October 5, 2009

Dear Family,

Hey y'all! man wasnt conference just amazing!!!?? Man i loved it. I didnt have to translate it they have professional translators that do it. Some of the Apostles even translate there own talks. Like Elder Scott and Elder Cristofferson and Elder Anderson all tranlsated there talks from english to spanish. It was way cool they all sounded like mexicans they spoke so well. That is how i wanna be i wanna be old and still be able to speak spanish real well. We had another baptism this past week. We had it dring conference sessions on saturday, and had a waterside confirmation. It was a little girl named Audrey ill have to send pics from the last three baptisms to you guys. We have another baptism hopefully this week. Which will be great if he gets baptized because our goal as a companionship was 4 baptisms for this transfer and we need one more and its the last week of the transfer! Im pumped we can do it! Next monday we have the chance to have a general authority come out and speak to the mission. So im pumped for that as well. Ma these last few weeks have been really great here. I have really grown as a missionary i have truly become a challenging and testifying missionary. Some things that i learned from conference that i didnt necessarily here anyone say it exactly,but it just really touched me, was this..

We as members need to be Disciples of Christ at ALL times. In all situations, Reaching out with love and willing hands to serve. We as members of the church have taken the saviors name upon us to Mourn with those that mourn to comfort those that stand in need of comfort. We really need to do our part in the Lord's kingdom here on earth.

Also I had the thought that there are missionaries that are just good friends with the members and like chummy. I dont want to be like that, in the white handbook it talks about having the members respect you and view you as a strong powerful representative of the savior Jesus Christ. That is what i want them to think of me. I dont want them to think man he was so funny, or man he was cool. I want them to feel the Saviors love through me, as a powerful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. Be honest with ourselves and with tthe Lord and he helps us to make us perfect. He expands our visions and horizons. Im doing things i never thought i had the power or strength to do. I know its thorugh the Lord im able to do them.

Also give thanks to the Lord for all, Alot of missionaries think man i taught a greatlesson. Or did you hear how Bold was with him? that is why he committed to get baptized. Thats is false the Lord used us as his mouth piece he put us there and used us to bring about his purposes. Thank the Lord for all. '

I love this great work. Now for the next 6 months we have to wear suits each day so i might try and go to goodwill and get a suit that i can just wear the heck out of for like 5 or 10 dollars. Cause i never got that one from Mexico... haha Wonder what happened. oh and yes mom i did get the package thanks so much! I ate the goodies in like 5 minutes. Yes i do see Elder Collins alot. I was with him like all weekend. He is a good guy! We talk about the ashby's and mesa and stuff all the time. We actually last week played some volleyball together like 6 of us missionaries. hahaElder Collins and i were on opposite teams. It was fun. He is a great guy though. Oh and yeah that is so cool about the New spanish bible as well! Well I love you guys so very much! Thanks so much for everything. How is Landon doing? I wanna see pics of the Little guy! Tell everyone hi and that i love them. I want you all to know that our savior lives. He is there for us. I love him so dearly.

Love always,
Elder Riding