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!!

Nyquil is MYquil. Women's conference, Exchanges with Sister Cauble

Well it sounds like Dad and I had the same sort of week.  On Thursday I started feeling a little down (ill), and then by 2 I was really feeling bad.  I knew that there was not going to be a lot of missionary that was going to get done because I didn't feel the best so I decided that I was going to take a nap.  Well that nap turned into a lot longer than I thought it would.  I woke up, and we went to dinner and then back home we came.  I had the WORST migraine.  I never really get migraine, but I had one and nothing was helping.  It was not good.  I tried to just sleep but even the pillow wasn't helping.  I now have first hand experience with Nyquil, and I really approve it.  One of the Sister Training Leaders, Sister A gave me Nyquil and Dayquil.  That stuff really works great.  I felt sick on Friday as well, but Sister M taught me that you don't quit working till you really don't think it is a good idea anymore, and so we went out and worked again.  Haha, I am not sure if that was the best thing, but I think that we were still able to make a difference to some people.  

We were able to visit with our Investigator Larry, and we talked with him about how important the Comforter is.  We read the talk, "The Comforter" and then HE bore HIS testimony of how he has seen the Holy Ghost help him.  Then he talked about how he knows that the Holy Ghost helps us.  He talked about how it protects us, and that he KNOWS that we are on the Lord's Errand.  It was really cool to see how the Holy Ghost really is working through him.  I know that the Legal System is a great thing, but I really wish that Larry's Probation is shorter.  He doesn't get off till 2018, and the chance of him getting off of it earlier is pretty slim.  But we know that the Lord works miracles, and we know that it is in the Lord's timing that Larry will get baptized.  That is one thing that I have really learned from Larry.  He trusts the Lord so much, and knows that it will all work out how the Lord wants it to.  I am really grateful that I am able to learn from him.  

A missionary that I served around in the past said, "You think you come out on a mission to teach Investigators, then you realize in reality you are out here learning from your Investigators."  I really know that is true!  I am seeing that more and more.  I love to think about the things that I have learned from all those that I have met on the mission.  I have not only learned from Investigators, but everyone that I talk to.  Even those that we just talk to on the street.  For example, last week when we were getting some things from Target there was a woman on front of us in line, and we just started talking with her.  And then we ran into her AGAIN at Winco.  Same woman, different store.  Coincidence, I THINK NOT! I really know that the Lord works in mysterious ways.  Nothing has happened with contacting her, but I do know that I felt good talking with her.  

I really love being a missionary.  I am sorry that I have been saying that a lot lately, but I really really love being a missionary.  It has been the decision that I know really has only brought blessings, and happiness.  Even on those hard days, Heavenly Father blesses you with his Love and that is a blessing in itself.  On the mission, I have really learned who I am and I have been able to see a glimpse of who Heavenly Father wants me to be. okay, that is enough of that.

Sister C is my Sister Training Leader, and on Wednesday we went on Exchanges.  It was the BEST! I really am so grateful that she is my leader, and that I can go to her and Sister A for things that I need.  They are really funny, and they actually LAUGH at what I say.  I am still trying to figure out if they are laughing with me, or at me. Regardless, I love these Sisters a whole lot.  They are super awesome.  We were talking about how after the mission we are going to all be friends.  Since Sister C and I are both going to be at BYU-I we decided that we are going to make it a priority to go to the temple at least once a week.  I know that will really keep us seeing each other and that we can be missionaries for those on the other side.  On exchanges we had such a BUSY day!  We had a lesson with their Investigator, and we taught the first part of the Plan of Salvation with her.  She got baptized this last Saturday actually.  I guess it was really good.  We also had a lesson with their Less-Active.  We read the Book of Mormon with her, and commited her to read the rest of the chapter.  3 Nephi 17 is one of my favorite chapters, because it talks about Christ blessing the Children.  I love to think about that happening.  We also had a lot of things fall through.  So we walked, and were able to contact people that we saw.  Then we went and helped some kids with their homework.  I really hated math before the mission, and the fact that we were helping them with math was a nightmare.  I know that it was just 7th and 3rd  Grade Math but Sister C and I were asking each other how to do the homework cause we both were stuck.  As Sister C said, "I need to go back to Kindergarten..."  I know that it could benefit us greatly.  But then we went to dinner with a Less Active Family.  It was a good lesson.  We talked about 3 Nephi 11.  Then we were supposed to go visit people in the YSA Ward, but no one came to meet at the church, so we just went and tried people like normal missionary work.  Sister C and I were catching up on old times, and talked about how great Hesperia was and how it was so great that we were able to serve the first 6 months, and the last 6 months together.  One thing that always amazes me when I go on exchanges is that I really am able to feel the Love that Heavenly Father has for those that we are visiting.  Because most of the time we have never met, and I just want them to know how much Heavenly Father loves them.  I feel so blessed to be able to feel of that love.

Well everyone, I hope that you have a great week.  I know that this church is true.  I know Heavenly Father loves each one of you.  Women's Conference was the best.  I love going to it now.  We were talking with the member that we went with, and I was telling her how I really wish that I loved General Conference and Women's Conference before the mission as I love it now.  Those talks were really inspired by God.  I know that it was exactly what we needed at this time.  I really love the leaders of our church, and I cannot wait for the chance to raise my hand and sustain them as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators.  Enjoy General Conference Everyone!

Love You All!

Sister Amber Rietz

6541 Woodruff Place

Rancho Cucamonga, Ca

91701

 

Sister Allen, Sister Cauble, Myself, and Sister Thomason at the Temple

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!

Week Seventeen: Rainy day, Temple Blessings and Sparkly Shoes

So this email session was the worst.  I ran outta time, but the temple was so great, and I loved it so much! I love the feeling that I get there, and how I was able to get lots of answers.  We watched a less active's two twin daughters get blessed.  I started crying, cause it was so tender, and the blessing was not only for her, but for their family.  It was awesome.  I wish that I had more time to write, but know that I love you all so much, and am so grateful that I am out on a mission.  Sister C3 goes home Monday, and watching her freak out about that stress just reminds me that I am so grateful to be out here, with lots of time left.  Candy is planning on getting baptized on the 21st of March, which is my 10 month mark.  I told her that she and I would celebrate together, and then she said, okay Master Rietz.  She thinks that since I am always leading the lessons, that I am the ring-leader. and that I keep these other two hooligans in line.  We had lots of rain this last week, and were able to play in it.  I split my pants from the fabric being cheap.  Guess that is what happens when you buy 2 dollar pajamas.  I love being a missionary, and seeing the miracles that occur everyday.  I am sure that there are countless miracles around you, and that they help build your faith in Heavenly Father.  I know that he loves all of his children, and that he has a special plan for each one of us.  I am able to see that all the time as we visit with others.  I love this CHURCH! Have a great week! I will definitely plan it all out better next week.  Also, transfers are next week, so we will see if I will still be in Upland next week! I hope I am! LOVE YOU ALL!!!
XOXOXO

Sister Rietz

At the Redlands Temple

This is a giant pencil that actually works.  It made my day.  I love entering peoples' homes.  #treasures galore

Just getting done sanding a dresser, and we are covered in dust, even though you can't see it.

The Church is a floodin' with broken pipes, & baptismal dates

This past week and a half have been full of exciting times! From flooding the kitchen, to setting baptismal dates to pouring down rain.  There were lots of other great things that happened too, but we are going to the temple today, so we have a really limitied time to email.  I promise that I will try and add as much as I possible can, but time is limited and precious.  

Week in Review:

1.Funniest things done: I ripped my pants really bad while we were out in the rain.  It was a sad moment, and I have now learned that playing in the rain is not the greatest.  Especially when you meet an angry possum, rip your pants, and realize all of it was caught on the apartment security cameras.  OH WELL! The apartment people love the missionaries.

2.Biggest Blessing: Having the opportunity to sing at EJ's Funeral.  It was so sweet, and there were a lot of us missionaries crying.  EJ had been coming to our ward, and was a recent convert.  He had A LOT of health issues, and is now totally free to move without pain.  Finding enough mops to clean up the kitchen.  No one told us that there were broken pipes.  So we cleaned it all up, and left a nice note for others.
3.Latest project: Helping our NEW INVESTIGATOR, Chelley see the positives in her life. Even though her boyfriend is in jail...

4.Most exciting events: Getting a new investigator.  Setting a baptismal date for Candy! We are so excited!!!

5. Favorite Game: Telling what we would do if a possum attacked us.  We have been seeing them a lot, and we are worried about it attacking us.

6.Favorite Foods: We had really good Chicken Molay.  It was so good!!! unlike the last time I had it.
7.Most challenging thing: knowing that Satan is working really hard on our companionship, and throwing lots of hard things and challenges our way.
8. Simple Pleasures: We got to sand someone's dresser, and we got lots of dust, where dust should not be.  It was so fun though.  We also got to help paint the Good Ole' USA on blacktop for an Elementary School it was so great!!!

9.Goals: Lose Weight (totally doing that).  Obedience with Exactness.  Find new Investigators.
10.Biggest smile: playing in the rain, and then seeing the possum, and all you hear is us scream.  Our neighbor Dana texted and asked us if we were okay. It was pretty funny.  Then she asked to use our toilet paper.  We gave her lots. ALSO: jumping on the bed, and no one can stop us!

11.Biggest accomplishment: Sister C3 burned her leg on an Iron, and it blistered and got really gross, but the biggest accomplishment is that none of us have had to go to urgent care yet.  All of C3's comps have had to go to urgent care while with her, besides us, and one other sister.

12: Favorite Quote: Me: "I love Possum bites.  When they bite me, I just bite them back. It makes for a good meal." T: "WHAT THE HECK!!!" Me: "yeah, so delicious!"

I love the mission so much, and am really excited that I have this opportunity to serve.  Even when times get tough, there is still hope on the horizon.  Sorry that this is so short, but there wasn't lots of time!!! I get to go to the Temple in one hour! I am so excited!!!

XOXOXOXO

LOVE, Sister Rietz

Representing our home state of Idaho

Flying Sister Missionaries

I love to see the Temple, I went inside today...

Hello.  This email is coming on a Wednesday, because this week our p day got changed to Wednesday, and we were able to go to the temple.  I love the temple.  There are so many things in this world that allow me to know that Heavenly Father loves me, and the Temple is one of those things.  This last week was kinda rough, and the trip to the temple could not have come at a more crucial time.  We left at 6:30 this morning to tackle the roads, and deal with the morning traffic going down the hill.  The temple is in Redlands, and so we had to get down there before the session started, so we got there a little early, and so we took pictures at the temple before we went in.  Sister S took us, and I really loved the time that we were able to spend with her, and that we were able to get to know her even more.  She has such a strong testimony, and knows how much the Gospel can help her get through trials.

Back to what happened this week:

We had 5 investigators drop us, we dropped 3 of them, and 1 is moving.  We also had 4 baptismal dates set up, and all 4 are no longer investigators.  That was hard to understand why these people that we had been working with all of a sudden no longer wanted to meet with us.   This week I really learned that the Lord really knows the things that can help our investigators, and if it takes not meeting with us anymore at this time, that we will have to use that trust that we have in the Lord, and know that we really are not to be meeting with them at this time.  One of the hardest ones that we are no longer meeting with is, David.  That was really hard for me, because he has made SO much progress, but he is not willing to pay tithing, even if he has a job.  That was really hard for us, because we have gone over tithing so many times, and he has agreed to pay it, and then we were going over the Baptismal Interview Questions with him, and he said no he wouldn't pay it.  We talked about it for a while, and he said that he would never pay it, even if he had all the money that he needed.  Sister M, and I both felt like we needed to drop him.  That was one thing that really made me feel good at the temple.  That confirmation that what we did was correct.

We found a golden investigator on Wednesday the 3rd.  She told us that she knew she would be a member, but that she had a lot of questions, and she wanted them to be answered.  Her brother is a member in Tustin, (Ryan, maybe you know him. Except I don't know his name...) and she wants him to baptize her.  She told us that he could come up anytime, and do the "dunking".  We talked about her questions, and we set a baptismal date for the 27th of September.  Well, Satan is working hard, and the next morning Mary called us to tell us that she is no longer wanting to meet.  She said that when she was reading 3 Nephi 11 that she had an anxiety attack, and that she didn't want that to continue to happen every time she read.  So she told us never to come back.  That was really hard to hear, especially because when we were meeting with her, the Spirit was so strong, and we really felt like our prayers had been answered.  But, the Lord knows when the Gospel is best for those around us.  I really have been struggling with that, and know that the Lord will allow Mary to have the Gospel when it is best needed for her.  

This week we have been meeting with members in the ward, trying to get the ward mission plan into action.  That has been a struggle, but also a blessing at the same time.  It has allowed me to get to know the members in their homes, and not just at church.

On Sunday we went to Sister S's family for dinner.  We actually had breakfast for dinner.  I loved the waffles with the fresh fruit.  It made me miss the blackberries and raspberries that I am sure you are eating in abundance back home.  Eat berries for me, cause I miss them, and really want them here in California.

Last night we went to Addiction Recovery, and started talking with one of the girls that came with her Grandma.  She is just moved here from back east, and is really struggling with knowing if there is a God there.  We talked with her tons about how we know there is a God, and we are now planning on teaching her.  She told us about how she has been searching for a religion, and how she is really interested in our church.  Her name is Sue, and she really has had a hard life, and I know that the gospel can bless her life, like it has for all of ours.  

WEEK IN REVIEW:

1.Funniest things done:  My shoes are really worn on the bottom, and a member told me I needed to resole them.  Then he was looking at my watch, and it broke pretty badly, and his face was utter embarrassment, and then he goes, "eh you probably got this off Amazon."  (I almost died laughing, cause I did get it from Amazon, and I will get another one from there too.)  My watch is now sewn onto my wristband.  Good thing that the thread is green, and my watch is green.  It works just perfectly.
2.Biggest Blessing: The opportunity to go to the temple.  When I get off my mission, let's all come to the temple here, and do a session.  It is GORGEOUS!
3.Latest project: Finding People that have been prepared to hear the Gospel.  Becoming an unconditional missionary.
4.Most exciting events: The Elders in our District are having a Baptism this Saturday, and last Saturday another set of Elders had a baptism, and they accidentally hit her head, and she might have a concussion.
5.Favorite game: I really have no favorite games at this moment.
6.Favorite Foods: Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili. 

7.Most challenging thing: Accepting the fact that I am not a perfect missionary, and that there is a reason in Heavenly Father's plan that investigators no longer want to meet with us.
8. Simple Pleasures: Rain.  We got a small rain storm, and it was overcast ALL day Monday.  Those people who said that it never rains, I am starting to doubt what they told us about the weather.
9.Goals: Keep a Positive Attitude.  Become an unconditional missionary.
10.Biggest smile: Walking into dinner on Monday, and the M. family little kids running up, wanting to play soccer before dinner.  They owned us.
11.Biggest accomplishment: Lasting 8 days before we could email again.  Also, not freaking out, when a cop pulled up next to us, and it was pitch black, and he started to interrogate us,  until he realized that we were missionaries, and that we were just going home for the night.  It was crazy, with all the lights, and him using his stern cop voice.  He was looking for some people that were on bikes, so he stopped us to figure out who we were.
12. Worst Food: We had this casserole that had 9 cans of cream of something soup.  It was like eating a heart attack.  No thank you, on seconds!!!
13. Amount of Miles Biked: 47.2 Miles.
14: Favorite Quote: David is telling us about a fight that he got in with his brother in law.  "...and then he came at me, and started scratching my face.  I wanna be a model so I put my hands up, and said excuse me, can I have my looks."  Sister M and I started to laugh so hard! Holy Cow, there are so many funny moments that I will miss that happen with him.

Another favorite Quote: Elder Holland in March 2000 Ensign said: "With any major decision there are cautions and considerations to make, but once there has been illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. Certainly don’t give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness.Face your doubts. Master your fears. “Cast not away therefore your confidence.” Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you."

That would have to be my ending advice for you all.  Beware the Temptation.  Don't Give Up.  Face your Doubts.  Stay the Course.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!!!

LOVE YOU ALL TONS!

We found this sweet belt when we were helping a member clean her house.  She wouldn't give it to Sister M

In front of the beautiful Redlands Temple

Sister M and Me

Me, Sister S and Sister M at the temple