January 25, 2009

Dear Family,
How is everybody doing? How is my little Landon doing? Man sounds like everyone is doing real good. Ash when do you start Easter Pageant? Man whatever happened to the No eating sunday dinner until you emailed your brother? I havent heard from her in ages... Im assuming that if she doesnt write her brother than she probably isnt writing anyone else either right? who is more important? So Jr comes home this week? Awesome! Le gusto su tiempo alla hermano? es muy verde por alla? o Como es alla? Hay montanas? En que parte de Argentina esta ud? We had a good week here in the mission. My companion and I were really busy this past week, we were working in other areas alot this past. I got to do some spanish work again with the Spanish elder's in our zone on friday. So that was really fun, then i also got to go work in downtown Columbia for a little bit. That is probably my favorite part about being a zone leader, is that we get the chance to go to different areas. I love going and working with the other Elder's and helping them find people to teach or teaching their investigators with them, that was one of our goals for this trasnfer was to be along side the members of our zone helping them as they thrust in their sickle with their might, as it says in Doctrine and covenants 4. I love serving them as well, just going in there area one day to work and not telling them we are there and work for a while there, then call them up later that we worked in there area and found them some people to teach. Just being alongside them helping them out has been one of my favorite moments of my mission. I have really been focusing on that alot lately serving EVERYONE. Not just our missionaries, but everyone, That is how Christ would have done this work, so i must follow his example. We are still working with that hispanic couple, they two little boys that are just awesome, they just destroy everything but they are way cute kids. We have a lot of baptisms coming up here in the next few weeks in our zone so im really excited. All the hard work is paying off for our elder's and sisters. Oh i was a little sick this last week but no worries i was okay i just had pink eye or something and i kinda lost my voice, but i didnt stay in bed. haha That would be a waste of time! Man i just wanted to thank ALL of you in the family. I love you guys so very much. Having a strong family is so important and i have such an amazing family, you guys all have such strong testimonies and serve so unselfishly, i couldn't ask for a better family. I love you guys so very much. One thing i have really been working on is purifying my heart, making sure my intentions and desire's are pure, and if they aren't to quickly repent and change. Just being honest with ourselves. Also just this last week when i was out with the spanish elder's we wre eteaching this women, and in our first lesson we are told to get on our knees with our investigator's and pray and have them ask if our message is true. It truly is so important that we as member's of the church take prayer seriously, we do what we call "Sacred Grove Time" in the mission where we go to a place in our apartment and talk with the Lord and truly pour out our hearts, in the morning and at night. it has made such a huge difference in my life. I love prayer just letting the lord know that im truly willing to do all he asks, and realizing that im nothing. I love this work so much, Time goes by too fast, i never want it to end. I have truly and can say that i have come to love these people, i have a place in my heart for each person i talk to and teach, as i contact them on the street i try to love them from that very instant and i know that as i do the spirit will touch them and they will accept our message. I love my Savior so much, he helps me so much, im capable of doing anything with his help. he heals me daily and drives me each minute of each day. This is truly such a sacred work, and great opportunity to serve. I love the people of South Carolina. i love you all so much and pray for you always. Grandma i love you so much, take care of yourself. Clint and Traci im excited for you all! Man take care y'all!

Love Elder Riding!
P.s. Seek the Lord always