Week 43, July 13, 2015 Ely 2.0

How are you? 

I'm going great.  it is super nice here in Ely.  its been kinda rainy, but it hasn't been super hot, so thats nice.  I can feel myself coming closer and closer to the lord each day, and it is just AWESOME.  I can feel myself being changed spiritually, and it is an amazing experience.  

What happened with the transfers?

well, Sister Rogers finished her mission, so I was with Sister Wilkins for a few days and we both stayed in our areas in Ely.  Then Sister Teichert came in to the area with Sister Wilkins companion.  oh yeah and I'm driving this transfer, and am in charge of directing our companionship.

Did your companion arrive safely?

almost not,  they had a crazy experience.  they didn't realize that the loneliest highway had absolutely nothing, so they thought there would be one more stop to fill up, ran out of gas in the middle of nevada, then the GPS died, and after they got help, in Eureka their phone died too.  then I guess they were in a hail storm?  so they had a really exciting experience.  but they arrived safely.

Was the other one Sister Johnson?

no, her name is Sister Paul.  she is super cute.  she and Sister Wilkins are pretty much twins.  they are awesome. she is from Mesa Arizona.

Tell me about your companion?

Sister Teichert is really quiet.  she is from West Jordan Ut.  we get along pretty well so far, even though we are pretty much opposites.  we have had a few experiences working in super awesome unity, so that has been great.  she really helps me to fulfil my role as senior companion. i'm teaching her how to use hashtags.  and spanish. 

How is the work in Ely going?

the work is doing well.  we have a lot of people out of town right now because its summer, but we are working on finding new people.  we are going to get to know EVERYONE and help them to come closer to their heavenly father.

ALSO!! today, we had a fun p-day activity.  we went to the Ely old time coal train thing, and got to RIDE IT!!!! all the way to this little bandit town called keystone.  it was super FUN!  the coal wasn't burning hot enough at first though, and there was a lot of coal ash in the air.  it was crazy!

Sorry that was a lot.  a lot of stuff happened this week.

dont forget to read your scriptures!!

~Hermana Riddle

THE TRAIN!!!

Going through a tunnel.  There's ash EVERYWHERE.

Me and Sister Teichert

Dirtbag the train cat.  He is supposed to be white.

Week 42, July 6, 2015 Transfers transfers.....

What's happening in Ely?
the work moves forth!!  we've had a lot of people out of town for the 4th, but we have still seen success this week.  we had our ward mission leader's son get baptized, and some of our investigators came to the baptism.  it was AWESOME.  they totally felt the spirit.  

Have you had any changes?
Sister Harris and Sister Rogers just left for home. the Elders in Lund are getting double transferred.  (one is also going home)  but I know both of the elders coming in.  Sister Wilkins and I are companions right now, so for the next 2 days we cover 2 wards in Ely.  She will be training, but we don't know WHO yet.  no one finds out until Tuesday night when they get here and are announced.  we don't even have pictures to GUESS!!!  but I think it will be Sister Johnson from home.  my new companion is Sister Teichert, but she wont be here until Wednesday.

Have you met the new Mission President and his wife?

yeah.  they are super cute.  Sister Chesnut is Adorable, and President Chesnut reminds me a Lot of President Hermansen, so I think it will be really awesome.  

Are you adjusting to the area and the wards there?
I like it a lot here.  its not too hot, like most other places, so that's SUPER nice.  I also got to conduct in Sacrament meeting yesterday, because the person who usually does it was gone, so now the whole ward knows me a little bit better.  its was so cool. one of the members who usually attends the ASL branch in St George, because he is deaf, bore his testimony and it was super cool to watch.  he is such an awesome kid!!  

What did you do for the Fourth?

we had a BBQ with some members at an investigators house.  and we got to watch the fireworks.  it wasn't very long, but it was so much fun!!

I LOVE YOU ALL!! thanks for all being awesome!!  

~Hermana Riddle

Week 41, June 29, 2015 THE ATONEMENT

This week has been GREAT!!! we have done a LOT of service, and have gained a lot of trust with our investigators.  we helped some investigators build a pen for their dogs, and we cleaned out someones trailer (they rented it out, and the people absolutely TRASHED it.)  it was a great experience, and I know I am learning a lot on my mission.  we are working hard with our investigators, helping them to see the importance of going to church.  we had a super ton of people there yesterday!  I know the Lord is working hard to help the people here in Ely.  I am really REALLY aware of the Atonement, and the Truth of the Gospel.  I see people, and they ask questions, and they argue science, and Disbelieve the DIVINE Purpose of our lives, and I just sit here, and LISTEN to both them, and the SPIRIT, testifying to me that THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS is THE LORDS KINGDOM ON THE EARTH, and that JESUS IS THE CHRIST, SAVIOR AND REDEEMER OF THIS WORLD, and that he LOVES me, and YOU!!!!  he really loves you.  I can feel his love for you reading this right now.  I am so grateful to know that we can become clean of ANYTHING and EVERYTHING, and that THE SAVIOR WANTS TO FORGIVE.  I need a bigger font than just caps to express how much the savior LOVES YOU!!!!!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S3TI4bYerU

~Hermana Riddle

Week 40, June 22, 2015 Eureka!

How are you?

I am going GREAT!!!  Ely is so amazing, and I feel like I am coming so much closer to my Heavenly Father and my Savior!!<3

whats been going on?
Well, we drove to Eureka this week.  it is 90 minutes west of Ely, on The Loneliest Highway in America.  Its such a tiny town out there, it must be hard for the church.  One of the ladies we talked to wants to go to the temple, but they don't even have a temple prep class.  There are some really strong members out there though, that were really helpful, since I had never been there before, and Sister Rogers had only been out there once.

How is the couple that you have been teaching?
They are doing good.  he was out of town this week, so we didn't get to see them very much, but we were able to explain to them a couple of chapters in the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 11-13

We got to see President and Sister Hermansen this week.  It is their "sprint to the finish"  and so they are touring the mission to see all the missionaries, and give everybody hugs.  its was really cool.  Also, Sister Willes, my companion in the Keystone ward is home, and so she was at our meeting with her dad, who is the first counselor in the stake presidency here in Ely.  It was weird.  But super AWESOME!

We just looked on Mormon.org, and I am the only one with my first name.  so that's super cool!  mormon.org is SUCH a cool website.  I hope if you haven't checked it out yet, I hope you will, it is AMAZING.

~Hermana Riddle

How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings.

                       -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Driving!!

Eureka

The Opera House

Week 39, June 15, 2015 LOTS of Things

This week has been great. We have had a lot of people open up to us more than they have before.  (doors AND hearts)  we have really been able to help them.  Church has been great.  we have several investigators.  we have a not married couple who we have almost daily contact with.  they are super cool.  they love to learn, and ask really great questions.  he has a lot of questions sometimes that he has trouble with, but has a hard time listening long enough to get his answers. "so when Jesus established his church, he taught about faith, repentance, baptism..."
"Jesus wasnt white.  he was middle eastern."
"we are not sure what he looked like, but its likely that..."
"why dont you say the lords prayer?" ...

so sometimes its hard to teach them, but they do want to learn.  they texted us today about how grateful they are and #blessed  it was COOL!!

another Highlight:

ALFREDO GOT BAPTISED!!!!!!! AAAHHHHH!!!! IT WAS GREAT!  well, when I found out.  I'm 6 hours away right now, so I couldn't be there, but I am so excited for him!! Hermano Agustin Baptized him. thats Hermano's Family, Presidente, and The Hermanas Christensen and Braithwaithe.

#TheChurchisTRUE!!

#TheBookisBLUE!

#JesusLOVESyou!!!
I Do TOO!!

"When we face seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the fulfillment of righteous responsibilities, we should remember that when we are involved in the work of the Lord, the obstacles before us are never as great as the power behind us.  We should reach out and climb.  Handholds will only be found by hands that are outstretched.  Footholds are only for feet that are on the move. — Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Reach Out and Climb!” 
~Hermana Riddle

Week 38, June 8, 2015 Ely Week 2

How is Ely? How are things in your new area?

Ely is Great!  I am having a BLAST.  its so cute and little!  it is so much fun. it is a tiny little town though.

How is Sister Rogers?  Are you liking your new companion?

She is FUN!  she is from Jospeh City AZ  or, Radiator Springs,  like that town from cars.  its AWESOME.

Do you have some good investigators? How are the wards and the people?

There are not that many investigators, but there is a LOT of less active work.  we do have a few investigators though.  we teach a LOT of little kids.
“God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has,” "but he cannot if you do not PRAY and he cannot if you do not DREAM.  In short, he cannot if you do not BELIEVE."
I know you believe IN me, but dont you BELIEVE ME? ~Hank Smith, refering to Christ.

~Hermana Riddle

Week 37, June 1, 2015 ELY!!!

My Mom's Questions:
How is Ely?

How was your first week there?

I hope that you are adjusting to your new place.

Tell me about your companion? 

What is her name, where is she from...
How are the wards there?

I keep hearing great things about the area.
Are you mostly driving, walking, riding your bike????
My Answers:
Super Cute.  I thought I was going to Ely NV.  and I'm still in NV.  but Ely is in Utah.  its weird.  it reminds me of Salem UT.  like A LOT.
my first week was pretty good.  the transition from Spanish to English wasn't that bad this time.  the people here are interesting.  its a fun time! :)
I am adjusting well.  there are 4 of us in the house.  me, Sister Rogers, Sister Harris, and Sister Wilkins.  Sister Wilkins came out with me English! :)
my companion is Sister Rogers.  She is from a tiny town 1:30 away from Flagstaff Arizona. its called Joseph City.
there are 3 wards in Ely.  one in Mcgill.  and the eureka branch.  we haven't been out there yet.  but they are super tiny.  there's a lot of less actives.
this area is great.  I'm excited to be here.
I am mostly driving.  I'm not sure I'll ever ride my bike. :P

I am so excited to be here.  everyone already looks familiar.  I can't wait to find my purpose! :D  I can feel myself coming closer to the Lord.  I put on my hoodie today, and I didn't have too much of an emotional attachment to it.  I never thought that would happen.  its my C Hoodie.  o_O  its awesome though.  I love being focused on the Lord, and his work. :D  Have a good week everyone!!

~Hermana Riddle

Five Hour Drive!

Ely, Nevada

Sister Riddle and Sister Rogers