Elder Reynolds Two Years Mission

 

Wow! It’s been six months since I posted on Max’s blog.  Max has been busy serving at the Midwest Food Bank and the Gilbert Temple grounds. Plus, attending evening meetings including on Sundays. At the Midwest Food bank, he has served over 740 hours. He has made thousands of boxes for food to be shipped off to other places and countries. He has bagged Cheese Its and other foods. He sealed bags and helped scan papers. He served at the Media Center on Wednesday evenings. Max has grown so much in the past six months. He has learned to iron his own shirts, wash loads of laundry (even learned how to sort them out), make his bed, and clean the bathroom. He has learned to cook food and has become independent. Never did I think when he was three-years-old, 10 years old or even 14 years old he would have the life he has now. He has friends, interests, hobbies and goals.  

I have told him several times never to let your autism stop you from your dreams. Don’t let it hold you back. Max and I have had discussions about how everyone has something that makes them feel like they’re not capable with doing what they want. I shared with him how even I, who is blind in one eye, deaf in one ear and now live with an arm that is not completely functionable. It might be harder and take more time to reach the goals, but never ever let a disability stand in the way of success. When we were blessed with Max and realized he had special needs, I was determined to not let his disability limit his potential of what he is capable of and his progression. 

  I have pushed Max and I mean pushed him to strive to achieve even the smallest of goals.

 I told myself many times that he is capable and can reach goals. 

My eyes water every time I think of him as a small child and look at him now. He is kind, compassionate, friendly, trustworthy and is loyal to those that he loves. He has bloomed into a wonderful young man who has a dream to someday have a family of his own. That last sentence I never thought I would write about Max. Never did I dream he would be able to be a husband and a father. I look at how he has grown and believe some young lady will be lucky to have him as a husband years down the road. He wants to educate himself like his siblings did so he can provide for his future family.

 I am going to post lots of pictures of his mission.

 I’ll try to put descriptions below the pictures so you know what it is about.

I even went and served with him at the Midwest Food Bank and at the Gilbert Temple grounds planting flowers. I came home both times ready for a nap because it was not easy work. 

I am proud of Elder Max Reynolds

 I am honored to be Max’s mother.

Max reading his mission call. 

I videoed his talk he gave in church.  

Below is the name tag he wore for two years and four days. 

Once a month the service missionaries would go to the Mesa and Gilbert temple.

     Elder Reynolds ready to give service.

Midwest Food Bank 

Media Center

Gilbert Temple grounds

After working in the hot sun on Temple grounds. 

 Elder Reynolds planted these flowers. 

                                               

 Elder Reynolds last day serving at the Gilbert Temple.

Max in the Press On Band

                                        

Mission Christmas Party

 

Max had a fun Christmas party with his mission. He had to bring an exchange gift. He got the idea to take five different size boxes and wrapped a gift in the smallest one and then put it in the next box were he would put another gift. It took us hours to wrap them one after the other. The person that got his gift got to also read a scripture Max had written with each box they opened.

 It was a clever idea.

A Sunday mission meeting, his mission leader is holding the cookie.

                                           

                                     

Happy Birthday Elder Max Reynolds

 When Max was young I always asked him who he wanted at his birthday party. He always said, "My friends." I asked him what are your friends names? He said, all his aunts names and brothers and sisters. 

The year of 2023, I asked him who he would like to have at his birthday party. He said, "My friends." I asked for names and he listed the missionaries in his mission. So, we invited them to come. He had a great time. 

They made s'mores over the firepit in the backyard. Max had built the firepit. They sang songs around the campfire while one of the missionaries accompanied them with a guitar.  We had hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, chili, fruit and potato salad. 

After the party ended they all went and play basketball. He had a fabulous birthday. The party was on his birthday!!!!

Here is the firepit Max built.  

    It was the first birthday party with just his friends. 

Elder and Sister Missionaries. 

                                                          Elder and Sister Missionaries

Max with his Mission Leaders Elder and Sister Johansen

Missionary Halloween Party 2022

Happy Halloween

 Max had a awesome time at the Missionary Halloween party. He went has Elf. He likes that movie and loves how kind Elf is. When he came home the kids in the neighborhood thought he was the real Elf. 

The Chandler and Tempe Service Missionaries 2022

Playing a game outside. 

Sister McCook and Elder Reynolds

Elder and Elder Reynolds

USA Nationals Special Olympics games

 Max swim in the Special Olympics USA games in Orlando, Florida at the Rosen Aquatic Center. I took this picture. 

 Max swam the 100 freestyle and when he swam the Preliminary he swam it well. Then, when he swam the second heat of his 100 freestyle on a different day he was sick and still swam. He said when he was on the block he felt dizzy. He said while he was swimming he felt tired and worn out. Found out afterwards he was sick. He did not swim his normal time on a 100 freestyle. He still got second place. I was proud of him for trying. If I would of known he was sick I wouldn't of let him swim. 

                   

Max and Coach Roger

Max with his Dad and Mom

                          

Relay with his swim team