Monday Schedule

 Elder Reynolds starts his Monday mornings off at 4:30am and sometimes even earlier than that. Before he leaves for the pool he makes a sack of foods to eat for breakfast and gathers all his clothes he will need while he serves at the temple grounds. Elder Reynolds has stated many times that swimming from 5 to 6:15am,  Monday- Saturday makes him feel happy, calm, peaceful and comfort. I have noticed that ever since Elder Reynolds has been swimming he has not needed to have deep compressions or wear a backpack with weights in it to help him. After a good swim of over 140 laps he changes at the pool out of his swim trunks and into his gardening clothes. While traveling to the temple grounds he eats his breakfast. What a wonderful way for Elder Reynolds to start off his week. 

   Elder Reynolds after swim practice. 

We can not forget about Sundays...they are busy days for Elder Reynolds. He attends several different sacraments, during the morning and afternoon, plus he attends missionary devotionals, and Missionary meetings every Sunday evening. Yesterday he shared with us how he learn better ways to study scriptures and have missionary companionship study.

After Elder Reynolds serves at the Gilbert Temple he works in the backyard with his eleven chickens making sure they have food and water. Lunch is a must before he decides what next needs to be done. He loves his garden and studies about planting soils and gardening tips.

We are in the process of putting in a fall garden. Yay!

                                                

                                                

Elder Reynolds also goes over to our friends home to take her barrels up that he put out the night before for garbage pickup. Elder Reynolds loves this lady that he serves and often tells me how much he enjoys being with around her. She has been a blessing to our family. 

He states how special she is to him all the time. 

Elder Reynolds works on laundry, planning his week out and make sure he has everything he needs for the rest of his week. Every evening he checks on his chickens to make sure they are secure in their coop and that they have enough water and food for the following morning and he never forgets about collecting the eggs. 

What is new with Elder Reynolds?

 

When I hear the words special needs in any form it brings me back to my days as a child. I was labeled special needs because of being hearing impaired and blind in one eye. My parents tried to find the best resources to help me and when I went to Devereux Day School and had an amazing teacher, I found that even though I had special needs

 I could succeed.

Now, Max takes on the same role, one of having the label of being special needs. To look back on the last twenty-one years I have realized that Max, now Elder Reynolds has not let those two words stop him from growth. We often think someone with special needs has limits in life, when really, they don’t. They are capable to achieve goals!!! My mother was told I would be a vegetable and to put me in a group home. I’m so blessed that my parents made the choice to not follow the what the doctors had ordered. Now, I’m a mother to five amazing humans and have seven fantastic grandchildren. They all have a role in this big world we live in. Max and one of my grandchildren have been labeled Special needs too. When Max was six, I was told by a child psychologist that he would never reach the education level of a third grader. He has proven her wrong and has achieved straight A’s in algebra and Geometry in high school, with no tutor!

Elder Reynolds is not only a Missionary, but he is a District Leader too! He has not let those two words stop him…He is working towards goals to be the best missionary he can be. To serve, study, and learn just as if he was on a proselytizing mission. So many people think a service mission is not anything big. Well, let me tell you it’s a seven day a week mission. He wears a name tag like all other missionaries. He represents The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He reads scriptures, listen to conference talks, has study time with his companion and has rules to follow.

What is a service missionary?

Service missionaries serve for 6 to 18 months (young women ages 19–25) and 6 to 24 months (young men ages 18–25). They live at home and serve locally. They serve as close to full time as their capability and circumstances allow. Each service missionary is provided a customized mission experience uniquely tailored to his or her talents, skills, and gifts. During their missions, it is common for service missionaries to serve in multiple assignments, including approved charitable organizations, Church operations, and stake-assigned service opportunities. Throughout their missions, service missionaries are under the ecclesiastical direction of their stake presidents.

The only difference is he can still swim. He can not attend a swim party, but he can swim laps. Elder Reynolds swims for exercise not for fun. When I mean laps, I mean LOTS of laps. He wakes up every morning at 4:30 to swim at 5am, Monday through Saturday. It’s been difficult at times, but it gives him the opportunity to get his exercise in for the day. Which, all missionaries are supposed to do.

Elder Reynolds has achieved another BIG goal that we are shocked about. He has been selected to attend the USA Special Olympics 2022 games in Orlando, Florida next June!

https://www.2022specialolympicsusagames.org/

Gardening and chickens are still a hobby that Elder Reynolds has continue to keep up even with the hours he is away from home to be a service missionary.