2/20/2012

Hey mother dear!!!!


First off - thank you so much for the pictures and letter!  And I also got your package this week as well!  It was great and the little homemade goodies where still great so it was awesome - thank you so much you - are the best ever! My week has been crazy but definitely awesome! We had the conference with Elder Bednar on Saturday and it was amazing! He is so funny and was busting jokes - it was crazy to see how normal an apostle of the lord really is!  I was expecting a little of a Boche from him but he actually was just loving and did a a great job and actually did a question and answer thingy.  He asked us questions and we answered them and then we asked him questions and he would answer them!  He talked of forgetting about home and all the things back at home and talked on shedding off the old BOY we once were and becoming a New MAN and the man that the lord wants us to be for the rest of our lives and the mission is the best place to do that!  He says that too many missionaries come home and get right back into the same routine as before and that's not what we do!  He talked on Faith and how faith is a spiritual gift from God and he talked on how a person gains a spiritual gift and you only receive them when the lord has faith in you to possess these gifts.  You can't just ask but you receive them when you gain trust from the lord!  It was awesome!  He talked on how we are not supposed to take notes but we need to learn to listen to the spirit and then write those promptings down and that should be our notes because if we just write the things that come out of someones mouth and write it down we aren't going to remember them in the future but we will remember the promptings of the spirit!  He told us also that we should NEVER give a talk!   We should Preach!  He said when we are asked to give a talk in church it's not that we wait for a little time before our turn to talk and then write some notes and scriptures and experiences but we need to be preparing our talks right now when you receive spiritual promptings.  It's because you are really being prepared to give a talk in the future! h e told us on how all his spiritual promptings and all that stuff that he has had for 60 years was preparing himself to talk to us!  So it was a great conference - the only thing is I wish we were able to shake his hand but we didn't get the chance but its all good!  Oh and one more thing when we share the gospel we need to learn that teaching is not talking but its actually listening and observing what the person says!  All I can say is it's a day that will never be forgotten in Elder Reidhead's life!!!  I didn't see Rachel's parents or anything - they weren't there!

Sounds like you all had an amazing week and sure was busy.   Sounds like your little trip was quite the adventure as well!  But that's soo cool you guys were able to visit dads home teaching comp from the high school days - that's surprising he is still living :)  Sounds like Morgs and the team is doing work huh!?  That's cool - tell them good luck tonight!  And also she told me she is not playing next year but is going to work huh?  And she is learning to cook?  That's crazy, haha!  But sure makes me glad to hear you all are doing soo good and that all is going well!  That's crazy to hear about Natia!  How long will she be here!?  She speaks pretty good English right?  I don't remember, can Clayton talk any Spanish with her or is Portuguese too different?  But thanks for sharing all your amazing experiences - sounds like fun!

The mission is going great!  I love it - especially my new area and all our investigators!  It still blows my mind on how fast all of us learn Spanish.  It's definitely a miracle and is with the help of the lord. Here in my new area there are people that have visited the states and have lived there for like 40 years and can speak English - but horribly.  I mean you have to think to be sure on what they are talking about and all.   We all learn so fast it's crazy!  My new comp is really cool!  He is really quiet and all but he is cool - you just have to talk to him and all.   I saw JT at the conference and he is doing great!  Well know that I love you all soo much!  Thanks for your support and love, it means alot!  Keep working hard!!   Here is a little quote to get ya through the week "the average runner sprints until the breath in him is gone, but the champion has the iron will that makes him carry on.  The average runner begs when limp his muscles grow, but the champion runs on leaden legs, his spirit makes him go.  The average man's complacent when he does his best to score, but the champion does his best to score and then a little bit more."  Now you all go out there and have a great week!  :)  If that quote doesn't pump you up then nothing will!  Hahaha!!  Love you Reidhead family!!!!!!

Love Elder Reidhead