Homeward Bound-April 18, 2016 (She's coming home!)

The gospel changes lives. As I have had the opportunity to sit back and reflect a bit on the whole course of my mission, it has really put into perspective for me that God has a plan. EVERY single little thing is of great significance. I have been able to notice how well everything truly does twine together. As long as one is living righteously and going forward in the work with good intentions, everything that happens is for a reason. And that even if its not recognized at the moment as great significance, those moments can turn into personal revelation, a testimony that God exists and that His plan of salvation in which we are part of is perfect. I have seen examples of this time and time again on my mission, where I have been able to look back at the beginning of my mission or even at my life before the mission and realize that God was preparing me for the experiences and things I would face each day and the opportunities that would be given me.

 Although I have been blessed to see many of the people I have taught on my mission enter into the waters of baptism, an example I would like to share of seeing the plan God truly laid out is about a less active I taught in my first area. It all started in the MTC, one of my teachers, who had just happened to serve in the Washington DC South Mission not too long before gave me and the 2 other Hermanas lists of people he remembered and taught on his mission that we HAD to meet. :) When I arrived in my first area I asked my trainer if she knew one of the names I had on the list for that area, Springlake. She said she didn't recognize the name but that we could try her. Turns out she was an inactive due to work issues, and that slowly she had distanced herself from the church, 1, 2, then a few years. We worked with her a lot and I was able to find such a love for her and desire to help her, that we were able to be bold with her and promise her that if she would quit her job on Sunday's that the Lord would provide, and a better option would present itself--Alma 32:21. 

Come to find out a few weeks later she quit her job and had gotten her "dream" schedule at a different job and was able to come to church on Sunday's again! As she was reactivated and became stronger and stronger and I was transferred out of the area, the other Hermanas were able to work with her and were able to teach and baptize her daughter, and are in the process of helping them get to the temple! At a new and returning member fireside not too long ago she was able to bare her testimony of both finding the gospel and being baptized, falling away and then returning again. What a sweet experience that was to see her and hear those amazing words. I will never forget the impact being a missionary has had on my life. For I know that as we truly lose ourselves in the service of our God, that we will FIND ourselves and we will eventually be able to stand at the right hand of God one day, having finished our course. 

    I love each and everyone of you. Sorry no pics this week, but I look forward to seeing you all! 

   Con todo mi corazón,

   Hermana Mariah Riddle ❤️

   Washington DC South Mission

   October 2014-April 2016

Riah went to Great Falls this P-day.  Didn't get any pics this week but Hermana Peabody's mom saved me once again.  We have to do that for each other every once in a while:) 

AHHH!! I can't believe our missionary is coming home:)  What a sweet letter. Brought tears to my eyes just thinking of this being the last missionary email that I will be receiving from her!  I will truly miss looking forward to an email from this beautiful missionary every Monday but I will cherish the time I get to hold her in my arms again.

For all of you reading her blog. THANK YOU!  Thanks for all the support you have been to Hermana Riddle.  She loves you and so do we!

I will post again when I get a chance after she returns home. For now, I can't believe this is over. On to new adventures!!

Woah There! April 11, 2016

Hey everyone, so... not a lot of time this week--again, as usual.. haha. I hope you will forgive me!! We had some awesome things happen this week, and are looking forward to another awesome week ahead of us! Just running running to the finish line!!

Again I am REALLY sorry today just got really busy but I will email next week I promise!! :)

Love you all so much!! :)

xoxo

Hermana Riddle

Riah told me that this past week was a crazy busy week.  She said that she felt like it was only 2 or 3 days long. Her past few P-days have been super busy with trying to site see but also trying to get stuff squared away for Mexico, School and also getting ready to come home.  Below are the only pics that we got this week thanks to Hermana Peabody's mom who got them from someone else:)  We do what we gotta do!

Mt Vernon- April 4, 2016

Hello everyone!

Ok, so I know you all probably want to kill me with how short my emails have been the past few weeks but things have just been super busy and it's been hard to find time! BUT--Things have been going super well and amazing, general conference was AWESOME.. if you missed any of he sessions PLEASE go watch them. Those people who talk in general conference are truly inspired people and can point us in the right direction in our lives!

Well here are some pics from today! Learned a lot today and I'm super grateful for this country despite the setbacks that it sometimes may have!

I love serving as a missionary here, and I love YOU!!

Hermana Riddle :)

Hermana Peabody's mom sent me this photo that she got this week.  Things are winding down for Riah. She is so busy and I am grateful for that.  Lets me know that she is pushing it to the end.  Just over 2 weeks and we'll have this cute Hermana home! Can't wait!!

Easter and Cherry Blossoms- March 28, 2016

Hello all! Ahh, ok so today was super super busy again! These last few pdays probably are going to be though... We went to DC for the cherry blossoms and they were super beautiful!

This past weekend was Easter as you all know as well, and I was really able to think and ponder more about the atonement of Jesus Christ and all that He truly has done for us all, and for me personally. 1 Corinthians 15:22 "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." All I can say is that I have simply found new life through Jesus Christ, and without His help as my brother, friend, and Savior I would not be here. I would not be at this point where I am in life, and I would never have been able to recognize the bigger picture that our Father in Heaven truly has for each of His children.

Things are going great with the work here in the Little River ward! We've been able to see a lot of progress and changes within these past few weeks! I wish I could talk about more but there just so much and so little time!

Hope Easter went great for all of you, and that you were able to reflect on all that your Savior Jesus Christ has done for you!

Love YOU!

Hermana Riddle :)

*So Riah sent me a quick email in the morning letting me know that she was going in to DC and that she would send a email later. Of course, I always know that when she goes in to DC the group email always ends up being a little short.  Sorry about that:/  And then..next thing you know she sends me an email telling me not to worry that she's ok and that they caught the guy who was shooting at the capitol building. Luckily our missionaries were not at the capitol building- but some were.  We saw many posts with missionaries on the steps outside the building. Riah said they got a text telling them all to get out of DC but they were just getting on the metro to go home when they got the text. It kinda freaked me out a little but I am so glad all those missionaries were protected. 

For we walk by faith, not by sight. March 21, 2016

So this week was pretty eventful!!

We were able to have a lot of lessons and see a lot of people make big changes for the better. I LOVE being a missionary and seeing the difference the gospel can make in EVERY single person's life!! I would say one thing I have learned the most this week is that God truly does listen to us and answer our prayers. Now as a missionary I am testifying of the veracity of that statement every day, but this week especially I have really been able to reflect on how much God really does listen and how many times the little things are answers to my prayers! As we do the small and simple things required of us and just FOLLOW the commandments, the Lord is making changes in our lives, one small and simple answer at a time. God is never going to put the full path in front of us, for that would not be walking by faith. We are NEVER going to know everything that lies ahead. That is just not possible (and it's not fun either!! ;))

I know that God has a plan for each of His children individually and as I keep moving forward in my mission, step by step I know I am going to be able to complete here what Heavenly Father would have me do. 

Praying for you all everyday that you have a happy life full of success and joy!! Keep being awesome, love you!!!

Hermana Riddle :)

So I found Mint milk last Pday and decided to buy it for St patricks day.. it's actually really good haha :)

The ones that look like crabby patties are Alfajores.. They are cookies with dulce de leche and coconut in them... we helped a member make them and they are SO GOOD. 

What A Week! Mar 14, 2016

Haha hey everyone, I know it's been SO "long" since I emailed you all last Wednesday... haha :) But these past few days have been awesome!! With Easter coming up I have been able to study and reflect on the Atonement of Jesus Christ a lot and what it means to me. And especially what it means to me that He has RISEN! Which makes it possible for all of us to be resurrected again as well!!

There is a new video that came out by the church yesterday for Easter called "Hallelujah." Everybody go check it out, it's amazing! If you remember seeing the one from Christmas "A Savior is Born," pretty sure it's all of their parents haha :)

On Sunday I was able to play the piano for the Primary and can I just say that my testimony of the fact that we need to become like little children (like the scriptures say), has grown and proven itself so much to be true! Ahhh just the things they say!! "...submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." I know there are many times in life where it may seem that life isn't fair,  but in all reality one learns so much from not "getting his own way" and learning to submit to the will of something better. Just like a parent knows what is best for their child in certain circumstances since they have already lived through that stage of life, our Father in Heaven knows EVERYTHING and knows what is better for us than we do! I know that sounds cliché to say that God knows what's best for us but when you truly think about it it really does make sense. I would encourage you all to go to the Book of Mormon and open up to Mosiah 3:19 in preparation for this Easter Sunday coming up. Ponder about what "the natural man" means and what it means to put it off or get rid of it.

I love this gospel and the ability I have gained to be able to understand it fuller and more deeply on my mission. I pray that all of you will have that same spirit and desire to gain more understanding of the words of our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ as we search and ponder the scriptures and listen to the words of our modern-day prophets and apostles.

I love all of you and hope you have an amazing week!! :)

Con amor,

Hermana Riddle :)

P.S. So haha last night we went to go pull out of our parking spot to head home and as we were walking to the car we heard sirens super loud and then as we got in the car we saw the trucks coming and long story short they just parked it RIGHT in front of us as we were in the middle of pulling out and almost CLEARED our car!! I had to back it up a bit right before they hit us haha but we were stuck behind it for awhile just waiting and watching them set everything up.. it was super funny!!

Today we also had our Hermanas activity (all the Spanish speaking sisters in the mission, AHHH our lil group is getting so small!! :( ) and we played volleyball :)

Templo de DC!!- Mar 9, 2016

Hey all!

First off, just going to apologize for the short emails the past few weeks... I know my whole mission I haven't really been too bad at writing a good portion of an email but really, with things here just trying to make the best of every day its just so crazy!

Ahhh so we had transfers last week.. I'm in a trio now! Hna Peabody, who was my comp earlier in the mish came to us! Poor thing she has to deal with me again but oh well. We all have fun! Thought I'd make it through my whole mission without a trio but--the Lord had different plans!

I'm loving the work in this area, sooo sad I'll be finishing my mission here but happy at the same time..makes my heart hurt, but it's a good ward! We are seeing a lot of success and craziness with the work but just running running!! I LOVE being a missionary!

Email is short again, went to the temple today--which is why we changed our PDAY--but don't worry I'll be emailing Monday! I LOVE the temple, there is truly such a special spirit there.

Pues, todo bien aquí.. Les quiero!

Hasta Lunes ;)

Hermana Riddle :)

We went to Guapos... Best place ever. Gonna miss it.

Riah told me in her email today that there is NO WAY she is getting trunky!  She said it's quite the opposite for her. She said that she hits the ground running each day and that its "all heart from here!" She said that they are trying to do everything they can and have as much fun on their P-days because there is not much time left for her and Atkinson.  Poor Hermana Peabody has to go along for the ride but I am sure she will enjoy all the fun things they are doing and the fun sights they are seeing in DC. Not to mention, this is a new area for Peabody so I'm sure she will just love it! I have a feeling that these quick, short letters are going to be a thing from here on out. But..I'm ok with it because in 6 more weeks I get to hold this cute Hermana in my arms!

February 29th:)-Feb 29, 2016

Hey!! Not much time again this week things were crazy and we went to DC.. but it was awesome!! You know you only really get a day like this once every 4 years! ;) Man I really love this place!! Today we went to the Library of Congress with Dany and we got our own Library Cards!! #special

This week has been SO full of miracles and amazing things that just can't be compiled into words in time!! Sorry for the short emails, I know some of you appreciate it and some don't.. haha ;) I'll try to be better!! :) 

Transfers are this week so there's no telling where I'll be going or who I'll be with next!!! I'l let you all know next P-Day!! ;)

Con amor,

Hermana Riddle

PS You can see the capitol building with construction on it if you look in the back really hard haha :)

Even though Riah's group letters have been short, her letters to us have been a little longer.  We have been spending the past couple of weeks just hashing out things with school, Mexico, and all of the appointments and such that have to be set up for the week after she comes home because she will only be home 10 days. We've had a lot to get arranged!  

Also, a couple of weeks ago when she went to Mt Vernon, there was a member named Jorge that took the missionaries there.  Well, he happened to come to Utah to visit his girlfriend who served in the Washington DC South mission about 3 1/2 years ago.  We were able to meet up with him in Provo and he brought some stuff home for Riah so that she wouldn't have to send so many things home.  He brought a lot of the heavy things like all of her books. Spanish practice books, her ENGLISH scriptures- (I'm surprised she gave those up), and most of the pieces to her Magic Bullet mixer:)  All of her letters and cards that people have sent her up until now were sent home too!  Wow!  She has been so blessed to hear from so many of you!  Thanks for keeping in touch with her:)

HOLY COW- Feb 22, 2016

HEY ALL!!!

This week has been LOADED with miracles!! Ahh!! Where to start?? I really wish I could just tell you all everything!

Well, I'll just start with a few funny things that happened this week... haha. We went on exchanges and I was with Hermana Bliss... haha, we were knocking doors and HA like an hour later we go back to our car and it's GONE. Long story short we got TOWED. A few phone calls, hours, rides and $160 later we were able to retrieve our car and make a funny story out of it. :) Next funny story so we drove into DC practically last night, which is outside of our mission.... haha, we missed an exit on the way home and it took us to the airport which is basically on the Potomac River borderline and this cop turned his lights on and made us stop... He could tell we were confused... but--he pointed us back in the right direction so we were able to make it home safe and sound!! Ok, last story.. this one's for you dad!! Long story short one night our blender smelt like it was burning, basically blew out, we immediately pulled it off, held it over the sink, and the bottom just fell off.. 1/2 a tub of ice cream GONE. ((If you are in my family you know how sad that is...))

As for miracles, I'll just begin with Tuesday. So we met a kid named _______ who is 14 years old and is AWESOME. He wants to come to church but unfortunately wasn't able to come yesterday.. he wants to be baptized so we asked him to pray about the 19th of March and he said yes!!! Yay!! We also have another investigator who's the son in a family that  is getting sealed in the temple in April and he will also be baptized in March :) His name is _______!!

With that being said, we also were able to have a couple AMAZING lessons with ____, who is around our same age and is the son of a member who went and picked him up from Peru and brought him here a few weeks ago!! We were sitting in the church with him and his dad on Friday night and were just discussing some things when all of the sudden he started to bear an amazing, powerful testimony expressing his thoughts and feelings about what we were teaching and his experience with the church for the past 2 weeks that he has been here. He was talking about how he feels he has found what he has been looking for, even though he didn't even know he was looking for it, and that he has never felt a desire to go to church in the past but that he has such a desire to learn and doesn't doubt that the Book of Mormon comes from God! As he was talking he said, "I don't know if my dad knows this, but something I've dreamed is that I'll be able to one day wear my own plaque with Jesus Christ's name on it and represent Him as a missionary. I want to be able to one day do that." We were all just left in shock, and it brought tears to all of our eyes. The spirit was SO STRONG in the room I can't even describe it, and everyone was just smiling.

Ahh, the power of missionary work. I can testify to you all that this mission has not been mine. The best way I can think of to put it is as Jesus said: "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." I can honestly say that I have been TRULY blessed on my mission to understand the authority and power of my calling. It is a calling that is truly beyond my own comprehension, and I know it comes from God. I have felt the help of the Lord as I look back through every moment on my mission. There are times where we may feel alone and we feel as though we have turned to God for answers, but that they aren't coming. I can say that I have felt this way and I know we all have--BUT. Something I do know is that as we look back we will eventually ALWAYS be able to figure out the purpose and meaning behind everything we have gone through in this life, whether it be us looking back the next day, month, year, or even if necessary the next life--we will see the purpose of it all. I trust God and His judgment and KNOW that He knows what is best for us, for He contains all wisdom!!

Well I love you all, and I hope this was sufficient for this week!! Sorry about the past few haha!!

Hermana Riddle ;)

Ok so first pic is that front taco is the cow tongue one from last week.. it wasn't too bad!! My comp ate the brain soo....

Second pic is of me and Hermana bliss after we got towed... as you can tell we laughed it off haha.. whoops.

FELIZ DIA DE AMISTAD- Feb 15, 2016

Hey all!!

Short on time again! Things are just zooming by out here in DC!! 

They just changed our Stake Presidency this past week cuz the Old Stake President, President Bush got called to be mission president in Honduras!! So this past weekend we had stake conference and had some general authorities come from the quorum of the 70s, Elder Sinclair and Elder Echohawk. They were awesome!!

Quick story though. So we got another snowfall today and couldn't drive our cars, but it's still P-day right and we live OUT of our area. Well, it's Washington's bday today and we have been planning to go to Mt Vernon since it is free today, and when we found out we couldn't use our cars we were super bummed. Well, we were DETERMINED so we went down to our leasing office to look up bus routes and the Spanish Elders that live in the same complex as us that actually work in our area were there, and then our District Leader called us and happened to be out here too! So we all just called up the mission leader from the Old Town ward and he was like sure let's go! But with a rule we have as sister missionaries we have to be in the car with someone who is a female of 18 yrs or older if there are going to be males in the car. So we called a member that lives close and she came with us too!! We all just piled in in Jorge's huge van and it was HILARIOUS. We all made it to Mt Vernon and there was tons of snow and everything but we all had a blast haha.

Then we went and ate Tacos de Lengua. (That's cow tongue..) They were super good!!

Sorry this is super short and not all that uplifting but thought I'd just let you all know I am still alive and breathing and all is well here in the mission! Loving every second of it!!

Les quiero mucho!!

Hermana Riddle :)

WOW. Feb 8, 2016

"Man, I don't even know where to start!! Sorry, short on time again but hey... I hope you all understand!! 

This past week was INSANE. Still trying to wrap my mind around it!! So much happened!! So my companion Hermana Craner had to go home cuz of medical issues, and it was SO sad to see her go. She really did fight till the end. I have a new companion now, Hermana Atkinson, and she is so cute!! We work well together and I know we are going to be able to continue to help the Little River ward here!!

This past weekend I was able to attend the baptisms of 3 different people I taught in some of my past areas, Sudley and Bella Vista. Karina and Jose (the kids of Karina who got baptized in December) got baptized on Saturday, and Dennis got baptized on Sunday!! (See photos:)) It was good to be back in my other areas and be able to see all of my people!! I love my mission and everyone here so much. It has honestly been such a humbling and amazing experience. Words cannot describe it!!

So I just want to leave a little thought before I go. I was reading a talk this morning called "Called to Serve" (by L. Tom Perry) and it was amazing! He was talking to prospective missionaries of the church about personal worthiness. There is a part where he says...

 "If our thoughts remain clean and pure, we would never commit acts that would prevent us form serving in the mission field." 

--To be a missionary is a high-calling, and I have understood that from day 1 when I was set apart to be a full-time missionary to represent Jesus Christ 16 months ago. It takes a lot of preparation, obedience, and desire in order to become the person God wants us to become. As I've applied this quote to my own life and the lives of others I have realized that everything really does stem back to our thoughts. 

As the scripture in Mosiah 4:30 says: "...watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds.." 

ANY action we EVER choose to take first comes from a thought. This is why it is so crucial that we watch our thoughts because they really do have an effect on the way we act, and our actions determine who we are and where our life goes. 

My challenge to you this week is to pay ATTENTION to your thoughts, no matter how small and try to focus them on looking for ways you can help and serve others. I promise this will bring you true happiness! Trust me, I've done it. But don't just take my word for it--DO IT. :)

I love you all and I know I say that every week but I wouldn't write it if I didn't mean it. 

Have a good one!! :)

Hermana Riddle <3

Here are a few things that Riah told me this week!

"So first things first. WOW. haha yup crazy week!! I'm liking the area, a lot of adjustments, but we're hangin in there haha. Just trying to breathe and wrap my head around it all!!"

She said that she loves her new companion (she knew her before) and in her words she said.."She is just SO dang cute. Ahh I just want to pinch her cheeks!!!" Her companion is from Indiana and did Choir. She has been out the same amount of time as Riah has so there just might be another change for Riah in her last transfer.

As you know, Riah's previous companion came home and guess what? We (the mom's of Hna Peabody, Mugleston, Pettit and me) were privileged to meet her and go to the temple and lunch with her and her mom the day after she came home.  Here are some pictures from that day that we sent to Riah. And..below the pics was Riah's response..

"OH MY GOSH it is really just so weird to think that you talked with Hna Craner the DAY after I was LITERALLY right by her side!! It's like "oh yeah, I saw her yesterday don't even worry about it.." That is SO crazy to wrap my head around!! I miss her, but it's ok!!" 

Welp. Feb 01, 2016

"Hey all! Ok, sorry third week in a row... Short email again!

This past week was super crazy. So we finally were able to use our cars again after all the snow, it was NUTS. It has been a super emotional filled week though because my companion has been having a lot of health problems going on and has been fighting for a long time now, but now she's at the point of 2 Timothy 4:7 from the bible: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." :( she will be on a flight home this Wednesday and it will be SO SAD. Not quite sure what's going to happen with me or my area yet but we will figure everything out! It's going to be super interesting though cuz I don't even know half the people here yet. I just got here! #backtosquare1

Well, we went to the Capitol building today which was SUPER awesome. I learned a lot! I love America! But at the same time..... Ya know.

I wish I could write more but ahh there's just no time! It seriously just flies faster and faster I don't even know what to do with myself!

Les quiero mucho! Hasta luego!

Hermana Riddle :)

1. UTAHHH.

2. So they are doing construction on the Capitol building right now so this is what the top tower looks like.. Haha. Who can find George Washington? ;)

3. Zone in Little River

Have a good one!"

Here are a couple more details she gave in her letter to me. She was answering a few questions that I asked her so sorry if it sounds a little bit choppy!

"So I really don't know a ton about the area, still new in it haha. It includes Falls Church, Burke, Springfield, Annandale and Fairfax. Had my first Sunday in church yesterday cuz of the storm this past week so I'm just barely starting to get to know the members... Yikes! 

It needs a lot of work just cuz we need new investigators and the members need a lot of strengthening here... It'll be a lot of work and I dunno if I'll be here long enough to see the fruits of my labors but we will pray for miracles!

As far as this area, I have heard rumors both bad and super good about this area, so I'm just going into it blindly (quite literally), which I believe is probably a lot better for this ward, and I'm ready to help strengthen it!

We email form different place every week, this week iPads cuz we're going to DC, but we have computers in our community room at our apartment, and we also go to the library sometimes. It just depends where we are and what we are doing that day.

We live out side our area (in Alexandria) cuz it got dangerous last transfer for the Hermanas where they used to live in Annandale, so we moved into the Old Town Spanish area but we still work in little River. But we only drive like 10 mins to church!

We'll probably go to Mt Vernon at the end of February just cuz if we go on Washingtons B-day it's free and we get t-shirts! Otherwise I think it's like $17 or something. 

Yes I do play the piano quite a bit on my mission, ha it's usually just random sporadic times when they need someone last min. I couldn't say I play every week, but in Sudley I did haha."

I sent Riah the following picture of Hermana Peabody's mom, Muglestons mom and me that we took when they came over this past week:) Below the pic was Riah's response...

"Yeah it'll be fun having reunions and all when we get back!"