May 17, 2010

My new son!

Dear Family,

Hey y'all! How is everyone doing? Sounds like all is well in good ole AZ. Well i got my new son his name is Elder Pineda. He is from American Fork Utah. He is part american part philipino. He is way cool and has lots of potential to be a great missionary. I thought he was a native at first when i heard his name.. but nope he isnt. Im excited to serve with him. He will be great. Well we had a good week out here in SC but we have been having some real problems with some missionaries. Turns out its almost like a Mutiny... haha they dont want to heed to President McConkie's council. It is sad. They dont want to listen to us either and just flat out dont respect us. But its the battle we have to fight. Being a Zone Leader has forced me to have to wear so many different "hats" so to speak. Im a couselor, a missionary, a leader, a comforter, peacemaker, you name it i have done it. its crazy. But its good for me though. This last week at Zone conference President McConkie invited all of us in the mission to do this special reading of the Book of Mormon where we take a copy of the book of Mormon and we mark ever part in it that refers to the Savior, and we count how many times, and we are to read it in 42 days. We started this reading of the book of Mormon with a fast and will end it with a fast as well. So that we have great spiritual experiences as we read it. Im excited to do this as a mission. Man the mission has really come to mean a whole lot to me. Each day becomes more and more precious and im pushed to the limit each day, sometimes i wonder if i can do it. But each day i kneel and i recieve so much strength from the Lord, I know i am nothing i have done really nothing in the mission it has been the Lord the whole time. When i said goodbye to Elder Allred he was crying pretty bad, man i love that guy, we did well together. He taught me alot. Its is interesting to see how much your heart truly softens on your mission, i probably wouldnt cry for saying bye to a guy before my mission, but now i have truly come to know how to love people, and truly love them. Man i wouldnt mind being in the mission for 4 or 5 years, this is the best time of my life, Lots of things that President asks me to do i just dont feel im capable but the Lord takes my hand and leads me. I know that it was inspired that i come here. Mom and Dad could you guys maybe try and look up Elder Puhlmann's parents in our old stake list and call them and tell them how much i love Elder Puhlmann. He still struggles alot and i want to do all it takes to help him stay out. I think it would help. I sure do love that guy. This gospel is something so great that it is for everyone. Man those that dont have it honesly NEED us. We have to let them know, they are too precious in the eyes of God to be lost. Think of every blessing we have ever recieved and it can be traced back to the gospel. Other people need it too. we must help them to find it. People come in many different shapes and sizes colors and personalities, but they are all wonderful in the sight of God. We are going to be baptizing Vicki's friend MAribel Diego on the 29th of may, she is way cool, Vicki comes with us to teach all her friends and they all are real open to the gospel. Keep me in your prayers lots this week, i need it, i need to know what i can do to help our zone, we are struggling but we will make it through. I love you guys so very much. Keep up the great work and always endure to the end. All great things take a little bit of a fight. I know that these things are true, the Book of Mormon brings people nearer to god, We have a prophet that leads us each day. God lives and loves us.

Love always and forever,

Elder Riding