Hello All!
This was a pretty good week!
As I wrote last week Elder Satati of the First Quorum of the 70 came
on Monday to talk to us. It was good.
Tuesday was a nice relaxing pday at the church with the other
missionaries. We had a good dinner with a few members. I forgot my
jacket and it was freezing! (Like 68°!!!) So one of the sisters we
were eating with let me borrow a cargdagin. It was very sweet! Then we
went to English class with our old Ward mission leader. (He was
released last Sunday and they called a new family. It was their first
Sunday in the Ward and got called to be the Ward mission leader!) but
English class was fun. It was with one Chinese man who is being fellow
shipped by a member from another Ward in our stake.
Wednesday we had an awesome zone meeting! We had SPA, not to be
confused with AA, it means Spiritual Problems Anonymous. We talked as
a zone about what problems we are having as missionaries and together
we came up with solutions. Before we began our discussion we read
different scriptures that pretty much said, judge not! It was awesome!
It really helped with our zone unity! Then we were supposed to have
awesome lessons but they all canceled. But we were able to contact a
referral from the elders, sadly she is going out of town for 6 months!
Then we went to dinner with a member at soup plantation. So good! Then
we went to contact another referral and he was home and we had a
lesson with him! It went really well actually!
Thursday we had a pretty good day. We saw a few of our investigators
which is always good! Taught some good lessons.
Funny stories from Thursday!
1.) So we went to find a lady who we didn't have an apartment number.
We were knocking doors and we walked to another door and on the way I
almost stepped on a little gold finch! He was still alive. So we
picked it up in kleenex and then called animal control to take care of
it cause none of the apartments with birds wanted it. So the guy on
the phone told us we could take it in! We told him we didn't have a
car so he said he would send an officer to pick it up. So we waited
and this huge animal control truck drove up and this lady got out with
her hair slicked back and all the gadgets on her belt. And said, you
have a bird? With her hands on her hips. We showed her the bird and
she kinda got a really that's the bird look. It was hilarious! She
picked it up and took it and we went to our next appointment. It was
great, I'm here to save souls, I guess even bird souls!
2.) Today we decided to bring our study copy of the Book of Mormon
with us. It was awesome! We've been having struggles of not staying
focused. We get side tracked easily! So we were getting distracted and
Sister Baker may or may not have been distracted by a dreamy guy from
high school she was telling me about at the bus stop, so I said, let's
see what the Book of Mormon has to say about that and we open to page
305 where alma is chastising his son about keeping the law of
chastity! We broke up laughing! So now if we get distracted by guys we
say 305 that!
3.) On the way to that bus stop we walked past a Jehovah witness and
he said "hello, would you like to read a watchtower" I asked "would
you like to read the Book of Mormon?" He said "no thank you" I said
"okay, have a good night". Pretty funny! He was very nice.
4.) We were walking to dinner and we couldn't remember what the house
number was so to remember it we sang it to carol of the bells.
"252,252,252,252...252,252,252,252" #goldfishmemory!
Needless to say it was a good Thursday.
On Saturday we had lunch with a lady from the Ward and I got such good
pie! It was dark chocolate chip cheesecake pie!
Sunday we sang in the choir for sacrament, it was really fun! Also the
recent convert we are working with, he brought his 5 year old son to
church. He is so cute! He was drawing spiderman and other spiderman
villains! So cute it was another good day, we taught a few lessons and
got a new investigator! We need more new investigators!
I am so thankful for this time of year. I am so thankful to be serving
a mission. It has helped me discover who Heavenly Father wants me to
be. I have learned so much from the scriptures and have gained such a
passion for studying them and learning from them. They are truly
inspired and can answer all our problems. We just need to do our part
and read them, otherwise it will profit us nothing. I am so thankful
for the Book of Mormon and the gospel in my life. I am thankful for
eternal families and the knowledge I have to be with my family
forever. I am so thankful for the plan of salvation. I am thankful for
all of you who support me and pray for me and help me out. I love you
all! Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Love, Sister Riches
23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and
gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering;
being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the
commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye
stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks
unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. (Alma 7:23)
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
13 Months Serving in the Lord's Army & Being an Instrument in His Hands!
Hello All!
It's been an awesome week! A lot of our lessons have fallen through
but we were able to be instruments in the lords hand so much!
So last Monday was transfer day and I got sister baker and we just
relaxed at home for the day. Then went to dinner at the relief society
presidents and then FHE with grandma and grandpa. It was a good day.
Tuesday we saw a bunch of people but only had a lesson with a less
active. It almost feels like we are white washing. Cause I hardly know
the area! The lesson we had was awesome though because sister Baker
had a dream about her so we went to find her! It was sweet! That night
we helped grandma and grandpa put up christ as decorations.
Wednesday we did service at the food pantry and there is an awesome
girl who just started to volunteer and she's golden! She just needs to
accept missionary lessons! So almost golden. She's so sweet and very
christian! Then we went looking for a member and walked to the back of
a complex to see if he lived there knocked one door to ask and turned
out to be a spanish sister who is less active and she invited us in
and gave us TAMALES! It was such a miracle and I could really feel
like we were being tools in the Lords hand! We had dinner at the stake
presidents house and that was good! One of the best meals I've had in
a while! Almost as good as moms. We went out at night to find less
actives and found a sweet older couple who let us in and talk. It was
great! She ended up giving us a ride to the church after.
Thursday we had district meeting. We talked about conversion. It was
good. Then we went out to try and teach more and one was home or
available but we went to a less actives and she is so sweet! She
dances and so we were able to connect well! She does ballroom and is
taking a burlesque class right now just for fun! Which I thought was
fun! I was able to tell her about some of my dances I did and my
performances. She invited us back too!
Friday we had weekly planning and then had a lot of lessons set up
which all fell though. Dinner was good though. We ate with a new
family in the Ward and it was so funny. We talked about our missions
and things we enjoyed.
Saturday was good. We tried to see all our investigators but we called
most before and they said it wasn't a good day so we went to find
people. We ended up getting a few referrals. Sadly none of them were
interested. We did have a lesson with a recent convert so that was
good. We got to meet his son! Cutest kid ever!
Sunday was good! It was funny though people though I was the new
sister...and I spoke last Sunday. Others thought we were both brand
new. Made me laugh a bit. Guess my talk wasn't very good cause no one
remembered me. But it was good to ask people's names. Classes were
good too. We had a guy we met on the street come! He had a good time!
Everyone reached out to him too which was perfect! He wants to learn
more so that's great! After church we joined the Ward choir cause
sister baker is an amazing singer! She might get the solo for the
Christmas program! Pretty cool. This Ward is super musical lots of
composers and performance people. And lots of people who work with
movies. Then we had a good lesson about the atonement with G. It
went well. We told about the pushups and donuts story. Then we had a
good lesson with Sister M. who is returning to church! G. is her
son. Pretty cool. The we had dinner with a really cool family! Their
baby was so cute! He is 8 months and already standing and almost
walking! So mature and talking! Crazy! Such a temptation to hold him!
But I didn't. Then we went out to find more.
Monday we had a member of the first quorum of the 70 come speak to us.
It was good. Not what I expected but good. We talked about
companionships and how we need to have a divine companionship. Us and
the Holy Ghost. Then we tried to teach and find and find and teach and
we stopped by an investigator. That was also not a coincidence. She
found letters from an old friend who converted and told him he was
going to find a 'mormon Angel' to marry because she wouldn't join. And
then we dropped by! She's so sweet! Then we had a good dinner with the
young women's president and then FHE at grandma and grandpas. Sister
Baker gave the lesson, she did awesome!
Well, I love you all and hope you have a good week! I know this gospel
is true. I am so thankful for the atonement and for Jesus Christ. I
know that without him I wouldn't be able to do half the things I do as
a missionary and help so many people. I love this church and the
gospel. It is true! This is the restored church!
Love, Sister Riches
P.s. Here is sister Baker and I :)
It's been an awesome week! A lot of our lessons have fallen through
but we were able to be instruments in the lords hand so much!
So last Monday was transfer day and I got sister baker and we just
relaxed at home for the day. Then went to dinner at the relief society
presidents and then FHE with grandma and grandpa. It was a good day.
Tuesday we saw a bunch of people but only had a lesson with a less
active. It almost feels like we are white washing. Cause I hardly know
the area! The lesson we had was awesome though because sister Baker
had a dream about her so we went to find her! It was sweet! That night
we helped grandma and grandpa put up christ as decorations.
Wednesday we did service at the food pantry and there is an awesome
girl who just started to volunteer and she's golden! She just needs to
accept missionary lessons! So almost golden. She's so sweet and very
christian! Then we went looking for a member and walked to the back of
a complex to see if he lived there knocked one door to ask and turned
out to be a spanish sister who is less active and she invited us in
and gave us TAMALES! It was such a miracle and I could really feel
like we were being tools in the Lords hand! We had dinner at the stake
presidents house and that was good! One of the best meals I've had in
a while! Almost as good as moms. We went out at night to find less
actives and found a sweet older couple who let us in and talk. It was
great! She ended up giving us a ride to the church after.
Thursday we had district meeting. We talked about conversion. It was
good. Then we went out to try and teach more and one was home or
available but we went to a less actives and she is so sweet! She
dances and so we were able to connect well! She does ballroom and is
taking a burlesque class right now just for fun! Which I thought was
fun! I was able to tell her about some of my dances I did and my
performances. She invited us back too!
Friday we had weekly planning and then had a lot of lessons set up
which all fell though. Dinner was good though. We ate with a new
family in the Ward and it was so funny. We talked about our missions
and things we enjoyed.
Saturday was good. We tried to see all our investigators but we called
most before and they said it wasn't a good day so we went to find
people. We ended up getting a few referrals. Sadly none of them were
interested. We did have a lesson with a recent convert so that was
good. We got to meet his son! Cutest kid ever!
Sunday was good! It was funny though people though I was the new
sister...and I spoke last Sunday. Others thought we were both brand
new. Made me laugh a bit. Guess my talk wasn't very good cause no one
remembered me. But it was good to ask people's names. Classes were
good too. We had a guy we met on the street come! He had a good time!
Everyone reached out to him too which was perfect! He wants to learn
more so that's great! After church we joined the Ward choir cause
sister baker is an amazing singer! She might get the solo for the
Christmas program! Pretty cool. This Ward is super musical lots of
composers and performance people. And lots of people who work with
movies. Then we had a good lesson about the atonement with G. It
went well. We told about the pushups and donuts story. Then we had a
good lesson with Sister M. who is returning to church! G. is her
son. Pretty cool. The we had dinner with a really cool family! Their
baby was so cute! He is 8 months and already standing and almost
walking! So mature and talking! Crazy! Such a temptation to hold him!
But I didn't. Then we went out to find more.
Monday we had a member of the first quorum of the 70 come speak to us.
It was good. Not what I expected but good. We talked about
companionships and how we need to have a divine companionship. Us and
the Holy Ghost. Then we tried to teach and find and find and teach and
we stopped by an investigator. That was also not a coincidence. She
found letters from an old friend who converted and told him he was
going to find a 'mormon Angel' to marry because she wouldn't join. And
then we dropped by! She's so sweet! Then we had a good dinner with the
young women's president and then FHE at grandma and grandpas. Sister
Baker gave the lesson, she did awesome!
Well, I love you all and hope you have a good week! I know this gospel
is true. I am so thankful for the atonement and for Jesus Christ. I
know that without him I wouldn't be able to do half the things I do as
a missionary and help so many people. I love this church and the
gospel. It is true! This is the restored church!
Love, Sister Riches
P.s. Here is sister Baker and I :)
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
My week!
Hello All!
This is going to be another short email home and I'm sorry. Not much
happened this week. We had a good church tour with an investigator
sadly she wasn't able to make it to church this week but next week!
Then we had another good lesson with the may family. Then Sunday night
was the missionary farewell. It was so great to see the other
missionaries. Some came back to visit for the farewell and that was
fun. I was able to see people from azusa and claremont! And sister
thatcher! It was really good to see everyone.
Well today was transfer day and I am now with Sister Baker! I stayed
in Pasadena. Funny thing is we just switched companions.its yay fun.
Well I love you all, the gospel is true!
This is going to be another short email home and I'm sorry. Not much
happened this week. We had a good church tour with an investigator
sadly she wasn't able to make it to church this week but next week!
Then we had another good lesson with the may family. Then Sunday night
was the missionary farewell. It was so great to see the other
missionaries. Some came back to visit for the farewell and that was
fun. I was able to see people from azusa and claremont! And sister
thatcher! It was really good to see everyone.
Well today was transfer day and I am now with Sister Baker! I stayed
in Pasadena. Funny thing is we just switched companions.its yay fun.
Well I love you all, the gospel is true!
Monday, November 3, 2014
70° and FREEZING!!
Hello!
So this week was pretty good. Not too much to say about it. We had a
few lessons but a lot cancelled. But that's missionary work, it
happens. We had a few miracles happen as well. Miracles are always
happening in our lives we just need to stop and recognize them. Here
are some highlights.
Well, for Halloween we had interviews with our mission president then
did service for an elderly couple after our dinner. It was good.
The time change was great! I ended up going to bed at 10 so I got 9:30
hours of sleep! Beautiful sleep! Probably the most precious thing to
missionaries! Besides golden investigators!
Saturday we had a awesome lesson with the M. family! They had really
good sincere questions about he atonement. My brain hurt so bad
afterwards! It was good! They love learning and are so intrigued by
the plan of salvation!
We had a really good sacrament meeting! The spirit was so strong. An
elder came home from his mission and bore his testimony and other bore
strong testimony of christ. We were so bummed none of our
investigators were there. Last week we had 5 this week we had 0. We
didn't have a dinner Sunday and being fast Sunday was really sad,
luckily we were able to snag someone after church and they were
willing to feed us!
It rained this week! It was so needed! And it got so cold!!! Cold
being in the high 60s and low 70s which I used to think was perfect
but it was SO COLD!! I guess I'm turning into a Californian...and I
used to make fun of people who got cold with this weather. But it was
nice. A relief from the 80s!
I'm sorry this is so short. Nothing too exciting happened. I love
being a missionary and all I'm learning! I'm so thankful for the
opportunity to serve and bless others lives and in turn they bless
mine! I am so thankful for the Atonement which is so intertwined in
everything in the gospel! It is amazing what we have because of Jesus
Christ and the infinite love that He and Heavenly Father have for us.
I love you all! Have a great week and stay warm!
Love, Sister Riches
So this week was pretty good. Not too much to say about it. We had a
few lessons but a lot cancelled. But that's missionary work, it
happens. We had a few miracles happen as well. Miracles are always
happening in our lives we just need to stop and recognize them. Here
are some highlights.
Well, for Halloween we had interviews with our mission president then
did service for an elderly couple after our dinner. It was good.
The time change was great! I ended up going to bed at 10 so I got 9:30
hours of sleep! Beautiful sleep! Probably the most precious thing to
missionaries! Besides golden investigators!
Saturday we had a awesome lesson with the M. family! They had really
good sincere questions about he atonement. My brain hurt so bad
afterwards! It was good! They love learning and are so intrigued by
the plan of salvation!
We had a really good sacrament meeting! The spirit was so strong. An
elder came home from his mission and bore his testimony and other bore
strong testimony of christ. We were so bummed none of our
investigators were there. Last week we had 5 this week we had 0. We
didn't have a dinner Sunday and being fast Sunday was really sad,
luckily we were able to snag someone after church and they were
willing to feed us!
It rained this week! It was so needed! And it got so cold!!! Cold
being in the high 60s and low 70s which I used to think was perfect
but it was SO COLD!! I guess I'm turning into a Californian...and I
used to make fun of people who got cold with this weather. But it was
nice. A relief from the 80s!
I'm sorry this is so short. Nothing too exciting happened. I love
being a missionary and all I'm learning! I'm so thankful for the
opportunity to serve and bless others lives and in turn they bless
mine! I am so thankful for the Atonement which is so intertwined in
everything in the gospel! It is amazing what we have because of Jesus
Christ and the infinite love that He and Heavenly Father have for us.
I love you all! Have a great week and stay warm!
Love, Sister Riches
Monday, October 27, 2014
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
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
Monday, October 20, 2014
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!
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
Thursday, October 16, 2014
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
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
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