Livin' the Life in Memorial Springs

We got caught in a rainstorm as we were walking home... luckily we were almost to our apartment, but we still got soaked.  Gotta love the rain here in Texas!

Hey y'all!

I'M STAYING IN MEMORIAL SPRINGS!!!!  I honestly could not be happier - 5 transfers in the best area ever - who could be upset with that?  :)  Sister Walker and I are preparing for a transfer full of fun and miracles.  It is going to be great!

Also - happy Fathers day to all the dads out there, but especially to mine. :)  Love you Dad!!

This week has been great, except for the fact that Sister Walker and I both got sick... not fun.  But I think we're on the tail end of it now, which is good.  And despite our sicknesses, there was still a lot of good stuff that happened this week.  We were able to have dinner with a less active family, well, the wife (Ana) is less active, but the husband is active.  Ana has always welcomed us in and asked us questions and let us share messages, but she's always said she'd come back to church when she was ready.  When we had dinner with them though, she gave us a ride home and told us she might come to church!  Which is HUGE!  She didn't actually come, but the fact that she said she might is amazing.  I have a feeling that she is well on her way back to becoming active again. :)  Hopefully we'll be able to get her to church this next Sunday.

We also met with Crystal, another less active, and it was a really spiritual meeting.  she opened up to us, and started crying because she really feels like she needs to come back.  She loves God and knows that He loves her, and she knows that He keeps sending us over to her house so we can get her back in spiritual shape. :)  Unfortunately she didn't make it to church on Sunday either... we'll have to visit her to find out what happened there.  She's ready to come back, she just needs some help getting over whatever Satan is using to hold her back.

Funny story:  Brother Foster was speaking in church yesterday, and was talking about how they are memorizing the articles of faith as a family.  Their 3 year old Ethan has a few down, including the 4th which talks about the first principles and ordinances of the gospel.  Except he says "3rd - baptism by emergency" instead of immersion ... Brother Foster told us we should use that to maybe help others see just how important baptism really is. ;)  We thought it was funny. :)

Another funny story:  We were talking to some members in the ward, and telling them how easy it is to talk to people here in the south about religion because most everyone is religious and they like to talk about such things - it's not an awkward conversation starter.  One sister said, "oh it's so true!  I have a zumba instructor at YMCA that always ends her class by saying 'See y'all next time unless Jesus comes!' "  I LOVE the south, and I'm so glad I'm serving my mission here. :)

Miracle for the week:  We were tracting a street earlier in the week, and it seemed like no one was home.  And when I say no one was home, I mean no one was being nice to the missionaries and answering their door, because there were definitely people home... whatever.  We were about to give up and try the street another time, because we honestly had not talked to a single soul besides each other in about 30 minutes... not good.  But we felt like we needed to keep knocking so we did, and towards the end of the street a woman answered the door.  We introduced ourselves and got talking with her, and asked if we could share a message.  She was about to turn us away, but she stopped, obviously thinking about it, and said, "you know what... sure."  She (her name is Delores) invited us in and we were able to share the message of the Restoration in a question and answer type discussion.  Seriously - she asked all the right questions and had no problem believing what we were telling her.  When we talked about the Book of Mormon and told her how Christ had visited the people in the Americas, she told us that she had always believed that He would show himself to other nations too, not just the people in Jerusalem.  We gave her 3 Nephi 11 to study. :)  She asked what we believe happens to those that don't have the chance to learn about Christ in this life, so we were able to teach her about the Spirit World.  She strongly believes in personal revelation, and she says it makes sense that we would have a prophet today - God loves us too, not just the people in ancient times.  Honestly, this woman is SO prepared. :)  She was so excited when we gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and said she'd study up while she's out of town (she'll be gone for the next week or so, but said we could come back when she gets home).  Oh - she grew up catholic, was a teacher in a non-denominational church with her husband but they left that church when they noticed that the other leaders weren't treating each other in a very Christlike way, and she told us "When the time is right, God will lead me to the right church."  Well, we're here. :)  She is SO ready.  We're excited to meet with her again!

That's pretty much all for the week.  It has been a great 24 weeks so far, and I'm looking forward to the next 6.  :)  Have a great week!

Sister Ririe

Moses 6:60-61

Putting the Power in Power Hour

Hey y'all!

It has been a crazy week full of finding. Our mission does what is called Power Hour, which is basically a whole hour of just finding activities from 6-7 pm each day, because that's when people are usually home.  Keep reading - you'll discover why I explained this to you.  

It seems as though our teaching pool here in Memorial Springs seems to go in waves... we find all sorts of awesome potential investigators, and then they all seem to drop off the face of the planet.  Or they just tell us they're not interested anymore, because they're going to a different church.  One thing that's great about the bible belt - everyone is open to talking about religion.  The flip side to that coin - there are so many different churches around here to choose from - if you don't like any of the churches down here, that's ok because you can go ahead and start your own.  And because of that so many people are confused.  I don't know if I've told you about Iva, but she's one of our current investigators.  She had no problem believing the Joseph Smith story, because her preacher claims to have had a similar experience.  But she doesn't believe that the priesthood authority is only in our church, because her preacher has been called of God too.  ... kind of difficult.

Anyway, sorry, I'm kind of rambling here... but right now our teaching pool is kind of slim.  So Sister Walker and I have been focusing on finding activities, and so we've been making Power Hour a priority.  We even had a whole day that we didn't have any appointments, so we made it our Power Hour Day.  We tracted and talked to people, and had a lot of good discussions.  There was even one street that we taught 5 lessons on people's doorsteps!  5!  Just on one street!  Unfortunately most of them don't want us to come back, but there was one teenager, Alante, that we talked too, and she said that she and her mom would love to hear more, so we're looking forward to meeting with them.  

Unfortunately, tracting does have it's negatives.  While most people thank us for our time and our service, and wish us good luck in spreading the word of God, or at least tell us they're not interested in a polite way, we still get those that slam their doors in our faces, or tell us we're following the devil and that we're going to hell.  But I've definitely learned to take rejection on my mission - we just smile and wish them a nice day.  No matter what - we still have the truth.  And I wish everyone else would just accept it already.

Let's see, what happened other than finding this week... We were asked to help the cub scouts earn their religious knot, so we went to their den meeting this week and helped them prepare a skit on one of their favorite scripture stories.  We asked them what their favorite stories were, and after we had a good list they decided that they would act out the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt.  It was crazy, but that's just how large groups of young boys are. :)  And honestly, I was surprised at how well they knew the story, and were able to apply it into their own lives.  (seriously - when we asked the boys for their favorite scripture stories, one of them said his favorite was when Amulek takes on Zeezrom.  I'm pretty sure I didn't even know Zeezrom's name when I was his age.)  The church is definitely helping the younger generations to learn and apply the scriptures - it will definitely help these boys as they grow up and serve missions and have to face the world.  It was fun to work with them, and now they're one step closer to getting their religious knot. :)

We also had Zone Meeting this week - our Zone is super small now because they split what used to be the Klein Zone into two parts.  So now it's just my district (4 sisters and 2 elders) and one other district (with 4 sisters and 6 elders).  We used to have about 36 missionaries in the zone, so it was... different... to be in such a small group.  But it was good - I feel like we'll be able to get to know each other better this way.  The Zone Meeting was super good - it was all about Spiritual Awakenings - coming closer to God and receiving answers and revelation after trials and prayer and sincere desire.  I really like our new Zone Leaders - they teach well together, and are good at getting everyone involved.  Of course, that last point could be because we're in a smaller group... whatever.  They're great, and I like my zone. :)

Unfortunately, Wes and Kelly had to cancel their appointment with us this week... they haven't gotten back with us so we can reschedule yet, but hopefully we'll see them soon.  And Robert canceled both appointments we had with him this week, but he did come to church, which was good.  And we have an appointment with him this week - hopefully that goes through.  He could really use a lot of prayers right now.

I think that's all for this week in Memorial Springs.  I still love it here, and I still love the work.  I love you all so much!  Thanks for the love and support!  I hope y'all have a fabulous week. :)

Sister Ririe

A sister in our district shared this poem at zone meeting that her mom had sent her.  I got a copy of it because it is Amazing - and I thought I would share it with you. :)

AFTER ALL WE CAN DO

-by Elder Robbie Pierce, 2000

I'd been in that hole for a very long time - 

In the dark and the damp, in the cold and the slime.

The shaft was above me; I could see it quite clear,

But there's no way I ever could reach it from here.

Nor could I remember the world way up there,

So I lost all my hope and gave in to despair.

I knew nothing but darkness, the floors, and the walls,

When from off in the distance I heard someone call,

"Get up!  Get ready!  There's nothing the matter!

Take rocks and take sticks and build up a fine ladder."

This had never occurred to me, had not crossed my mind,

So I started to stack all the stones I could find.

When I ran out of stones, the old sticks were my goal,

For some way or another I'd get out of that hole.

So I soon had a ladder that was really quite tall,

And I thought, "I'll soon leave this place once and for all!"

Then I climbed up my ladder, it was no easy chore - 

For from lifting those boulders my shoulders were sore.

So I worked and I climbed and at last had to stop,

For my ladder stopped short - some ten feet from the top.

I climbed back down the ladder and felt all around,

But there were no more boulders nor sticks to be found.

I went back to my ladder and started to cry.

I'd done all I could do; I gave my best try.

But in spite of my work, in this hole I must die,

And all I could do was to sit and think, "Why?"

Was my ladder too short?  Or my hole much too deep?

Then from way up on high came a voice: "Do not weep."

And then hope, love, and faith entered my chest,

As the voice said to me that I'd done my best.

He said, "Nothing's the matter.  There's reason to hope.

Just climb up your ladder; I'll throw down my rope.

You have worked very hard, and your labor's been rough,

But the ladder you've built is at last tall enough."

I climbed up the ladder, then climbed up the cord.

When I stood at the top, there stood the Lord.

I've never been happier; my struggle was done. 

I blinked in the brightness that came from the Son.

I fell to the ground; His feet did I kiss.

I cried, "What can I do to repay thee for this?"

He looked all around Him - there were holes in the ground.

They had people inside, and were seen all around.

There were thousands of holes that were damp, dark, and deep.

Then the Lord turned to me and He said, "Feed my sheep."

Then He went on His way to help other lost souls.

And I got right to work, calling down to the holes,

"Get up!  Get ready!  There's nothing the matter!

Take rocks and take sticks and build up a fine ladder!"

It now was my turn to spread the good word.

The most glorious message that man ever heard.

That there's One who is willing to save one and all,

And we've got to be ready when He gives the call.

He'll pull us all out of the hole that we're in,

And save all our souls from death and from sin.

So do not lose faith; there is reason to hope:

Just build up your ladder; He'll throw down His rope.

Severe Alert - Flash Flood Warning

#1 - Sister Walker and me in the rain

#2 - My district at the temple

#3 - Also, just look at the sky here...the weather is crazy! One minute it's torrential downpour, the next is blue skies. I just don't understand.

Hey Y'all!

It has been a crazy week, and let me tell you - the rain has been coming down hard!  We got several texts throughout the week with flash flood warnings - luckily there was enough break between each storm that there wasn't any flooding, at least not that I've heard of.  But we've been safe - thanks to awesome members and the Lord.  We have gotten a little wet... but a little water never hurt anyone, right? ;)  There was one storm at the end of the week and sister Jeppson (we were on exchanges) and I were walking through the neighborhood to our next appointment and listening to the loud thunder roll through the sky when all of a sudden we see a flash right above us and hear the zap and the thunder at the same time - super scary!  I have no doubt that the Lord protected us there - and always.  

In spite of the rain, we've been doing the same things we always do - finding and serving and teaching. :)  Wes and Kelly are doing awesome - we taught them twice this past week.  Last night we taught them the Plan of Salvation, and the spirit was SO strong and I could tell they were feeling it.  Kelly testified of the things she learned as a child, and it was really powerful.  We invited Wes to be baptized, and he has some concerns... mostly that what we're teaching is very different from what he grew up believing and he's already been baptized.  But we'll keep working with him, and help him learn the truth for himself.  I love teaching them - they are both so open and friendly.  Of course, I love teaching anyone about the gospel.  I just hope that when I teach, the people I'm teaching realize that we are doing it because we love them and care about them, not just because it is our job.  That is something that Sister Walker and I have really been focusing on - making sure that people know we care about them, and that we're not simply "trying to convert them".  We ARE trying to convert them... but it's because we care and we want them to have the blessings that we know come from living the gospel.

We had kind of a cool experience with that this past week, with a less active named Martha.  We've been visiting with her for a while, and it's always been the same.  We visit, share a message, invite her to change and come back to church, and leave.  But this time, we visited for a while, and all of a sudden, we were able to get through a wall that she's put up between herself and the church.  She shared her conversion story with us, and expressed the concerns that she had with coming back to church (her family is pulled in all sorts of religious directions with her husband's church, the church her kids like, and the church her husband's parents want them to attend, and she doesn't want to add another church to the mix.)  After she had finished talking, she said that she didn't know what had made her share all that, but she also said something I will never forget: "I don't know exactly what it is about the two of you, but I can tell you care."  I ALWAYS want to be the type of missionary - the type of person, really - that people can tell that I care about them. 

We have an AWESOME finding experience from this past week:  Sister Walker and I were out walking around, contacting people, when we felt a strong impression to tract a certain street.  So we walk to the street, walk all the way down the street to start at the other end.  We didn't plan it that way... it just happened.  And for a good reason:  The first door that we knocked on we got talking to a guy named Joey.  He said that he got a copy of the Book of Mormon a few years ago from some elders, and that he had read it, and liked it so much that he had been to visit Temple Square.  At this point, I'm astonished, but not completely "beyond all measure" (in a good way)- that part is coming. ;)  He hasn't taken the missionary lessons yet, but he said he'd be willing to, so we'll hopefully be visiting with him later this week.  We shared Alma 32:27 on his doorstep and had a good discussion about acting on our faith.  And then we got his info, and left.  Here's the best part - we continued knocking doors on his street, and a few houses later, Joey comes out with his Book of Mormon in hand (this is the one he got a few years ago - we hadn't given him another copy) and says "excuse me - could you remind me again where that passage you read is?  I'd like to study it more later."  Yup, astonished beyond all measure, right there.  Maybe I shouldn't be.. after all, our message is amazing and people really should react in this or similar ways... but unfortunately that doesn't happen very much.  Anyway, he is golden.  G-O-L-D-E-N.  I'm excited to have more encounters with him later. :)

We went to the Temple this week - SO exciting!  I love the temple SO much!  And the work we do is SO amazing.  Also - Sister Walker and I feel like missionary work is the most stressful thing ever, and it's only in the temple that we can feel completely at peace.  It's amazing.  I'm so happy and so blessed to be able to go as often as I can. 

We also went on exchanges this week - Sister Jeppson came to visit me here in Memorial Springs, and SO much happened, and I learned a lot from her, mostly the "go about doing good" part of missionary work.  While we were out walking in the rain (after the lightning part had passed) we saw a little old Asian lady struggling to pull some wet bags of grass to the curb.  Without hesitation, Sister Jeppson ran over to help her, and after we finished with that we had a good conversation with her where we were able to testify of the eternal nature of the family.  She said she'd be willing to hear more, so Sister Walker and I will hopefully be able to teach her the Plan of Salvation sometime this week.

The Lord really is moving his work forward - there is SO much going on here in my little Memorial Springs world.  I love being a missionary, and I love this work.  Yes, sometimes it's stressful, and sometimes I'm more exhausted than I ever thought was possible.  But it is worth it - I do know that.  The church is true - there's no denying it.  I love y'all so much, and hope you have a fantastic week!

Sister Ririe

1 Corinthians 3:6 -- possibly my new favorite scripture - I love it!