Meet Sister and Elder McReynolds from England. They are here at the MTC on their way to a mission to Papua New Guinea and they are so excited to serve. Elder McReynolds loves to run but he told us he won't be running in the PNG because it is too dangerous there. They will live in a compound with security.
Sister Howes tells each new intake of missionaries that they are all miracles - each one has a story to tell of how they came to this place.
It was testimony meeting last Sunday and each missionary took a minute or less to bear their testimony. Sister McReynolds told us that she had been an abandoned baby. Her testimony touched our hearts and I asked her if she would write her story for us to share with our family. She graciously did so. Here is Sister McReynolds miracle story.  |
| Sister and Elder McReynolds |
My name is Sister Carol McReynolds
I was born in Leicester England.
I have 5 siblings, one being my parents only child, one being my half brother and 3 being fostered or adopted. We are all very close in age as my brother is only 6 years older than me and I'm the youngest of the 6 of us!
At the age of 5 months I was abandoned by my birth parents, I was then placed into care with 2 wonderful people who became my mum and dad, I have been raised and loved by them and have loved my life.
At the age of 3 my birth mother decided she wanted me back, so I had to go back to her because I had only been fostered, I still remember to this day driving away in a car and watching my mum and dad cry, they were heart broken. A few months later after being abandoned again, I was returned to my mum and dad. It was then decided by courts my birth mother was unfit to look after me and she would have to go to the courts to apply to have me returned to her which she did not attempt again until I was 16 years old, to which I told my social worker to give her a message "I was grateful to her for giving birth to me and I had respect for her and hoped she had found some happiness".
From a young age my parents had never spoke ill of my birth parents, they taught me to still have respect for them and that they had had challenges.
As a fostered child life can still be difficult, even though I had wonderful parents who always treated me as one of their own, there is still a sense of not belonging, even though you are loved so much. Something was still missing for me.
I was raised in the Methodist church and each week we would learn about Christ, my mum always went with us but my dad would stay at home. At the age of 8 the missionaries knocked on our neighbours door, which caused the dog to keep barking and barking, so my mum went out to see what was going on, the neighbour was out, (they had actually decided that it was the last house to knock that day, so we are grateful the Lord made the dog bark so loud!) but the missionaries asked if she had a few minutes to talk with them, they shared a brief message but because my dad was at work they made an appointment to come back later that evening.
I can still remember the feelings I had as they sat in our home and said "Do you believe in God?" To which my mum replied, "yes". They then said the most important message an 8 year old fostered young girl could hear, "Each of you are children of God". My heart leapt as I heard those words, I have had a testimony of being a daughter of God ever since, it has got me through many trials in my life.
Well my mum, dad (he was the first to say yes to baptism!) grandma, brother and an adopted brother were baptised a few months later. My mum and dad applied to my birth parents for me to be baptised, but they wouldn't allow it, so I would have to wait 10 years for my baptism. I attended church each week and did all that was asked of me, I was called as the Junior Sunday school pianist at the age of 12, primary secretary at 13 and had many other callings.
Sometimes it was hard, I couldn't go to the temple when all my friends went (Elder McReynolds being one of them) but my brother, sister and I would go with them and wait in the coach while they were inside doing baptisms. When they came out they would tell us how they felt, and what they had been doing. It always made us feel part of going to the temple.
10 years is a long time to wait to be baptised, but the day had come when my twin brother and sister turned 18 in June, my birthday was the following November. We were all so excited, I'm not sure how it happened but in the end a date was set for August so we could all get baptised together, I wouldn't quite be 18 but my social worker said go ahead!!
It was the most marvellous day, the stake centre was full. My dad, who I always wanted to baptise me, had poor health so our bishop said it would be OK for my Dad and brother to baptise us together, so that was a wonderful blessing. It was a wonderful occasion and I felt so blessed, I still think back to that day and tears can flow as I remember the time of waiting. I know my Heavenly Father blessed me with wonderful parents but also loving and supportive friends. I never felt left out in anything as my friends were so faithful in the gospel. I had the added blessing of marrying one of those friends who helped me through those years.
I testify there is a God who loves us, we are His sons and daughters, he wants the best for us and as we strive to live the covenants we have made, the blessing flow.
I love my earthly parents who have always been there for me, I know I will meet my dad again in the eternities as I have been blessed with being sealed to them.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
With much love, Sister McReynolds
New Intake with Sister Beus
A month or so ago Aaron and Lorraine emailed to tell us that their neighbor Chloe Beus would be coming to the MTC and serving in the Auckland mission. Her grandma bought Aaron and Lorraines other house in Farmington, and her mother has been the second grade teacher of Kaitlin, Maddie, David, Brig, and Ella. Her father died three years ago, and Chloe Beus was hands down the BEST babysitter they have every had. Her father actually served in the Auckland Mission as a young Elder. We understand that her mother was nervous about sending her off on the long flight. The Lord blesses worried mothers however - look who just happened to be on the plane with Sister Beus.
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| Clara Jean and Merv Weeks from Paradise with Sister Beus looking on We will be meeting us with Merv and Clara Jean on Feb 15 - and heading for Bay of Islands |
We were waiting for her and all the other missionaries at the MTC. They arrived very tired but in good spirits.
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| Sister Beus made it to the MTC and through the registration |
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| Sister Falute, from Samoa is her companion and the two of them are the STL's 'Sister Training Leaders' They watch over the 17 Sister Missionaries |
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| Here is Sister Beus on Sunday all rested and beautiful We were all a little hungry it being Fast Sunday |
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| Here are all 17 Sister Missionaries lined up for the zone picture |
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| Sister Blandford here with Sister Briggs reminds me a whole lot of Emily's Sister Michelle she moves like her, stands like her, acts like her - I love her hair |
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| Elder and Sister Blackburn are from Farmington going to Fiji He taught at the middle school with Coach Downs (who is in our mission) Does he look familiar Tiffanie? Sister Blackburns brother served with dad in the Netherlands Mission years ago Elder Thatcher said that Elder Squires was a legend in the mission He had a photographic memory and learned the lessons in record time (Elder Thatcher learned them pretty fast as well) |
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| Sister Evans from Hamilton is an inspiration. She is going to Tonga to serve as a counselor Her son left the MTC a few weeks ago unable to finish his mission - It broke her heart but she said, "If Satan thought he could keep me from serving he was so wrong!" |
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| The whole zone Intake 2 - 2018 - zone picture each one a miracle with a story |
Enekosi and Leitu
We met with Enekosi and Leitu on Friday and had a marathon lesson that lasted 3 1/2 hours. It was great. We kept saying we were leaving and they kept asking more questions and wanting us to stay. We think they warmed a little about attending church but they didn't go on Sunday so we felt badly about that. We will see them again Friday. Somehow we need to move them along - have them make changes that will allow them to feel the wonder of the Spirit. Making changes is just another way of saying repent. And all of us need to REPENT and make the changes necessary in our lives that will allow us to move forward and grab the blessings that await us. We love these dear people.
Tuan Tran
Tuan was 'very, very, very busy' this week so we were unable to meet with him and thus have nothing to report.
Matthew and children
We keep stopping by their home but it looks like they have up and moved - even the cats are gone. We hope they took a little of the Spirit we felt as we told them the story of the Restoration with them. We will continue to check back.
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| The cats were there when we first checked back |
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| later both the cats and this cute lop-eared rabbit were gone too |
The Singh family
We have been unable to meet with them as well though we believe that Ronak went to church again and still wants to be baptised. One of the challenges in meeting with people is that almost always the father and mother work. It is a challenge to find a time when all are home and we can teach them. But with the Singh's we will not give up! As Ronak asked us not to.
Tito and Alofa
Alofa asked us to contact them after the holidays when they would finally be home. So as asked, we stopped by the last day of January and Tito asked us to come on Saturday when his whole family could be there. He asked us to prepare a lesson for the children as his grandchildren would be there as well.
We sang 'The Family is of God' with them and taught them about being children of God. We hope it sunk into their hearts like it did with Sister McReynolds when she was 8 years old. They are a wonderful family who we would love to see come into the church.
Not all of them were there but many were. So far we have met Tito and Alofa, their son Junior and his wife (or partner) Reagai and their children, Faith, Elizabeth, Norman, and Josiah, Tito's daughters, Sialai, and Fa'apaia, sons - To'o and Pua, and baby William. When we got there Tito put on his Lava lava and told us it was a sign of respect for us being in their home to teach the gospel. Tito wanted a picture with us.
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| Tito, Pua, Elizabeth (granddaughter) Elder Thatcher, To'o, Sister Thatcher, Faith (granddaughter) |
Keala and Doug Edmonds
Our wonderful Edmonds family is moving to Hamilton. They all seem happy with the move and Keala hopes to become active in the church there. We stopped by and made them German Pancakes for supper one night. Teqwyn was getting ready for YW's which tickled us. Later that night we saw her at the church. It was their New Beginnings. She looked so happy to be a part of the group.
We found out they teach early morning seminary at the church each day at 6:00am and told Teqwyn she should go. She said she could never get up that early but all the other girls chimed in telling her that if they could, she could. We think she will try to go. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
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| Teqwyn Edmonds right there in the middle of the pack with a big smile on her face warms the very cockles of our hearts |
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| Teqwyn and I with the Lord himself looking over our shoulders We pray he will continue to watch over Teqwyn - of course He will (She loved the German Pancakes!) |
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| Georeah, Keala, Teqwyn and Tiare - we will miss them so much! |
Moses Antonina, Naomi, Samantha, and Keisha
Samantha is still at home waiting for a donor liver. We were able to visit with them on Saturday and teach them about fasting and prayer. Since it was fast Sunday the next day we told them we would be fasting for Samantha.
Lorraine also had made darling name panels for each of the girls. I'm sure she sent them to decorate the hospital room of Samantha when she goes. I neglected to take a picture but the girls were just delighted with their names on the little pennant hangers. We also gave them the Articles of Faith cards. It was such a thoughtful thing for Lorraine to do and the package arrived in such a timely manner with Sister Beus. We showed them again our family picture and told Samantha that we had told our whole family about her and all of the people in that picture were praying for her. She liked that a lot.
Tracting Adventures
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| This charming place had a large dog warning posted and our courage failed us - we didn't knock we will wait until we find someone outside and talk to them then |
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| The flowers beckoned like the Gingerbread house in Hansel and Gretel There might not have been an oven inside waiting for us but there was a big mean dog |
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| I thought for sure the owners of this cute little 'fairy house' would be kindred spirits But the beautiful mother inside was not interested |
We tracted out two new streets this past week and made some appointments. It is starting to feel like an adventure to go tracting with Elder Thatcher. We do have miracles happen in the people we meet and are able to teach. Let me tell you about two of them this week.
Koi, Milz, Susana (7), Tevita (5), Folingi (2), and Mele (2 twins)
We knocked on a door and a man answered with happy children about him. He was friendly and invited us in to show a little video to the children. We showed them two and the last one was the song, I am a Child of God. It seemed to touch him and he quietly told us, "I was in your church. I was baptised in Tonga. I went to the church school, Liahona, and they taught me and baptised me." You could tell he still felt something warm about the church that he had been a part of all those years ago. We were confusing to him however because of our age. He had only known young missionaries.
He hasn't been active for years. Elder Thatcher actually thinks he forgot he had been a member until he heard the song. We told him to come back to church and bring the children to church so they could be in Primary and be taught the gospel. He said he just might do that and had that big beautiful smile on his face as he said it.
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| Tevita, Folingi, Koi, Mele, Susana and Sister Thatcher |
He invited us to come back and teach his wife who wasn't there when we met him. He said she would be nice to us and let us in. We went back on Monday when he had told us to go. Milz was nice, and did let us in, but Koi had forgotten to tell her we were coming. Koi came home while we were there and we had a nice lesson with them: Children of God, importance of family, apostasy, first vision, and Book of Mormon. We will teach Milz again on Monday.
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| Folingi waving goodbye to Elder Thatcher with Koi smiling on |
We know the Lord loves his lost sheep. The Good Shepherd goes in search of them. He might even send two old missionaries from half a world away to look for them, someone who will tract them out. We felt a little of the joy the Lord must feel when he finds them as we met with Koi and his beautiful children.
Come back into the fold Koi. Come back and bring Milz and your beautiful children with you. God be with you Koi, with his councils guide uphold you - with his sheep securely fold you.
Barry the Maori Canadian Atheist
The house next to Koi's was our next stop. It had recently been remodeled and was beautiful inside. We almost didn't knock because the glass door was open and we could see someone asleep on the couch next to the door. But we could also see a man playing a video game just inside so we knocked and the man turned off the game, and motioned for us to come inside. He gave us his hand and told us his name was Barry. Elder Thatcher told him we were missionaries. "I don't believe!" he said. But he said it with a smile and in a friendly way so we kept talking. We told him a little about the church and played a video or two for his children. He was so nice.
Barry works in construction and had done the remodeling of the house himself. He told us it had been a home in his family for many years. He is Maori and part Canadian. 'I'm an Atheist!' he told us. We told him he was the first Maori Canadian we had met in New Zealand and also the first Atheist. We think he liked the distinction. He said he had believed as a boy but things had happened that made him not believe in God. We gave him a Book of Mormon after Elder Thatcher explained a little about it to him and told him to read promising him that His Father in Heaven would make Himself known to him as he did so.
He made an appointment for us to come back on Saturday to teach him more along with his partner Ngametua (Tongan) and his children Sariah (we showed her her name in the Book of Mormon and her father said, 'It's even spelled the same!'), Capreece, and Tania. Barry was so kind and welcoming to us and his children were so polite. I thought I had a picture of them but can't find it.
Missionary Ninja's
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| At District Meeting we met these cute Tongan boys The youngest one called us Elders and told us they were Tongan Missionary Ninja's |
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| For sure the future looks bright for missionary work with these Missionaries Ninja's in the wings |
News from home
I'm late getting this out. I had computer problems and needed help from my main man Greg who as always solved the problem. Thank you Greg for all your help and your patience.
We love any news we get from Aaron and received this picture of him having his Chemo on Friday. He tells us he is very tired but the nausea is pretty much taken care of by a patch he wears. We also heard from Aunt Janice that she and Uncle Todd had visited with Aaron and Lorraine and thought Aaron looked very good. We loved hearing this report.
Our prayers are constantly filled with Aaron and Lorraines names. We are grateful for the miracle of each day. The hardest thing about this mission is being so far away and of no help to Aaron and Lorraine and the rest of you that we feel could use our help like the new mothers in the family. We are grateful for all you do for each other. When we get home we will do all we can to lift burdens that you carry.
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| Chemo Dose #14 last Friday |
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| Look how much Emily and Stockton miss their grandma while at the 'Happiest Place on Earth' |
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| This Disneyland group looks miserable don't they! More Disney memories being made |
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| Brooke, is that really you or just an older look-a-like? Hope you all had a Zip-a-dee-doo-dah time |
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| Lily's 100 day school assignment with all our names on it💜💛💚💙 |
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| Ella's assignment demonstrating the same great art ability as her siblings before her and also her great choice of a subject to write about |
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| Picture from Kent and Sara with the caption of 'what our row at church looked like' A little Sunday reality check |
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| Unbelievable!!!!! Lauren is getting her driving permit We must be getting very old |
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| Loved this picture of Claire wrapped up warm in a cozy spot while bewitched by a good book |
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| We do miss the parties back home but love to get pictures. If you other birthday people send pics I'll put them on the blog to celebrate your big day Happy Birthday Jett and Silvie - Grandpa and I are old enough to remember the day you were born |
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| Doesn't Sister Thatcher (the young and beautiful one) look great! We look forward to her letter every week. If you don't get it have Amy put you on the forwarding email list |
Be True and we will too
Mom and Dad,
Grandma and Grandpa
Elder and Sister Thatcher
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