Week 13 From a Spanish Group to 1.5 English Wards

New name tag in English

My new companion Sister Willes

Christmas Tree at the Mission office

Hermana Simmons and Hermana Riddle

Saying goodbye to Sister Riddle

THIS WEEK HAS BEEN CRAZY!!

Monday I basically just packed all day, because of transfers.

Tuesday we had studies and then went up to sparks for some meetings.  I went and knocked doors for an hour with 2 sisters for an hour.  then we had our transfer meeting.  My new companion is Sister Willes.  she is super awesome.  she is from Ely, Nevada.  then we went to a RS dinner, so I got to meet a lot of people.  we only cover half of that ward though.  there is a set of elders that cover the other half. 

Wednesday we went around and taught a bunch of lessons.  its weird to leave the house before lunch, and have to come back to eat, since we don't have to study as much.  it was a good day though.  we misplaced a binder for a bit, so that was a bit hard.

Thursday we had weekly planning.  we had a lot to do, since we were also given another ward.  sister Willes and I are on the same page with that one.

Friday we taught some lessons, and found our binder!!

Saturday we went to a baptism, and taught a bunch of lessons.  it was a great day.  there are some pretty weird people out in downtown at night though.. :P 

Sunday we went to one ward at 9 and another ward at 12, then we met with the ward mission leader of the new area.  they are super excited to have sisters.  I cant wait.  :)  there was also a super awesome stake Christmas devotional, so that was fun.

I am more and more excited to be in this area.   I know I will grow a lot, even though I wont be speaking much Spanish.  I cant wait to see the miracles that will happen this transfer!!

~Sister Riddle

if you havent done so yet, check out christmas.mormon.org (navidad.mormon.org)  it is a really cool website, even for members.  ther e are fun quizes and videos to watch.  I wish I had more time to explore it more fully!!

#ComparteLaDádiva #ShareTheGift

Week 12- One Word- Transfers

Best Companionship Ever!

Missionaries with Santa

Cutest little girl!

Monday:  p- day, the usual

Tuesday: district meeting (apparently every ward has a ward mission plan.  if you want to be a better missionary, you should look that up, and help your ward out!! :) )  several missionaries are leaving this transfer, so we signed transfer journals. other than that it was a typical day

Wednesday: lots of lessons

Thursday: sister Simmons got sick, so I played the piano in order to be able to play in church on Sunday.  we also taught our recent convert.  he gave each of us a present.  that was really cool, cause he had never given anyone a Christmas present before.

Friday:  went around inviting everyone to the Christmas Party this weekend

Saturday: helped out with the Latino Christmas Party.  we had a really good turnout.  It was stake wide, so we had twice as many People as usual show up.  Sister Simmons was stressed in anticipation for a transfer notification, which didn't come until nighttime.  She read the message, and looked at me (i was across the room)  and she said: "I'm staying"  which meant I was leaving.  no one expected that!!  when Spanish sisters come to Carson City they stay forever, but apparently I'm the exception to the rule.

Sunday was church, and it was fast and testimony meeting, with Spanish sacrament meeting.  it was really emotional and spiritual.  I bore my testimony of how much the mission changes the missionary.  I compared my testimony to my ability to play piano or speak in church in Spanish (because I gave a talk and had to play spontaneously the first Sunday of Spanish sacrament meeting.)  I could only play with one finger, but now I can play some songs with both hands.  it is amazing what can happen when you rely on the Lord with all your heart, might mind and strength.  (I've had that verse memorized for as long as I can remember, but I only found out this past month that it is from Doctrine and Covenants 4.  the missionary section.)

Later that night, we got the official call from our zone leader telling me where I was moving to.  I am going to the Reno North zone, as a junior companion, and I'm covering 2 wards.  most likely, I'll also be in English.

I am really excited to be going to North Reno this transfer. I don't know what it will be like going English, but it will be a good experience. we were in shock when we found out I would be the one moving, but I think in my heart I saw it coming. I was really sad, and I still am, because I'm leaving behind a lot of great people, but I have realized that it will be a great experience for me, and that the Lord needs me to help people in another place, in another language.

Para Siempre Dios Este Con Vos!!!  y nos vemos la proxima semana!!!!!

~Hermana Riddle

#ComparteLaDádiva

#ShareTheGift

Week 11 November 24-30, 2014

#ComparteLaDádiva #ShareTheGift

Hermana Simmmons and I got matching sweaters!!

 Some random guy got us a gift card while we were
having lunch!!!!

This week was really good.

Monday: p-day, lessons, the usual. but we had a party with the zone and we played a cool game called Curses.  that was really fun

Tuesday: lessons, we read the same chapters in the book of mormon over and over again.  but its cool, because I personally learn something different each time we read it.  even if its something small!

Wednesday: district meeting, because the zone leaders had to go to a training.  there is a new initiative out by the church, and if you have an ensign you may already know about it.  if not, go to christmas.mormon.org ( navidad.mormon.org ) and watch the video (He is the Gift (El es la Dadiva).  its SO COOL.  its about the true meaning of christmas, its really short and well worth your time.  then, SHARE IT!!! they are hoping over 220 million people will watch the video!

Thanksgiving Day

Thursday was thanksgivig, as you all know.  we had weekly planning all morning, but in the afternoon, we went to dinner, and we talked with a lot of people who kept coming in and out of our fiesta!  we had turkey, creamy potatoes, and honey ham.  there was A LOT of food.

Friday we taught several lesson, typical day, and we shared the christmas video with everyone we talked to.  so that was cool

Saturday was pretty much the same as friday, but we also had a scripture study class in the evening which was really good.

Sunday we had church.  one of the members brought a friend, who loved how we do church.  in his old church it was 4 hours of a preacher preaching, but we only have one, and then move around, and have discussion on gospel principles and doctrine.  he though that was so cool.  I had never thought about how cool that was.  we all learn from each other, but then we all gather, and ask God to teach us through the spirit, since that is the best way to learn knowledge.

just like in the book of mormon.  we read, then we ask God in the name of christ (prayer) if the things we have learned in our heads are true, and he answers to our hearts.

"The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask it from books, but to go to God in prayer and obtain divine teaching" Joseph Smith

I love you all and hope and pray for the best for each of you always!

Hasta Luego!

~Hermana Riddle

#ComparteLaDádiva

#ShareTheGift

Persimmon

Week 10, November 24,2014

This week, I did a lot, and I honestly don't remember half of it.  so I am going to write more about what I learned each day of the week, instead of what I did.

Monday:  we talked to an investigator that came to the baptism.  we talked about the spirit that was there, and our member just continued to help fellowship her.  that is a key aspect of the gospel.  loving others is so important.  without that love, we are not the disciples of Christ that we commit to be when we are baptized.

Tuesday: ZONE CONFERENCE!

this day was amazing.  we sat in meetings all day with our mission president and all the people that work in the mission office.  there are a lot of missionaries returning home this next transfer, and it was really emotional for them.  our mission president also showed us the death crawl video our zone leaders showed us a few weeks ago.  every time I watch that clip I learn a little more and I always get emotional.  it is amazing what we can do if we set our goal high, and rely on our heart and faith.  also here is a good quote from zone conference:

When you face adversity, you know you are doing something right

after zone conference, I reflected about what I learned, and as I began to apply it to myself, I learned a lot about myself.  I learned what I need to do to be better as a missionary and in life in general.  this time is not for you to be the best, but it is for you to do your best

Wednesday was really slow we had district meeting, because we didn't have it on Tuesday due to zone conference.  I learned a lot about helping people that day though.  we taught some less actives about always doing what we need to do in order to receive blessings from the lord.

Thursday was good.  we had weekly planning, and as a companionship we learned how to listen to each other.  we also were able to teach a few people.  our investigator, we taught then about the gospel of Jesus Christ, with a focus on the gift of the holy ghost and how that differs from impressions of the spirit.  we also taught a less active about coming unto Christ and being perfected in him.  Finally we taught our recent convert about temples, and what he needs to do to get to that point.  it is amazing to see these people come unto Christ in their own time.

Friday we taught a few lessons, we read the Book of Mormon with a few people, and planned more lessons.  we talked about temples some more, and I realized I knew more about the importance of temples than I ever did before.  teaching really does help you learn better.  after that we visited Rex.  it was a very powerful lesson.  he told us about his grandfather, and it was very personal and inspiring.  we taught him about the plan of salvation and how proud his grandfather is that he is changing.  he wanted me to say the closing prayer, but I asked him to say it instead.  he did, and it was the most powerful spirit as he prayed and for a good 5 minutes after.  it is a privilege for me to be able to watch the spirit work in him, and to watch him change his own life (even if he tells us that we are making him change).

Saturday we had a hard time, and I learned the importance of following spiritual promptings.  it was a hard day for lessons, but we went around and invited people to our noche de hogar for the Spanish group, and we were able to have a lot of people show up.  it turned into a great night.

Sunday we had ward council before church, and we were able to help the ward come together and see how much we need them.  they could see how much members and the ward council are important to missionaries.  after 4 hours of church (1 English, 3 Spanish)  we had a few more meetings with our ward mission leader and Spanish group[p leader, so we were only able to teach a few lessons.  we saw Rex again, and even extended an invitation to be baptized when he came to the knowledge of the importance of it, and he said when he felt like he was ready he would.  that was really powerful to me.  A testimony that PEOPLE CAN CHANGE, but only if they have that desire to change.

I just wanted to end by saying that I LOVE each and every one of you, and I want you to know that I pray for you.

until next week!

~Hermana Riddle

Moroni 10:32:
Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

Week 9- November 17, 2014

This week has been so full, it feels like its been 2 weeks.

Monday we did all of our usual p-day stuff, and we also did a little clothes shopping (elders are supposed to wear the same thing every day, but sisters have to buy clothes to help vary their outfits)  then at dinner we talked with a member's less active son.  After that we taught one of our investigators and our friend invited him back over to the members house for dinner.  We had planned to have a lesson with Filemon at their house, but the less actives were still there, and our investigator was there, so we had a makeshift FHE and we all learned how to tie a tie.  It was really fun.

Tuesday we had district meeting.  We learned about how to best share a short message of the gospel.  Then we went to lunch with a bunch oof the elders.  After that we went to visit one of our members, who works at a care center.  One of the ladies there was panicking about dying, but only speeks english, and our member doesnt really speak english.  So she called us to come talk with her.  She was so cute.  She was really scared, and wouldnt sleep cause she was afraid she wouldnt wake up.  We calmed her down, and explained that she would be ok.  then we went to our other lessons, with Diana, and then to this one recent convert.  we were supposed to help her pack all her stuff, because she was going to get evicted, but instead we retaught her the word of wisdom.  after dinner, we went and taught Filemon, and basically planned his whole baptism.  then the spanish STLs (sister training leaders) showed up, and Hermana Simmons left with them, leaving me in charge of everything with Hermana Braithewaite.

Wednesday I was with her all day, because it was exchanges.  it was really awesome.  after we studied, we went around, then went to lunch with a member.  then we wandered around again, trying to talk to as many people, and especially investigators as we could.  we went back to the care center to visit with the lady, and she was asleep, but her roommate was awake so we shared with her.  then after teaching several more lessons, we went to dinner.  after dinner, we had a debriefing session, where she told me I didn't need to worry, because I knew what I was doing, and I was doing awesome.  then we taught Filemon a little about missionary work, and Hermana Simmons came back!  we taught more lessons than we planned for that day!

Thursday we had weekly planning.  we had lunch with a member and it was really cool because last time we went with her, she didn't have anything to help us with, but this time she recommended we visit a less active person Hermana Simmons didnt even know.  then we taught a few more lessons, and filemon had his interview.  so that was great.

Friday was good.  studied all morning, had lunch.  went around trying to find people to teach, taught a couple of investigators, and our recent convert, who isnt getting evicted anymore, and we shared our testimonies of the book of mormon with her.

Saturday was an exciting day.  we had mini missions for our stake.  its where the priest/laurels of the stake get paired up with a missionary companionship and they spend the day with them.  our missionary was at tryouts all morning wo we just studied like normal.  then picked up Sister Beamer.  after lunch we when to the carecenter, and the lady we were visiting was no longer on her deathbed!  she was in her chair, feeding herself some lunch.  that was really cool for us to see.  she is really inspiring.  she loved hearing our message and I hope we can help her more.  then we visited an investigator who only speaks spanish, so that was hard fopr our missionary.  then we had a baptism, so we were at the church for a while.  Filemon's baptism was beautiful, and I'm so happy for him.  after that, we had our scripture study class, and more members came.  even some investigators came!!  it was a really good day.

Sunday was just long.  we had church and that was good.  Filemon was confirmed (the only confirmations we've had in sacrament meeting since i've been here have been in spanish).  the talks were all about tithing.  then we ate with the Lopez family.  after that we had a meeting with our spanish group leaders, and planned some future activities.  when that was done we taught some lessons.  typical missionary week.

I love being a missionary, and I'm so glad to be serving the Lord.  as a last note, I just want to mention something about powerful conversion.  you may know a lot about the scriptures and stuff, but church attendance is very important.  there are a lot of people here who have been offended by people at church, and so they don't want to go.  they are letting the actions of someone else control their own eternal salvation.  we need to be truly converted to the gospel, and attend church because it is a commandment,m and because it allows us to renew pour baptismal covenant with the lord.  other people should not control us.  don't let them.  Agency is a beautiful thing.

~Hermana Riddle

Hermana Riddle and Companion November 10, 2014

Week 8 - Long Week

It’s been a really long week.  It’s been at least 2 weeks since last Monday.

Monday:  Studied, emails, Walmart, lunch, cleaning, dinner, and after dinner we had a really powerful lesson with a less active about how the Lord loves us even when we make mistakes.  He always wants the best for us, and is just waiting for us to choose to follow Him.  It was awesome.

Tuesday felt really short.  (I guess all the days are really short, but the weeks are just long, until I look back on them).  We had zone training all about how members can best help missionaries fulfill their purpose.  Without the members helping us find referrals, and being in ward council and stuff, missionary work is really hard to do.  We also set some really big goals, and to help motivate us, we watched a clip from Facing the Giants.  You should watch it.  It’s the death crawl clip, where a boy named Brock gives his best.  Then we studied some more, and had a couple of lessons.

Wednesday was good.  We studied then went out to lunch, and a large number of ward members were there including the bishop.  One of the brethren offered to pay for us.  Then we had a couple of lessons with people. Having members with us is great because they can help on a more personal level, since they aren't "the missionaries" and are easier to relate to.

Thursday we had weekly planning.  We had a lesson with a referral, which is really prepared by the Lord.  When I called her on the phone to set up a first appointment, she asked me when we could come and bring her a Book of Mormon.  She is awesome.  After dinner we attended a why I believe fireside, with new members and investigators.  Also, President was there, so that was cool.  I said the opening prayer, and although the entire meeting was in English, I said the prayer in Spanish, because I am a Spanish speaking missionary.

 

Friday we studied, and then had lunch, then went around trying to teach lessons.  No one was home though.  We taught a recent convert, and then had dinner.  t that point it felt like 9:00 even though it was only 6.  We taught a lesson at the church after dinner, and are having a baptism next week.  Then it still felt like 9:00, but it was only 8, so we taught another lesson.  With him, he sees my face every time he is tempted to make a bad decision, and I told him it’s because he knows that what I'm telling him is true.

Saturday after studying, we went to lunch at a member’s house, with the elders.  Then we read scriptures with Diana and her friends.  We had another lesson with a member and we read Alma 8, and how to be a better member missionary like we learned about in zone training.  Then we had dinner.  Afterwards, we went to the church to have a Spanish scripture study class.  That was really cool.  The member in charge should be a professor.  He taught as well as my BYU Book of Mormon teacher. Only a few people came, but I think more people will come as we continue to have the class.

Sunday was good.  We had church, and we had quite a few investigators there.  Gospel principles hit really close to home for all of them.  It was about eternal families, but they liked it.  After church we had lunch with the Lopez family, who faithfully feed all of us every Sunday.  They are great.  Then we went and read with Diana, and after struggling to find people to teach, we taught a couple really powerful lessons.

This week has been really good; really long, but worth it.  I can’t wait to see what the next week will bring.

 

~Hermana Riddle

Week 7 I HAVE LEARNED

I have learned so much this week.  for the past little bit I have been repeatedly told the same lesson, about how to forget the past, looking toward the future, and loving the people here on my mission with the pure love of Christ.  This week, I feel like I've learned that lesson not only in my head, but also in my heart.  Humility is a huge thing.  and I know I've been saying it a lot, but I finally am beginning to understand what it means when I say people have to choose FOR THEMSELVES.  that's what AGENCY means.  I have also learned that a mission is not what it seems.  it is an amazing thing, but its very different from every expectation I had. 

Monday, during emails, I ended up spending a lot of the time talking to this guy next to me, who basically knew my life.  it was CRAZY.  he basically told me exactly the same things Hermana Simmons and I had been talking about all weekend.  (she was trying to drill that lesson into me, but it wasn't quite working).  after p-day we taught a lesson and went to family home evening, which was great because the other sisters needed members to be there for their investigators.

Tuesday we studied, then when with some of the elders to teach a lesson.  they taught the son in English, and we taught the mom in Spanish, but, I feel like they were both listening to us teach in Spanish.  we didn't have district meeting, because it was transfer day.  there are now people newer than me on the mission.  we had a ward Halloween party which was a great success.  we had a lot of people with us there.  including 7 little girls.  Diana's little sister is awesome.

Wednesday we taught a lesson to someone at an investigators house, and the investigator helped us teach, which was cool.  we also got to read with another little girl, and her Dad read with us.  also, we found REX. its been several days since we've seen him, but he got another job, so he is hardly ever home.

Thursday was a crazy day, but it was awesome.  we studied, then went to a lesson.  then we studied some more in the car, since our lunch was close by.  we then went over to read with Diana, and we sat with her mom for a bit.  she cuts hair, so we got to talk to some people who were there.  Later we were walking around and I wanted to turn down a certain street I hadn't been down.  Hermana told me it was sketchy, and I could see that a little, but we went down it anyway, and one family was in their tree picking apples.  we offered to help and they told us we could take some apples, cause they had too many.  they were really good.  I'm excited to see where they go, because I know I was impressed to go down that street.  after dinner, we watched the john tanner story with a less active.  we were going to watch "only a stone cutter" but the disk wouldn't play that one.  it was awesome for him though.  then we taught another lesson about prayer and scripture study.

Friday we had weekly planning, because it was Halloween.  that's when I really internalized the lesson that has been drilled into me these past weeks.  Hermana Simmons and I talked it out, and I started top see what I needed to do to be a better missionary.  we didnt end up teaching the people we thought we were going to, but we had some really good lessons with other investigators.  after dinner, we taught a less active (with the help from the one we taught on thursday) about gaining the confidence to focus on Christ, and trusting in him, "jump out of the boat" and walk on water.  only then can we leave our comfort zone.  "there is no growth in a comfort zone, but, there is no comfort in a growth zone."

another great quote that was shared during this lesson is this:

"we must be willing to let go of the life we have planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us"

Saturday was a long day.  we studied untill 10, when we went to the Nevada Day parade.  we were there for 2 hours before we started walking.  but it was cool to see everyone there.  we walked along the edges of the pioneers, members in helping hand shirts, and missionaries dressed normal, handing out fliers for the BBQ we were having right after the parade.  we headed over there quickly and had a great time.  we had some investigators with us, and we were able to teach them a lot about the church, and the family history center.  then we taught a different investigator a lesson, and invited him to be baptized.  I think he will get baptized.  we were going to teach Rex, but we felt like today was not the right day, so we taught other people instead

Sunday was daylight savings, but we got our clocks messed up, and we almost got up and ready at 5:30 instead of 6:30 :P but we caught ourselves.  we had church and I played the piano in Spanish sacrament meeting.  I don't play well, but I at least can carry a tune, which is more than most.  but I've improved since I started my mission.  I know the lord helps those who rely on him.  after dinner, We then taught a few lessons, one with our new investigators, and one with Rex.  he was drunk, and upset with us, because we didn't visit him, the night before to stop him from getting drunk, but he needed to have agency. he went to a concert, and everyone there had drugs, but every time anyone offered them to him, he would see my face telling him not to do it, so he didn't.  I thought that was pretty cool, that I've had that much of an impact on him in such a short amount of time.

This week, overall has been amazing.  I have learned so much about loving people.  I knew it in my head before, but now I have started to learn it in my heart.  and I hope to be able to apply it always.

the first three Christlike attributes in preach my Gospel are:  Faith Hope, and Charity,  (charity being the pure love of Christ)  we cant have charity if we don't have faith or hope.  so, if you are charitable, you have faith and hope in something.

~Hermana Riddle

First transfer is over D:

a lot of stuff happened this week.  like, A LOT.   and I don't remember most of it, but here it goes

Monday we had p-day and we cleaned out our room and our car.  our area will never need supplies ever again in Spanish.  because its all in the back of our car.  we went to McDonalds to lunch and I won a prize in monopoly! so that was fun.  later some members took us out to dinner.  then we went to Rex's and taught him that even though things are starting to get really rough in his life, the lord is always with him.

Tuesday we had district meeting and we learned about some really cool scriptures.  D&C 24/7  and Alma 24/7  which can be applied 24/7  :)

then we went to lunch, then over to the little girls to read scriptures with them.  later we went and taught some lessons, had dinner, and taught some more people.  Rex is going through a really hard time, but hopefully, if HE CHOOSES to follow Christ, things will go better for him.

Wednesday we went out to lunch with a member after studying all morning.  its funny cause we went out to dinner with a member too.  members love to feed us.  but sometimes its hard when people cancel, so we only taught a few lessons today.

Thursday we had weekly planning, and in the middle of it, a member offered to take us out to lunch.  we had SUSHI!  9 weeks almost to the DAY I was set apart, we had the thing I thought I was never going to have while on my mission (but sushi is way cheaper over here than at home, because the ocean isn't over 1000 miles away).  Ernesto was with us and he ordered a "shooter"  he described them to us, but i guess I looked like I wanted one so he ordered one for me.  basically its fish eggs in a shot glass full of soy sauce,and lemon juice, then they crack a raw quail egg into it, and sprinkle onions on it.  it wasn't "bad" but it was just really salty and sour.  I didn't taste the egg much though.  I also didn't get sick, so that's good.

Friday we studied all day.  its was a great day.  we went to lunch after studying.  I was ordering, and some guy came up behind us, and asked if we were the missionaries.  Hermana told him we were, as I was about to pay and he said "put your money away"  he isn't in out ward boundaries, but he and his wife love helping out the missionaries.  that was a really cool experience.  then we went over to where the little girls live.  they weren't home yet, but we visited with all of their parents, contacted new people, and we even street contacted in English.  we taught 5 lessons in about 2 hours, so that was REALLY cool.  after dinner, we sat with Rex, and he is doing better, he its wanting to do the right things. 

Saturday was really intense.  after studies and lunch, we taught the girls, then had dinner.  then when we taught Rex, he was having a really bad day.  a gang wanted to steal his dog, so he shot the ground to scare them off, and hid in his house all day thinking he was going to get arrested.  he was really scared, but we prayed with him, and then he wanted to pray.  he was so sincere, and he really wants to be doing the right thing.  it hurt to see him in such pain, but it was good for us to see that he has that desire to change.  we went home a little early, but it was a good night.  also I watched the testaments.  that was a good movie

Sunday was cool.  we had ward council, and we had a few investigators at church with us.  Rex and Yasmina with her daughters.  it was the primary program, so that was fun.  then taught a few lessons, and had dinner.  we started teaching Ernesto, and I was really the one who learned from him.  but it was good, because he is becoming more comfortable with teaching.

until next week!

~Hermana Riddle

PS, I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Picture of my zone!! Carson City!

Week 5

I finally figured out how to count the weeks.

Monday we taught a few lessons, and one was really cool.  we taught about temples to a recent convert, hopefully he can get a recommend to do baptisms soon.  it will be so cool to go with him.

Tuesday we had district meeting, and I learned something really powerful.  There is a difference between feeling the influence of the spirit, and having the holy ghost.  one is like a 30-day trial subscription, where you get access to some things, while the other is like having the full subscription.  It also occurred to me that someone has already paid for your subscription to the holy ghost, CHRIST.  you just have to accept him, and take his (user)name upon you (like the baptismal covenant) in order to be able to have the holy ghost with you always.  but if you don't keep that, you get logged out of having the Holy Ghost.  that was really cool to realize.  then we taught a lesson about the law of chastity, better than the district 1, and it was just a good day.

Wednesday we had a hard time teaching lessons, because a lot of people weren't home, but we did share a lot of scriptural thoughts with people.

Thursday we had weekly planning, and we updated the whole whiteboard we have. :)  then we went around trying to find people to teach.  we taught the person who was learning about the law of chastity again.  he read the whole pamphlet, and I was really sure we taught it well.  cause we did.  but there were still things he didn't understand, so we had to reteach it.  :P  it was kinda funny though.  Then the Sister Training Leaders (STLs) from Reno came down, and I went to Reno with Sister Boyak.  She was super nice, and funny.

Friday, I was in Reno all day.  They stay in an apartment, so that was cool.  in the morning some of their appointments fell through, so we just tried contacting some potentials.  they had correlation meeting, which was interesting, cause there are 4 sets of missionaries for their branch, instead of just 2 for our group.  it was also cool cause one companionship was a trio.  then we went back to teaching our lessons.  we had to explain tithing really forcefully.  tithing is important, but we cant just make the rules.  we have to follow them as they are given to us by the Lord.  we went to one lesson with a member that was really powerful.  she shared an amazing testimony about how she learned to delight in the scriptures.  she also shared that the book of Mormon is like a cake.  someone can tell you it takes good, or maybe they think it tastes bad.  they tell you to eat it or not.  BUT, YOU don't know what it tastes like unless you try it for yourself.  Its the same with everything in the gospel.  van a saber POR SI MISIMO, deben orar POR SI MISMO van a cambiar POR SI MISMO!!!  (will know, should pray, will change FOR THEMSELVES)  the STL said I was doing a great job, and that the spirit was helping me know exactly what to tell people, so that was awesome.  then I went back to Carson 

its weird here, all the missionaries eat together, in large groups.  one sister fed all 9 of us in Reno... o_O

Saturday we studied, then went to do service.  we cleaned the side of someone's yard for a little bit, then we all went to lunch.  after lunch we taught a few lessons, reading scriptures with a bunch of little kids, and a lot of inviting people to come to Noche De Hogar (monthly family home evening activity for the spanish group)  it was really cool to see all the people there. 

Sunday was interesting.  we went to sacrament meeting in english.  then later, we met with the spanish group.  we finally had a gospel principles class taught for our investigators and recent converts.  then, after relief society, the group met in the relief society room for spanish sacrament meeting.  one of the members asked if I could play the piano, but they picked super hard hymns, so that didn't go so well.  :P  then after the sacrament, I was also the first of 2 speakers.  I talked on perdon (forgiveness)  I found the talk by president uchtdorf on forgiveness, and judging others (the STOP IT one, the merciful obtain mercy, April 2012)  I quoted that a little, and basically explained three things, that we need to FORGIVE OTHERS of their misdeeds and wrongdoings against us, we need to FORGIVE OURSELVES of the things that we have done wrong (think Frozen: "the past is in the past") and we need to have the PURE LOVE OF CHRIST, no matter what anyone has done.  there was another story about a German holocaust survivor that had to forgive a Nazi soldier, and she almost couldn't, but she prayed for that pure love of Christ, so that she could just shake his hand, and she felt a peace in her heart.  it was a good talk.  After church, we taught one lesson that Hermana Simmons put me in charge of, and that was really hard, so I have to work on that this week.  but it was still a good lesson.

I learned a lot this week, and I hope to learn even more in the weeks to come! :)

until next week

~Hermana Riddle

Week 4

The week started of pretty normal

Monday, P-day, I almost didn't have enough time to email.  I need to learn to get faster at these things!!  walmart, carwash, the usual.  I'm determined that my companion and I are going to win something in McDonalds monopoly. :)  we brought two investigators to Noche de Hogar (FHE at a members house)

Tuesday, we had ZONE training.  so I got to meet everyone in the whole zone! there were a lot of people.  then we went around teaching a lot of people.  We even taught a part member family, where the nonmembers didnt want us to be there at all.  but it was really powerful I think. 

Wednesday we taught a bunch of people.  (its been really cool cause Alvaro has been going to all of our lessons with us after work.,  he just really wants to be a missionary again (He served in Louisiana, Spanish speaking).  but its so helpful when members go with the missionaries.  lessons are not as powerful without the testimony and fellowship of member present lessons)  we had an awkward silence at one investigators lesson.  he likes what we have to teach him, but he refuses to read the book of mormon.  its really hard to have a strong testimony if you haven't read and pondered the book of mormon though.  it is central in understanding the gospel.

sidenote.  there was a full lunar eclipse right here  in the week, and I couldnt see it!!  I saw one before my mission though, and apparently this one wasnt even the color that it was supposed to be.

Thursday we had weekly planning most of the day.  during our lessons, one of our investigators thought he was getting baptized this weekend, but we haven't taught him all the lessons, and so Alvaro had a mock interview with him, so that he would understand what he needs to know before baptism.  that was really cool.  i'm learning a lot still, but i'm starting to get the hang of this.

Friday we studied a lot.  and then went and taught all of our lessons.  we got to see diana  after her interview, and she is going to get baptized!!  I cant wait!!  i've been in charge a lot of teaching lessons, and sharing spiritual thoughts, and although its hard sometimes, I'm getting a lot better at it.  I HATE ROLE PLAYS  but they really actually do work.  kinda like the metronome in piano if you don't have an internal beat (but I do, which is why I also hate metronomes)

Saturday was AMAZING.  after studying, and lunch, we tried to contact our investigators.  we met someone on the street who was asking us amazing questions.  straight out of the pamphlets!  I cant wait to teach him.  I know we have the answers to his questions, he just needs to listen to what we have to share.  after that, we had a baptism.  IN SPANISH!  even though we taught her in english, diana wanted the service in spanish, so her parents would understand.  that was really cool!  we even had some investigators show up!  I learned a little about CTR rings too.  they remind us of baptismal covenants (in english).  Commandments, Take his name upon us, Remember him.  that was cool.  Diana's friends were so excited to see her get baptized.  I think some of them want to be baptized too! :D

Sunday was a little harder (thats what you get for having a baptism)  but it was still good.  Diana was confirmed in church.  we tried to teach a bunch of lessons, but a lot of people were busy.  but Rex came to church, and it was testimony meeting, so that was awesome.  I had to translate a little bit in relief society, but I think i'm getting better at it.  we have a full week planned ahead of us, but i'm so ready!! 

also the picture is of me, hermana, diana, and Elder Alvarez

i remembered you did that for our baptisms, so I had her draw a picture, but she didnt have any clue that I was going to have them put it on her program.

Week Three in Carson City

a LOT has happened this week.  its been crazy!!!

Monday we went to Costco in Reno, cause we had to go to the mission office and stuff, and a member took us, so that was fun.  we also visited a little LDS bookstore (knock off Deseret book) and that was super cute.  after a few lessons, we had a silly string fight with Diana! That was so much fun.  she is so excited to be baptized.

Tuesday we had District meeting, and sister simmons and I role played introducing the BoM.  it was hard for her to do it in english.  :)  we had a few good lessons, and had a blessing given to one of our investigators, to help him be more ready for baptism. 

Wednesday we studied all morning, and did our car inspection.  that was cool.  it was a great day.  while we were at lunch, one of our less actives called and told us he was having a hard day.  we went over to his house, and he was able to feel the spirit with us, so strong that he ended up coming with us to all of our lessons that day!  it was awesome.  Diana doesn't like new people so that was interesting, but it was still good.  then Ernesto took us to dinner, and he and Alvaro came to another lesson.  after that, they both left and we went to a relief society service activity, which ended up being cancelled, so one of the ladies said "well, let's wait here for a minute see if anyone else is going to show up, then we'll decide where we are going, then all head over to baskin robbins."  it was really funny.  after that, we went to coordination.

Thursday is where the week got really fun.  brother Hash, who is in charge of church tours in our ward, had the mission president come down, and he had hermana simmons and I help him.  he and hermana were companions, I was a member, and president hermansen was our investigator.  it went well though.  he really liked the church tour.  then as a zone, we watched Meet The Mormons

EVERYONE NEEDS TO SEE THAT MOVIE!!!! IT WAS AMAZING!!!   I didnt have a favorite movie before thursday.  TAKE EVERYONE!!! especially those who are NOT members.  it is a great tool to erase mormon stereotypes.  and the stories are just beautiful. 

after the movie, we went back to our lessons.  we planned diana's baptism.  Alvaro took us to dinner, and we were with his friend.  she told me that I looked like her friends.  Jessica and Jordan, who she knew in utah.  Then she toold me their last name, and I was shocked.  She knew my COUSINS!  so then she was texting them and it was just really funny.  They both came with us to a lesson where we watched the Joseph smith restoration video, and I had her bear her testimony.  that was a really cool experience (even though she didnt speak spanish, and the whole movie had been in spanish)

Friday was interesting, because Hermana simmons had to go to a leadership meeting in Reno.  I went with sisters ingsong & torres.  after a morning of studies at their house, we went to a members house and did service.  we lifted firewood, and moved it to a different spot in the backyard.  then we went to teach Diana.  it was cool to combine our schedules.  when hermana simmons came back, we went to dinner, and then with Alvaro to visit an investigator.  Then we got together with Alvaro, and invited Ernesto to come and learn an awesome lesson we can teach to people about the plan of salvation.  Basically, if you change some of the names in Mosiah 24:9-17, its the plan of salvation.  Amulon is Satanas (satan) the king is God, and Alma and his people are you and your friends.  but after the Lord speaks to them, alma is Jesus Christ.  Satan puts guards over us, to subjugate us, and not let us reach out to God, but if we continuously have a prayer in our hearts, "tomorrow (lords time) he will ease our burdens" and he sends Jesus Christ at the front of this people to show us the way we must go.  it was so powerful, and I learned a lot.  Hermana and I were spiritually wiped, and we still had general conference ahead of us.

GENERAL CONFERENCE!! i cant believe its already been 6 months since the last one.  we went to the first session, at the church, went to lunch, second session (with investigators) then visited Diana.  Alvaro helped us go over the baptismal interview questions, but she was really shy.  then we had dinner with Ernesto's family, then contacted some people that Alvaro knows.  its Awesome, because the two of them are like a companionship.  

Sunday was pretty much the same schedule, but after the second session (the last 2 talks were my favorite talks of conference), we sat down as a group again, hermana and me, Alvaro and Ernesto.  we talked about the story of christ walking on water, and how missionaries are walking on water, but investigators are in a huge boat of worldly things (SS Satanic).  there are member missionaries on that boat, bringing their friends to the edge, and they and the missionaries are helping them to jump into the waters (of baptism) with their eye centered on christ,so they can walk across the water like peter, not doubting, not wavering, and coming unto christ.  it was again, really powerful.  those two are amazing.  then Alvaro came with us to visit a less active family, then to Rex, the same investigator from friday.  he had a rough 48 hours without us.  he had been drinking all day.  we talked with him for a long time, about how satan lives in the bottle, and how he wants us to be miserable.  we need to chose to turn to christ, who is always with us, even if we deny him.  then he took us to his kitchen, and had us flush some drugs.  that was a really powerful moment for me.  I have only known him for 2 days, but, I was so proud of him, that I cried.  i'm also still sorta in shock, cause that was the first time i've been that close to things like that.  Rex also dumped one of his beers.  which made my cry proud tears even more.  it was a beautiful step for him to take.

I'm so glad that I've already been able to help people on my mission.  I hope I will always keep the "New Misisonary Spark" i've been told I have, and that I will doubt my doubts before I doubt my faith, and always keep my positive attitude.  I hope that my positivity is contagious, and that Everyone will have a good week this week. :)  until then

~Hermana Riddle

Hermana Riddle and Jessica and Jordan's friend

My favorite Pictures from this week!

Hermana Riddle and Hermanna Pechetto

me with Ada'n 

Yasmin, Susie, Diana, Me, Yessica

Wow, it's been a month!

WOW!! I can't believe its only been a month since I was set apart.  IT FEELS LIKE FOREVER AGO!!

 

Monday we had p-day, and I finally unpacked everything.  There is SO MUCH smoke here.  I forgot to mention that.  the first week there were fires in California, so, there's smoke sometimes.  on Monday it was really bad.

Tuesday we had district meeting.  we talked about joseph smith, and we watched a video on elder Holland's testimony of the Book of Mormon.  we had lunch with Hermana Lopez, los Elderes (Corado y Arellano), the Elders (Christensen and Jetton), and the Zone leaders (Williamson and Twitchell).  4 of them don't speak Spanish, so that was fun.  then I had my first interview in the field with president and sister Hermansen.  they are super nice.  we taught Filemon and he is trying to stop smoking on his own! :)  then we went to read scriptures with Diana and her friends.  she thinks I'm super cute. :3  that's what I think of her too.  I love when she prays for "the mormon girls that take us to church, and knock us in the door"

Wednesday we had a service project all morning.  it was kinda cool, cause we were working alongside about half the mission.  we cleared trees, picked up trash, and removed graffiti from a huge park.  we ended up studying most of the evening, because we didn't get a chance to in the morning, and no one was home for appointments

Thursday we had a very full day of proselyting.  we had weekly planning all morning, but now that I know our investigators better, It was a lot more productive for me.  we contacted a bunch of less actives that stopped talking to the missionaries last transfer.  then we taught Filemon again.  he still has doubts, but the only way to resolve those is if he goes to church and gets baptized.  Then we visited with Marcelo, and then with Stefani, to talk to her about patriarchal blessings.

Friday we did a lot of stuff.  I had to do an online segment of adjusting to missionary life, we had to get the oil changed in the car, and a lot of studying.  finally we went to teach Yasmina,.  when Diana came home, we asked her if she wanted to get baptized.  we told her she could get baptized in 2 weeks, and she is pretty excited about that.  then we tried to contact some potentials, but we ended up just visiting with less actives.  we went with Alvaro to teach Nelson and his kids, and they all want to be baptized.  then we went to Ernesto's house, and his whole family was having a fish fry.  Hermana Simmons and I split a whole tilapia.  I got the HEAD.  yes, I'm in Nevada, but I ate a fish head.... somewhat.

Saturday the grandkids were over, so that was interesting.  they were really excited about us.  I looked out of our door, and the little girl ran to grandma and said "I saw a missionary!!!"  in the afternoon we taught Diana and Helen the Restoration, and then they came to a baptism with us to watch.  They loved it.  Helen kinda wants to get baptized too now.  then we took them with us to watch the women's broadcast, since they are old enough, and they liked it, but not as much as the baptism.  but they had ice cream after, so that kinda made up for it.  

Sunday we had church, and we went to classes with the Spanish speaking group. I enjoyed church much better than I did when I was little, cause I actually understand what people are saying now.  Sacrament meeting is in Spanish through translation that a few members do (through headphones).  then we had a missionary meeting, where we went through the directory, and learned about each family.  we had a hard time finding people this Sunday, but we contacted a potential with Jessica (a Spanish speaking RM), and visited with Diana, and taught her about the Plan of Salvation.  Her dad is concerned about her decision, since she is only 8, but I can tell she has a testimony.  

That's it for this week.  I will have been out on my mission (MTC included) for 1 month this Friday, but I was set apart a month ago today.

First week in Carson City

September 22, 2014

A LOT has happened this week. 
Tuesday i had to be at the airport at 4:30 am.  I know the Lord blesses his missionaries, because my alarm didn't go off, but I woke up at 4:20 and got ready in time to catch the bus, and didn't miss my travel group.  After arriving in the Reno airport, with all its slot machines, we met our mission president and his wife.  They are super nice.  after being in meetings all day I got my companion, and my area assigned.  My companion's name is Hermana Simmons.  She's awesome.  then. 2/3rds of our mission (how many people were at transfer day.  president said that's the most people of the mission he's ever had together, usually all the far away town have their missionaries shipped out to them) went out to dinner.  There was a couple there who asked what church we were all from.  The elders talked to them, since I was too excited to even say anything.  SOMEONE WAS ASKING QUESTIONS!! :D  I live at a member's house, and they are super nice.

Wednesday started the hard work.  We cover a large area, so we drive, then walk around neighborhoods.  (don't worry dad, my bike is locked up safe at the house).  We went around to a lot of our investigators, introducing me to them.  We had dinner at a member's house, and they fed us SO MUCH FOOD.  it was crazy.  At one point, I think I got dehydrated.  It wasn't that hot, but it is a lot dryer here than in the MTC.  I was fine though.  I also found out that the one Elder in my MTC district who was also going to Reno, is not only in my zone, he's in my district! :D  someone I know!  YAY!  overall it was a good day.

Thursday was another day.  we had our weekly planning session.  Then we taught one of our progressing investigators.  We even extended a commitment to be baptized! and he really wants to be baptized.

Friday there was a "train the New missionary" meeting in at the mission home.  then we had lunch.  One of the ladies at the restaurant mentioned my name tag, and I gave her a little passalong card with our phone number on it.  I probably should learn how to street contact.  we didn't do much of that in the MTC.  Later we had a lesson with an investigator and his two kids.  the little boy, Ivan, I can tell, wants to be baptized.  he just doesn't know it yet.  he reads the BoM at school while waiting for his mom to pick him up.  he is so cute!  he reminds me of Eric.

Saturday was a little harder by comparison to my easy first week.  we went to morning program, at the church (which, is walking distance away from where we live)  and exercised with some of our zone. only problem is, morning program starts at 6 am.  gross.  it was a lot of fun though, and I would love to go again.  I just need to get usec to getting up that early.  we went around to a lot of our investigators again, but didn't really teach a lot of people, which is why today was harder.  but we had stake conference, and that was really cool.  I was so tired by the end of the day though.

Sunday we had stake conference.  there was a special meeting for all missionaries, and their investigators/CREMAS (conversos recentes, menos activas) turns out the general authority was in fact a convert.  it was Elder Lawrence.  one of Elders corado/arellano's investigators came, and sat on the other end of the room from them.  elder corado tried to get hermana simmons to translate for him, since he didn't speak English.  I speak better Spanish than her (just a little bit) so she told me to do it.  I translated about half the meeting.  I know the Lord was helping me because there is no way I could have done that by myself.  we had several investigators come to church.  filemon, who we committed to baptism, and 2 little girls, Diana and Helen.  they are amazing at reading the BoM  we read 1 Nephi 4 with them, and the next day we read 1 Nephi 9 and 10.  we had a HUGE meal with the Lopez family.  apparently they always feed us WAY too much.  and then some.  they are super fun though.  then we talked to almost all of our investigators, and went home.

its been a great week.  I cant wait for the next one! :D

Hermana Riddle

Arrived in Reno, next stop Carson City

President and Sister Hermansen, Nevada Reno Mission.

Twenty three new Reno missionaries.

My companion and trainer, Hermana Simmons, on our way to Carson City.

On my way to Reno

Her flight to Reno is on Tuesday, September 16 at 8:45 am.  She has to be at the main office at 4:30 am ready to go.  There are 13 elders and sisters flying with her.  She said she was allowed to call from the airport for a minute so we should be ready to hear from her around 7:30 am.  

She called and she sounded very happy to be on her way to Reno.  She was the only Spanish speaking missionary in her group.  All the others seemed to know each other, and she wasn't sure if she had a companion on the trip.  We were able to talk for a few minutes, but they ended up changing the gate number on them.  It was great to hear how happy she was and ready to go!

MTC

Hermana Riddle has asked that I update her blog.  She has been unable to access it from the MTC, so here it is...

She entered the MTC September 3 and was very excited and nervous to go.  By the time we reached the sidewalk for her to cross into the MTC, she couldn't wait!  I sent a form letter for her to fill out with some general information and this is what she sent back.

Her companions name is Hermana Pechetto. She is from Uruguay, but grew up in Layton, Utah.  They are staying at Y View MTC and there are 4 sisters total in her apartment.  Her P-Day is Tuesday, so she only will get one.  She has enjoyed teaching "investigators".  She has been surprised by how long the classes have been, but they have kept very busy.  In the first 48 hours she ran into at least 7 people she knew.  She thought the food was "campus cafeteria food, but not bad".

She thinks her companion is awesome.  She grew up speaking spanish at home and english at school, so she sometimes forgets to speak spanish around her.  She says she speaks with an Argentinean accent.  She will be serving in Las Vegas.  Only one elder from her district was going to Reno.

She had the chance to go to the temple on Tuesday.  As she was finishing the session ready to leave, she turned around and heard the temple worker telling Sis Riddle to go to the dressing room.  It was Grandma!  She was so excited.  She gave her a big hug, and grandma says she wasn't sure she would let go.  That was a highlight.

Her birthday was Sunday September 14.  She turned 20!  she received several packages and she was excited about that!

Final countdown

I know I said I would write Monday, but I didn't really get a chance.  :P  I have been so busy these past few days, its crazy.  I have been buying all sorts of last minute stuff, and finalizing all kinds of legal stuff.  Spending as much time that I can with family.  

My mom has been my companion since Friday afternoon, when I was set apart, but she has me go "on splits" with my sister, so I spend half the time following her around instead.  

8 hours is a long time to be in the car.  My Stake President allowed me to watch disney movies, but I made sure we watched Frozen in spanish, so I could get "language training" in.  

I had a great time at my open house on Sunday, which mostly consisted of extended family on both sides of the family.  

I'm really ready to enter the MTC (or CCM as they call it in Mexico) though. I think i'm just ready to have structure.  Also, it will be a lot easier not to be tempted by electronics when I'm in a place where no one has them.  Pretty sure I watched about half of Thor in the car ride with my siblings.

Anyway, not sure when my Preparation day will be in the MTC, but I will write again when it comes!!! :)

One week more

Counting the days to the MTC.  I have 7.  I am set apart on Friday as a full time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Then its off to Utah, another open house on Sunday, and I'm in the MTC on Wednesday. :D