May 26, 2009

Hey yall,

Sorry this week again we had our preperation day changed, due to Monday being Memorial day so president thought we may have a good chance at finding people in there homes Monday. So dont worry all is well.

Yes i did see Katelyn, haha it was rather funny. We were out waiting in the lobby waiting for our investigators to show up and in walks Katelyn haha i just smiled and waived, she introduced herself in releif society and was like hi im here surprise visiting Elder Riding.... But she told them she was kidding but that we were friends from high school. haha I thought it was weird to see someone from home, i thought i was breaking some sort of rule, so i asked president about it last time i had interviews with them that she would maybe be coming but he said it should be okay we are just friends.

But this week was great it was great last week to get to go on splits with the assistants, they always boost ya up, they told me that my spanish is really good, in this mission we have four assistants and three of the four speak spanish, they told me that my spanish is better than some missioniries who hav been out for over a year. haha So that made me feel real good. I have been getting alot of compliments with it latey, i think i just hit this point where it just kinda started to click. haha I understand how conjugating works and i can do it real quick now. But last monday when i was with elder williams, one of the assitants, we were visiting some people and he said hey i used to have some old investigators that lived just a street over we should go see them, so we went there and sure enough my companion and i had just knocked that house that day, and had gotten a return appointment, we ended up teaching them elder williams and i, and challenged them to baptism the lesson was really strong, now what we do is we pray right there with the investigators, and they could feel the truthfulness of the message. We have them set to be baptized the 6th of june, oh and it is a couple, William and Jucabet is there names and jucabet is from Chiapas Mexico! My old mission! haha

Also we have been teaching this guy Clinton, he is so great he has a very strong testimony, we were teaching him the plan of salvation and one of his friends comes and sits down cause he wanted to listen, and he started asking questions, and Clinton started answering! he was sticking up for what he knew to be true! he already has such a strong testimony. Every time we leave his house the spirit is so strong. And he is just so happy, last time when we left i looked back at him as we were leaving and he just had a big smile on his face and gave me a thumbs up! he is the man, the hard thing has been getting him to church though, cause he does not have a job, but on sunday mornings he helps his cousin out, and this is his only source of income right now, so last sunday i fasted so that he would be able to come, but he didnt make it, but he told us yesterday he is not helping his cousin anymore, so he will for sure be at church! miracles do happen when we push ourselves and make the sacrifice.

Also we are still teaching the peruvian ladies i told you about, the mother was supposed to leave to Arizona to go visit her brother who is a member yesterday, so we were trying to get her baptized before, but she just wasnt quite sure, but t church on sunday she tells me she doesnt leave till june 9 or 10th then she asked when the next baptismal service is! then i said well we are having one june 6 so we are gunna try and get her baptized then two. Hopefully we will have Clinton Baptized then too. The peruvians are such sweet ladies and they love everything about church. I hope they hold strong, but i know if they are elect they will.

We have been seeing miracles, and i know its only due to hard work, i learned that if you dont do everything in your power to try and get those people to church they arent coming you gotta call and remind drop by do everything, but how great it is to see them there and learn in the house of the Lord. We have been tying to teach our investigators alot about the importance of church and taking the sacrament, and its really got me thinking how sacred and specail it is, And how we need to cherish it and partake worthily, so we can recieve those blessings, and what a great blessing to take his name upon us.

Oh also there is a chance that i could get to call my old mission! haha cause one of the hispanic members in the ward is from Tuxtla! and his daughter lives right outside of tuxtla in another part of chiapas, and he wants to send the missionaries to see her! so i could maybe get to call down there and give them the refferal! haha that would be way sweet! haha

well i think that is all. Im loving it out here still, im really progressing and growing in so many ways, My testimony grows each day and my love for my fellow man as well. I know that this church is true, i know that jesus is the christ he lived and died for us, and he still lives. I love him, im so grateful for him and his love, i wanna send you guys this CD of testimonies from past apostles and prophets, they bear testimonyt about the savior, it is so beautiful. I love this work and i make each day my best, i would do anything for my savior, I know with his help i can do all things, and i know that he is preparing people for me to teach and to help come unto him. What a sacred special thing a mission really is. I will never forget these experiences. I love you all so much take care be safe, and share this message of love peace and happiness! Hasta La proxima Semana!

Con Amor,

Elder Michael Riding