also spoke in church. He
talked about how he changed his perception from a glass half empty to a
glass full. It was a great talk.
We love you.
Dad
There's like this pride cycle in each one of
us. For some it's a little more drastic and vicious than others. We are
doing good, too good, and then we get cocky. We hurt others and
ourselves looking for more...money, power, attention. Soon, we are left
off having less than what we started with. we fall. we humble ourselves
until we realize that we can do everything that we want to do on our own
so we ask for help and start working harder. Soon, we are back on our
feet and doing good again.
We have
been trying to invite Juliano's brother and mom to come to chruch and
family activities, read and pray together, but he's not accepting it. I
would love to help him skip the whole 'fall' part of the process,
but it stinks when people blind themselves with what they think will
bring them happiness. I'm sure that that is what any parent would
think.
That is
good advice that you gave, and don't worry. I am learning that no matter
how hard you try or how persuasive that you try to be, he will still
have his personal choice to make. The experience of a 'fall' will teach
alot more alot faster than me telling him about it...but will bring him
and his family alot of pain.
On the good note!!!
There
are still fantastic people here in Linhares!! We are working hard
everyday trying to help out everyone and we have a young man who we are
teaching whose mom is trying to recooperate from cigarettes and alcohol.
This kid, Alex, is really stepping up to the plate and helping him Mom
around the house more, reading the scriptures to her (she can't read)
and praying with her. We are really seeing a difference with them!!
But, tomorrow, I will be getting transferred to another area. woo hoo! I'll let you know where I'm at the next Monday.
I tell you what, the most trunky that I've been on the mission was a few days ago (don't worry! it was a good trunky)
He still
lets us in and so we go around to a picnic table round back. we're
thinking, great. What are we gonna teach this little guy? We say a
little pray and I pulled out my bible with this picture on the back
We
tried to get in with a family that had accepted the missionaries a wile
back and when we rang the intercom, just a little boy came out. He's
Leison (say it like 'lay-son' really close to Jayson!) like 11 years
old, super smart. we ask him to get his family, but nobody wants to hear
the message.
I asked him how he would describe this man.
" He has brown long hair, brown eyes, white clothes..."
I said, 'No, what I'm thinking about is...by the way that he is, what do you think that he wants?'
there was a pause. I imagined that I was
talking with my little brother. I have never had a real, sit-down, heart
to heart talk with Jayson or Jamie about Christ before.
He replied, 'he wants to welcome me. That's why his arms are open.'
My
companion began to testify of the Savior as it sunk in that I could
have done so much more to help my family. That God is soo good that He
let me recognize that.
You know that i'm made of butter, so yes, I cried.
The
spirit was soo strong and even stronger when we helped him write down
his first prayer. He spoke to his Heavenly Father, but He spoke
powerfully to me. Then, we committed him to ask his dad to pray with him
later that night. We can be powerful in our families if we take the
oppurtunities that we have now to act now.
I love you all to pieces and I will wait to see you, and I thank God for every reminder of you guys!
Love,
James!
Letter - back and forth.....
Dad, I love the photos!!!
I
am pretty darn jealous that you all went to Jack Johnson!!! did you all
have a blast (i'm sure that you were the one who was most 'in the
groove' =) ) or was it even a kid friendly environment?
Grand coulee damn...that is in washington as well, right? how long of a drive is it?
Holy
cow!! jayson is super grande!!! he looks like he's gained a little more
mass as well!! what sport are they loving the most right now?
That same story happened to us when two companions weren't getting along.
They called in the president, the president came, told us we were doing a
good job, and gave the problem back to us. I love the way that God
comforted alma...in that same manner, our president comforted all of us.
I'll put more about them in another email.
right now, we have a new area. The names now are Maria Odete, Martina, and Fabio Carlos.
I love ya dad!!
James
Dear Elder Reinhardt,
I hope you had a great week and this week will be even
better. It is the 5th Sunday and the adults were together and then the
young women and men were together. The bishopric spoke based on a talk
Elder Bednar gave recently on media. They talked about video games and
where those have come from: pong - packman - joust - mario - donkey kong
- sniper - grand theft auto, call of duty. Then they gave some realy
good examples of how video games and media impact us. They are also
starting to flood the earth with the gospel using the internet and
social media. Im sure you have heard all about it and know more about
it than I do. Is your mission using multimedia or social media, or do
they have plans to use socual media platforms?
Nothing too exciting this week. I had to go to Lewiston
for a few days....I made the mistake of drinking too much cafine while
traveling and this weekend has been rough going through the withdrawals
as the cafine leaves my system.
James Cartwright gave his talk today since he will be
leaving for the Mexico city MTC in a few weeks. He looks really good
and really excited to go.
Jamie and Jayson start school no Tuesday. Im not sure they
are ready for summer to be over. Tomorrow we will have family night
and they will each get a blessing to start school.
We love and pray for you.
Dad
Hi Dad!
I want you to know that I love the letters and I love knowing that you all are happy and safe!
Apoligies that I don't have alot of time again to write.
holy cow Jayson is getting huge!!!!
I was sooo spiritually fed yesterday!!! our recent convert, martina, is already a missionary!!!!!!
But
today i'm just trying to figure out how to help the elders that are
living with us. Like the little fubecagems - breaking the rules and
slacking a little bit. I get frustrated and want to help them while not
riding them. Like i strive to follow the rules and have the spirit, but
for them its not a big deal. How can I help them see the need to improve
with love while not being used or just letting everything slide?
| |||||||||||||
Hi Elder Reinhardt,
Here are some pictures from family night. Jamie caught a small bass.
Plus Jamie and Jayson recieved fathers blessings to start
school tomorrow. There was one distinct thing that I was not expecting
but was supposed to tell Jayson in his blessing..... that he would find
answers to his questions in the scriptures, his teachers and from his
brother.
Love you,
Dad
Hey family!
here is where i'm at...again!!
I
was transferred back to Rio de Janeiro!! Where I was at during mother's
day! I returned to the same chapel but a different ward!! woooo
hooooo!!
It was sooo good to see that my recent converts were firm in the gospel.
I only have time for one miracle, but it's waaay sweet.
We went to interview an investigator that wanted to be baptized. Maycom is 11.
As
i talked with him, I felt that even being small, he wanted to follow
the savior. He told me that he had already stopped drinking coffee 2
weeks ago. That he cried when the other missionaries left because he
thought he wouldn't get baptized.
His
mom, Tania, thought that he wasn't ready to be baptized and that he was
just doing it to follow his friends...but at the end of the interview,
he said the prayer. He asked God to help his mom accept his baptism.
After
the interview, we returned to the kitchen to ask Tania again if he
could get baptised. I shared the story of my mom with her. That my mom
baptized young and even though life came at her with all it had, her
name had been written in the book of God. We testified to her, pleaded
with her, and waited.
The suspense mounted and finally Maycom's aunt said, "just decide already!"
...'ok. He can.'
Maycom leaped for joy and covered his mom with kisses!
We
wanted to leave shortly afterwards to let them enjoy the spirit of the
Lord in the family, so we asked Maycom to give the final prayer.
In his prayer, he thanked his Father, "God, thank you for changing my mom's mind."
I love
this gospel. I love that it is not us, the missionaries, inviting
everyone to come to Christ, but it is really the Savior that invites
them to come to Him through us.!
| ||||
| ||||
Dude!
Back to Rio? Your heart must be so full! To see your
converts firm.... and what a sweet miracle you shared about Maycom!
Tell his mom I send great big hugs to her!
We have been praying for you every night and day. I'll share this story with the kids tonight at family night!
We just got back from a road trip! States at the "Cat
Tales' Big Cat Sanctuary, then Went to Grand Coule Dam...for the laser
light show... and then to see Jack Johnson! He was great! However...
pot is legal in WA now, as is gay marriage. ... so I am sad to say that
the milleau was disappointing. But we had a lot of fun!
Miss you buddy!
Mom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)