GOLDEN'S!!!

Hello All!

This week was a good week! We saw a lot of miracles happen and had
some really good lessons! Slowly working up to more then 10 lessons a
week! We were able to schedule a lot more members to come out with us,
so that was nice!

On Monday we had a fun pday with the other missionaries. After that a
member took us to a Thai restaurant and I got the sizzling spinach
with pork and peanut sauce, it was so good! The left overs didn't
smell or look pretty after but it still tasted good! FHE with grandma
and grandpa  was good too. Grandpa talked about
gratitude.

Tuesday was pretty good. We helped the Huntington Ward sisters again
and did exchanges. I went with sister B. to do service at a food
pantry where we sorted through expired fruit and veggies picking out
the good stuff and throwing away rotten food. I never knew how gross
rotten potatoes were until then...gross! But it was great to help the
community so those who are less fortunate can get good food. Then
Sister W. and I took Sister B. into our area and worked there
while Sister K. stayed at a members house and slept. We had a
quick message with an investigator couple.

Wednesday sister W. and I did service at the food pantry in our
area and that was good. We set A. and A. with a baptism date
for December 28th! New year, new A. is what we told him. And
A., his girlfriend, said she what about her!? So we invited her to
be baptized on the same day! At the beginning of the lesson A.
was inviting everyone who passed us on the street to meet with us! Two
did. One isn't so interested and the second was there before in a
previous lesson.

Thursday was district meeting. It was alright. But after was had a
church tour with S. He is GOLDEN! He just needs to see it. His tv
shows include football, home improvement shows, and BYUtv! He loves
it! He is a historian so he knows a lot about church history and has
his facts straight! He could recognize and feel the spirit as we took
him into the chapel and around the church. He asked later on how does
one become a member, so we talked about baptism and then took him to
the primary room to show him the font. The spirit was there too and he
was measuring on himself how high the water would come. It was
awesome! He called us a few hours after and thanked us for the tour
and again that evening. He had such a good experience! Sadly he didn't
come to church on Sunday, he said he couldn't bring himself to do it,
didn't have the courage, but next week!

Friday was weekly planning and our Ward Halloween party! We had a few
lessons before and those went well. One of our lessons was with a
returning member and she talked about the temple and getting another
copy of her patriarchate blessing! So amazing to see people come back
into the church. There were a ton of visitors at the Halloween party!
This made it hard for me to meet the members and remember them with
all the visitors. And it was pretty packed in the pavilion outside the
church. (There's a baseball field, playground, and pavilion at the
church! Crazy!) But I tried to meet most and be friendly. The east
Pasadena Ward was setting up for their party on Saturday, very
elaborate! I'll send pictures!

Saturday was a good day, crazy! but good. All of our plans got changed
and moved around, which is very often this happens in missionary work!
We had lunch with a different returning member, we are teaching her
son, G. We then had our correlation meeting with the Ward mission
leader. Then we missed the bus we needed to take and ended up working
on Facebook and taking a survey from church headquarters. Then tried
by a less active and she wasn't home but we set up a return
appointment cause we called her. Then we met this guy who said he died
on the corner we were at. He was hit by two cars and crushed his face
and broke his leg. As we were talking I felt prompted to ask if he
believed in God and he said he didn't! It doesn't make sense to me how
someone who went through a horrible accident and came through perfect
doesn't believe it was God's will. It's sad. Our dinner kept getting
pushed back but it was an awesome dinner! And then we had a lesson
with A. and set her with a baptism date of December 20th! We're so
excited for her!

Sunday was amazing! We had two lessons but it was good. We were able
to set expectations with an investigator we haven't seen in a while
and then have an amazing lesson with G. and his wife. It was
incredible! This was our second lesson with him and the first we
talked about the preexistence and the Book of Mormon because he had
questions about that. This second lesson we planned to teach the plan
of salvation but we got talking about the Book of Mormon and he's a
few chapters in already! And loves it. He likes how it's easy to
understand. He was able to tell his wife Amy about the background of
the Book of Mormon perfectly and he gets that people say don't add on
the bible but God loves all his people so it only makes sense he would
talk to more people and have more records! It's amazing. He is golden!
And so is she! He was able to explain up the plan of salvation to us
and her perfectly up to the resurrection and judgement. He said he
doesn't quite understand that yet. So we set up another time to come
back to teach that and A. said that even if he can't be there she
wants to listen and learn! They have two boys, 11 and 4. Such a great
family! I can see them becoming members and holding leadership
callings and being awesome members and getting sealed in the temple!
It was a good day! I think I wrote before about how he was found. He
was searching online about God and who he is and the references would
take him to LDS beliefs and refer to scriptures in the Book of Mormon
and there was one in the hotel desk he was staying at and got to
reading later saw the elders and told them to come by and then we got
the referral. And A. said how they've been taking for the past year
or so about how they wanted to find a church together! They're so
prepared!

I know this gospel is true and I'm so happy to be doing the Lord's
work and helping Him in this part of His vineyard! I love all that I'm
learning and doing as a missionary! I know this gospel is true and
that Christ's church has been restored to the earth through Joseph
Smith! I love the Book of Mormon and know that it is true and it is
convincing evidence that the restoration took place. It is my favorite
book and gives me help in all aspects of my life. Thank you all for
your love and support! I hope these emails help uplift you and help
you draw closer to Christ.

Love, Sister Riches

Crazy Weeks!

Hello All!

So I guess I have a few weeks to write about. Here are the highlights.

10/6: we have FHE at an elderly couples house every Monday and we made cards! It was so fun! 

10/7: we taught a less active about the Book of Mormon, that was fun. She's been reading it and loving it!

10/8: we helped the Huntington sisters out because one has bronchitis. This is where I got a little bug. But I went out with her companion in the morning then stayed home with Sister K. in the evening while sister W. went out. It was nice to sit and talk. We were able to talk about a lot of things that were stressing us out and get each other's advice. I definitely needed it!

10/9: weekly planning.... Then we saw A. and had an awesome lesson about the plan of salvation. We were able to teach to his needs. He is about 6'8", 58 yr old, black man with blue eyes! He is awesome! 

10/10: we had a special zone meeting where we met 2 hours earlier and had zone meeting then a watched  meet the Mormons in the chapel! It is such a good movie!! Later that day we stopped at subway for dinner and our investigators J. and M. saw us go in there and they ate with us. I was able to give them a subway card I got from my bday so they could get something. We had an awesome lesson where we all teared up in subway and talked about the atonement. 

10/11: we had missionary correlation with the assistant Ward mission leader and elders. Our wards mission leader was in Vietnam because he is a composer and one of his songs was being sung for the President of Vietnam! Pretty cool. His wife is the daughter of Tom Ngo who has an I'm a mormon video and an article in the August 1993 ensign--my birth month ensign! He is also in my ward and he is one of the counselors in the bishopric and his wife is the relief society president. In the I'm a mormon, it videos in their house and I've been there and helped make dinner in their kitchen! Pretty exciting. Haha we had some more good lessons Saturday. Met a guy on the street invited him to church and he ended up coming! We gave him to the elders. We had a lesson with A. who was a former investigator but had a hard time giving up smoking to be baptized and now we picked her up and after our first lesson she called saying she was quiting! She's doing Awesome! Sadly she was sick this past week. This is the night I found our S. was getting baptized three weeks earlier! 

10/12: we had an awesome plan of salvation lesson with a less active who's husband died a few years ago and she's been really depressed about it until she's been coming back to church. We are teaching her sons family! It's awesome. I was fasting and I had a cool thought. 

Here it is: 

So today I am fasting to find new investigators and to help investigators quite smoking and to be happy. Ha, I haven't been very happy today, I guess I get hangry on my mission....yikes! Anyway, I came to a realization just earlier. As I am fasting I am depriving my body of the nutrients it needs to work and keep going and to satisfy myself. And to be honest I've been really cranky and irritated and angry. I know that once I get to this dinner appointment I will be so happy and relieved when I take that first drink of cold water and first bites of food. This is just like the gospel. Those people who don't have the gospel are spiritually fasting. They don't have the substance they need to keep going, be relieved, to be happy. As we bring them the gospel they are relieved and strengthened and happy. BUT a they can't only eat once spiritually otherwise they'll get hungry again and everything with it, angry, stressed, unhappy, unsatisfied. So they need to continually work to feast on the gospel just as I am about to do. 

Later that night I started to not feel well.

10/13: first day of being sick...it was a little difficult to work today not being pday but it was okay. We had a good lesson with a returning member about courage. I taught the lesson at FHE on strengthening the family with grandma and grandpa. Oh yeah, they've asked us to call them grandma and grandpa, they're so great! 

10/14: we helped the Huntington sisters again and because I was sick I stayed with sister K. and had awesome studies. And I was able to write in my journal- which I'm far behind! And we had carrot ginger soup a member made, really good! Then we exchanged back and I went to a relief society activity. I made a terrarium! Good thing I made it for someone else because I kill every plant I pant. The south Pasadena sisters (Sister R. Sister M!!!) slept over to get a ride with us in the morning for the temple. 

10/15: TEMPLE DAY! We went to the LA temple and it was amazing! We went to the 6:45am session. Woke up at 4! Wahoo! But it was great! I really like the LA temple! I saw some members from claremont! It was nice. Afterwards we took some pictures then went to Denny's just me and sister W. and sister A. who took us. Then I took a nap! For three hours straight!! It was so great, except it just made up for the hours after 4... Then we had dinner at grandma and grandpas it was good. Then we helped at the young men young women activity. We taught them to talk to their friends about the gospel and told them to role play. Not many role layer after but that's okay they remembered cash: compliment, ask a questions, smile, and help. 

10/16: ONE YEAR MARK!? We had a good district meeting on the Book of Mormon then did service for grandma and grandpa, we got decoration boxes out and cleaned their windows. They have a hard time coming to church because of health problems. We then had a good lesson about the restoration with J. and M. and then we got stood up for our dinner. We waited for about 30 minutes outside their house and called the numbers we had but one was the house and the other went straight to voicemail. As we were waking away she drove up and took us to get burritos. I didn't realize how hungry I was, I ate the whole things and it as huge! Then we had a couple good less active lessons.

10/17: weekly planning day! We then had a good lesson about the atonement with a less active and had a really strange lesson about the plan of salvation. It's really sad what drugs does to people.

10/18: we went on exchanges! (Third time in the last two weeks) but this time I was with sister M. in south Pasadena and el Sereno. It was awesome! We had a lot of fun. Just like old times! I got bit by a dog (more like scratched with his teeth it didn't even leave a mark), saw an ostrich, saw a magical toilet! It is a self cleaning toilet..supposedly. It is a free public toilet and it's crazy! I have pictures. We taught some good lessons too. 

10/19: we had stake conference. It was really good. Then we had lunch with the stake president and his wife, they're in our Ward. It was really nice. Then we tried to have some lessons but no one was available. Then we went to claremont! And S. was so excited to see me and it was so great to see everyone again! A few almost cried I was there! It made me feel really good. I realized that I made an impact on more people than I thought I would. It was such a spiritual baptism and she was so excited and so ready! A lot of the sisters said they were going to kidnap me. One of the older primary girls asked where I was and I told her Pasadena and she said I'm not supposed to be there I'm supposed to be there. It was so sweet! I love that Ward! And I get to go back next month for a baptism and then in March and probably in between! I love it! 

I love you all sorry for this novel! I love being a missionary. I love knowing that I have helped bring at least one person closer to Christ and that means so much to me! I love the opportunities here and the growth I am seeing in myself as I am on my mission. 

Love, Sister Riches 

Just Kidding!

Hi Again!

So the elders are late for dinner so I can write a little more.

The main things that happened this week is that we helped a sister out
who was sick last Wednesday where we went and worked in her area and
then I ended up getting sick. At least I didn't get bronchitis like
the other sister. So sad! On Friday we had a limited time only special
edition zone meeting where we watched meet the Mormons! How many
missionaries can say they watched a movie that was in theaters on
their mission!? It's so cool! Then we went to the temple today! So
beautiful! So spiritual and such a relief! I love the temple! Then
last Saturday night I got a text from the claremont sisters asking if
I could say the opening prayer at shawms baptism on the 19th. I was
shocked! We set her with a date with her to November 9th so it moved
up a lot! To sunday! so excited! Well now I need to help with dinner
so I love you all!

Love, Sister Riches

One Year Serving in the Lord's Army!!--Time Sure Does Fly!

Hi Family and Friends!

I can't beleive I've been on my mission for a year tomorrow!!! That is crazy! But I had an amazing week which I guess I'll have to talk about next week.....our ride is here for dinner. I love you all! (Today we went to the temple and we got to see Meet the Mormons friday..it's been a good week! and Shawn is getting baptized sunday!!!!!)

Sister Riches

2 Years Ago Today...

Hello All!

My first week in Pasadena went well! We taught a few lessons and we
have a few progressing investigators. I've met a few of the members so
that was good, considering it was conference weekend. Not too much
happened this week.

Cool thing, two years ago today is when I made the initial decision to
serve a mission! I am so thankful I heeded the prophets call and am
out here serving others and helping them find the peace, joy, and
happiness this gospel has brought me! I love it!

Monday we were in a trio because one of the sisters in our zone is
training so she came with us. It was fun. We saw a lady on the bus who
I talked to in Azusa back in January! She remembered me and it was
really cool! It is SO rare that we ever see the bus or street contacts
ever again! So it was meant to be.

Tuesday we had a lesson with J. We picked up his girlfriend/fiancé
as a new investigator do that was good! We just followed up on his
commitments and helped give him some guidance. That night we had a
ward missionary party thing where we got together with some of the
ward missionaries and talked about our investigators and our needs. It
was good. One of the sisters is from Oakley so that was fun to talk to
her about Kamas.

Wednesday we do service at a food pantry. It was really nice to help
the people around here. I don't know Chinese and a lady was saying shi
shi, shi shi to me and I learned that means thank you! Then we had a
lesson with our investigator B. She has a baptism date for later
this month. Sadly she just moved to Covina on Monday and so she will
be getting baptized and taught there. Our one baptism date
investigator moved...but she's fun.

Thursday was district meeting. Our district leader is elder justensen.
He was in my MTC district! It's fun to serve with him now. We talked
about the importance of baptism. We did some facebook, after and I
added a lot people from this ward. Then we had a lesson with J. and
M. We planned on teaching the restoration but they didn't have
much time so we shared a scripture to help them make some decisions
about moving and jobs and that somehow lead us to talk about the
temple. It was awesome! I love teaching people about the temple. They
want to go on a trip soon so that'll be fun! We'll have to set them
with a baptism date!

Friday was Sister Walkers birthday! Sadly we didn't have enough of
anything for me to make her a nice breakfast. We went to the church
and did weekly planning. That took a few hours! As always. Then we
went to teach A. and A. Sadly when we got there he had just
left and A. normally just sits in on our lessons with him. We
ended up going to a members house for dinner and that was fun. We got
good cake from Porto's. So good!!

Saturday was conference! I loved conference! It was so good! We just
chilled at the church in between sessions and had lunch and studied
some. Then after conference we went out to teach. We stopped by
grandma and grandpas. An elderly couple in the ward who asked us to
call them grandma and grandpa, super sweet! Their last name is the
Kohnle's. We ended up having dinner with them and did service after.
Then we had a lesson with another investigator. Her name is J.
She's really nice. She hasn't been keeping commitments though. But it
was good we invited her to conference and talked about what is was.

Sunday was more conference! However it went by wayyy too fast! I loved
it! We then went and picked up G. as an investigator. He has a cool
story. He was in Hawaii on vacation and in his hotel room in the desk
there was a Bible, Koran, and Book of Mormon. He ended up going to
about.com and started typing in a lot of questions about God and
angles and stuff like that and it all took him to information about
the Mormons. So he read it and they kept referencing the Book of
Mormon so he pulled it out of the desk and started reading the parts
and cross referencing it. He became really interested in the
pre-existence. When he got back to California he was riding the train
home from work he saw the elders and he recognized he could either
pass them by or recognize it was divine intervention to talk to them
so he did. And turns out he's the son of a less active. We stopped by
Sunday and talked about the premortal life and the Book of Mormon.
We're excited to continue teaching him and also hopefully his family!
We then had dinner at the ward mission leaders. They're leaving for
Vietnam today so we had their leftovers and it was good!  But I broke
their chair...I was scooting it up to the table and it cracked in the
middle. Looks like I need to go running! Just kidding, it was an old
chair, but still, running isn't a bad idea. Which I need to learn to
love it, cause I really don't like running. We'll see what happens. We
then saw a few other less actives.

I love you all and I'm thankful for this gospel!

Love, Sister Riches