Nature :)

Hey Fam:)
 First of all, HAPPY BDAY RICKYYYYYY! Everyone already knows this, but I have the best Dad in the world. You are such a good example for our family and I always am striving to become like you. My mission has helped me accomplish that, because I am coming closer to Christ. But your j-chillin in the seat right next to him. I'm like 5th row or something. haha idk what I am saying but love ya Dad!

 This week was a super awesome week of learning! We got to watch conference this week because it is broadcasted a week later here. I know it sounds weird, but as a missionary conference really is like 2 days of Christmas in a row! Haha I was able to receive a lot of guidance for our investigators, and for myself. I don't want to write too long, but one of my favorite talks was probably Elder Oaks during Priesthood session (and not just because he has the dopest voice ever haha). He talked about opportunity cost a little bit. How everything we do has potential to give us a lot of learning, or not a lot at all. Using our time each day costs opportunity. He referred back to one of his talks we often refer to, Good, Better, and Best. We should always choose the Best decisions to use our time in order to grow as much as we can. He also talked about how sacrifice changes our perspective. I think this is enough convince me to do hard work. Halimbawa, when we work hard to earn our money, it is so rewarding and you will probably spend it differently than if you were just given the money. The food we cook tastes better than if we just bought it bc we are proud of it (unless you suck at cooking lol). If we hike a mountain the view at the top is rewarding than if we just took a tram.  Basically if we are willing to work hard for something we really want, it will be super rewarding when we achieve it.

 Crap, I am looking at all my conference notes and there is way too many haha. Basically some overall themes I got out of it is that it is so important for us to love others, simply love thy God and love thy neighbor, build a wall against the adversary, be eager to repent daily, Christ is Light, covenants bring his light into our lives, Incomprehensible joy comes IMMEDIATELY to those that repent, Repentance is not an experience it is a process, the temple is where we can feel a piece of Celestial happiness and we need to go as families, and last but not least, if the ox is stuck in the mire every week I would recommend selling the ox or filling the mire;) haha there was a lot of awesome stuff this conference!

 I also got to have zone interviews this week! President and I had a super good talk this time. He gave me two books that are dope. The first one I'm pretty sure you stole all of your pearls from dad;) It is How to Win Friends And Influence People. The other one is How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. They are both super interesting to read! I know I can apply a lot of it into my missionary work and life. One thing I liked that it said is that our thoughts are who we become. "We aren't who we think we are, but our thoughts are who we are." As we learn to master our thoughts, we can be who we want to be.

 Haha sorry this is too long. I learned a ton though this week. Elder Findlay has been an awesome companion! He taught me a lot of different ways to look at things. I am grateful to have served with him for this short 6 weeks, Elder Smith will be my new companion. He is from Georgia I think and is one batch behind me. It should be good!

 Love you guys! I got the packages you sent me mom:) The Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce has been the best haha! Oh and my room smells like Black Ice which is dope:) Haha thanks mom your the best!

 -Elder Reber
** from Mom...Sure wish I knew how to caption these better. Graden loves his pics and so I try to choose the best and add them here. Hopefully he will go back one day and explain more about them. All I know is I really appreciated seeing the pics in the countryside with all of the green  because I have never heard anyone so happy to see "nature" :)

$2.00 nike sock treasure

Treat from home :)