I still love cats!

Dear Family and Friends,

I am a missionary, but somehow cats still seem to find me. This is at one of our members homes. It is like paradise. They have kittens and puppies right now. It is pretty great. 

They also have chickens!

It has been a REALLY busy week, but the Lord is really blessing us. We're continuing to see miracles daily and find people who are prepared to listen to our message about the Restored Gospel. Also, I don't know if you are as excited as I am but conference is this week!!!!!!! Everyone should listen/watch it! Write down questions you have about anything and then prayed to have them answered and you will find answers from conference. 

Today I want to talk about something that is really important: member missionary work. 

This sweet lady in the picture below is Hermana Juarez.

This is the very first appointment I ever had on my mission. Her family fed us dinner and then she came and taught with the missionaries. This week my mom asked 

"Other than praying for opportunities to share the gospel and following up when the opportunities come what do  you wish members would do to help with the work?"

Be willing to go out with the missionaries and FELLOWSHIP! IT means so much. If you go out with the missionaries and meet someone, visit them, get their number and invite them to church. An invitation from a member is better than one from a missionary when it comes to church attendance. And just be their friend. Invite them to dinner or the movies or whatever. These are normal people and they are having to attend a church they have never attended. They don't know how things work. And as missionaries, we're not really 'normal.' They need to see that Latter Day Saints wear normal clothes and do something besides teach people. Missionaries and members should work together. We need your help. 

Some of the people I'm teaching right now!

I know that sometimes it feels impossible to share our testimony. You might feel like you need to solidify your own before you can share it.  You might feel like you don't have anyone to refer the missionaries to. But I promise Heavenly Father is preparing you to share the gospel with people. Jesus Christ taught us, "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not." (Matthew 10:30-31) He knows all of His children. You are not lost. And no one is. He is our shepherd and He leaves the 99 to find the one. 

-Hermana Ries

Plan de Salvacion en el bano

Dear Family and Friends,

 

The Lord loves us. And because of that, He places people in our paths everyday that we can bless. When we came to email today, I had to go to the bathroom, really bad. So we went in and heard someone sobbing. We overheard her conversation. She had just lost a good friend, and she was feeling very alone. It was then that I realized, actually, I didn't really need to go to the bathroom all that bad. I needed to help this woman. We were able to talk to her and testify that there is life after death. Her friend is not far. And God loves her. So much.

 

I know that sounds weird, and maybe it was. Usually we don't meet people in bathrooms. But it doesn't really matter what the circumstances are. God has a plan. I, like Nephi, "was lead by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand, the things which I should do." Have faith that God will place people in your path to bless you or you to bless them.

 

This week was good. My companion is one of the Senior Sister Training Leaders (aka the boss) so we go on exchanges a lot (usually two a week.) That means that I have to take over the area. It has been a challenge and a blessing. But my Spanish has been improving, as well as my biking skills.

 

We are teaching so many amazing people right now. But two of the families in specific are really progressing. They have come to church 2 weeks in a row now, and because of that, their faith in Christ is increasing.

 

I have pictures of one of the families, but I forgot the cord to attach it to the computer:( But it is a really great picture. We stopped by one night and the husband was making a whip! He does it for fun. So I took pictures of him making it. And then their cute daughter  took my camera and took some pictures as well. So you can look forward to that next week!

 

Also if you have time this week you should all read "What is the Blueprint of Christ's Church?" by Tad R Callister. https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2014/01/what-is-the-blueprint-of-christs-church?lang=eng   It is one of the best talks I've read! I know that Joseph Smith saw God and His son Jesus Christ, and that this is His restored church. Heavenly Father loves us. And He is ready to listen to our every concern.

 

con amor,

-Hermana Ries