March 8, 2010

Dear Family,

How is everyone doing this week? This past week was real good. We had a meeting with Presisdent McConkie all us Zone leaders. And that is what the pictures are from. It was a real good meeting. We get to come together and set the stage for the mission. We get to decide what we need to do and what needs to be improved upon. Its fun. At that meeting we really got taught alot about how we need to have daily contact with our investigators so that they can constantly feel the spirit. That is something i have not been very good ta. That is having constant contact with our investigators. But we made that a goal this week and we kept up with all of our investigatiors and we had alot of success at church this last week! we have a family of three that we are teaching that came to church yesterday and they loved it and know alot of the members, and we also had this couple that we are teaching come to church yesterday. They are all so cool, and they all want to learn more english and here at the church each thursday night we have english classes so they are all excited about that. Better yet they are pumped about learning about the gospel. They all have been reading so much from the Book of Mormon, and i know its becuase it is a true book and as Joseph Smith said, "it brings men closer to God than any other book." I have really come to love the Book of Mormon. It truly does speak peace to my soul. So we have been experiencing miracles here in even being here a short bit of time. I hope these people get baptized that would be awesome! They have baptismal dates for the 27th of March so keep them in you prayers. I have been thinking about baptism alot lately. I think throughout my mission i just didnt have the right mindset. I thought okay lets teach them and this and that and take a while then they can baptized. But baptism is something so special. God wants* ALL* of his children to return to him, baptism is that gate into his kingdom, it is a requirement. I want to "Bring" souls unto Christ, not just "Invite" here in our mission we say that instead of my purpose is to invite others to come unto christ by helping them recieve the restored gospel. We focus on Brining them! I love these people. We got to teach a family last night that is from Oaxaca Mexico in the branch President's house last night. We had a dinner than taught a lesson. It was so amazing at the end i had the feeling that we should all get on our knees together, (*there was about 12 of us*) and that the couple and there family should pray to see if the 20th of March (*which is there baptismal date*) if they should get baptized, they at first before we were teaching them were a bit shaky and not to firm about there date,. But after we all got down on our knees and prayed they felt so great! and said they wanted to do all that it took to be baptized. The spirit is so powerful when we teach by it. I didnt do anything i just wanted them to be happy then the Lord told me what we should do and what would help them. Im here to help Bring people unto Christ. By my doing that im coming closer to him as well. I love this work so very much. I never want it to end. I dont think there is a minute during the day that i can even think of anything else because im so busy but i would not have it any other way. My son is doing so good. he is working so hard and comes home just so dead tired but he wants to do his best. It is a touching thing, he struggles but its touching to see the Lord help him out. I love you guys so much as well. I would do anything for any one of you. I got the bike situation all figured out so now orries, we actually had the chance to get a car from the mission, but i told them i didnt want it, cause its a sacrifice but i knew the Lord would bless us, and i knew it would be good for my new son to bike, haha when i told him they offered us a car, he was a bit upset that i didnt take it. haha Buts its okay, he'll get over it. He loves me. I pray all is well for everyone. I love you guys so much. Tell everyone hi, sorry i dont write very good emails. Just know i love you and im so very happy. that is most important. Take care and have an amzing week.

Love always,
Elder Riding