I will bike 1000 miles, and I will bike 1000 more

I hit 1,000 miles on the good ole' bike Moroni-Gideon this week.  When I hit that 1,000 mile I felt so accomplished.  I knew that there was a lot of blood, sweat and stitches in those 1,000 miles.  I seriously feel SO accomplished.  Haha, yeah it is only a number but do you realize that means I have almost biked double what an Elder here biked his entire mission? and I have been out for a little over 5 months! Woot-Woot!  It was super dark when I hit it, but I still had to take a picture so I apologize that it is so far away. 

We played family games this week, with people after dinners, we cleaned a zoo, we had miracles occur after appointments would cancel, we got to see Sister H in the Hospital.  She made me brush her hair before we took a picture, and when I told her that her hair looked good, she said, "you better not be lying to me." Her hair has definitely had better hair days. Haha.

WEEK IN REVIEW:

1.Funniest things done: We got stuck in a lesson, so we texted the Elders asking them to call us with an "emergency" to help get us out of the lesson, cause it was 10 mins till 9, when we needed to be going home... Well, they called, but the man just kept talking to Sister E, and didn't even realize that there was an "emergency" on the phone.  Needless to say, I had a one sided conversation with the Elders, because they had NO idea what was going on... It was pretty funny, and we still got stuck there for another 10 mins... The phone call with the Elders afterwards explaining why we needed an "emergency" was pretty memorable.

2.Biggest Blessing: The weather has been awesome! It has been in the 70's and there has not been any wind.  Heavenly Father really answers prayers, but late.  Haha, but none the less he answers our prayers.
3.Latest project: Getting mentally prepared for transfers.  Haha, it sounds dumb but I love this area too much, and it is all I know for my mission, and I will more than likely cry when I leave.

4.Most exciting events: We cleaned the ZOO! Yes, there is a zoo here in Hesperia.  It is full of lions, tigers, bears, kangaroos, cats, dogs, llamas, deer, camels, ostriches, more dogs, a pig, porcupine, baboons, monkeys, birds, and lemurs! It was the most weird, but cool zoo in the whole world! We got a free tour, and Sister C and I got to take lots of hilarious pictures together. 

6.Favorite Foods: We had pork chops with apple chalet? It was really good, whatever it was.  There also is a mexican place, that when we come and visit we will go eat there.
7.Most challenging thing: Helping investigators realize that it IS important to come to church, and that it is important to meet with us.
8. Simple Pleasures: Getting to hang out with llamas while we cleaned their cage.  We also met the REAL Aslan from Chronicles of Narnia.  My life is complete.  I mean, I knew him before from when I was Lucy in the Movies in my younger years. haha. (Note from Amber's mama - when Amber was younger, she and the character who played Lucy resembled each other - A LOT!)
9.Goals: Bike to 1,500 miles now.
10.Biggest smile: When we are in Church, and everyone wants to know how the work is going. And you tell them, it's going but we need member help... Calling them to Repentance without them noticing! Buahaha!
11.Biggest accomplishment: Being happy even when the times are tough, and it doesn't seem like there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.  Spoiler Alert: There is ALWAYS a light at the end of the tunnel.

13. Amount of Miles Biked: We biked 37 miles this week.  That 36th mile was the happiest mile of my mission life.  Honestly, I felt so accomplished.

14: Favorite Quote: Me: "Well..." (trying to wrap up the lesson) Less-Active: "That is some deep thinking for a shallow mind." Me: "....." (I was so confused... I didn't get it...) Sis. E and the Less-Active: "HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA" Me:"....... WAIT! I do not have a shallow mind!" Less-Active: Hahahahaha.  

I gotta go, but I love you all! The church is true! Read the Scriptures, the answers are there!

A few pictures from the Hesperia Zoo.

I got to see Sis. H in the recovery room.  She is doing pretty well.

We played headbands with this family.  So fun!!

Proof that I have biked 1000 miles

I'll make a MAN out of you!

There was a storm that was coming... it didn't rain on us, but pretty much all around got the rain.  Those clouds came in so fast, and so did the wind.

Waiting in the car, cause it was really cold, and we were early to stake conference.

I can actually put a cute outfit together... Point one for me.  It was super cold, yet this outfit was warm!

This week was one that I feel like Heavenly Father was really, really testing me, and my dedication to him.  I would plan out everyday to the MINUTE and then right when we would be leaving to go to our area, our first couple appointments would cancel.  I would get so mad, and wanna just give up, and not do anything but I knew that we really needed to go to the Mesa, (which is our area) and see people.  

The beginning of the week was awesome! We carved pumpkins with a family in the ward for FHE, and then we made it a competition with the Elders.  They got really into it, but I don't know if either one of them had ever done it before, because they had NO idea what they were doing half the time.  It was cool to just take a small "break" from missionary work, and carve pumpkins for Family Home Evening. I think Sister Rutledge sent one of the pictures to Mom.  It really made my day, cause it reminded me of what we would do at home.

Then we had every appointment cancel the next day, except one, and that was because the lady was in the hospital, and she had nowhere to go.  Then after that, we tried to see a ton of people, and of course Heavenly Father was testing us, because even those we knew were ALWAYS home, were not home... It was annoying, and we just biked trying to see people till dinner.  

WEEK IN REVIEW:

1.Funniest things done: Opening a letter from my family, and seeing my siblings hairs in it... I love you guys so much! That really made a HARD day a GOOD day.  Also, having ward-mate inventory with the Elders.  Pretty much we just talk all positive about everyone.  It helps us get a good laugh.

2.Biggest Blessing: Our recent convert was in a small accident at the airport, and he walked away with 8 stitches, and a broken arm.  He was super lucky that it was not more than that.  They are still waiting for swelling to go down so they can see if it needs surgery.
3.Latest project: Working with the Ward Mission Leader, and not getting frustrated with him as it has been hard to communicate the vision and goals that we have for our ward.

4.Most exciting events: We made real legit homemade Chinese food.  It was so GOOD!  We also survived our first day of really cold weather.  It was in the 40's and the wind was super windy.  I got to wear my new coat, and it was awesome.  We had interviews with our mission president, and I loved seeing him and his wife.  They also came to Stake Conference this past Saturday night.  Oh yeah, almost forgot.  I sang in Stake Conference with some other missionaries.  Never again my friends.  Never again.

5.Favorite game: What will be warm, and still look okay on a bike.
6.Favorite Foods: That yummy Chinese food that I talked about earlier, and also we had Thai Food.  It was an Asian-y kind of week apparently. 
7.Most challenging thing: Biking in the Wind, and Cold, and Night.  Having 8 appointments cancel all on the same day.  Even our dinner appointment cancelled.  It was a tough day.
8. Simple Pleasures: Waking up Sunday morning, and seeing it was dark outside, so we obviously complained about daylight savings.  Our phone didn't switch over, the time automatically, so Sister E got up and started showering, and while she was in the shower, it clicked in my head I still could sleep another hour, so that was a huge smile knowing I got it figured out in time to actually get some sleep. 
9.Goals: Survive this week.  We have a lot of people that we are going to try and see, because everyone and their baby mama cancelled on us this week.
10.Biggest smile: Getting an email from Sister M, and just laughing my head off because of the funny funny things that she said to me.  "I'm so happy for Ella...gosh dang it...why did it take her so long to meet missionaries!! GAHHHHHHHHH" Yeah, I can totally see her saying that.
11.Biggest accomplishment: Listening to people with a grain of salt knowing that they really have zero clue what they are talking about.... "you Mormons believe in killing people..." "the Word of Wisdom, doesn't seem fun..."

13. Amount of Miles Biked: We got a lot of member rides, but it was a good solid 19 miles biked.  So much for reaching 1000 miles last week. Thank heavens for repentance.  We will get 1000 miles this week.

14: Favorite Quote: "I DON'T WANNA GO HOME!"- Little girl YELLING at the Library.  

Other favorite quote: President H: "These are vegetables. (holds up green peppers from his sandwich) They are good for you.  They help with asthma. Right Sister E?" President had just told her that she needed to get an inhaler, because she has been having a really hard time breathing... Another trip to the doctors it looks like..... Woot-Woot....

XOXO

Love, Sister Rietz

Trials and Tribulations Always Lead to Miracles

MTC Companion Reunion

I'm walking on the edge of darkness

There is beauty all around - even in the desert!

Leaving the mission for a little field trip.  (Don't worry, we got permission)

No car for the Trunk or Treat?  No problem.  We just made our own.

We got bored while we waited for the baptismal font to fill up...

...for this baptism.  These are all the missionaries who taught this new sister.  (Sister E is brand new to the area and two elders are missing, though.)

Me with the Bacon girls

Sister C with her companion, me and Sister E

Hello Family! Friends! And all you other random citizens! 

Sister H and I found these "antelope antlers" out in the desert

Trials and Tribulations Always Lead to Miracles

Although I have had a hard time with this concept I know that it is true.  I know the Lord gives us really really really hard things where we want to give up, and go home, but then there will be a tender mercy, and I want to hit myself for thinking God left me.  He will never leave us.  We might leave him, and forget how much he loves us, but he will NEVER forget us.  I love the Gospel.  I love that I have this opportunity to share it with others.  I love that I have the needed support from my family, and the family that I have gotten here in this ward in Hesperia.  Thanks for all the letters of encouragement, and love that I got this week.  I really needed them.

Alright, now to the cool part of the week.  I was not on a bike for a WHOLE DAY! and I hated it.  The day was great, but I hated being in a cat.  haha, awkward, meant car.  But it was nice not having to use a ton of energy to get from one place to another, but there were so many people that we could have talked with, but didn't because it would be kinda awkward to pull a car over just to talk with someone... So, we just drove on by.  I really was grateful that I was able to get a break from being on bikes, but I really missed Gideon Moroni.  It was nice to be reunited with him.  I also learned a lot from Sister H.  She is such a great Sister Missionary.  I really could tell that she was in the work 100%.  It was nice to be with her for a day, and to get to know her better.

1.Funniest things done: While I was on exchanges, Sister H and I came across this pack of dogs... They surrounded the car, and we literally could not go anywhere.  Never fear, because we were in a truck. But they wouldn't move, and Sister H didn't want to run them over.  We would start to move forward, and then they would surround us again, causing us to be stuck.  It was pretty funny, because we were both kinda laughing, but kinda scared we were going to kill a dog.  We thought they were gone, so she started to go, and then we hear them barking, and we were like a yard or two away from hitting them.  We finally got them to leave us alone, and that is how I was surrounded by a pack of dogs that were on crack.

2.Biggest Blessing: SETTING TWO BAPTISMAL DATES WITH OUR INVESTIGATORS! December 20th, better come quick.  It was actually a really cool experience.  We were praying about what date to set, and when Sister E and I were both talking, we both got the answer that December 20th, was the day the Lord knows they will be ready.  I am so excited, and we know it is going to be hard, but that it will all be worth it in the end.
3.Latest project:  Trying to focus on having the Members help us with Missionary Work. Sister M and I didn't really rely on them that much, but we have been asked by President H to really work with them, so that is what Sister E and I are really focusing on.

4.Most exciting events: Setting that Baptismal Dates. Samantha, the Elder's Investigator, but she fed us ALL the time, so I have a huge amount of love for her. I got to see Sister P (MTC comp), Sister M (trainer), and Sister S (moon's trainer) at Samantha's Baptism.  It was awesome! We left the Mission.  Yup, I am a rebel.  We actually had to receive all this permission from people, and I think from Salt Lake as well, but we had to go to the Kaiser Hospital for Sister E. (She is okay)  We had our Ward Halloween Party/Trunk or Treat.  The Elders and us, were the "official" Chili Cook-Off Judges.  It was grand.  

5.Favorite game: With Sister H: Who can make the weirdest faces while eating Jelly Beans.  She is an overall champion at it.
6.Favorite Foods: Homemade Tacos.  Homemade Tortillas.  Yeah, it is SOOO good.  I know why the Lord didn't send me to a Hispanic Cultured Mission: I WOULD ONLY EAT! No missionary work would happen, unless REAL Mexican food was there.
7.Most challenging thing:  Trying to figure out why the Lord allows bad things to happen to good people.  I have yet to figure this one out, but I know the Lord has a plan.  There were a lot of people that had bad things happen to them this week, and they are all good people.  
8. Simple Pleasures:When people recognize us as Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and not just "Mormon Missionaries".
9.Goals: Be more Positive when things seem to be spiraling out of control.  That should help to have a better week.
10.Biggest smile: When I saw two pieces of bacon walking around the Ward Halloween Party, and thought of Kristin and Addie, and their odd obsession with Bacon.  I got a picture with them in your honor.  They got them from Amazon.  You should look into getting them.
11.Biggest accomplishment:  Getting Two Member Present Lessons, the day of the lessons.  The members that we had planned on bringing bailed, but our ward is awesome.  They really stepped up, and helped us out.  

12. Worst food: Her mom deleted this in case someone's feelings might get hurt.
13. Amount of Miles Biked: 59 Miles.  We really biked a lot.  I am so close to reaching 1000 miles on that bike. Speaking of biking, do I have a funny story for you all.  See story later.

14: Favorite Quote: "You really need to get a car rack for the back of your bikes."- Sister C.  We were talking about how we could use a car to get to our area, and then we would be 100% fine with just biking all day.  Sister C found the most "perfect" solution, and then after she told us, we all busted up laughing.  It was great.

Okay, so that was the week in review.  A lot more happened, but never fear, because I have some time left before I gotta get off. 

CRAZY AWESOME BIKE STORY: Okay, so the other night we are biking home.  There is a LOT of sand randomly in the road.  If you are not paying attention, your back wheel or your front wheel will go crazy, and you will end up almost crashing... Well... Bike crash number two happened this week.  It was pretty hilarious.  This is what happened.... 

We were biking along in the dark.  We have lights, cause it is the law, and we are law abiding citizens here in Hesperia.  So the light informs me of a patch of  sand in the road... I had the phone in one hand and was going to call the Elders, for something about the ward, so we are going along and I hit this patch of sand, right when I hear a DEEP voice, "Hello" it was the Elders.  And it scared me to death! I didn't realize that it had started to call them.  I had only one hand on the handlebars, and when the sand and my tires hit each other, and I got all startled from the voice on the phone it went a little crazy... I tried to brake but didn't want to use the front ones, cause I didn't want to fly over the handlebars, so being the "smart" me that I am, I crossed over, and tried to use the back brakes... yeah, not smart... I went to the left, hit a root of a tree, and proceeded to slide in the sand.  ALL WHILE LAUGHING SOOO HARD! I didn't get hurt, except for a small scratch on my leg.  I quickly hung up, and laid there dying of laughter.  It was great.  Gideon Moroni has some sand in the gear changer on the handle bars, but nothing a little compressed air won't change.  Yeah, so add that to my list of bike wrecks, and mission awkwardness.  We called the Elders later, and they thought we were trying to be funny, and then realized that I had wrecked, and then they didn't believe I was fine, but I totally was 100% fine.

I feel like a lot of really crazy things happened this week, and I know that I probably missed a ton of them, but I will write them to you if I remember.  Yeah, all depends if I remember.

The Church is true.  The Prophet is still called of God.  The Book of Mormon is for us today.  Yeah, all of that is still true my friends.

I love you all so much! I am doing the best I can, but it gets hard, so pray for us here in Arrowhead.  We need all the prayers we can get.

Don't pray for trials

1.Funniest things done:  Sister M (not my old companion) prayed that we would have trials in our lives.  After she said that, I was thinking I do not need any more trials.  But Heavenly Father thought otherwise.  This past week one of my favorite Less-Actives was in the ICU, and she was going downhill FAST!!! Her family all flew in, and I was freaking out.  We went and visited her, and she was not all there.  It was sad, and she didn't even know that we were there to see her.  I wanted to cry, but couldn't cause everyone thinks Sister Missionaries cry over every little thing.  So I didn't cry.  I cried later, but only Sister E saw.  Then the next day, we get a text from another less-active.  " I can't meet today, I am going to Urgent Care. Talk to you later." She didn't respond to us for a LONG time.  She has a fungal infection in her face, and has to get it removed.  That night, I got really sick, had a fever, chills, stuffy nose, and a killer headache... It was rough.  Then the rest of the week was just not very good.  SO the MORAL OF THE STORY: Don't pray for challenges.... 

2.Biggest Blessing: Knowing that I have a family back home, who loves me, and is supporting me through everything.  I don't know how many miles there are between us, but heck emails and letters make it seem like you all are right next door.  This has been a hard transfer, but guess what! It is already week 3, and we are chugging right along.
3.Latest project: Finding New People to Teach.  I hate tracting, but I know it works, so there will be many a hours spent tracting this week.

4.Most exciting events: Samantha is GETTING BAPTIZED TONIGHT!!! She isn't our investigator.  She was taught by the elders, but the last couple lessons the Elders had us come teach.  I am so excited for her, because she has had a hard year.  She had some challenges, and no one believed that she could overcome them, but she did.  She is so excited.  There will be pictures next week.
5.Favorite game: Jump-rope.  I am starting to get really good.  It is finally starting to get easier, and I am planning on learning how to double-dutch.  I will let you know how that goes.  The girls that we jump rope with, are like 9 and 6.  They are really good.  So there will always be a jump-rope competition on Thursdays on C St. at 4:30.  You can bet on it, that we will be there.
6.Favorite Foods: Macaroni and Cheese.  It was SOO Good.  And then we had these really yummy sandwiches.  They were reallllly GOOD!
7.Most challenging thing:  Really, this is gonna be stupid, but being okay with being sick.  I hate being sick as a missionary.  People freak out, and then I am telling them I am fine, but then everyone and their baby mama hear about it, and get all worried.  It really isn't that big of a deal people! I get colds ALL the time!
8. Simple Pleasures:  Getting late birthday cards, and then reading all the silly things that are inside them.  It caused many laughs, and it was much needed.
9.Goals: See all the people that we haven't been able to get in with, and to help our ward with missionary work.
10.Biggest smile:  Seeing Chuck and Irene come to church.  They both have dementia, and it was a miracle that they could come to church.  Irene had on one slipper, one normal shoe, crazy make-up.  Chuck came with his shirt not all the way buttoned, his pants unzipped, and his cane for the day was a broom.  It was awesome.  They came and partook of the sacrament, and they loved church.  They could only last until after sacrament meeting, but no worries.
11.Biggest accomplishment: Not getting Ebola.  I have had a cold/cough all week, and at church someone wanted to start the rumor that I had Ebola... Yeah, that was an interesting one to have to explain.

12. Worst Food:We had some pretty interesting Mexican soup.  Let's just say.  They pretty much put everything in their fridge along with Sausage Meatballs.  She said it didn't turn out right... Everyone liked it... But me. Awkward.
13. Amount of Miles Biked: 33 miles

14: Favorite Quote: Sister Rietz: " Bye Bye Fatheads." Elder O: "Goodnight Sweet Spirited Woman."  There is a joke in our Zone about saying Bye Bye Fatheads whenever we hang up the phone.  And the Zone Leaders want to change it, but the Bye Bye Fatheads Will NEVER DIE! Sister C and I will not allow that to happen.

We went jogging and met up with these sisters who live close to us.  People were judging us as they drove by.  ;)

We made all of these!

We found this sweet ride while out biking the other night... It didn't start, and it was in the middle of the desert... It was gone the next morning...

All the things people gave me to help me feel better.  I am missing another gatorade, and a thing of ice cream... They love to make us "feel at home."

Peace and blessings

Birthday dinner take 2

I have really been wondering why my leg had to be cut. I know that there had to be a reason, so one night I prayed and asked why it happened. Then on Sunday, I received my answer. There was a man that we met in Walmart, while we were waiting for my antibiotic for the infection in my leg. He was talking with us, while he and his wife were waiting for their medicine as well. They asked us if we were Mormon missionaries, and we told them that we were. They informed us, that she was less-active, and that he was not a member, but had thought about joining. We got their information, and gave it to the Santa-Fe Ward. Now, fast-forward to Saturday's baptism in the Santa-Fe ward. The man that got baptized was the same man that Sister M and I had met while waiting for my medicine. I know that this was an answer to my prayer, and that there really was a reason that my leg was cut. Although, it took a long time for me to realize why it had to happen, it all makes sense now.  There were so many times that I was mad about my leg, but now that I know Bro. F was that man, it really makes it all more worth it.  That was the Peace and Blessing that I got this week. 

1.Funniest things done: We were at a relief society thing, and I almost fell asleep, and then it was really awkward, because a bunch of people saw me, and they were all saying it was because we are on bikes.  It was just because it was like 8:30, and I am used to going to bed like an hour after that, and my stomach was full of amazingly delicious food.  I was super tired, and I just wanted to sleep.

2.Biggest Blessing:  We finally were able to get a hold of a potential investigator that we had been trying to visit for many nights.  She is really a solid investigator, and I know that she will get baptized, cause she was going to, but got scared cause a Jehovah Witness told her that she was going to burn in Hell, if she joined the Mormon Church.  Ella backed out, and it took from 2003 to now, so 11 YEARS to finally decide to meet with missionaries again.  It was really a cool thing to witness.  The spirit was so strong in that lesson.
3.Latest project: Getting to know my new companion.  It is weird to think you know everything about someone, and then they surprise you, and you just are like WOOOAAH! That threw me for a loop! ahah, yeah, that has happened a lot this week.
4.Most exciting events: I turned 20 years old this week.  I got 2 packages and I love everything that is in it.  I really loved the coat, and I have found random reasons to wear it around the apartment.
5.Favorite game: UMMM.... Yeah, I am not sure.  Probably just the mental game of "I think I can", everyday when we are biking up to our area.  
6.Favorite Foods: The Ice Cream that people keep bringing us for my birthday.  It is magically wonderful, and I really am so grateful for all those that have been bringing it to me.
7.Most challenging thing: Hearing the news that one of my favorite less actives was in the Hospital, and that the chance of her being okay, is slim.  I am praying really hard that all goes well with her.  There is also another less-active that we visit, and her husband was hit by a car while crossing the street.  The chance of him surviving is looking not well either.
8. Simple Pleasures: On a happier note, I am feeling better.  I was slightly sick on my birthday.  I was running a fever, and continually was getting the chills, and they were terrible.  But, the Elders gave me a blessing, and in the blessing the Lord told me it was ok to rest, and that I need to rest.  I had been feeling like a terrible missionary because I was down for the count, and then when I heard that, I knew that the Lord really knew that I needed to hear that, in order to feel like I was being an okay missionary, even though we hadn't stayed in the area long that day.  Blessings WORK PEOPLE! AND they bring Peace as well! PEACE AND BLESSINGS!
9.Goals: Get a new investigator, and then get them on the path to return to live with Heavenly Father again.
10.Biggest smile: Honestly, there were so many things this week that brought a smile to my face.  So many wonderful, precious moments that made me so glad to be a missionary, and living in the moment. People say their missions go super fast, and that we need to cherish EVERY moment.  And I know that there are so many things that I need to recognize as blessings, and not just coincidences.  
11.Biggest accomplishment: Surviving the first week, and realizing that I know more about the area than I thought I knew.
12. Worst Food: We had some crazy food this week.  We had sour cream enchiladas.  No enchilada should just have sour cream, onion, and cheese in it.  I thought I was gonna get super sick.
13. Amount of Miles Biked: 41 miles biked.  We are starting this transfer off in a good start.  I know that it will be a struggle, but the Lord promises us strength, and that he will give us the strength that we need to bike in our area.  

14: Favorite Quote: Sister J: "What kind of missionary jumps in the water?" (Referring to Peter answering the Savior when he invited him to come follow him) Me: "A disobedient missionary." *laughter errupts*

Well, we are pressed for time, because we only get an hour to email.  I love you all so much! Keep being awesome.  There is great things in store for all of you!