General Conference

Hey y'all!

So... you know you've been living in a Texas summer when 75 degrees is considered a "brisk morning"... But it's finally starting to cool off here! :)  Anyway...

I love General Conference so much!  And General Conference while serving a mission is pretty much the best thing ever.  I learned so much, and felt the spirit so strong.  We are so blessed to have living prophets and apostles on the earth today, and that we can hear the word of God directly through them.  I love it!  We watched most of it at the stake center, but we went to a member's house for the Sunday morning session.  We were supposed to meet Brenda there, but she texted us last minute saying she was sick, unfortunately.  But she's still on track for her baptism on October 26th - Sister Wahlen and I are so excited for her!

Turns out Ron and Maria haven't dropped us... Sister Wahlen and I felt like we should try and stop by, just to find out why they didn't want to see us anymore, so we did, and Ron wasn't home but Maria welcomed us in and said that Ron has been really busy lately, that's why he hasn't been getting back with us.  But she said that he still reads the Book of Mormon every night.  So we'll have to keep stopping in and trying to teach them and open her heart to the gospel.  It may be a slow process, especially if Ron (for whatever reason) continues to not respond when we try and call or text him, but eventually they will open up to the idea of baptism.  It will happen, just in the Lord's time and in His way.

We had a good lesson with Tish last Monday, and we're going to visit her again tonight.  She always says that she feels peace and love when we come over - we just need to help her realize that she can feel that when we aren't there  too.  We're planning on inviting her to be baptized tonight - she is ready for it, we just need to encourage her and help her know that she is ready.

Jamie, one of the less actives that we've been working with, is really progressing.  She and her mom have been to church a few times now, and they both are working toward coming back to church fully.  I loved President Uchtdorf's talk in conference: "Come, join with us!"  We're continually reaching out to less actives and trying to help them remember the joy of the gospel.

Transfers are this week - we got a text yesterday saying that they would be on Tuesday instead of Thursday.  Which meant that we would get a call that evening if one of us was going to be transferred.  So both of us had a little mini freak-out session... we love each other, we love Westlake, and neither of us want to leave.  But we got a call last night and Sister Wahlen is leaving. :(  I'll still be here in Westlake, but with a new companion.  And I'm not sure if I'm training just yet... I'll know by tonight if I am.  I'll let you know next week!  Everything will work out, because the Lord is behind everything that we as missionaries do.  It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Sister Wahlen and I.

I love y'all so much and hope you have a fantastic week!

Sister Ririe

D&C 4:2