September 15, 2014 Las Fiestas Patrias‏

La fiesta!
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This week in our branch we had Las Fiestas Patrias, which is like celebrating all the of countries where people in our branch are from! It was so much fun. And there was so much food. Naturally, we had to try everything from Mole to Empanadas. I had food from Mexico, El Salvador, Columbia, and Guatemala the next day. And you have to finish your food or it's really rude. Needless to say I was totally stuffed. And they sent us home with a bunch of the meat. Guess what kind of meat. Cow cheek. Yep. We essentially have several cow faces in our fridge right now:)

My companion and I enjoying the party!

 They sent us home with cheesecake too.  

Sorry that I'm obsessed with food in this post but, I tried.....and failed to make a drink with milk and orange juice powder, but it was so awful I had to pour it down the sink.

We also had intercambios (exchanges) this week, so I ended up in Houston city for one day! It was really fun but it was kind of weird seeing so many people and cars. I love Brazos and how small and tranquil it is.

This week we had a couple of the families we're teaching come to church and it was so amazing! They are such great families. One of them walked in as we were singing Asombra me da (I stand all amazed). This really is amazing work. The church that Christ established is on the earth today and it has all the power to seal families together for time and all eternity. 

Remember that, "God has a perfect plan for His imperfect children; this is the good news you carry to the world."  If you know this is true, share it with someone today! Everyone should get to have the hope of the Atonement in their life.

Christ lives and He loves us.:)

-Hermana Ries

Now the work really begins!

So Hello Everyone!

 

I am in TEXAS! Woohoo!! I love it here. I am serving in the Brazos South Area under the Houston East Zone. I don't really feel like explaining where that is, so if you want to look it up on a map you can:) So this is the basic info. Mom wrote me some questions and here are the answers.

These are the new missionaries that arrived in Texas with me! 

 

1.  How was the flight from Mexico City?

 

It was good! Nice and short. I have been working like crazy ever since the plane hit the ground:) Actually before that. Gotta open your mouth and tell everyone about the Gospel!

 

2.  What is your new living arrangement like?  An apartment or part of a member's home?

 

We live in an apartment. It's nice. Nothing fancy:)    

 We live in a rural area.  This is a cotton field.

3.  Fill me in on your new companion.....name, age, how long in the field, home and family

 

Hermana C. 20... I think. She goes home in December. She is the sweetest.  She is from Idaho too.  She loves animals and is just really laid back. But a super hard worker and obedient missionary. Love her!  She studied at BYUI and BYU Hawaii.

 

6.  How's the weather been?

 

Usually in the 100s and 90s at night and in the morning with complete humidity. So yeah, a little warm.

 

7.  Are you riding bikes everyday, walking, driving or some combination?

 

I am in Houston East, Brazos south area. It's just outside of Sugar Land, by Richmond and Rosenberg and I am in love with it. I am almost in tears thinking about how much I love the people here. Oh and we have a car. But do a lot of walking once we get to places since most of the people we teach are in apartments.

 

8. Does your bike work for you?

 

I haven't used it yet... but it looks really cute.  Haha!

 

9. Did my letters get there before you left on Tuesday?

 

Your letters never got there, but if you send letters now, I'll get them every Monday at the mission office:). And Mondays are usually my P-days

 

I have seen so many miracles this week. It really is amazing. We go back and forth between English and Spanish, often in the same conversation. Brazos kind of has its own Spanglish language. Most people here are from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.  

 

One kind of funny/weird story from this week is that we met with a lady who told us about the time a spider bit her face and laid eggs in it. Yeah,  I'm not kidding. Anyway her face got all swollen and she didn't have a ride to the doctor so she cut it out herself and there were two sacks of spider eggs. What? She is a tough lady. She even showed us the scars. Haha!

 

I know that the Savior lives. And I know that this is His church and that is the reason I feel so happy and privileged be here representing Him. I love Isaiah 58:13 that says "......and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thing own words." That is what I am doing here.

 

God lives and he loves and knows us. Joseph Smith was a prophet and he translated The Book of Mormon by the power of God.

 

-Hermana Ries