The Power of Prayer

1- Sister Bonner and Me with the Anderson family - one of my favorite families here in Memorial Springs. :)

2 -We saw this bridge a month or so ago, from the other side of the gully, and we finally found out how to get on it a few weeks ago.  We celebrated by taking pictures. :)

3 - This one's a little belated... but happy Easter! :)

4 -  I decided we never take any pictures of the more mundane things of missionary work... so here's a picture of weekly planning. :)

Hey y'all!

This week has been kind of crazy.  But mostly good. :)  I sure have learned a lot from my experiences this week - that is for sure!  Especially about the power of prayer.

We had specialized training this week, and the APs led a great discussion where we talked about the mission standards and how we can accomplish them.  Of course one of the keys is consistently having the spirit with them.  One of the APs, Elder Hildebrant, said this: "Teaching without the spirit - it's like trying to eat a brick." I thought it was funny.  And so true!  Without the spirit, nothing moves forward with missionary work.   We specifically talked about the power of prayer in helping us to come closer to our Heavenly Father, to have the power of the spirit with us, to ask for the direction that we need - basically prayer is awesome.  And that's one thing I've really learned throughout my mission - prayer is a conversation with God, and we need to use it like it is, not like we're talking to a wall.  Anyway, it was an awesome training.  

The very next day - I had a very personal experience with prayer, and with the priesthood.  I woke up sometime in the middle of the night with a terrible kink in my neck.  I tried to work it out, but nothing I was doing was helping.  I managed to find a position where I could lay and be somewhat comfortable, so I fell back asleep, thinking I would deal with it in the morning.  Well, I woke up about an hour later, finding that it had gotten worse - I couldn't move my head at all without having a sharp pain shoot through my neck.  To be honest - it terrified me.  I had no idea what had caused it, what I could do, how permanent it would be...  And through it all I couldn't move.  Thoughts kept running through my mind at a frantic pace, and I fell into a major panic attack.  My companion, bless her heart, was fast asleep in the bed next to me - she's a deep sleeper... So as I'm having this panic attack, not being able to move, I did the only thing I could do - I prayed.  I plead with my Heavenly Father to take away the pain.  It was probably the most fervent prayer I've said in a while, and I've said a lot of sincere prayers on my mission.  I continued to pray for 5 or 10 minutes, and eventually I felt the spirit guiding the prayer ( I'll be honest, every time I've read Chapter 4 in Preach My Gospel - the activity where you're supposed to rate your prayers on the scales that it gives you (I'm pretty sure it's chapter 4...) I've been a little confused at that part - having the spirit direct the prayer.  It's hard to explain, but I definitely understand the concept now.)  Anyway, I started asking for different things - to be able to calm down and think clearly about the situation, and for my Savior, who had already experienced the pain and fear that I was experiencing at that very moment, to be with me and comfort me, because I felt so scared and so alone.  A few minutes later, I had calmed down, and was able to think clearly, even though I was still in pain.  I discovered that a muscle in the back of my neck was seizing up, and once I realized that, I could force it to relax, which helped the pain go away.  I still could barely move without that muscle tensing, but at least I could understand a bit of what was going on.  Of course I prayed again, thanking my Father in Heaven for the peace and help that He had sent.  I was able to sleep for most of the next hour before the alarm went off.

When Sister Bonner woke up I told her what was going on, because I still couldn't move because of the pain.  She called the mission doctor and explained to him what I had explained to her - turns out I had woken up with a minor case of Raw Neck Syndrome. (If that was just a minor case - I do NOT want to experience a serious case, for sure!)  He said to put heat on it, take ibuprofen, and move it as little as possible.  Sister Bonner also called some of the men from the ward to give me a priesthood blessing, after which I was able to sit up so I could take the painkillers.  I was able to sleep for a bit longer, more comfortably, and when I woke up I was able to move around with much less pain.  We ended up staying in for all of Friday and most of Saturday, and I had my heating pad with me at our meetings at church on Sunday.  It's still a little sore today, but MUCH better than when I woke up Friday morning.  This whole experience helped me recognize the power that our Heavenly Father and our Savior have to help us - we just need to ask for their help through prayer!  Prayer is SO powerful, and I am SO grateful that we have the ability to communicate with our Father in Heaven.  I love Him so much, and I am so grateful that he loves each of us so much and wants the best for us.  He will even help a poor sister missionary who is alone and afraid in the night. :)  I know He loves and cares for each of you so much - He knows each of our pains, our fears, our trials, and He wants to help!  I don't know what I would do without the knowledge that I have of our Heavenly Father's love for each of us - it certainly would have been a MUCH longer night without the peace that the knowledge of the gospel can bring.

Well, that was the most exciting thing that happened this week... The rest of the week was much of the same - talking to people, trying to make them realize that they are missing what the gospel has to offer.  We did see Betsy again this week.  She's trying to find a good foundation to build her family on... hello!  What could be better than the gospel?!  We had a good conversation with her, and invited her to church, as we always do.  Unfortunately she didn't come... :( next week, though!   And we saw Jo and Lesa.  Lesa joined us for the prayer, but not the lesson, as usual.  One day soon here, we'll be able to make a path for the gospel to enter her heart.  She did invite us to spend mother's day with her and Jo, which will be AWESOME because Jo is basically a grandma to all the sisters here - I LOVE her!  And Lesa is great too - spending the morning with them before church will be great. :) 

I love y'all so much!  The church is true, and God loves each of you!  :)  I Hope you have a great week!

Sister Ririe

Alma 31:35

A happy Easter week and a box full of Dragons

Sister Bonner and me with the Bosens - they are awesome member missionaries, and help us out with anything and everything we need. :)

And I would send more pictures, but this darn computer is giving me troubles... :/  So look forward to next week. 

Hey y'all!

SO much has happened this week - it's been crazy!  And I'm having some computer troubles, so I probably won't be able to tell y'all everything that happened.  But I'll try and hit the highlights. :)

First of all - Robert and Melanie.  I love them both so much, and miracle of miracles his boss has let him have every Sunday in April off!  So he and Melanie have been at church and loving it. :)  Thanks for all the prayers that have been sent his way!  We met with him and the Peruches and got him started with family history... I think it's safe to say that he's addicted. :)  I'ts a church approved addiction though. ;)  He's excited to discover his ancestors and take them to the Temple!

I don't know if I ever told y'all about Rodger, but he's an older man that lives in a trailer park in our area.  We were able to meet with him and his wife Kay this week, and it turns out that they met with missionaries when they were living in the Chicago area.  They loved those elders, and they said they're sure they'll love us just as much. :)  Rodger is more open to learning about the gospel than his wife... she kind of wanted to bash with us... :/  But in a nice way.  And she promised that next time we'll get more talking time.  We'll see how that goes.  

We stopped by a members house last Monday night, and Brother Figgins was home alone so we couldn't go inside.  So instead he took us around the neighborhood to meet all his neighbors!  So we kind of went tracting with a member - it was awesome.  We were able to talk to one of his neighbors (Chuck) who recently lost his wife - he's a devout Lutheran, but, understandably he has some questions about the life after this one.  We were able to testify of life after death and eternal families.  He probably won't become a new investigator, but the spirit was there, and I'm sure he felt it.  Brother Figgins said he and Brother Crook, who also knows Chuck, would introduce him to family history - maybe we'll be able to get him that way. :)

Our whole Saturday was spent running up and down two flights of stairs with boxes in our arms - we helped a sister in our ward move into her new apartment, which is only one building away from where we live.  We definitely got our exercise for the day... or week.  Luckily there were a lot of men from the ward that showed up to help.  Once all the boxes and furniture were up in her 3rd floor apartment we helped her unpack everything and make it look more like a home than a mess.  We got a lot done, but we'll be helping her this evening as well.  She left for a bit with a friend to get some groceries and other things she needed, and we were left with one of her friends to unpack some of the boxes, and Sister Bonner and I found a box full of little green packets of bubble wrap... turns out sister Hunsaker collects dragons - they are pretty awesome.  Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me, but trust me, there were a ton, and they were so cool.  Maybe I'll start my own dragon collection. ;)

Saturday night, we were walking around, trying to contact some potential investigators, and there was a guy working in his driveway that said hi to us, and we said hi back, but we didn't stop to talk.  Slacker, I know.  But on the way to a members house for a ride home, we passed the same house, and he was still in the driveway, and he was looking at me, and I was looking at him, and it was as if the Spirit was telling me "You've got a second chance - don't mess this up again!"  So of course I had to say something. ;)  We got talking with him, and it turns out his boss is a member, and he's super interested in learning more.  His name is Santana, by the way.  We have an appointment set up to meet with him and his family this Sunday.  Just goes to show what miracles come when we open our mouths, even for us missionaries. :)  The Lord has prepared people, and He will put them in our paths, but nothing will ever come of it if we don't open our mouths and talk to them!  Apparently that's something I can still work on.

Of course the week ended with Easter Sunday, and it was amazing. :)  Maria and her less active father-in-law were able to come to church, which was great.  The sacrament meeting talks were great, and brought the spirit, and I was nearly brought to tears several times.  It is so amazing everything that our Savior has done for us!  Also, if you haven't seen the "Because of Him" video that the church put out for Easter, repent and watch it now - it is AMAZING! Sister Bonner and I have been watching it all week. :)  It all really is because of Him!  I love this gospel so much, and I am so glad that I have this chance to serve Him and help others come closer to Him, so others can see just how much He has done for them.  

I love y'all so much, and I hope that you had a great, happy Easter week. :)  Y'all are great!

Sister Ririe

2 Nephi 9:20-22

The Things I've Learned

#1 - Sister Bonner and me in the Texas Bluebonnets!

#2 - Sister Bonner and me with the McClane family

Hey y'all!

I am constantly amazed at how much the Lord loves me. :)  I know He loves all y'all too, so much, more than words can even express, but I know He loves me too, because He continues to bless me in SO many different ways.  I have seen so many little miracles throughout my mission, and I have learned and grown so much.  I've probably said this before, but I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!! :)

This week has been great - the biggest miracle being that we were able to find two new investigators!  We tracted into Azam (pronounced kind of like Awesome) about a month ago, and he said we could come back, but we haven't been able to catch him at home since then.  But we tried again this week, and not only was he home, but he dropped what he was doing to let us in, introduced us to his wife Saira, and invited us to start teaching.  (our jaws might have been on the floor at this point, I don't remember. ;) )  They are Muslim, and he wanted us to explain the differences between Islam and Christianity, but seeing as neither of us knew anything about what Muslims believe, we had them give a brief summary of their faith, and then we were able to highlight some of the similarities and differences.  He also asked why there are so many different Christian churches, so we were able to give the Restoration lesson.  We gave them a Book of Mormon and invited them to start reading it, and in response Azam walked into the other room and grabbed a copy of the English translation of the Koran to give to us.  Honestly, I was honored that he'd give me a book that he holds to be sacred - I hope others feel the same way when we give them copies of the Book of Mormon!  And I've been reading bits of it in the evening, when I have some free time, and it's been interesting to learn more about why they believe what they believe.  And now when we go back I can say I've read some of their book, so they should read some of ours.  :)  They're awesome, and I'm excited to keep teaching them!

I've decided that this ward might be too good at taking care of us missionaries... there was one evening we had dinner with one family, went out to work, and then stopped by another member's house to share a message and see if we could get a ride home.  We happened to stop by as they were sitting down for dinner, and so of course they insisted that we stay and eat... yep, two dinners in one night.  And this isn't the first time. :)  Just know that I won't starve while I'm here! ;)

With Easter coming up, we've been focusing our tracting messages on Jesus Christ and the Atonement and Resurrection.  A sister in our ward, while she was giving us a ride, told us how she had been tracted into by Jehovah's Witnesses who were also sharing Easter messages - but she said they chose to focus on Christ's death... that that was the real reason we celebrate Easter... :/ some people have it so backwards, unfortunately!  Yes, Christ died for us.  But more important than that is the fact that He lives!  That's why we celebrate Easter - it's not about the cross, it's about the empty tomb.  I know that Christ lives today, and that He leads His church here in the latter days.  And I'm so glad I have this opportunity to share that testimony with everyone I meet!

We had dinner with our ward mission leader and his family, the McLanes.  Bro McLane told a story about how his daughter shared the gospel with one of her classmates when they weren't doing something they should: she asked them "do you read the scriptures?  There's a place called 'This is the Place' (an LDS bookstore).  You should get some scriptures there and read them!"  We thought it was cute. :)  Also while we were there, Brother McLane asked us to share some of the things that we've learned as missionaries, and our testimony of how missions strengthen us as missionaries.  It was really neat to be able to reflect on the things I've learned and share it with the 3 potential future sister missionaries and the one future elder in the room. :)  And since then, I've been reflecting more on what I've learned so far... It's crazy to think that my mission is more than halfway over!  I've learned so much, and yet I still have so far to go.  But I thought that I would share the things I've learned in the past 9 1/2 months with y'all. :)

•    I've learned that it is so important to trust the Lord in EVERYTHING.  He always has a plan, and it will always work out for your good and the good of those around you if you trust Him.

•    I've learned how to better recognize and follow the promptings of the spirit.  I'm not perfect at it, but as we do the little things He asks us to do, He will be able to trust us with bigger, more important things.

•    I've learned that "all things denote there is a God" (Alma 30:44)  There is nothing here on earth that doesn't testify of our Heavenly Father.  To me, science just proves further that there is a God, and that He loves us enough that He created a world that we could learn to understand. :)

•    I've learned the importance of scripture study and prayer.  My study time each morning has helped my knowledge and testimony of the gospel grow more than anything else.  It is those quiet times, with just you and your scriptures and a desire to learn, that the spirit can teach you what you need to know.  And prayer is such a sacred time too - you're communicating with God - what could be more important than that?  Take the time to study and pray every day - it is SO important.

•    I've learned the truth of Ether 12:27.  When I first came on my mission, it seemed like all my weaknesses were highlighted in bright colors.  I felt SO inadequate to share the gospel - the most important message in the world.  But as I've turned to the Lord with faith, He has been able to make me something that I couldn't have ever imagined before.  Yes, I still have my weaknesses.  But with the Lord, I'm slowly but surely turning them into strengths.

•    I've learned how important it is to forget myself and serve others.  It's not all about me, and the biggest responsibility I have as a missionary is to invite and help others to come to Christ.  

•    I've learned how important it is to treasure the simple truths of the gospel.  We shouldn't always be focused on what more deep doctrine we can learn to better our lives - it's all in the first principles and ordinances of the gospel, the basic lessons that we teach as missionaries.  As I've studied the simple truths in the missionary lessons, I've learned and grown so much.  And I've seen how the simple truths of the gospel have helped others as they've learned things they've never heard before.  The gospel is so simple, and it is beautiful in it's simplicity.  And there are so many things we can learn from the basic truths.

•    I've learned that it's important to have fun, laugh a lot, and love life.  Yes, life is challenging.  There are so many different stresses that are placed on every one of us every day.  But we have the choice to be happy.  And the best way to relieve stress is to laugh and have fun. :)

•    I've learned so much about love.  How to love others, and especially about the love that our Heavenly Father has for each of His children.  I am constantly reminded of His love as I talk to various people as I knock doors or talk to people on the street.  It doesn't matter who I'm talking to, I ALWAYS feel the love that God has for that person.  I can't comprehend how He loves everyone so much, but He does.  I know that much. :)

•    I've learned to NEVER let your fear challenge your faith.  Faith and fear can't exist in the same person at the same time, and one of the ways that Satan distracts us from our faith is planting that little seed of fear.  But as long as we're doing what's right and trusting in God, we have no reason to fear!  Always have faith!

•    I've learned that I can use the power of the Atonement for EVERYTHING.  My favorite scripture about the Atonement is Alma 7:11-13, and it talks about all the things that Christ suffered for in the garden of Gethsemane.  But how often do we really turn to Him and allow Him to really help us during our hard times?  Who knows better than our Savior what we're going through?  I can testify as His servant that He wants you to turn to Him.  He knows you, your weaknesses, your fears, and everything that you go through that is hard.  Use the Atonement and let Him help you!  President Pingree often asks us at various meetings: "When was the last time that you had a meaningful, personal experience with the Atonement of Jesus Christ?"  The answer should be at least within the last 24 hours.  You really can use the power of the  Atonement for everything!

Sorry this letter has gotten so long.  But I just really felt like I needed to share some of the many things I've learned as a missionary with y'all.  I know that this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is true, and it is the Kingdom of God here on the earth.  I love y'all so much, and I hope that you have a great week!  I know I will! :)

Sister Ririe

2 Nephi 9:10

"Thanks be to God for the wonder and the majesty of His eternal plan.  Thank and glorify His Beloved Son, who, with indescribable suffering, gave His life on Calvary's cross to pay the debt of mortal sin.  He it was who, through His atoning sacrifice, broke the bonds of death and with godly power rose triumphant from the tomb.  He is the Savior of the world.  He is the Son of God, the Author of our salvation."  - President Gordon B. Hinckley

General Conference - AMAZING!!

Hey y'all!

This week has been a week of miracles, as is every week, if you really look for them. :)  And of course it all ended with General Conference, which is almost better than Christmas for missionaries.  Well... it might actually be better than Christmas... General Conference is amazing and awesome and I am sufficiently spiritually fed.  And physically, because my ward here is awesome.  But more on that later - back to the beginning of the week...

We were able to meet with Jo this week - she's been busy trying to get her house all cleaned up, and she wants to have a yard sale sometime soon.  We told her we would love to help out, and at first she didn't want to accept our help, because she didn't see that as our job, but we insisted, so later this week we'll be helping her get everything organized.  People don't realize that service is indeed a way for us to help others come to Christ.  Charity - Christlike love - you're right, Elder M. Ruesch - it's awesome! :)  Also, we were talking to her, and she was telling us one of her many life stories, and she fell asleep... mid sentence... after about 30 seconds she woke up and continued as if nothing had happened... it was great. :)  I love Jo!

We had a miracle with one of our potential investigators this week: her name is Lisa, and we've been trying to visit her for the past couple of months.  Most of the time she blows us off, saying she's too busy to talk, but we keep going back when we're in the area, because she hasn't specifically said "don't come back" yet... persistence... it's definitely a trait that us missionaries need to have. ;)  Anyway, we were in the area Tuesday night, and so we decided to try again.  She, along with her husband and daughter, were in their garage (I don't know if it's a Texas thing, but the people here use their garages as extra rooms, not as storage places for their cars...)  So we started talking to them.  At first, Lisa tried to blow us off again, but her husband kept talking to us, asking questions, and saying that he's seen us around a few times.  Eventually Lisa warmed up to us too, and we were able to have a good conversation with them.  I don't know that they're super interested in learning more right now, but at least we have some sort of a relationship with them now!  And they're nice - we'll keep stopping by to see if they're ready. ;)

We finally met with Robert to start the new member lessons - he's been super busy with work since his baptism, and his boss isn't being too nice about him asking for Sundays off, or at least a few hours so he can go to sacrament meeting... but we were finally able to see him, and talk to him about his baptism and how he now has the Holy Ghost with him - he loves it.  And he's looking forward to getting the priesthood soon, and he's frustrated that he can't take the sacrament - I think he realizes the importance of it more than most members do... it's awesome to see how he really is SO converted to the gospel!  He's relying on the spirit to get his work figured out, so hopefully he'll be able to attend more in the future.

We had exchanges this past week, and I went with Sister Shell to serve in the YSA ward for a day.  We helped a member get her apartment all packed up to move, tried to visit a less active member who has been avoiding them, and then drove up to the woodlands to give a church tour.  When we got up to the Woodlands, we had about 45 minutes to spare, so we decided to go through a drive through to get a quick bite to eat.  We were using a gps to find fast food, because the Woodlands is, as you can imagine, full of trees that you can't see anything from the road. ...unfortunately, the first place we tried was under construction, the 2nd place didn't exist (although we had a fun adventure where we accidentally somehow managed to get on the freeway... the roads in Houston are SO confusing...)  Evenutally we did find a place to eat, we scarfed down our dinner in the parking lot, and then drove back to the church to give the tour that we were now late to.  And we were still in our service clothes... :/  So we let the investigator and member inside the foyer, ran to the bathroom to get changed, and everything worked out in the end.  The church tour was amazing, and the spirit was SO strong.  Basically, the church is true, and everything will work out, even if you have the most hectic 45 minutes ever. :)

Now to the highlight of the week: General Conference!!  We watched all 4 sessions with different members, and it was great.  The members here love to support their missionaries, which is great - basically we were fed breakfast, lunch AND dinner, both Saturday and Sunday.  So yes, we are physically and spiritually fed. :)  We watched the Saturday Afternoon session with the Kunz family - they're ward missionaries - and they invited Maria over as well, so she watched most of the session with us before she had to leave.  And during Elder Ballard's talk on Sunday Morning, the one about following up, Robert sent us a sweet text saying thanks for following up with him - it was pretty awesome.  So we know he was able to watch at least a bit of conference!  One of my personal favorite talks was President Uchdorf's talk on gratitude - how we should see gratitude as a way of life more than just being grateful for things.  It is so true!  When we have a grateful attitude, it makes everything seem brighter.  Also, Sister Oliverson, I too LOVE the emphasis that has been made recently with the responsibility that we have to keep our covenants - it is something important that we should all remember.  

Yep, this week has been great. :)  I absolutely LOVE being a missionary!  I hope y'all have a great week!

Sister Ririe

2 Nephi 2:25