Too Busy to Eat

Even though it's still hot, it's starting to look more like Fall!

Hey y'all!

Yes, we worked through our lunch break one day.  But we were on a roll - we didn't have time to stop!  SO much was happening - running from one place to another... it was great.  We met 2 new families in the ward, visited a part member family, did some family history, and found a new investigator... for some missionaries in Wisconsin... but hey, she's interested. :) and biked across the area - there and back again.  It was a busy day.  Luckily I had packed a snack!

One of the new sisters in the ward that we met is named Lauren, and she's got a crazy story... long story short she met her husband while working on a cruise ship, he investigated the church and was baptized, they got married in India (that's where he's from) with the plan to be sealed in the temple once he could go... except he kind of freaked out when they went to do baptisms for the dead and decided to go back to his catholic church... :/  But not to worry - we've got a plan.  We've only met him once, but Lauren said she'll invite us over to help paint their new house, and eat Indian food, and teach the gospel, and eventually he'll come back. :)  And the Elder's Quorum is working to fellowship him too. (Side note - Ward Council this week was AWESOME!! Basically we said a name and then everyone else was throwing out ideas and making plans to help whoever we had mentioned.  This ward has become REALLY good at getting involved with the missionary work recently - it's GREAT!)

We also started teaching Andrew, Chris's son, this week!  He's a really smart kid, and because Melody and Chris have been teaching him and he has been coming to church, teaching him the restoration was a breeze.  He's excited to be baptized, hopefully sometime soon, but we might wait until Chris is baptized so he can baptize Andrew... except we found out they won't be able to be baptized until February at the earliest... :/  So we don't know what we'll do yet.  Stay tuned. ;)

We saw Alice a few times this week, and she's continuing to make friends and love learning about the church.  She can't hear very well during church, but she still likes coming. :)  And the ward clerk dug through a bunch of boxes that have never been opened in the Library (because our building is so new) and he found some hearing devices!  So from now on she'll be able to hear sacrament meeting at least. :)  Also - when we met with her earlier in the week she was telling us about her favorite songs from church growing up and one of them was "How Great Thou Art" and when we told her it was in our hymn book she was thrilled.  And then - that was the rest hymn this Sunday!  Coincidence?  I think not!  She started to tear up, and the spirit was so strong, and I think she took it as a sign that this is where she needs to be. :)  We're looking forward to next Friday when she will be baptized!

During District Meeting this week we talked a lot about faith, and how we need to not only have faith but also act on that faith in order to accomplish miracles.  And then I read Alma 31 during personal study this week - where it talks about the apostate Zoramites and Alma's prayer for strength and comfort as he and his companions go forth to preach the gospel.  He prays with mighty faith, but after their prayer they go forth and act with faith.  It's not enough to believe it will happen - we need to act to help it happen.  It reminds me of Elder Christofferson's talk from this past general conference: "Beyond desiring His help, we must exert ourselves, repent, and choose God for Him to be able to act in our lives consistent with justice and moral agency. My plea is simply to take responsibility and go to work so that there is something for God to help us with."  So go and do!  Act with faith. :)

That's all for the week.  I love y'all!  Have a great week!

Sister Ririe

Alma 31:38

oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUTUMN!!  I'm so glad you got to go to the temple, and I can't wait to all go inside together once I get home. :)