HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! I was going to tell you that last week but I forgot and I couldn't email on Thursday. AND CARSON SOON! I am going to get a package for you guys ready to send to both of you but I'm doing it through the week, so I don't know when it will get there but I'll send it here shortly. That's a tough season for the girls, and I know how that feels for sure. I hope the boys can get it done. And Austin is getting his mission call, that is sweet, I'll email him today if I have his email.
I have to talk in church Sunday and it's about missionaries. The bishop wanted me to talk about 1. how have you've changed in the time you've been on your mission and 2. how is this mission the perfect mission for you?
I have changed really because of the work that I do. I am always on missionary work.I am right next to Jesus Christ the whole time. And this is the best mission for me because I get to wear cowboy boots and wranglers but also just the people. I never really liked people but these people out here are like second family to me. They really are all brothers and sisters. I hope that helps you out mom.
Remind me again the three tribes you are working with, the branches you are attending and the languages you are learning.
The three tribes are the Acoma (Sky City), the Laguna (Pueblos) and Tohajiilee (Navajos). The Laguna and Acoma are combined for church in one branch, but the Tohajiilee is by itself. The language that I'm speaking is called Keres. That is the Laguna and Acoma language. Then the Tohajiilee is all Navajo language, and that Navajo is hard.
How are you different now than say, last summer?
I would say that I have changed in the focus and importance of the gospel. It really is the center of our lives when you think about it. And I'm not really thinking of catching those big ol 'macks like I was last summer.
Have you always wanted to go on a mission, or was it really the whole "depends on if I draw" thing? :) What made you decide to go on a mission, anything specific?
I knew I was going to serve a mission, the draw thing was just kidding. I knew I was going. It makes me want to be like dad and Jax. I never really knew till it was time. People aways tell you that when you're growing up, but President Schapp (the seminary/institute guy in Albuquerque that served his mission in Florida with Jeff) told me that dad was a great missionary and did his part and that really stepped up the game for me because I can do all that stuff when I get back home. I have 2 long years for this and only this.
Do you think the Albuquerque New Mexico mission is perfect for you? Is this first area perfect for you? Why?
I love this first area. It is really what I need to get on my feet for the first 9 months, but Albuquerque is a different story. It is still a good place but it is really packed in there. Tons of people and tons of cars is what I don't like about it. But its better than most places.
Can I share this information in my talk on Sunday? Anything you want me to tell the youth of the ward, or our ward in general?
Ya, go for it. For the youth I would say, savor the time that you have with your mother and father really no matter how much you don't get along, trust me and do it.
Ok some un-talk related questions: You said you were uncomfortable with the ratio rule. What is that?
Oh man that ratio rule is brutal. It's where if the missionaries are allowed to come into someone's home, they have to have 3 people of one gender over the age of 18. Man it's hard cause way early they didn't have to keep that rule but now we do. On the rez, so many people get pretty offended by the rule. But we are keeping it even though it is hard.
Is the weather warm? You would be so surprised to see tht it is just raining here, and there is no snow. Well, there is at our house, but it seriously feels like April.
The mornings are chilly but the days are hot. I'm going to come back looking like an Indian!
Did anything funny happen this past week?
We went on exchanges this week. I was with Elder Green in the city. It was dark and we knocked on this person's door. It was dark and when she looked through the window she jumped back and screamed cause we scared her on accident.
When does Elder Corneilson go home? Does that make you nervous to get someone else?
He goes home on March 8th and ya I am really nervous for a new guy and for taking over such a big area, but I'll do it.
Did you get Tanner's and Hayden's talks?
Ya I got them. They were kinda hard to hear but they really did do a good job.
Are you happy? What makes you happy?
Ya I'm happy. At this point, finding and teaching makes me happy, and the people, holy cow, they are so cool.
What are three things you are thankful for?
My family and the examples that you are to me, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and my mission. We've had elders go home and I just thought you can't have this again no matter how bad you want it, so I am thankful for my mission.
Anything else you want to tell us about your week? Anything else you want in your package? I'm mailing it Tuesday.
I really really really like the National Tribute Band, they are ok for us to listen to and that's really what I like so if you can find any of that that would be so awesome. By the way, those were really good questions.
I love you all too, and good luck on your talk. You'll do awesome, I know it.
Have a great week.
Love, Elder Reiley
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