Kaleo Reyes

July 7, 2025

"I still talk to the Lord on my knees" 

 

Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bK8UDiLK64umQpqE8

 

Happy 4th of July! I hit a year today which is crazy, but we had a super weird week this week with everything going on. Earlier this week there were some really bad flash floods. Our area got hit but not as bad as other parts of Texas.We got to watch some fireworks on the 4th or July and I've converted Elder Fredriksen to Freedom (he's American now) . Along those lines I've been having a ton of fun teaching Elder Fredriksen about America, Texas, and hispanics. He reminds me a lot of Butters from South Park hahaha. Here are some of my favorite things we've learned/tried this week along with a corresponding quote from him. 

 

-tamales: "are tamales like tacos?"

-Big Red: (the soda) "Big red tastes like joy" 

-Pupusas: "they (hispanics) just stuff everything with cheese and I love it"

-free refills at fast food places: "Elder Reyes you're saying I can drink as much soda as I want" 

 

Anyways, it's been a lot of fun and we've been learning a lot about America and what American historical events are ok to talk about in public (The Alamo, 2016 NBA Finals) and which ones are probably less proper (9/11, pearl harbor, slavery). Anyways, life has been absolutely amazing and we've been able to see so many miracles this week.

 

Daitemir

I just wanted to share a little thought about our friend Daitemir. After one of our first lessons with him I was very frustrated because he would just agree with everything we'd say or say I don't know when we would ask him questions, and I felt like he didn't really understand what we were trying to teach. Our next lesson with him we were reading a scripture where it talks about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and after I asked him what he was being taught by the spirit. He kinda looked at the words for a moment before looking up and telling us that it was talking about how it was teaching him that Jesus Christ is our Savior and He loves him. How merciful is our Lord, to speak to our understanding through the spirit. I testify that God teaches to our understanding and even though our understanding is so little, he will make his words plain unto us. 

 

Have a great week 

Go cougs 

 

1. First paleta 

2. Daitemir

3. Brudda Rain

4. First lizard seen 

​

June 23, 2025

Photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/bK8UDiLK64umQpqE8

 

Well, we had transfers probably like a 2 week and ago and im training again! My trainees name is Elder Fredriksen and he's from Alberta Canada! Our time together has been awesome, he's a very diligent missionary and we've been having a ton of fun. His name is really hard for hispanics to say, so I just tell them it's Elder Friend aka Elder Amigo, so now all our friends call him Elder Amigo hahaha.  

 

The work has been really good, but really hard lately. We have a ton of people who are so awesome and are so close to being baptized, but a lot of them refuse to come to church or even leave their houses due to the migration stuff goin on. It's very tough, but I trust the Lord's timing and know he has a plan for each of them.

 

On a better note we had some fun teaching experiences this week, here was my favorite:

 

Los Padres Magicos:

 

About a week ago we found this venezualan dude named Crispulo. He's super funny, but we came back to his house to teach him and his whole family and the lesson was crazy. He had been taught by missionaries in Florida and Chile for a while, and we were trying to figure out what theyd taught him when he says "se ve cómo teemy torner" (he looks like timmy turner). Elder Amigo understands a solid amount of spanish for being 2 weeks out in the field, but he didn't know what they were talking about. I unfortunately did, and then they start dying laughing. They started talking about "Fairly odd parents" the TV show and how Elder Fredriksen looked like Timmy Turner . They don't actually look a like, but Crispulo and his brother thought it was so funny, they showed a photo of Timmy Turner to Elder Fredriksen. Elder Fredriksen was a good sport about it, but I felt bad one of his first lessons in the field, he jusy got roasted for a straight 20 minutes. 

 

Spiritual thought:

 

Elder Fredriksen and I have seen a crazy amount of miracles lately. He often asks me if what we just experienced is normal in the mission and I let him know that miracles happen, but usually not as crazy as the ones weve been seeing. I've been pondering our experiences and I love that God is showing Elder Fredriksen this is his work, and there is nothing and no one who can stop the continuation of it. I think it's also because, not knowing the language or the work too well right now, Elder Fredriksen is forced to rely more fully on his Heavenly Father, giving him the opportunity to see the miracles first hand. I know God is a God of miracles, and he always will be. I know that he wants so badly to give us the miracles we need, but a lot of times we try to limit him by asking for the miracles we think we need, forgetting that he has such wonderful plans for each one of us. 

 

May 26, 2025

"Y ahora me quieres cambiar" 

 

Well, the work has been absolutely amazing as of lately. Elder West and I have been working super hard and we've seen tons of miracles already. I have no idea why but the people here are more ready to hear the gospel than in Riverside. We've been let into so many apartments and houses here for no reason. Unfortunately today, after playing soccer and then while playing basketball, I absolutely destroyed my ankle . Even though I still hit the three in Elder Carvers eye to win the game (Kobe>curry), I'm cooked and I'm praying it's just a sprain . 

 

Also about basketball I got to see a little of the Knicks game so that made my day. Shoutout Jace, I never believed you about the Knicks but yall made it .

 

This week was full of really interesting events, but here's my favorite one! 

 

Master driver:

 

For a little context, i thought utah drivers were bad, and a lot of them are, but they have literally nothing on texas drivers. I question everyday how someone who has negative ability to drive is allowed to operate machinery such as a car.
Like 3 days ago, while driving through a parking lot, on our way to a meat market, we noticed a man in reverse, but because we were driving and he was backing out and we were pretty much behind him, we assumed that he'd just stop. Bro did not stop, and somehow managed to back out into our bumper. Anyways so Elder West hops out and this dude starts cussing him out like it wasn't his own fault . Then all he says is (in Spanish) "I don't have papers or money, sorry" and drives off. We did not get his license plate . 

 

Spiritual thought:

I've really just been thinking about gratitude and how powerful gratitude really is. I think often times I think about pride and comparison and how tough pride can be, but I know through sincere gratitude we can be alleviated of the pride we have. I really am just so grateful I'm here on my mission, and I'm so grateful for all the wonderful examples in my life and blessings the Lord has given me. Im also grateful for the trials, and I'm grateful the Lord trusts me enough to give me them. I could write hundreds of paragraphs of things I'm grateful for, but really I'm truly grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful for him and this wonderful gospel that brings me so much real joy. I just want to testify that if you want more joy in your life, please find Jesus in every part of your day and thank him for everything that you have. 

​

May 5, 2025

https://photos.app.goo.gl/bK8UDiLK64umQpqE8

 

"Did you realize, that you were a champion in their eyes?" 

 

I'm so bad at writing emails I'm so sorry, but a lot has happened since my last one. I had a great final transfer in Riverside with Elder Peacock and we got so much awesome work done. I was curious to see where I was going, and it was greater than I could imagine. Pretty much there are 2 biggest spanish areas in my mission in Riverside (South) and Lake Austin (North), and I just got transfered from Riverside to Lake Austin hahaha. Not only that but my new comp is one of my favorite Elders, Elder West  who lived with me in Riverside for a transfer. Anyways, there was a lot for eventful stuff and a lot of cool miracles, but here's the biggest update/story.

 

Garden Warfare:

 

Well, a couple weeks ago, one of our buddies was asking if we knew anyone who could give him a job. We did, so we talked to our newly baptized member and set up a gardening job for our buddy. Didn't really think a lot about it til I was in a ward council meeting, and our Bishop asked us if we knew any cuban fellas named _______.  I said I did because we had been teaching him, and Bishop pretty much just looked at me and told us not to keep teaching him because they recieved information from an anonymous source that he was dangerous. This was a complete surprise cuz our buddy was an absolute teddy bear and would always give us food and presents and stuff. Anyways later that day we recieved a text from our new member who had got our buddy _____ a job, and he asked us if Bishop had told us. We were like yeah, we're not going to teach him anymore and he was like, no, you really need to stay away from him. He then proceeded to tell us the FBI were in pursuit of him . He told us he'd used the gardening job as a front to traffic illegal drugs and cash in fraudulent checks and the FBI may need to question us about him  (we did not get questioned by them ). Anyways, so that is the one and only time I will ever refer my friends for jobs to members #ripmembertrust

 

Spiritual thought:

We had a wonderful chance to hear from D. Todd Christofferson of the quorum of the 12 this week as well as some other general authorities and it was simply amazing. I've heard from other general authorities before, but as a missionary it was different. I heard so many good things from him to answer a lot of my questions, and one of my favorite things he said, was that the gospel is more than theory. I loved that because the gospel of Jesus Christ is really a balance of knowledge and practice, and we absolutely cannot simply know or understand things, but we have to also apply them. I think for me one of the best examples of this is prayer. We understand the theory behind prayer, as in, we understand that as we pray with a sincere heart, are grateful, and ask for things, we will recieve them, but many times for me atleast, I've caught myself not sincerely thanking my Heavenly Father, or not sincerely having a conversation with him, and that's where I think it turns to theory. Y por eso, I want to invite yall this week, to make sure your prayers are more than theory, and I know that as you pray with an open grateful heart, there will be no space for anything but the love you have for your Heavenly Father. 

 

Go cougs  

Hes back.

​

March 24, 2025

"Ahora ve la vida diferente"

 

Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bK8UDiLK64umQpqE8

 

I'm very sorry for lacking on these emails, but transfers just happened and I'm staying for 1 more in Riverside (downtown)! The work is absolutely wonderful right now and we're preparing a couple of our friends for baptism. 

 

Anyways, we've had some crazy stuff happen, but here's one of my favorites

 

Please stop giving me meat:

For those of you who know me, know I eat a decent amount of food. Unfortunately sometimes we become prideful and reliant in our own abilities and that was the case this last week. We were invited to our buddy's birthday, so I ate a decent lunch right before thinking I'd be able to stomach whatever was at the birthday party. We got to the birthday party, and our buddy was grilling. After talking to his wife and friend for a second, our buddy walked over to us with this massive plate full of just meat. At first I thought it was for everyone, but he let us know it was just for me and Elder Peacock. Being already pretty full, I figured we could just eat a little and take the rest home. No, no no no no no. Our buddy introduced me to a little thing called Cuban hospitality. We sat there, eating meat, while he cut slice, after slice of meat, waiting til we finished our piece til he gave us another. I dont think he understood I was telling him that I was good because I couldn't eat anymore, and not because I didn't want to eat the meat he cooked, but there was like 3 lbs of this meat, and bro literally sat there til we finished all of it . I was so sick. So much pain, physically, but also emotionally. I had relied on my own will, my own flesh, and was a victim to the meat. I learned a lot that day, and of some unforgettable lessons. Never did i think I'd be chastised by meat on my mission, but I won't forget the  lessons it taught me.

 

Spiritual thought:

2 Nephi 27:23

 

23 For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.

 

God wants us to give us miracles, but he simply can't if we don't have faith. As all of our actions have consequences, good and bad, so does our faith, and God cannot force miracles on us if we don't have the faith to expect them. I think a lot of times too, we also have pre set miracles in mind, which is kinda goofy if you think about it, as with our pre-set miracles in mind, we're limiting the power of God. Have faith you'll see miracles, or even just the hope to have the faith to see miracles and God will deliver them in ways greater than the ones you had limiting him in your minds. 

​

February 15, 2025

"Good dude, bad night, right place, wrong   time"

"Thank God he ain't too cool for the safe     belt" 

​

Photos:https://photos.app.goo.gl/bK8UDiLK64umQpqE8

 

I don't even really know what to write about this week. I've procrastinated and now I have like a month's worth of crazy stories. Anyways, transfers happened, and my new companion is Elder Peacock. He's from Delaware and we've been in the same apartment for a transfer already, so we already have green chem (we work together well). 

 

The work is going incredibly well and everyday we have been able to teach those God has prepared for us. I'm finally able to express myself the way I want to in Spanish especially outside just the teaching aspect so thats been a blessing. 

 

I really don't even know where to begin story wise because I've been lazy and busy and now I have a ton, but I'll try my best.

 

Renegade Raider:

Yeah pretty much this member we have requested our help to remove raccoons. She told us she'd have the "bombs" ready so we could remove them "permanently". We initially thought we were going to show up and this sweet old hispanic lady was going to just have a bunch of plastic explosives ready to send the raccoons to the telestial kingdom, but she actually meant raid bombs . We spent the next like 45 minutes digging holes under the house, and then in a coordinated effort, threw like 15 raid bombs under all at the same time, so they'd run out the one opening hole. (We did not gas them to death)

 

I will NOT be marrying your daughter:

I feel like this one's self explanatory but the past month we've had multiple of our friends try to pawn their daughters off to us. One of them, while I was on exchanges, first just asked me how tall I was. I let him know and he said I was perfect, a tall American, who could speak spanish. He let me know that I would be marrying his daughter, but there were only two problems. 1. His daughter already had a 1 year old baby 2. She also had a boyfriend. He let me know he'd help take care of "Leonard Smith", her "American Baby", but I'd have to figure out how to deal with the boyfriend hahaha. I politely declined, but expressed my gratitude for his offer to "pay for our whole wedding" . 

 

Spiritual thought:

Yesterday we had a chance to teach this family who had come to church who weve been teaching for a good amount of time now. We had a chance to talk to them about the joy of baptism and the wonderful blessings that would follow, and it was genuinely one of the best lessons I've had on my mission. Not at all because we got to add another statistic, I genuinely could not care less about that, but because I got to be able to be the one to let them know that their family would have even more joy in this life, and be able to have this joy and even greater joy for eternity. The joy from this work is simply undeniable. 

​

January 14, 2025

Well, uh it's been a second. I know I'm slacking on the emails, but its just because im distracted by the joy of the work. The work is going amazing, and God's hand is so apparent everyday. Transfers are in like 3 weeks, and either Elder Larson or I are out, so I'm hoping I get to stay another, but whatever happens, happens. I really only have 2 short stories I'd like to share this week. 

 

1. Really American Cuban

Pretty much, Elder Larson and I were walking by apartments, when this Cuban dude saw us outside and ran outside, and pretty much forced us to enter his house. We were a little nervous because he was kinda crazy and very high, but he ended up taking us in and showing us a retired USA flag that he had got after working at the US embassy office in Cuba. A lot of other really really random stuff happened, but pretty much he yelled at us for like 20 minutes about how much he loves our country and us for being Amercian. He ended up taking off his coat and giving it to us, and taking pictures with us. Really really weird interaction hahaha, but his son was really chill.

 

2. Mis carnales 

After dunking and sharing a message on some 12 year olds who challenged us to 2v2 in the street, we saw this truck driving really slow so I walked up to the car and they rolled down their windows. We talked for a second and I told one that I liked his Texans hat. He took it off and told me something in his heart told him to give it to me. I was like wow that's really spiritual this guy is awesome. No, he just ended up being incredibly intoxicated . We spent like the next 5 minutes trying to have them figure out their phone numbers which only one could remember. I don't think I've laughed so hard in my whole mission, but they ended up being really interested, so we're going to go meet with them this week .

 

I have photos and videos of both stories on the Google photos album.

 

 

Spiritual thought:

Helping others understand that they can experience pure joy on this planet, brings so much joy itself. I think missionary work is a lot like a soccer game and I think I've realized I'd much rather make a run or complete a dribble and get the assist rather than the goal. Sewing seeds of hope, meeting people and being able to witness the change and joy this gospel brings is so wonderful, and being able to open this new area and just help people start, change, and continue their journey in their relationship with Jesus Christ is so beautiful. I testify that that there is truly no greater joy experienced, than that found in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the gospel of joy.

​

December 23, 2024

Ive begun my 4 transfer and only have about 18 months left in my mission. Its pretty crazy and the times flying, but a lot has happened these past couple weeks, unfortunately like 80% of my stories have to do with homeless people fighting, police officers, or both. Anyways here are a few of my favorites

 

1. R6 Siege

Basically Rainbow 6 siege is a video game where one team tries to break (siege)  into a location and plant a bomb and the other team defends the location. Well a couple days ago I watched a real life game where one team (a hispanic man) tried to defend the location (his apartment) from the other team (30 swat officers and 10 dogs) right after we got out of a lesson. It was crazy because it was like 3 doors down and we just walked out and they were like u guys gotta leave. Anyways, the 30 swat guys definitely won the game, but we had a bomb lesson so it was awesome. 

 

2. Big Dawg

I knocked on this door. This dog slammed itself against the screen door.  I looked at Elder Larson and said "if that dog somehow gets out we're cooked". After I said that the dog slammed into it again and was free. It was a Rottweiler . I ran, and not only did I run but I turned the burners on. The area around me was almost like farmlike, so I ran for like 30 seconds with this dog trying to turn me into a t shirt. The Lord always prevails and the dog ended up cooking some squirrel instead 

​

Spiritual thought

I loved the Christmas devotional this year and there were some things said by Leder Oaks that stood out to me. "The most important things in life are repetitious. We never tire of hearing the sacred name of our Savior. We never tire of the companionship of loved ones. We never tire of hearing “I love you.'". I love this quote. We can never tire of the love from our Savior, but unfortunately we may tire in doing the things which help us feel it the most.

Love yall

​

December 9, 2024

I can't believe it's almost Christmas. The weather here makes my body think it's like late October early November. It's been pretty cold lately but it's a nice 80 today. We went on exchanges on Friday and it was definitely the weirdest exchange I've ever been on. Pretty much most of the crazy stuff that happened, happened with Elder Ortiz on exchanges. For some backround, Elder Ortiz is from Ecuador, but he moved to Utah for a year and speaks really good English for only speaking for 2 years, but there are times where he cant understand words I use, and he mispronounces words which ends up being super funny. Here are some of the stories from exchanges. 

 

1. GTA VII 

While waiting at a light, we noticed this homeless lady. Pretty normal, but the difference was she was running up to people's windows and just yelling at them. She made her way around and then towards our car . It was like the longest 10 seconds of my life. She was just yelling at us, trying to open our door, and banging on our windows. We thought the cop right next to us was gonna do something, but I guess it's normal enough that he didn't care. After going through the light Elder Ortiz just turned to me and said "Elder did she just try to GTA us". 

 

2. Exotic Pros

While on the way back from a lesson, Elder Ortiz and I spotted something that was a little out of the ordinary. We parked and ran back to this little fence, where there was this large animal. It was an Emu. That's pretty much the end of the story. We talked to it for a couple minutes but uh yeah, it was an Emu, that's pretty much it . It was really weird to see that big of a bird in person just in some dudes front yard, but thats just Texas I guess.

​

Spiritual thought:

3 Nephi 14:20

20 Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.

 

I love this scripture because although it's very applicable to us knowing other people, it's also cool to see that this is how God sees us. When a gardner sees the fruit a plant yields, he sees the final result of the labor, but has also been able to watch the growth of the fruit. I love that God does not just see us for where we are, but sees how much we've grown, and will continue to grow. 

 

Go cougs

​

December 2, 2024

"But if God got us then we goin be alright"

​

Yeah these past couple weeks have been crazy. I feel like im in Gotham sometimes just with how many police cars are always chasing someone, watching all these drunk people get arrested, and with everything just burning down all the time. Anyways, the work is going amazing and the Spanish is definitely getting better. 

 

We had Thanksgiving this week and Thanksgiving in Texas is different. We got to eat heaps of Carne asada, ribs, chicken, beans, rice, and the usual turkey and things. It was amazing. We had some crazy stories these past couple weeks in the city, so here are a few.

 

1. 91 ovr Martial euros card

On Thanksgiving our ward hosted a turkey bowl game of soccer vs one of the wards from North Austin. It was a highly anticipated game and they had to let us know beforehand that things might get heated. I played for the riverside team and the game was crazy. I heard so many Spanish words that I knew i wasn't allowed to use. We were up 3-2 with about 10 minutes left and I knew it was hero time. I got the ball in the middle and iced the game with an absolute screamer (tap in). We ended up winning and they only had a couple scuffles so it was a success. The whole time they had a dj playing music and he was playing songs in English that were very not clean and very much not church approved, but i guess it's ok if they only speak spanish hahaha. 

 

2. An honest man

While in the parking lot contacting of one of our favorite meat markets after finding out it had burned down #ripzapco, we found this guy who we started talking to. After hearing our message, he told us we needed to visit him the next night at the bar, and he would let us in (he's the bouncer) and we could have a couple drinks and share more messages about Jesus with everyone in the bar. We loved his spirit, but he then informed us that we should probably get going because at night, there are a lot of drunk drivers and people getting shot in that area. He told us he knew this because he does a lot of the drunk driving in that area, and had shot 2 guys in which, he had just got out of jail for a double murder. We thanked him for looking out for us, and went on our way.

 

Spiritual thought:

Alma 26:27

27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

 

I love this scripture because it is applicable to so many things in all of our situations. Life can be incredibly difficult and new situations and circumstances can be so tough, but as we have patience with them and ourselves, and give the trial unto God. He will give us success. 

 

Go cougs

​

November 18, 2024

"Don't let, don't let the lifestyle drag you down"

​

This week has definitely been different from the rest in my mission. President was not lying when he said this place was deep Spanish. Living a couple minutes from downtown Austin has given us experiences that are truly one of a kind. I love my new apartment and the Elders here. So much has happened, but I'll just share a couple of them really quick.

 

1. Brother Joseph

One day while driving back to our apartment, we saw this homeless guy asking for food and drink. I remembered we had this energy drink in the back we got from one of our friends so I called him over. He ran up to our window and as we gave him the drink he looked at us and said "thank you brothers, all hail Joseph Smith oh yeahhhh " . I love talking to the homeless people (we worship Jesus Christ) 

 

2. Matthew 7:7 

After being a couple minutes late to a member meal, my trainee and I were jogging to their apartment when we found ourselves in the middle of a huge soccer game. We carefully walked to the side of the courtyard were they were playing, when one of the kids called me over. He was probably like 7, but he looked at me for a second and then just yelled "f@#$ me!". I was kinda confused because he was pointing at me, but I think lil bro was trying to cuss me out. Unfortunately for him, his mom who was standing outside of one of the apartments above us had heard, and began to walk down chancla in hand. I didn't get to witness the rest of it, but ask and ye shall recieve. 

 

Spiritual thought:

33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage

 

I love this scripture because we all have our own type of bondage. It is through our trust in the Lord that we may be freed, and although that may not be in the time frame, or way we had hoped, it will always end in a way greater than we could have hoped for.

 

Nos vemos

​

November 11, 2024

"Livin', speakin', praise God

 Walkin out the graveyard

           Back to life"

 

Well there was a lot that happened in these past 3 weeks. The work, especially the Spanish work, in my area just started turning up a ton. We just put one of our friends on baptismal date and were planning on putting 3 more on. Unfortunately transfers have come again and I recieved a call. They're moving me again . I feel like everytime the work starts getting really good and I get in the flow I get moved rip. I'm opening a new area in downtown Austin and my area will include UT campus. I'm also going to be training a new kid in spanish . When I received the call, President told me I was going to a deep Spanish area which means I'm basically going to need God to carry me this transfer. 

 

 

So many crazy things have happened over the past 3 weeks, but really I just wanted to share a funny one this week 

 

1. Glozell spider police

As a missionary, you find small things to find joy in the work. This week, that joy came through cinnamon. Elder Commins did not believe me that there was such thing called "the cinnamon challenge" from years ago. I decided to invite him to try it and he obliged. 5 missionaries witnessed Elder Commins fill a large spoon to the brim with cinnamon, put it in his mouth, and face the consequences. It took only moments before he started coughing it up. Full of spite Elder Commins took a large stick over to the side of the apartment. It took us only a moment to realize what he was doing. There are incredibly large spiders in texas, and Elder Commins managed to get one the size of his palm onto this stick. I've never run so fast in my life. He chased us with this tarantula sized spider on a stick around the parking lot til he couldn't run anymore. 

 

Spiritual thought:

 

2 Nephi 33:6

 

6 I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.

 

I truly love this work, and I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I know He has redeemed my soul from hell and its solely through him that we are saved. 

 

Go Cougs 

(Great game from the Utes)

(BYU was not bailed by the refs)

(Yall only scored one drive cuz of a face mask that didn't happen)

(Hook em ) 

 

October 21, 2024

"It's sorta fly you get a chance to say hi to
People you never got a chance to say bye to"

​

Well I had a great week. Today we got to go to the city and mess around a little so that was fun. Nothing too crazy happened this week. We had some fun lessons and a great time with the Spanish. Last pday I accidentally hit a pregnant lady playing volleyball. Needless to say I hung up the jersey and have not seen the court since. Life is great and I'm continuing to meet awesome members. Some of these members had some crazy stories for us. Here is my favorite for the week.

 

1. "Make my day"

One member I met this week is famous in our mission. She throws service projects constantly and I got to participate in one for the homeless on Tuesday. Her name is Ma Burton and she is called Ma because she's had hundreds of foster kids and everyone in the ward is "her kid". Anyways Ma was telling us this story about this time she gave a hitchhiker a ride when the hitchhiker made a comment about assaulting her mid drive. Little did he know Ma don't play games like that and she pulled out her revolver and pressed it to his head. She asked him to repeat what he said, and when he did she told him to "make my day". The guy jumped out of the window, and Ma has never given a ride to a hitchhiker since. 

 

Spiritual thought:

Although I was impressed with how bold Ma Burton was especially after she told us that she would not have hesitated to pull the trigger, I was more impressed with her quality of charity. Ma Burton has housed hundreds of foster children, as well as homeless people who wanted a chance to change. This level of love she has for people who have been overlooked or been put in bad situations, as well as for everyone was simply amazing to me. It reminded me of Mosiah 2:17

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

I love this scripture and I've felt it's truth in my time on and off my mission. I know that making even the smallest effort can change someone's day and bring you joy from God.

 

Go Cougs

​

October 14, 2024

"Lust's gonna get you killed, but pride's gonna be the death of you" 

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/bK8UDiLK64umQpqE8

 

Before I start, I just wanted to say I fortold of this day. Every year I've been conscious I've preached to the masses that this was our year, that BYU football was going to shock the world and every year ive been laughed at, mocked, beguiled, contradicted by Utah and BYU fans alike. But not this year. All it took was 2 of the most delusional, Zach Wilson, Jaren Hall loving, BYU fans, Elder Hobi and I, to serve full time missions. So to anybody who's struggling or going through a hard time, I'd like to offer you the same advice I'd offer myself in 2016 after crying post BYU Utah game. 

 

It will get better. 

 

Anyways, I had a fantastic week. I can say I love this place and the people in my new area. I was a little disappointed upon arrival because they told me I would be using mostly English because this was an English area, but after further consideration, the Spanish missionaries (who have to drive an hour to do the Spanish work in my area), asked President if they could give me the Spanish friends in the area, and he said yes. This is awesome but also scary. I have a couple lessons this week, my comp speaks no Spanish, our friends speak no English, and my Spanish is like Cam Rising (bad). 

 

I'm so grateful for the opportunities regardless and I know that even if my Spanish is insufficient, the spirit won't be. These past weeks I've had some fun experiences with my new comp Elder Commins, here are some of my favorites:

 

1. La traición

I've been practicing spanish a lot in our apartment. Lately Elder Commins has been copying a lot of my phrases, so I started using a new one. Pedo. Roughly translated, pedo in Spanish means fart. I told him it means "I understand", so he uses it frequently. I understand this is probably wrong, and that I shouldn't find fart jokes funny as an adult. But I do. A couple days ago we were talking with one of our friends who's first language is Spanish. I talked to him primarily in my broken Spanish and eager to join in, Elder Commins started to use his new phrase. Hearing simply the word fart in your native language from some random white guy would confuse most, with our friend being no exception. Seeing his confused look, Elder Commins repeated it 2 or 3 times more. Annunciating every syllable. Our friend and I started dying laughing and I explained to both of them what happened. Fortunately Elder Commins is a great sport.

 

 

Spiritual Thought:

I loved all the General Conference talks from last weekend, and one theme I took away was the danger of pride in our lives. I loved what Elder Bednar said regarding this when he said "if we are not faithful and obedient, we can transform the God-given blessing of prosperity into a prideful curse that diverts and distracts us from eternal truths and vital spiritual priorities." Though prosperity can be the richness of a blessing, it can also be the hastening of our demise. I would like to invite all of you to express gratitude more often through prayer, word or action, and especially for the things we take for granted. 

 

Shoutout list: (in no order) 

1. Parker Kingston

2. My Mom, Ella, Lily, Renee, and Elder Gill for having birthdays

3. Jake Retzlaff

4. Cam Rising

5. Elder Commins

 

Go cougs 

​

October 1, 2024

"And anything that happens is for a reason" 

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Pues, this week was transfers and my companion told me not to worry about it because trainees never get transferred after 1 transfer (6 weeks). They told me I'd probably stay in marble falls til December. This did not happen, I'm getting transfered. It broke my heart a little to hear I was getting transferred because we were about to put 4-5 friends on date and the work is going amazing here, but it's ok. They're transferring me to an English area to open up the Spanish, which means my companion won't speak Spanish and I'll have to do the teaching alone. Estoy cocinado. Anyways, I had some fun stories from this week. 

 

1. ¿Quieres una cerveza? 

This week Elder Blackmun and I went on another exchange. The reason we go on so many exchanges is because both of our companions are zone leaders and they go to meetings occasionally. Anyways we met some hispanic dudes drinking in the parking lot of some apartment buildings and we started talking to them about coming to our English class. One of the dudes was drunk and told us he knew English and said some of the words he knew in English. Unfortunately all the words he knew in English would get me sent home if I put them in this email. Afterwards, the other guys said they would love to learn English and would come to English class because then maybe the government would think they were from America and they could get their papers. Throughout this whole exchange they offered us beer probably 15 times even after we told them that we don't drink, we were missionaries, and that I was 19 hahaha. They kept telling us we could drink because Jesus drank wine hahaha

 

2.

On yet another exchange, I met Eric. Eric was recently baptized and has such a strong faith in God. While he was saying the closing prayer he asked God to give him more trials so he could strengthen his faith even more. This shocked me, and It made me reflect on my own faith in time of trial. I think a lot of times our first reaction to trial is to turn away from God out of frustration or disappointment, but I know that the thing you're being tried with will give you an experience you need. I also know when we turn to God we will receive the strength to overcome it. 

 

Helaman 3:27 

27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.

 

Shoutout list

1. My Cougs 

2. Arizona

3. Cars (not the movie) (I went on a biking exchange) 

4. Antony for not biting me this week

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September 17, 2024

"I came I saw, I praised the Lord" 

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Yes, I know the next lyrics are "and break the law", but I'm running out of songs I enjoy that have gospel connections, so sooner or later all of these are just going to be from the Thurl Bailey gospel album. 

 

Anyways, I had another awesome week and an awesome birthday. Thanks everybody for the birthday wishes, and I'm sorry I couldn't respond on messenger, it's a mission rule. I really feel like I'm fully adjusted and able to work efficiently. One thing that was kinda weird adjusting to was buying my own groceries just with all the freedom I have. For example, today I spent like 14$ on my weekly groceries, which included a $1 fresh baked loaf of bread which I ate right before writing this, and a mini watermelon.

 

I usually would buy more, but this week we had an average of 2 member meals a day, and 3 birthday parties this week. The members heard it was my birthday and so I had no opportunity to use my groceries from last week, as we ate hispanic food or barbecue every day for almost every meal. As for the birthday parties. They almost seemed like they weren't even to celebrate my birthday, but just to outdo the other ladies throwing parties hahahaha. One of these ladies was Abuelita who loves to spoil the missionaries. She ordered a ton of panda express, had 2 cakes for us, and had presents for me . I'm so grateful for all the members in my area, but I swear they just want to see me fat, we have like 5 cakes in our fridge. 

 

Pues, we had a lot of crazy experiences and miracles this week, but I'd like to share one in particular. 

 

1. Catholics don't like CJ Stroud

This week we went over to talk to our new friend Juan. When we showed up to Juan's house, we went to the back fence and saw a man outside the house. We started talking to him and he wasn't very nice. He told us he was catholic and had no interest in us which was fine. I tried some small talk and noticed he had a Texans shirt on (NFL team), and a Texans flag on the back of the house, so I asked if he liked the Texans. He told me yeah and his expression softened a little. I thought I got him and was about to soften him up by talking a little football with the fella, when I asked him if he liked CJ Stroud. For those of you who don't know, CJ Stroud is the Texans Quarterback and beloved by the fan base. I thought this was a safe question, but by his reaction, you would've thought I asked him if we could listen to a 10 minute version of a Taylor swift song. (im joking swifties don't beat me up) He got very angry, and started yelling that we needed to leave, and that he was Catholic. We asked if Juan was there and he told us no, and that Juan was at work all day. Disappointed, we walked back to our car ready to leave. We got into the car, when I had a prompting to call Juan. We called him and he asked where we were and was getting worried we weren't going to show up. He walked out of the same house a couple minutes later, and we had an awesome lesson with him.

 

Spiritual thought: 

Our lesson with Juan was so powerful. He was so excited the whole time to learn, kept telling us how grateful he was, and asked multiple times when church was. I don't cry very often, but when I do it's usually because I feel the spirit strongly. This is unfortunate (fortunate?) because feeling the spirit on a mission is like being full at a hispanics house, it's constant. Juan's desire to learn, and effort he put forward led to our lesson to just be full of joy and to me tearing up in the corner. 

 

Helaman 3:27

27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.

 

Shoutout list (in no particular order)

1. Everyone for wishing happy birthday

2. Sam R for putting me on Thurl Bailey

3. Sam C for teaching me how to talk to old Greek women about Greek olive oil

4. Elder Pohlsander (Great email Elder Bridge) 

5. Juan

6. Big T for trying to get Cam badger to ask him to winters hahaha

​

September 9, 2024

Well I think all the times I made fun of the Skyline Highschool newspaper finally caught up to me. Writing something every week, that you understand not a lot of people but your mom, will take the time to read, even though you put a lil effort into it, is unfortunate and I now empathize with them. 

 

Anyways, this week was a ton of fun, and full of miracles. We got to do more exchanges and that led to some fun stuff. I got exchanged to the English area for a day so I got to meet a new friend we just started teaching named Paul. Paul loves panning for gold in his front yard and going to work. He's a great guy and really enjoyed our lesson. He says he wants to get closer to Jesus and knows we can help him with that. It was super cool to be able to teach in English and connect with him. We're now buddies and he's asked me to help him find a wife hahaha. 

 

This week I saw countless miracles, I feel as if I say that every week but it's true. Instead of 2 or 3 stories this week I'm just going to focus on one.

 

1. Missionary tech support

Last week, Elder Gardner and I invited all of our friends to church, with 5 of them saying they'd be there. Out of all of them none of them ended up showing up except our friend Franklin. We had never met Franklin before and had no idea he planned on coming. He had been taught by the missionaries in our area before us, one time and had never talked to us or answered our calls. We ended up teaching Franklin for about an hour after church. It was such a powerful lesson and experience and he told us afterwards that he could feel what we were saying was true. He said we needed to come by his house later that week for a lesson and we were more than happy to schedule one with him. He asked if either of us was good with technology or had college experience with technology. We said we weren't really. He told us if we could help him with some complex technology at our lesson, he would greatly appreciate it. When we arrived to our lesson, he gave me a little case. I opened it up and it was a pair of Bluetooth headphones hahaha. I connected the headphones to his phone and he said he was so grateful for me. We have now taught him 2 lessons and have a 3rd scheduled for tomorrow. 

 

Spiritual thought:

 

2 Nephi 31: 3:

For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding

 

I love this scripture, and I love how it shows how personal the Gospel is. We are all children of God, but we are also unique children of God with different emotions, thoughts, and understandings. Although the gospel of Jesus Christ is unchanging, the ways it can be communicated to us are changeable to our own understanding. God loves us so much He made His gospel understandable and acceptable to each of us personally.

 

Go Cougs

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September 2, 2024

"When I was led to youuuu"

 

Pretty much all of my emails are just going to continue being themed by songs I like but am starting to forget hahaha. I miss my district and especially my brothers in the district, but this marks my secondish week in Texas and I still love it hahaha. Our days are very busy and we get little time to rest but I love all the time we get to study, talk and teach. Everything's kinda crazy here, but that's led to some fun experiences I've had, here are some of my favorites:

 

1. Prasteurlyting

After getting ghosted at the doorstep of one of our friends, I asked Elder Gardner if we could stop and see the cows that were across the street. Because we had not been able to teach our friend, Elder Gardner suggested I practiced my Spanish on the cows. When we got to the cows all of them ran away but one. She stood and listened to mine and Elder Gardners practice conversations. After practicing for around 5 minutes, we started walking back to our car when a guy driving stopped and started talking to us. We had a great conversation and ended up setting up an appointment with him. It was a little miracle that the cow sat there and listened the whole time because we would have just left immediately and never met our new friend, if the cow had just left with the others hahaha.

 

2. "Honey where is my super suit" 

This week we got to do exchanges. Upon exchanging companions, I met Elder Blackmun. We became great friends immediately. Elder Blackmun is a character. He's from Orange county California and plays the guitar for a band he's in. He's Mexican and his Spanish is really good. Anyways, after a long day of work (and making cookies), I got to bed on the couch of their apartment. Elder Blackmun wished me a goodnight, locked his door and the other Elders went to bed as well. About 15 minutes later the front door rattled open and I was terrified. I thought someone left the door open and someone was breaking in and I was cooked. I looked up and I saw a glowing skeleton. It started running at me and I got up and tried to open the door to Elder Blackmuns room but it was locked. I was actually terrified, but then Elder Blackmun started laughing. Basically Elder Blackmun told me that he likes to sleep in a glow in the dark skeleton Halloween costume he thrifted, and that he snuck out the window in his room and ran around to the front door of the apartment so he could scare me. He then showed me how he "charged" his "super suit". It was a great exchange.

 

Spiritual thought:

2 Nephi 3:21

Because of their faith their words shall proceed forth out of my mouth unto their brethren who are the fruit of thy loins; and the weakness of their words will I make strong in their faith, unto the remembering of my covenant which I made unto thy fathers.

 

God can make use of anyone or anything. This week he used a cow to let us meet our new friend.  Sometimes as a missionary I worry I'll say the wrong thing to a person, but through experience, I know God will strengthen my words according to my faith. I like to remember that some of the most powerful prophets were ones who were not great with words (Moses, Joseph Smith). I know God can make weakness, strength. 

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August 26, 2024

"I will shield your name"

 

Well I made it out of the MTC.  I'm so grateful I no longer have to listen to people complain about the MTC food or sit in a classroom for 7 hours a day. The MTC was a ton of fun, and everyday with my district was awesome. I landed in Austin Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately I got here the hottest week of the summer and as soon as I landed was greeted by a warm 110 with 70% humidity. Honestly I love it and now it's cooling down so it's even better. 

 

Texas has been really weird to be in. I'm so used to seeing mountains, but my area (marble falls), is actually really pretty, with lots of hills and some desert. Some days i feel like im just in South America with some areas being desert and not seeing any white people for the day. I've only been here for about 6 days but have met some of the funniest people, and eaten some of the best hispanic food I've had. I've met some awesome people including my trainer Elder Gardner who's from idaho, Abuelita, Josue, and tons of other friends I've made.  

 

There's a couple things about  Texas that ive had to adjust to. First, there's a ton of wildlife everywhere. I've never seen so many bugs and raccoons and everything. There's a tarantula that lives at the church we go to that we visit sometime (I'll attach a photo). We also saw a donkey in front of someones house that started screaming at us when we got close hahaha.

Second, Texans are very proud of things native to Texas. Some of these things include HEB (Mini Costco), Bluebell ice cream (great Ice-cream but BYU creamery is better), and Whataburger (I almost got shot for mentioning in n out). Anyways, I absolutely love the people and Austin and have a lot of crazy stories. I'm going to add some in from the MTC as some 

 

1. The devil in the dairy aisle

After eating a fantastic meal of barbecue pulled pork and Mac and cheese (I'm sorry Ollie if you're reading this, you'll make it)Elder Gardner and I went to Walmart to get my stuff for the week. While in the dairy aisle buying milk, a man came up to us and started laughing. We shook his hand and asked him what was so funny and he said he knew we were "Jesus people", and said that was too bad because we had just shook hands with the devil. It was kinda hard to take him seriously because his cart was just full of cheez its boxes but we told him that was a shame and went back to shopping. He left us alone, and later we saw him in the parking lot. Elder Gardner told me to hop out and talk to him, and although I didn't really want to talk to him, I did and we had a pleasant conversation where he said he was sorry for earlier and that he actually loves Jesus. I asked if he'd want to hear a message from us later and he agreed. It was kinda a crazy way to start my mission here, only being in texas for like 5 hours, but I was so grateful God softened his heart and let us talk to him again.

 

2. Big cheese (MTC)

After a long day of class at the MTC days before we left for our missions, we began to return to our dorms. While walking, we were stopped by a man covered in shining armor, holding a sword of precious metal. He asked if there was a young lad by the last name of Smith somewhere on the floor. If you remember my last email, there is a young man who is my bunkmate who sleep talks, with the last name Smith. I told the large man about Elder Smith and he said he needed to find him immediately. After i guided him to Elder Smith, hoping he was going to challenge him to a duel or something or stab him, he addressed Elder Smith. He told him that he too was a bearer of the Smith family name, and that his shining armor and precious sword was to be passed down to another Elder Smith before he departed, so the armor and sword would stay in the MTC. Our Elder Smith accepted the calling to become the next "BIG CHEESE". After being knighted, our Elder Smith became the protector of our floor. I'll attach photos of his armor and sword below.

 

3. Chasing doe

While at my first member meal, we noticed a large amount of deer in the back yard. We asked the family why there were so many deer in the backyard and they told us it was because they fed them. After dinner and our lesson, we went out to the front to try and catch a deer. After trying for like 10 minutes Elder Gardner got in the car and just followed me around. After another 15 or so minutes, I cornered this deer kinda, and was about to catch it until it jumped over this lil fence. Not thinking I ran and jumped over the fence to grab it, and continued for a second til I found myself in someone's backyard. After giving up I turned back to the car when I heard noise from behind me. It was barking, from a large German Sheppard who was not happy that I was in his backyard. I'm incredibly grateful for chains and especially the chain that held that German Sheppard from mauling me as i nearly ripped my dress pants on the dumb little fence. 

 

4. Mi apellido

Not so much a story, but having the last name Reyes here is a blessing and a curse. To the white people, they just assume I'm Mexican, so I've been called "Big Mexican" by some of the people we've met. To the hispanics, they just assume I'm Hispanic, which is great because they're super nice to me, but then expect me to be fluent in Spanish. After explaining I'm not fluent in Spanish, they usually ask where my parents are from and stuff like that, to which I have 2 options for answers. 1. Explain in my broken Spanish that my last name comes from the fact that the Spanish colonized the Philippines leaving lots of Filipinos with Spanish last names and me with very distant Spanish relatives. 2. Spain. I take option 2 most of the time, and just say I'm from Spain. Elder Gardner has explained to most of the members that I'm just very racially diverse, but a lot of hispanics after hearing the full story still don't know why my last name is Reyes, so we just say Spain hahaha.

 

Anyways, I absolutely love Austin and have been able to meet and teach so many people. 

 

Spiritual thought:

2 Nephi 4 16 

16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

 

I've been so fortunate enough to see so many miracles this week throughout teaching and meeting new people. I'm so grateful for everyday that I get to study the Book of Mormon and Bible because I know the words within them are true and through them we can know all things.