A couple of Treasures that moth will not devor, nor rust destroy....

I gained a surety of at least two things these past few days. 

1. God truly has people that are preparing and searching to hear our message.

2. When you do all you can to rescue someone, it doesn't mean that he will accept your help, but you truly feel that God has accepted your work

1. In the early history of the church in England, there was a man who found a capless Book of Mormon in the trash. He didn't know what it was but he read it and found it to be true. We found a man with the same story here in Campos

As we talked, he understood everything. He was looking for that one church that really is the church that Christ established. With apostles, profets, and authority. He had already had a re-gifted Book of Mormon for 4 years and has recently started reading on his own accord. 

When we shared the account of God's first prophet in these days, the spirit was so strong. Everyone in the room knew that God was confirming the words that we said.

As Elder Reinhardt, I'm not too special, but being a missionary - a representative of Jesus Christ, we get to see God work through us to help his children.

2. We walked to the end of the world to try and wake up our investigators and help them come to church. We did everything we could to help our families here...but none of them came to the church. As I sat there taking the sacrament, I realized much more powerfully what Christ did for me - and for everyone whether they accepted him or not. He already walked to the end of the world. He already sent all of our pains and heart-aches wether we 'deserve' them or not. 

I love our Savior, I love our 'living' church, Thank you ever so much for the prayers and support.

Elder James Reinhardt

Historia de Motivação - Os 3 Leões ~ A story from the Mission field on Motivation

History of Motivation - The 3 Lions

In particular forest had 3 lions .
One day the monkey , the elected representative of the animal subjects , held a meeting with all the vermin of the forest and said :
- We , the animals , we know that the lion is the king of beasts , but there is a question in the air :
There are 3 strong lions . But to which of them we should pay tribute ? Who among them would be our king ?
The 3 Lions learned of the meeting and commented on each other :
- It's true , the concern of vermin makes sense , a forest can not have 3 Kings , we need to know which of us will be chosen.
But how to find out ?
That was the big question : fight amongst themselves they would not because they were great friends .
The stalemate was formed .
Again , all the animals gathered to discuss a solution to the case . After using techniques of brainstorming meetings of any kind , etc. . they had a great idea. The monkey was found with 3 cats and told what they decided :
- Well , gentlemen Lions , found a solution to the challenging problem. The solution lies in Difficult Mountain .
- Difficult Mountain ? How so ?
- It's simple , pondered the monkey . We decided that you should climb the 3 Difficult Mountain . What peaking will first set out the king of kings .
The Difficult Mountain was the highest among all that immense forest. The challenge was accepted . On the appointed day , thousands of animals surrounded the mountain to watch the big climb.
The first attempted . He could not . Was defeated .
The second try. He could not . Was defeated .
The third try. He could not . Was defeated .
The animals were curious and impatient , after all, which one would be the king , since the three were defeated ? It was then that a wise eagle, old age and great wisdom , took the floor :
- I know who should be king ! All animals made ​​a great silence of expectation. - You know , but how? shouted to the Eagle . - It is simple , - confessed the wise eagle - I was flying between them closely and when they returned to the valley failed , I listened to what each of them said to the mountain .
The first lion said - Mountain , you beat me !
The second lion said - Mountain , you beat me !
The third lion also said : - Mountain , you beat me , yet! But you mountain has reached its final size , and I 'm still growing .
- The difference , - completed the eagle - is the third lion had a winning attitude in the face of defeat and anyone who thinks so is bigger than your problem : is king of himself , is ready to be king of the other .
The animals of the forest clapped enthusiastically to the third lion was crowned king among kings .
Lesson: No matter the size of your problems or difficulties that you have ; their problems , at least in most cases , have already reached the climax , are already at the maximum level - but you do not . You are still growing . You are greater than all their problems together . You have not yet reached the limit of their potential and performance . A Mountain of Adversity has fixed , limited size .
I learned that I can still give maximum me to overcome my difficulties ! Difficulty is not eternal - Happiness is eternal !

The Latest News from our Jungle Missionary

The pic is of my bro and future missionary LEO!

THE CHANGE

Was junior companion in an area that I knew with an american companion.

Now i'm opening (me an my companion arrived in the area the same day), District leader over me, my companion, and 3 pairs of sisters - with a brasilian companion!

THE CHALLENGE

Opening an area is like having a huge project and not knowing where to start.

I've only been here in Brasil for 4 months and now i'm supposed to have the answers and solutions for the (more experienced) misssionaries in my district.

THE AWESOME

My companion knows how to work hard and play hard. We are having a blast! (even though his girl broke up with him this last week... =(  ).

My companion already was district leader quite a bit and has already served here in Brasil. He could be super annoyed that somehow he ended up with an American that doesn't know much of anything...but he's not! 

We are really working hard and working together!!!

Our ward mission leader is fired up about the gospel! He took us around in his car (air conditioning and everything 8D  ) to visit alot of the recent converts and less actives!

I think that Gods trying to teach me to adapt to changes. I arrived here, had to give a talk in church on Sunday, a training on thursday, help the sisters everyday, and learn my own area!!

Thank God that I don't have to do it on my own. I have a rock awesome companion - and on our side, we have angels, archangels, and the very creator of the universe to team us up!

In a later letter, he talk about our love of the scriptures: 

I fully agree with you. The Livro de Mórmon is our greatest deffense. (I know my spelling is going downhill, but I'm forgetting English) Alma 30 that talks about korihor the anti-christ talks about all the tricks he'll use...Even here in the mission field, when I'm reading all the other church literature and forgetting to personally read the Book of Moromon as well, I do have a lack  of power. i'm not as spiritually strong as I can be. 

It stinks. God owns everthing - except our free angency. ITS THE ONLY THING THAT CAN HOLD HIM BACK! 

What I've felt and experienced here on the mission, I cannot deny. God has not stopped. The heavens are not sealed. We have two direct lines of revelation. Personal, and that which we recieve from the Prophet. He, Thomas S. Monson, holds the keys and authority to truly talk with God. This church, the knowledge that we have is proof that God lives. God has not forgotten about us, and he will continue to work as hard as he can to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life.

Hey yall!!

Even though I'm over here bushwacking through the jungle, my zone leader is from Shelly, Idaho! O saudades do interior do EUA! This week I reminisced about all the pleasures of small town Idaho life. 

Also, we worked our backsides off!!! We recently helped a Mom (Edna) and her two kids (Vitória and Alcir) enter the waters of baptism!!!

listen to this

We enter their house a few days after their baptism.  Vitória says that one of her teachers told her that "that Mormon church doesn't believe in Salvation, Christ, or anything christian!"

When Vitória said this to us, her Mom (50 year old red head) got all fiery and said, "Vitória, you are going to take this Book of Mormon and Gospel Principles to your teacher tommorow and make her read! We'll see if she'll have to nerve to say that again!"

WOOOO HOOOO! Team Jesus wins again!!!

With the same rights that other religions have to practice what they want how they want - we have that right too. I can and need to defend what I believe in. That doesn't mean that we should cut others down, but it does mean that we should leave the truth so perfectly clear that everyone knows that I know that Jesus really came to earth and did everything that He said He did. God did not stop talking to us. He does not love us less than he did in the times of Noah, Moses, Abraham...we have a profet today. We have the same church, organization, doctrine, and priesthood that Christ established when he was on the earth. I am very excited to watch general conference this weekend (even though it'll be in Portuguese). To really listen to a living prophet. How cool is that!

Thank you for the love, thoughts, prayers, and support

Elder James Reinhardt

His latest letter:  

Hey Mom, Dad, Jamie, and Jayson!

How are ya!!!

I am doing sweet! Truly each companion is different. During the companionship, as time goes on, it's like you're sifting the raw material that is there. You can either sift it all and keep and anlyze the good or the bad. I've decided to try and keep all the good. As members of the church, we try to look for the best in others. I think that at times, it's either way easier or way harder to do this for those closest to you. My challenge for you is the same challenge that I am giving my self. Really search the love those who are not just around you but those closest to you. 

Doctrine and Covenants 88:123-126

 123 See that ye ^alove one another; cease to be ^bcovetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires.

 124 Cease to be ^aidle; cease to be ^bunclean; cease to ^cfind fault one with another; cease to ^dsleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be ^einvigorated.

 125 And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of^acharity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and^bpeace.

 126 ^aPray always, that ye may not faint, until I ^bcome. Behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself. Amen.

I love you all a ton. I know that you are always praying for me - know that i'm always praying for you.

Love,

Elder James Reinhardt

Transfer and thoughts on family and marriage...

On Mon, Feb 3, 2014 at 11:27 AM, James Reinhardt <james.reinhardt@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Hey all!!! I was recently transferred to (put this into google maps):

Cidade Continental-Setor Ásia, Serra - Espirito Santo 

it's super sweet here! It feels kind of like sandpoint, ID. Doesn't have alot of people, is quite a bit more spread out, and has a jungle in the middle of the town! haha!

This photo is of our latest friend that we taught about the restored gospel of jesus christ. He decided to follow the savior into baptism!

Behind: me, Sávio (our recent convert), Ricky (his friend, neighbor, and future missionary), My new companion Elder Rocha (from Rodônia, Brasil);

In front is Elder Alexandrinho (our district leader), and Elder Weaver (from my district in Missionary Training Center in the States! He's finally here!

The bishop here is super-animado to work with us! all the meetings, all the people, all the work is ready and functioning for us to find the most people that we can!

HAAAAAAAAAAPPPYYYYY ANNNIVEERRSAAAARY!!!! 

one day late, I know. =)

Just wanted to say thank you for everything the both of you have done for me and Jayson and Jamie. Here in Brasil, marriage is not that big of a deal - just tons of expensive paperwork. That means that separation is alot easier. 

But you two have followed God's plan. You have raised a righteous family, our home is a safe haven from the world because of you two.

I love you both - tons. Wish I could give you both a huge hug!

but instead, I'll try to bring to other families the same happiness that you have given to me.

Love, James

..Helicopters and Miracles....

Quickly:

Certainly it is different working here. I am learning that the word misson doesn't just mean 'take pictures, make friends, learn a language, etc. etc' Though these things are good,'mission' means 'growth, service, and Baptise.' All of these, minus baptisms, hurt. All of these as well are needed to become who we need to become! 

This week:

Police heliocopters were searching for people

I ate a huge ant - on purpose

We helped chase a goat back to someone's home

It rained A TON

We painted our apartment

We experienced a miracle.

We Baptized Elisangela!

The baptismal service was fantastic! I need to explain a miracle first.

Elder Napan and I have the same amount of time in the mission field here in Brasil, so he is learning the language too. My trainer and his trainer had to interview Elisangela for Baptism and so we had to find our way to an appointment. We had been there by bus, but not at night and not from the spot we were at. 

READ THIS

Being a man, I thought I knew where we were going. We. Got. Lost. Elder Napan and I, being the only ones in the street, prayed. Hard. Asking for a miracle to lead us to our appointment. We asked God for sure direction that we could recognize, understand, and follow to get there.

We said Amen.

Elder Napan turned around and asked this 20ish year old guy how to get to the address we were looking for.I was thinking 'where did this guy come from??' He said that he was heading that way and that he'd show us.

No joke. Not even two seconds after we closed our prayer, God had lined up this 'angel without wings' to guide us to our appointment.

STRAIGHT MIRACLE

On the way he said that he had looked into many churches because each church must have a little bit of the truth. We asked him if he thought that the original church that Jesus established had all the truth. Of course it did. We told him that that church had been restored, got his address and telefone number, and other missionaries will be teaching him soon!

 

Water fight and Baptism...

CHURRASCO!!!!! Don't worry about me! Isabel, an investigator of the other missionaries was kind of a 'mom' to us as we had a barbeque, and Elder Díaz, the argentian, started a water fight with me =)

Also, we had a BAPTISM!!!

quickly, 4 siblings, 1 mom. Father passed away 3 years ago via a motorcycle accident.

This is a crucial time in their lives. Them, and especially their older brother (not in the photo) can choose now to be more like christ, or fall to what the world has to offer.

I am so thankful that we have gotten a chance to meet them, and we willl work super hard so that they can stay in the gospel!

gotta go!  Love ya!!!!!!

Fish and Faith.....

Quickly!

We had this for dinner last night!

I'm still learning how to work hard with my comp. He can speak the language! but doesnt want to get up and moving...and so, i'll use a little water tomorrow to help him out =)

I'll talk more about Angela in the next email.

MISSIONARIES: SHE FILLED OUT THE QUESTIONS TO ALL THE PAMPHLETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EVERYONE: She is reading every part that we leave. She is praying as well! She didn't want to talk to us because she thought we were stuck up rich kids (because we wear ties), we baptise dead people, and we worship Joseph Smith. SO MANY DOUBTS! she had heard all kinds of wierd things about the church!

We saw her today and she said,

"Of course I'm getting baptised! How could I not? I'm never judging a book by it's cover again."

Friends and family. This is the true church. Every fight and struggle we have to defend it only strenghtens my faith.

I love you all!

Thank you for support and prayers!!!