...Following a Prompting!

 

No Visa yet! I hope I go, but there are still so many lives to touch here! I'll go when the time is right, I'm sure of it. :)

 

But while I have the time, lemme introduce you to Alex the Romanian Hitchhiker.

 

Elder Edwards (my trainer) and I were biking down the road when we pass this hitchhiking guy who gives us a genuine smile...hmm. At the bottom of the hill, we stop.

Edwards, "Should we talk to that guy?"

Me, "Sure. Better to have faith than miss a prompting."

We start talking and He's been in the states for a year working. He met a girl (at Sturgis - but don't worry, she's still cute) who he had then known for 4 days. He was thinking of either staying around for her or continuing to California for work. We walked with him to the hospital where this girl would pick him up and asked what he knew about Jesus Christ's church back on the earth.

We sat down on a bench and proceeded to teach about God's love, prophets, and the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We were cut short when his lady friend showed up (another hipster - if they were married and sealed, they'd make a great couple!). We thought we'd never see him again, but we did feel like we tried hard to help him develop more faith in Christ.

Then, we see him 6 more times in 1.5 weeks!!! This last time we saw him, we had enough time to teach again. I know that if he prays and reads, he can get it! During the lesson, he asked if there were prophets today. YES!  Excited to meet with him again - we challenged him to read the BoM and pray.

 

Also, Ben Kohler. I don't have much time, but briefly. Imagine a rough, 6'4" bouncer with a couple 'tats' one of which says "the reaper"

I've talked about this guy before, and I love him so much! He has had a rough life. But he has said, "when I look into my baby's eyes, and she looks back saying 'take care of me, I'm helpless, innocent, and perfect'...all the hate in my heart leaves for a moment."

Talk about progress, we asked him why it is important to follow God's commandments. I wish I could portray the power that was in him as her said, "It is the purpose of life. I want to live with my family forever - and if we're not living with God in the Celestial Kingdom, then we are not living with our whole family."

 

Wow. He gets it. This church is true. It is lead by God. He is changing his life! I am striving to become the best child of God I can! Read Mosiah 2:41. That's what were striving for here and the prize at the end is more than we can imagine! Read Romans 8: 16-17! (I think that's the refference) :)

 

I Love you All!

...Finding People Who are Ready to Listen...

No news on the Visa yet! As soon as I find out, I'll let you know. It could be a week, it could be 2 months =p it's just trust in the Lord and waiting. All I hope is that I have no regrets when I leave. That I've done my best and talked to everyone that I was supposed to meet.

 

You all should check out South Dakota! It's way cooler than I thought! We live in Rapid City, our apartments are right next to a National Guard base, so alot of mornings you can find at least 5 missionaries running around the track =) The weather is grand! from 50 being the coldest (so far) to like...80ish? Warm enough to be sweating anyways =)

 

There is a bike rally about 20 miles away in Sturgis. Check it out, but don't check it out...the bikes would be cool to see, but I also here that it can be a drunk, angry, motorbikin' Mardi Gras =p  soo many Harleys around here! Regardless, I can say that my urge to get a bike when I get back increases every day.

 

Our latest P-day (play day or personal day) after shopping, we went out to Jewel Cave. I wish I had pictures, but I forgot to bring my camera to the computer today! The cave is clamed to be 167miles discovered and that's only like 15% I think? Anyways, check it out! We went on an hour and a half guided tour and it was soo pretty! Dad, I'm guessing you could appreciate the idea of dark and undiscovered territory with your diving career =)

 

Something else cool was when we knocked on a door and a chief and medicine man of the Lakota Sundancers came out. He prayed for us with a drum and song in his native language. =D I learned alot about him and his religion - that there was a lone woman at the start of the universe crying for man, for company. That a gamma ray shot a huge piece of rock and cleaved it in two - also cleaving the universal darkness into light and darkness...though it was cool, it was hard to follow. (I'm glad my religion makes sense ;p )

 

As we talked, he, William Bravebird (with a native name that sounded something like Zedikiah =)  ), tied Sundancing in with the Man (government) publicized school and other things that he felt hurt him and his people. Though I do not blame him for his complaints, I can say that the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring so much peace! However, he was not too open to hear us. This is the pits sometimes! I can say that with this missionary calling, I love the people here soo much more than I could imagine! I see him as someone who like me is just trying to find peace in this life. I know that God can give him that and that as a representative for Jesus Christ, God has sent me to that man for a chance to hear of his gospel. Because I love him (as a child of God) it hurts when they don't want to listen.

 

It just comes down to finding people that are ready to listen.

 

I can say that I thought I knew that this church was true before I left, but as I study daily from the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and Preach My Gospel - I can start to say that I know without a doubt! From the 29th chapter of Isiah testifying of the BoM (when Oliver Cowdery takes the translation to the linguist in New York) to the first vision that Joseph Smith had with God the Father and Jesus Christ, it is true.

 

Studying this as a missionary is simply the best! There is alot of opposition to the church, some bad history, and plenty of myths out there. Many differeing voices telling them many different things? So what should these people believe?

 

As I've learned the gospel with a missionary mindset, I'm only studying the simple truths in a simple way. "God is our Heavenly Father. We are His children. He has a body of flesh and bone that is glorified and perfected. He loves us. He weeps with us when we suffer and rejoices when we do what is right. He wants to communicate with us, and we can communicate with Him through sincere prayer." This is what I teach and what I reaffirm to myself.

 

We teach that Jeus Christ set up one church and that that church was brought back to the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith. The only way to really know this yourself is to read the Book of Mormon and ask God if it is true.

 

It makes sense! Prophets were called, followed, disobeyed, and then God took the prophet from the people (look at Noah). But He always reaches out in love and calls another prophet. In this cycle, Joseph Smith was only the next in line - but this time, to establish the gospel that would not fade from the earth ever again.

 

Whenever we teach, we teach real people who come to find that this is what they were missing from their life or that we are crazy. =) and that's what it comes down to. Either the Book of Mormon is God's word or Joseph made it up. When we teach, we (and they) know that we are only the guides. Where they will get their answer will be through praying to God and reading. If this is true, God won't let you pass it up!

 

The only catch is that they have to pray and read really wanting to know. There are some people who only want to know about the LDS faith - which is fine. But then you'll only come away with a bit more knowledge. We preach that this is the same church that Jesus Christ set up - with all the blessings and ordinances that were in Christ's original church. This is the way to eternal salvation - through Christ and the gospel that he taught.

 

Regardless of that, the gospel can help people change. We just committed a single mother Ana and her daughter Lakia to baptism on the 7th of September. She is putting her life together, teaching her 4 children, feeling the peace of knowing who God is and his plan for her, and quitting smoking. Seeing this is a testimony to me. I know that she will continue to gain confidence in herself and control over her life as she keeps the commandments of God.

 

There is another guy who honestly believes that it's either Islam or Mormonism that has it right - and I can see where he's coming from - but more on that later.

 

I know that this letter has alot of God in it, but that is my life now and it is fantastic! I love you guys and I thank you for everything you have done that has made me who I am today. I thank both of you for the oppurtunity to find my own way. I pray for all of your safety as I know that you all worry about me. I love you so much and promise that any homesickness is not making me sad, but is instead being enveloped in this glorious gospel, the people of Rapid City, and the Godhead.

Much Love,

Your Son,

Elder James Reinhardt

A shot in the arm from my favorite Missionary!

........

 

OUr gospel doctrine lesson last week was 6 ways out of the Church:

#Not recognizing the prophet as a source of rrevelation

#Pride

#Being critical of leader's imperfections

#being offended

#Rationalizing disobedience

#accepting false teachings of the world

...

My companion had a revelation yesterday (an inspired thought that just came to his head) that said something like "your self esteem should not come from your environment or what others think of you. It should come straight from the relationship that you have with your heavenly father."

 

Also, if you treat a less active member like a less active member, there will be no change! These are things you already know and I know that you are fantastic when it comes to what people neeed and how to provide them with such.

 

One story (i only have 5 mins left on the comp!) Ben Kohler. Big guy, has the "reaper" tattooed to his arm because that was his street name. His mom committed suicide when he was 14. the catholic chruch told him that his mom was going to hell for that sin that she committed. So, part of the reason that he: beat people and left them in the streets, got paid to hurt others, sold dope, used dope, is so that he could meet his mom there and ask her some questions.

 

We shared alma...12:29-31 and that helped that. but main story is that all the hate that has taken root in him - he knows that it wont be easy, but with God, Jesus, and himself it can be ripped out.

 

Also, when his 1.5 month old daughter grabs his finger, he is filled with nothing but love.

Mom i only have 30 seconds left before i'm kicked off, but i love you and dad and jayson and jamie!

James with his Mission President and Sister Anderson

...Like a Kid in a Candy Shop

I have to write quick! grr. so much to do on your day off! haha I finally understand a small part of all you do =)

We have found the almighty gu-ru out here. Bro Fredrickson is a RM from Brazil! He is also a Gospel genius. He can get deep without getting out into kolob stuff.

here are some small truths that I can kind of remember (along with things to think about)

 

All decisions are based on either a desire to Escape or Pursue. I.E. Are you angry because you want to be? Or are you angry because you're trying to escape or hide from something - are you scared?

 

Are you a rebel as that being your goal, or as that being somewhere that is not where you are now (running away from something).

 

Who tempted satan? WHy is his plan so evil? Because he would be the only one to progress. He would halt aall of god's creation (which progression is god's work and glory) and only let himself, satan, progress.

 

Does god know everything you did before you did it? Yes. How else could he atone for your sins. How else could he feel what a holocaust would feel like if he did not already know.

 

Was Christ God before this life? To enjoy all that God enjoys is to have immortality (body and spirit not to be seperated ever again) and eternal life (to live as god lives, with him). We weren't close to either. However, Christ probably did experience eternal life. He just needed a body to experinece immortality.

 

 

Lastly, thank you so much for the Conner T-shirt! I miss that little guy and I'll wear that everywhere! Tell Brian and Natalie I love them!

 

Tell Granny and Gramps thanks so much for the letter and ties! I loved them both and I'll write them back soon.

Thank you so much for the package and postcards, and jerky, and pictuers!!!!

sometimes on this mission, I feel like a kid in a candy shop =D

James is in South Dakota - mining for Diamonds in the Rough!

James is waiting for his Visa by serving the people of South Dakota!  ( -- mining = proselyting; Diamonds are people who don't yet know their true worth!)

The Address is:
SDRCM
2525 W. Main Suite #311
Rapid City, SD 57702

SDRCM stands for South Dakota Rapid City Mission!


He arrived last Monday!  We got this email yesterday and are tickled to share it with you! - This is a letter to his Mission President:

This mission is the best!  My companion is the best example of what a missionary is all about.  We work hard for the people of Rapid City and work hard to follow all the rules.  I have noticed that my capacity to love people has increased.  I do feel crestfallen when our investigators do not keep out commitments and am overjoyed with the tell us what they've read in the Book of Mormon.

One couple that we've focused on recently is Ben and Meri.  They (and we) have seen that the Book of Mormon applies to their lives.  We have recently shared Mosiah 4 with them.  We can experience the same feelings that King Benjamin's people felt -- clean hearts, pure consciences, and a desire to do evil no more.  President, rest assured that this Gospel is true to me.  I can see it work in my life and in the lives of the people around me.  Elder Edwards and I go to bed exhausted each night and having no regrets about our day!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ and in a letter to his friends he shares this story I'd like to share with you!:

....I told myself, sarcastically, that my companion would be captain of the XC team and wanna run up a mountain every day before proselyting...so guess what? - Every day at 6:30, we run up a ountain and back down =D!  Love my companion and I love this Mission!

If you have your book of Mormon, read Mosiah 4 and look and feel for what the atonement feels likein the peoples' lives!  We got to share this inspired scripture with a man who has had a rough life. His "street name" was 'the Reaper".  He's witnessed suicides, homicides, substances, abuse, and everything else you could possibly think of ... but he is changing his life!  He has a daughter now, Sylvia, and when he looks into her eyes, all the pain that he carries seems to melt away and you can only see the love that he has for his family.

Not only that, but the missionaries always say that if you wanna change your life and have all the commandments of God be easy for you -- you just need to READ SCRIPTURES,  PRAY, and ATTEND CHURCH!  This is sooo true!

Gotta Go!

Love ya all!!!!

James

Lots of Love - Lots of pictures!

         In the Celestial Room at our last temple trip, I had a chance to talk with my eloved friend, Elder XS, I told him that instead of just experimenting on the word, experiment on the Spirit!  The MTC has such a strong Spirit that based on your obedience - you should pray with a pencil in order to receive personal revelation to heartfelt prayers.  I was so grateful when he took me up on my word, but bummed when he expressed 2 days ago that he's been praying hard for investigators and personal questions without receiving insight. 

6-28-13:

I love hearing tat the gospel is going to town in our home!  that's so great!  I remember how much you helped me with my Faith in God Award!

Thank you for sharing my letters with them all!  Thank you for all the love, support, packages and letters!  They seriously mean sooo much to me.

A lot of the district just got reassignments today!  Yahoo!!!  One elder is going to Denver, Colorado and we haven't seen where the sisters are going yet!   - Perhaps that's why we're staying here a bit longer -- Read my email about Elder X -- we still have lives to touch!

[Email reads:  "this is what a weekly report to the branch presidency looks like: 
     Dear Presidency,
         This week has been so fantastic!  Today we wnt through the 'in-field Orientation' which out and out got me pumped for the mission field!  Though I do not feel ready in the langage, I do feel that through high expectations, smart goals, and faith - I can do anything.
         I've been thinking quite a bit about faith this week...what's faith and what's just brazen wishful thinking!  If I set a goal of 25 baptisms in a month, am I having faith, or just a crazy hope?  The difference is that you ave to start with the Spirit, let go of the natural man (am I doing this for me or not), and follow through having a trusting hope that our God is a God of miracles.
          He wants to receive a solid testimony for his investigators, faith for miracles, and insight for his questins (they all go hand in hand).  Elder Capawana and I have been talking with him and trying to help him best we can.  Last night, I shared Alma 32:16 with him.  We asked if he had a sure undeniable knowledge of the things he was teaching.  He didn't.  We asked him if he had a desire to believe and a hope that he would receive inspiration.  He did.  We then asked him what this was.  His reply?  'hmmm.... I do have faith.' 
         It was the best thing ever!  Elder X wants so badly to have faith and all he has to do is recognize that he already has it.  The next step is to find out how the Spirit talks to him.  We suggested that perhaps, his Father wants him to search what He has already given him: scriptures, Patriachal Blessing and MTC devotionals.
         Not only do we love this elder but we love being able to share some of the doctrine, wisdom, and insight that we learned - and wish we had a lot sooner.
        I understand that this letter should include more topics than what was written, but I felt that was important.
       As for my progress, please know that I made a personal VOW to preach the gospel to every creature because I didn't share enough to my friends back home.
      I love you all
      Elder Reinhardt'"
 By the way, you were right!  Family history is COOL!  We all watched a video on family history as part of our MTC training.  Can you tell me your testimony of family History?  Do you have any stories to tell?  I have to know more about how awesome it is so I can use it!

They said that family history is the 'bridge between casual conversation and sharing the work of salvation with God's Children."  Key indicators for family history and where it can make an impact is when people:  1) Move from home  2) Have family reunions   3) Marriage/birth    4) death or illness   5) retirement 


July 5th:
It's so good to hear from you Mom!

......you're so right, Mom, Satan's working hard, but GOD'S WORKING HARDER!!! 

 

Poor Jamie! I'm sorry you're hurting sissy! I love you! You'll feel better soon I know it! I'm glad that you're still watching the parade though! You and Brooklyn look great! Will you tell her to email or write me! =D

Sure, sometimes Sandpoint doesn't have much to do, but it sounds like it's waking up! Seeing all those pictures makes my heart soar! Jayson being a magician (and wearing the hat I gave him =)  ) and winning at checkers! Jamie being a cowgirl in a wagon!

 

I love you all so much! We celebrated the 4th of July by watching 17 Miracles!!!

You HAVE TO SEE IT....it is a hard movie, but it is MTC approved. Listen to the young couple in the beginning and why they want to treck all the way from England to Zion. Feel the love of Brother Savage and how he just wants to be back with his boy and follow the will of the lord. It was a tear jerker, but a testimony grower! I expect an email about you watching it soon! ;) oh, and this is the 'stadium of fire" in the background.

The MTC Presidency honestly said, "Since you've all been so good, we are going to let you stay up past your bedtime." So we got to watch fireworks =)

Love you Mom, Dad, Jayson, and Jamie!

Elder James Reinhardt

Relationships are borne of heaven

...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 in heaven....Wow!  I'm so 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!

Tried to go up a cement step yesterday and instead, proved gravity exists...I slammed the pavement... mas, Tudo bem!

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.

We watched the Testaments 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 Var ser LEGAL.  Nos devemos trabalhar a conhecer Jesus Cristo por meco da Expiacao antes de Ele vem.  Eu amo ele, e eu posso pregar suas palavaras. Eu gusto deste Igresia, e eu espero que todos pessoas podam escutar meo testamuntro.

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!

With muito Amor,
Sev Filho
Elder Tiago Reinhardt!

PS - Get some of my friend writing me!!!!


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 Capawana 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.  I received a witness that God would take perfect care of our good Grandpa.  I know that no matter what, God's perfect plan of justice and mercy is designed to bless Grandpa.  I know that our relationships are not bound to this earth!  If I will not be able to see him again, then I will see him as described in Alma 11:42-45. 

Tudo Ben,.  Ate-logo.  Eu amo voces.