September 8, 2009

Hey family,

How are yall doing? How was your week. Yeah your right cause yesterday was a holiday we worked and changed our P-day to today! But im here in Charleston now! man its really cool here. My companion is named Elder Tervort. He is from Utah. He is the oppsite of my last companion haha he is 6'4" haha so he is bigger than me now. He is pretty cool. We were actually in the MTC together he went in a week before me though. He is pretty cool. He is a good guy, he struggles a little with the spanish. But its all good. I translate all the meetings now for church so its way fun, and we stay for two wards. So my mind and mouth get quite the workout on sundays. Also Elder David Collins... The cousin of the Ashby's is in my zone now and he actually works in the second ward that we stay for on sundays. haha he didnt remember me, but we have talked a little about mesa and stuff he is a cool guy. He is a biking elder. We have some pretty cool people here to teach we have this couple that we are teaching that is married by law which is really rare for hispanics... haha and they have no problems with word of wisdom or any of the commandments they have two little boys that are way cute. haha so we will see we are shooting for a couple weeks for there baptism. Also we may be baptising a nine year old boy here as well. His name is David, he is a little stud. I got to see old companions at transfers this last week so that was fun. We live with the Zone leaders and one of them is from Peoria arizona. haha Small world. But they are way cool, we were able to get my bike here, the nice things is with each car here we have bike racks. My companion likes to bike alot so im thinking i may wanna invest in a camelback. haha we will see. but we are doing good here. jr and Clint quick question what are some things that helped you guys find success? I want to try some new ideas. I feel like i can do more. I have been trying to think about how the Lord wants me Elder Riding to do missionary work, and that i need to find out how i do it, how he wants ME to do it. It was a real good week, we are expecting them to just get even better, Its great to be here in the service of others, one thing that has hit me this week, is truly how we are a different people, we need to be examples to those in the world, we truly are IN the Wordl, but because we choose to follow god, we are not OF the world, We need to show people this. We truly are different. But we are a good different because we are doing what the Lord wants us to do. Im so very very grateful for my chance to serve i love my mission, man i try not to count time like some missionaries do cause i dont wanna focus on that... but i hit my 10 month mark on sunday... Wow time flies. I love you guys so much. Mom, Dad i just felt prompted one day this week to tell you how much i love you. I truly am who i am today because of you. You did everything for me.Taught me, brought me up to follow my savior, i could never thank you enough. You helped me to know my savior. I could never ever thank you enough. You gave me pure happiness and joy. I love you so very dearly, im always going to do everything i can for you. Its like they say, "we love, because we first were loved." I love this gospel and Know it chnges lives and changes men and woman. It changed me that is why im out here each day searching for those that it can help, cause its for everyone. But i want to be better. I know i can be a better missionary. Every time president McConki talks to me, he tells me to be the greatest. To become the greatest, and give my all. I know he knows my potencial and he knows i want to serve. I need to Lose my self compltely in the Lords service. Its the only way. Like Jr's email said we need to be MORE obedient to get MORE faith. Stand a little taller! i love yall. Take care tell grandma i love her. Im gunna try an send pics today too. Take care yall! Bye from Charleston South Carolina!

Love always,
Elder Riding