The best time of my life

Serving as a missionary for the last 18 months of my life, has been the Best.  I know that I have had a lot of really random emails saying that we did nasty service, had a terrible week, everyone dropped us and that I was just struggling but I would never in a million years, trade that for my mission.  Even if someone was offering for me to meet the Prophet.  Being a missionary has really been hard, but as I said a couple weeks ago it has made me really rely on the Spirit.  It has changed me.  Ask any of the members or missionaries that I served around at the beginning of my mission.  I am really different, but I am okay with that.  No, I am not any less hilarious or crazy, but I am more who Heavenly Father wants me to be.  I am this much closer to my divine potential.  I love this Gospel so much, and although I won't always have a badge on my clothes, there will forever be the badge that has slowly stitched itself to my heart.  I know that Satan really tries hard to get us to go against what we believe, but we have to stick with our faith to overcome those weaknesses.  I will save the rest for next week.

This last week was really crazy. Good crazy, and Bad Crazy.

Monday November 9th

We had a normal P-day with not a whole lot of crazy things going on, and we were able to get everything done. Even got the car cleaned!  Then we ate dinner at our Ward Mission Leader's house.  A couple weeks ago, they asked me what is something that I missed from home.  I told them I missed the few times that our family would eat waffles and ice cream.  At the same time... So that night when we walked in the door what was waiting for us? Waffles and Ice Cream with all sorts of nice things to put on top of it.  So that night I ate many a waffles with no shame.  Then we had a really great lesson with our investigator, Millie.  She has so much faith! The last 5 months for her has been TERRIBLE! She is always telling us though, that it is part of God's plan for her.  She has no doubt in her mind that this is the path that Heavenly Father wants for her.  We talked the whole time about faith, and then she said the closing prayer.  In the prayer she never once asked Heavenly Father for anything.  She just told him all the things that she was grateful for.  It was a real testimony builder to me, that gratitude prayers are sometimes the best prayers.

Tuesday November 10th

We had Zone Meeting! I loved Zone Meeting.  Until they asked me to bear my testimony on the things that I learned as a missionary... they let me go before the Elder who is also going home. How kind of them right?  We also were able to see the new Christmas Video that the church will be promoting this season.  It is so good! All these little children telling the story of Christ.  I love that you can see the little light in their eyes, and that they are all so happy! Really brought the Spirit into that room.  The whole time this meeting was going on, our little car was at Pepboys getting a tune up, so after the meeting, the Sisters all went and got Sushi and ate it while waiting for our car.  Then that night we were able to have a lesson with both our investigators, Jordan and Jesse.  It was really good! We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and Jordan told us that he wanted to be baptized on the 21st! Which is the same day as his brother.  We were so happy, and planned the whole baptism right there.  I was so grateful for their mother who was right there helping us teach the lessons to them.  Such a tender moment for their family.  The best part is that we thought their dad would have a problem with them getting baptized, and he doesn't! He is actually excited that they are choosing this themselves, and that they are following through with it.

Wednesday November 11th

We had a lesson with Lila and Martin (he is a new investigator!)  We were talking about baptism, and Lila told us that she wanted to push her baptism back till the beginning of the year.  It was really sad, but at least she didn't drop us.  She is still planning on getting baptized, but needs to get through these next 2 months she said.  We also did service for our Recent Converts family.  They are having a memorial for her mom, and so we were helping clean up the yard for them.  The Young Men from the ward came, and the Grandma was so happy.  She almost started crying, and she was just so grateful.  We also had another lesson with Jordan and Jesse.

Thursday November 12th

We went to the scripture study class, and it was so great! It was only the 3rd time having it, and there were over 20 people there! It was so great! Most of them were less-actives or investigators! It was so great to be in such a little room with so many people.  When we told people we were going to be having this class, we were told we would need a small room since not a lot of people would show up.  Haha, well I am so grateful that we broke the expectations that we had set.

Friday November 13th

There is a cold that is going around, and Sister S got it.  That morning we had gone and helped clean up the yard more for the same family mentioned above, and it was so great to meet all the extended family.  People could not believe that we were doing the yard for free and that we wanted to help them.  They didn't know what missionaries were, and now they do! It was such a cool moment when Brenda was telling everyone what we did.  She told everyone that we were the Mormons that she always talked about.  It was another testimony builder to me of how important member missionary work is.  The Ranchos ward also had a relief society activity but Sister S wasn't feeling the best, so we came home and she went to bed.

Saturday November 14th

Sister S woke up feeling more sick, so we let her rest until we had to go.  We had promised the day before to come and help set up for the memorial, so that is what we did.  It was again so great to talk with their family and tell them what we do as missionaries, and why we came on missions.  Brenda's dad is a pastor, so I was worried that he would want to bible bash or something, but he didn't.  We all just talked, and he asked us questions, and we told him what we could.  When we were leaving, they were all so grateful, and you could tell that it had meant a lot to them.  We then went to Jordan and Jesse's house.  The Elders had taught them the Law of Chastity, and they would not stop telling us what they had learned from the Elders.  9 and 10 year old versions of the Law of Chastity were taught with Pokemon cards.  I am not really sure how the Elders related it, but the boys sure got it.  

Sunday November 15th

I spoke in the Granite Hills Ward about the things that I learned on my mission.  I got a lot of quotes from the talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson titled, When Thou Art Converted.  It was really good! It helped me to get a good base for my talk.  The members all said that I did a good job, but I think that there is a commandment that says to compliment missionaries.  We had dinner with our Bishop's family, and it was so good to talk with their son who returned from a mission not all that long ago.  He gave me some advice, and told me just accept that you are going to feel awkward for a few days.  I didn't even bring up that I was going home, but with another missionary going home in that ward it is inevitable that going home is going to be brought up.  We also practiced singing the song that we are singing at the baptism this coming weekend.  Three Baptisms in three hours.  You won't hear me complaining about that!  We are singing, Lead Kindly Light with a guitar.  It should be good!  Hopefully with us getting our flu shots today, none of us actually get the flu this week.  I really hope that we don't sound like rocks in a blender.  One of the Elders whenever someone hit a wrong note would make the worst noise and pretend to be turning on a blender.

I am so grateful for every single one of you! You have changed my life in some way.  I am sure of it!  have a great week! Stay warm! It is freezing here! The other day I had to turn the defroster on in the car.  Never thought I would have to do that on my mission...

Oh you all should watch the video called The Spirit of Thanksgiving! So great! I love the guy in the red shirt...http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/in-the-spirit-of-thanksgiving-1  He is my favorite.  "my bed.  Cause I don't have one." Maybe I'll start sleeping on the floor so that I can be more grateful for a bed.  It's the little things, that matter most in life.

Love, 

Sister Rietz

Flu shot champions

Alma 50:16. Black Widows. Scaring Sis. T2

Alma 50:16

Thank you so much for all the Birthday Wishes.  I really can't believe that I am 21 years old.  Where has the time gone? Haha, so anyways... This last week was really good.  Miracles were present everyday, and I know that it is just a small sliver of what the Lord can give us.

Monday October 5

Like any normal P-day.  It was fun! We really just sat around and emailed, played Savageball (dodge-ball where everyone is against everyone else), and ate dinner.  It was a really relaxed day.  It was nice.

Tuesday October 6

We had an amazing Zone Meeting.  The Spirit was so strong, and I really just wanted to go and focus on finding families to teach the Gospel to.  There was no way anyone in that room didn't feel the Spirit.  I know that it was there, and it was teaching us all the things we needed for our areas to become better missionaries.  We had a lesson with our Recent Convert Brenda.  She is so great! We showed up for our lesson, and she walks out and tells us that she has been trying to call us, but we weren't answering.  We continued talking, and she asks to reschedule, and tells us that she is just too stressed out at that moment.  We know what being stressed is like, but we also know that the Scriptures can bring the most peace.  We started reading scriptures, and just talking about how the Gospel can bring so much peace to us when we are stressed out.  I am so grateful that we didn't have our phone on to get that call not to come.  I know the Lord knew Brenda needed to just talk, and feel the Spirit.

Wednesday October 7

We had so many great lessons.  We met with 2 of our Investigators.  Rebecca is 13, and is just trying to figure out how life works.  She is cousins with Brenda, and really looks up to her.  We had a member from the Young Women's Presidency with us, and she invited her to mutual which was that night, and Rebecca accepted.  From what we hear, she loved it, and can't wait for the next one.  We also saw Lori.  She is not a member, but her husband is.  He doesn't like us, and told her that she can meet with us, but not when he is home.  So now we have to be gone by 4:30.  But we were able to talk about Moroni 7:47.  At the beginning of my mission, I feel like I would have been disappointed that we weren't able to check anything off on the teaching record, but I have really learned that those things will be checked off when the Lord is ready for them to be checked off.  He knows what they need, and we just need to follow the Spirit to fill that need.

We also had FHE with a Less-Active Family!  The Dad never sits in on the lessons, but this time he did, and he asked us when we were coming back!!! WHOO! Miracles are happening on Sitting Bull Road.

Thursday October 8

We met up with the Sister Training Leaders, and ate Baja Taco.  So good! As Elder Falabella of the 70 would say, "I love rice and beans."  We all love rice and beans.  Haha.  It was a good time, and lots of laughs were shared with these sisters.  We also had a great lesson with a Less-Active.  We were able to talk about church, and learn a little bit more about her fears of coming to church.  It was great.  I am so grateful for the Spirit, and how it really can teach us.  We also were able to meet up with a family from my first area: The R family.  We ate dinner with them at Red Robbin, and they got me a little mini cake, (see picture), flowers, and 2 pumpkins because last year we carved pumpkins at their house. It was so good to see them, and they are all really amazing people!

Friday October 9

We had a great lesson with an active member.  We watched the conference talk by Elder Holland talking about Mothers.  It was really good to see how the Spirit was able to work through us to help her know that she is making a difference in her children's lives.  I really love the Spirit so much, and I am so grateful for my own mother who really does so much for all of us.  I am so grateful to learn from all the Moms that are in my life.  We also had dinner with another family from my first area: The B family.  I found out they are going to the temple really soon because Samantha's year mark is almost done, and they want me to go!! I am so happy! It was the best Early Birthday Present!!!  I loved it!  They are such a humble family, and they really rely on the Lord to get through hard times.

Saturday October 10

I may have broken the Word of Wisdom.  We ate so much food.  I didn't eat anything I wasn't supposed to, but I did eat SO MUCH! We were doing service for a member in the Ranchos Ward, and she made so much food, and we felt like we needed to eat a lot of it.  But the service was great.  There were so many Black Widows.  They are so GROSS!  Our house also just got labeled as dangerous because of how many Black Widows there were in the garage.  They are just hanging out, and it is so gross.  They are going to be destroyed this week though.  There is  a pest control company coming.

Sunday October 11

Well, everyone and their shopping cart full of bottles for recycling wished me a happy birthday.  It was embarrassing.  But oh well.  The best was when the Granite Hills Elders Sang Opera to me.  Then the Sister Training Leader's sang to me, and we ate cake, ice cream, more cake, and we don't even care how many calories it all was.  I also was able to scare Sister T2 again. Kind of.  It was more of just me getting stuck in the cupboard.  This is how she described it... "So Sister Rietz has been getting even more creative in her attempts to scare me. I went to use the bathroom and when I came out all of the lights in the house were turned off and the house was silent, as expected. I went through turning them back on and got to the kitchen where I burst out laughing because one of our lower cupboards was open and there were two feet sticking out. Sister Rietz had emptied the shelf of all the cooking supplies and had crawled in, but had accidentally kicked one of the doors open. It was a perfect opportunity and I closed all the cupboard doors and sat in front of them for a couple minutes. Then sat and took lots of pictures while Sister Rietz inch-wormed herself out of our cupboards."  It was way fun, except for when I really was stuck, and I saw a Spider web under there.  I was so worried there was going to be a spider family also with it... But there wasn't that I saw.

Thanks again for all of you being amazing!!! We are so blessed in this area, and I am really worried that I am going to get transferred.  Transfers are this coming week, and I really hope that I can stay here for my last transfer as a missionary serving a mission for the Lord.  I love it so much! I am so grateful for my Savior, and all that He does for me.  Thanks again.

Have a great week! Enjoy the cooler weather! It has been in the 90's pretty much all week!

Love, Sister Rietz

Sister Amber Rietz

6541 Woodruff Place

Rancho Cucamonga, Ca

91701

My latest scare tactic!

A little birthday treat!!

Conference, Cops, Cowboys, Crabs

I loved General Conference.  I loved the Spirit that it brought, and I loved the opportunity to sustain the leaders of the Church.

I am going to just go through the week, because there were so many great things that happened and I really don't want to miss any of them.

We need to go back in time a little bit.

Sunday September 20 Mom you might not want to read this day...

Sister T2 and I were coming home, and then all of a sudden there were so many bright lights all around.  We continued driving, and there were more and more lights all around.  I was like who's bright lights are these!!! Who thinks that they are being cool?  Then we get inside, and we are looking outside and see there are more lights in the alley behind our house.  I was like oh my goodness!  THEN we see that they are in the backyard of our neighbor.  So we called him, and he told us that there were some break-ins in the neighborhood, and they are just looking around.  Sister T2 was freaking out.  I was laughing, cause I didn't think that anything bad was going to happen to us.  She wanted to check the house so I let her check it.  As she was walking down the hall, I told her I was going to scare her.  I think that she thought I was kidding.  I wasn't.  I literally walked up behind her, and said AHHH!  I think that the neighbors probably thought that we were getting murdered.  I got her so good!!! And then she continued searching the house.  Our house was pretty well lit once the helicopter started circling our house.  That was fun.  3 hours later, they decided to give up their search I guess.  So that was a pretty good night.  We aren't sure if they found them, but we did find out that the person living across from us was homeless, and really wasn't supposed to be living in the house that they were living in.

Monday September 28

We were able to eat cafe rio for dinner.  Well not real Cafe Rio, but homemade.  It was so GOOD! The family was not in the best mood, and I realized how awkward it is to have people at the house, and someone is in a bad mood.  One of their daughters were mad, and it made me think about how many times people were in our house and I was in a bad mood and I am sure that it was really awkward for those that were there.  I am so sorry for those that had to witness those moments when I was a "child".  We also were able to do family home evening with the H Family.  I am so grateful for the times that we had FHE as a family.  Their daughter Brie was in charge of doing the game.  She made up some game, and it was really hard to catch on with.  She told me that I should get the hang of it, because it was easy.  People, I can tell you so IT WAS NOT EASY! There were no real rules.  She was just making up things as we went along. I do know that I was the person that was losing ALL the time! Seriously, I think that I did lose every round of "HELLO KITTY, HELLO KITTY".

Tuesday September 29

We taught the Law of Chastity to Rebecca.  It was weird, because we were planning on teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ but the Lord had a different plan for us.  It was neat because Brenda her cousin that just was baptized was able to bear testimony to her that the Law of Chastity really can change her life.  I loved sitting back, and watching Brenda just testify about it.  It is amazing how the Spirit can work through anyone that is willing to listen.  We also were able to help them shell all these crabs.  It was fun to just sit there. I told them about how we would do this when we went to Oregon, and they now think that in Idaho we catch all of our food.  I may be setting up false expectations about Idaho on accident.

Wednesday September 30

We were on a run at 6:41 in the morning.  At that time, I am not always the most alert.  I was running, and then Sister T2 started running faster.  I looked ahead, and our potential investigator, Gus, was out walking with his dog.  We started talking with him, and he apologized for missing the appointment that we had set up with him.  We also were able to read D&C 89 with our Less-Active that has been struggling with the Word of Wisdom.  She actually asked us if we could read it with her, and I was so happy!!! The Spirit was really strong, and I know that something in it changed her perspective.  She told us that in 2 weeks she is going to be stop smoking.  We also had to go to Pepboys.  "I love that place!" said no missionary ever.  I wish that we didn't have to go there, but it is what it is.  Oh well.  While there other missionaries walked in, and so we all were in a line one studying book of Mormon, one the Bible, one writing in their journal, and the other studying PMG.  We were all just bringing that Spirit into that building.

Thursday October 1

We polished china for our neighbor.  She also had us wear cowboy hats.  I am not really sure what wearing the hats did, but it gave us great opportunities to take pictures.  I was so nervous that we were going to break something, but there was not even a chip in any of the china.  At least not from us!  We also got to see Gus.  he gave us back the pamphlets that we left him.  Although he did keep the Plan of Salvation one.  His wife was killed in their church 10+ years ago, and he misses her a whole lot.  I really hope that the something in that Plan of Salvation Pamphlet can help him.  I know that it has taught me a whole lot, and brought me a lot of comfort.

Friday October 2

We weekly planned, and really tackled our areabook.  We spent so much time on it, but now there is no way that anyone can get confused with it.  We also met a lady in the ward, and we were trying to get to know her.  I thought that her husband had passed away, so I asked how long they were together.  She said, "Too Long." I was like oh... And then she tells us that he lives in Temecula.  and that she never wants to see him again.  It was awkward.  All I could say was "oh I have friends from college from there."  I didn't know what else to say, so then I was like, "so do you like to knit?" Yeah, that was a good representation of our day.

Saturday October 3

CONFERENCE! We played soccer against our Recent Converts, and it was so great.  We were playing before conference started, and it was wet outside so my shoes were really wet all day.  We ate breakfast with Oneida, and watched conference with her.  IT WAS SO GREAT!!!  In between sessions we helped our neighbor move.  It was so great to see all these members helping people that they didn't know.  Teresa told us that when we are asked to bring man power, we really know how to do it.  I love these wards.  They are really good at helping those around them.  We then went to the Bishop's house in the Granite Hills ward.  There was everything under the sun flavored pumpkin.  We ate so many pumpkin waffles, and I don't even feel guilty about it! It was totally worth it! Then we watched the session with them.

Sunday October 4

We watched the conference with our less-active, and we had waffles AGAIN! Still not guilty about those either.  I really love waffles! They are so good!!!  I told our WML about waffles and ice cream, so that will be happening with their family soon.  We then went and watched the last session with another Less-Active.  She made homemade chili, and cornbread.  It also was really good, and I also don't feel bad about that either.  I am really grateful for the things that were spoken at conference.  I really know they are called of God.  This is what I sent to our mission president about conference:   I loved General Conference so much! So many of the talks really helped answer the questions that I have. I really appreciated the things that President Monson said to us. I really appreciated the things that he said about as the world gets farther away from the teachings of Christ, and how we will stand out. But there is nothing wrong with standing out, because that is when the light can shine from our eyes. I really appreciated him saying that, because I feel like sometimes the world really pulls us all down. The world wants to pull us down, and I think that as we let the gospel shine from our eyes then more people will be brought to the gospel. I really appreciated him saying that a lot. I also loved the talk about ponderizing a scripture. I thought that it was a good way to commit ourselves to learn the scriptures that much more. I know that the Spirit will bring these scriptures that we ponderize to our memories when they are needed. I am excited to start with the Jacob 5:47. I think that this has to do with being a missionary, and really being diligent. 

I am so grateful for the things that we were taught during it.  I know they are called of God to lead and guide us.  Later that night, we were able to have a little adventure, and this is the exact way Sister T2 feels about it...

"So last year in college my roommates and friends figured out pretty quick that I'm pretty jumpy if you sneak up on me and try to scare me. Unfortunately, my companion has figured that out too. Yesterday we stopped by the house to grab something late at night. I got what I needed and walked back out into the kitchen. And then I noticed that the front door was open, and it was dark, cold, and windy inside and outside the house. And then I realized that I couldn't hear Sister Rietz anymore. I called for her a couple times and she didn't answer. I figured she was hiding, waiting to scare me, so I yelled that I was not moving from the well-lit kitchen and I would wait for her to come out. Then I realized that if she was murdered I should probably go find her. She better be glad that she has such a brave and courageous companion. I went through the house, turning on all the lights and opening all the doors until, sure enough, she jumped out from behind one of the doors and scared me half to death. I was not happy about it. We need house-mates. 

It's okay though, we laughed about it afterwards. I'm so glad she's my companion!"

I promise that I didn't change anything in that email! It was really funny to get her so well.  She is really easy to scare, but she knows about my hate for feet and so I know that revenge is in the making.

Well, I really hope that you all enjoyed conference, as a past companion said: "Oh CONFERENCE WAS AWESOME!!!!! BEST OF MY LIFE!!!! IF YOU DID NOT WATCH IT THEN REPENT AND GO WATCH IT!!!! IF YOU DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION REPENT AND WATCH IT AGAIN!!!!!!! 

It will change your LIFE!!!!!"  I can promise you that they things Sister N said are true.  Conference really can change your life! I love you all, and I love being a missionary.  There are so many times that I think about how different my life would have been had I not served a mission.  I know this church is true.  I know our Savior lives, and that He loves each one of us.  I know we are all so important to Him.  I know that as we pray, and ask questions we will receive answers.  I love you all.  Have a great week! Stay Safe!

TREV: I hope that your arm heals, and that you get to play a couple more games before the season ends.  Welcome to the Broken Arm Club! ;) 

I hope that I covered everything.  I know that I always miss something that happened through out the week.

Sister Amber Rietz

6541 Woodruff Place

Rancho Cucamonga, Ca

91701

Small me next to a HUGE cactus

Yee-haw

Crab anyone?

Moments of Miracles - Take Two

I am so sorry for how long last week's email was.  I was looking at how long it was today and I just thought, "oh my goodness, I am that Sister Missionary that puts every little detail in..."  But I might be doing it again this week, I am so sorry.  Last week was amazing! I can't even really describe how great it was.  Okay we know I can describe it, but I hope that you all are able to realize how great of a miracle each day was.  Let's all take a lap around memory lane.

Monday September 14, 2015

I already told you about that day in last week's email.

Tuesday September 15, 2015

We had Zone Meeting.  It was really good. We were all still so pumped from when Elder Falabella came and everyone has seen so many miracles from when he was here, and also from the mission fast that we did at the beginning of this month.  Oh yeah, I don't know if I said that we had done that.  Oops. Sorry.  But anyways Zone Meeting was about Christlike Attributes.  And Vision, Goal, Planning. Oh good ole' Vision, Goal, Planning.  I have a new perspective on it, and I am trying to figure out how to get it incorporated into our everyday planning.  We also had a lesson with Larry and Rene.  They are so AWESOME! I use that word so much, but they really are so great.  We talked about the Talk from Elder Bednar about "therefore they hushed their fears."  It was really good to get them to talk about things that bother them, and how their faith can help them get over them.  After that lesson, we headed to President Interviews.  I love President and Sister H.  When I was talking with President, I really felt like I could tell him anything and there would be no judgement.  We talked about how important it is to really apply the scriptures to ourselves and to ask questions.  It was awesome.  We were able to study in Mosiah together and just talk about how important it is to look for the small details.  I really was able to learn a lot from President.  After my interview I was talking with Sister H.  We were talking about Brenda and her family and then we decided to go and see them.  We got Sister T2 and the three of us headed to her home.  Where we picked up our second new investigator of the week! Rebecca is meeting with us, and she committed to come to church. This is when the story about the little boy and his pants falling down happened. We then went and had dinner with a Part Member Family.  The mom is pregnant, and morning sickness has taken a tole on her.  We were able to help her out for a little bit, and then we were off to go visit our Ward Missionary.  She is currently Less-Active, but she talked with us a couple weeks ago and told us that she wanted to get active again! We were in shock!!! So we have been meeting with Marcella and her daughter and they are making leaps and bounds.

Wednesday September 16, 2015

We went and did more service for the Part Member family that we went and ate dinner the night before.  We also went and saw a Less Active family WAY out in the middle of nowhere.  Sister T2 always asks me if I am nervous driving out there. I tell her NO WAY! I love going out there.  It is the best!  After we saw the D family, well we didn't really see them.  They were just coming home, and rescheduled for the next week.  but after them, we went and had one of the most spirit driven lessons.  Sister T2 and I had role-played this lesson many times and we had the Relief Society President with us.  I was so excited for this lesson, because we knew that the Plan of Salvation could answer A LOT of the questions that Millie had.  We were talking and then she tells us that the scripture that we just read really spoke to her.  As I said, we were PLANNING on teaching the Plan of Salvation, and then we weren't teaching it.  I was kind of nervous, but I knew that the Lord obviously had a different lesson planned for Millie.  She told us that she knew the Book of Mormon was true, and that the Lord really did send us to come and teach her.  She bore HER testimony about the Gospel, and she told us that she knew she needed to get baptized.  I was floored.  I couldn't believe that she had just told us all of that. After talking with her, we committed her to be baptized on October 24, 2015.  She told us that she would be baptized!!! I was so excited for her, and it just gets better. She told us that she wanted her boys to get the lessons as well, and that she wants them to be baptized as well! I was in shock.  The mission fast and the challenge from Elder Falabella to get the WHOLE family involved was happening right in front of us.  She talked a lot about how she was really confused as to why Christ would only visit those in one part of the World.  It was the perfect door opener for us to tell her about Christ coming to the America's and how he was the Savior for everyone on the earth.  She is so amazing, and so humble.  We are so excited for Millie!  We also started teaching our Less-Active's son.  he is not a member, and is really trying to figure out the church that will be best for him.  It is like the story of Joseph Smith but in the twenty-first century.  He is 9, and ready for understanding.

Thursday September 17, 2015

We had the Temple Trip with all the Sisters in Apple Valley.  All 8 of us... The numbers for Sister Missionaries is slowly decreasing.  But it was a really good session, and I saw the J's from the Arrowhead Ward.  They are looking pretty old, but they are still able to go to the Temple, so I know that all is well with them.  I sat by her in the session! :)  After the temple, we went to this restaurant up here called Itchy Feet.  It was a Hawaiian Themed Sandwich Shop.  It passed the Sister Rietz inspection.  I approve of it.  Then we did normal P-day things.  We then had another AMAZING lesson at Brenda's house.  We got there and Brenda was really flustered.  Her Sister and friend were asking her all these questions and she had NO clue how to answer them.  We were there for over an hour answering their questions.  One answer would bring one more question.  We told them we had to go, because we had another appointment, but they just kept asking questions.  I know the Spirit was able to work through us to help us answer their questions.  There is no doubt in my mind that He was giving us the answers.  We now are working with them, and they are two new investigators.

Friday September 18, 2015

We had a packed day.  We weekly planned, and then had a lesson with just Brenda.  She is so great.  We talked about how important it is to come to church, and she talked about how great she feels when she is at church and how she knows that she is home there.  We also saw Sister L.  She was NOT well at all.  We got there and found out that she had just gotten back from the hospital the day before.  She was on oxygen and not really breathing correctly.  We were calling everyone in the ward asking for them to come, but no one was answering.  We eventually got a hold of the Elders, and they came right over and gave her a blessing, and she said that she was already feeling better.  We sang hymns to her, and talked about when negative thoughts come into her head that she just has to push them out.  The Spirit was really strong, and Sister L was really happy when we left.  We also saw Rebecca.  We had a lesson with her about the Plan of Salvation.  She thought resurrection and reincarnation were the same thing, so I am glad we could clear that up for her.

Saturday September 19, 2015

We literally drove everywhere inviting EVERYONE to Stake Conference.  We made little handout reminders and everything.  Only like 2 people were actually home.  They both said that they would come.  That night we had dinner with the D's. They are the most sarcastic family.  When we asked if there was anything we could do to help their family they said, yeah leave.  I was like ummm okay.  They were just kidding, but I didn't know that right away!  Stake Conference was really good.  There were 2 men from the Quorum of the Seventy there.  I just can't remember their names.  But they were instructing everyone on Ward Council.  It was good.

Sunday September 20, 2015

We went to Stake Conference, and the new Stake President is Bishop E.  He is really nice, and I totally called that it was going to be him.  I called it the night before, and then when they said his name, I looked at Sister T2 and she just had a lot of no way, how did you know!!

We also saw Sister F!  She is back from Rehab, and has been sober for 39 days! I was so excited to see her sober! I really couldn't stop smiling, and she talked about how it was a combination of things that made her go, including all the times that we would go and see her.  I am so grateful for the Gospel, and how it really is the thing that can help people get active again.

This was our week in a nutshell.  Well, a big nutshell.  I love being a missionary.  I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and how it really can be the answer to so many questions.  I am grateful for the Priesthood, and how it can bless everyone's lives.

Love, Sister Rietz

Sister Amber Rietz

6541 Woodruff Place

Rancho Cucamonga, Ca

91701

Member Present = Member of the Seventy

I really don't even know how to start this email.  We have had one of the most Spiritually enlightening weeks of my ENTIRE mission and it is one of those times when at night I go to write in my journal, and I have no clue what to write, because I don't know how to describe the Spirit that is there.... So I will start with Monday, and go through the week.  There were moments that were "oh so very funny and we still bust up laughing when we quote them" and then moments where you really see God's hand in the work that we are doing. Hopefully I will be able to say a little bit of everything that I have been experiencing.

Monday September 7, 2015

We had a normal P-day, and I freaked out a little bit, because I knew so many sisters that were going home.  But no fears, that freaking out was only for a short moment.  I know that I will see them again in the after mission life, so I am not too worried.  We went about our day like normal and then we had dinner at this little hole in the wall Mexican Seafood.  IT WAS SO GOOD! A member owns it, and they invited us over for dinner.  We were really so grateful for them, and their patience with us.  When I say hole in the wall, I really mean it.  There is hardly any space inside, it is off from the road, and the sign that is above it doesn't match the name they told us.  None the less we found it, and were able to really get to know the G Family.  They are so awesome, and they told us that they want to get back into church.  We didn't even know they were LA, they were new to the ward.  It was really cool to get to know them, and know how much Heavenly Father loves them.  As we were talking with them, I just kept praying that we would be able to help them in someway.  We know they have a pig named we think Gilbert... They LOVE soccer, and love to do anything in school but math.  They love to play instruments.  It was just so fun to meet them, and eat yummy seafood with them.  I didn't ask what some stuff was cause I was scared of what the answer might be... 

Tuesday September 8, 2015

Happy Birthday Chelsie!!! We had a blast this day.  We were really busy all day with District Meeting, and lessons.  We were finally able to see Brenda after she was away on vacation for the last couple weeks.  We also had dinner with a lady that is still pretty new to the church.  She is so nice! We had street tacos, and then the rain came. And it came. And it came.  It was really cool because that day was hot and humid and we just wanted it to rain.  But not as much as it did! A lot of the roads flooded, and let's just say our little white car was no longer white.  It had this nice layer of brown on it.  The rain came from nowhere and it just poured, so naturally we ran out with the boys to jump around in the rain and then the power went out... Sister T2 and I are pretty used to the power going out and such but up here in the high desert that doesn't happen too often and the entire family was scared of the dark so they weren't doing so great with the thought of no light. We tried to calm them down telling them that no power was awesome, and that it would be fun to not have electricity for the night but there was no success so we all knelt down and said a prayer.  I never have prayed with so much hope and faith that the Lord would answer the prayer right then.  I didn't want the boys to be scared, and I didn't want Jo to worry about her boys. Now this just shows us how Heaven;y Father uses even rain storms as teaching and testifying experiences.  Before we had gotten up off our knees the lights turned back on! Jo immediately turned to her boys and testified to them that God loves them and listens to them. It was awesome. I really hope that the boys will remember that experience for a really long time!

Wednesday September 9, 2015

We were supposed to go to "Squash 4 Friends", but nope.  The rain the night before canceled all hopes of us being able to do that.  So we just went to the back-ups which were 12 Week Training, and Lunch.  Then we went to a member's house and helped her clean her house.  She is pregnant and is high-risk so we went and did a lot of things that she couldn't do.  I love service.  It is the Best!  Then we went and saw Brenda again.  We talked about her trip.  It was hard to try to get a gospel principle taught, but we managed to share a little message.  Then we went and had a lesson with a family that got baptized in October, and no one has seen in a really long time.  We were able to share a scripture with them, and talk about the importance of coming to church.  (spoiler alert: they didn't come...)  Then we went to dinner with the F family to the Mexican Restaurant that we went to on Monday.  They are the cutest little old couple.  After dinner, we went and taught the boys that we ate dinner with the night before.  They had an aunt who passed away, and so we taught them the plan of salvation.  I LOVE THE PLAN OF SALVATION!!! Seriously, it is really one of the best things that we get to teach as missionaries.

Thursday September 10, 2015

This day is a day that has forever changed my view on life, missionary work, the Gospel, and God's Love for His Children.  On this fine day in the High Desert we had the privilege of hearing from Enrique R. Falabella of the Quorum of the Seventy.  He is really called of God. I can tell you all that.  He is one that is extremely bold, but gives it all out with love.  He taught us about the Sabbath Day.  He also taught us the "key to getting baptisms": work through the father and mother.  I learned so much about how to become a better missionary, and more humble.  When someone is calling a group to repentance to increase their faith you think "ehh, not me."  Well sorry people, you need it just as much as everyone else.  We talked about the struggles of baptisms, and why we "only" have about 300 new converts a year in our mission.  We talked about how important it is to work with the Father of the home, and then the rest of the family will follow.  We talked about how we need to recommit ourselves to bringing people to Sacrament Meeting, and one of the things that stuck out to me the most is, "The easy path makes men and river crooked." I instantly thought of a quote that I heard at the beginning of my mission, "If you work your mission hard, it will be easy.  If you work your mission easy, it will be hard." I can tell all of you that this is so true, but there are those RARE times when you are working so hard, and the mission is still hard.  But Elder Falabella made all that hard work 100% worth it.  If you thought that this was the thing that changed my view on life, missionary work, the Gospel, and God's Love for His Children you are only 1/2 correct.  After the conference we were talking with some other missionaries when President H asked us if they could meet some of our converts that had just gotten baptized.  We told him we would find out, and the one that could meet was Brenda.  We gave them the address, and we headed home.  Then on the way home it hit us... We were having a lesson with President and Sister H AND Elder Falabella.  Just typing about it makes me get butterflies in my stomach.  We got to the lesson and they were not there.  Brenda was, but not the special guests... We were telling Brenda about how awesome this was, and how excited we were to have this opportunity.  Then we realized that we didn't even plan on teaching a lesson to Brenda that day, and we got more nervous because we didn't know how the lesson was going to go.  They got there, and all my nerves just settled.  I felt so much better, and knew that Heavenly Father had a plan.  People!!! I testify to all of you that Heavenly Father has NO plan B, because Plan A is perfect.  He know what is going to happen, and when it is going to happen.  Elder Falabella was so nice and kind to Brenda. He asked her and her cousins about their lives and he helped her set up her family history account and it was amazing!  You could tell just from sitting there that Heavenly Father loves his children and will show it different ways.  The Spirit was so strong, and I never wanted the lesson to end.  I was grateful that we didn't have a dinner appointment, because that would have meant that we had to leave earlier.  I just sat there stunned.  I couldn't believe that we were teaching Brenda about Family History and we weren't even really getting to teach.  President and Sister H were testifying to everything Elder Falabella was teaching.  This is one of those moments when I realized how much I love being a missionary. Not everyday as a member missionary do you get to experience these kinds of things.  I also learned that missionary work is more than just teaching, it is also a lot of just listening to people.  It is really special to see the mission as being something that I never want to leave.  After the lesson, we got in our car, they got in theirs, and then I just started crying.  I couldn't help it.  I had just learned so much about what kind of person I want to become, and how I really do have the way to get there.  I loved that moment, and it is one that I am going to cherish for my whole life.

Friday September 11, 2015

We did more service.  We helped Sister H clean her white couch, and her grout.  I am so grateful for mom and all that she does to keep our house clean.  I have been in more homes on my mission that are just gross and not the best organized.  I am realizing how much Mom really did for all of us, and I am so grateful that she taught us how to clean.  I have used that more on my mission then I thought I ever would.  We also went a tried to see Oneida and Greg, with no luck.  We haven't been able to see them in a really long time, and that is really worrying us.  We know that she is busy, but it still is worrisome when we can't even get her to answer the phone.  We are hoping to meet with her soon. We then went and helped someone decorate their living room for a birthday party.  We got asked to help with the cake, and let's just say it brought back many memories of making cakes. This day was a lot less hectic than the day before.  I am not sure if we could have handled 2 hectic days in a row.

Saturday September 12, 2015

We had another day with more service in it.  We were able to help the same pregnant lady, and at the end she gave us smoothies.  They were really good, seeing as it was really toasty outside.  We went to the Birthday Party that we helped decorate at, and we felt accomplished cause we avoided having to eat any birthday cake.  We had a goal to eat healthy all day.  We then weekly planned, and then saw Sister B.  She is still getting really sick, and the Chemo Pills are not in her favor right now, so that has been tough on her.  We tried COUNTLESS other people with not a lot of luck!  But then we had dinner, and had personal pizzas.  So much for eating healthy... Hahah, but it was still good.  We were still going crazy over what had happened on Thursday.

Sunday September 13, 2015

We had church, and the word had spread that we had a lesson with Elder Falabella.  People were really amazed that he came to meet people we were teaching.  They all asked if we got pictures with him, and then I realized that I never had grabbed a picture with him.  After the glorious 6.5 hours we were at the church, we went home and had studies, and then ate dinner, and then it was off to Bishop's Youth Discussion.  It was really fun to see them all planning the activities that they were going to do the next year.  Then we went and saw the R family.  We were able to hear the conversion story of their friend that was there.  It really was inspriring to hear how he had a friend that never gave up on him, and then one day Joe decided to do what his friend was asking him to do, and it forever changed his life.  He now is getting ready to go through the temple, and be sealed to his wife in December.  It was a great end to a crazy amazing week.

Not our P-day, because we were taking our P-day on Thursday when we went to the temple.  We had a really busy day, and we were finally able to see Sister B.  She was feeling well enough for a visit, and we talked about 2 Nephi 32.  It was a good lesson, and she promised to be at Stake Conference if she was feeling well.  Then we went and were talking with a member and he told us that his neighbor needed the missionaries.  He asked if we wanted to meet her, so we told him sure.  We walked over, and we weren't really thinking all that much of it.  Well Teresa opened the door, Brother D introduced us, and then said good-bye.  Teresa invited us in, and the first thing she asks us is what makes us different than other churches? We were able to teach her the first lesson, and then when we were talking about baptism she was like yeah, that doesn't make sense why people would baptize babies.  They are innocent!!! She then accepted our invitation to be baptized.  Teaching with Sister T2 is really great.  I look at her, and realize just how much she has grown as a missionary, and how great she is.  She is such a good missionary now, I can only imagine where she will be in the next year.  She knows her stuff.  Teresa also wants her son to get baptized, so we are hoping to pick him up as an investigator later this week.  We also had FHE with a LA family.  Their sister who is also LA was there, and she was really troubled by something.  I prayed in my head for an opportunity to know what she needed.  We shared our portion of FHE, and then Lana started talking.  She talked about how she needed to come back to church.  She talked about how she knew that the Lord was aware of her, and that he would help her, even though she was lost.  We shared a scripture in 3 Nephi that a missionary I used to serve around emailed me.  It was comparing the dark in 3 Nephi 8 and then 3 Nephi 11:11.  When we were sharing it, she looked a little confused, and then it all clicked and she started crying.  I felt bad for making her cry, but it was just how it all clicked in her head.  She talked about how she felt like she was in a darkness and that she was really lost.  She talked about how she knew who Christ was, but that she didn't know how to find him.  It was really great to see how something that I studied awhile ago came back to my remembrance.  Thanks for sending me that stud topic, it really helped Lana out.

I am going to stop there.  We are running low on time, and I want something to email about next Monday.  The Temple today was amazing.  I could have stayed there all day and been totally fine.  I am so grateful for the miracles that Sister T2 and I have been able to see this last week.  She and I are really working hard, and it is really nice to see that our hard work is paying off.  I know that this is the Lord's work, and that it is all in his timing.  I know that He is watching over me, and helping me become a better person everyday.  I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will only make us better people.  I was studying this talk by Elder Falabella, you all should study it.  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/the-home-the-school-of-life?lang=eng

I know that you all are so great, and know that I look up to each one of you for something.  Whether I met you on the mission, or I knew you before, you have made an impact on me.  I love being a missionary, and sharing the light that I know will only bring happiness.  I hope you can share the light with others.

Love, Sister Rietz

Oh here is a funny thing that happened yesterday, but I need to add it to this week's email cause it was too funny! 

We were in a lesson with two of Brenda's cousins and then right after we ended the lesson two of their other cousins walked in. We asked their names and ages and Je'Vonne told us that the girl was seven and "Little Bud" was five. Little Bud is one of the most terrifying five year olds I have ever met because he immediately responded, "Who you calling five, little boy? I'm old enough to beat you up!" and continued to spout out threats. Sister H, Sister T2, and I were all a little shocked. We just sat there stunned as he continued to rant when about how he could beat everybody up when suddenly his pants dropped. They just fell right off his bum and he was left standing there pants-less. Sister H kept her cool but we (Sister T2 and I) just died laughing!

Sister Amber Rietz

6541 Woodruff Place

Rancho Cucamonga, Ca

91701

Sister T2 had Thrifty Ice Cream for the first time!

 Elder and Sister Sare leaving to go home at the end of this month, so I had to say goodbye to them!

Baptism and More Baptism

This last week was CRAZY! and we only have a little time to email! I am so happy how this last week was.  We were so busy, and we saw so many little miracles and signs that Heavenly Father loves us.  We were able to contact all the referrals that we had, and then able to really buckle down and see those that we had planned to see this week.  We were able to have a less active come to church.  She always has some reason why she can't come but we told her the Lord doesn't like excuses.  I have learned that the Lord really will make sure that his will is done the way that he wants it done. That being said, this weekend was one of the best weekends of my mission!

We had two baptisms this weekend! The first one was in Apple Valley at 1! It went really well! It was for Brenda who we met one month ago yesterday.  So she got baptized, and it was glorious, and wonderful and we were all so happy! I thought that she was not going to show up, because at 1:00 she was not there. The members were asking where she was, and we told them her grandma was bringing her. But then when we checked the phone she had texted us that her grandma wasn't taking her anymore, so we quickly called a member and they were able to pick her up and bring her to her baptism.  When we walked in, there was just a Spirit of Peace, and Happiness. I knew that all was going to be well, and that Satan had lost another battle.  The baptism was great, and like I said there was just a Spirit of Peace in the room. Then we had 2 hours after that baptism till we needed to head down the hill to UPLAND! Sister T and I were able to go to the baptism of Cris.  She is someone that we taught in Upland and I was able to teach her for 6 months.  She has been taking the lessons for about 18 months, and the only thing stopping her from getting baptized earlier was that her parents said no. So we were able to go down the hill to go see her! She had the best birthday ever! She was 18 for only a couple hours and then she was baptized! WOOT! We also were able to see a lot of people in the Upland 2nd Ward, and people from the Upland 3rd Ward were even there as well.  A lot of people know Cris and are amazed at her dedication to the Gospel. She is always staying strong even in times of utter disaster around her.  I would take Cris back with me to Idaho in a heartbeat!

Well our time is almost up, but neither one of us are done, so we're probably going to email at a different building.  We had to switch cars this morning because our little Corolla was being temperamental so we now have a Subaru Legacy... it is the same color as your Traverse Mom.

anyways, that set us back pretty far.  We had specific instructions on how it needed to be cleaned, and let me tell you that car is C-L-E-A-N!

Love you all! Hope to send another email going into more details!

Love, Sister Rietz

One of Saturday's baptisms

With Sister T2

Our new ride

P-day fun

Ceasing to see miracles

1.Funniest Thing Done: Well you think crazy things happen in the desert? Well crazy things can happen in the valley too... When Sister T and I were out and about in Upland, we tracted into a woman that kinda freaked us out.  When we were walking up to the house, Sister T made a comment about how this looked like a desert house, and that we really needed to tract it.  So we did... And it was AWESOME! We were able to talk with her and we gave her the Upland 2nd Sisters number, and gave her a Book of Mormon.  I think that was the first time that the smell of cat pee didn't burn my nose.  That is how you know there is a lot of homes that smell like that up in the desert.  I am becoming immune to it... But the funniest part of all of this, was when she opened the bathroom window instead of the front door.  She told us that she was just about to get into the shower, and told us to hang on.  So we hung on.  She came to the front door, and the rest was history but incase you are wondering, she was just about to get into the shower.  She told us that multiple times, and it was quite humorous.

2.Biggest Blessing or Miracle:  Well since I was in Upland for last monday and last tuesday we were able to go and see the people that we used to teach.  We were able to see the B family, which was the family from the Ivory Coast, and they came to church, and then kind of dropped off the face of the earth after we passed them off to the Elders.  We were able to go and teach them about the Gospel, and about how the Bible says that we need to make sure that we are not pleasing man, but that we are pleasing God, (Galatians 1:10) and then Sister T was able to pull in the Book of Mormon and talk about how King Benjamin told us that when we are in the Service of our Fellow Beings  we are in the Service of God.  It was really good to be able to make that bridge again with the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  They told us that we could come back, but that they didn't want other missionaries back.  It was kinda sad.  

3.Exciting Events: We have a baptism for Brenda this week in the Ranchos ward, and then we have one scheduled for the 22nd of August in the Granite Hills ward!  Brenda is soaking up everything like a sponge.  She is really committed to changing her life, and she even clarified what kind of tea that she can drink, so that she will be 100% obedient.  She bore her testimony on Sunday, and it allowed the ward to really know who she is, but I think that it also really showed her how much of the Gospel that she believes.  I mean she believes it all, but there is just something about bearing your testimony and realizing that you are the one saying it, and those are things that you really believe in.  We are working with the YSA Sisters to get her involved with them.  She is hesitant, but I think that once she realizes that they are just like a family ward, then it will be an easier transition for her. Oneida is getting baptized on the 22, and we are really excited for her!  But not only is she getting baptized, but also her nephew Peter, and her son Greg!  The ward is really happy for her, and for all the changes that they can see that she is making in her life.  She is really relying on her faith, since she has had a really hard life before she started meeting with the missionaries.  She is reading the Book of Mormon every night with her boys, and they actually remember the things that they are reading.  The other day we were at their house, and Jason the 5 year old told me all about where they were in 3 Nephi, and how they read even though their mom wasn't home.  They are the best boys in the world.  When we first met them, they had really long hair, and now they all have missionary style haircuts, and tell us they are going to serve missions.  Blaine the 7 year old turns 8 in November, and he is counting down for when he will be old enough to get baptized.  It is amazing to see what the Gospel can do for someone and their family.

4.Favorite Game: Who is my companion going to be!? When we were sitting in the gym waiting for the news of who was going to be our new companions, all I could think was how much I was going to love her.  I joked with the AP's that I ruined the other 2 people that I trained, because one got sent to Brazil and had a bomb thrown at her, and the other got sick. Haha, but my new companion is Sister T2.  She is from Riverton, Utah. and is the 1st missionary in her family to come out.  She is really great, and I have loved getting to know her.  She is wanting to be 100% obedient, and it is really good because there is always room for improvement.  I love her lots! We have already sent goals of how we are going to have the best transfer ever! I just hope that I break the curse of only having companions for 6 weeks! 

5.Favorite Food: Smores.  We had them 3 times this week.  It must be a popular thing for people to want to make for us.

6.Most Challenging Thing: Studies.  For some reason this week, I have had the hardest time focusing in studies.  I am doing better, but it takes a lot of little prayers through out studies to really be able to focus.

7.Simple Pleasures: Teaching Brenda this last week.  She is so humble, and really wants to become better.  I love her so much, and her desire to change.  Another simple pleasure is going to the D family, and just talking about her life.  She is so interesting, and had taught us so much!

8.Goals: Get Brenda Baptized, and into the YSA!!!

9.Biggest Smile: When President H made little jokes through out the trainer meeting.  It was really funny because he would randomly throw them in, and see if people were paying attention.

10.Biggest Accomplishment: Taught a really good lesson about setting goals to our Ward Mission Leaders Family.

11.Favorite Scripture Story or Ensign Talk Studied: One of my friends was talking about this talk by Elder Christofferson, called Recognizing God's Hands in Our Daily Blessings there was a quote that he said that goes along with this pretty well.  "Though I suffered then, I am grateful now that there was not a quick solution to my problem. The fact that I was forced to turn to God for help almost daily over an extended period of years taught me how to truly pray and get answers to prayer and taught me in a practical way to have faith in God."  I really think that I need to turn to the Lord more, and really put my line in the water, and that will open the gate wider to become the missionary that I want to be at the end of my mission.  The whole talk is right here: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/01/recognizing-gods-hand-in-our-daily-blessings?lang=eng#listen=audio 

12.Favorite Quote: "I was just getting into the Shower."

I love all of you so much! Thanks for the emails, letters, and pictures.  I love being a missionary, and seeing the light of Christ touch each one of them.  Even if people don't listen to us forever, at least they will be thinking of Christ and God for a Second.

Love, Sister Rietz

Waiting for our new companions

Sister T2 and me