Sister Kendra Reynolds: Episode 7: A Baptism in Vienna, West Virginia!!

Sister Reynolds and Sister McKendrick

Wow time is flying by! But also dragggginnggggg haha. I feel like I have been out in the mission field longer than 4 weeks and 1 day! But I love doing this work, it is so rewarding! Last week I didn't get to write, Sorry. I'm still getting used to people being interested in my life (hair flip) jk ha but honestly my apologies! So the week I missed there was a baptism! Donald Ray Steed, now known as Bro. Steed! Ah, it was an amazing service, with a touch of West Virginia haha. Instead of prelude music there was joke telling! That was interesting in itself but Bro.Steed loved it. He loves being a member of Christ's congregation and is so willing to share the gospel. He has already given us 2 referrals!! His testimony is growing so fast, it's hard to keep up with him sometimes! He was able to watch General Conference and loved that too. We are so excited to get him started on family history work and getting him to the temple, which he is anxious to start doing too. Bro.Steed has helped my testimony in missionary work grow so much. I am so humbled and grateful to have come at a time to witness his baptism and see the work move forward.

This past week we were given another referral! The referral was through the missionaries that work online, (I'm not sure what they are called? If they have a name lol) but she is 16 years old and her name is Cammi...crazy enough she is the cousin of Santana. Santana is 9 years old who just got baptized in February! She was in a new member lesson with one of her friends, who obviously was a new member, and was being taught the plan of salvation. When Santana heard that she lived in heaven with Heavenly Father, she was so interested in learning more and asked 2 more questions about it and then immediately called her Grandmother (who is her caregiver) and said "Grandma, clear the schedule tonight, the Sister missionaries are coming over!" Then a month later, she was baptized! She is a sweet girl, who is just a spiritual giant. Now we are learning why at such a young age she needed to be baptized. One reason is for herself. She is learning so much and is just teaching us as we go over haha. The second reason is to also bring her family with her. We went to her cousins house, who is Cammi, on Saturday and she wasn't home but her Grandmother answered and asked if we were the "Mormons" haha. We kindly corrected her and she was so excited that we had FINALLY made it over! It turns out that Cammi's Grandpa is a less active member and when they found out that Cammi chose to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, they were so happy and proud, because they loved this gospel but had fallen away because they moved and lost touch and didn't know how to find the church again. Isn't that wild?? Sister McKendrick and I were freaking out, jumping for joy and had tears in our eyes as we walked home. I love seeing others make and keep their covenants to Heavenly Father, just as I have done. Cammi's Grandmother, Angie, set up an appointment for Tuesday and we absolutely can't wait. This family is elect and are so ready to hear the gospel and "partake of the fruit" so to speak.

We went on exchanges and the couple that drove us to Charleston had to stop by Target and so we got our much needed dose of Target shopping!!!! Our area doesn't have a Target. Then they took us out to eat at some nice restaurant...they just spoiled us!

Of course General Conference was incredible! It felt like I was hanging on to every word! I was emotionally drained afterwards haha!! Things I realized was that we need to fortify every aspect of our lives. Our minds, our bodies, our HOMES, everything! We need to be feasting on the words of Christ everyday!! I love being a missionary because you are constantly relying on the spirit. And because you are constantly relying on Him, you need to be spiritually fed ALL the time. I have been reading the Book of Mormon everyday pondering and asking how can I share what I learn in my scripture study to someone today. The power from asking this is incredible and limitless of what you can do. Because I have asked to be able to share what I study, my testimony has grown and the gospel of Jesus Christ is being spread. I am humbled to be a part of this work and can't wait to do it for 16 more months haha! The Church is true. Jesus is the Living Christ. The Book of Mormon is another testament of His earthly ministry and we must divulge in reading its teachings. I am being spiritually fed as I read from it daily. I know that through the power of the atonement I may stand spotless before God on that judgement day. Come unto Christ. Follow Him and Feed His Sheep! I love you all and thank you for your prayers of encouragement! Until next time, tune into Sister Reynolds' wild West Virginian life! haha (totally kidding) But really thank you for all the love and support :) I love this work!
Sister Reynolds