To Fetch a Pail of Water!

So, last Monday we got home at 9 p.m. and went to wash our hands, to our surprise we found  there wasn't any water. So, I asked myself what are we going to do?

WELL, that's obvious Hermana Riedelbach, you have to go fetch a pail of water from the neighbourhood well. (Sorry, I know I look lovely in the picture but it was 6:30 in the morning :) So we didn't have water for a whole week, because they were cleaning the pipes!  What?!  Every day we had to go get water to take a shower. It was quite the adventure!  :)

Every single day this week it rained and rained and rained.  Because I was cold, missing my favorite time of year at home, and all of the soups and stews my mom would make, I decided to make my Mom and Bebe's famous potato soup!  It was so good and reminded me of home. :)

This week I had one of the most spiritual experiences in my whole mission. We were teaching a new investigator, named Karla, the Restoration. We explained to her that when Jesus was here on the Earth he established his church with prophets, apostles. We explained the Great Apostasy and asked her how she felt to know that at one time all of the truths had been taken away from the earth. She told us that she felt sad along with some other things. We then explained the first vision. As I was repeating Joseph Smith's vision, I could feel the spirit so strong. I knew that at that moment, it was true and I knew that Karla knew it was true as well. I could see it in her eyes. We then asked her how she felt, and I could tell that she didn't have any words to explain the Spirit, and the feeling she had, but as we were explaining it she nodded her head as if she had felt the same. We challenged her to be baptized and she accepted! She wants to pray before we set a date, but I know she knows it's true. We have an appointment with her tonight and I can't wait to she what she has to say!

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church that exists here on the earth. I know that Joseph Smith is a true Prophet of God. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all. Have a good week!

Hermana Riedelbach

Rain, Rain Go Away!

This last week was full of rain and I think I am officially Choca (people from Tabasco.) It was in the high 80's and I was freezing!! I used my raincoat and boots everyday! I think I am going to die when I come home.

(This little girl is from a less active family.  She is SO cute!  She gave my companion her tooth she just lost so that Hermana Magana won't forget her, she told me I would have to wait a little longer for a tooth because she doesn't have another loose one right now.)

Nothing super stellar happened this week. Our area is a little tough. Everyone is Catholic and right now Pope Fransico has commanded that they all go out and preach the Gospel. So we keep running into them and every time we do they say 'look the Mormons,' it makes me laugh :)

We were able to sit in on the new missionaries and trainers meeting,  it was so cool. I hope one day I will be able to train. In these training meetings, all of the new missionaries and the secretaries eat breakfast with the President at a restaurant. It is always a blast, but everyone is afraid to sit by the President so I always get to sit next to him! I love it. I always learn so much!

I love you all and pray for you all every night!

Hermana Riedelbach

The Temple!

Well, the President succeeded in teasing me...I really thought I might be leaving but, I get to stay here with my companion again this transfer! I am excited and know that there is work that we need to do here!

This week was a little interesting.

On Tuesday, we got to go to the temple with the Mission Council which was really cool! Being able to be inside with the President and his wife is something I will never forget. They are some of my best examples. I learned so much more this time at the temple, it was the first time I had ever seen the old video, I learned more during this visit to the temple than I have in all the other times I have gone through the temple.

I think going to the temple was something I took for granted at home. We are so close to so many temples and I hardly ever went. I have truly learned the importance of going to the temple here on my mission and I encourage all of you to go every week!

I love the temple!

A sister got sick this week so I had to go on splits with another sister and was working in her area the whole day. We got to teach a sister in the temple and I was so happy to be there again and to feel of the same spirit.

We found two new investigators this week! They are faithful members of another church, but we are working with them. I am so excited! I have faith that they will accept the Gospel.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow we will spend or have spent the whole day in the offices. We get to help out with taking the missionaries to and from the airport, training the new missionaries and doing all kinds of things. Tomorrow we get to be in the meeting with the trainers. I always love being in this meeting because we get to learn so much!  Tonight I get to work with the two new sisters! Hooray! I love being able to help out in more ways than one!

I love you all! Have a wonderful week!

Hermana Riedelbach

11 months!

Can you believe I have been out 11 months?  I can't believe it either!  11 months in the mission field. I feel like I have come a long way since October of  last year. I am so thankful that I am here, in Mexico serving a mission :) This week is also the last week of this transfer and I am ready but nervous for what lies ahead.

Today we had an office meeting (which is why I am writing so late.) and the President was playing mind games with me. He kept asking me if I am ready... What does that mean? Then he said a bunch of other stuff making it seem like I am going to be leaving. He then told me I shouldn't pack just yet, but I should say goodbye to my companion. Then, when we were talking about next week and the meeting for the newbies, he told everyone that there aren't going to be transfers. I am confused... BUT, ready for anything that comes my way.

This week we had the privilege of watching another mouse die!  Hooray!  He was trying to leave our house and then suddenly he fell on his back, rolled over and died. BUT, just to make sure he was dead, the neighbor came over and whacked it with her shoe! It was terrifying.

I loved conference! We were able to watch it in English and Spanish :) but for the most part in English. We, the missionaries, Hermana Armknect and I, had our own set up. The Elders called it Little America. It made me smile. I think my favorite was Elder Eyring (at least I think it was him). I learned so much about revelation and how we can receive it. I loved each and every talk, but the one about revelation answered most of my questions :)

I am so grateful that we have a living prophet and 12 apostles that can lead and guide us in any circumstance. I am so grateful that we can listen to them two times a year. I don't think I really understood the importance of this before my mission, but I am glad to say that I will be changing that :) I have a list of things to work on, and I hope you all do too!

I love you all! Have a great week!

Hermana Riedelbach