Sister Kendra Reynolds: Episode 3: Life in the MTC!!

"We need women who teach fearlessly"

President Russell M. Nelson

February 28, 2019

WOOOW This week has been so insane....ly GREAT!!! Haha when you’re constantly surrounded by so many missionaries that all have the spirit with them it's hard to be in a bad mood! Ok I promise ill make this email a little shorter too lol

I love the spirit of our Sunday sacrament meetings here at the MTC! It is so strong and powerful. It is so awesome to see these young men at the age of 18 to worthily bless and pass the sacrament. To see them use their priesthood and fulfill their duties as disciple of Christ. Me and my comp, Sister Salter, got priesthood blessings as well and the spirit was so overwhelming (in a good way). So one of the new Sisters' mom, was getting brain surgery on Monday. It was going to be a scary and tricky procedure. The doctors weren't sure of how extensive the damage was and were going in blind and would make a plan when they would cut her open. I could not imagine the faith this Sister missionary has to still have come knowing her mother was going through this just a couple days after her leaving. She was given special permission to keep in touch with her family on Monday and she seemed so strong. Me and Sister Salter decided to fast for her starting on Sunday dinner until Monday lunch. I can testify the power of fasting is real. Her mother had a tumor growing and the doctors weren't expecting much to go right. But they were able to take out 95% of it and her mother is recovering well. Our whole Zone was praying for her and it was such a special couple of days. Another Sister during this same time had gotten the flu and needed to be put in isolation! So she also was added to the fast. She is slowly getting better and is taking it like a champ. Then another Sister was going through a realllyyy hard time. She wasn't sleeping and was so homesick. So she was also added. She later received a blessing and now is thriving. It was so incredible to be a part of such a fast. I wasn't hungry until the moment I broke it! haha But I know the Lord's hand was in these Sisters' lives and it was such a testimony to me of their strength.

Believe it or not I woke up at 5:45 AM to go workout with another Sister, who's companion didn't want to and my companion didn't want to either! haha Ministering...ISN'T IT WONDERFUL?! I have never been happier to wake up that early haha. Working out has helped me with release stress and feel rejuvenated. I am normally not a early morning riser but it really felt good to wake up early! I miss working out everyday!!

Earlier this week we taught a person and his name is Nefi (Nefee).He was...so interesting! haha definitely a challenge. Me and my comp have been struggling with agreeing on what to teach and it was difficult to teach him in general. I am realizing that it's so important to be on the same page as your companion when you teach. The spirit will withdraw if there is any contention. I hope to be able to work out our differences in our teaching.

Today we were able to go to the Provo Temple again and I love the peace you feel in the temple! I'm still trying to figure out how to use my time wisely on P-day! Although there isn't really much you can do in the MTC lol. I am really loving the MTC. There are a lot of missionaries who are dying to get out in the mission field, but I really like it here! Being a STL, I am able to help other Sisters who may be struggling. Some are home sick and some have mental health issues. I'm thankful for the experiences I have had in my life because I am able to relate to the Sisters and help them through their trials and struggles. I know I was meant to go through my personal trials for a reason because I am now helping others deal with things that I have been through.

Next Wednesday, March 6, I will be flying out to West Virginia! So my P-day won't be on Thursday. It will now be on Mondays, so my next P-day isn't until March 11. I'm ready to serve in the mission field! I'm excited to see who my companion will be and my first area there in West Virginia. I'm a bit nervous to travel though lol. I have 2 huge suitcases and a carry-on. Everyone else has the same amount of luggage so we will be responsible for our own lugguage lol. We will check out of the MTC at 4:00 AM (not looking forward to that!!) and walk to the bus station. We will take the tracks to Salt Lake Airport and fly to Houston, Texas and then to Charleston, West Virginia!!! Thank you for your love and prayers! I feel them each day!!!!

Sister Reynolds

Sister Salter and Sister Reynolds

Elder Thompson, Elder Davis and Sister Salter

I love this painting, the man who painted it made it look like the people were bowing down and worshiping Christ, but also made them look like sheep and Christ is our Shepherd.

Alma 56:47-48

"Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying : We do not doubt our mothers knew it."