Because of Him

Hello Family!

This past week went well. We taught a good amount of lessons but to
the same two or three investigators. We need to find new investigators
so bad! But one of the sisters we are teaching was interviewed
for baptism yesterday and is going to be baptized next Sunday on the
27th! We are so excited for her! We thought it would take a few months
before she would be prepared to make the necessary changes to be
baptized but she did it and she understands that it is Gods will she
is to be baptized. I am so happy for her that she can be washed clean
and receive a remission of her sins and make that special promise with
God to always remember Him and keep His commandments. The following
Sunday she will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We had a really great district meeting this past Thursday where we
really focused on the doctrine of Christ. Faith, repentance, baptism,
receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. This is
what I, as a missionary, have been called to do. To invite people to
follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, His gospel. In my
studies I just finished reading 3 Nephi where the Savior comes to
America. While He was here in America He taught His gospel. He
emphasizes the importance of baptism so many times and in so many
different ways right after each other so all can understand and all
can see the importance of it. There are so many blessings that come
from baptism! Being able to have the Holy Ghost with you always which
is one of the most important gifts Heavenly Father could give us. A
guide and protection and a way we can hear/feel Him. We were
challenged in the meeting to have at least one baptism invite a day.
It could be a reminder, asking it specifically, or talking about it in
the lesson. We were able to do this at every lesson we taught with our
investigators and plan to continue doing this. We are so much more
focused on our purpose and it helps the investigator realize why we
are there and why it is so important...hopefully.

It's been getting pretty hot here but it's good. There are little
lizards everywhere that I have developed a slight fear of them. They
remind me of snakes with tiny little legs. We were able to serve at
the Pomona Hospital this past week and that was nice. We helped file
papers. We took the sister getting baptized to a baptism on
Saturday and she is so excited to be baptized! After her interview she
was so overwhelmed with excitement and feeling The Lord's atonement in
her life that she was crying and that made my joy so full!

For Easter we had a really nice sacrament meeting where they centered
everything around the sacrament. They had some musical numbers before
the sacrament and a talk about the importance of the sacrament then
the sacrament hymn and the sacrament. Then another talk then the
closing song and prayer. It was a really nice meeting we had 5
investigators there. The Jewish family, the sister getting baptized, and   another sister we are teaching.
They all stayed the whole three hours and enjoyed it. We later had
dinner at a members home and it as he really good. The day before we
had a dinner with another member and their extended family that was
fun and really good! It's hard at members houses when they start
talking about movies and school and work and future because that gets
me distracted really easy. I am working on keeping my eyes single to
the glory of God. By thinking about what I am going to do when I get
home, or what I am going to study, or what movies I get to see, or what
is coming out, it takes me away from my purpose as a missionary to
serve others and bring them unto Christ.

We had a good lesson with another sister we are teaching on
Saturday. We did a scripture chase in the New Testament to go over the
gospel of Jesus Christ. She loved this , she knows the New Testament
really well and she loved reading and studying those scriptures. She
committed to be baptized but first she wants to take care of her
divorce before she is baptized. We are so excited for her. Everything
we have taught her, she gets it. She understands and she remembers and
can tell us what we have taught. She has such a drive and desire to
come closer to Christ and learn!

We had a cool lesson with the sister getting baptized on
Wednesday at a members house. We watched the movie "Finding Faith in
Christ". She ended up teaching us about faith. She had mentioned that
Christ had to have a lot of faith in the Father to do what He did in
teaching and performing the atonement. I had never thought that Christ
had faith. Even though it sound silly that He wouldn't. But He truly
is our great and ultimate example. I am so thankful for what He has
done for everyone of us. That because of Him we can be with our
families together forever and that we can return to live with Heavenly
Father again. He heals all wounds and because of Him, He saved us from
both physical and spiritual death. I am so thankful for my Savior and
all He helps me with! It is because of Him I can be a better person
and continue in learning the gospel.

I love you all and am so appreciative of the support and letters and
emails I get! Thank you so much! Happy Easter! Go to Easter.mormon.org
and watch the video there. It's amazing!

Love, Sister Celeste Riches