Episode 17: Baptisms in Lynchburg, Virginia!!!

"Families Can Be Together Forever...Through Heavenly Father's Plan" 

WOW...I hope there are missionaries out there that email more regularly than I do! My apologies!!

But I consider myself so honored and lucky to come into an area that are baptizing people! Man these missionaries are awesome haha!! This past Saturday we had 3 people come onto the covenant path. Danielle and her two daughters, Chloe and McKenna. Sweetest family I know!! They are renovating their house but wanted to feed us, and realized they had no power the night of haha! So we offered to bring them dinner, some good ole homemade pizza!! My trainee/companion, Sister Wagner, is such a good sport and can cook SO WELL. She made an amazing dessert, wow props to her!! The pizza turned out awesome, dough was made from scratch and everything!! Clearly Heavenly Father had to help out some because we all know that Sister Reynolds cannot cook for her life. This family was a part member family and just so ready for the gospel in their lives. Their service was so special and sweet. The spirit was so strong there and I was honored to be asked to give the Holy Ghost talk. I can't wait to hear when they will be able to be sealed as a family for time and all eternity!! :)

So Sister Wagner....Ahhh! I love this woman, she is so talented in many things!! She comes from a military family so isn't really from anywhere...she says haha. She loves to cook, draw manga and loves animals! She is so full of the desire to serve our Heavenly Father. Wow I look up to her in so many ways. Interestingly enough though, I am only half training her! I get the last 6 weeks of her training. She is also on a trial mission. I have so much respect for her choice in doing so because now she has loved it and wants to continue onto serve a full 18 months. I know she is needed somewhere and will absolutely love it. Amiss all of the things that might have held her back before, she has gained this incredible testimony that anything is possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

This area in Lynchburg, Virginia is sooooo nice!! I am considered to be in the Bible belt haha. So that only terrified me a little! It is also a University town so there are a lot more college aged students which is so different to see! Its been a little getting used to seeing more people my age!

Appomatox...I dream of going there someday lol...which is our area! We actually live in the Elder's area because they recently opened up this area again and there were no places to live in our ACTUAL area. This has been a little weird because we are not allowed to tract or proselyte where we live unless they come up to us and ask questions because this is not our area. From our apartment, it's a 10 minute drive to the border of our area and an hour to Appomatox lol soooo ya a little weird but I have been able to visit so many of the blessed members in the congregation! They are so kind and missionary oriented, they make the work easy! They love feeding the missionaries too so I might have to be switching over to my stretchy pants for a while...it's fine! LOL.

I have been so blessed to already see my purpose here in Virginia. There are two younger girls here that we are teaching and have this intense desire to come closer to Christ. I see myself in them so much and I have felt that this is where I am suppose to be so I may help them see their worth and the love that Heavenly Father has for them. There are times throughout the day that I feel discouraged or can't seem to see my efforts or purpose here but the Lord is always quick to remind me that it isn't about me. It is about helping others receive the gospel and bring them back to Him.

So other than that wonderful baptism , visiting and getting to know a lot of the members, figuring out how to train, I have been developing a greater love for this work. I know this church is the true and restored church and Jesus is at the head of it all. I know that Russell M. Nelson is called to be our Prophet and the Apostles as well. I am deeply grateful for their service and their love and desire to serve our Heavenly Father in His kingdom. May we forever praise Him!!
Sister Reynolds

My Trainee/Companion, Sister Wager!

Video chat

July 22, 2019

Episode 16: Transferred to Lynchburg, Virginia and is a Trainer!!!

Our Beautiful NAVAHO Missionary!!!

Hello Everyone!
Here's a quick update on what's been going on in West Virginia! A couple of weeks ago, I was battling pink eye and I also caught some kind of stomach bug and that wiped out me out. We were in our apartment for days, only making trips to the doctor's office. My sickness was so bad that I couldn't keep liquids or any food down. I now dread motherhood in facing morning sickness...yuck! I haven't thrown up in a long time and I don't think I can ever eat ice cream anymore lol. On July 1, the mission nurse sent me to Urgent Care because I had signs of dehydration. So my companions took me there and they sent me to the ER to get an IV. They gave me some motion sickness medicine and it made me loopy...I don't do well with medications!! So with being sick and all, missionary work was on hold for a bit.

The week of July 8, it was transfer week. We are told on Saturday that we will be transferred. On Tuesday, they tell us where we will be going and we transfer to our new area on Thursday. They make it a long process!!! It made me a bit nervous of not knowing! I was told that I would be transferred but wasn't told where and who will be my new companion. I was in a trio companionship and the Sisters I am serving with will be staying here in Vienna, West Virginia. On Thursday, July 11, I was transferred to Lynchburg, Virginia and was called to be a Trainer!!! I had to travel back to the mission home which was an hour and a half then travel to Lynchburg, Virginia which is like 4 hours from the mission. A day of traveling....blah! My new companion is Sister Wagner. She is so nice! She is on a trial mission. She comes from a military family. Her Dad serves in the Army and she has lived in many places! So it was cool to talk about the military life because my oldest brother, Colby, serves in the Army. Her family currently lives in North Carolina. I'm a bit overwhelmed to be a Trainer but I know the Lord will help me!

I currently serve in the Buena Vista Zone of the mission. We share the area with the Elders. Lynchburg is a college town. Liberty University is like BYU for Baptists...the Bible Belt area!! There are a lot of young people who live here, like who are in their 20's. It has been super weird to knock on doors and have young people answer because in Vienna, WV there were a lot of old people lol. There are a lot of less actives in our ward. There are two young women that I feel I have a connection with already. Neely is a member and is less active. The other is Lauren who is not a member but is interested in our church. I look forward to meeting with them, hopefully in the next week.

My health is much better, I can finally eat! When I transferred to Lynchburg, I was so excited because there is a Target lol!!! We ate at Panda Express and that was a treat!!! Thank you for your prayers in my behalf. I truly feel them. I am blessed to be able to serve my Heavenly Father. I love this gospel!!!
Sister Reynolds

Our trips to the Urgent Care...

PINK EYE

My comp had an allergic reaction to bug bites and had to be treated!

Sister Brereton

With all the trials of being sick, I still love being a missionary!!

~Vienna, West Virginia Missionaries~

Sister Brereton, Sister Reynolds and Sister Henrie

Our Trio Companionship-Vienna WV

Panda Express...YUMMM

Saying Good-Bye,,,

This is Santana, the 9 year old girl that was baptized!

Bye to MOLLY, our neighbors dog!

Thanks Molly for bringing a little bit of home to my mission :)

Sister Wilder

Alea aliac, a wonderful girl who is from the Philippines :)

Good-Bye Vienna, West Virginia

2202 9th Ave #5

Video chat July 15, 2019

Out in the mission field for 5 months!!!!