Longest week in the history of EVER‏

Hello Friends and Family:

 

It seems like it has been years since i have talked to everyone. 

 

Well, i didn't really have any crazy cool stories, or some weird lessons.  Nothing really out of the ordinary.

 

This week, we are still trying to share He is the Gift with people and get others to realize that the center of our message is on Christ.  On Tuesday, i was on exchanges with Sister Stout.  She is incredible.  We were sick of tracting and didn't really  have appointments, so we decided it would be fun to go caroling with our little dvd player.  So we did. We knocked on random doors and then we would start singing the second they opened the dooor and then started the video, so they didn't have a chance to slam the door or tell us "No thanks, Ive been saved." hahaha(:  It was genius and it was a lot of fun!!(:

 

We also had a zone conference yesterday on the Book of Mormon.  It was really good.  I learned some really amazing things that helped me realize where i am at with the Book of Mormon and also how i can use it to help me in my missionary efforts.  It has been so hard for me to use the Book of Mormon in teaching.  I am not good at memorizing scriptures, i don't know the references for each topic, and i can't just think of one on the top of my head.  And this transfer, more than ever that has been a struggle and a real stressor to me.  But what i do know is that the Book of Mormon is true.  I know it without a shadow of a doubt.  I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon with the power from God.  How could an uneducated boy write such a book? It couldn't be done. It is so detailed and goes so well with the Bible.  I know that it is without a doubt the word of God.  And at the conference, i learned that. That is enough.  My testimony is enough.  Because the knowledge and the memorization will come as i continue to use it everyday.  I can grow in that.  But as i am helping those people i have been sent here for, i know that my testimony can help them, it will get them started and they can't argue with it, because they can't tell me what i know.  It was a real eye opener on how important personal testimony is, and i know that is what President Shumway was trying to teach ME individually. 

 

I learned some really cool facts as well.  Did you know that the word Jesus Christ appears more times in the Book of Mormon then the Bible?  Did you know that an average of 1.7 verses in the Book Of Mormon testifies of Christ?  The Book of Mormon truly is a testament of Christ, and it is critical for us to use and read everyday if we want to return to live with Him.

 

Final thought for the week:  "Are you part of the INN crowd, or one of the STABLE few?" 

 

Have a Merry Christmas!!! I love you all! Thank you for all the love and support i continue to receive!

 

Much Love,

Sister Ritter

 

Pictures:

1) This sums up our exchange. I love Sister Stout.

2)CayBay taught me how to make a swan out of an apple. Skill.

3)My little mission fam(:

4-5) Merry Christmas from the OTM mission and the best district in the world!

 

 

4 Months!!!!

Friends and Fam:

This week was awesome!!! It was super busy and although it went fast, i feel like it has also been forever!(:

 

This week we have been busy getting ready for the live nativity that our stake does.  We have been tracting like crazy trying to share the invite with everyone.  One night, we went to this neighborhood and we were walking around and we noticed this house said, "I love Jesus" on it.  So what a perfect opportunity right?? We knocked on the door and said, "We noticed your house said you loved Jesus. We do too. Can we share a message with you?" Perfect set up. Too bad the guy hated us. hahaha! It was a great memory!!(:  We have actually had great success though.  Along with the nativity we are showing the new mormon message HE IS THE GIFT.  We walk around and bring these little DVD players, and we show them at doorsteps. It is pretty sweet, and we have heard excused like crazy, but some people actually let us in.

 

We did the nativity 2 days in a row.  It was really cool to see.  There was over 500 different nativities from all around the world on the tables, then outside (the best part) there was a nativity with.... REAL ANIMALS.  I got to pet Bilbo the donkey.  The sheep were mean.  It was really neat though! (:  It was fun to get into the Christmas spirit. Performers from Branson also were there.  We got to see Six again, and the Hughes Family.  It was really good!

 

So then there was my 4 month mark! Sister Oliva made it so special!  It started with a note i found hit under my clothes that i layed out for the day.  Then after we were done studying for the day, the elders called and sang to me!(:  That was....GREAT!(: hahahah!  Then i went to put my shoes on and another note was in my boot.  We got to the church to help with the nativity and all the other missionaries and Elder Mo goes to the pulpit in front of everyone and says, "Sister Ritter, happy 4 months!" haha! I love my district!  So i opened my scriptures at the nativity, BAM a note fell out.  Then  a little bit later we went to Wendys for ice cream and Elder Mo again stands on a chair and yells, "Attention Everyone. Sister Ritter has been here 4 months. hip hip hooray (X3).  For reals...It was really awesome and special!!!(:  She is a doll(:

 

We also went to Lamberts.  That is like the cool thing to do if you serve around here.  It is such a fun little restaraunt!  Look it up.  They really throw rolls across the room and then bring cans of sorgum around and drip it all over.  Super yum!(:

 

Now for the real message i learned this week.  We have been sharing He is the Gift like crazy.  If you haven't seen it, go on christmas.mormon.org watch it, and share it on all social media! Kay? Thanks!!(:  I've been thinking a lot about how Christ is a gift to me.  At zone training we learned something really cool to go along with this.  They asked the question, "Who is Christ a gift to?" Then had us read 3 nephi 1:13.  It says he was a gift to the world. Well that's cool, but it gets more specific then that. "Who is Christ a gift to?"  In Isaiah 9:6 it says he is a gift to us.  He is a gift to us. But don't you think the scriptures can be more specific than that? Finally they asked. "Who is Christ a gift to?"  In Luke 2:11 it tells us that Christ is a gift to YOU. Yes you.  Christ is the best gift you could ever receive.  Because of Him, we have eternal life.  Because of Him, we have second chances. Because of Him, we can be with our families forever. BECAUSE OF HIM. 

 

#ShareTheGift

 

Love,

Sister Ritter

 

Pictures:

1) "I Love Jesus" house

2)Lamberts

3) 4 months!

4) Me and Bilbo

5) MY SISTAS!(:

 

 

December.

Hey heyy friends and Fam:

 

This week has flown by.  Like i can't believe how fast it is going!

First things first:

This week we taught Kathy (Heidi's mom) and she FINALLY has committed to Baptism!!!(:  She is working toward the date of December 27th!(:  I am so happy i could cry.  She is incredible.  I love her so much.  She is so prepared and she knows all the lessons and has a very strong testimony.  I am so excited for her.  She even came to church this week.  She walked up a member in our ward as i was walking toward her and she said, "This one has been working really hard to get me baptized.....and she is doing a really great job."  It made me so happy.  I know that she knows it is true, it is just getting her to realize the importance of the covenant of baptism. She will be there though, i know it.

 

On Wednesday we had a zone training.  I love zone trainings because we get to see our wonderful missionary friends.  This week it was in Branson, so Cayla took us.  Well, She is CRAZY!!!! We were driving to get on the freeway, but she took the wrong road, so she stopped and just looked around, next thing i know, she was driving across the grass median and totally just cruised onto the freeway and put on her hazards and then when there was a gap she sped up and well....we were on the freeway.  Sister Smith, Oliva, Miner, and I were screaming.  But hey...just another one of those Crazy mission stories.  The training was really good. It helped me a lot and i always feel super motivated to work after those things. 

 

I finished the Book of Mormon this week for the first time on my mission.  Holy smokes is that a good book! I went back through and read all the things i marked.  It is incredible to me how Heavenly Father can speak to us through the scriptures and help us with our biggest concerns.  I love the Book of Mormon.  I love the lessons we can learn from it.  I love the spirit i feel as i read and the comfort i receive. 

 

We also volunteered at the Bishops storehouse! Always a good time.  It reminds me of doing it at home, except it is a little more organized here.  I love helping these people and getting to talk to them.  They are all so humble and nice.  I learn a lot from doing that.   Later that night we went to the Relief Society party.  It was at the Castle, but all of our investigators cancelled except for one, that was a bummer.  But then we got there, and all of them were there except 1 or 2.  What a miracle. It was a really cool reminder that we need to always be positive and not lose hope when plans don't work out. 

 

We also  helped Heidi move this week, in the pouring rain.  That was fun. I mostly played with the kitten she has(; shocker.

 

We also had the Ward Christmas party. Guess who was the lead angel? Yours truly. Guess who forgot to memorize her lines. Yours truly. And finally, guess who forgot to bring a costume. Again...yours truly.  So lets just say i completely destroyed the nativity. ):  hahahaha! It was great. 

 

One main thing i have learned and realized this week.  I was thinking about one of our investigators and how he is waiting for a "sign."  Well, i was reading the testimonies of the 3 and 8 witnesses and Joseph Smith's Testimony of the Book of Mormon.  I was thinking about how some of those people saw the gold plates, they saw physical evidence and they still fell away from the church.  That is why it is more important to have faith.  Yes, as we receive "signs" or miracles, it builds our faith and helps strenghten our testimony, but without faith, the signs mean nothing.  I have learned a lot about that.  People are always wanting some miraculous sign, but they are lacking faith.  I know that as you have faith, you will receive those signs to verify belief.  I know that Heavenly Father will bare witness to you what he wants to and when. 

 

It was a great week.

Love,

Sister Ritter

 

Pictures: 

1- our "laughing" picture

2-Us and Grandpa(:

3- the only reason i took a pic with Santa, is because i knew who it was.

4- Relief Society Party at the Castle

 

 

Thanksgiving!

This week was pretty good!  We had some really cool experiences, and i learned some amazing things. 

 

First experience.  We started teaching Tristian this week and we taught him the resoration.  We told him to pray about what we were telling him and ask God if it was true.  If Joseph Smith really saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  We went back the next day and he said "I have something really cool to tell you.  Last night after you left i was thinking, Noo it can't be true.  I have never seen them, so i don't believe it.  But i still prayed.  And when i woke up, i felt like i was standing and floating on a cloud and i was so happy and it felt like people were singing tunes in my heartstrings. I KNOW it is true."  It was seriously one of the coolest experiences of my life. 

 

The next cool experience was this.  We taught the Sheltons. Finally.  They told us they want to belong in the church.  The lesson went amazing and we are planning on seeing them this week and at all the fun activites we have going on.  They are amazing and so prepared. More on them later.

 

Funny experience of the week:  So we got in late one night because we went to Branson with an investigator and saw the Dutton Christmas show.  So i turned on the alarm like we are supposed to.  Then in the morning, we didn't excercise in the workout room because we were super tired, so we just stretched in our room.  Normally on the way to the workout room i turn the alarm off.  Well Celeste went to work and opened the garage door and pulled out of the driveway.  Then the most loud siren went off.  I booked it upstairs to turn off the alarm, but i couldn't remember the difference between the panic alarm and the false alarm code.  So i just punched one in.  Next thing i know, the security guys call and ask what the emergency was.  I told them what happened and then we went back downstairs.  Then...we hear a pounding on the front door, so i book it upstairs thinking, i bet it is the alarm company. NOPE. It was a sheriff. He didn't believe we were allowed in the house.  And he asked us why our car had an Oklahoma license plate registered in Utah and we were in Missouri.  All the odds were against us at this point.  Frank wouldn't answer his phone because he was flying and we didin't have Celeste's phone number. So he had to call her at work and then she thought it was Frank teasing her.  It was hilarious.  So long story short.  I called the cops on myself. 

 

Now back to business.  This week we have been teaching a lot of the basics.  We call it spiritual CPR.  When you are physically done for, you need CPR.  Just like when your spirit is done for, you need spiritual CPR. that would be Church, Prayer, Read.  A lot of people don't do those things and they are needing CPR.  It is so important to go back to the basics.  and to work and do those things every single day/week.  Then in church we talked about eternal families.  It seems like all the talks were on that and i had been thinking about that since Thanksgiving just passed and i am most grateful for my family.  A speaker quoted a talk (not sure which conference) and said something that really struck me.  "Our families are not ours yet.  Heavenly Father gave them to us to see how we would treat them and care for them.  Only after we are faithful, can we be with our families eternally."  I want to be with my family for eternity.  I want to be with all of you and see you eternally.  So you know how i can do that, and how you can do that? CPR.  That is so important.  If we want to be with our families for eternity.  We need to be faithful in the things Christ has asked us to do.

 

I know the importance of  Church. I know the importance of Prayer.  I know the importance of Reading out of the Book Of Mormon everyday.  I know that my family can be together forever if i am faithful and if i follow Gods commands.  I am and will do everything possible to make sure i am with them forever and all eternity.  Because nothing matters to me more than that. 

 

Much Love,

Sister Ritter

 

Pictures:

All from Thanksgiving (:

Week of Miracles

Hello Friends and family!

This week has been exciting to say the least.  It also has been crazy and full of miracles. 

 

First off, i will just jump to Thursday. I had to say goodbye to my fave Sister Pereira.  It was almost heartbreaking.  I love her so much i can't even begin to explain how well we got along and all the fun things we did.  So wednesday night and thursday morning, i helped her pack all of her stuff.  It was sad.... ):  Then thursday morning, we drove to Mount Vernon to exchange.  We said Goodbye to each other and took a final picture.  Then i met my new companion Sister Oliva.

 

Sister Oliva is super hardworking and dedicated to the work.  She has her sights set high.  She knows how to be a missionary and she is super good at it.  She is really brave and full of energy.   So needless to say, we have worked so hard this week.  I have gone to bed beat every single day. But, we have also seen countless miracles and rewards.

 

This week at church we had some crazy things happen.  Brother Roberts passed the sacrament. (He has been really reluctant to do that. No matter what we say to him.)  He did such a great job.  We also had Brother Baker come to church.  We have been teaching him since i got here so he can reactivate in the church and be sealed to his wife in the temple.  His son and granddaughter were also there.  We had a referral we have been trying to contact for weeks without success. She called US and wanted to see us that day. We visited her and set up another appointment. 

 

The biggest event this week: HEIDI'S BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!

 

Her baptism was incredible.  We got everything set up and worked really hard to get people to be there and support her. Even Sister Pereira was able to come back! Well, all of our praying and working paid off.  The entire relief society was full to the walls.  People were standing up, there wasn't enough chairs.  It was increddible.  She had so much suport from her family and from the ward.  It was a really special experience. I love her and i am so glad i had the priveledge to teach her.  She has become so close and dear to my heart.  I am so proud of her decision to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baprtized.  She was so happy and glowing after.  You could see the light of Christ fill her body.  She was so happy and afterwards thanked us a million times for teaching her and bringing her to Christ.  She loves the church and i know she will continue to receive those blessings that come from living the commandments of God. 

 

Reflecting on Heidi's baptism and all of her comments made me realize just how important it is for me to work hard here.  Baptism isn't just a small simple thing to do.  It is the first step in returning to God.  It isn't something to be taken lightly. I need to help others progress towards that.  It was a cool thing to remind me how important that covenant is.  It was such a great week, and definitely one for the books!

 

Love you all!

Until next week

Sister Ritter

 

p.s. Happy Thanksgiving (:

 

Pics:

1) Me and Sister Periera

2) Me, Mirissa, and Ryan.

3)Goodbye Sister P, I love you forever!(:

4)Heidi's Baptism

5) Me and sister Oliva

Three Month Testimony

I'd like to take to bare my testimony on the things i have learned the first three months of my mission.  These lessons have hit me like a rock and continue to grow and increase everyday.

 

First, I know that the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church here on the earth today.  I know the great blessings that come from living the commandments and following  Christ's example.  I've seen those blessings and the difference it has made.

 

Second, I know Heavenly Father knows us better than we know ourselves.  I know He leads and guides us to exactly where he wants us.  I know his hand is in my life.  I know i was sent to Ozark for a reason.  I know God has something for me here, whether it was for Sister Pereira, Frank and Celeste, Heidi, or someone else i have met.  I know that i won't see all the results i have helped with, but i know God does and i know He gives me exactly what i need.

 

Third, I know that all of the trials we go through are for our own good.  I know that what seems like a tragedy and dissapointment today turns out to be a blessing and miracle in the end.

 

And last, I know God loves us individually.  The amount of love i feel for these people is unreal.  It is incredible to feel.  I know that the love i feel is but a speck compared to how much Heavenly Father loves them.  Learning that, it has shown me my importance and the love He has for me.  I sincerely care for and love them.  That is the single most important thing i have learned so far.  That God's love is real.  It is unchangeable. 

 

I know all of this to be true.  I love this gospel.  I say all of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

What a Week!

Holy cow! What a week it has been!!!

 

Last monday, we went to a show in Branson! We went to see six! It was really good!  They all sing really great and don't use any instruments at all!  They sang normal songs the first half and Christmas songs the second half! My favorite part was when one of them sang Boyfriend by Justin Bieber and went in the audience to an old lady! It was seriously hilarious!!! Then when they showed all of the missionaries on the projector, the elders went CRAZY! It was so much fun!!!

 

Wednesday we did a district breakfast and had tons of different kinds of pancakes.  We had regular, sour dough, and whole wheat. All with blueberries!  It is so fun to just go and hang out with our district! I love all of them! We also went on mini exchanges, and i was with Sister Stout! She is the Sister Training Leader and i love her to death!! We had a good time together!

 

Thursday, we volunteered at the bishops storehouse and again, got to be with our whole district and have fun together!  We had SO many orders that we had to fill though, so we were there all day it felt like!! It was also.... 3 MONTHS!!!!!!!(: I seriously cannot believe how fast time is flying.  It is ridiculous that i have been away for 3 months!! But, im not a trainee anymore, i am just a normal little missionary!(:

 

Friday was probably one of the best days! Remember the castle we went to??? Well....They invitied us to come and decorate for Christmas!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOo! It was awesome! We set up tons of trees and nativities.  It was just really fun to decorate and have a little bit of the Christmas traditions and  celebrations!  We went with one of our best friends Cayla.  Sister Pereira was getting mad at us because we were taking ridiculous pictures and decorating the tree like little kids and not spacing it even! It was a good time!(:

 

Saturday....oh man! It was a bitter sweet day!  We woke up and went straight to the church by 7 so we could help clean it.  After we were done cleaning we decided to play basketball for a little bit for our excercise for the day!  Cayla was there with us as well, she said, i bet you can't make it backwards Sister Ritter.  Well...i stood at half court, threw the ball over my head, backwards, and MADE IT! SWISH! Didn't even touch the backboard or rim.  It was incredible.  Everyone went crazy and didn't know what to say! It was seriously hilarious.  I have become quite the basketball star out here!(;  We also had transfer calls....the later it went in the night the happier we got. Because if you get a call, you are leaving. If you get a text, you stay.  I really want to stay with Sister P and it was almost 10 so we were feeling good. Then our phone rang and Elder Martin said, "Ozark sisters, you will be staying."  I cheered so loud i was so happy! Then he said, "I'm kidding. I was just calling to see if you have gotten your call or text yet." Brat. I made him apologize to me, and as he was saying sorry....guess who called.  They told us Sister Pereira was going to be leaving. I may or may not have cried for a solid 10 minutes and through the prayer. It was great. But oh well.  I know we will keep in touch and i know i will love my companion just as much!

 

Sunday was probably one of the most depressing days ever.  It was Heidi's baptism that day and she came to church super happy and excited,  she bought a new outfit and all new outfits for her boys.  She told us she was finally excited for her baptism.  Well....too bad the second it starts snowing in Missouri everything gets cancelled.  Her baptism was cancelled and she was really sad, along with me.  I looked forward to it for a month. And teeny little snowflakes shut it down.  But she is still excited and she is so ready to be baptized.  She said, "When are we doing it.  I want it to be this week." It is scheduled for next week. Pray that it won't snow and that she will continue to progress and work towards baptism. 

 

So all in all, that was my week.  We did a lot of service, and had a lot of fun memories come from this week.  Its the close of a chapter of my mission.   I am done training and have to say goodbye to my favorite trainer in the world.  But that doesn't stop me from being excited.  I still love being a missionary and sometimes can't believe that this is real life.  I love the gospel and the miracles i see out here. 

 

Until next time,

XOXO

Sister Ritter

 

 

Pics:

1) Zone at six! (not pictured)

2) Me and Sister Stout

3)It was freezing, so i put on a bunch of stuff and Sister P said, "You look like you are going to rob something." and I said, "I am...souls from Satan!" HAHA!(:

4)The district!

1) 3 months!!!

2)Me and my favorite Cayla

3)Decorating

4) I LOVE HER!

Three Months!

Hello Fam and Friends(:

This week we have kind of had a lot going on!(: 

Monday we played volleyball, basketball, soccer, and all sorts of sports with our district.  It was way fun, but obviously....i am a pro at all those things. (; It was way fun to just go and hang out though!(: Our member Cayla drove us to the church and we were playing basketball.  She said, "Ritter I bet you $50 you can't make a basket from the foul line." Swish. Yeah i am that good! Then she said, "Double or nothing." Swish. It was awesome!!!! (: We all laughed so hard!!!(:

We went tracting one day because all of our appointments cancelled. So we looked at a list of former investigators and went to visit them.  We knocked on this door and started talking to him.  He was super nice and talking to us about church and everything and then he randomly said, "I truly believe that you do not have the answer for me and your church won't help me at all." and then he shut the door. Sweet.  We went to this other door and Sister Pereira said, 'You got this. You start the conversation and everything" So i knocked and this cute little old man answered the door.  He was super hard of hearing, but i was talking to him, explaining who we were and everything and then my brain turned off and i completely forgot english. I didn't know what to say, i didn't know what i was doing. I just froze. So i turned around and looked at Sister Pereira and looked at her with the deer in headlights look.  She started talking to him and totally saved me.  It was horribly embarassing.  I felt like a failure all day. But then i realized.  He was an old guy who could barely here and he didn't even notice that i had stopped talking, he just said, "sorry girls, i can't hear you."  It was a miracle.  I am so glad that happened at his door.  Now i feel better about tracting because i know i can do it and i know how to save myself. 

This week we also had a personal interview with President Shumway.  It was really awesome and i love talking to him.  He is the sweetest man in the world, and he gives great advice.  He looked at me and said, "Sister Ritter. You are always so happy and positive and i love that.  Keep working hard and doing your best.  I am so happy to have you here."  It made me realize that even if i feel down, that if i pretend to be positive, people will notice and it will change my attitude as well.  I learned from him, "Your Actions and thoughts control your feelings.  Don't let your feelings control your actions and thoughts."  I had a  lot of revelation this week on attitude and have been pondering situations a lot this week of how i can change to be happier.  It was really cool.

Crazy mission story. We were talking to Mirissa and doing the reading program with her.  Her mom walks out of the room into the bathroom, with no pants on. HA! Sister Pereira's face was priceless...

We also asked Heidi why she wanted to be baptized this week.  Her answer was awesome.  She said, "It's like a watch store.  You walk in and you see some good watches but they aren't anything special. You don't really like any of them.  So you go to the next store and the same thing happens.  You go from store to store looking for the perfect watch. And then you are at the last store and you see this beautiful, perfect watch.  It is perfect, it fits right, everything is in place, and you just love it. That is how i feel about this church. It fits perfect, everything has gone right since i have taken the lessons.  From the first time i walked into the church i felt at peace and happy.  I know this is the right church."

I know God loves us.  I know He can help us through any trial.  I know that if we pray and ask for help sincerely He will help us overcome our trials.  I know that our trials in life are for a reason.  I know that the power of the atonement is real and because of Christ we can overcome. I know that if we change our attitudes and look for the positivity and miracles in our lives, we will see them.  I know that God has his hand in my life and he is directing my every step.  I know that as i continue serving him that i will see miracles.  This is the best time in my life.  I have learned so much already and i have grown to love Heavenly Father and the Gospel more than i could ever know.

Love,

Sister Ritter

Pictures:

I love dogs!!!

A better picture of Pete

A giant fly swatter i got from Heidi and Kathy.

Halloween!

Hello Friends and Family:

This week was awesome!!!(: It was really busy, but i had a lot of fun/exciting/cool experiences. 

On Tuesday, we had our ward trunk or treat. We dressed up as each other (;  We were on our way and Pete called us.  He said, "You two better hurry it up and get here. The chili is going fast." HOLY COW! I love Pete!!! I am so happy he came, we didn't know if he would come.  He was so excited. He wanted to do all the games for the little kids inside, so we decorated a treat bag, played the cookie walk (He won the first time), did the puff ball toss (Again, won the first time).  Then he wanted to go trunk or treating.  It was so fun!!!(: We had a really great time with him. 

Wednesday we were on exchanges. I was with Sister Willis and we stayed in Ozark.  I was really nervous because that meant i had to find things to fill our time.  Usually, I go to a different area and just follow, but this time i stayed and was the senior companion.  I was panicked.  I prayed so hard for a full day, and my prayers were definitely answered.  We got 8 lessons with people we usually don't get to see.  It was incredible. Our time was so full and we didn't have any moments where we had to find things to do. 

Thursday we had zone conference.  President said, "This advice is for all the sisters. STOP comparing yourself to others, stop getting down on yourself, Stop.  You are good enough. You can do it, You are all great missionaries, and i love you dearly."  It was so cool.  When he said that i reflected a lot on exchanges and how i was able to do missionary work.  I knew how to fill my time. I knew how to talk to people and think of lessons and scriptures. I can do missionary work.  I learned that as we rely on the Lord and put our trust in him, he will bless us more than we can ever know.  He loves us and when we are obedient and faithful, he will shower us with blessings.  I know that the Lord was mindful of me.  I knew that he knew my fear. and because of my hard work, he blessed me with success for the day.  It strenghtened my testimony and also my self confidence a lot. 

Friday was HaLlOwEeN!(: We had to be in early, but we still had an awesome day! We wore halloween colors(; We went to dinner and talked to a less active family.  We got all done with dinner and she said, "Oh by the way. You didn't eat chicken for dinner like you thought." I was panicked.....What did i eat??? She said, "It was rabbit.  I don't buy meat, so i just go in the yard and kill things." BARF.  I was disgusted. Yes, the rabbit was good, but you can't go and lie to people like that (dad and kayde...) Because..ewwwww. It kind of made me upset. But whatevs. I am over it.

On saturday we went to see Heidi and Kathy.  I got there and Heidi's boy Trishtian gave me a GIANT FLY SWATTER. It was hilarious. But there is a back story.  I love to kill flies there. It is like a game. Every fly is 10 points. I am seriously a foot away from the fly, go to hit it, and miss. Its bad. And i don't miss by a teeny bit, it is the complete opposite direction of the fly. I am not a good aim.  So the last time we went, i got 3 right in a row, and she said i deserved the giant one after my successful hits the time before.  It was awesome!!! I love it, i just have to figure out how to pack it around now. (:

This week was really great.  I learned so much!!! I had a great time and had some powerful experiences! I love serving the Lord and am so grateful for the time i have to be a missionary right now!

I love you all!

With love,

Sister Ritter

Pictures:  Us with the Price Fam(:

An ambulance trunk...yes!(:

I was Sister Pereira for halloween

Pretty tree!(: Only one in Missurah!

1.I saw my fave Sis Hill at Zone Conference

2. We aint scurred...We be preachin' da gospel to erry'body

3. teeny weeny puppy named bugsy!(:

4. This is pete. Terrible pic, but i haven't gotten the email with the good one yet. ):

Hot Weeks = Ice Cream Treats

Hello!

This week was definitely slower, and it was HOT! I thought it was supposed to be fall???

Last Monday, we got permission to go to a show in Branson! It was so much fun!(: We went and saw the Duttons.  They play a lot of string instruments and have been playing forever!  They did a lot of really cool songs! It was really neat!(:  We went with Frank and Celeste to the show.  Part of the show Ben Dutton dresses up in this horn suit and plays different songs on it.  He is dressed up as "julio".  Oh man. It was hilarious. I wish i could explain it more, but it really is one of those things you just have to see.  He played the song Low Rider with his horn suit, some cleaning supplies, and a flat iron and blow dryer.  He used a looping machine to do it.  I loved it! So that was my last preparation day!(: 

Remember Pete? Well...He called us Tuesday and wanted to meet with us.  He took us to dinner and we read the Bible and the Book of Mormon for probably two hours.  He has such great faith.  He believes it, and we asked him to be baptized.  He said he has already been praying about it, but the answer is "no, not yet."  He says, "It is the not yet that has me interested.  I am going to keep reading and studying. I love that Monson guy. He is awesome."  It made me so happy!!! When i answered and it was Pete! I am so glad he isn't lost and that we still get to visit with him! We are going to meet with him again this week!!(: The Lord truly does answer prayers!(:

Wednesday was pretty good! We had district meeting which is always fun! After all of us went to Steak N' Shake for lunch.  All of the Elders were freaking out when they heard i hadn't been there, so we went.  It was pretty good, but definitely not what they all made it out to be!  Then to celebrate Sister Pereira's Year mark, we went to Andys while we were in Springfield.  Everyone talks about it here adn how YOU HAVE TO TRY IT!!!!!  HOLY SMOKES. Yummy ice cream for sure! I got a James Brownie Jackhammer. It had like a whole jar of hot fudge in it!

We had a lesson with Mirissa and Christine this week!  We talked about the Holy Ghost and Baptism.  We blind folded Mirissa and did like the faith walk thing, and at the end she got a treat.  We talked about how there are obstacles that we can't see and how the Holy Ghost helps us through them and guides us.  In her yard we set up tons of obstacles and i helped lead her through.  She loved it and i think she understood what we were teaching her.  After the lesson was finished her mom Ashley came in the room and said "Sisters. When can you come and visit me and teach the Stop Smoking Program to me?"  WHAT??? Ashley never wants to talk to us or see us. She never listens to our discussions, but she is a total sweetie.  So when she said that i panicked.  I was so excited!!! I couldn't believe my ears!  Christine has been so worried about her and that was definitely an answer to her prayer!

Thursday was Sister Pereira's year mark!!!!!!! It was awesome! I made up a little song and dance for her!(; It was  hilarious! But hey, What else are ya gonna do when you are a missionary??? I rehearsed in my head all week!(: (: (:  We didn't really do much that day, everyone cancelled on us or wouldn't let us in. 

On saturday, we did service at the Women's Shelter.  We painted an entire room and then we moved to the bathroom, I bent down to get the corner of the room and bam. My hair was covered in Blue paint.  I forgot my hair was on top of my head, so that was cool!  We had to go home after and play beauty salon for a little while.  I couldn't see where all the paint was, so Sister P helped me wash it in the sink.  It was ridiculous.  I have terrible luck.  Then later that night, we went to dinner and this family had a picture frame on their front door, as i was leaving i shut the door and the frame fell off and broke.  Seriously. I knocked on the door to tell them i could replace it and Sister P booked it down the stairs and leaves me in the dust because she is laughing so hard.  I got it all worked out with the family and when we got in the car Sister P was laughing so hard, she said. "It is funny, because you are so used to it.  You aren't even upset at all.  You are just so used to being clumsy."  It wasn't really that funny, but she was hysterical. 

Sunday night, guess who came over for dinner? The Duttons!!!(:  It was fun! We sang lots of songs, talked about their show and Ben's mission and just visited with them. It was fun to sing hymns and do different things like that.  Everytime the Flores' have visitors he always makes me and Sister Pereira sing a hymn.  So needless to say, we sang Come thou Fount last night.  It was a fun night! 

This week, everytime something or someone got us down and discouraged, it would always be followed with a miracle.  It is moments like that that make me realize why i am serving a mission.  I love it.  It is really hard, but a tiny little positive thing will happen and it will turn our day around.  I know that Heavenly Father is directing our path to exactly where we need to be.  I know he has our best interest at heart.  I love being a missionary.  I love the work, and i love all the miracles that are happening. Even if they are tiny and we don't have people running to get baptized.  I am so happy i am here in Ozark and meeting those people i have met.  I love it so much! 

Sister Ritter

Pictures: 

I got a unicorn sweater!

Trying Andy's

I am a HAPPY missionary!

The Dutton Show

And this Kitty who loves me to death!