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.

Elder Reynolds Serving at the Gilbert Temple

 Elder Reynolds loves serving at the Gilbert Temple grounds. He pulls up weeds,

 picks up trash, mops sidewalks, mops the garden shop, clean the lights around the temple,

 oil the lights, plans projects for new plants. 

Elder Reynolds said, "I feel at peace when I'm on temple grounds." 

Pictures taken right after serving on Temple grounds. 

Tempe Chandler Mission Party

 Elder Reynolds with other Elders.

Elders carving a watermelon.

They made a shark out of the watermelon. 

They had a great time carving a watermelon and tie dying shirts.

Tempe Chandler Service Mission 

 

On June 6, 2021 Elder Reynolds gave a talk at the Mission meeting. 

Here is his talk he wrote...

The thoughts come to my mind when I talk about Christlike attributes.

I think of Humility and showing that brightness with others. When I think of humility

I remember the story of Ammon and king Lamoni when Ammon said

that he was not the great spirit but he has direction from that great spirit.

It took a lot of humility to say that he had help when most say oh that was all me.

Sometimes we all falter to pride but in order to have humility you must realize that

there is always someone better than you.

Elder David A. Bednar mentions in his talk meek and lowly heart about Amulek

and how he gave all ye hath and differences between the boy who had

great wealth and did not give willingly and Amulek who did allow alma to come

unto his house gave willingly.

Matthew 11:28-30 He describes himself as meek, also inviting us to come unto him.

Every time when I swim, I always realize that I am not the best at my sport and

understand that without the Savior I would not be as good without him.

Not to mention the constant hours that I put to in my effort so the Savior knows

I would be willing to give my time to practice serving the Lord. No one expects

everyone to be perfect. That is why we have the atonement to better ourselves

each day and repent of our shortcomings to the lord Jesus Christ.

Just to recap in order to have humility you must realize you're not perfect,

but do not let that limit your potential God sees in you. Also realize that

the Lord is always there to help you.

Also give willingly to the Savio Jesus Christ.

Finally, realize that God created all things and respect what he has

given to you as well as others.

Bearing of testimony

In the name of Jesus Christ amen   

Mission Service at Midwest Food Bank

I took this picture right before he left for Midwest Food Bank

June 3, 2021

 Elder Reynolds is serving three days a week at the Midwest Food Bank. 

Elder Reynolds touring the mission locations.