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