A Happy New Year

Sister McLean and me on exchanges :)

Hey y'all!

It's amazing how fast time flies - I can't believe its already 2015!!  I hope y'all had a happy new year!  We didn't do much to celebrate... even if we could have stayed up I don't think I would have - when we get home at night I'm so exhausted!  I didn't even wake up when everyone set of fireworks at midnight, that's how tired I was.  Oh well... happy new year. :)

This week has been busy.  We had exchanges on new years eve so I spent a day with the singles ward sisters.  It's amazing how open young adults are!  Our mission president has been focusing a lot on finding during the evening hours because that is when people are home so we did some tracting before driving back to exchange back and found several people who are willing to learn more.  It was fun to go on exchanges with Sister McLean again (we went on exchanges once before at the start of our missions when we were both serving in Katy.)  It was fun to be able to compare ourselves now towards the end of our missions - we have both learned so much and changed for the better. :)

We were able to teach Jacob and Mayra twice this week - both lessons were so good.  They are both in a place where they want to change and do better.  We talked for a long time about how Mayra can receive an answer, and I think she already knows that it's true but sometime she doubts that... She has a hard time understanding the Book of Mormon sometimes, but she has had so many powerful experiences with what she does understand.  And they both recognize the change that is in their home and family when they are doing what they are supposed to - read the scriptures and pray and come to church.  They set some awesome goals and we're going to do what we can to help them.  ... unfortunately they didn't come to church yesterday... :'(  we're not sure why, but hopefully we'll be able to continue to work with them some more this week.

We haven't been able to see Melody and Chris and Andrew these past few weeks either... which is really frustrating because Andrew is supposed to be baptized this Saturday... We're going to do everything in our power to make it happen, but if we can't get in touch with them we may need to postpone. :/ 

We did meet with John yesterday, and that was so good!  He had wanted to share his testimony during fast and testimony meeting but hadn't been able to get the courage to get up, and so he shared it with us that evening instead.  :)  He is SO awesome, and he is continuing to work and learn and prepare for the end of this year when he and his family will be sealed. :D  He is loving his calling, and loving learning.  Basically he is amazing.  And SO converted. :)  I had the thought as he was sharing his testimony with us and telling us his plans to share the gospel with everyone that if he were the only one that I had helped bring closer to Christ through my mission then it will have been worth it.  :)

Alice got her temple recommend yesterday!  We're planning on going with her to do baptisms this Thursday - I'm excited to take another one of my converts to the temple! :D

I think that's all for the week.  I love y'all and hope you have a good week!

Sister Ririe

D&C 18:15