July 3-9, 2022

 Hey everyone! Thanks for all the updates and sounds like a really busy fun week for sure. Glad that everyone was safe and enjoyed their 4th of July. This week was another roller coaster but a good one! We got a lot of things done and worked out so it was a good time. 

Reply: Wow what an awesome busy week for sure! With the 4th of July and doing the fireworks and family reunion and everything it sounded super fun but busy! Also really cool you and Ash and the family were able to do some family history and indexing honestly you are going to have to teach me that when I get home because I want to do more! Also I bet that was really fun to have all of Ashlee's family come up and that you were able to have them stay there and enjoy the Idaho life for a little bit! Sounds super fun and also that is really cool you were able to talk to Cambrie! I hope she can adjust ok and enjoy being home but that is awesome you were able to talk with her a little bit. Also thanks for your spiritual thoughts on the come follow me lesson because they were spot on! In Elders quorum we talked about the same thing of having a faith like a staircase and how the only way it is going to go up is through trust and doing what we are told. Even though we don't understand 100% why we still need to have enough faith to do God's will and like it says in Hebrews 6:12 that we will, "inherit the promises."

My Week: This week turned out to be really stressful at first but we made it through and like Doug told me everything works out. To start off Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we had the mission tour for President and Sister Chavez so they could meet all the missionaries. We planned everything Monday night and about 8:30 the sisters from Coatza (who´s building we were going to use) said the church was going to be used so we couldn't use it. Panic mode but we made some calls and found a new building to use so it was good. We went with President and Hermana Chavez with their 2 kids to Coatzacoalcos which is about 3 hours one way. We had food and a little training and then get to know you interviews and we were there a long time but finished and got home around 9 at night so it was a long day and Wednesday we got up and did the same thing but here in Villahermosa so we didn't have to travel and on Thursday we went to Zapata which is about 2 hours and did the same thing. Lots of traveling but it was good for the missionaries to meet them and everyone is super excited the Chavez's are here and ready to work! It was also fun talking to him and getting to know them better!

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were normal days so that was a blessing! We worked in the office a little Friday but after that we spent a lot of catching up in our area and we only found 3 new people to teach this week but one of them is super interested and his name is Ivan! We saw a lot of cool miracles like always but it was just good to be out with the people and try and help them in the best way we can. 

Friday was a huge miracle too! We worked everything out with another ward for us and our Recent Converts Guadalupe and Cecelia to go to the temple. We were able to go and be inside again and the feeling is just so incredible! We went with Elder Martinez and Elder Nuffer (from Rigby Idaho) but it was such a cool experience to see Guadalupe and Cecilia have so much joy and that is probably the happiest that any person can be! Definitely a goal when I get home is to be in the temple a lot and to do these ordinances because really there are so many people waiting so they can progress and have the fullness of the gospel in their lives! 

On Sunday hardly no one from the ward came because the stomach bug is going around but there were a few people and Elder Villanueva and I were able to give talks and it went well. I talked about how we can have spiritual experiences and I want all of you to reflect on this question, When was the last time I felt the spirit? How did I know it was the spirit? How do I recognize the spirit in my feelings and thoughts? It was super good and the spirit was really strong! 

Well that was the week, sorry if it was boring but nothing too crazy happened but I am loving my time as a missionary and here in Mexico and how the Lord knows each and every one of us and wants us to be happy! I am studying in the Topical guide all the scriptures (in the Book of Mormon) about Jesus Christ and I testify that He is Real! This is his work and we can all be a part of it. I love you all and hope you have the best week! 

Love Elder Reiley