One Transfer Home

Wow! I can’t believe that I’ve spent a whole transfer home from my mission! I'm terrible because I keep pushing this email off more and more. I want to close all of my weekly emails, but I'm not sure how exactly I want to do so.

First off, my last week and some of serving in the CDNM was great!! Sadly, we barley had anytime for any "regular" missionary work. We finished all of our performances for the musical, which was really sad. However, a day or two later we were all asked to be apart of the Spanish versions of this. The difference of turning our musical performance was that it was less of a play, and more of a devotional. We have two missionaries that speak Spanish, so they talked in-between songs. We got together one morning/ afternoon to translate some of the songs into Spanish. We performance half the songs in Spanish and half in English (the Spirit is strong no matter what language you're speaking). What was really nice about our practice, is that for once I could relax more, but I did have to leave at one point to give my departing interview with our mission President. At the performances, I didn't do much either because all I decided to do was leave everyone's microphone on, and it made it much easier to balance everything. With MTM coming to a close, I had NO time to do all the things I needed to do to prepare for me going home. There was letters to be written and things to pack. I ended up doing all this in the mission home the night before I flew home because things were SO BUSY.

Easter Sunday was probably one of my favorites I've ever had. We got home late from MTM, so as soon as I got home and it hit midnight, I had to send a text over to my family, the new guidelines lets us communicate with our families on holidays. Of course none of them were awake, but I still had to bug them as soon as possible. Like usual, I went to church and did my missionary thing. Sunday afternoon we were over at the Mission Home with all of my favorite MTM people. I had a real Easter Sunday dinner, which I found out that many people do this every year and there's specific food people usually eat. The Savages had us do an Easter egg hunt, it was pretty fun, but there were too many of us in the tiny place they wanted us to go. We closed the night with singing Give Me This Mountain with all 11 of us cast and crew missionaries. The Spirit was so strong, and my love for them continually grows deeper. 

As a missionary departing from the CDNM I had to pack my bags and come to where we all met up for transfers. When we got to the church building, I said bye to my wonderful and amazing missionaries. I don't know if it was being famous from MTM, dying and coming back alive, getting transferred so many times, or if I was just a friendly person, but there were so many missionaries that I loved dearly and I didn't want to leave. My missionary friends take part of a very special place in my heart, and I have such a strong Christ-like love towards each of them!

The departing missionaries hung-out as the other missionaries came and left to their areas and as those who were training had their meetings. It just didn't feel like we were leaving yet. President Savage took us out to lunch, and this one Sister and I kept saying to each other how dis-obedient we felt for just hanging out and not going out and doing missionary work. Later, we were taken to the Fort Collins temple, a place where only those going home get to go to, and it was gorgeous. We arrived at the mission home late that night where the Savages and other talked our ears off. 

Friday morning we woke-up, ate breakfast, and got our bags ready for the airport. We rode over in the MTM Fam Van, but it was not longer called that because MTM finished. Off to the airport we went and then arrived home. I got released as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that night. What a blessing this has been!

As you can see from the pictures, the transformation from Sister Reynolds to Aubrey created a bunch of confused and scary faces. However, it's done, and it's exactly the way it needs to be. Know that Sister Reynolds is not dead, but the next time she comes back, she'll be quite a bit older and a small chance of being wiser. 

As Aubrey, I have got a job to keep me entertained, I do online classes to help me get a little more advanced when I start college, and I have a calling as my ward's YSA rep. Don't worry my missionaries, I'm still finding time to read at least half an hour from the Book of Mormon every day and attending the temple on an often basis. I have also gone out and helped the sister missionaries in my stake to keep me feeling that missionary spirit! I have friends and family that I have come and see me/ are coming. It's been great to catch-up with so many people. I always imagined myself serving a mission, but I don't remember having any other main goals than that. Now it's to go to college and to eventually get married, we'll see what the Lord has in store once I get to that point.

I'm grateful for all my friends and family that have been and are cheering me on, and for all the amazing Elders and Sisters out there giving it their best. I love you all!! 

-Aubrey Reynolds :)

Last Transfer-- Home!

Fort Collins, Colorado Temple

All I know is MTM (Meet the Missionaries)

This week was really crazy. We had our Meet the Missionaries performance four times, three of which were in a row. It was truly an adventure, but super exhausting. What made it so worth it was one night they took us out to Sonic. There's a senior couple that carpools most of us, and they just wanted to get to bed. They promised us that if we cleaned-up fast enough, then they would take us out. During our last debrief, the Petersens were asked how we were doing on the clean-up. They shared how this one time we did really good. In response, Sister Savage's friend said she would take us all out to sonic if we were fast enough. Everyone was practically sprinting, and it was funny to sit back and watch as I was just chilling at my little station. We ended-up being taken to Freddy's instead, and it was great!!

I was able to see my beautiful Parker South stake again! (the area I was born in.) However, it turns out that they didn't have any lights set-up. The Stake President ended up coming over to help us stick the lights into the ceiling. For some reason, the lights wouldn't properly stick, so after a couple of hours, and one broken light, we were able to get about six lights up. The lights on the stage were up, but we had no way to get a latter tall enough for the front lights, so we just kept some of the lights in the gym on. It was a little interesting because it didn't give off the whole performance vibe, so the audience was a bit too casual. We did a live Facebook recording of this night, and the sound wasn't working too well. Point of the story, don't watch this performance on Facebook, look at the one from Boulder!

This week I decided to copy one of my companion's weekly email, but there was too much nonsense for me to copy (she wrote a lot). I think this is all the update I actually have though. I can't believe that this is my last full P-Day. It's weird, but I'll be back out here soon enough when I go serve a senior mission.

Shout-outs;

☆I had fun with the best family who just had chickens chilling all over their back yard.

☆Thanks to the one who helps me with these. emails.

☆An Elder that's going home with me and is in MTM told me how his mom is upset because she didn't get the flight plans. I told him that my mom was on top of it. She contacted me, I told her who to reach out to so she could have it, and she followed through, boom!

☆The Sisters were chilling in the van together. They were talking about reunions with us and our moms. I told them my mom could play the piano pretty well. Get ready to become famous!

🐵Sister Reynolds :)

I'm Not Counting Down

I've realized that if I don't take the time to draft at least a few sentences on Sunday night, then I'll have absolutely no motivation to send this out on Monday.

Out "Key Indicators" are numbers that we send out as a report on what's happening in the area we are serving in. We are not trying yo "get numbers" or turn people into just a number. It just shows how a geographical area is progressing to know if we need to assist other missionaries in their work. This week, my companion ships key indicators is one of the highest I've probably ever seen it. We were able to start teaching four new people, watched General Conference with two people, and we put one person on date to be baptized. 

Your girl, Sister Reynolds here, still hasn't changed. Let me tell you why! People think I get all the boys, my snacks are the same, when I need to do something it's in-between me rushing from one thing to the next, I love games, I am a money person, and I'm meant to be a Stage Manager/ business owner/ I know how to delegate things. I'll explain in random order :)

Also for some reason I have been getting a lot of heat about going home. Some nice experiences I've had this past week...

Me: talking about how comfy maternity dresses are

Sister Weenig: better keep that maternity dress close you could be using it soon.

Me: no I run away from the boys! 

Brother Simon: they can run faster than you! 

Me: I love having best friends, I'll have to invite you to my wedding

Sister Van Tassell: no I'll still be on my mission then! 

[Written by Sister Van Tassell]

Scariest moment of my life! We had a performance of meet the missionaries, and that was good. The next morning we had to get up bright and early for our Zone Conference, cool. The thing that's was freaking some Elders, the ones that set MTM things up with me, and I were pushed back quite a bit on our schedule. To be able to set 8 body pics, a table of receivers, mixers, and other cords, a million XLRs, booms, mice, DI box, speakers, and so forth isn't no fast task. Zone Conference got out, and we lost about 1.5 hours to set-up our stuff. Some missionaries came over to help us set-up some chairs for our performance. I stole two Elders and made them my assistants so I could set things up faster. Later, right before the show started, I directed four Elders where to put things. I was also along with 13 Elders, our mission President, and another senior missionary/ Elder. In between trying to set things up, I was asked to drop everything and give my departing testimony. I feel like I'm always in a rush from one thing to the next. I'm glad it happened that way, I would feel off if it was any other way though. 

I still try and look for coins to collect when I'm traveling from one place to the next. This new hobbies ended up being pretty beneficial. I found some keys on the ground, and because of such, we had an excuse to re-knock this little complex. We re-talked to someone and they accepted our invitation of us coming back. This week we picked them up as new people, and they are currently progressing on the covenant path. 

Shout-outs;

☆My General Conference has cinnamon rolls, little yorks peppermints, and W

erther's original. Thanks for your influence!

☆So thankful for the traditions of General Conference, including bingo games, it never gets old!

¤Sister Reynolds :)

Its not Dis-O if you get Permission

I'm having fun as I'm dying this transfer. My current goal is to see how many rules that I can break, with still being obedient. It's super fun because I'm still being an obedient missionary, but yet in doing some thing that others don't get to do. Here is what I've came up with;

¤Leaving the mission boundaries 

¤Going to the store, not on a p-day

¤Going to the library, not on a p-day

¤Riding in a car with Elders/ even sitting next to them

¤Using headphones by myself 

¤Use a laptop without being watched

¤Working one-on-one alone with a dude

¤Not having a companion

Random things;

◇We had a Missionary Leadership Council, and this Sister drove a truck!

◇Last p-day we went to an escape room

◇Went on exchanges this week

◇Got some theatre

I know it's my last transfer, but I'm apparently actually broken. There's this senior couple that lives in the ward I'm currently serving in. The wife is an international masseuse. I told her that my head hurt and here's what happened and what I learned; 

▪My right shoulder was out of place

▪My jaw wasn't aligned

▪C4 and a few other vertebrates on my neck weren't in place

▪My lower back was also not in line

▪My clavicle wasn't where it was supposed to be

▪There was another name of something, that I forgot what it was called, that had to be put back

▪Besides my bones, there was the typical knots from my head, neck, shoulders, back, etc. 

♡Sister Reynolds :)

"I'm on the Edge, Of Glory"

Man, they really work ya until there's nothing left. Or that could just be me not wanting to stop running.

Speaking of running, my companions and I have recently decided to get up at 6:00 in the morning to get an extra 1/2 hr of exercise. It's been great! Keeping ourselves fit and healthy. I have a long way to go, but making progress. It's always good to improve, no matter by how much that might be. 

I love my Savior and I love being out here! 

I'm not sure the reason for my title, but... that's all I got!

Ummm.. I love y'all. If you have any questions, email me! Check out my Facebook page for MTM jams! :)

Dying Happy by MTM

Wow! I know it's only been a few days since last time we "spoke" 😉 but I'm thriving!! Although this is my last transfer and I have a cold that won't go away, miracles don't cease. My title is a little funny because my companions are MTM and they're killing me. 

My companions are the best missionaries ever! They're super funny, obedient, really good at contacting, and sweethearts. I'm so grateful for Sister Packard and Sister Van Tassell!!

In this ward with live a member named Sister Ellis and she seriously is so amazing! She is DEFINITELY the "mom" for the missionaries in this ward. She has been a missionary for many years in the past, so she knows all the rules. Sister Ellis is also our best friend. We'll go upstairs and cook out dinners (usually around 8:30 because we're working too hard to do it earlier) and we hang-out with her. She also helps us out with supplying around the house things, so that saves an extreme amount of msf. 

In my zone, we cut down a set of sisters (they swept us out from my old ward), there's only one STL (me), and I'm only over the other set of sisters in our zone. My new District Leader is serving in my old ward, so we are talking a lot about both of our areas. My zone leaders are awesome, and we have an AP in our zone. 

We LOVE to share are miracles with our Zone Facebook page, so here's what we told them;

From Friday: 

Hey there Wild Wild Westminster Zone! We are so excited for this amazing transfer and the wonderful miracles we will all see. We wanted to start off by sharing some of the miracles that we were able to see today;

1. Our first contact this morning was Tiffany. Sister Packard applied her to the message we share as missionaries. Tiffany seemed really interested and said she was busy, but told us to come back any time next week. We set a time to see her Tuesday morning and got her phone number. 

2. We texted a potential and she invited us to come over today. Sarah used to meet with the missionaries and come to church many years ago. Today she expressed to us how good she felt when she came to church, and we invited her to attend church this morning. We were able to pick her up as a new person to teach. Set another appointment to see her tomorrow morning. 

3. Before we left an apartment complex, Sister Van Tassell wanted us to go stop-by someone who formerly came in contact with the missionaries. We knocked on Claudia's door and she let us in. She is so sweet! We talked to her about our purpose as missionaries and about church. She asked us about how we felt at church and we were able to share our testimonies. Claudia is super excited to come to church this Sunday and was saying how church "sounds so nice".

Great kickoff to this transfer!! 🤙🏻🎉🎊🎉🎊🎉

From Sunday:

Hello again wild wild Westminster zone!!! 

🙌MORE MIRACLES TODAY!!🙌

We fasted for our area last night and this morning, and wow, the results are incredible!!

Sara, who we just picked up yesterday, came to church with her daughter and loved it! We later stopped by her house, but she was gone due to some family problems that came up. So we rescheduled to meet with her later the same day. We came by later and felt prompted to invite her to be baptized. She didnt accept it right then, but said she would pray about it and receive the lessons from us. We promised her many blessings if she took this leap of faith! She definitely had a change and softened heart by the end of our visit and is in a good place to move forward towards baptism.

Vincent is a guy we met through Sara and has talked about some evil spirits in his house that need to be cast out. We talked about how through the power and faith of God and Jesus Christ, those spirits could be driven from his home. He really wanted us to come over and do that, so we came over today with Elder Cabrera and Elder Vaccaro. They gave a special prayer on his home to make it a sanctuary where the spirit could dwell. The spirit was so strong and we testified of the power of God that has been restored on the earth today. We asked them if their family would like to learn more, and they said yes! They were very grateful for the prayer and Vincent's wife, Lisa, was thanking us with tears in her eyes.

We went by Iberia and her six daughters today and brought her and her mother each a cope of the Book of Mormon. They were so grateful for it and are very excited to read it! We shared Moroni's promise with them and also invited them to come to Meet the Missionaries. They got so excited and are all definitely coming to Tuesday's showing! Iberia's mom, who was the most closed off, even said she wanted to come and is excited to see the show.

We have had so many incredible contacts today and made three solid return appointments! We met Amber while walking to another appointment and simply asked her if she wanted to learn more about Jesus Christ and come closer to him. She said yes! We also met Sophia while walking and she moved in just five days ago. She told us about her family situation and how hard it is. We shared with her that the gospel blesses families and asked her if we could share that message with her. She said yes and got really excited to receive more peace and joy in her life and in her family. At the end of our conversation, she was in tears, just overcome with gratitude that God had sent us to her. She expressed how grateful she was that we stopped to talk with her. We set a return appointment with her for tomorrow night! We also felt inspired to knock on a particular door and met a guy named John. He shared his love for Jesus Christ and said he goes to a Christian church already. We shared with him that truth has been restored to the earth and asked him if he wanted to learn more about it. He said yes! He wants us to contact him later to set an appointment, and is planning on coming to Meet the Missionaries!

Our members from our ward are also just on fire!! We had MCM after church today and talked about a less active member. A new ward missionary noticed she was related to them in a round about way. She was so excited that she stopped by them after our meeting and was able to contact the whole family. She was also able to get in contact with the relief society to figure out her ministering sisters. The returning member is ready to come to church in our ward more often! Also, our Primary President came and talked to Sara's daughter after sacrament meeting and totally took her under her wings and to her class. She later told us that it was a prompting from the spirit. During today, Sara called up being super stressed that her daughter's babysitter bailed so last minute. We called our Primary President and she started calling people so fast. Also, a recent convert, Hajir, came up to us today and told us about her four friends who want to learn about the gospel, and how she has given them Book of Mormons already! We love this ward!

So sorry this is such a long post. We are just so overcome with the miracles and blessings we have seen in this area. God is truly reaching out in great power, and WE ARE SO GRATEFUL!! 😁😁😁❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏

(Sister Savage responded to that with a hypnotizing GIF and "Wow doesn’t even begin to express how exciting this all is!!!")

Meet the Missionaries:

There wasn't too many people at our Saturday performance, but the crowd was so hyped!! We have a performance near us on Tuesday and we've been able to invite lots of people. A family of 8 and many people here and there are excited to come, and lots of members are bringing their friends!

Miracles from that:

Sister Van Tassell met these two girls. One was a member and she brought her nonmember friend. Her friend was given a Book of Mormon and they asked the missionaries to explain a verse she didnt understand. This friend now wants to take the missionary discussions and accepted the invitation to come to church yesterday. 

With all these amazing blessings happening and more, there's no other way this transfer could be made any better! Like I said, I'm dying a happy missionary. 

Shout-outs;

♡To my wonderful two friends that would hang-out back in TC and talk about how I didn't ever sleep, that fact is so real with how busy we are!!

♡I'm going all out on the Hartman Color Code with my two new companions. 

-Sister Reynolds :)