"I just spoke Spanish and bought corn out of the back of someone's car."‏ Oct. 20, 2014

Dear Friends and Family,

 

It's been less than a week so I kind of feel like I don't have much to say. The subject of this email was a quote said by me on the way home one night, just in awe of what is happening in my life. Below is a picture of Hna Savage y yo eating the corn we bought. It was so good. They put mayonnaise, cheese and chili powder on the outside. We were very excited about it:)

As I said before, we've been visiting a lot of less actives recently. This is at one of their houses. I spy... 2 puppies, one dog and two cats. What you can't see in this photo is the chicks, chickens, kittens, other dogs and birds. You could say I was pretty happy.

Here is a little Q&A thanks to mi madre.

 

1.  How is fall in Houston?

 

It is cooling off! When it's in the 70's I am cold haha. I have definitely adjusted.

 

2.  What is your mission president like?  Have you had any special training with general authorities since entering the mission field?

 

 My mission President is very young. His oldest is like 16. He has been here for awhile so my President will change about half way through my mission.

 

3.  How is this trio of sisters working?  Do you and the new sister go out without Sis. Christensen when she has AP type duties?

 

Trios are interesting. There is a lot of potential for problems. I'm sure you know groups of 3 rarely work. But I LOVE my companions. Hna Christensen is so wise and has an incredible testimony. Hna Savage has so much enthusiasm for the work. And her Spanish is so good!

 

4.  Info on new sister   Where is she from?  What is her family like?

 

Hermana Savage is from Delaware. She is the 6 of 10 children. She is very smart. She graduated early and studied at BYU for 2 years before her mission. She has a very sweet heart and is a great missionary.

 

5.  In your first 3 months as a missionary what do you think has been the most significant change in you?

 

Whoa. Has it already been 3 months? That makes me so sad! The time is flying! I would say the biggest change is a really sure knowledge that God loves me. I always know He loved others. And I thought He would love me. That is logical. But I've really come to know that He loves and wants the best for me. He is quick to forgive and He is so happy with every good choice we make.

 

This picture is on exchanges so we have Hna Armstrong and Savage in this picture. The skies here are amazing!

This week I want to share a quote from Elder Utchdorf. It is in Spanish so you might have you use google translate, or just read the talk. It's called "Are you Sleeping through the Restoration?"

 

"Ser discipulo de Jesucristo no es una labor de una vez a la semana o una vez al dia. Es una labor constant y permanente."

 

I know that really being happy, comes with living the way Christ did. It doesn't come through big or grand acts. It's not a one time event. It is the way you live. I know Jesus Christ lives and loves us. And He provided the example of Happiness.

 

-Hermana Ries

 

"Fear not little children, for you are mine"‏ Oct. 15, 2014

Okay everyone, here is some exciting news.... I have a new companion!!! I also still have my old companion! Yes we are a trio. Unusual, but it is so great! The new companion is Hermana Savage (we like to pronounce it Sah-vah-hey in Spanish). She is from Delaware and she is great.

 

​My companions and I after church! Hna Savage, yo, y Hna Christensen.

 

This week has been really good.  And really busy. We had to change our P-day because a had a zone conference where Elder Schwitzer came and talked to us as missionaries! The main message was about how we need to focus our message more on Christ, because that's exactly what we're called to do. We are representing Jesus Christ, so if we aren't focusing our lessons on Him, we aren't doing missionary work right.

 

In preparation for the zone conference, our zone cleaned the building. And my companions and I got assigned to outside duty. It was hot, and humid. I think it was in the 100s that day haha. But hey! Missionary work is all about service!

​Lets not talk about my hair for service activities. Or how my nametag is flipped over:(

 

This week for church I had to play the hymns. It was arguably the scariest thing I've done so far on my mission. It wasn't pretty, but I somehow made it through.  Ha ha. Afterwards the Young Women's President asked me if I could help her with a musical number. I said yes, somewhat reluctantly.  :)

 

Also, mini miracle this week, I got to play guitar!!!! We've been working with a family who has or had an inactive son. We had Noche de Hogar (family home evening) with them on Monday and they said "I didn't know you played Piano!" To which I responded "I don't." Hermano A. then proceeded to ask who plays guitar and I said I did. Long story short, I played "Give said the little stream" and my companions sang. It made me very happy.

 

So, recently we've been working with a lot of less active or inactive members or families. I didn't think about this a lot before my mission, but now that I'm here, I have found incredible joy in helping these people. That's the reason for the heading of this email.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 50: 40-42 says "Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of truth. Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me. And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost."

 

This week we read Alma:36 with an inactive member, and the Spirit in that lesson was incredible.No matter, what you're state is, if you're a member, non-member, inactive or not sure if you want to be going to church, please read this chapter. Read it out loud and let the Spirit testify to you the power of our Savior's atonement. He loves us. And repentance is a gift. As we read this chapter with the member, his eyes filled with tears and he felt the Saviors love. He came back to church this week and decided to start going out with the Elders to help teach lessons.

I know Jesus is the Christ. I know we can become completely clean through Him. I know that "none... are lost." It is never to late. It is never too hard. The light of Christ penetrates all darkness.

 

-Hermana Ries

Conferencia General Oct. 6, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Next weeks P-day will be on Wednesday, just so you are aware.... But much more importantly, this week was Jesus's birthday!!!! He is 11 now. His siblings are Gisell and Giovanni. How cute are they?

I hope you all had the opportunity to watch conference this week! It was so amazing! Didn't you love hearing people speak in their native languages? I listened to all the sessions in Spanish so when I got to hear people actually giving their talks in Spanish instead of being translated I was so excited. It was like Christmas morning!

If you didn't get a chance to listen to our living Prophet and Apostles, go here https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2014/10?cid=HPSU100514465&lang=eng.  I promise you will love it! My favorite session was Sunday Afternoon, but they are all incredible. How blessed are we to have a Prophet who leads and guides us today? God really respects our agency, so He gives us guidance and then lets us choose. This is Hermana Christensen and I after conference on Saturday. We loved it! And we matched!

Sometimes missionary work isn't glamorous. This week we taught a lesson where their Chihuahua attacked me for literally the entire lesson. Imagine me, trying to read scriptures, and pray, and share my testimony while holding a small, but unusually energized dog. At one point my companion took the dog from me so that I could talk for like 2.7 seconds, and then the dog proceeded to attack me. Oh well. Like I said, not always glamorous. But I love the family so much. And Chico (the dog) will probably not be invited back for the next lesson haha. kidding.

We continue to see miracles. People really are looking for the truth. We talked to a lady this week who said "I feel like I'm a rat running through a maze, trying to find a piece of cheese, but I can't even smell!" We were able to share with her that, we as missionaries don't ask people to believe in our words, but to seek for ourselves, from God, for the truth.

I have done that. I have knelt and prayed and experimented upon the promise found in Moroni 10:5 which says that "by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." I know that The Book of Mormon is true, and if we take time to read it every day, it will answer the questions of our soul.

I know that "whoso believeth in God might  with a surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh and anchor to the souls of men, which make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." (Ether 12:6) We can hope for a better world, when we anchor our souls in Him whose name I wear as His representative. I know that He loves us.

-Hermana Ries

Hermana Ralston and me. We went on exchanges one time. She is so sweet!!!

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

September 15, 2014 Las Fiestas Patrias‏

La fiesta!
​

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