It's time to trust my instincts; close my eyes, and leap...

Oh... Oh dear. What a crazy week. I think I always am saying  that but it's true. Every week in the mission field is a crazy one. But I love it. 

We started off this week remembering that we don't have anyone to teach. After Saturday we only have one investigator. WILL!!! HE IS ON DATE!!! Mark your calendars yall. June 3rd!! That's his date! He needs to quit smoking and drinking! He also needs to come to church! So a lot of things but we have faith that he will make it. I love that guy. He is awesome and will be a great member of the church. 

Pause... 

Transfers are this week but no need to fear! Elder Fast and I are staying together for another transfer! I'm really excited. The past week had been really good and we are becoming better teachers the more we practice and.. Actually teach people haha! But around the zone, My home boy Elder Taylor (When I was back in Clarksville 1) Is now my zone leader with the one and only ELDER JESSOP! I can't even explain how excited I am to go on exchanges with them. Oh. And now the zone leader area is in Clarksville 1!!!!!! So I'll get to go on exchanges in my old ward!!!!!!!!!! SO STOKED!!!!!!!!!

Play....

We also began going around, working with members asking them for referrals! Tracting just does not work in this area. The people will not listen to us so we are really trying to focus on gaining the trust of the members so that we can get them to share the gospel with their friends. People will not listen to you here if they do not know/trust you. So that's why it is KEY that we need to work through the members to recieve referrals. And guess what. It's working. We have received 8 referrals in the past week. So many we have not even been able to contact all of them. We are going to continue to be working with the members and contacting these people as fast as we can!! 8 referrals is more referrals than have been given in a LONG time. I'm so happy that the member here trust us. We keep getting compliments on how sincere we are and how much we care. I love this branch. We are going to make a ward! ;) Hint hint.... 

Well anyway I am so happy that I get to stay here. I'll be honest I've thought a lot about other places that I would rather serve. I've thought about how stinking hard this area is, but I gained understand that I am needed here. I love it here. I am so happy that we were able to have some baptisms this week!!! Nick and amber were baptized yesterday. The service was super weird. It kinda fell apart but the baptism was done! It happened! Barely! But it happened! It was a great. 

That's about it! We worked really hard this week. And that's all there is too it. 

Love yall!! Lots of pics 

Reese

The district 

So I helped fix a car. But I was first in white shirt and tie. Those are now ruined. Mostly my pants and the shirt. The tie is okay. But this is from only 15 min under the car. I was in pros for the other hour... Oops lol

Post baptism shake:30

Blocking in the Curtis's 

Take you up and down these hallers and hills. Let me show you how country feels

Okay. First things first. 

CHRIS GOT HIS MISSION CALL!!!!! MY BROTHER!!!! HE IS GOING TO AUSTRALIA!!! I'm so excited for him!!! Anyway  (Mom edit- Sydney North Mission to be exact. Leaving August 16)

This week was honestly a tough one. We are working our butts off to no avail. We are "Finding constantly, talking with everyone, working with members" and haven't been able to find anyone. I'm not going to complain too much because we are having 2 baptisms this Saturday but after that we won't have anyone to teach. Literally. We will be down to one, count em, one investigator. But we are making plans to have the members introduce us to people and really focus on working through the members specifically the youth. 

Honestly that is pretty much all that happened this week. We went out and Tracted, walked around town, went and helped a member put in his speakers into his car when we happened to stop by. So I now know how to put in door panel speakers. It's super easy by the way. 

Transfer calls are coming up this Saturday. I've come to the point where I just do not care where I go or what I do. I'm just excited for anything. I'll be happy to stay to help the work progress here, but also a change is always good. I absolutely love my mission. I can't wait till Chris goes out to Australia. He will get an aussi accent and I'll have a southern accent. Well, not really. I can speak banjo, Southern twang, and a soft accent but I also have my, little Elder Maxfield normal California accent. I do have lots of pictures from this week so stay tuned. 

Love yall! 

Reese 

Sunsets are starting to get pretty again 

MOFORD reunited 

3 zones 1 conference

 

 CHIPOTLE IS MY LYYYFFFEEEEE

Golden hubcaps means you had one of the Cleanest car. 2nd transfer in a row!!!! 

"I Nephi being extremely large in stature" 

When youre trying to work with an investigator..... This is a real text we got lol 

Oh look at that... Malibugatti 

We gotta give this world back to God

Elder Reese Maxfield's Level Chart
Desire to Serve: High
Faith: High
Stress levels: High
Tiredness: Very High
Knowledge of what he is supposed to do: Not a Clue
Where does he need to go: No Idea
Is he Hungy: Always

That basically describes my week! We are officially down to 3 people
we are actively teaching now!! YAY!! I wonder how many people are
teaching less that that. I certainly hope not too many. It is okay
because all three are on date or are getting close. The rest of our
time is spent tracting or trying to find a place TO tract.

We have been trying to find places out in the sticks to teach people.
If you look up Morgantown KY you will notice that the "City" is tiny.
There are not too many doors for us to knock on. so we have to go out
into the backwoods to talk to people. It is fun! Very pretty
especially now with spring being here. We tracted for about 3 hours on
Saturday, knocked on 13 houses and talked to 4 people. So much fun!...
Yes sarcasm. Haha but I really have learned so much about how to talk
to people about literally nothing. Its great! Everyone here is so
willing to talk to you about their dog, their Cousin who is in the
military, their family, guns and politics.... but not the Book of
Mormon! and you know what. That is okay. I am a firm believer in
building trust with people we tract into for future missionaries. I
pray that someone who I talk baseball with or cars or whatever with
may one day see some people with white shirts and ties walk up and
wonder... Hmmm those last guys that came by were pretty cool. I wonder
what they believe?

I absolutely love my mission. I love elder Fast!! He is awesome! I
have learned so much from him. He has been struggling a lot and I have
too. We have been able to talk to each other in ways that we both
believe no one else in the mission could. we needed to be companions
together at this time. Its awesome.

Welp really not too much else happened this week. Just preaching
repentance and baptizing converts. You know.

Love Yall! Happy Birthday to KAITLYN MAXFIELD!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Love,
Reese

A super nice house we knocked on. 

Before

After

Wendy's after zone meeting

You'll be amazed at what you find if you take a look through my eyes

This had to be the best conference I've ever listened to. So quick back story before I spill it all. 

This week we had the chance to go to the temple! It was awesome. Before we went, last week President Stone sent out an email inviting all of us to go to conference with a question. We had interviews with him right after the temple and he asked me what my question was. I had been trying to figure one out but I just couldn't! I went to the temple seeking for a question. Not an answer! Isn't that funny haha. But I went into interviews and was honest that I couldn't find a question. So we just started talking about things and then I figured out my question.  I'm sorry but this entire conference was directed to me and no one else. I'm sorry that you guys may have not got too much out of it because they were pretty much saying "Reese, you can do better in this way, or you need to do this" haha isn't it amazing how everyone feels like that at times? 

We had exchanges this week! We went out to Hopkinsville with the Zone Leaders which was fun! Elder Rowland and I Tracted for about 6 hours. Straight. Which isn't the most fun but we got a lot of stuff done. We don't typically find a million new investigators and baptize every week and teach 30 lessons every day(shout out to anyone in Brazil) but we found a couple of new ones. We also ran into some people who don't even know who we are but poured their heart out to us. We talked to one guy who had been molested by their priest. Another who had just had twin daughters where one didn't survive past 19 weeks. He said he could fit her in the palm of his hand. He then went on and talked about all other 5 deaths in his family that were recent. 

It amazes me as missionaries that we just want to share what Jesus Christ taught and people open up to us with their deepest worries, fears, questions, sadnesses. It's  so hard to see this sometimes. We want to help them but they just won't let us. People don't really want to talk to the Mormons out here. But that's okay. "Every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ" 

Anyway this week was defiantly a good one. Very difficult however. Elder Fast got sick again and I had to invite him make sure to follow the diet the mission nurse gave to him. He wasn't too happy but he followed it and is now better! I'm so happy that he is feeling better now. He and I both want to do missionary work. But you can't do it if you are sick!!! 

So my 11 month mark is hitting tomorrow. I've been a missionary for 11 months. Wow. Where does the time go? Anyway. 

Guys I love my mission. It has changed my life. It will continue to change my life. I'm so happy that I have the chance to serve here in Morgantown (Nowheresville), KY. But that's okay. It is very small. Culture shock yes but I love it. The people are kind. "Everybody knows everybody. Everybody calls ya friend. Don't need no invitation, kick off your shoes come on it. (Unless it's the Mormons) 

Welp love yall! Keep, I don't know haha, doing good things? Yeah. That. Keep doing good stuff! That is good! Yes! Okay. 

Love y'all 

Reese 

Am i back at home????

So elder Fast is a bit taller than me.

So I fixed the problem. 

The district! 

Elder Olsen! 

What the heck am I doing in Nashville? Huh... wow. 

There must be something in the water

Good Morning yall! I'm sending this off early because I dont know when ill have wifi today. we are going down to Clarksville for Pday and then on exchanges up in Hopkinsville! Should be fun!

Wowza... what an interesting week. So basically.... this week was great! A finally got baptized on Friday!!!! It was awesome!!! She has been so excited to get baptized for a long time now. President Dennis, came up and interviewed her, said that her son could get blessed as a baby that Sunday!!! So she asked me to preform that blessing... but it didn't happen yesterday. It will be done after conference. 

Let's see... Elder Fast is finally getting better. He hasn't thrown up all week. My birthday was boring. Elder Fast ate some mushrooms that he is allergic to on Monday night and was sick all tuesday. So we had to stay in. We tried to find members to come watch him while i went out with some other people but no one was available that day. I thought I would get really anxious/depressed/annoyed becasue i was in the apartment for 4 days pretty much but PRAYER WORKS! I asked God to help me get through it. He did. I actually learned a lot from us not being able to go out. 

Yesterday I gave a talk in sacrament meeting. I was super worried about how I was going to present it, but when I gave the talk everything came out the best way that i wanted it to. I referenced a talk from the October 2004 General Conference Titled "Press On" And it says this. Sorry im not going to translate it to Portuguese or Spanish or whatever language you may be speaking. 

"No one is immune from Satan’s influence and temptations. Do not be so proud to think that you are beyond the adversary’s influence. Be watchful that you do not fall prey to his deceptions. Stay close to the Lord through daily scripture study and daily prayer. We cannot afford to sit back and take our salvation for granted. We must be anxiously engaged our whole lives. These words of President Brigham Young motivate and remind us that we can never give up the fight to endure: “The men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle every day [for this sacred goal].”"

SO. I have the question. Are you battling? Are you fighting each day for that seat? Will you earn it? 

I love my mission. Every minute of it. 

Love yall 

Reese

My Family is the best family! Thank you so much!!!

So. Many. Post-it. Notes. Time for a clean up

Im nOt CrAzy im just a LitTle UnWell

Oh my goodness... So Elder Fast (My new companion) has been sick for the past couple days and its Sunday evening. He has been throwing up since Friday morning... Soooo... we called the mission nurse the next day and she told us to stay inside.... WELL we didn't. Ashley and Will GOT MARRIED!!!!!!!! They are our two most progressing investigators. Ashley will be getting baptized on Friday! I am so excited for her! Will has the desire to be baptized, but he still smokes and hasn't been to church yet... but he wants to be baptized. So excited.

So we then stayed inside and elder fast continued to be sick through the day. We decided that we needed to go to church even though he still wasn't feeling well. He leaned over to me during sacrament meeting... and then got sick again. Ironically the mission nurse called us just before sacrament and left a voicemail.So we texted her and told her we were at church... she then said that we should be at home!! So... we stayed at church, mostly because we were teaching during the second hour and didn't want to have to throw that on our Branch Mission leader last minute... but needless to say... I WOULD MUCH RATHER BE TRACTING THAN BEING IN THIS APARTMENT!!!!!!!

I feel SO USELESS!!! But its okay. I've had some pretty BOMB studies while I've been in here. Locked in with only P-Day in sight. SO, that is why I have one of my favorite songs as the subject of this weeks email. Cuz I've gone a little nUtz...

But on a serious note, this week was awesome. I sure miss Elder Mathews a lot. He and I got really close in the 6 weeks we were together. So proud... So proud.

We were able to set 2 baptismal dates this week! One of them is the girlfriend of a member, and the other is a former investigator. I am so excited! Hopefully that we can teach and help them come closer to God. 

Oh man as I have studied today, I have learned that this church is the only true church! There is no other. It is a very BOLD statement, yes, but I know and believe it with my whole heart and soul. I want everyone to understand why it is so important to be baptized by someone holding the authority of God. The Bible testifies of "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism" (Ephesians 4:5) There is only one way. The Bible also testifies that people will wander away from God. Not.. might, but there will be a falling away. Once again the Bible says, "Behold the days come... that I will send a famine in the land... and they shall wander... to and fro to seek the word of the Lord and shall not find it." (Amos 8:11-12) The Authority left the earth, but i know that BECAUSE GOD LOVES US SO MUCH, He promises us that he will show us the way. He gave us a prophet, Joseph Smith, who wondered which church was true. Who wanted to know why there were many churches. So he decided to take up the challenge extended in James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God." He went into that grove of trees, knelt down and received that answer. He says "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me... When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other--This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" 

I know that this church is true. No doubt. I love my mission. It has changed me more than anything has. I can see it. I looked into the mirror the other night and saw who God has turned me into. I cant wait to look into MY mirror at home in a year and 6 weeks to see how much more God has changed me.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Love yall

Reese

This is our super sketchy bench press

Will and Ashleys wedding

We cover 2 areas. Its, how a famous President once said "HUUUGGGEEEE"

Elder Mathews and Sis. Gray were able to skype into the wedding the other day! #MoFordliveson 

No We Ain't Never Getttin Older

THIS WEEK WAS AWESOME!!!!! Mostly just because of yesterday's, because....

I saw the O's again!!!!!! We had Stake conference in Hopkinsville and A (mom note - A Is the girl from the first family Reese baptized) was giving a talk!!!! Oh man. It was such an awesome experience to be able to see her conversion from her perspective. As missionaries we see people but we cannot see what is going on behind doors when we leave. A was able to share what was going on after Elder Jessop and I left their home. Oh!! she has been accepted into BYU-I and will be attending later this year!!!!!!!!!! I am stoked for her. Also. I want to ask y'all to keep her dad in your prayers. With him being in the army, he can get deployed. Later this month he will leave for 9 months for deployment in Kuwait. So please pray for him and his safety while he is out there. Seeing them just increased my love for them so much. I failed to get a picture with them but it's okay. I love the O's. 

Also, during Stake conference president stone was giving his talk right after A gave hers. President caught my ear as he proceeded to read a letter that a "certain" missionary wrote him back in June. He said and I quote "A missionary serving here in the Hopkinsville Stake wrote this to me, quote...

'This week I had one of the first miracles of my mission. On Saturday morning, during comp Study, we wanted to practice tracting approaches. What the goal was, was to work on different approaches for us to do when we knock on a door. When tracting, we Kinda get into a set of certain words that we use all the time. My goal was to use different words. So, when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to say during this practice, I couldn't think of anything! I eventually pulled out a scripture that I had looked at the day before. Alma 34:32 tells us what the purpose of this life is. It says 

"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."

This tells us simply what our goal in life should be. But no matter what, this is the purpose of our life. Later that day we were out knock on doors. Elder Jessop knocked on the first door. No one answered that door. My turn was up. I went up to the door wanting to use what I had studied earlier that day in Alma. I knocked on the door, a lady opened and I introduced who we were. I then proceeded to ask her what she thought the purpose of this life was. She responded saying that she had been wondering that for the past little while. I then proceeded to read that scripture to her. She loved it! She wanted to hear more and learn more about what we had to say. We then talked to her and taught her the first lesson. We will be going back there on Saturday. I cannot believe that the exact thing that I had studied that morning was the exact thing that this lady needed to hear""" end of quote

PRESIDENT STONE QUOTED ME IN STAKE CONFERENCE!!!!! Oh my goodness I was stoked. I can't tell you how much that meant to me. But it wasn't over yet. He then continued on and told about how prepared A

was from his understanding by reading more of my emails to him. I didn't realize how important that letter was going to be in 8 months. Wow. This Stake conference was crazy. I love it here. I can't tell you how much I love serving SPECIFICALLY in the Hopkinsville Stake.  There were other experiences shared by members of wards that I've served in that I was a part of. I can't even express to you my happiness right now. As some people would say... I can't even. 

Welp. Hopefully that made sense. If not. Sorry

Oh so elder Mathews is leaving me. Leaving me in the middle of hicktown. And guess where he is going. Yep. Clarksville..... I'm so mad. And Sis. Gray, another member of the district is going to Clarksville as well... So yeah. Oh and I'm the only one in my district who is staying... Yay. I love it. But it's okay. I swear I'll live. Super stressed right now but it's all good. That's what blessings are for. 

I love yall so much. 

Super hero's--Sis. McFarland, Sis. Gray, Elder Mathews, yours truly

  He is the son of an investigator--(basically a member) 

They say don't look back... Oops. No ragrets.

 Zone conference 

Cleanest car in the zone!!!! What whattttttttt!!!! #malibugatti