Swine Flu letter

Dear Parents of our beloved missionaries,

With regards to the recent events of the swine flu outbreak in Mexico City, I am writing to let you know that I have been working closely with our Area Medical Advisor, Elder Roger Brunt M.D., to ensure the physical safety of each our missionaries. I have informed our missionaries to strictly follow all of the guidelines that the Mexican Government is asking its citizens to do, which are:

• Wash your hands frequently, especially if you have had contact with someone that is ill.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes with your hands.
• Do not greet someone directly with a handshake or a kiss.
• Avoid places where there is close contact with large groups of people, like the subway and busses.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Eat fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A and C (carrots, papaya, guayaba, oranges, mandarin oranges, limes, lemons, pineapple, etc.)
• If flu like symptoms are detected, seek medical help immediately.

In addition to these guidelines I have strongly encouraged our missionaries to not eat from street vendors and to carry with them antibacterial gel to sanitize their hands throughout the day.

I am confident that if the missionaries will be obedient to these guidelines they can continue to participate in their normal missionary activities. Your prayers, faith and sacred support are deeply appreciated. There is no doubt that our missionaries are on the Lord’s errand and will continue to enjoy the blessings and protection of Him whose work this is.

Warmest regards,
President Russell G. Bulloch
Mexico City East Mission

April 27, 2009

Well family Mexico is just dandy!!! Me and my companion just baptized 3 people this past week. We are just teaching and preaching, every once in a while we get the opportunity to help people receive the saving ordanance of Baptism. It really is amazing this work. Its kinda crazy here in Mexico though because there is a flu virus going around that has killed 70 people so far and ALOT of people are sick from it. Last Sunday we didnt have our services because the virus has moved up our way. Everybody here is pretty scared of it and no one whats to talk to us about our message right now, but I know if we trust in the Lord everything will be ok.
Well enough about me, how is eveything going for you all. Sounds like everyone is staying busy. Make sure that you drive safely down to Texas and also tell Nich and Brookie hi for me. Well I lost my wallet. We were riding in a bus and I guess it fell out of my pocket. I had my licence, credit card, tempe recommend, insurance card, and mtc card in my wallet. I apologize for that but maybe next time you send me a package you could send me a new license. Oh and as for mothers day I dont know if we can talk to ya over the computer I will ask though. Well 5 de Mayo we have transfer. I dont know if me or my comp well get changed but I will let you know. I love you all so much! Good luck with everything let me know if you need anything!
Elder Reed

April 20, 2009

Hey momma,

Well time is just flying by! Right now me and my comp only have 2 more weeks then we have transfers. I almost have 9 months in the mission and Ben Davis is already home! My o my. Well I am really glad to hear that you had a baptism there in our ward. It is so amazing how this gospel can change peoples lives. This truly is the Church of Jesus Christ. Me and my companion teach alot of Catholics here in Mexico and most of the time when we explain that we know this is the true church of Christ they always tell us the all the churches are true. Me and my companion then have to explain when Jesus Christ was here on the earth he established the Church of Jesus Christ not the Churches of Jesus Christ. We know that there can only be one church that has the all the principles and ordainances necessary to be the church of Christ! We know this Church is true!!!!! Well momma I want to apologize for taking money out but I didn't have any. We changed our house here in mexico and had to pay the rent and deposit so me and my comp didnt have any money. We are still waiting to be reimbursed from the mission. Its hard because being D.L I have to travel to the other missionaries houses and check up on them also I have to have meetings with the Z.L. I apologize though. Well I hope all is well over there in Az. I love you all so much!!
Elder Reed

April 13, 2009

Well, sounds like there is alot of things going on down there. How exciting that Briana has a little girl now. I am so happy for her! Well, this past Sunday my companion and I had 2 baptism and are hoping for 4 more this week. I love missionary work so much!!! This gospel truly is for all the people here in this world. I feel so privileged to be a missionary for these 2 short years. Well how is the family doing. How is work going. I hope all is going good. Please let me know if I can do anything for ya.
Love Elder Reed

April 6, 2009

Well momma that is alot to take in all at once. I am sorry but always remember that there has to be opposition in all things (2 Nephi). If we didn't know the bad we wouldn't know the good. I have had a hard time to this last week. First me and my companion got sick this past Thursday. We were throwing up and had diaria. We stayed in a bed but had to leave in the afternoon because we had some really important appointments. We were sick from Thursday til Saturday. Also some Elders and Hermanas in my district don't want to work and they didn't have that good of numbers this week so I got a little chewed out from our Zone Leaders. Also we were suppose to baptize 2 people this past week. One is a girl who has a strong testimony and got baptize this past Sunday. The other was a little kid who had his baptismal interview and his service was prepared when his mom said that she didn't want him to get baptized. It was a pretty rough week but I know that the Lord loves me and knows what I am going through. Some times we need to be humbled because we trust to much in ourselves then in the Lord. I know that God loves you mom but always remember we can choose to be unhappy and feel sorry for ourselves or we can go to the scriptures, turn our hearts to God, and do his will. We must always grow from the situations which God gives us. I LOVE YOU SOO MUCH MOMMA!!! and even though I am here in Mexcio I will always be here for you.
Love, Elder Reed