Tuesday, February 9, 2016

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!"