Monday Nov 7, 2015

So this week was another interesting week, Of course it was a roller coaster of a ride this week. 

So  we had the chance to teach David and the Girls a few times this week and it was really good. They love the gospel and love the friendship of so many people in the gospel and the girls retain so much information. We talked about the baptism being this Saturday and they said they were excited, however this Morning we got a call from our bishop telling us about a conversation that was had with David and he told us that david had said to one of the members that he didn't know if the church was true and such. So we honestly don't know what to do. Because in our exchanges he says that he believes in the Restoration and says that he wanted to move up his date for baptism because he felt it was too far away. So honestly we have no clue whats going to happen this week.

The Weather has been fairly terrible this week in so much that Buses and Trains were CANCELLED for 2 of the days, only certain routes but still, and there was mild flooding down the roads. But on the plus side it was quite decent here. But in other places in the mission they had flash floods. So it's been an interesting week.

To be honest as well as it has been a hard week for Me, It has been alot of work going out and haven't seen much in results of people. It seems the harder we work the harder the adversary works as well. I do know that the Lord has much more power then the adversary and no matter what happens we need to continue to Work and to do it Diligently and obediently and the blessings will come. The mission has a great goal of 40 baptisms this month and there are so many people that are prepared we just need to trust in the Lord and continue to Press forward and we will find them. The lord wants all his brothers and sisters to be Saved, and that is where our job as missionaries comes in.

The work and glory of God is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man and no matter the hardships we ALL need to keep this in mind as we all have a part to play in it.  Sorry my e-mails haven't been very long recently, its been challenging with the weather and having to chap lots and contention in the companionship and stress levels flying all over the place but I know that The lord will sustain me in his work, 

I Love this Gospel. I know that it is the only way to happiness and Love in this world, and I know it's all about the attitude in which you work in. 

I love Trials, they are the Hardest thing in the world but they give so much back. 

I love all of you

Till the work is done

Elder James Tom Kirk Reece    Currently Serving in Dumbarton, Scotlandhttps://www.mormon.org/me/9D93/JamesTomKirkReece

Scotland/Ireland Mission 

51 Spylaw Road
EH10 5BP

Edinburgh

Scotland

Monday Nov 30, 2015

This week has been very interesting here in Dumbarton so it has. I dunny ken why, but the Lord has shined upon us. Literally. Most of the days have been braw and nay rain, we have found many new potential people to Learn about the Lord. 

The work is going grand. So this week we had District meeting and it went decently, it is hard to instruct over skype but we made it work. 

Throughout the week we recieved 3 refferals and were fed lots. 

So on tuesdays we usually have a guitar night, but I didn't feel like it was a good idea, so I talked to my companion about it and we decided not to go to it, Since then the miracles have been just flowing. We found many potentials to teach and have taken over city centers and met people who are interested, I look forward to contacting all of them this week. 

We recieved a text message from one of the members this week and he told us his friend's son wanted to learn about the church, that he had questions about the church and wanted to know some answers, so last night we met with him and him and his mom came to the member's house and we had a good discussion. We shared alot about how the church is all based on a spiritual witness and he asked questions such as, Why do bad things happen? and where do we go after we die, he also commended us on how Mormons are much more commited in his opinion to their church. He was a good lad he was 15 and his name was Ben and he has been fascinated by Religion he likes debates and such but he has been fascinated. We have talked about Prayer and he told us he tried once but then never did it again. and he told us he recieved no answers, we explained how we need to be more persistent to recieve answers, it was a good meeting. 

We also showed up at church on Sunday and we walked in and saw a man named Brian we had met the previous week and he was there for church so that was a miracle, and some other elders also gave us 2 potentials they found in Glasgow. so it was a great day. 

David and katie and Courtney are doing great, they are progressing very well, David even asked us as we were teaching about commandments he said, " Do you think that January 9th is too far away, I feel that is a long way away," so we invited him to pray over it, and he moved his date to the 11th of December. He believes that these things are true and they as a family love it so much they feel a closer bond as they pray together. It's been a miracle week. 

i know that the lord expects us to be Obedient and if we are obedient he blesses us, if we are diligent he blesses us, I love this gospel I don't know where I would be without it and it is the GREATEST blessing I have ever recieved. I love all of you and hope you are all doing well. 

Elder James Tom Kirk Reece    Currently Serving in Dumbarton, Scotlandhttps://www.mormon.org/me/9D93/JamesTomKirkReece

Scotland/Ireland Mission 

51 Spylaw Road
EH10 5BP

Edinburgh

Scotland

Monday Nov 23, 2015

Sorry I can't write much this week, It's been very busy. 

I was in Oban on exchanges and they went well. 

Gave my frist district meeting and It was good. I will write more next week promise. 

We taught David and Katie and Courtney again this week and it was incredible we taught the Gospel of jesus Christ using Object lessons and it was so much fun. The spirit was so strong in the Lessons. Katie and David have been praying and reading, and the last lesson we had Katie pray, but this lesson Courtney prayed and it was strong. We are so proud of all of them. We love them so much. It was so good because we had Katie and Courtney even teach their dad about the Lessons using the objects and such and it was a very powerful experience for me to see how the youth are just so powerful. I have many friends on missions and many leaving shortly and I know that they are the future of this church. They will do much greater things on their missions then I can even imagine.

The Lord is hastening his work, and as we are EXACTLY OBEDIENT the Lord will bless us more then we can even think of. 

I love this work with all my heart and I Love each of you. This work is the work that brings families together, it brings families back together, it fixes, repairs and cleanses us from evil, It can take a broken man and fix him and give him that which he never thought he could do. I know all of this I know it because these blessings I have witnessed in my own family and in my own Life. I know that this gospel brings more joy and happiness then ANYTHING else in this world. The lord's side is the side to be on and the Lord is calling for many to join his side, as it is the side of victory, brothers and sisters we are in the last days the world is becoming worse and worse and the only sure foundation you can build on is that of Jesus Christ. (Helaman 5:12)

My scripture this past week was, " Behold I am a disciple of jesus Christ, the son of God, I have been called of him to declare his words to his people that they may have everlasting life." That is my calling. But these people are his. I am greatlful to be chosen to be able to serve all of you in some way and greatful to be your servant I love yous and pray for all of you every night. 

Till the work is done

Elder James Tom Kirk Reece    Currently Serving In Mullingar Branch, Dublin Stake, Irelandhttps://www.mormon.org/me/9D93/JamesTomKirkReece

Scotland/Ireland Mission 

51 Spylaw Road
EH10 5BP

Edinburgh

Scotland

Monday Nov 16, 2015

This week has been very busy, I am very greatful for the miracles I have seen this week. 

2 of our friends from Mullingar chose to continue to meet with us, which brought me so much joy as I have great love for them. I am very greatful that David has come back as I know he has felt the spirit and it will bring more joy and peace into his life then anything else. I am very greatful for that. We were able to meet him pon exchange as well it was me and Elder Barton and we shared about the Holy Spirit and asked how he felt about it and if he wanted that more in his life, As you may recall David had lost his friend a few months back, which caused him to question but when we saw him he told us that his friend knew what he was getting into and that it wasn't God's fault that his friend was gone. It was a powerful lesson and I even got to see many of my friends from Dublin as we were there for Tuesday night. The work is going swimmingly, we had the chance also to go and see Favour and she told us it is still hard as she is still looking for a home, we felt prompted again to tell her that if she was willing to make sacrifices for the lord he would provide for her and her family. It was incredible. We then offered to give her a blessing and she accepted, and it was a powerful blessing. It was a very good day for us. We also had the chance to see Almost everyone we work with and say goodbye. Man I miss Mullingar, but now I have a new challenge and that is to be in Dumbarton. 

So on the Wednesday was travels, and on the way I talked to a few people, Then we were all on the bus and Sister Pennock and I were able to teach a lady together. We were all sharing about what caused us to come on our missions and this lady named Donna came over and asked if we were Mormons, we could tell she needed comfort and we turned our attention to her, Just a few days previous she had lost her mom, and it was really hard for her. She heard my LOUD voice and felt prompted to come and talk to us, sister Pennock gave her a hug and we both just listened as she expressed her feelings, then sister Pennock bore testimony of the Savior's strength and how he has suffered all that we do and he can comfort us and it was powerful, then we shared Alma 7 with her and showed how in the Book Of Mormon it illustrates that direct principle, as we talked, she apologized many times, and we told her it was alright, then at the end, We said a prayer with her and after the prayer she looked at me and told me " you will be a great leader", I had been worried about how I would do with being a new district Leader and she answered my prayer, we hadn't even talked about being a leader or anything, then I was able to turn to her and say, " thank you for coming over here, and acting on the promptin of the spirit because you allowed us to comfort you and you also helped me know a message from Heavenly Father." She then agreed to meet up so we got her contact details, we also were on a bus, and I got on the bus and sat beside a lady, and I had to use the bathroom, right outside the bathroom, I saw a guy watching something so I asked what it was, he was actually watching a sermon, I thought that was so cool as he was only 18. He was a real inspiration to me. When I was 18 that's when my dedication to the Lord started to begin as well. his name was Johnstone and he was awesome. I wish I lived in Edinburgh so I could meet up and teach him more and learn much from him. 

I then had a meeting for New Leadership Training the following day, and saw many of my good friends amongst the new Leaders. I was so happy. We all had a really cool spiritual experience which I can't quite talk about but It was so neat, the scriptures became alive to us and it strengthened all of us. On the train ride back as well we met some interesting people, One was 17 and she was super open about everything and the other was a new mother. They were really cool, I also met some new friends on the train One was from Manchester, one was studying marketing Internationally. I met a nice lady from Dumbarton as well and it was just awesome. I LOVE everyone that I meet as we are all God's children. I just love it so much. 

Friday we had West Scotland conference and that was another spiritually uplifting meeting and afterwards we were getting on a train and it was packed so I started talking to EVERYONE. It was fun, then it transistioned to a gospel discussion and it was so awesome, the spirit was so strong and me and my companion could see a change in several of the people who were listening, I have always wanted to be able to go out and preach to whole groups of people and I got a chance and the spirit was so strong. I love this Gospel, When you LOVE people you aren't afraid to share this with them because you want them to know the blessings of the gospel in their lives. 

We also in Dumbarton taught a man named David, He and his two girls are learning and they really like it. He lost his wife 4 years ago and his daughters Katie and Courtney are 8 and 10. He has began reading in the Book Of Mormon and believes that this is the church he has been looking for. He also brought both his daughters to church this week and last week and He loved it so much. We taught him the Restoration this week and he helped teach it to his girls and He and his older daughter both said a prayer in the Lesson, it was a true miracle. 

I know that tis church is true, I know the Gospel is the source of freedom in this world and that nothing else can give you the freedom the gospel can bring. I love this work, I love being a missionary, there is nothing greater then meeting EVERYONE, and sharing truth and greater happiness with them. 

I know that these things are true and I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

I love all of you and keep you all in my prayers, thanks for being apart of these great miracles. Thank you

Elder James Tom Kirk Reece    Currently Serving In Mullingar Branch, Dublin Stake, Irelandhttps://www.mormon.org/me/9D93/JamesTomKirkReece

Scotland/Ireland Mission 

51 Spylaw Road
EH10 5BP

Edinburgh

Scotland

Favour and her family

The Coles

This is Elder Reece

David

Monday Nov 9, 2015

Hey, this week has been amazing. The Lord has poured out blessings upon us. We have been working with Peter and he is doing wonderful, We love him so much. We also Got Jimmy back to teach, so that is absolutely amazing, and we resumed teaching Ray as well. I love these 3 so much and I am greatful to have had the chance to work with them and Love them.  In addition we have been teaching Chris again and he loves the Gospel, it's been incredible. Man The week has been great. And to top it all off we Recieved Moves Call. So it was a crazy one. Now I will describe the things we did. 

So we met with Chris this week and shared with him again the Restoration Dvd, Chris is great as he likes things simple so it helps Elder Peterson and I to be better simplified. It is incredible. He loves the Gospel, he says he wants to be a monk, we can see the Spirit working on him. 

Jimmy is doing great, he had a spillage a while back and fell and injured his ribs, but he is recovering nicely, We talked with him about the blessings of the gospel and he expressed how much his life has changed since he has met us. I love Jimmy so much, and I know the Lord loves him so much as well. He shared how he sees that he has been able to overcome much because of the gospel, and he is now seeing his daughter more frequently as well. He has said he wants to learn about the gospel again and He really does love it. So Awesome. 

We saw Peter today, one of the days we were walking and he walked up behind us and he surprised us so we asked if we could come in and read the Book of Mormon with him, and we did, He loves reading from the Book Of Mormon I love him so much he is so amazing. He asks great questions and he seeks understanding which Helps Elder Peterson and I to know the scriptures better so we can expound them to him. We also met with him on Saturday and had another lesson and watched the Restoration video and he LOVED it. It was great. He is so prepared. 

We also met up with Ray again this week he had us over, and told us that his parents have given him 6 months to decide whether he wants to be apart of this or not. So he is excited because He says he Knows the Church is True, He also has had experiences which teach him the church is true, but he struggles with Word of Wisdom and Law Of Chastity so we will be working with him for that to turn to the LORD for strength. 

We also had met many friends this week, the place we go to get our milkshakes, we chatted with them for abit and they are great. We also went to the Murphy's for dinner this week and had a great visit and to Debbie's as well and had the great craic. 

Oh on Sunday it was crazy, We had a great Sabbath Day, We were talking about Sermon on the Mount and how the principles relate to our relationships and it was amazing, We also talked about the new Area Plan for next year so that is so exciting. Later we had a great class and learnt about Leadership in Priesthood. Such a good lesson, then as we said we went to Debbie's and went out finding. On the way to church it was pouring rain, POURING RAIN . Our trousers were soaked but because I have a great Jacket ( CANADIAN QUALITY) My suit was dry. It was a good day and to top it all off We got MOVES CALL!!!!!

So I had the phone first, and President Donaldson and the Lord have called me to be a District Leader in Dumbarton District( Funny note:  that is the district that OBAN is part of) So I am going back that way and will see some of my OBAN friends on exchanges. And Elder Peterson got called to TRAIN. I am so Proud of him. My son has grown up so much. ( Mission Lingo) so I will now have a grandson(mission lingo again). HE will do amazing. This is anew challenge for Me but I am Excited for the Challenge. :)

The Lord qualifies those he calls. So I trust I will be qualified for this call, I am so nervous but If I wasn't I wouldn't be able to do it. 

I know this church is True, I KNOW that the Book Of Mormon brings solace and peace to the heart of all of God's Children and can help to bring forth a greater understanding and Love for the Lord. It goes hand in hand with the Bible and TOGETHER they are as Ezekial says " the stick of Judah and the stick of Joseph, and they will be one in his hands. EZK 37: 16-17

16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, andwrite upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel hiscompanions: then take another stick, and write upon it,For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:

 17 And join them one to another into one stick; and theyshall become one in thine hand.

I know that this is True as my knowledge has grown greatly as I have studied both. I know it is the Words of the Lord and I know he continues to speak to us. 

Till the Work is DONE!!!!!!

I love all of you, and am so greatful that the Lord has allowed me to come unto all of you, and meet with you. 

We had a great District Meeting,

Elder James Tom Kirk Reece    Currently Serving In Mullingar Branch, Dublin Stake, Irelandhttps://www.mormon.org/me/9D93/JamesTomKirkReece

Scotland/Ireland Mission 

51 Spylaw Road
EH10 5BP

Edinburgh

Scotland

Monday Nov 2, 2015

So this past week has been interesting first off. We helped brother Williams take down part of his wall, it was so cool. His house is coming along nicely. It almost has a roof. :P We went and helped him for Preparation Day, Man it is so cool to see his house transform so much, Since I have been hear I have seen the whole front of the house redone and renovated and now the Kitchen and bathroom are getting redone, with an extension so it's neat. In my last 6 month area I saw in my day to day working, most of the outer frame of a new school being built, It's crazy when you see these things happening around you and you can remember when these things weren't there. 

We went to Sligo this week on exchanges and it was great. I went with Elder Forward, and we met a bunch of people in Sligo. We met some Africans, we met a man named Thomas who was wondering about his faith and said we could meet up. He was cool, We also had some funny moments. As we were in Sligo we met this teenagers and they were actually interested in the gospel and asked many questions, of course we recieved the normal questions about ourselves as well but it was alot of fun. I got to see my friends from when we volunteered at the fleadh a few months back. and as we were finding two things happened, One: We met a Canadian from Alexandria. only about an hour from my home. :) he was so cool he was studying here at Sligo IT for business. 

2. We were walking down beside the water and this man named Bernard was there bent over, he looked like he wasn't doing too well so I got up close and tapped him on the shoulder, and he didn't move, so we tapped him again and he moved, He had told us he was homeless and hadn't eaten for 2 weeks, We helped him up and walked him to a step he was pretty much on my shoulder and he kept asking for food, seeing that he wasn't doing too well and feeling a deep love for this man, elder Forward and I sprinted across Sligo to get food for him, put it in our bags then sprinted back to give it to him, and He Disappeared, There was no sign of him it was weird. I wondered where he could have went , as when we were walking with him he couldn't even stand up.  So that was scary. We were still talking to people in Sligo then headed back to Mullingar. 

Elder Peterson and Elder Forward went and read the Book Of Mormon with Peter and had a great experience , he really loved it and he understood it more. We all went finding and talked to many people.

We taught Peter this week about the Ten Commandments and obedience, and he understood it well. With Peter he has been loving our meetings and he feels the spirit but as always he also is thinking logically about some of the things which causes him to question the Feelings he has. But Peter is loving Church and all and truly seeing this as something he wants in his life, it is incredible. At church on Sunday we had Testimony meeting and many members in our branch actually 16 of them went to the temple this past week. So he kept hearing about the temple and he Loved it and said it is a place he wants to go when he joins. Peter is doing so well. He is beginning to have a relationship with the Savior and he sees how his prayers are really changing. He tells us that he sees this joy that he desires. I know that that is why the Lord needs all of us as his representatives and his disciples to be WORTHY and to be the example of the saviour because it is through the Light in our countenance that people see that this is good. 

So the branch was very eventful as we said, 16 members went to the temple this week and two families had sealings occur. Trisha and Tom got sealed to one another for time and all eternity, and Susan got sealed to her parents. MAn such amazing experiences were experienced by all who attended, The spirit at church was so powerful. 

Oh this week as well we met with Chris again, he had said he wasn't interested in the past but had asked for us to come by again, and it went well He remembered much of the restoration and asked good questions. 

Also we are seeing Jimmy again today, so looking forward to see him again. 

The Gospel is the device that brings maximum joy and I am so greatful to be able to share it with so many of the Lord's children each and every day. No Effort is wasted. We also met a lady named Amanda who we will be seeing this week she is from Brazil and used to meet with missionaries.  

Halloween as a missionary was boring. :P But some people ran around throwing poppetsat people causing big bangs so that was a weird thing we saw, also we were hit by a taxi this week when in the car with the other elders, the car just kept backing and backing until he hit us then drove away. and when in sligo we were walking down the road as well adn heard a loud bang and saw a car ram another car, the one that got hit his whole front end was smashed and the ones whoe hit him, went to the side to do claims, and the guy whos car was mashed just drove off, it was strange sight to see. But hey.

The mission rocks, Also Today I got told my official return date will be February 3rd, 2016. I can't believe it is coming so fast Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!! But just so all of you know.

I love you and want you to know I pray for you oft. 

Till the Work is Done. 

 

Elder James Tom Kirk Reece    Currently Serving In Mullingar Branch, Dublin Stake, Irelandhttps://www.mormon.org/me/9D93/JamesTomKirkReece

Scotland/Ireland Mission 

51 Spylaw Road
EH10 5BP

Edinburgh

ScotlandMon

Monday Oct 26, 2015

If you are pure, you are Guided

As You see in the Title, we were guided this week it was neat, We were trying by some of our potentials and We were going through this area looking for a specific address number and we pulled into this driveway and were trying to see the number, and our friend Damian came out and invited us in, so we had been trying to get in contact with him and it was nice to see him. 

This week was neat we FOUND ALOT of people. 

I was on exchanges with Elder Barton on Thursday and we found 11 new people this week to follow up with and see when we can go and see them. It was so neat. We ran into 2 people we met in the past, So we were able to get a phone number for Martin and Claire, and give Claire a Book Of Mormon. 

We were walking down the road as well and we met this guy named Hans, he was German. He was saying how there aren't many people like us in Germany, so he wanted to know more, and he was asking many questions then he said, " I think I have made myself interested I will come to your church on Sunday." It was so neat. We also were able to have a neat experience with our friend Christopher. He is homeless and he says he doesn't believe in God, and asked a question and usually I respond right away but I felt to invite him to meet in a time where we can prepare the environment to make it condusive to the Spirit he agreed and we said we would see him again.  So even when you have the answer, it doesn't benefit the other person unless the Spirit TESTIFIES of the truth. How cool is that. 

We just went out and talked to everyone this day and it was so cool, we contacted over 100 people in 8 hours. It was so neat. 

We taught Peter This week, he has alot of questions and is having difficulty believing that Joseph Smith is a profit, but he keeps telling us he likes what the church teaches , he likes the light we have and he wants it. He CAME to church this week, and he said he truly wants this in his life, He felt the spirit and committed to all 3 hours next week. !!!!!!!! The Lord wants to bless us and as we are sanctified his spirit can guide us. I came across something interesting in my studies this week. 

The sons of Mosiah went forth to preach the gospel to the Lamanites and when they went, they went with a desire that they would PERHAPS have the ability to bring some of their brethren to come unto Christ. I have pondered this alot, as the Lord has told us that each of us have Agency so even if people have been called to serve and to be apart of the church, they must allow themselves to be chosen. 

I was given the priviledge to give a talk on the 13th Article of Faith yesterday and it went really well I would say. 

The three focuses were 1. Honesty in all things, 

2. Modesty in all aspects, and 3. Pure CONVERSATION. 

In doctrine and Covenants it teaches us that " Let no corrupt communication proceed out of thy mouth, only that which is edifies, that it may bring grace unto the hearers." This has been a thing I have been pondering on for a while as SARCASM in the world has become very prevalent. I found out that sarcasm in its root means " Tear flesh like wolves" crazy ehh. I know I am working hard to be able to sanctify my thoughts, words, and actions and it is difficult but as we take our cross daily we will be an example of the believers as the Lord and his prophet have instructed us to be. 

We are to be the light on the hill, Shine that people may glorify GOD. 

I Love this church, One of the reasons is because we are constantly striving to improve. and If we are doing things against that which the Lord has commanded he lets us know and chastens us to be able to have the opportunity to reach the potential he has for us. 

I know that this church is true, and as we are the Light of the World we will feel better about these things, one reason being Light brings warmth. :) I love this Gospel and I know I am where the Lord needs me to be right now and doing what he needs me to be. :) 

I love all of you, have a great week. 

Till the work is done. 

Elder James Tom Kirk Reece    Currently Serving In Mullingar Branch, Dublin Stake, Irelandhttps://www.mormon.org/me/9D93/JamesTomKirkReece

Scotland/Ireland Mission 

51 Spylaw Road
EH10 5BP

Edinburgh

Scotland