The light of Christ in all of us

I am so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I want all of you to know how much the Savior means to me.  He has been there when I have thought that there was no other way.  He has been there when I have just wanted to quit biking and go eat a popsicle (this one has happened a lot more than I thought it would).  He has been there when I have been reading the scriptures and been so confused at what is being taught.  He has been there when hard things were happening to my family, and I had no way of knowing what was happening with them.  He has been there when a person we were teaching, called to tell us she was just going to give up. That it was just too hard.  He was there for her, my companion, and myself.
He has been there for every single one of us, all at different times with different struggles.  I am so grateful that he never gives up on any of us.  He is never going to say, "Sorry, I had my hand reaching out to you for the last 22 years, and I am just going to pull it back now."  He has promised us that he will always be there for us.  He knows what we are going through and knows what additional tests, trials and road blocks that we need before us so that we can be able to grow.  I am honestly so amazed at the Love the Savior has for each one of us.  We are working with so many people, who are just stuck on thinking they are a lost cause.  They think no one cares about them, or really understands where they are at in their life.  I think they are forgetting the things the Savior did for us.  He stood there and was mocked for each one of us.  He walked with the cross on his back.  He suffered for every little mistake that we have ever, and will ever make.  He sacrificed himself so that every last person on earth could return to live with Heavenly Father.  I know that as we pray and tell the Lord the things that are really a struggle for us at that time, He will answer us.  I am so grateful for that communication that we still have here.  Okay, sorry that was just something that has been on my mind a whole lot recently.  I will now step off that soap box and proceed to tell you all about the exciting adventure of Sister Rietz in the middle of nowhere Apple Valley, California!

Monday:

Nothing too exciting happened over here, expect Sister S was walking past a cactus and it shot a thorn at her leg.  Someone called it a spitting cactus, but we are not really sure if that is what happened to her leg.  It has been causing her "immense" pain, and so we are two normal missionaries and one wounded warrior.

Tuesday October 27:

We had another District Meeting... On the Mountain! Surprise, Surprise!  It is so peaceful and perfect up there.  It only took us 5 mins to get to the perfect spot to throw a pumpkin off a cliff.  No worries, no hiking was needed this time around.  I was asked to give a training based off a training that Sister T and I gave a couple transfers ago in Upland.  Apparently word spread around the mission that we had smashed plates.  In honor of Halloween and the fact that it was cheaper to buy one pumpkin than 7 plates, we smashed one pumpkin off of that mountain.  We all wrote the fears that we all face as missionaries.  We used scriptures, quotes, Preach My Gospel, and the nice little cliff to smash all of those fears.  It was a pretty successful meeting I would say.  We also had the Granite Hills Halloween Party that night.  But not before we had an amazing dinner with our Less-Active, and we were able to figure out a little bit more as to why she doesn't come to church.  We were amazed that she opened up, and her tear ducts were a flowin' as well.  The little triumphant trio was all a little teary eyed as well.  Judge us.  We don't care.  Then on to the Halloween Party.  Most of the people we are working with came and it was so exciting!  Yes, we dressed up. We live right next to the D family, who have become like grandparents to us. They are the funniest, most bickering out of love couple that I have ever met.  Brother D as a white mustache that he likes to wax up into a curl so for Halloween, we were Brother D! He let us use his cowboy hats and wool shirts and we wore stick-on mustachs! Everybody thought it was pretty funny.  We just needed the glass mason jars with overflowing ice and we would have been identical to him!

Wednesday October 28: 

We helped a woman in the ward, okay she is actually only 11 months older than me, paint chairs for her house.  She has 3 kids all under the age of 3.  It was a zoo, and I have never been so distracted while doing a service project for someone.    We also were able to see Brenda.  As I said last week, her mom passed away and Brenda is back in town.  We were over there talking about the Plan of Salvation, and then we were off to another appointment.  On the way into that appointment, I noticed there was a HUGE spot on the back of Sister S's skirt.  We didn't see Brenda's puppy the whole time we were there and we were sitting on the floor...  the puppy was not yet potty trained and Sister S had been sitting in it. It wasn't super noticeable and we like I said, we had those appointments that we really needed to get to so we just didn't worry her about it until we got home that night. She forgave us eventually.  I think.

Thursday October 29:

We had a lesson with 2 of our Investigators: Lila and Andrea.  They are so great! They are like sponges, and soak up everything that we say to them.  They have come to church now, and they LOVED it.  Andrea was pretty sick, and so the Elders came and gave her a blessing.  It told her that she could know the church was true if she asked God.  It was so great!  We also had another lesson with Larry.  He is progressing well.  We are just waiting for him to get off probation, and then he can FINALLY get baptized.  His next court date is January.  I feel like it is going to be a never ending court date.  We also are starting a scripture study class here.  Just like the one that we had in Upland.  It was pretty good for it being the first week.  We are more prepared now.  We have flyers, and we are ready to pass them out to everyone.

Friday October 30: 

We had another lesson with Lila and Andrea.  We taught the Plan of Salvation to them.  Andrea had a baby that passed away, and she is so happy to know that she can see him again.  I love the knowledge that the Plan of Salvation brings to us.  She kept asking, "Am I really going to see them!?"  It was such a tender moment, and I know she will see him again.  I also ruined another skirt, but Sister D saved it.  I was helping crack open Pomegranates when one exploded on me.  I was so sad to see all that red juice seep into my skirt.  We took it to the her, and lo and behold, Sister D is a magician! She was able to get it out.  So my skirt is saved.

Saturday October 31:

We helped Andrea reorganize her garage.  We found a lost member.  Sister S won musical chairs.  It was not just any normal musical chairs, but Ranchos Ward Musical Chairs.  Which means that everyone is SUPER competitive and wants to win.  It was hilarious to watch, and we also were assigned to help a less active woman pass out candy.  She has not been to the the church since 2010, and then she showed up at the Halloween Party.  So good to be able to build relationships with her, and we have a lesson set with her this week.  We dressed up as Brother D again, but everyone thought that we were just cowboys. 

Sunday November 1:

I bore my testimony about how great it is to serve a mission, and to serve others.  I accidentally said: "you can learn a lot about someone just from helping them clean out their garage.  We helped Andrea, and now her garage is a lot cleaner." Good thing Andrea loves the Gospel, or else we might have been no longer teaching her.  Everyone laughed, and thought it was funny.  I really didn't mean to say that, it just kind of happened.  Sister S, Sister T2 and I were talking about this and I brought up how cool it is that everybody's light is a little different. The three of us have very very different personalities, but we all have the light of Christ. Sometimes it just shines through us in different ways. We all have different strengths but when we work together we are able to do so much more than any of us could do on our own. I know that each of us is so important to God and that every person can have the light of Christ in them. Thank you all for your examples and all of the ways you have strengthened me. Being in a trio is not always roses, butterflies, and goldfish... it has those moments where you just want to eat all the chocolate in the world, and not even feel guilty. But, I am so grateful for these two crazy, funny, humble, diligent sisters as my companions for this last little bit of my mission.

I hope everyone has a great day.  If any of you are wondering, I am not trunky.  I think that some of the members are more trunky than I am.  They are always asking me what I am going to do with my life, and I tell them; "ehhh, be a missionary..."  I think that is the best go to answer, cause Every Member a Missionary.

It is still really warm here in California.  We woke up this morning to our house being 71 degrees.  There was a nice HOT wind and so I am thinking it will be the most perfect weather for the rest of the week.  Sorry for those of you who are freezing up in Utah and Idaho! Hahaha.

I love you all. Have a great week!

Sister Amber Rietz

6541 Woodruff Place

Rancho Cucamonga, Ca

91701

Happy Halloween from Apple Valley

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!!

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!

TIWI. Enough said

Okay. This week was pretty great! We had Zone Conference which is always way great, and there were a lot of really good training that actually apply to the kind of missionary that I want to become.... and then TIWI got introduced. TIWI Look it up.  One of the best, but the WORST things that have ever been introduced in the mission.  This little box not only tracks what we do---> stopping, starting, accelerating, turning, speed, and lots of other things, but it also has a GPS system in it... BUT the GPS isn't something that we can access... It is there so it can know where we are, and what time we get into the car, and everything.  Also, it "yells" at you in a monotone voice if you, turn too sharp, speed, accelerate too fast, don't have your seatbelt, and also if you forget to log in... then it says, "No Driver. No Driver. No Driver." haha, yeah it may have said that to me a couple times.  I think that sometimes it is pointless, and not many of the missionaries like it, but I think that it will be great! *no sarcasm included* But I did get this card with my name on it, so that is cool, and when I scan the card in, it says Driver Logged In. SO that has been the most interesting stuff that has happened. 

Other interesting things have been that we are running out of people to teach! Our last investigator is getting baptized this Saturday! I am so excited for Oneida!  She was just telling us how amazing it was all the things that we knew, and how she never knew them even though her parents are members!!!  Her son Greg is also getting Baptized, and we had the lovely pleasure of teaching him and his 2 younger brothers the Law of Chastity!  It was a struggle, and those boys are patient, and totally like sponges soaking up everything that we taught! One of my favorite things about that lesson was when they asked me to teach them the Wise Man, and the Foolish Man song.  They were cracking me up! So the M Family now has a video of me attempting to teach the song to the boys.  I need to get a copy of it, but they really got into the rain and the floods part.  They are all so great, and I am so happy for them!  Speaking of great, we have some AMAZING Sister Training Leaders.  I love them to death! I was talking with them, and you know that no matter what you say to someone, they are going to listen and actually care! Well that is exactly how I felt when I was talking with them.  They are amazing, and I am so grateful for Sister C and Sister A.  They just listened to me, and it was the BEST thing that could have happened today.  They are really on the Lord's Errand. 

Brenda is doing so GOOD! hahah, she is going to be either an excellent full time missionary, or an excellent member missionary. Or maybe both! She was talking with us yesterday during our lesson, and she was telling us about this bracelet that she got.  She said that at first she didn't know how to put it together, and that she just was staring at the bracelet, and then BAM it hit her! She said that as she looked at the bracelet, she realized that different parts of it reminded her of the plan of salvation that Sister G and Sister E2 had taught her. She explained it to us, and it really did make so much sense! It was not a stretch at ALL! She gave us the bracelet, and it is now on my desk back home.  I love it!

I love being a missionary, sorry this email is so jumbled and crazy, but that is my life right now.  This week we have to go down the hill for the trainer and trainee meeting, and I can only imagine how many times TIWI is going to get mad at us.   Let's hope only once! 

WATCH THIS!

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/abide-with-me-1

I love this mormon message.  It really always hits me.  Not sure why, but probably because we all need those reminders every once in awhile.

Also, really really love this talk from the last General Conference that the Church had: 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/on-being-genuine?lang=eng

Love you all, have a great week!

Love, Sister Rietz

My Preach My Gospel book is getting a little hammered!  :)

Sister C and I telling Sister A how to take our picture at Zone Conference

Wedding bells, sidewalk chalk, squash4friends

1.Funniest Thing Done: This last week we were at a Squash Farm.  While there we were instructed to move this group of potted tomato plants to a trailer with brown dirt in the back.  The man asked Sister G and I to get in the trailer.  So we did. Then, while back there some of the Elders asked us if we knew what we were standing in. I said, "I think I know what dirt looks like." one of the Elders then proceeded to tell us that it was not dirt, but sifted manure.  I was so grossed out, and then realized that we were in it the last 10 minutes, so what harm could 10 more minutes do? Now my shoes, and socks smell like manure.  Smells like home. Not really. But kind of.  

Another funny thing that happened: I was asked to make 2 cakes for some Elders Birthdays.  I was so happy to do it, unfortunately one of the cakes tasted like grass! No Bueno... We tried to make it "Healthier", but it was an EPIC FAIL! haha, I guess there is just no way to have a healthy cake.  They pretended it was the best thing in the world.  Luckily only one of the cakes turned out like grass. The other one was SO good! ahahaha, They appreciated the effort!  We made sure to get princess cups and Elsa/Anna plates for them so they didn't have to eat like barbarians! We also got party hats because no birthday is complete without a party hat! Yeah, they are little Princesses at heart.

2.Biggest Blessing or Miracle: This last week we saw so many amazing things happen! We were able to see our Investigator Larry get married to a member, Rene.  It was so awesome.  We were able to help decorate the relief society room, and you would never have been able to tell it was a relief society room.  I loved watching them when they were in front of everyone, and they are now able to live the Law of Chastity! WHOOO! That was such a great thing, because according to the ward, this wedding has been on and off for YEARS! They finally did it! We were all worried because the wedding was supposed to start at 5, and they weren't there. But at 5:16 they were in the room, and ready to get married.  

3.Exciting Events: Well I love the 4th of July! What a great day to be able to celebrate our country.  I love being an American, and living in such an amazing place.  I loved watching the fireworks, and just sitting and talking with Sister G.  AND I got a firework Popsicle. BOOHYA! When we were out there, the people next to us, were just blasting their Hispanic Music, so we watched red, white, and blue fireworks with Hispanic Music as the tone.  So great! 

4.Favorite Game: What are you drawing? In other words, what is that squiggly line supposed to be? We did some sidewalk chalk with a less active member's kids. We just went outside and drew some pictures with them! They loved it! The two kids (one boy-6, one girl-3) are just so adorable. They kept asking me to do police outlines of their bodies... So now there are lots of little outlines of bodies on their driveway. When we were doing it, I couldn't help but think that this was not an uncommon thing here in grand ole' Apple Valley. I love those kids! 

5.Favorite Food: Bran Muffins. Blueberry Oatmeal. Fireworks Popsicle's. (ultimate FAVORITE)

6.Most Challenging Thing: One of the most challenging things is being obedient.  There are so many ways that missionaries can slack off, and no one but you, the Lord, and your companion will know. But that being said, it is also one of the best things to always be.  I have learned that on those moments, if you rationalize, DON'T DO IT! We had multiple opportunities to watch the fireworks up close, but that meant that we would not be in on curfew. Some members even told us no one would know, but after Sister G and I thought about it, we were like HECK NO! We might get in a wreck, or one of the fireworks might shoot at us.

7.Simple Pleasures: FIREWORKS! We had such an awesome view from our back patio.  Another simple pleasure, cockroach killer! hahaha, that stuff is AMAZING! I love that you can pretty much buy everything at the .99 store. SO GREAT! .99 Store is definitely a simple pleasure as well!

8.Goals: Set a Baptismal Date with Oneida.  She is going to court this week to get her kids back, so pray that all goes well!!! We think that if things go well at court, that she will set a date with us.

9.Biggest Smile: When President H made a surprise visit to our ward, and he called us multiple times.  I saw that we had missed calls, but we couldn't answer them cause we were in church.  When we walked out of Relief Society, he told us: "You passed the test of not answering or texting me back. The only time you do that is when you are in church. Other then that, you call me back ASAP." I passed a test from President! 

Another Smile happened when we were sidewalk chalking, and we just made lots of drawings, and then the kids just wanted to go crazy on the camera and take pictures of EVERYTHING! "take a picure of that leaf. The ant. That Dog. Your Car..." The list goes on, and on.

10.Biggest Accomplishment: Passing the Test from President. Standing in Holy Places (aka manure...) Realizing that Heavenly Father really helps us in times of need.

11.Favorite Scripture Story Studied: John 20. I was studying that this morning, and just thinking about how amazing the Resurrection will be.  I am so amazed that Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of us, and that He is always aware of things to come.  I love knowing that there is a plan for each one of us, and that He will never leave us alone.  I love in John 20, where Mary is so sad, and Christ asks her, "Woman why weepest thou?" and then she turns and says that "They have taken her Lord", and then she realizes who it is.  I am really intrigued how I will be when I see Christ again. What will my reaction be? Food for Thought.

12.Favorite Quote: "I am in the Belly of the WHALE!"- Sister Rietz

Let me explain that quote.  This last week there was just a lot of things that were falling through. Ok, everything fell through. I was feeling really upset, and then I said at least we aren't in the whale's belly.  I just randomly said that, and then realized that in that moment we were in our Belly of the Whale moment.  We were able to use that all week when things were less than desirable, and it really lightened the mood in the air.  That was just a little funny thing that I know say anytime something doesn't go as planned.

Well it is 5:45, and we have to go! I love being a missionary! It is the greatest thing ever! I know the Plan of Salvation is real! That is why we are here on Earth.  It is all part of His plan.  I love you all so much! Keep strong! Things will look up! Enjoy your time with all the boys at the house! 

Alli: the tent is pretty common here. I wonder if her's will be orange, yellow, green, or white. I have seen all of them.  Who would have thought that they make tents for houses!? Crazy Californians! 

Love, Sister Rietz  

Ranchos District Birthday Party

Squash for friends

The sidewalk chalking masters

No Habla Espanol. Spudwood Derby. The "RITZ" area

1.Funniest things: This last week I was with one of the Hermanas for a day.  It was so much fun, and I loved getting to know her better.  Her companion was really sick, and Hermana W normally drives, and Hermana Z is not allowed to drive mission cars, so they needed a driver.  I was the only one who was in the area who was not already in a car that could drive... So I was Hermana Z's driver for the day.  I had no idea what was being said at dinner, in an of the lessons, or when she was talking on the phone but I do know that there is a special spirit with those people.  I know there are so many humble people they are working with.  But none of this is funny, so let me get back to what I was saying... So we were eating dinner with Hermana A, (pronounced like Ursula) and she told me over and over to just leave these dishes in the sink, and I had NO IDEA WHAT SHE WAS SAYING TO ME! I just continued washing the dish, and the Elders thought it was hilarious, so they just let me continue washing the dish.  Then after that episode I was standing off to the side out of the way, and she apparently told me to sit down.  But remember NO HABLA ESPANOL! and I just stood there.  She told me over and over, but I didn't know she was talking to me.  The Elders realized that she was going to be getting mad, and they told me over and over really really fast to sit down.  I sat down, just as she in English said, "SIT DOWN!" she did raise her voice, but now we are friends, and she even kissed me on the cheek when we were leaving.  Hermana Z didn't even realize I was getting in trouble because she was in the kitchen right by the stove cooking Chilerelleno.  It made for a good adventure.  It was just really funny, because I had NO IDEA WHAT THE WOMAN WAS YELLING AT ME ABOUT!!!

2.Biggest Blessing: This last week I went to the Doctors, and we are now on the road to figuring out what is wrong with me.  Fingers crossed my medicine just needs to be changed, and then it will all be fixed.  That would be the best case scenario.  But Sister H called Mom, and they were able to figure out some things.  Pray the Blood Tests show us things that will help them know what is wrong with me!  (Note from the mama - Sister Rietz has been sick off and on for several months.  Hopefully it will be a quick solution.  I'm sure she feels the prayers you give in her behalf.)

3.Latest project: On Saturday we were able to help a Non-member family move.  They were such a cool family, and they really needed the help.  They were able to get so much done, and they might even want to start meeting with us.  They just moved into Upland, and their son is going to be playing basketball for some Christian College, and he wants to play with our Young Men when they play on Thursday Nights.  I hope that all can go well with them! 

4.Most exciting events: Well I was in 3 different areas this week. I worked in the "Rietzy Rich" area, and I am so grateful I don't serve in that area.  Haha, it was just not what I am used to. I loved being in the Spanish Branch for 2 days! It was so great, and I am catching myself saying Hermana, and Gracias, and just other phrases she taught me.  I love it! I would love to serve in a Spanish Area, but I am really grateful I can teach in my native language.

5. Favorite Game: SPUDWOOD DERBY! Our ward had an activity and they gave everyone potatoes, and you had to carve them into cars, and put wheels on them, and race them down the tracks.  It was so fun, and we had the best team name, and all the members laughed when they called, "Team Sisters are better than Elders, against the Elders." It was so great, and the kids loved it!

6.Favorite Foods: Chilerelleno! It was this deep fried chili with cream cheese in it.  SO GOOD!
7.Most challenging thing: Setting up a 10 man tent when the two sisters are not tall.  We had to bring out chairs, and stand on them.  The member just wanted to see what his tent looked like.  It was an adventure for sure!!!
8. Simple Pleasures: I was able to talk with Sister H a lot this week! She is such an amazing woman, and she reminds me a lot of Captain Michele. ;) She is a great Mission Mom.

9.Goals: Help our New Investigator Mike understand that there is such thing as Faith.  He feels like there is no such thing.  That it only matters about science and proof and 100% knowledge.

10.Biggest smile: When Candy was at the lesson with Mike, and her testimony was born in a way that he didn't realize that is what she was doing.  She was able to answer his questions, with asking him questions.  It was awesome to see that happening.  I am going to be learning so much from her!

11.Biggest accomplishment: I think that we were able to do over 15 hours of service for people this week! It was awesome! I love Service!

12: Favorite Quote: "If you don't eat my tortillas, you will never learn Spanish"- Hermana A.  I guess I am never learning Spanish! 

I love you all! 

Have a great week!!!!!!
~Sister Rietz

Watch out, Sister Cop Rietz has got some authority... to set up appointments.

In the "Ritzy Rich Area" and posing like the door man.

We beat the Elders in the Spudwood Derby!!!

Where has the time gone? 9 months

Well family.  It is here.  The "half-way point".  The "glass half full/half empty".  The "all is downhill" from here.  The "hump".  I am now considered an OLD missionary! If anyone is wondering, I have loved my mission this far, and I love that it is not over.  I am so grateful that I can be out here, and everyday I learn more and more why I was called to this mission at this time.  So many things happened this week, and I am not sure I have enough time or the memory to recall all that happened.

We had times this week where we knew Heavenly Father was there, really looking out for us.  There is some sort of cold/flu going around the mission, and I got it. Again.  I swear I have the most useless immune system in the world.  I feel like every other week I am sick.  But luckily, I have a quick recovery time.  We would only be able to work about half a day before we would have to come home because I couldn't really talk, and I was getting lightheaded.  So those tender moments where we were able to work, we knew were answers to our Prayers. 

1.Funniest things done: I went on Exchanges, and I was with a Tongan Sister, and she took us to a Tongan Family in their ward, and forgot to mention to me all the rules about eating food that is offered to us.  So we are in this house, and they offer me an ice cream bar. It was hot outside, so I took it.  Well then the Mom found some cake.  Not just one cake, but TWO! and gave them to us.  I declined them, and all the kids got quiet, and Sister V told me to just take it.  The Mom said something in Tongan, and Sister V told her that we would have some cake.  The Dad asked if we were hungry, and we said no.  But apparently No is like a bad word or something, because he told the boys to get us food. I still have SO much leftovers, and I am scared that they are going to go bad.  Moral of the Story: Don't tell Tongan families that you don't want food, cause they won't listen to you, and you end up offending them.  By the end though I would consider them friends, and they told me when I come back after the mission to come to their house, and they will feed me till I have to be rolled out of the house.

2.Biggest Blessing: We had a big scare with Candy.  We had a long talk with her, and she was SO close to not being able to be baptized but we talked her out of it.  And now she is 100% on tract to being baptized.  She got a dress from the "I" family, and we are going to the T family tonight so that she can hem it.  I also got a blessing on Tuesday, and the Elder said that I would be healed through out the night, and then the next morning, I felt so much better, and we were able to go out and work for a little bit.  Everyday this would happen over and over, until I was 100%  on Sunday.  The power of the Priesthood is real, and it is so awesome.  I love it.

3.Latest project:  Finding activity.  We are trying to find more people to teach, and on March 9th we are doing a mission wide fast. We are hoping to get all the members of Ward Council and Members in the Ward to join.  President said, "Together we will call upon the powers of heaven to strengthen and unite us as missionaries and members. He will increase our faith in His purpose to "Hasten His Work" and help our Heavenly Father "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  I am so excited, and I know that Fasting works. See number 4.

4.Most exciting events: Candy fasted by herself! She had a really rough week, and she fasted for strength.  She texted and told us that fasting worked, and that she felt tons better and received the strength that she needed to get through all the things people were saying to her about how she was going to fail as a Mormon.  But joke is on them, cause she is the best, and she will be the BEST member ever.

5. Favorite Game: Playing hide and go seek with Hannah and Nicole.  It always is fun, and so much laughter occurs.

6.Favorite Foods: Tacos and Homemade Guacamole. and REAL Chinese food for Chinese New Year. Dong-she-fats-tsoy. or something like that, means Happy New Year.
7.Most challenging thing: Knowing that no matter how hard you try those you are working with are still being attacked by Satan.  Prayers are the only thing that we can do sometimes, but prayer works.
8. Simple Pleasures: RAIN! It rained a lot, and flooded a little, so we walked! And then we got soaked! see pictures below.

9.Goals: Have the next 9 months of my mission the best they can be.  My goal is to allow Heavenly Father shape me into the person that He wants me to be. That would be the best!
10.Biggest smile: I got a blessing because the cold/flu that I had, knocked me off my feet and we didn't have the time for me to be sick.  I was sleeping and Sister T came in and woke me up to tell me that they were there to give me a blessing.  Well normally when someone gets a blessing there will be 2 elders, and then 2 other sisters.  But not this time, I walked out of the bathroom, and there were 4 elders- the zone leaders and the AP's.  Talk about awkward. Cause I couldn't really talk, and I had such a bad headache that it hurt to open my eyes, so I just sat there with my eyes closed.  The looks on their faces when I walked out was priceless.  I was not in missionary clothes, and I looked like a hobo.  No seriously everyone, it was bad! Good thing that I don't really care what I look like to other people, at least on the mission. haha, 

11.Biggest accomplishment: REACHING 9 MONTHS! Woot-Woot!

12: Favorite Quote: "no. you must eat my food.  That is what the rule is, and you are going to do it." -Tongan Mother

I keep thinking about something I have said a lot but really, how lucky we are to be missionaries.  How lucky I am to be serving in California. How lucky we all are to be able to share the Gospel with all those around us.

I know this church is true.  I know that Thomas S. Monson is leading and guiding us, and I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and knows exactly what we are feeling at all times.  I know that the adversary is out there, but that we can beat him.  It is not the end when he starts influencing us.  It only means that Heavenly Father knows that we can handle it.  I love Heavenly Father  and Jesus Christ.  I love the Upland ward I am serving in.  I love all of you, and pray that you are all doing well!  Hey Kristin and Trevor! GOOD LUCK AT TENNIS! YOU WILL DO AWESOME!  I BELIEVE IN YOU!

Talk to you all next week! XOXOXO

Love, Sister Amber Rietz

Me with Sis. V

No words can describe...

Not here either!

A really wet day!

Just Two Sisters From Idaho

Transfers were yesterday, and I have a new companion.  Her name is Sister T and she is from Weston, Idaho.  She has been out for only 2 transfers, so I am doing what they call, "follow-up" training.  It just means that I am her first companion since she was with her trainer.  It is really nerve-racking being the senior companion, and making sure that we are covering everything that we need to.  I am really excited for this next transfer, and the opportunity that I have to grow.

I was really sad to see Sister C2 go home, because she taught me a lot about myself, and about how to become a better missionary.  That is something that I will be constantly learning though.  After reading all those emails from family about how much growth they have seen in me, I guess that I really have grown.  Haha, I was thinking about how in 2015, I will spend most of that year on my mission.  And with every new year, new goals are made.  So the new goals that I am setting for myself is to not do anything that would make me have regrets while on my mission.  I also am setting goals to be more obedient, teach people not lessons, and also to get better at teaching and testifying.  I am really excited to see, and measure the growth that will hopefully occur within me.  I know that this will help me become a better missionary.

1.Funniest things done: I was playing with my chap stick, and I threw it up in the air.  Well it was one of the EOS ones, and those are not the smallest chap sticks in the world.  Well, I threw it up, and there was a lamp behind me, and the chap stick came down, and landed on the light bulb. It shattered.  I died laughing, cause what are the odds that it would have hit the light bulb just perfectly to shatter it.  No worries, the light bulb was eventually going to burn out.  I just sped the process up.  Sister C2 and I were laughing really hard, cause it was almost slow motion when it happened too.

2.Biggest Blessing: Not dying while I was driving. There was a lot of traffic the times that I was driving, and I was so worried that I was going to wreck the mission's car. But no worries.  It all ended up being okay, and there is not even a scratch on the car.  I didn't realize how much I missed driving until I was driving again, but I still would love to stay on my bike for the remainder of my mission.  That way I don't have to worry about wrecking the car, I only have to worry about wrecking myself on my bike.
3.Latest project: Helping Sister T see the potential that she has.  She was telling me that she doesn't feel like an awesome missionary, but that she is going through the motions, so that is what our goals are this week, to help her see how awesome of a missionary she is.

4.Most exciting events: Sister C2 went home... I was so sad, but I know that there is a time for everyone to go home, and I just happened to be her last companion.  She taught me so much, and I am so grateful that I was able to be with her.  ALSO, I got to skype home.  I realized once I got off, how awesome you all are, and I wish that I could have gotten back on and told you all that you are awesome, and I love you tons.  I know that we can all be together forever, and I am so grateful for that! I miss you all, but May and the Mother's Day call is not that far away.  And I know that this is what I am supposed to be doing, and as much fun as it would have been to be with you, I know that California is where I am to be right now.

5. Favorite Game: We played this game about acting out Christmas Songs, Movies, and Books while Sister C2 was skyping.  It was so fun, and I realized that I am REALLY bad at acting things out.

6.Favorite Foods: We had a really yummy fancy dinner, and I totally spilled all this meat juice on the WHITE tablecloth.  Oh well.  It makes for a good story right?? I hope. Hahah.
7.Most challenging thing: Getting a new companion, and trying to figure out how to interact.  It is awkward, but I honestly love it.
8. Simple Pleasures: I saw Sister C!!! She was at the transfer meeting.  And she is serving in RANCHO! So she is now down the hill with me! I was so excited to see her!

9.Goals: Lose Weight.  Obedience with Exactness.  Find new Investigators.
10.Biggest smile: When the computer connected, and I was able to see my family.  They all are awesome.  And I am so blessed to be part of the Rietz Clan!

11.Biggest accomplishment: Not crying when I had to say good-bye to Sister C2. Okay, that is a lie.  We both cried at the mission office like babies. hahha

12: Favorite Quote: Saying Goodbye to Elder O, and Sister O, and they both said Bye-Bye Fathead, and I was SO happy to hear that.  Then when we got to the car, sister B was like they weren't very nice, and I just started laughing, cause I forgot that she was not there for any of our jokes.  It was awkward, but I loved it.

I gotta go! But LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Bye bye Sister C2