tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83227225911721757162024-03-05T15:21:35.066-08:00Man on a MissionChiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-45936190663336787132012-01-24T21:16:00.000-08:002012-01-26T21:41:59.761-08:00Week 81<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Star Wars Phantom Menace in 3D... I don't think I needed it in 2D. Who knows, maybe seeing Jar Jar Binks in another dimension will help me realize why he was in that movie. How many people will get hurt in theaters across America as they try to reach out and strangle him?</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, with that GT moment out of the way, thanks for all the updates. It's been a while since that many people have updated me on the haps. Glad to hear everyone is doing well. Ryan has some crazy pics of 25 feet of snow. I've been really lucky this year. This past summer and winter have been so mild compared to the first ones I had in country. With that said, we had a freak snow storm last night. lol. Still not as bad as last year, this is the most snow I've seen this winter, and it's not bad at all.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Lunar new year was a blast. We got a baptismal date set for next month with a way prepared investigator. We went hiking with him and his girlfriend yesterday. Elder Frei and his comp got to come along as well. We went to the top of NamSan mountain, and got some way sweet pics. They have thousands of "locks-of-love" up there, with people literally locking heart messages to the guard rails and tossing the keys off the side of the mountain.Cool stuff.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I found a Filipino market on the way to our member's house yesterday, and picked up some <i>tocino </i>marinade. I asked for Sarsi but they didn't have it. I just realized that the Mama Sita seasoning mom sent and that I bought is made by Teresita "Mama Sita" Reyes. Super funny. I still need to get some pork to utilize that liquid smoke you sent.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We've been meeting with a lot of English Branch members, and it is so awkward to pray in English. I'll say things and realize seconds later that it made absolutely no sense in English. I don't know what it is. Obviously I speak English with my companion, and in my personal prayers. But you'll definitely have to bear with me when I get back home. Speaking of other Reyes connections. We had dinner with a family and one of the daughters friends saw my name tag and freaked out because her mom is a Reyes, she has family in Cali too. I'm sure there's some far relation. She looked like a half-white Issa. lol. Should've taken a pic.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We've been insanely busy, and they'll be sending two more elders to our area to help with the load next month. It's been a ton of fun.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I miss you all, and you are in my prayers!!!</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Elder Reyes</span></div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-81739849401530577692012-01-15T21:22:00.000-08:002012-01-26T21:42:17.721-08:00Week 80<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just ate at a $70 buffet in the tallest building in Seoul. I feel like I may throw up right now. Our Ward Mission Leader is amazing, and he got some well deserved praise from the stake presidency last week, for how well last month went. So he thanked us by getting us gift certificates to the biggest buffet I've been to in Korea. Sadly he couldn't join us because of work, but I kept him updated with pics every time I got a new plate. Obviously not a miracle by any means, I just want to let you know what state I'm in as I'm writing this e-mail. I'm full to the brim with all kinds of food, and I'm pretty sure if I lay down or stand up too fast I'll instantly throw up.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, now that the ward and branch schedules have flip flopped we finally got to go to all three hours of the English Branch for church. It was pretty awesome... but 8 hours at church is pretty gnarly. I'll gladly go back to just the usual 3 hours when I get back home. During priesthood Elder Lochridge starts making pretty funny comments about someone sitting just a few rows in front of us. I lean over and whisper, "Elder, you're no longer surrounded by people who don't understand what you are saying. You're gonna need to reset that censor of yours." He realizes everyone has understood everything he's been saying. He turns red, and we both start laughing. Some of our tact goes out the window sometimes.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This week was pretty amazing though. All of our investigators have been meeting pretty consistently and our doing well. A couple of them are really close to baptism. Getting my call to Korea, I didn't think I'd get to interact with filipinos, but there are literally dozens of them in the English Branch. (Yes, they are all disappointed that I don't speak Tagalog).</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the end of this week and the beginning of next, marks another huge Korean holiday where we're not allowed to do normal missionary work. They're celebrating the lunar new year, and Seoul is gonna shut down for a few days and we're not allowed to visit people. Also, I won't be able to email until next wednesday. So don't be alarmed when I don't email until then.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elder Lochridge has a pretty nice digital recorder, and so I rerecorded that song I sent home before, and a new one that I wrote. I'll try to get that out to you guys this week or next week. It sounds a lot better.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alright, I gotta get some other reports out. Love and miss all of you. Seriously, send me pics. I was way excited to see some pics from Ryan. Oh! I forgot to mention that I was talking to Elder Ringwood of the Seventy on Sunday (he's our area presidency), and he just kept staring at me really puzzled. I told him that mom met him when he spoke in La Crescenta. He kept nodding his head, and said he really enjoyed speaking there. With the puzzled look still on his face, he finally asked, "You don't happen to be related to Sean Reyes?" When the answer was of course yes, he exclaimed, "He's in my home ward." He gave me some updates on Sean running for Attorney General and all that. It was way cool.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, I'm off to the temple tomorrow. You will all be in my prayers. Thanks for the emails. Keep me updated!!!</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Elder Reyes</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"></div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-18387000444015776012012-01-08T21:33:00.000-08:002012-01-26T21:41:26.402-08:00Week 79<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So as expected, Elder Frei and I sadly got torn apart. He's not too far though, we'll actually be getting to hang out today. It was an amazing two transfers. I wasn't really sure how my next companion would be able to live up to that. But my new comp, Elder Lochridge is way cool. We already knew each other pretty well. He's only a couple transfers younger than me. He plays guitar as well, so now we have 4 guitars floating around the house. We rearranged things even more, and the house looks pretty amazing!</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We had a pretty busy week thanks to the stuff we got set up last week. We found a pretty amazing investigator. Me and Elder Frei met her last sunday, and when we talked to her it seemed she knew quite a bit about our church, but wouldn't say how. When we met with her this past week, she told us that when she was an exchange student in the US, she lived with a mormon family for 6 months and went to church every week. She's pretty active in her own church here, but she's really open to our message, and has such a great outlook on our church members. Super niiiice!</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Other cool moves that happened this lt transfers is that Elder Choi and Elder Yoon are serving together. This is the second time that I've had two of my greenies serving together. Better yet, they live in the same house as Elder Warren. So 3 people I served with all in the same house. So cool. They came down to hang out and are actually all around me emailing right now too, as a matter of fact!</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Things are about to get really busy. We've kinda more legitimately devoted ourselves to both wards now. Before we were primarily just working with the Korean ward, but there's a lot of work to be done in the English branch as well. They'll be bringing in two more Elders next month, so we want things up and running there for when they come in. These last 3 months will definitely be the busiest months of the mish, really excited for it!</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Elder Reyes</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-37585886761266888512012-01-01T22:37:00.000-08:002012-01-26T22:37:58.581-08:00Week 78<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy New Years! How did you celebrate??? I chomped on some s'mores and drank a little bubbly (sparkling strawberry juice... fancy, I know). I got James and Hill's package! It was awesome. I got my new wallet, and I took side by side pic with my old one, and I couldn't believe how trashed my old one had gotten. Thanks for the sweets too, and I've been rocking that new neck tie, it goes perfect with my grey suit. I got to use some of the vanilla mom sent too... but I realized they totally changed the ingredients! Crazy. Anyway...</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elder Frei and I rang in the new years with throwing down the best week of our transfers together. It was just one of those weeks where everything worked out, and just saw tons of miracles. We have so many appointments set up for next week too. But... today we get transfer calls, and elder frei has already been here 7 1/2 months, he may get the boot. Our transfers together have flown by. This has seriously been the fastest time has gone by probably my whole mission. We work together really well, and we both know what we're doing as far as the work and the language go, so it's just been stress free. Not to mention all the holidays really sped things up. We were having dinner with our Bishop last night (way good turkey feast), and we told him it was transfer calls the next days. He was really confused and asked, "Wait, you guys have only been together a month though." We looked at each other and said, "No, it's been THREE!"</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have an investigator who came back from living in Canada last month. He took the missionary lessons there. His English is pretty good, but since the missionaries there didn't speak any Korean, he had a lot of misunderstandings about a lot of things. We had two amazing lessons with him and resolved a lot of his concerns. The best thing we resolved for him was the Book of Mormon. Even in english, the language used is pretty hard to understand for those not familiar with it. But in korean, it's ten times worse. Seriously, its rough. It would take me a little while to explain all the reasons why, but mainly, they don't know half the words because it's that drastically different from modern Korean.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He flat out told us that he doesn't want anything to do with the Book of Mormon. He said, "It's so hard to understand, I don't feel like I'm a korean reading Korean." We read a few passages with him, and helped him understand, and he had so much fun, and felt so good about it, he wants to read the whole thing now! Complete 180, I rarely see people that excited to read the scriptures.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We set some New Years resolutions with our recent convert yesterday. A set for Spiritual things, like reading the scriptures, family home evening, etc. And then for other non-spiritual stuff like exercise, work, school etc. It was weird setting goals for after the mission, but one of the big things I wanna do when we get back is FHE. Our family will be getting one bigger this year, so I think it would be a blast. Babies like board games right?</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, anyway... maybe get in the habit already, so by the time I get back you've already figured out what time works best for everyone. I look forward to Free geeking out on Settlers, and dad using his Jedi tricks on Yahtzee. Seriously though, I don't know how dad does it... ya cheater.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love you all,</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elder Reyes</span></div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-34218065686850361622011-12-26T22:40:00.000-08:002012-01-26T22:41:02.615-08:00Week 77 Punk<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Merry Christmas. So much fun getting to talk to you last night. Its amazing that we could all be in different parts of the world, talking to each other. When james was on his mission, I remember gathering on our phone attached to our wall to each get to talk to him. Now everyone's on iPhones, and Free just types up a couple numbers on Skype, and we're all on the same call. Amazing how things have changed. I ate so much junk food as we talked!</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elder Frei enjoyed listening inand talking to you guys, he says he cant wait to meet you. Yes, my family is hilarious. I got to speak to his mom today, he has such a huge family. It was funny to get to hear his little 9-15 year old brothers requesting him to send home Pokémon cards and airsoft guns. Meanwhile Issa is older than most of the missionaries in the mission, and all she requested was more bookmarks. He also go to talk to both sets of grandparents, while me on the other hand, haven't had grandparents for a while.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last phone call came and went to quick. Glad I wasn't in the hospital this time.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have tons, like seriously, TONS of pics to send you, but I don't know if I'll get a chance today, unless another computer frees up in this place. This one isn't letting me plug into the USB. Ok, I'll send those off as soon as I get a chance. I think Elder frei may just forward some to me.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love you all,</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elder Reyes</span></div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-31339781323031971352011-12-18T22:41:00.000-08:002012-01-26T22:44:47.493-08:00Week Unical 76<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll get to speak to you on the phone this next sunday or monday, so I can keep this one short again. Buuuut, we had an amazing day yesterday that I have to tell you about. We had 3 investigators at church, and the English Branch had a really cool sacrament meeting. I'd never see one like it before, they called it a musical testimony meeting. You go up, ay what you're favorite hymn is, and why, and then the whole congregation sings one of the verses of the hymn. We sang so much my voice was cracking all over the place towards the end of the meeting.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There was a really funny moment when a primary kid came up and said the song he wanted to sing, and then just stood at the pulpit for 30 seconds blankly staring at everyone then exclaiming, "OKAY, can we sing the song ALREADY!" The chorister was cracking up like crazy the entire song cuz of that. It was realy spiritual, and there were some amazing stories behind why people picked those songs.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On saturday we had a big combined Christmas party with the english branch and the Korean ward. There were confused looks of "What the heck is this?" on both ends of the potluck dinner. Most Koreans hate turkey, and most korean food looks not as appetizing as it is, so it was quite funny to watch. Perhaps the only time its ok to lie as a missionary is when we had to reassure the kids that, "Yes, of course that is the real Santa Clause." "He said your name wrong because that is what our name is in spanish." Worked like charm.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's been freakishly cold lately, luckily though there hasn't been any snow. At least any that has stuck anyway. I've been gathering some gifts for you guys, but it'll be too late for christmas, and I may just hold on to em till I get back to save on shipping, especially now that some people (won't name names) are on the east coast, getting an edjumacation or whatever...College boy!</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, last night we got into fender bender when we were with Elder Wilcox's parents. They had us and Elder Eisenhaur over for dinner, and when they were dropping us off at our houses, Bother Wilcox may or may not have hit a wall after Elder Frei accidently told him to go the wrong way down a one way street. Fun times. Everyone couldn't help but just laugh it off. Great ride home. haha Even with a huge gash on the side of Sister Wilcox's van.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, I'll save other stories for later. love you all. Talk to you in a week or less!</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Elder Reyes</span></div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-41167221352298215402011-12-11T22:45:00.000-08:002012-01-26T22:47:19.647-08:00Week 75 Cent Chicken Wings<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't have too much time on here. I was busy trying to upload photos to send send in for the Christmas conference we have coming up next week, and it kept bugging out. So i ate up a ton of time doing that. I want to get outta here quick, too, because it'll be Elder Eisenhaur's last P-day. He's getting honorably released because he needs surgery on his ankle. I'll be losing my best friend in the mish the day after our Christmas Conference. I'm pretty torn up about it, but his ankle is totally jacked, and the doctors are giving him the boot back home. We would have been going home at the same time. It's crazy, I was there when he broke his ankle, and it was by lightly jogging over to a soccer ball. Ya never know what kinda crazy stuff will happen to your body.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This week was amazing. I went to one of the best sacrament meetings that I'd been to in forever. A man spoke of his conversion story, and about how his jewish family disowned him, and 10 years after serving his mission in the Philippines, there was finaly a reconciliation. His parents have now been to all his kids missionary farewells, and all that. Pretty amazing stuff. When his Dad asked him why he was gonna serve a mission (pretty much a year exactly after he was baptized), he told him "Dad, when you know something is true. You have to share it with other people."</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I feel so lucky to have parents who didn't just support my decision, but shaped me and prepared me all my life to serve a mission. The only opposition I faced was snot nosed kids bad mouthing me on music blogs. lol</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've gotten a chance to really get some good bonding time with our investigators lately. We have some really amazing ones. It helps when they are member referrals. It makes the process so much easier, and it just really gives opportunities for them to feel the spirit. Too many stories to tell from this past week, and not enough time. I'll be getting to speak with you on the phone soon, so I can afford to keep this short.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, love you all! Work out a time for me to call.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Elder Reyes</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-31745975338798182212011-12-04T22:47:00.000-08:002012-01-26T22:50:26.547-08:00Week 74<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, now my translator is on the fritz. I wanted to record some things but I'm afraid to. I thought I lost all of my files, which would have been huge bummer. Most of it is replaceable, but somethings, like my audio journals, or my journals that I used to keep in korean on there would have been lost. BUt when I plug my translator into the computer, all my files are still there, so I back em up on my SD card. Don't know why it's not able to read the multimedia folder, but nothing other than the usual functions of my translator are showing up. I can record new things, but there is a risk I could be recording over data I want, or that it would not be able to be saved later when I retrieve my other files. Anyway... sorry. Looks like I have to type my thoughts this time... what a drag. haha</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, so I got to go on exchanges this week with an Elder Wilcox. He is well known throughout the mission because his family ended up moving to Seoul Korea while he's been on his mission. His dad served his mission here as well, and his job brought him out to korea due to his Korean abilities. So since his parents live in Seoul, a lot of missionaries have gotten to eat with his family, and have seen and been in his new house before he gets to. It's a weird thing to tell another missionary that "I've been in your bedroom... but you haven't." HIs parents are amazing, and since I'm covering the English branch, I get to see them every week. In fact, his older sister is in town and I got to meet Elder Wilcox's little nephew.... again, before Elder Wilcox has had a chance to yet.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He thought he'd never get to serve right in Seoul. He's been put on the outskirts up until this point. He's literally one subway stop away from his family now. Luckily he and his parents are both keeping their distance. The one accidental meeting they had at the temple was apparently so weird that they all avoid each other like the plague.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, that's alot of backstory, but I just had to tell it. He's such a great missionary. He was apart of that first group of missionaries that I trained, and his trainer was a good friend of mine in the mish. So we've both been looking forward to going on splits. We had an awesome miracle too. There's an investigator Elder Frei and I have been teaching. She feeds us at her restaurant every week, but lately it's been really hard to get into the lessons at the restaurant, whether there's anyone there or not. So we went in with the plan to get her to take of the church sometime next week. She agreed to it, and said that she had actually passed by the church that past week. After we finished eating, she said, "So can I see the church now?" "Right now?" I asked. "Yeah, there won't be anyone here till dinner time. I wanna see your Church." Elder Wilcox and I looked at each other and said....."OK!"</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was amazing. She had questions for every single painting on the walls, every little banner or poster, we got to teach her so much. Best of all though, was the Spirit could be felt. She was really impressed with the church, and with the church organization. The church building we have in this area really is ridiculous, it's 4 stories tall!</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The rest of the week went great. We got to go with our American investigator, Steve, to Body Worlds. Those plastinated human bodies, that are in everyday positions. It was pretty crazy stuff. And afterwards he took us to a all you can eat steak buffet on base. it was one of the funnest days I've had on my mission so far. I've got a few pics I'll have to send as well! Ok, I'll tell you more about it, too much happened that day. haha</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ok, love you all. Take care. And seriously... Thanksgiving pics, I wanna see em.</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-Elder Reyes</span></div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-8705929840216409312011-11-28T02:26:00.001-08:002011-11-28T02:26:57.608-08:00Week 73<div style="text-align: justify;">I've got an entire day of making kim chee ahead of me. We have a big service project that half the mission is going to, called kim jong. This is the time of the year where Koreans make pretty much all of the kimchee they will eat the next year. Crazy stuff. I didn't get to go last year because I lived too far away from Seoul. I've gotta be outta here real soon, so LUCKILY.... I recorded a few audio journals to fill you in on what's been going on here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The biggest news though, I have to write too. We had a baptism this past Saturday. It was by far the best baptismal service I've seen in Korea. It was amazing. So spiritual, big turnout... lots of tears. Also, one of our other investigators came out to the baptism, and to church the next day, and we set up a date for her as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We also had thanksgiving... it was a blast, I ate myself into a coma.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, enjoy the recordings. Sorry I have to be brief. Elder Frei and I played "Love at Home" for the baptism. Maybe I'll record it this week so you can hear it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Love you all... and I want to see pics from thanksgiving!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Elder Reyes</div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-60091726720762981852011-11-28T02:25:00.000-08:002011-11-28T02:25:20.935-08:00Week 72<div style="text-align: justify;">Happy late birthday to Josh,happy early b-day to Auntie Cecile. And Gizelle is around this time too right... or did I miss that. I'm a bad cousin/nephew... sorry.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cough didn't go away and I went to the hospital. It was actually the same hospital that I was at last Christmas when I had swine flu... did I tell you it was swine flu yet? I didn't tell you what it was before because I didn't wanna scare ya. But yeah, anyway... my hospital visit was a lot shorter this time. I went in, and I had the same doctor as before. He was excited to see me, and was concerned that I might be coming all the way from Won-Ju. I had to explain that I'm now serving in this area, rotation program, yada yada.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I start explaining how long I've been sick, symptoms I've been having, what medication I've been taking and all that. When I finish he nods his head and says, "Well, I see you've gotten better at Korean." I explain, "Well... it's been almost a year."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I get x-rayed and all that jazz. I thought I was walking around with pneumonia, but my lungs are just fine. Apparently I just have Sinusitus. That gives me a post nasal drip, which I have to cough-up. The kicker is though, that the cough is triggering what may be asthma. That's why it sounds a whole lot more serious than it is when I cough. So I've been on meds for asthma and Sinusitus and I'm almost all the way better.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This week was Stake Conference. It was very special this time because it was a country-wide Stake Conference that President Monson presided at via satellite from SLC. President Monson and Elder L. Tom Perry both gave amazing talks. Most of it centered on stories of people reaching out and rescuing less-actives (the less-active rate here is unbelievably bad :(</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He also told a great story about how when he returned from serving as Mission President in Canada, a friend he had called him up and said he wanted to go to the temple and perform a sealing for his family. President Monson exclaimed "You have to be baptized a member of this church first!" The friend responded "Well I already took care of that." President Monson explained that if someone asked him who of his friends was the least likely to accept the church while he was in Canada for three years, he would have named that friend. People can change.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We had a couple of investigators out to the conference. They had a great time. We also started teaching our other members boyfriend. We have so many good investigators. We should be having a baptism at the end of this week if all goes smooth.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I can't believe another six weeks has flown by. Today is transfer calls. I'm pretty confident that Elder Frei and I will both stay though. At least I'm praying for that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks for everything. Miss and love you all. Happy thankgiving!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Elder Reyes</div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-87303273999620291712011-11-28T02:20:00.000-08:002011-11-28T02:20:46.073-08:00Week 71<div style="text-align: justify;">So alright alright alright... now ladies! YEAH!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Remember when that song was playing everywhere nearly every minute of everyday??? I sure do... not want to. So it's been another week that just flew by. And yet another week where we spent the most part of it running around doing errands. We two Zone Conferences at our building, and we had to provide the food for them. A lot of trips to Costco and a lot of pizza and chicken bakes were the name of the game. It feels good to roll out of Costco with pizza boxes stacked taller then me ^^</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Believe it or not I'm still under the weather. I cant seem to shake this cough. If its not better by tomorrow we're taking a trip to the hospital. Other than that this week was amazing. We found another family this week. Both Elder Frei and I have never had this many full families to teach before. We also had a bunch of our investigators at church this week. AND, a prospective sister missionary referred her boyfriend to us. So many miracles! The new family we picked up used to live in my last area. They used to attend the English Class there, and remained good friends with one of the missionaries. They have never received the missionary lessons, but are very open to learning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I met another kid this week on the street who has kept in touch with missionaries. He too never took the lessons, but had a friend that was a member and took him a couple times to our church. When he went to the US to see the sights one of the missionaries he was friends with here drove him around. Its cool to see missionaries still keeping in touch with people even when they didn't become investigators.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We also had a special Stake President meeting with the stake presidency and mission presidency. All the missionaries in our Zone were invited. Some pretty heavy things were discussed, and it was just funny to see the confused looks on all the faces of the young missionaries who had no idea what was going on. That was me not too long ago.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, spiritual advice of the week. While your getting ready in the mornings, have a Conference talk on in the background. It'll make your day. I promise. Just put em on ur iPod or computer, it takes like 2 seconds, then you'll be able to start your mornings right.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Alright, love you all!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shake it like a Polaroid picture!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Elder Reyes</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">PS: Polaroid stopped making those instant pics right? I don't know if its big over there or not, but here there are tons of companies now making Polaroid type cameras and films. It's starting to get big here again. Polaroid is probably kicking themselves.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And contrary to the song, your not supposed to shake the photo, it actually smears the colors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-78919553836468737012011-11-28T02:18:00.000-08:002011-11-28T02:18:09.813-08:00Week 70% Beef can be advertised as 100% Beef<div style="text-align: justify;">Ok...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've still got a bit of a cough. But so does everybody. As I type this email, I can literally hear 6 other people coughing. This transfer is almost over. It has gone by soooo fast. The work in this area is great. We found five new investigators this week. Truly amazing. We picked up a member referral from the English branch, and he came out to church yesterday. His girlfriend, who is Korean, brought him to us. If she wants to tell us something she doesn't want him to hear, she just tells us in Korean. Kinda mean, and we told her that that probably isn't good. But he doesn't seem to mind. He actually knows quite a bit about the church. It's usually the complete opposite here in Korea. People usually tell us they've never heard of our church. In America it'd be hard to find someone who doesn't know about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He knew dates, and places, and prophet names and everything. It was amazing!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We told him there would probably be some awkward moments when we forget English words. Sure enough we forgot some words during the lesson. Elder Frei forgot "ordinance," and I forgot how to say "confirmation." We never really get to teach in English. Even when an investigator speaks English really well, we still speak Korean during the lessons.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Random: We also had dinner with a bunch of return Sister missionaries. A couple were from our ward, and they were trying to set up one of our investigators with their Japanese friend. She brings to of her friends from Japan, and the whole group are return missionaries. One was absolutely dead fluent in English. Really freaked us out. It's rare to hear people, no matter how good they are, be that good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This week I also went on exchanges for the first time as a Zone Leader. I've done bunch of them as a District Leader, and never with a laundry list of concerns like I had with this one. It was really fun though. I feel we learned a lot. I wont get into details about what kinda problems I had to go in there and check out, buuuuut, I will tell you about a restaurant we all went to while on the exchange.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Everyone who's served in this Zone always talks about this Katsu place, that has a signature super spicy sauce they put on the meat. They have a challenge to go along with it, and they let customers try a piece or two of it for free as part of their regular meal. It has gotten the best of every missionary who's tried it. Even Koreans cant take the heat. One piece and it always ends in tears, a frantic search for ice cream, and even a trip to the pharmacy immediately after. They kept telling me about it, and they said to not tell them that they didn't warn me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, at the place, they put a piece on my plate and it's just smothered in the sauce. The other Elders were waiting in anticipation. They had all tried it, and they had all been owned. I pop it in. It's delicious! It does burn a little, but c'mon.... I'm from LA. They're all freakin' out. They can't explain it. I may have to go for the whole challenge next time!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On like Thursday ( or something, the days blend together) we were walking back to our house and some yells for us to stop. There were tons of people around so we weren't sure who she was talking to. She keeps yelling at us in Korean for us to come over there. Then she says in perfect English, "It's ok. I'm a member too." She and her husband start buying us fruit. I start speaking to the husband in Korean. And I tell him it seems he can probably speak English well. He insists he can't. After a few other pleasantries, the husband turns to my companion and says in a perfect Hawaiian surfer accent, "So where you from brotha?" It turns out they were married 12 years ago, and they began their marriage in the Glendale Stake. They remembered that there was a lot of Armenians there, and they were excited when I told them that an Armenian branch was started not too long ago.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, I've got some sweet pics to send you. Love you all. Let me know how you've all been.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Elder Reyes</div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-15020743521460321882011-11-02T22:24:00.000-07:002011-11-02T22:24:48.147-07:00Week 69 Bottles of Rootbeer on the Wall<div style="text-align: justify;">So Elder Frei's recorder is on the fritz. We recorded some entries and now it just won't turn on. (Yes, we checked the batteries).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This week was supposed to be the week of rest. We literally planned to let me rest everyday of the week. But something always came up. It seemed like we were busier than we had been. Elder Frei got sick this past Friday, and finally, we got a clear schedule for Saturday and we just shut ourselves in the house and got the very needed rest. I've still got a bit of it, but it's almost gone. And Elder Frei got 100% better.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Such an amazing week. We started teaching one of our investigators guitar and he loves it. And a couple of other members want me to go guitar shopping with them. They've all got the fever... and the only cure is more cowbell.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I got to go onto the US army base out here and it was a blast. One of the Elders in our mission is part of the forces so he can get people on to it. It's literally like stepping into a town in America. All the construction, signs, and shops are exactly how they'd be if I back in the States. It was as if I walked on to a movie set. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We grabbed ourselves some Subway sandwiches, and as we were in line to pay, a man stepped up and told the cashier, "Put all their food on my card." He was a member from Idaho. I'm guessing Elders serving stateside get this kinda treatment all the time, but it was the first for all of us.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I piled up on some American snacks, and bought a big bottle of Tang drink mix. The great thing is though, we get to go there again today!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, for other American experiences: I don't know if I told you that an English branch meets in our same building, but they meet an hour befor eour sacrament meeting. It's weird enough seeing a ton of American kids running around, but there's also a big group of Filipinos that meet and do Gospel Principles in Tagalog. One set of senior missionaries were in charge of that branch, but they leave this week and have no other couple coming in to replace them. So Elder Frei and I are taking over their pool of investigators and will be regularly attending their sacrament meeting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday, Elder Frei and I attended a sacrament meeting in English, for the first time in a year and a half. It was pretty surreal. It made us think of our homecomings. lol.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, we're excited to get to teach some people in English for a change. he next few weeks will be pretty hectic covering two wards, but it'll be worth it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, love you all. We'll get that recorder fixed and get stuff out to ya!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Elder Reyes</div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-79888759610713379332011-10-26T22:41:00.000-07:002011-10-26T22:41:18.819-07:00Week 68<div style="text-align: justify;">Okay, I was sick most of this week so I will apologize for not being able to make any new recordings for you all. I've been pretty out of it, especially the last half of the week. I'm not exactly sure what i got, but it had me in bed most of the day. I will be making a bunch of recordings for you this week, including the song I wrote for the last conference we had.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other than me being sick, this week was great. We found a bunch of good potentials, got our hands on a couple of more guitars, and have a baptismal date set for next month with one of our investigators. We'll be starting guitar classes here soon. We told most of our single adults about it and they are all really excited. Like Elder Frei said, "Everyone deep down wants to know how to play guitar." My comp is also picking it up as well. I got my hands on another electric that a member who moved to America left here. I finished fixing up the intonation yesterday and it sounds great. We also got another acoustic from another area in our zone that I'll be fixing up for Elder Frei.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The other day one of our ward members ran a 10k. She told us she'd have no one to cheer her on, so she asked if we could meet her at the finish line. We thought it'd be a little event, but it turns out there was a massive endless flood of people who also ran the race. We guestimated there was 10,000 people there... We were WAAAAY off. The were over 2 million people who participated in the race. It was a Nike event called "We Run Seoul." They had fireworks and everything. It was nuts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You'd think the streets, buses, and subways would be at a standstill, but there seemed to be only slightly more people around. Seoul is a busy place always, so what is an extra 2 million??? It honestly didn't feel that different.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm having so much fun out here. Elder Frei and I are hoping to get to stay together next transfer too. Next transfer contains all three big holidays, Thanksgiving. Christmas, and New Years. It's gonna be a blast.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking of holidays, Halloween is coming up. There was nothing in Korea for it last year, but this year they have tons of Halloween stuff everywhere! Weird how that's starting to catch on here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, love you all. I'll get those audio recordings going again. Let me know how you've all been! Let Adam know I say happy b-day as well!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Elder Reyes</div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-58452358497662289072011-10-17T21:13:00.000-07:002011-10-17T21:13:45.810-07:00Audio Recordings!<object height="81" width="100%"><param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F25794603&width=398&color=3b5998&height=84&show_artwork=false"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F25794603&width=398&color=3b5998&height=84&show_artwork=false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed></object><span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/chiarareyes/elder-elijah-reyes-2">Elder Elijah Reyes (2)</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/chiarareyes">Chiara Reyes</a></span><br />
<br />
<object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F25795303"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F25795303" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/chiarareyes/elder-elijah-reyes-3">Elder Elijah Reyes (3)</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/chiarareyes">Chiara Reyes</a></span>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-32378061970879798332011-10-17T01:57:00.000-07:002011-10-17T01:57:50.404-07:00Week 67<div style="text-align: justify;">Alright. Transfer calls came and I got the boot. I was really torn up to leave that area, and especially the friends I was living with, but I have been sent to greener pastures. I've been sent to the best area in the mission by far. It's called Yeoung Dum Po. Not sure how it's really spelled in English but that's how it sounds in Korean. This is the place I called you from last Christmas in the Hospital.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another great thing about serving here is I get to serve with Elder Frei. He's in some of the MTC pics I sent home before. We're Zone Leaders over this stake. Elder Frei is the first companion close to my age in the mission that I've gotten to serve with. The closest before Elder Frei was my trainer, who trained me in his 5th transfer, and my first greenie, whom I trained in my 5th transfer. Anyone else I've served with was older or younger in the mission than that. We're both excited to learn from each other. It's a safe bet that we are the best non-Korean speakers in the mission right now. We have strengths in different areas of the language, and we've been making leaps ahead this past week with our language study. So amazing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This ward is the best. I heard it in the MTC, and I've heard it my whole mish. Remember that panoramic picture I sent of Seoul? That was from this apartment that I am living in now. 23rd floor. I've only got 4 transfers left, so I will probably finish out my mission here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another great perk, is that our church building is the biggest structure our church owns in all of Asia. It's massive! And it has a full size basketball court.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another great thing: Elder Frei received a voice recorder this week. So we've been recording daily voice journals on it. If we figure it out, we'll get those posted up today. Now you won't have to miss a thing that happens!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amazing miracles here. I explain em all in the recordings. If we cant figure it out I'll send em next week.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, love ya all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Elder Reyes</div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-84518642742981606452011-10-09T22:08:00.000-07:002011-10-09T22:08:41.235-07:00Week 66<div style="text-align: justify;">Alright, no transfer calls till tonight. Our entire house is kinda just wallowing over the chance that we might get split apart. We've all gotten along so great, one transfer together just doesn't seem like enough. I've gotten to learn so much from everybody I'm living with right now. They were all missionaries I've known long before we were put together. It's like getting to live with your brothers. I'll have to send pics of the house, regardless of what happens with calls tonight. I think it's probably the cleanest house in the mish.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another reason I will be sad to leave this house, is we got a brand new oven and vaccum this past week. Sounds petty, but when I've been cooking on an oven that has a door that doesn't close, and temperatures are inconsistent, it means a lot to me. And when we've been using a broom to sweep up the mess of four grown men, a vacuum is a precious gift.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, I said last week I've never been more excited for conference before in my life. Part of that comes from being a missionary, part of it comes from hearing talks in English for a change, and part of it comes from the fact that it'll be my last general conference while here in Korea. The biggest thing though, is for the first time, I have that unwavering knowledge that through the words of living prophets and apostles, and more importantly through the power of the Holy Ghost, I can find answers to the questions of my heart.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I went into this Conference with more specific questions than I've ever had before. And I got answers. One in particular didn't come in the way I expected, but it came stronger than any other answer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was really excited, and I wanted to keep good notes. But being in a dark room for hours, and going off the energy a missionary has after a year and a half in the field got the best of me at certain times. I'd be watching, fully aware, jotting down notes, then all of a sudden I'd wake up in a mini-pool of my own drool. A different person would be speaking, and I would have to wonder how long I was out for, getting a pretty good idea by letting my blurry eyes adjust, and looking at the notes of the person next to me. It's like a little kid super excited to go to Disneyland, only to be completely all out of energy, and sleeping in their parents arms by lunch time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Luckily we've got it all on DVD, so we'll be going over those talks again and again. You can do the same via the <a href="http://www.internet.technology/" target="_blank">www.internet.technology</a> world wide wibslinger. Let me know any cool stories you've got about conference, or any talks in particular you liked.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Love you all,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Elder Reyes</div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-40385694389530270702011-10-09T22:05:00.000-07:002011-10-09T22:05:33.956-07:00Week 65<div style="text-align: justify;">First off, Happy early birthday wishes to dad. Be sure to send e pics, and all that fun stuff.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, it's a holiday today, so our normal email places are closed. I;m standing in a department store, writing this email, and I'm not sure if they'll kick us off these things. So I may have to be brief.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's been pretty nice and cold. And this week will be the last week I can proselyte outside without my suit jacket for the rest of my mission. Scary thought. I'm having a pretty great time right now. We've got investigators, and we found two more this last week who are really great. Sadly though, there's a pretty big chance that I'll be getting the boot out of this area. Even our members got word that that will probably be the case. They all said something about it yesterday at church. When you're ward members are keeping track of transfer weeks, you can tell they like you... I guess it can go the other way too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pretty much my entire mission Ive always just wanted to hit the streets, and just get work done. But I've come to this area, and those things that were great in my other areas sometimes just aren't effective here. Working yourself to the bone can feel great sometimes, especially when you're doing the Lord's work. BUt sometimes it's just not the most effective thing to do. We need to evaluate our situation, and consider the talents we've been given,a nd try to put those to use. I'm still working hard, but I'm having a lot more fun doing it when I approach it that way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, everyone, be safe. It will be transfer calls next week. Everyon let me know how youve been.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I won't get to see General Conference until this weekend. So let me know what talks you enjoyed. I've never been more excited for general conference in my life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Love you all,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Elder Reyes</div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-67629101012559830842011-10-09T22:03:00.000-07:002011-10-09T22:04:10.242-07:00Week 64<div style="text-align: justify;">In Week 64, Elder Reyes was surprised with the news that our sister-in-law, Emily, is pregnant! We are all very excited in the Reyes households. The baby is due within the same month Elder Reyes will be coming home. Just in time to become an uncle!</div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-52635226805923130952011-09-18T20:34:00.000-07:002011-09-18T20:34:36.114-07:00Week 63<div style="text-align: justify;">Summer never came, and it's already over. We got really lucky this year. It became pretty cold last night, and we're all wearing jackets today. This time last year it was still boiling hot. My allergies are still going crazy though, and I've been taking Benadryl the last couple of days so I knock out pretty quick at night. Apparently I started humming in my sleep again now that I'm taking meds. I guess that means I'm finally getting some deep sleep.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We had our musical conference this past Saturday. I have a bunch of videos and stuff but I have no idea how to send 'em. I am terrible with computers, and everything is in Korean so I'm even more useless when it comes to that kinda stuff.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We found a whole new set of investigators this week. It's been a long wait, and a lot of hard work finding, but we finally found some people open to learn. I've never <i>not</i> had people to teach up until I came to this area. Our whole zone has been having a rough time in that aspect of the work. But we are really starting to work together, and seeing a lot of miracles. Sometimes the situation you're given isn't always the best, but as long as you choose to push forward, and do all you can to progress and improve the talents and gifts that God has given you, you will be blessed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm just really grateful for my companion, and getting to work with someone who really wants to help the people. Last transfer was a bit of a struggle, but I learned a lot from it. It's amazing to see how much a mission can refine you. It's funny to see yourself develop attributes and skills that you never knew you needed. I can see myself developing patience, and understanding that should definitely come in handy down the road, in work, marriage, and family life. I've never had to multitask this much in my life. Moms are the best at that, though. Maybe that's why Sister missionaries do so well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, I'll try to get some pics your way. Take care. Love you all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Elder Reyes</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-63257831262976817992011-09-15T10:43:00.000-07:002011-09-15T10:43:32.882-07:00Week 62<div style="text-align: justify;">Hey. How did you all celebrate Mom's B-day?!!! Did you eat Italian? Anyway, I just finished a long holiday here, that's why I'm emailing late. "Chew-suck" (the Thanksgiving of Korea), fell on a Monday this year so I didn't get a full crazy week of p-days like last year, but I still had a couple solid days of rest. They also just had one hour of church this past Sunday, because people travel up to 9 hours to visit their hometowns to be with their families. I was surprised how much of the ward came out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our fridge is overflowing with food now thanks to the members in the wards our house serves in. I've also gotten to snack-it-up on some of my favorite American candies. I finally got Mom and Ka-el's package. Thanks so much for everything. (side note, I can get baking soda and power out here so no worries next time). I'm gonna be baking up some more banana bread, and I forgot what real brown sugar looked like.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rain stopped last week, and it made my allergies go crazy. Yesterday during our "chew-suck" conference I was hocked up on all sorts of medication. I got to perform a couple of songs for the conference, one I wrote and a rendition of "How Great thou art", which I played with Elder Dorius. Elder Dorius and I have been in the same district 5 out of the last 6 transfers. Way fun Elder, and waaay good at piano.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the chew-suck conference, my trainer gave his farewell talk. He'll be leaving at the end of this transfer. The Sisters I was in the MTC with gave their farewell talks the day before. I was really bummed I didn't get to see them speak. It's kind of strange that they'll be going home. It starts off the countdown in my head, but I'll try to ignore it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Elder Warren and I are having a blast. He keeps telling me I need to go to the hospital for my allergies, but the last time I got allergy medicine in Korea it knocked me out for hours at a time. I just don't know if I can put myself outta commission like that again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm also still crazy allergic to mosquito bites. I got bit 6 times on the face two nights ago, and 7 times around the neck. We stayed in another area's house and we all got eaten alive. Luckily our house doesn't get mosquitoes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our ward has their ward conference coming up, and we're having a musical conference the day before, so we have been preparing for that. The last thing we're gonna do is "Hey Jude". We had a little rehearsal last Saturday for our bishopric. The First Counselor hadn't heard me play before, and I think he was half worried about what we were gonna do. But he was really excited after we showed him what we've been working on, and he even talked about it in church the next day. "You gotta hear these Elders. I was blown away." Elder Warren will be performing a rap to me playing Ben Kweller, and I'll be doing some Travis. Really excited, we got some less-actives involved as well, so it's really good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks again for all the goodies. I'm ready to send out Mom's and Issa's gifts. I' not as on the ball as James was about hitting those b-days. I hope you all had a good time. Mom and Dad, gimme some updates on what you've been up to. Love you all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Elder Reyes</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-60916469097958017502011-09-05T11:29:00.000-07:002011-09-05T11:29:49.651-07:00Week 61<div style="text-align: justify;">Transfer calls came, and it was exciting. I'm staying in Ju-an, and I got one of the coolest Elders in the mission. I've known him since he first came into the country. His name is Elder Warren from Utah. He is an amazing freestyle rapper, and built motorcycles before the mish. I knew him from staying at his house whenever we came in for meetings. Since I was in Won Ju for so long, we always had to come in the night before, because it was so far from the rest of the mission. Anyway, Elder Eisenhauer also lived with him before, and this house is one big happy family. A little too much fun at times, but it's better than the alternative.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The work out here is really getting a kick as well. We found a great new investigator, who I contacted a while back and then just called us out of the blue. The weather has cleared, and my new companion and I are good and healthy so I've gotten to hit the streets hard for the first time in like a month. It feels good.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This transfer has just begun, but I couldn't be happier. We've got a lot of new things we want to try for our area as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, so there's only one computer available today, and I don't want to keep my new comp from getting to email his family. So I'll just say that things are good. I've got allergies again, and for some reason half of my eyebrow broke off this morning, but other than that, I'm okay. Thank you for your prayers. And thanks for the updates. I got a letter from Ryan Mayer, and I got to hear from Conor! Let them know I appreciate it. And that I'm a terrible letter writer so make sure they know I miss 'em. I'd love to hear how everybody is doing. Take care, love you all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Elder Reyes</div><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-23875351687839434582011-08-28T21:01:00.000-07:002011-08-28T21:01:43.808-07:00Week 60<div style="text-align: justify;">The heat is back. I'm sitting in our community center writing this email and I'm pouring sweat. Luckily the keyboard has a rubber cover on it or else I'd be doing some major damage to these components. Today we get transfer calls again. I'm not gonna lie. Last transfer was probably the fastest feeling transfer I've had, and this one has been... by far the slowest. Maybe aside from my first. But due to the rain, and my comp's health, we've been stuck inside a lot of days. On the plus side I've gotten some extra study in, and I've learned that oh so important Christ-like attribute of patience. haha</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been having a great time though, our zone is doing really well, and the mission is seeing a lot of changes. The biggest has to be the fact that every companionship just got portable DVD players. Our mission could have had smart phones, but they felt it was too big of a temptation for the missionaries. iPod Touches were banned for the very same reason. But the decision to have DVD players was handed straight down from the First Presidency. For training purposes we are supposed to watch Preach My Gospel DVD's during comp study. (PMG "District 2" is amazing by the way, I recommend all people see it) I'm guessing all the missions have those players now, aside from the missions that are already using laptops for proselyting and record keeping purposes. This occasion marked one of the funniest quotes I've heard on the mission,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I think the average obedient missionary won't watch too many movies."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's from a leader by the way. I think it wouldn't be that big of a temptation if Korea didn't have bootlegged films in every subway station! But as much as I love movies, I think it's gotta be in the right place at the right time. There's no substitute for a movie theater, or sitting on your couch at home, and cranking up the sound. You can't exactly get that same experience on an 8 inch screen with speakers the size of peanuts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">That thought, oddly reminded me of marriage. And when the new Ensigns came in, it was all about marriage. Waaaay rough to read as a missionary. But just like how I won't give into temptation and settle for a movie experience that only reaches a small fraction of what a great film can be, I shouldn't settle for a marriage that is anything short of an eternal one. It's gotta be in the right place, and the right time... and to the right person. Of course, sometimes we don't always get it in that order, but we have a goal for all three.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were teaching a lesson last week, and we shared the Family Proclamation, and of course the subject went to marriage. I admitted... "I'm old. I may look like I'm in high school, but I'm old, and I'm looking forward to marriage." I realized the other day that the 2 year anniversary of James and Hill's wedding put me at the same age James was when he got married. Of course James' maturity level is faaaar beyond mine, but it was very strange to think about.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We had a member baptism yesterday. The family that had the baptism drove us home, and in a very cute moment, that turned very spiritual, the family with the two young daughters started singing the hymn "I love to see the Temple." As the hot Korean wind blew in my face it definitely made me think of when I was baptized, but what a blessing the temple has been in my life. I still remember being sealed in Salt Lake, and first going through LA only a week or so before I entered the MTC. I hope to enter it as a family once again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, I'll let you know how transfer calls go. Take care, and gimme some updates!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Elder Reyes</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666;"><br />
</span></div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-2918537083560674252011-08-21T20:13:00.000-07:002011-08-21T20:13:44.286-07:00Week The 59 Sound...on my grandmother's radio<div style="text-align: justify;">Alright, my comp is still under the weather. It's been a little hard, there's so much work to do here but we've had to cancel a lot of activities. It's weird how being cooped up in a house wears me out more than pounding the streets. I hope I keep that feeling after the mish. I need to be doing something productive, or else I get pretty antsy. I'll tell you what though... the house is really clean.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, anyway, we were able to visit a lot of members. And I've been having a great time getting to know there backgrounds in the church, or how they met missionaries. It's pretty amazing stuff. The weather is starting to be a little more normal lately. With all the rain, not one day felt as hot as two months straight of heat last year. We lucked out this summer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've got a bit of running around to do, so I'll just some a couple quotes with you, and then I have to be on my way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Who said that?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-"You did."</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Oh, yeah."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Me to an American English teacher I talked to at a bus stop:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-What are you doing in Korea?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"You can probably guess what I'm doing."</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-You're eating a hot delicious bagel from Dunkin Donuts...</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Ok, well, I guess that's what I'm doing RIGHT now. haha, I'm an English teacher."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-How did that contact go Elder?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"He told me to, 'go away. I'm not done preparing.'"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Issa's b-day bash looked like fun. Thanks for sending me pics. I'm gonna try and send out Issa's and Mom's b-day gifts in one package today.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, Love you all!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Elder Reyes</div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8322722591172175716.post-75335463725249088912011-08-21T20:08:00.000-07:002011-08-21T20:08:40.852-07:00Week 58<div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, I have to confess I've been really bad on journal writing. But I definitely don't want to forget those small but funny moments on my mission. I don't know if it's just the middle months of the mission but a lot of other Elders tend to do this. But I've started writing down funny quotes other people say in my planner. It makes me laugh to look at em. I'm pretty good at remembering this kinda stuff, but I'm sure when I look at these old planners in twenty years I'll be glad I wrote em down. I just started, but here's a few:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Me and my old companion helped out that man when a buch of frozen chickens fell out of their delivery truck. He was a really nice guy... But don't eat there Elder, they use chickens that fell on the floor." Elder Madsen</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Do you think Moses was ripped?" Elder Bailey</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They were wandering around the desert for 40 years. I'm sure he got in some good cardio.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Do I need to tell President that I'm getting physical therapy from a smokin hot Korean lady?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's still a rule Elder.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- " No it's not, I asked the AP's when I was passing off."</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'll call 'em right now, it's a rule.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- "Fine, call."</div><div style="text-align: justify;">(30 seconds later...)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yup. Still a rule.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This one is from a while ago but it still makes me laugh:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"I just keep getting crappy companions. I had so much hope for this transfer"</div><div style="text-align: justify;">- Who were you expecting to get paired up with? A magical Elf?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, anyway. Something else I just started was writing down little parts of my Patriarchal blessing in my planner. Part of it is a reminder that I must live worthy to receive that particular blessing, and part of it is a reassurance that I have already seen that blessing, or I have that gift, and that I should be using it to bless the people around me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This last week flew by. I had some really Spiritual experiences on an exchange I went with with one of the Elders in my district. It was amazing. I recommend looking up the Mormon Message, that uses part of a talk from President Hinckley about two boys and finding a man's shoes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, I've gotta run. Lemme know how everyone is doing!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Love you all!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">-Elder Reyes</div>Chiara Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01326791049660366748noreply@blogger.com0