Another Wonderful Week!

Well, we didn't end up having baptisms this week BUT, don't worry they just got postponed. If everything goes to plan we will be having TWO baptisms this week. This family we are teaching has a lot of problems, they are all a little to personal to share on the internet but, we are continuing to work with them.

Funny story, one night we were working late in the Offices and the President was going to give us a ride home but, as we were leaving a family asked for a ride home as well (Awkward...). So, we all hop in the car and we start driving. The next thing I know, there is a strum of a guitar, and then the whole family starts singing. HAHA. The Dad of this family had a guitar, and they gave us a show! None of us knew what to do. It was so funny, strange, and kind. 

Then, when we got home one of the Assistants calls us to give us a reference so, my companion is talking to him on the phone, and I go out of the room to get some water. I was chatting with Hermana Suazo and suddenly she starts screaming and pointing. I look, and under a window there is a MOUSE. So, we all start screaming and run into my room, then my companion yells, "WHAT HAPPENED"? I yell back "MICKEY MOUSE" (that's what she calls mice)  Since she is still on the phone she says "Excuse me elder," and starts screaming! She hops on her bed, I am on mine, and Hermana Suazo is on my desk, and My companion says to the Elder "Sorry, I will call you back in five minutes," and she starts screaming again!

How embarrasing. That poor Elder. We called him back and he told us that if we don't kill the mouse, it's going to multiply. Thanks for the advice? :)

What exciting adventures we have here in good old México!

We are also working with a Youth named Roger. He is so great! He came to church yesterday. We are praying that he will accept a baptisimal date this week. We are eating dinner with his family this week! I taught him 'You're killin' me!' in English and he won't stop using it. It's sooo funny!

My companion and I celebrating the 24th!

And you might have noticed my makeup and jewelry...I begged the President to let us keep wearing it, he said "Hermana Riedelbach you are beautiful with out it"  a little awkward but, we can wear makeup again.  :)

I hope all is well!

Hermana Riedelbach

What a Wonderful Week!

Guess what? We are going to have a baptism this week and we have one planned for next week as well! WHAT! The Lord is so good to us!  And, we also have two more investigators that want to be baptized this week and next as well, we just need permission from their parents! We are going to work on that tomorrow.

Their names are Luisa Gesell, Petri, Linda Esther, Maria Fernanda. I am so beyond excited for them! We had challenged Linda and Fer to be baptized but,  they said that they were going to pray. The next day during our lesson they stopped what we were teaching, and they said that they both wanted to be baptized. I almost cried.

The ward is so excited for them and everyone is helping out. I can't begin to explain to you the joy that I feel for them. They have all had a tough life but, really have a desire to change and to be better. Yesterday they were all fighting during a lesson, and we were so frustrated. We almost got up and left. Every time we tried to teach them they would say something mean to someone, and when we reminded them to be nice they didn't pay attention.

Then we started talking about our families, and things that we wished we could do over again. All the things that my Mom used to tell me over and over again. For all the mean things I said to my siblings, or for the times I chose my friends over my family. We all ended up crying. I explained to them that I didn't want them to make the same mistakes I made with my family.

I could really see myself in them. The way that I used to be. I am so grateful for my mission and for all the lessons I have learned, and all of things that I have changed. I know that it is possible to change, and that it's never too late.

I love you all more than anything in the world. I am so sorry if have ever done anything to hurt you, or said anything to offend you.

This Thursday I am going to be reminded once again of the covenants that I made at baptism. I am so grateful for my parents, and all that they taught me, and for the opportunity I had to be baptized. I know that as we all strive to keep the commandments we will be blessed. I challenge you all to pick one thing in your life that you need to work on,  and work on that this week. I know that you can do it through our savior Jesus Christ.

I hope you all have a fantastic week! 

Love,

Hermana Riedelbach

p.s. My hair is now long enough to do this!  Woot!

What a Week!

Hello all!

This week was very interesting! It started Monday night at three in the morning, we got a phone call, it was Hermana Morales (the Presidents wife). She said that they were on their way to our house with Hermana Pasley and Hermana Martinez. They were in the hospital and needed to sleep at our house.

When they arrived we went downstairs, I must have looked like a wreck,because the President looked at me and immediately said 'Oh Hermana Riedelbach I am so sorry, I really am soooo sorry that you had to wake up," and then he said it like three more times after that. How embarrassing! I guess a mission is just one big humbling experience!

On Thursday we got the chance to go to the temple, it was soo good. I learned so much this time. I was so grateful, especially because I got to go with my best friends from the mission all at the same time. Hermana Lowe, Hermana Pasley and Hermana Martinez!

We are working hard with the investigators that we have and we are trying to find new ones each day. Hermana Luisa came to church this week! They are doing so well but, we have to move their baptismal date back a week, that's ok, because they are still progressing! This week was full of tender mercies but, I am going to write about those next week.

Here is one that I shared with our President this week:

I had been praying to have an experience or to receive an answer to help me know that I am doing well as a missionary, and to know if I really am progressing, and that all of my studying of Spanish is paying off. We were in the Oxxo (7/11) buying water one day, when a really white man walked in. I turned to my companion and asked "Is he American? He's really white!" and she said "I don't know...start talking to him." I didn't want to offend him by talking to him in English if he was Mexican so, we left the store. A minute later he left, and we ended up crossing the street together. Hermana Magaña started talking to him in Spanish,  and as soon as I heard his accent, I knew he was American, and let's just say his Spanish wasn't all that great.

I started talking to him in English, he told me he was a Jehovah's Witness and that he had lived here for six and a half years. He told me that they were here learning Spanish and teaching English and also providing service through their church. We talked for a minute, and then we went separate ways. Afterwards, I explained what he had said, Hermana Magaña told me that this was another witness that our Church is the only true church, because we have the gift of tongues.

It really was an answer to my prayers. This church is true, and I know I am doing just fine with my Spanish. I realized how far I have come in just a short amount of time. I am so grateful for all of the help I have received from the Lord, my companions, and from the people here. I am so blessed, and Our Father in Heaven really does love me.

I hope you all have a great week and make sure you look for those tender mercies in your lives!

Hermana Riedelbach

p.s. my camera died...so you only get one picture today sorry!

Unexpected News!

WELL... I had another "Special Transfer".  Ha! I hope this is the last one I have during my mission. :)  AND, I promise that I am not a bad missionary, things just happen.  Some other things have also changed a bit in our mission to keep all of us American girls safe.  We are no longer allowed to wear makeup or jewelry so, when you see me in my pictures you will understand why I always look like this.  :)

Last day in a trio!

But, I feel like I have to explain some things first... The last few weeks have been really hard. The area that I came into didn't have ANY investigators, we were basically starting over. We prayed, fasted, and worked harder than I have ever worked during my mission to find people that were ready to hear the gospel, and we weren't having any success. It was so frustrating. Then, last Sunday we got a reference for a family from some Elders in the area so, we called and set up an appointment.

Oh my, our prayers were finally answered!  THEY ARE THE BEST PEOPLE EVER. This family is SOOOOOO ready to hear the gospel. They have so many problems but, they want to change, and accepted to be baptized. AHHH. We were soo grateful. Hna. Luisa and her cousin Fer are scheduled to be baptized on the 17th!! They are GOLDEN! They ask the best questions, and read the Book of Mormon. They are so ready for baptism!

Luisa and Fer who are going to be baptized at the temple with the youth in the ward

Then, on Thursday we got a call...Transfers. (This is one of the stories that I will tell you all after my mission :)) WHAT!!! I kind of knew it was coming though. But, after we finally found that golden family? Ahhhh....

I am now in Lindavista with Hermana Magaña. She is 28 and from El Salvador, she is the mission's nurse, which means that we work in the offices :) I feel really special :) Hermana Magaña is really great! We are going to be opening this area, it was closed in the last transfer so, we are starting from ground zero again. BUT, the best news is, we got permission to teach the families I just started teaching with baptismal dates! I am SO HAPPY! and feel so blessed!

First day in my new area, Lindavista 

Oh, and don't worry about the earthquake. I woke up but, didn't feel a thing. My companion felt it but, she didn't want to scare me so she didn't say anything.  I couldn't believe it. It didn't hit very hard here. In another part of the mission it did some damage but, not a lot. All the missionaries are safe and accounted for!

Since I am behind on posting pictures, here are a few from Frontera.  There is a wonderful Sister who made all of the Hermanas matching dresses,  2 wonderful families it was hard to say good bye to, and my birthday cake!

I love you all! Have a great week!

Hermana Elise Riedelbach 

A Quick Thought!

I don't have anytime to write today but, I just wanted you to know that I am OK! Things are moving a long here in Mexico. We are working SO hard.

I want you all to know, I know this Church is true. I know without a doubt that our Father in Heaven loves us and is aware of every situation that we are in. I know that he has a plan for us and if we pray with faith he will let us know what it is. I know that Joesph Smith was a Prophet of God. I know that he restored the only true Church. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon and I know that it is the word of God, and that it testifies of our savior Jesus Christ. I know that he lives, and that his atonement works, because I have seen it in action here in my mission.This is  the best decision I have ever made. I am so happy to be a representative of Jesus Christ and to have this chance to share the Gospel with everyone, and most especially the people of Mexico.

This picture was taken today!

My Birthday Celebration!

I love you all, and I hope that you all have a safe and fun 4th of July!

Hermana Riedelbach

Long, Hard Week!

This week was so long. We had some problems with our house and the President wants us to move so, we spent all last week house hunting and haven't found any that he will approve. :( Some other bad news, all of our golden investigators dropped us this week. That stinks! But, don't worry, we are going to jump right back on the horse!

Although we didn't teach a lot last week, I honestly went home feeling like we had worked our hardest everyday. I haven't been this tired at the end of the day my whole mission. My companions and I are getting along great! I love them, and I am so glad to be working with them.

Tomorrow we have a Zone Conference with the President and I am so glad. I am ready to learn and know what we need to do, to be better. It's going to be great!

Today in my personal study I read in Alma 30 and I loved it. It was an answer to my prayers. So, I challenge you all to go and read it this week!

I love you all, and hope you have a great week! Oh, and Happy Birthday Daddy! I love you!

Hermana Riedelbach

p.s. sorry for the lack of pictures, it takes more than 30 minutes to upload mine. I think I need to change the resolution on my camera.

TRIO!

This week was really interesting! Working in a trio is a lot different than working in a companionship. I have learned so much, and I really do have good companions!

We don't really have any progressing investigators so, this last week was just full of street contacting and revisiting old investigators. We found some really good ones and are hoping that they will feel what we can feel!

Yesterday we had to give talks in Church, I was so nervous. The other two times I spoke in church I got a big piece of humble pie handed to me. This time I didn't really have time to prepare anything, and I just went up to the stand and gave a talk. It went so well! My Spanish was soo good, and I didn't forget anything. I am always so amazed at how much Heavenly Father really helps us out when we really try our best.

Hermana Zimmerman gave the most wonderful talk about her Dad yesterday and it made me think about how lucky I am to have the best Dad ever! One of the things that I have really learned here on my mission is how much my Dad (and mom) have taught me. I am so grateful for all that I have learned from them. A lot of the things I learned from my Dad I have used here in the mission field and it has made a world of difference. I love you Daddy! Thanks for everything!

I hope you have a wonderful week! Love you all!

Hermana Riedelbach