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. ):