This week in review

WEEK IN REVIEW:

1.Funniest things done: Sister M and I have been trying to remember the lyrics to "apostate" songs, and movies that we love, but are not watching for 18 months... ex: High School Musical, Big Time Rush, Taylor Swift, etc.
2.Biggest Blessing: Still being able to sleep outside because the weather has been really nice at night, and so we haven't moved our beds in from the deck.
3.Latest project: Finding People to Teach the Gospel to.  If you have referrals, give them to the missionaries... THEY WILL LOVE YOU!
4.Most exciting events: Our ward mission leader called us for the first time since I have been here.  He called to see how the work was going, and actually really trying to do his calling.  We told him to call the Elders, and he did.  They were just as shocked as we were at his phone call.
5.Favorite game: Getting songs stuck in each others heads, and not remembering the rest of the lyrics.
6.Favorite Foods: Tacos.  With homemade salsa, and cilantro. yummm...

7.Most challenging thing: Biking in 110 degree weather, and drinking all our water, cause we thought that we would be able to get water from the next lesson that we had, but then they were not home...  But no worries, the Lord looks after his missionaries, we got water.
8. Simple Pleasures: Looking at my scripture case, and seeing my family on there, and knowing that I can be with them for time and all eternity!!
9.Goals: Find 2 new Investigators this week.  Not get bit by bugs this week.  (Yes, Sister O, I mean Lisa....  we didn't wear bug spray once, and I got 15 bug bites...)
10.Biggest smile: The Elders were helping us do weekly planning, and they pulled out caramels from a man in our ward, and they were sooo gross looking.  He just was like, oh yeah, these are for you.  Hope you like them.  They were so gross.
11.Biggest accomplishment: Not laughing very much at the children in the primary program.  It was yesterday, and only one kid fell, one kid just stood there and said nothing, and another girl thought that the microphone was food...
12. Worst Food: Another Chicken casserole, filled with cans of cream of soups.  If I die from a heart-attack, you know why: Cream of Soup Casseroles.
13. Amount of Miles Biked: Wednesday-Sunday: 38.2 miles.  On friday, we biked 17.3 miles, and it was 110 outside.  So glad that we were able to get water from people.
14: Favorite Quote: Todd, the husband of one of our less-actives: " I like your church, it is the only one that doesn't tell me I am going to burn in Hell.  Will I ever join it, no.  But you sweet girls will let me into the back door in heaven. Right?!" Haha, we just laughed really hard and said "we don't know Todd, maybe that will happen."

Well, I decided to change things, and put the week in review first.  That way, there is no reason to scroll to the bottom, to see the things that happened this week.

Well... I just emailed on Wednesday, and it is weird to think that it is P-day again.  There is so much going on, BYU-I started school, and it is so weird to think how fast that year went by.  I was surprised when I had some emails from people that were talking about being back at school. That would be weird to be back, but nevertheless, GOOD LUCK to YOU ALL!  We had 18 lessons this week, which was better then the 11 that we had the week before.  I know that we are not supposed to really compare numbers, and be focused on numbers, but that is how I judge how successful our week was.  We were able to meet with a couple investigators, and we are teaching Sue about the Church, and how there is a God that loves her.  She is the granddaughter of one of our less-actives, and she is showing interest in the gospel.  We are excited to teach her, but it is hard because her grandpa HATES organized religion, so he will call her out of the room, which makes it hard to bring her back out, but that will just be a battle that we will have to deal with.  We showed her the video about Hope of God's Light.  Holy Cow! It is so good! Every time I watch it, I see proof for so many things that show the love  our Heavenly Father has for us.  He really knows each of us personally, and knows that we are going to be able to get through the trials that we have.  I know that Heavenly Father gives us trials that will challenge us, and make us want to give up, but when we perservere and get through it, the blessings are amazing!!!

One of the Less-Actives that we visit is battling cancer, and she is on a waiting list to be able to get into the Doctors, and start her treatments.  We are all praying that a slot opens up, and that she will be able to get in there sooner.  She is really sick, and doesn't weigh very much.  She is one of the younger older less-actives that we visit, and she always tells us what is going on in the world, and how there are so many terrible things happening around us, but that we are missionaries so that we are saved.  Her husband is the author of the quote of the week.  They are so funny, and he always says things, and then Sister P gets all embarrassed at his crude humor jokes.  

We officially dropped David, but we know that it is what needed to happen.  It was hard, but like I said in my last email,"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."  I know that this is so true.  The ward is really fellowshipping him now that we are no longer meeting him.  He is so cool, and loves to see people at church, so we really hope that it continues after Sister M and I are both gone.

I have been reading in the Doctrine and Covenants, and there are constantly people being chastised, and called out in the books.  I am SO grateful that I was not a member back then, because I would hate to be having my name in the D&C for all the world to see.  That would be such a bummer.

The rains are coming soon, at least that is what people say...  I don't know if I believe them though, cause we are still waiting for the Earthquake, and the Hurricane that our less-active told us were going to come... Well... I must go.  I also have forgot my camera, and so I have no pictures to send home.  I actually don't think that I took any besides the ones at the temple. That I already sent home.  I love you all so much! You all are wonderful.  I hope you have a great day, and that you are all doing good.  I love your emails, and sorry that I have been really bad about writing you all back.  There will be letters sent today, because for Zone Activity we are playing board games, and we all know how much I "LOVE" those games.  Have a wonderful, fantabulous week!   I know that this is Christ's Church on the earth today, and we are his people, and that it is not only the missionaries responsibilities to help bring those to the Gospel, but also the members.  We must all work together.  In the wise words of High School Musical's Troy Bolton: we gotta all work together.  "WE GOTTA WORK, WORK, WORK THIS OUT WE CAN ALL BE TOGETHER, WE CAN WORK THIS OUTTTTT"

Love you all.

Have a great week!

-- 

XOXO

Love, Sister Rietz

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

Family. Friends. Loved ones....LET IT GO!

Well this week was soooo LONG!!! I thought that it was never gonna end, but there was a happy ending to this week.  I was able to meet Anna and Elsa from FROZEN! Yes, they were in the same room as me, and I was freaking out a little bit.  It wasn't the real ones from the movie, but it was actors, and they had the most perfect voices, and they sang the best songs as well.  They were at a birthday party for our Recent Converts daughters 3rd Birthday.  We were only there to "help out" but they did sing while they were there, so obviously I HAD to get a picture of them.  We also have been having a lot of meetings with the Elders, and that has been to say the least a drag...  But we are finally getting somewhere with our ward, and our work is helping Hasten the Work out here in the Good Ole' Desert.

This past week in our Zone, it was rough.  There was one set of Elders that had it worse than anyone yet so far, and I am so grateful that I didn't have ANY of these things happen to me and Sister M.  They got robbed at gun point, and then they were biking, and their bikes got stolen, and they were locked up, and then their car got towed to Felin, and they had to pay a fine to get it out.  Then a sister in the next zone was riding her bike, and wrecked, and broke both her arms.  She now is walking everywhere, because their area in not a car area, so that has been most unfortunate, but they have been having miracles all over the place, so that is a blessing in disguise.

We did have a miracle of our own this week!

We were biking to a potential investigator that seemed really promising, but then we get there, and he is not home.  We both felt like we needed to go see a Less Active who is never home.  So we biked the 2 miles to her house, and then what do ya know, she is not home.  But her brother Ron answered the door, and he told us, he has been looking for a church that he could join.  We instantly went into talking about the Restoration, and we ended up talking with him for a good 45 mins.  He had lots of questions, and we were able to answer all of them, and he said that he would come to church, and read from the Book of Mormon as well.  I was so happy.  The Spirit really testified to him the things that we were saying were true.  The Spirit was able to help us where we lacked in knowledge.  I know that the Spirit was able to not only teach Ron, but also me as well.  There were so many things that I was opened and enlightened to.  Also, Kathy was planning on moving, but then some family issues occurred, and now she is going to be staying in our ward for at least another month.  What a blessing it is.

On Saturday, we had exchanges.  I normally am not a big fan of them, but they really did help me this time.  I was able to go with Sister H, who is from Mobile, Alabama.  She was companions with Sister C, and she was in my district last 2 transfers.  She is such a great missionary, and I was lucky to go with her, and learn from her experience.  We ate dinner at a Brazilian families house for dinner.  They speak hardly any English, and it was one of the longest dinners I felt like.  There was TONS of food, and I think that I gained 10 lbs just from that meal alone.  While we were there, I had a total Rietz Moment... I spilled Apple Juice ALLLLLL over me...  Luckily I had my bike pants on, so we were able to throw my skirt in the dryer, but poor Sister T thought it was because the chair I was sitting in was slightly broken, but it was just because I am a total clutz.   That was definitely one of the most terrible but delicious dinners that I had been at.

Our recent convert Bob went to the temple on Saturday, and he loved it.  He really understands how important the temple is, and he is working on getting to go through the temple.  He keeps hinting that he needs a wife so they can be sealed, so that is "our responsibility" according to him.  But we haven't done anything for that yet... and we probably never will...

Well next week I will email on Wednesday, because that will be our P-day, cause we get to go to the temple that day.  I am so excited.  I love the temple.

You all are wonderful.  Keep being awesome.  I love all of you!

Week in Review:

1.Funniest things done: Sister H and I were biking home, and then we see a coyote in the road so we biked super fast to it, and then it ran away, and Sister H almost started crying cause she wanted to pet it...
2.Biggest Blessing: We got a car for a day, and that was such a blessing.  The Mojave Sisters didn't need their car, and they had extra miles, so the Zone Leaders said we could have it for 3 hours.  Those 3 hours were some of the best 3 hours on the mission field.
3.Latest project: Finding Bob a Wife.  Stacking wood for an investigator.  She had so much!  It was 3 pieces depth, so that was crazy, and there were lizards all over it, so we had to deal with those.  It was gross, and dirty, but it helped us to get a good relationship with her.
4.Most exciting events: My leg is almost completely healed!!! 6 weeks later!!! Woot-Woot.  Temple Trip on the 10th!!!
5.Favorite game: What did you say? Then proceed to still not understand what was being said.
6.Favorite Foods: Brazilian Rice and Beans
7.Most challenging thing: David is not sure if he wants to be baptized anymore...
8. Simple Pleasures: When little kids are excited to see the "Sisters from Church"
9.Goals: Talk with Everyone.  Work with the Ward more.
10.Biggest smile: When Sister C and I looked at pictures from the MTC.
11.Biggest accomplishment: David quit Smoking.  Kathy is not moving anymore.
12. Worst Food: Warm smashed Pear in my Bag.
13. Amount of Miles Biked: 51.6 miles.
14: Favorite Quote: "ELSAAAAAAA!!!" When Elsa and Anna walked into the Birthday Party.  

We got the car for the day

The wood we stacked

Blessings Galore!!

David and Me

Me, Sister M, Sister S

After the water bottle incident

Let the Rain Fall Down.

Walking to the Sisters Apartment. Cause our Shower is Broken.

Dear Family and Friends.
I have such a strong testimony of the power of Prayer.  I know that the Lord is there. I know that He is listening to us.  This past week, I really felt and knew that her was there listening to me.  For those of you who have served missions, or are on a mission now, know that there are days, and weeks where you just feel like the worst missionary in the world.  Well when that happens, PRAY! I really know it works, and know that he will bless you.  All you have to do, is open your mouth and pray to him.

This past week was full of tender mercies.

First Miracle:
On Thursday we got to dinner early.  Like a half hour early.  We figured we could just do planning, because we really needed to do that.  So we are putting our bikes on the fence, and Sister M says that I have to go knock on the door next to our dinner appointment.  I hate knocking doors.  But she said we had to.  So we knocked on this door.  The house looked run down, and there was the Beware of Dog sign in the window.  I knocked on the door, and no response.  We waited a couple awkward moments, and then knocked again.  We hear an older lady yell, "who is it?!" We replied the missionaries, and she opens the door.  Now I was set on getting into her house, cause the worst part was over.  We started talking with her, and then she blurts out, "I was baptized in your church".  Utter shock came over me.  She tells us that she remembers songs from church and starts to hum, There is Sunshine in My Soul Today.  Sister M and I were so excited, and we started to sing it to her.  She was excited that we knew it, and invited us in.  We got talking with her, and she told us that she and her husband had been kidnapped from their home awhile ago, and that they had just returned home.  Apparently a lady told them to get in their car, so they got in the car.  FIRST RULE: DON'T GET IN THE CAR!!! She drove them for a long time, and then dropped them off in front of a hospital.  That is where the story doesn't add up.  They kept them at this "hospital" for 3 months.  Anyways, this is where it gets CRAZY!  She yells to her husband, "John! Come meet these two ladies from church".  Out walks this old man, and he is so cool!!! He has 5 teeth in the top of his mouth, and he walks with a cane, and you can tell that his health is not the best.  Anyways, we started talking about the Book of Mormon, because he is not a member, and he tells us that he will read the Chapter that we assigned him, and then he will pray about it.  I asked him if he knew it was true if he would be baptized, and he said that he would not see why not.  So we said, So you will be baptized, and he said of course.  We were so excited! We know that Emma is not all there mentally, but we know that John is all there.  He was not really agreeing with Emma about being kidnapped, he said that the people in the Hospital helped him recover from a fall that he had where he hurt his hip.  But we have a return appointment, and he knows so much about the Church it is crazy.

Second Miracle:
Elder Russell M. Nelson came and spoke to all 207 missionaries in our mission.  It was so amazing to meet him, and shake his hand.  You could feel the Spirit so strong when he was there.  He spoke about things that I had been praying about, and really worried about.  He talked about how we need to represent Christ even when we take the name tags off at the end of our mission.  He talked about Being Exactly Obedient, and doing all that we can to help those around us.  He talked about how in the next life, Heart Surgeons, Morticians, and Beauticians will be out of business.  This made me laugh super hard, cause he said "good thing I'm not a heart surgeon".  (Note from Amber's mom - Before Elder Nelson was called to the Quorum of the Twelve, which is a lifelong calling, he was a heart surgeon.)   He also talked about marriage.  It was super awkward.  All of us were like uhhh... awkward.... He told us that he wasn't planning on talking about it, but someone asked a question about it, so he talked for like 30 mins on marriage.  He pretty much told the Sisters, that if anyone was planning on getting married right when they got back, or they had a worthy person waiting at home, to just go home now, and start their family.  Sister M and I both laughed cause there are a few sisters that we know that might be gone in 6 weeks to go home.  When we were writing our emails to President, she and I were joking that we should tell him to send us home so we can get married.  We were also thinking of all the emails that President H is going to get telling him that they need to go home...  Poor President.

Third Miracle:
He (Elder Russell M. Nelson) gave all of the Missionaries an Apostolic Blessing.  It was one of the most amazing things that I have ever experienced.  It was crazy.  He blessed all of us to Feast on the Words of Christ.  He blessed us and said, for those of you who are injured with quick healing, and strength, and good health.  He blessed us to love President and Sister H.  He blessed us to love the people we serve.  He blessed us to be missionaries to all those around us when we return home.  It was amazing.  I felt the Spirit so much, and he said other things that were bothering other missionaries in our zone.  It was amazing.  That really is all I can say about it.

Fourth Miracle:
Sister M and I have at least one more transfer together.  We will be together till October 6th, and then she will probably be transferred.  The Lord really did answer our prayers.  We are also super excited, because this means that we have 6 more weeks sleeping outside on our balcony! WOOT-WOOT!!!

Fifth Miracle:
David was not going to be baptized because he didn't want to pay tithing.  But we have been praying super hard for him to know that the Lord will give him blessings for paying tithing.  Well, we met with him on Saturday.  We talked about tithing again, and he told us he was willing to pay it! I probably died a little inside, and then freaked out.  We are so excited for him! He is almost done smoking.  He is only smoking one cigarette a day.  He told us that he is ready to be done smoking this "cancer stick" and proceeded to pretend to throw a cigarette on the ground.  We are planning his baptism for the 13th of September.  That way he can make sure that he has enough money to pay tithing fully.  It was an amazing spiritual experience.  One that I wish all could experience.

Sixth Miracle:
We received Rain.  Not just a little sprinkle, but enough that they were worried about flooding.  It was so awesome.  The Rain clouds came really fast too! "Luckily" we were in an appointment, and didn't really get all that wet.  When we were going into the appointment it was kinda raining, so obviously we took pictures cause rain is so rare here in August.  They said the August heat isn't here yet, but they aren't out biking out in it.

Anyways, other things that happened this week:

Our Shower Broke, so we had to walk 20 mins to the nearest sisters, and use their shower.  Walking in sand is No Bueno, unless you have awesome rain boots like mine that a member insisted that I have, because she learned I love rain boots.
I met Sister S who trained Sister M.  She is from the Philippines, and is hilarious.
Sister M decided that she was going to dump a water bottle on me, right before we had a meeting that we needed to be going to.
Sister M pulled a kids tooth out.  It was literally hanging there, and she had to barely pull it out.  It was crazy.  He now tells everyone the missionaries pulled his tooth out.  I didn't do anything, but that is okay, I don't mind taking credit for these things. ;)
Sister O left us to go home to St. George.  She is going to be helping out at the run you are doing Alli, keep an eye out for her! She said she will be looking for you!


Week in Review:

1.Funniest things done: Sister M and I have these moments where we go crazy, well transfer calls came late on Saturday, and we were walking to a members house, when we got the call.  When we found out that we were staying together, we both started jumping up and down, freaking out.  Typical Girls.  All of that happened in the middle of the street.  Hopefully since it was SUPER dark, no one saw us.

Second Funniest thing done, we found this gross HUGE bug, and we put it in a cup and froze it.  Well we found it when we were on the phone with our District Leader, so we decided that since he was leaving, that it should go in his journal, so after we signed his journal, we taped it in there all nice and tight.  It isn't going anywhere.  Elder B will probably hate us, but it was the best!

2.Biggest Blessing: Answers to Prayers. The Blessing from Elder Nelson.

3.Latest project: Not being trained anymore, and knowing that M and I are both Senior Companions together.

4.Most exciting events: Elder Nelson coming.  M and I staying together.

5.Favorite game: What Bugs are dead on our balcony today?

6.Favorite Foods: Brownie Truffle.  Green Tomato Salsa.

7.Most challenging thing: Knowing that Kathy is moving, and we won't be working with her anymore.

8. Simple Pleasures: Bug Spray.  The person that invented Bug Spray might just be on the top of my list of Heroes...

9.Goals: Eat Healthier.  Get 1 New Investigator. Bike 54 miles.

10.Biggest smile: Meeting Elder Nelson.  Charlie telling us he wants to get rid of his Cancer Stick.

11.Biggest accomplishment: Biking up the Giant Mean Hill on Jenkins street.  Google Maps it.  Jenkins and Danbury are the cross streets at the top of the hill.  Yeah, we biked that.

12. Worst Food: The Green Smoothie I made.  I wanted to pass out.  Too much Spinach.
13. Amount of Miles Biked: 46.51 miles.
14: Favorite Quote:  Us: "David, can we get a picture with you?" David: "Yeah." *stands by himself, I go stand by him, takes picture* David: "So do you want a picture of just me?"

Well, I love you all so much! I hope all of you are doing well! 

I miss all of you, but know that it will be a wonderful day when I get to hug you so much that your intestines squirt out of ya! Haha, sorry that was not missionary like.  

I can't wait till I get to hug all of ya, and feel your spirits.  

Yeah still weird.  I just can't wait to see ya!
Till next week my lovely family, and friends.

XOXO

Love, Sister Rietz

Around Hesperia in 80 days

Well, I have been in Hesperia, Ca for around 80 Days.  Makes me think of the movie around the World in 80 Days.  Anyways, I have been out for 2 and a half months, and it has been great.  There have been some days where I just get super frustrated, and then other days where I am so grateful to be a missionary.

This week was busy, but not with teaching lessons.  We only taught 13 lessons, and normally it is around 20ish.  Since school was starting this past week, many people didn't want to meet with us.  They said that they could meet this week, but already we have had people cancelling for later in the week.  The Lord knows what he is doing so that is the only reason that I am not SUPER frustrated.

There were many meetings and things that we had to plan out for this coming week.  We are starting a ward mission plan, and so that has been taking up much of our time.  We have finally got it to the point that we can present it to the Ward, and I am so scared.  The ward has tried mission plans before, and they have all failed miserably.  Missionaries come and they set up a plan, and then they get transferred, and the plan dies.  We are especially scared, cause transfers are this next week, and Sister M has been here for almost 7 months...  I think that she is a goner, but we are praying and we have faith that all will be okay, and that she and I stay together.  Not to brag, (it is not just us, lots of missionaries have told both of us this) but our area is the hardest biking area, and there are not very many sisters that would be able to do it, so we think that there is a slight chance that we could stay together.  Also, any area after this will not be as hard to bike in, so that is definitely a blessing.

This week was kind of rough.

We had 3 investigators drop us, they were progressing towards baptism too, so that is so sad, but it is what is supposed to be happening I guess. 

David told us after preparing for 3 months to be baptized along with quitting smoking, that he doesn't want to be baptized.  Actually, he wants to be baptized, but not as a member of the church.  Riddle me that.  A miracle did happen with David though.  He received a calling in church today!  I didn't know that they did that, but he is so excited!  When they called his name in Sacrament Meeting, he looked so sharp in his white shirt, with the black shirt under it, with his black pants, and blue tie.  This is the first time that he has worn his whole church outfit at once. He is now in charge of cleaning the building and assigning people to help him.  So we are still going to visit him, and help him realize that being baptized is great, and what he needs to do.  He has already called us, telling us the details of his calling, and making sure that we can be there to help clean this Saturday.  I am so grateful his is taking his new calling seriously.  

Kathy is going to try again to quit smoking.  Her son is also going to, and we are so excited.  We decided that we are not going to stop working with her.  We are going to keep going, and hopefully start teaching the lessons to her son, and daughter-in-law.  Her son got laid-off work, and so we are now going to start seeing him more and more.

Sister M and I are still sleeping outside.  We got eaten alive from the bugs a couple times, and last Monday, I got bit on my eyelid, and it looked like I was punched in the face.  Pretty crazy, but I realized that I am not super worried about what I look like anymore.  Bad I know, but when you bike 10ish miles a day, you don't really care anymore.

This week was really uneventful! Sorry!

Week in Review:

1.Funniest things done: Sister M and I chucked water balloons at two sisters that were walking up to our apartment, and the yard man, Roody saw us...  We missed the sisters, and we had to clean up the popped balloons.  We were dying laughing.

2.Biggest Blessing: Members have been coming with us to our lessons, and people giving us Popsicles while we are out biking in the heat.  Also, not getting sick from every house we eat dinner at.

3.Latest project: Kathy not smoking.  Ward Mission Plan Creation.  Getting my leg to heal.

4.Most exciting events: David getting his calling, Elder Nelson is going to speak to us Saturday, A lady gave us 59 coupons for one free scoop of ice cream per coupon from Baskin Robbins.

5.Favorite game: Who can talk the least when contacting.  It always ends bad.

6.Favorite Foods: Mangos.  Banana Milk.

7.Most challenging thing: Not getting frustrated when people don't keep commitments.

8. Simple Pleasures: The stars at night, when we are sleeping out on our balcony.

9.Goals: Bike 55 miles this week. 

10.Biggest smile: David when he was called as Assistant Building Cleaner. 

11.Biggest accomplishment: Sawing two branches off of a pine tree for a Less-Active.

12. Worst Food: Fried Fish Head with the scales and eyes still in them. I wanted to throw up.

13. Amount of Miles Biked: 48 miles.

Pictures: 

0881: C

XOXO

Love, Sister Rietz

Sister M and I using some of our Baskin-Robbin coupons

These are the branches we killed

I hate the phone, I love the phone

Hello to everyone around the World! (because my email I realized is going to 3 different continents)

Anyways, let me go off on my Sister Rietz Rant and then I will proceed.  We have a phone that we share so that members, less-actives, investigators, and apparently now 911 can call us.  So yesterday, I had the phone in my bag.  The Phone made a weird beep, and then I realize that the numbers 911 are on the screen.  I quickly hit back, and thought that I had cancelled it in time.  Apparently NOT! As we are riding with the member who's house we ate dinner at, the phone rings.  I answer it, and the lady on the other side proceeds to tell me they had a hangup 911 call from this number.  She asked if we were all okay, and where we were.  We told her that we were fine, and that there was no reason to send police after us.  She didn't seem convinced that we were okay, and she asked a million and a half questions before she knew that we were okay.  We were fine!!! GAH! I have had the phone in my bag like 10 times, and at least 3 times it calls 911.  Oh well, I guess we know that the phone works, but I think that the phone company should not have a button on it that says 911, and if it gets bumped and after 30 seconds there is nothing happening, it will call it.  Annoying but then again it is a blessing to someone I am sure, just not Sister M and I.

This past week was full of meetings!  We had Zone Meeting, and then we also had Zone Conference.  I loved both of them.  They were full of things that we were trying to work on.  I am so grateful that the trainings were given to show how much improvement there can be in my life as a missionary, and as a member-missionary in a long time.

There were so many good quotes, and these are a few of my favorite ones:

• "Things that take longer to grow, live longer."- Boyd K. Packer
• This was in regards to some less-actives and investigators taking longer to accept the Gospel, and want and have the desire to Follow Christ.
• "The Gospel doesn't change the reality of life.  It changes our perspective."-Pres. H
• People can live in the same exact circumstance, but one might have more hope, love, and positive outlook than others because of the knowledge they have from the Gospel.
• "Unoccupied minds, are workshops of the devil."-Elder L
• We need to be focused WHY we are on a mission, and not let our minds ever be unoccupied, because that is when the devil works on us.
• "Unless you know someone's name and face, you cannot know their hearts."-Unknown
• "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."-Unknown
• Both of these quotes are about how important it is to remember those that we meet on the street, at church, and all the others that we interact with.
• "Faith is not us working harder, but us believing more."-Pres. H
• We all can have more Faith, and believe in the Faith that we have.

These were all things that I really needed to hear, and they are all so true.  I loved Zone Conference, and wish that there was another one soon.  They come every other or every couple of transfers.  While we were at Zone Conference, Sister H, was asking me how my leg was, and she seemed worried about the way it was looking, so she said that she would talk with Pres. H, and see what she can do.  I really hope that he doesn't transfer Sister M and I.  That would make me Sad! I really love the area that I am in, and I would be so scared that my new companion wouldn't be able to ride a bike.  I am in some of the best shape of my life, although the scale seems to differ.  Haha, but for reals I am used to the elevation, and the heat now.  We don't even use our A/C anymore.  We are hot, but the air feels just as good outside as it does inside, so we just open the windows and the balcony door, and let the good ole' hot High Desert wind blow in.  The air and sweat makes for a homemade A/C.  Gross, but so true.  

Everyone at Zone Conference were judging our zone because 2 Elders are on crutches, I had the bandage on my leg, and then another Elder pulled something in his leg, so there were limping Elders and then me who has zero limp, all around.  Everyone and their dog seemed to know.  Apparently the news about Sister M stitching my leg got around to the other Zones in the High Desert.  They were talking about Car Safety, and how we need to make sure to report tickets, and accidents to the car coordinator.  He just had to add in that Sister D was going to make him also add in "Bike Safety" because Hesperia A Zone was falling off their bikes left and right.  I didn't even have an accident, I just cut it on my bike, and it required stitches. 

Speaking of bikes, we didn't bike that much this week.  I think that we biked 45ish miles.  It all just seems to blend together now, how often we bike.  There were no days that were cloudy, or overcast, but we had a lot of service projects inside so that was nice to be out of the Sun.  We painted a ladies house, and I am now a "professional painter" according to her.  I would not hire me to paint, but whatever, we can't deny service.  We painted our names on the wall, and had to quickly paint over them before Julie saw them.  Julie paid us by giving us a facial.  She is a make up consultant, but that make up and my face hate each other.  I looked like a painted doll.  It also took too much work to make myself look like it was a natural look.  I think that I will stick with my natural look, and not go through the hour of torture.  I have so much respect for those women that do their make-up perfectly everyday. Kudos to you.  

Moon and I also wanted to have a secret weapon for when we play the J's in tennis in the mornings.  We found these awesome shirts, and we had faith that these shirts would help us win.  We needed more faith, because they destroyed us, 1-6, 0-6.  I still love tennis, and we will win one of these times.  We won a week ago, and then that must have been our peak, because we are on a fast downhill to Loserville.

We are still working with David, and we are so excited for him.  He has almost conquered his Word of Wisdom issues, and he loves to go to Addiction Recovery, and is so excited for the time that he will be all done, and able to be a member.  At times I think that we should just drop him, because he talks about tons of nonsense, and then he will be spot on with the questions that we ask him.  These past few lessons, he has been pretty much teaching us the lessons because he has had them so many times, and tomorrow we are going to start going over the baptismal questions.  I am so excited, and am praying that I don't get transferred before the 6th of September.  I would be so sad, and hope that President H would let me come back for his Baptism.  Kathy is having a really hard time.  In my interview on Tuesday with President, I asked him what to do, and he said that we will know what we need to do, but the answer will come to us at the correct time, and right now might not be the correct time.  That is not exactly what I wanted to hear, but I know that it is true.  She is back to smoking a ton, and it has been hard to help her stop.  Sister M and I were both praying about what to do, and we both got the impression to drop her, if she can't keep her commitments that we made with her.  She has been keeping them so far, and so that means we can still meet with her.  We had two investigators drop us, but they have dropped us before, so we didn't feel too upset about it.  But we did get a new investigator on Tuesday Night.  His name is Wayne, and I think that he was drunk or high when we talked with him, but he had to many questions, and we were able to clear up some things that he thought we believed.  We also learned that he is Best Friends with our other investigator, so they want to have lessons together.  We have one with them tonight and they have been reading from the Book of Mormon, so I am hoping they have questions so that we can help them come to understand the truth of it.  

I love all of you so much! Sorry this email is kinda super boring.  But it was a kinda super boring week.  Transfers are in two weeks, and there is a rock in my gut telling me that Sister M will be leaving me.  She has that feeling too, so pray that we will be together at least one more transfer.  I love the Gospel.  I love Jesus Christ, and know that I can never fully repay him, but that we must do all we can to show how grateful we are.  I love Hesperia, and all the crazy people that are in this City.  I hope all of you are having a great week!  Good Luck to Trev and Kristin in their Soccer Tryouts.  You will rock it!!! Lewiston and Walla Walla clan, get oxygen masks, so that you can breath not smokey air.  I love all of you, and love getting your emails, and letters, and packages.  Thanks for all of them! They make my day! Literally!!

Stay Sweet!

XOXO

Love, Sister Rietz

Sister M and I in our Awesome Shirts!

Painting our Names like Rebels on Julie's wall

Week 9 in the field!

Hello to All!  Today is my 2 months out on my mission mark.  Aka my Mission Birthday!  These last 2 months have been going by FAST!

This week was 100X more uneventful than last week.  Nothing really happened.  Oh Mom, the charges on my card for the doctors was because my good ole' leg decided it was gonna be a pain (literally) and get all infected.  I have to check with Sister D, the mission nurse and see if I will get reimbursed because it should have just been 10 dollars with the missionary insurance and our insurance, but I need to check.  You wanna call her for me? Please? That would really help me out, because I don't know what to do.  If not, I can do it... But I don't want to.  Anyways, Sunday one of the stitches popped out, and then Thursday it was really infected, and the day before the second stitch popped out, so the only stitch in place was the one Sister M put in.  So Thursday, we spent 5 hours in the doctor's office waiting for her to only talk with us for 5ish mins.

This week has been rough on the missionaries serving in the High Desert.  One of the Elders swerved to miss a car that didn't see him, and he slid across the road.  They are waiting to see if the hip is broken or not, and they have to wait for the swelling to go down.  If it is broken, then he has to go home, have surgery, and then recover before he would be able to have the possibility to come back out.  Then another Elder can't walk because of something that is wrong with his leg.  He has not been able to walk, and so we don't know what is going to happen to him.  Then another Sister got attacked by a dog while out tracting.  She is doing good, but it makes us scared of dogs of all size.  

Monday was Sister M's 6 month mark, so she burned a scarf.  It was an adventure, and we also had been working with a Recent Convert in making a 3-D puzzle of the Capital Building.  Let's just say that the Capital building also was burned with the scarf.  That night we smelled like smoke, so we decided to sleep out on the balcony with our beds.  We have been now sleeping outside for the past week except on Thursday night we were on exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders, and we had to sleep inside cause we didn't think they would like sleeping outside.  We also came to find out that there are mosquitoes, but they are only out at night.  They really like our faces, and arms, and the bottoms of our feet.  It is no bueno.  But it is totally worth it.  Last night, (8/3/14) we decided we were gonna beat the bugs, and we bundled up in our sweats, long socks, and sweatshirts.  It was cold last night, okay not super cold, like 63 degrees, and we were grateful we were bundled up, and no bugs got me, three got Sister M's face.

Tuesday we helped a lady clean out one of her rooms.  It was gross.  I was really grateful Mom would make us do Saturday Chores back home, cause I wanted to ask her how she lived in that mess! But I didn't.  I guess I will ask Heavenly Father that in the next life.  Anyways.  That room had some treasures.  I am not even kidding either.  There were things from the 60's in there.  Alli, you would have been dying because of some of the clothing that was in there.  It was right up your alley.  (pun intended) (okay, I know that I am the only one laughing.)  Anyways, she had this super weird doll.  I was joking around and there is a youtube video that says, "...and I threw it on the ground..."  Well let's just say that she did not think that was funny.  She proceeded to tell me, that this doll I was jokingly "throwing on the ground" was worth more than $3,000.  I'm sure my face was utter disbelief.  I was holding a $3,000 porcelain doll in my lap...  It was also supposed to represent an 18 month old baby.  It was not a good representation.  But there are lots of people that want this doll, and she said many people would pay good money for it.  I would never pay money for that doll.  But whatever floats your boat right?  She did have this super cool doll that was really falling apart.  It was cracked everywhere, and she wouldn't let me touch it.  I will touch that doll before I leave, it is on my list of things to do.  She did give me a cool sweatshirt that was hard for her to part with.  Her husband was happy that I took it, because she was to get rid of it, or give it to me.  She gave it to me.  I love it, and have worn it many times.  It will be perfect for the Rexburg Weather.

Speaking of weather!  It rained all day Saturday.  Not like little spits of rain, or anything like that.  It rained that we got worried about flooding.  When it rains here, there is not a lot of time for the rain to soak into the ground, so it just runs.  It goes everywhere!  There are many places up in our area that if it rained really hard again, that we would not be able to get to certain parts of our area because of flooding.  Crazy!!!  There also have been wonderful skies that we are able to fall asleep looking at.  I am now a pro at locating the Big Dipper, and am searching for the Milky Way.  That Girls Camp Star Activity is now coming in handy, finally!

We played tennis this morning, and we woke up at 5:30.  I might want, when I get off the mission, to stick with this sleep schedule, and occasionally wake up at 5:30, because then 6:30 seems like sleeping in.  We were worried that my leg would split open, but it puts the same amount of pressure on it as does biking, so it was fine.  I really love to go play tennis, and miss playing everyday after school.  We also finally beat Bro. and Sis. J.  It was a wonderful day.  They always beat us up really bad, but today we creamed them, and it was hilarious because Bro. J had to go to work, but he wanted to keep playing so they would win the 2nd set, but Sis J said that they had to go, so that her husband didn't lose his job.  He works with his brothers in a dentist office.  They all own it, and are their own bosses.  Moral of the Story: Only he could fire himself.

This week there are meeting galore! President is coming to the High Desert, and we have a meeting with him tomorrow, and Wednesday.  Then Wednesday we have interviews with him.  Hopefully he sees that Sister M and I need to stay together for at least one more transfer. 

I know that there is a Heavenly Father who loves us.  I know that He is there, and answers our prayers.  I know that He wants us to talk with Him.  I know that we receive blessings when we are obedient.  I am so grateful for the Gospel.  I love it! I would not want to be a member of any other Church! I love Hesperia, and am surprised every time I catch myself saying that!

Have a Great Week!

Sister M's ceremonial 6-month scarf burning.  (Note from the mama - do you think they even noticed that big dry bush behind them???)

Sister Rietz in her "outdoor bedroom"

The unbelievably valuable doll.