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!"

Transfers and Loads of SNOW!! Jan 26, 2015

Riah's P-day was changed to Tues this week because of the snow storm they received over the weekend.  They were hoping for one more day to be able to get all of the snow cleared out so they would be able to drive.  Her group email was short again this week as she ran out of time trying to get pics and videos downloaded. The pics and videos failed to send so we only ended up with 4 pictures. But..that's better than nothing.  She will send more next week hopefully!  Her emails to mom and dad provided a little more information so I will share some of that on this blog as well:)  Here is her group email..

"Hey all!!

Wow, the past 6 weeks REALLY flew, I can't believe we just had transfers again. Sorry for the quick email last week, but it's probably gonna happen again this week haha!! There's just a lot that's going to have to wait til after I can tell y'all in person :)

So I actually got transferred AGAIN this transfer!! (She lives in Alexandria and her new companion is Hermana Craner-from Arizona..I think) I was only able to spend 6 weeks in my last area but that's ok!! I am excited to be able to take on a new area!! I love the mission! Biggest news of this past week well haha winter storm Jonas passed through and we haven't been able to use our cars for a while because of all the snow.. it started around 1 pm on Friday and snowed all the way through Saturday into midnight.. we got SO MUCH SNOW. I have never seen so much in my life! It's cuz we have no mountains here to catch it haha :)

It was so bad that church was cancelled on Sunday, but we were able to do a mini little sacrament meeting with the other 4 elders and 2 sisters that live in our complex!! It was fun and super different!!

Sorry I'm out of time! More to come next week!! :)"

The following is from the email  that she wrote to me:)

"So, we have had a bit of downtime.. Saturday was SO bad pretty much all the missionaries had to just stay inside. We went outside for a little bit though...HAHAHAHA man I have never seen so much snow in my LIFE. Seriously, this storm was SO much worse than last year! And HA now on the roads (we just barely are allowed to use our cars again today, but just during the day not at night..) there is only like one lane open on 3 lane roads cuz there is just SO much snow, like MOUNDS and no where to put it!! Next week we're supposed to be in like the 50s though so it will probably all melt.. ha but LUCKY we didn't have to dig our car out :) Our complex here where I am (yeah, can't believe I got transferred still!! I'll tell you more about that in a sec) has an underground parking garage so #lucky #blessed #spoiled :)

We helped push some people out though that were stuck in the roads and we trucked it through the snow walking.. we live outside our area cuz they just recently moved since where they lived before was kinda sketch and getting a little dangerous. So to walk to the closest place in our area would have been like 8 miles.. which would NOT have worked, we would not even have been able to make it! So we got permission to proselyte around here, and we actually do have an investigator that lives semi-close so we were able to walk to him and his family's house and talk with people/help people on the way!! :)"

We sent Riah a copy of the two pictures above that a member in DC posted to the DC missionary mom's Facebook account. Here was her response to those pics..and she included the following picture of a car on the side of the road. Wow!!

"HAHA yeah that nieve looks about right.. "

Riah said that the area she is in needs a lot of missionary work. She said that she is up to the task and is excited to help get this area up and running. Hopefully they will be able to find more investigators. She said there are very few right now. Please pray for her and her comp to be able to find prepared people:) 

Here is a picture of all the Hermanas (except 2) on transfer day.

DC!! Jan 18, 2016

Hey everyone, short on time today cuz we are going to downtown DC!

Transfers are this week and my comp Hna Mugleston and I are really hoping to stay together, but we will find out tomorrow night. I love you all and will write more next week!

Alma 37:6- do the small and simple things. You will see great things happen!! :)

Hermana Riddle :)

We had an awesome "Endure to the End" meeting with all the missionaries who will be going home within the next 4 months, and we got to sign a flag that the mission will keep through the three years that President and Sister Huntsman are here, committing to endure to the end and hold nothing back, to give it all we've got!! :)

All 6 of these missionaries are going home on the same day. 4 of these girls are coming home to Utah:)

Even though this letter is short..Jared and I both got some very detailed letters from her this week. She has been having to take care of a bunch of stuff for college, Mexico, Dr appts, tests and such for her diabetes. So.. she hasn't had a lot of time to just take a break and have some downtime on P-days. She said she has never been so busy or worked harder on her mission than she has in the past few weeks! She goes to bed absolutely exhausted every night. She is loving it though. Talk about enduring to the end..I'm so proud of her!

Here is something she shared with Jared this past week..

"The mission really is a fight, but it is SO rewarding. I have loved every second, the good, the bad, and am ready to take on more! The more the Lord gives me the stronger I know I am going to become going through it. There are a lot of times I feel on the verge of crying, because I REALLY don't want to leave my mission. A few tears just tolled down my cheek at this moment actually. I have put SO much love and effort into everything here and I feel as though the reason WHY behind all of the things I am doing, filling my day being super busy running around and trying to help as many people as I can all stems back to that love I have for them."

Here are a few more pics of our happy missionary.