Sister Ostvig, Alice and me at the temple :)
Hey y'all!
What a week! It has been so full of miracles! It never
ceases to amaze me how people can pop up out of nowhere or lessons can go
amazingly right or how days that seem like everything is falling through can
turn completely around for the better. Yep, it has definitely been a
grand week to end on!
We had an awesome lesson with Jacob and Mayra! We set their
sights on the temple and were able to set long term and short term goals with
them. And the best part is they have been continually reading the Book of
Mormon together! They have grown so much in their testimonies, and they
are really progressing together. The Spirit was SO strong in that lesson
- seriously one of the best lessons I have ever been a part of. We
watched the talk "Yes Lord I Will Follow Thee" from this past general
conference and they were both inspired to set goals to build their faith.
And even though they were almost an hour late, they still came to church
yesterday. It was SO good to see them there because it has been a while
since they've come. And they both gave great comments in our gospel
principles class too! Basically they are amazing. :)
We found a new investigator in kind of a strange way... we got a
church headquarters referral for someone by the name of Shaquaequay... of
course we were afraid that we were going to pronounce it wrong, but we went to
try anyway. :) We got to the house and the person we talked to was as
confused as we were, but as we talked and laughed about the situation (she
figured that one of her friends had sent us there as a joke) she asked
questions about what we do and who we are and eventually she invited us in and
we were able to share our purpose with her and teach her about the Book of
Mormon. We ended up having a long conversation with her and she invited us to
come back this week to teach her more! She is awesome, and I'm excited
for her to continue to learn more!
And then we found another investigator through a member!
Hunter is a priest in our ward who is preparing to go on a mission and he has
been telling us about his friend Isaiah for a long time. He has been
continuing to invite him to various activities and devotionals and such, and
finally he decided it was time to invite him to meet with the
missionaries. So we met at Hunter's house with his family and Isaiah on
Sunday and had an awesome lesson with them. Hunter helped us teach it (he
is preparing for a mission after all!) and I think it meant a lot more for
Isaiah coming from a friend. He has agreed to read the Book of Mormon,
and Hunter will continue to follow up and teach him more, with the help of the
missionaries. :) Pretty exciting, huh? :)
A highlight of the week - we were able to go with Alice to the
temple! She was baptized and confirmed for her mother and both her
grandmothers and had an unforgettable experience. :) When she first
walked in she said "I feel like I'm already in heaven!" It
definitely was a cool experience for her. And a great experience for me
to be able to take another convert to the temple. :)
As far as reflecting back on my mission goes... basically I've got
all sorts of mixed emotions right now. But I got the inspiration for a
poem a few weeks ago, and I thought I'd share it with y'all. :)
Riding home at 9 pm
Almost 18 months through.
A slight wind blows around my face
Bright Christmas lights aglow.
The cool night air and silence here
Come with such a peace.
It's here the Spirit whispers to me
"You're going to miss all this."
It's true that I've been missing home
And my family -
I really miss talks with my dad
And my mom's understanding
"I've been working so long" "My body is sore"
These thoughts I've had recently.
I'm tired of biking everywhere
It's so exhausting for me.
Sometimes I wonder "What's the point?
These people aren't prepared.
I'll save my voice for someone else,
Someone who'll really care."
But I also remember the joy I had
The first time that I felt
Heavenly Father use my hands
To touch somebody else.
I love the sense of identity
That from my name tag comes
And the excited yell of "missionaries!'
From the children we know and love.
I remember the good times we had
Those long biking days;
The jokes, the laughs, the stories shared,
The joyous memories made.
I recall the many miracles
Of things timed just right.
In the perfect place at the perfect time
We found those filled with light-
The light that's found inside of souls
Touched by the Light of Christ
And with the help of the Holy Ghost
We led them closer to Christ.
And of course I can't forget
The most sincere prayer
Of someone searching for the truth
And hoping to find Him there
And the feeling of tears of joy
That have filled my eyes
As I've watched someone I've grown to love
In the water be baptized.
My heart swells with gratitude-
Like David I could sing
Songs of glory, songs of love
As I thank my Heavenly King.
I think of how my testimony-
Once a tiny seed-
Through these experiences has grown
Into a mighty tree.
I've grown to love my Savior - Christ
More than ever before.
Using his Atonement every day
I'm converted evermore.
I love y'all!
Sister Ririe
Matthew 25:21
