LAST DAY AT THE MTC!

 HEY FRIENDS!!

I honestly am blanking on everything that happened this week... the 4 weeks here kind of just blurred together. Yesterday was our last day as a whole district. BYE BYE ELDER MIKKELSEN AND HOLDCRAFT! The rest of us leave tomorrow morning. 

Everyone shared their beautiful testimonies last night, and it was a moment where I felt genuine Godly Love for people. I felt like my heart grew too big for my chest, and an overwhelming amount of joy and gratitude for these people. 

I didn't tell everyone what I loved about each of them, and since most of you guys don't know who any of these people... here is your quick synopsis 

Elder Holdcraft: You remind me a lot of my little brother Brady... except he would never trip on an acorn. Thank you for your kind words when I needed it most. I wrote down most of the stuff you said to me personally, or in class. 

Elder Mikkelsen: BEST DISTRICT LEADER EVER!! You have a gentle kindness about you. When you bear your bold testimony on the savior, the spirit is so incredibly strong. You are the perfect mix of bold kindness. 

Elder Peterson: Definitely just a fun guy.. not a fungi. You are so incredibly knowledgeable. Like everytime you share your testimony it blows me away how this "ShredLord" could say such magnificent words

Elder Graham: Y'all we are making bets that this guy will be an apostle. He is so kind at his core. He shakes everyone's hands, and thanks them for their thoughts. He speaks with power, and you know that he knows the gospel is true.

Hermana Holtry: I have never met anyone so willing to make everyone laugh, or anyone who is more boy crazy than me (right mom?) I still remember how in our first couple of nights she would crack terrible bad jokes that just made everyone laugh so hard. Or when she crawled over to my bed like a demon.

Hermana Farnsworth: Hermana Farnsworth was my Aubrey for this district. She has like the best laugh in the world, and genuinely one of the prettiest smiles I have ever seen. She knows how to have fun, but also when it needs to get serious. I had some really hard days and she was there for me. Hermana Farsnie was blunt, which I needed. Sometimes you just need someone to tell you how it is. Words can't describe how much I appreciated her friendship

Hermana Fricke: Now Fricke was the mom of the group. She always made sure we were ready on time, she told me to be patient when needed (just like you mom), and always asked if I was okay. Except when we asked that we just said "Esta bien?" Hermana Fricke is one of the most dedicated missionaries here. I would catch her reading her scriptures, or practicing Spanish, the times we just needed to chill.

Hermana Hunter: If any of you guys know my friend Sarah McChesney... this is Hermana Hunter. Always willing to crack a joke. YALLLLL she loves country things as much as me!!! We are planning to go to Nashville and go to a rodeo when we get back! When you make Hermana Hunter laugh really hard, she starts to wease... and when people wease I can NOT stop laughing. What can I say.. laughs make me laugh

And Hermana Nase: MI COMPANERA! I could not have asked for a better companion. I will be honest, these last couple of weeks were really hard for me. But Hermana Nase listened to my needs. She helped in whatever way she could. And she did not give advice. She just listened. It is a skill, possessed by few. Who can just sit and listen and not let their own pride get in the way by offering unsolicited advice. People are naturally drawn to Hermana Nase because she doesn't change who she is. She is positive and calm. She has no need to be the center of attention, but always ends up naturally being one. She is so knowledgeable with Spanish, and with the gospel. She knows way more than she gives herself credit for. And she is a way way way better runner than me. 

Y'ALLLLL I MISS COUNTRY MUSIC!!!!! Definitely the biggest trial other than not seeing my mom everyday. Thank you to everyone who writes to me, it brings a big smile on my face to know that you didn't forget me, just like how I could never forget you :). 

Oh they got new hoodies at the MTC and it's my second favorite hoodie, after my nashville one. Sorry brady... the goose hoodie is #3. 

Here is what I took away from this week:

1. Accessing the enabling power and strengthening power of the atonement of Jesus, is the only thing that has helped me deal with all of the problems I've had. 

2. I've said this before but I will say it for forever!!! Knowledge does not become wisdom without experience. That experience can be: emotions, trials, or just action. But until that knowledge is developed to you personally it is only knowledge.

3. I knew it, and God knew it, and I could not deny it. I have lived by this my whole life. But now I am not only "not denying" it, I am declaring it. As with the sound of a trump. 

I have waited to serve a mission my whole life, and I am so blessed to be able to spread the love of this gospel to others. I am so grateful for the trials and the growth. And I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I would not be who I am without him. I would not be this strong, kind, empathetic, or serviceable. It is all because of him, that I am who I am 

-Hermana Reynolds