Happy Birthday Rees!!!

Rees turned 20 yesterday!!
Here is the latest from him:
What´s goin on fam? Sounds like all is well at home. How exciting to divide the ward. We´re just about to get this ward where I´m at divided too. Things are goin good here. Things have changed a ton since that stupid swine flu got here. There is harly anyone in the streets and if they are, they have doctor masks on and don´t want to talk to anyone. It sounds like it´s pretty serious, but since we don´t watch the news I don´t know much about it. Just what the members tell us. They say that like 100 people have died, who knows though... They canceled ALL church services yesterday and this coming week too. We´re basically in our own little spring break down here. No jk, we´re still working, but the members aren´t. The government said we can´t have religious meetings so we´re locked out of the chapel basically. But we´ll see how it goes. Just kinda crazy right now here in Mexico. Hopefully things will chill out pretty quick. That´s about it. Everything is going good. Ya I got my package and debit card and pin number so thank you very much for that. I love you guys. Keep a look out for that swine flu in the U.S. It travels fast. = )
Love, Rees

It's True!!!!

I would like to share an experience I had yesterday! I received Rees' letter, which I am including, I felt impressed to send it to my amazing new sister-in-law Casey. I worried how she would take the letter, I didn't want her to feel pressure about the church (who puts that in our head??), but I sent it anyway, after all, it was about her!! Last night we went to her home to meet some amazing Sister missionaries and to have a lesson. Casey felt excited after the lesson. When it was over one of the sisters asked if she could add a P.S. to the lesson-She shared a scripture that came to her, Mosiah 18:10-11 "Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandmnets, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts."
The sister said she felt like clapping right then because of the joy and excitement she saw in Casey.
Needless to say, I felt the spirit testify to me that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I am so thankful I could experience this with my family. I am so blessed to have the gospel in my life and all of the blessings I receive from my Heavenly Father by being obedient.
Thank you Casey and Todd for letting me share this experience with you!!!
Here is Rees' letter:
Hey Fam,
First off let me tell you happy birthday mom! Can you believe your 52!?!? That´s more than half a century! No I´m just kidding. Your still super young. I hope you had a great birthday. Sorry I couldn´t send you anything. There just isn´t time. It´s amazing how fast the time goes when your so busy. Anyways, just know that I was thinking of you yesterday, and I told all our investigators that it was your birthday and they told me to tell you hi and happy birthday. I still havent got my debit card. But tomorrow I´m sure it will get here because we have zone conference so we get mail. But don´t worry about me I´m doing fine, I´ve learned to live without money. So this week was good. We had two more baptisms... a husband and a wife. They´ve got 4 little girls and they are crazy. Just like tylar and kiley and brielle. But it was awesome, the dad we baptized is awesome. He is a little crazy and he wanted us to go swimming in the font with him after. = ) But ya, things are going good here. Lots and lots of work. O I was wondering, did the missionaries put a baptismal date with casey yet? If not, tell them to hurry up and do it. What did she say after the first lesson the other day? Have you guys helped her read and pray? Make sure you guys do the work inbetween the missionary visits. The missionaries can´t be there every day, but Satan can. I can´t tell you how many people I´ve seen recieve an answer but not get baptized, because Satan is there working on them daily. So check up on her and make sure she reads too. It´s really hard to get to someone´s house and teach them again if they haven´t read or prayed. Anyways, sorry about that little shpeel. Hope you guys know how much I love you and appreciate your support. I miss you guys. Hope all is well at home. We´ll be talking soon.
Love, Rees

Easter in Mexico

What up fam,
So I totally didnt even know it was easter last week. They have a tradition much different here in Mexico. On the Friday before Easter, all the Catholics have these huge parties at their churches and the crucify people! They say that it´s to take away their sins. Kinda crazy huh? They dont kill the people, but some of them actually nail the people to the cross, others just tie them on. But its still pretty nuts. Isn´t it so great to be part of this Church, and not be so decieved and lost your whole life??? Anyways, this week was good. We had 2 bapisms so that was awesome. But the coolest thing was yesterday, we took this family to church for the first time, a dad, mom, and 4 little girls. Anyways, it was testimony meeting, and I explained to the dad, Mario, what was going on and he says, "I want to share my testimony". So I asked what he would say and told him not to say any swear words and he went up there and told everyone how he was reading the bible but didnt understand it and asking God for a sign and then he saw us in the street and asked us to explain a verse in the bible to him, and how he knows the Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith is a prophet and it was just amazing. First Sunday at church and he shared the best testimony I´ve ever heard. It was so cool to see that and really strengthened my testimony of the Book of Mormon. It really is so simple, all people have to do is read it, and ask, and they will recieve an answer. Sometimes we´re so afraid to share the gospel or give someone a BofM, but just think of how happy Heavenly Father is when we do share it, he´ll never let anything bad or weird happen if we do our part. There is an awesome part in Preach My Gospel, an activity for the missionaries to do with the members. You guys should do it with the elders there. They teach you a lesson (the restoration) or a short movie about missionary work, and you guys write your feelings down, and after, each person writes 4 or 5 people that you think could hear the gospel, and then dad can say a prayer for the family that you can all feel of one of the people on the list that is READY to accept the gospel. Then the missionaries can put an appointment with you guys to visit those people. It is really effective and something that would be good for the family to do. So if you want, give it a shot with them the next time they eat with you guys. I hope you guys know how much I love and appreciate you. Thanks for being such awesome parents and always setting such a great example. Love you guys and love hearing from you on Mondays. Love, Rees

The Most Beautiful Daughter in the Whole World!!

I have the most beautiful daughter in the whole world!! I am so grateful that Heavenly Father blessed me with her. I love her enthusiasm for life!! I love her kind heart!! I love you Rhegan!!! Thank you Julia for the beautiful pics!!