One Day More

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