February 28-March 6, 2021

 Hey mom thanks for the email! It was so good and really boosted my spirits so thank you. I was reading the first paragraph and had some Jeffery R. Holland on in the background and it really helped me so thank you so much for all of your kind words. Something I have been thinking a lot about and it's something Elder Ross and I talked about a lot was not having regrets. I don't want to look back and say, "Man I wish I worked harder in Basin City." I would say that is a motivation for me to get up every morning and work even harder because my favorite quote from Austin is, "The only way it's gonna get done is to do it."

REPLY:  I told President about how that was grandma's uncle and I listened to that talk by Elder Holland last week so it was really cool that it was in the letter and a cool family history connection. 

   It sounds like you had an awesome week at boy's state. I am so happy for them and am so pumped they got 3rd place. Jax told me that Marsh looked tough when they played and then Marsh won it all so they must be good. Then we whipped Snake by 20 points so you can't beat that right? Super happy and excited for them and I am glad you got to see Tanner, Daegen, Satchel, and Fletcher! I hope they are all doing well and I am glad it was a fun weekend and nice job on the sportsmanship award! I knew you always had it in you! 

  I loved your spiritual thought and the quote by Elder Scott reminds me that we will become who and what we want to become when we decide to. It only takes effort and it just takes baby steps so I really like your thoughts, they helped out a lot. 

MY WEEK:

This week was really awesome! It was full of tracting, lessons, exchanges, and a lot of service! Also last Monday I got to hit in the batting cage so I'll send some pictures but the Shaw's are amazing! Then Tuesday I went on an exchange over in Connell (or driggs) with Elder Felix and it was a super cool day. We got some good studies and drove all over the country to find this house but we couldn't find it so I just said a little prayer and then we came over the hill and there it was. We had such a good lesson about Mosiah 2 and it was such a good day because that night we also had a district Bonfire and it was super fun. Then Wednesday and Thursday was full of lessons and we met with Norma and Juan and had good lessons with them and they both told us they love having us over but they aren't going to change but I just think of what dad told me about my job is to just share the message and I have to remember, "the day you plant the seed won't be the same day you gather the fruit."  

On Friday we did a full day of service. We went and helped out Brother Salisbury with this old brick shed that he tour down so we did it as a district went and hauled a bunch of bricks and helped clean of the site and it was so nice! He was so appreciative so that's why I love service so much. I'll send some pictures but it was so fun. Then Elder Williams and I headed over to another member's and helped them take out concrete slabs in their walkway because they are raising their garage but it was so fun. We were just pounded away with a sledge hammer so I am pretty sore but we ended up finishing so it was good and they are such a good family too. Then we had some more service and we went over to this guy named Bruce that we met only a few days ago and talked with him and helped him prune his orchards and now I think we are gonna head back and help him again!

Then on Saturday we had a zone wide exchange so I went to Connell again with Elder Gaytan who is from Arizona in Phoenix and he is awesome. We had an awesome day and we did service that day too in this nasty house. We moved a bunch of furniture out of this little house that had 12 cats living it so there was a lot of stuff everywhere so I wasn't too impressed but we got it done and they were really nice and kind too so it all works out. Then we had some good lessons in Spanish and we actually talked a lot in Spanish throughout the day and he is a really nice elder and it was an awesome day. 

I am so glad I am on a mission right now at this exact place and time. I can't think of a better place to be than here in Basin City serving the people, trying to learn Spanish, and being 100% focused on my Savior Jesus Christ. 1 John 4:19, "We love Him, because He first loved us." Missionaries give up 2 years because we love Jesus Christ and through Him we can do all things and through His help, I know I am going to do whatever the Lord wants me to do here. I love you all and know God loves you, we are LITTERALLY His children and He wants all of us to come home  Have a great week!

Love Elder Reiley

Getting Reps

Zone T-Shirts

Service

Elder Gaytan and I