Because He Lives - OTM

7 Months!!

Baamle and mata:

 

This week was really good!  We had a lot of really cool experiences. Something i have been struggling with here is motivation.  It has been really difficult for me.

 

On monday, we went over to Sister Olo's house for dinner.  She told us a story about her work. It was totally for me.  It helped me a lot.  She said, "A lot of people at my work hate it.  They don't like the hours, they don't get to see their family, and they aren't happy there.  I love it. I love my job so much, and i know the hours are long, and i don't get to see my family as often as i would like, but i get to talk to them, and i am just really happy. There is no point in me being mad about my job or sad about the hours, because it is a great job."  That somehow went into my brain like she was talking to me as a misisonary.  Yeah, the hours of a missionary are long, i don't get to see my family, but i am happy too.  I love being a missionary. So who cares. If i love being a missionary, the hours won't matter, the hard times and dissapointments won't matter.  My mission is what makes me happy. It was a total attitude changer for me. It is crazy how the Lord works.  He speaks to us how we will hear him. (: 

 

I have also decided that this area is for ME.  This area is hard.  It is a different language, different culture, different everything.  It is totally different for me, but the people are the nicest people i have ever met.  The marshallese people are so giving, humble, and genuine in everything they do.  I am here to learn from them.  I am here to grow myself, and along the way...help others find the gospel.  So this area is bitter sweet for me.  But mostly sweet(; I love it here, and once i decided that. EVERYTHING changed.  And we had an awesome week. 

 

We met 2 new investigators this week! Bugiday and Mackson.  THEY ARE ADORABLE.  We just knocked on their door and they let us in, we taught a lesson and then they said, "Can we be baptized on April 1?" WHAT THE???? so basically. That was such a blessing!  And they even came to church!!! They are totally prepared(: 

 

I got 2 blessings this week! Such a powerful experience! I got one in English on Saturday, and then on Sunday our Branch President wanted to give us "the speech of tongues." so he gave us a blessing, but it was in Marshallese, so we had a translater, it was really cool.(: For me he said something different than i was expecting...he said, "You will be able to learn Marshallese and the other languages you will be asked to learn." WHAT? hahaha.  That was kinda scary.(:  It was sweet though!

 

Oh, so this morning, the funniest/craziest thing ever happened.  We set our goals really high this week, because we are going to push ourselves.  Sister Booms studied patience this week...so we all know what that means...trials coming our way, and our first was this morning.  So our apartment was weird, because the Elders were there right before us...so it wasn't very organized. So we were moving this glass table...SHATTERED.  It was a MESS.  So we were avoiding the glass and i moved a book shelf and BAM. Totally broke my toe.  It is huge, purple, black, sensitive. It is all sorts of good.  Here goes a crazy week!

 

We had some other really cool experiences, but they are very close to my heart.  So instead i will just share my testimony.  

 

I know that my missionary calling is beyond important to me.  I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.  I KNOW i was called to the OTM for a purpose.  Being a missionary has made me happier than anything in the world.  I have a genuine love for everyone I teach and visit.  I truly can see the love Christ has for them.  Nothing has ever made me happier than being a full time missionary.  

I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, Savior of the world and my brother.  I can testify of the love He has for each of us individually.  I know that He died for me.  I know He has felt every aching pain i have felt.  And i know that it is only through Him we can return.  But most of all, I know He lives.

 

I know I am in Springdale Marshallese for the purpose of learning to be Christ-like.  The Marshallese are humble, loving, innocent, giving, genuine, and the greatest example of who Christ wants us to be. They know who they are.  I can never repay them for the genuine care they have given me.  I wish i could express what they have taught me and the love i have for them.  

 

Bar lo eok!

 

Sister Ritter 

 

Pictures: 

1) Tracting in the rain(: Best day ever.

2) 7 months babyyyy!

3)At the intersection of Ritter/Ritter Circle

4)One of the cutest little boys ever. Hackney(:

5) We are besties(: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 month testimony‏

I have such a strong testimony of Jesus Christ.  I know He is my Savior and Redeemer.  I know that He died for me, so i can have the opportunity to repent and return to live with him.  Jesus Christ loved all of us so much that He suffered every pain and sorrow we have felt all at once.  I know that He will support me in my trials.  I know He will forgive me of all sins, because He knows me and understands me perfectly.  He is the Christ!

 

I also have a firm testimony on temples.  I know that temples are here on this earth so we can be with our families forever.  I know that as we go to the temple often, we will be able to receive the personal revelation we are looking for.  We can feel such an increased spirit in our lives.  I know the blessings of the temple are real. 

I love this Gospel.  In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Every Day is a Test

Dear Family and Friends:

 

This week was another tough week.  I feel like i am supposed to be learning a lesson, just not exactly sure what it is yet.  Sister Booms and I have been trying to work so hard and give our all to the Lord.  It is hard.  We are in a different area with a different culture and language.  We had a little heart to heart with each other last night after i had a slight breakdown. She is so incredible.  I have been blessed so much by her kindness and her diligence in serving the Lord. She never gives up.  She works her little heart out no matter what and she is the perfect example of a missionary to me.  We had some funny things happen this week! 

1. Her family sent  her Ranch Dressing soda. Seriously....it was horrible. I don't think i will EVER be able to eat ranch again. We tried eating salad the next day for lunch and neither of us could do it...It was making us sick.  The video of us trying it is hilarious. Maybe one day you will all be able to see it.(; If anyone offers you Ranch Dressing soda....don't do it. 

2. On one of our really really hard days, Sister Booms wrote 2 hymns for me(: they were lovely. 

3.  We went to see Adam on Sunday and we couldn't go in because his wife wasn't home. He totally threw her under the bus.  He said, "she went to the store with my uncle. I told her. NO. it is the sabbath. just sleep and relax. but she went anyway. I don't know what to do about her." hahaha(: 

 This week we also went on exchanges with the Sister Training leaders.  I went to Centerton and Center Park with Sister Ma'alona.  We were talking about our friends and what we did before our missions.  Turns out...The one and only Taylor Meyer was in her MTC district. What a small world.  It was crazy. We had some crazy lessons with people that day.  We found out that people have some crazy beliefs about Adam and Eve.  That night...we also went out to the Walmart Cafe with the other sisters and got banana splits.  It was so fun!!! I loved going on exchanges! 

We had 2 really awesome lessons this week. One was with Marylynn. She is 12 years old. We asked her to pray to know about the things we were teaching her.  We went back and asked her and she said, "Everything is correct. I love it. I also read 16 pages in the Book of Mormon."  It was adorable.

We also met with Natasha.  She is 13.  It was the first time we have met her, so we asked her what she thinks about the things the elders have taught her.  She said, "It is wonderful and amazing."  Then we were talking to her about prayer and we said, "Heavenly Father is going to answer every single one of your prayers." She said the worlds cutest thing i have ever heard. She said, "Well that is good to know."  Oh my goodness.  She made my heart melt. 

The last exciting thing this week. Remember Kathy from Ozark? SHE GOT BAPTIZED! Sadly, i wasn't able to make it to her baptism, but i did get permission to call her.  She is so special to me! I talked to her on the phone for about an hour and she said, "I am sad you couldn't make it. But i understand." Then i told her that in a year when she could go through the temple i would come back and go with her. She said, "Sister Ritter. You are one of my favorite missionaries. I really miss you and nothing would make the temple more special than if you were able to go with me. And be there when i am sealed with my husband"  So woo whoo! In a year....i will be off my mission (Depressing thought) But then i will be able to go to the temple with kathy!  It was such a great surprise! She is darling. 

So that was my week in a nutshell(: 

Oh also...i can finally pray in marshallese(: 

Love you all!

Sister Ritter 

Pictures:

1)The zone(:

2)Ranch Dressing Soda.

3) Ej komoolol eok kon, eo motta, Sister Booms

4)Banana Splits with Sister Ma'alona, Sister Burt, and Sister Smith \

5) The worlds cutest boys on the planet.

 

 

 

 

 

Choose to be Happy‏

Baamle and Mata:  

 

THIS WEEK WAS INCREDIBLE.  Seriously.  After last week, me and Sister Booms decided that we are going to love this area.  We are going to love these people, and we are going to be happy through whatever comes our way.  Why? Because this area is such an incredible opportunity to be serving in.  All the OTM missionaries talk about the marshallese areas.  And i am so grateful that i get the opportunity to serve in a "foreign" mission in my mission.  

 

We saw tons of miracles this week.  We decided if one of our appointments fell through (which most did) then we were going to knock on doors until we got into someones house and shared the gospel with them.  We were truly blessed.  

 

On Wednesday, we had the opportunity to have Sister Shumway come out on exchanges with us. I LOVE her.  She went to different appointments with us and helped us gain the courage to OTM (open thy mouth) such as walk up to random people sitting in their car and just wait for them to get out so we could talk to them.  She is INCREDIBLE.  When we were leaving to take go back to our car, Sister Shumway left her purse at the lesson.  We got stuck in this huge line of cars waiting to get into the school and she said, "There isn't a sign that says don't go around. So i am going to skip this huge line.  And i am going to go very slow, so i don't do anything to Presidents car." It was crazy!!! We got her purse and on the way home she said, "It is hard to be an airhead." We laughed forever.

 

The next day, we decided to go through our former investigators and see if they were now prepared.  We knocked on this really sketchy door looking for Lucinda. She opened the door and we asked if we could visit with her.  We talked to her for a little while and she said, "I was really interested in the church, but then the missionaries moved and no one came.  I have been looking for the missionaries for 2 years. And i have been waiting for a ride to church too."  What the??? This adorable woman has been looking for us for 2 years.  It was so cool.  Needless to say. We have a return appointment with her this week.  She is so prepared.  She is so sweet!(: 

 

We also got a referral for this lady named Julie-Ann. But they didn't know her address.  We were just randomly tracting a building and knocking on every single door.  The very last door, we found her.  We were led to her.  We told her the story and she thought it was really cool.  She said, "God really wanted you to find me."  I can't wait to visit with her again as well. 

 

Last thing that was unreal this week.  Our saturday. It was the greatest day i have had on my entire mission.  Where to begin??? Okay. We set the goal to reach 13 lessons in one day.  We needed something to keep us motivated.  We were tracting for the first little bit of the morning and Sister Booms says, "Hey at least its a nice day." (as its BLIZZARDING outside) She is SO positive. I can't even handle it. (: hahahaha(:  So it was super slippery because of the ice and snow. I am walking and all of a sudden i hear a SMASH. Sister Booms face planted in the snow. And me...being the good companion i am...laughed hysterically at her. Then this man named Adam runs out in his flip flops and says, 'What the heck??? Are you okay?"(stay in tuned for another story about Adam)  It was definitely a great moment in mission history.  We went and met a lady named Antonia.  We got to her porch and this man was SO drunk. He was passed out in the snow leaning on a table with like 15 beers sitting on it. Sister Booms didn't even notice him until i told her.  It was crazy. We walked and stood right next to him, knocked on the door and asked for Antonia and he didn't even budge. We met Antonia  and she said, "I think i am ready to be baptized." WOW. (More about her as we meet more.)  

We met our goal of 13 lessons. We knocked on so many doors and met so many new people.  

 

So the other story of Adam:  This man.....is INCREDIBLE.  He has given me probably the most touching experience on my mission.  I had just gotten $20 and put it in my coat pocket. After about 30 minutes, i realized that the money wasn't in my pocket and i was terribly stressed out.  So we retraced our steps.  I decided we would go back to Adams, maybe it fell out when i was laughing at Sister Booms?  Well we knocked on his door and he opened it right as we knocked.  I asked him if he had seen it and he said no.  He said, "I was just walking to the gas station to get my family some drinks. I only have a $10, and a $1 and a $1 and a $1. But you can have it instead."  I of course didn't take it.  Adam was going to give me the money that he was walking out the door with to WALK to the gas station in the BLIZZARD in FlIP FLOPS to buy drinks for his family.  That is such a perfect example of someone with Christ-like attributes.  And that is how every single marshallese person is.  They will give you EVERYTHING they have. They are incredibly selfless people. Nothing will ever make me forget how incredible that man was. How giving he was. 

 

That is what i learned this week. To give my all to the Lord. To give all i can to those who need my help.  To be as Christ would.  

 

We are the Happiest Missionaries in the OTM. 

 

Aelop men im emman.

Ej yokwe kom. 

 

yokwe, 

Sister Ritter 

 

Pictures: 

1) Our day with Sister Shumway 

2) The "nice day" Sister Booms mentioned.

3) Sister Booms on the "Nice Day"  

 

 

 

 

6 Month Testimony

oh boy!  1/3 done with my mission.  Seriously.  I cannot believe it.  Time has gone so fast.  Time for another testimony.

 

First, I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us individually.  I know that He knows what is best for us.  I know that God truly does bless us as we do our best to follow his commands.

 

I've noticed such a difference in my life as I've prayed and read the scriptures diligently.  I've grown so much closer to Heavenly Father and I've been able to follow Jesus Christ as I've learned more of his example.

 

I have such a testimony on relying on Christ.  I know that He is there for me.  He will support me in my trials and He will strengthen me in my weaknesses.  I know that as i exercise faith, i will see miracles. 

Week from You know where!‏

yokwe!

This week has been crazy.  Seriously. Crazy.  I can't even begin to tell you what all happened.  But here are a few highlights. So basicaly the only thing that went right this week was that we made it to Tulsa on time for the Sisters Conference and we made it there in one piece.

It was going to be an awesome week.  We had 34 lessons planned, so we had TONS to do. Throughout the week every single one dropped us, except for 1.  1 lesson.  It was really slow and extremely discouraging to go through the entire day and have every one cancel on us.  We took our time to plan the lessons and take time to prepare to see all these people and then none of them stuck.  So my week was spent tracting. ALL day. EVERY day.  It was really difficult to have door after door shut.  All i wanted to do was teach people.  Even just share a scripture with someone.  

 

On Wednesday, we were kind of in a rush going from apartment to apartment because it was freezing cold. Like blizzarding.  If that is even a word.  I pulled onto the wrong street, so Sister Booms jumps out and backs me up so we can make it to our dinner appointment on time. We get to the apartments and realize that we don't have our phone.  Sister  Booms thought that it fell out in the snow on the random street that we turned around on, so we went back and were searching with a flashlight in the snow for our phone.  We couldn't find it anywhere. So we just went to dinner and decided we would find the phone later.  We had Sister Clarence call our phone to see if someone found it and it was turned off. GREAT.  A missionary without a phone is scary. So then we had to go home because it was our curphew.  We stopped at a members home and used her phone to call President Shumway.  Wet told him and he just laughed.  He said not to worry and that he would get us a new one in Tulsa the next day, because we had to drive there for a sisters conference.  Then we got home and we read our daily quote and it said, "A little craziness once in awhile perpetuates sanity." 

The next morning we headed to Tulsa. No phone.  Just cruisin along trying to make it in one piece. We made it there safe and then we saw President and told him the whole story, he said, "Wow. I might have to separate you two. You can't wreck a whole area in a week.  You two are like dumb and dumber." hahahhahahah! Never in 1 million years did i expect my mission president to say i was like dumb and dumber.  But it was probably the funniest thing that happened this week!(: 

The Conference was awesome.  It was all about how we as sisters can hasten our hearts to the work.  I was really motivated by it.  I only have 18 months to be a sister missionary.  I really learned a lot and President really encouraged us to do our best. He said, "I love all my missionaries, but i really love my sisters better."  He puts so much trust in us and that makes me want to work incredibly hard and do my best.  

Oh also. We went out to eat with Sister Iona and i ate this bite of cake. Tasted like i was chewing on coffee beans. No big deal...but i totally accidentally broke the Word of Wisdom without really breaking the word of wisdom ON MY MISSION.

On Sunday, we went to church...NO TRANSLATOR. 

 

This week was really hard. Nothing went right. Stress levels were really high.  We were beat.  We can't understand the language and we are trying so hard to teach people.   

The lesson i learned this week was that it is SOO helpful to have a companion.  And how important they are.  Without Sister Booms i would be in a deep depression right now.  She is so funny.  She always has a funny story to tell and a funny comment to add.  When we were walking and knocking all day, she was there for me.  She cheered me up.  She encouraged me. And i did the same for her.  The Lord truly places us missionaries with who we need to be with and for a specific reason.  I am eternally grateful for her hilarious personality to get me through the hardest of weeks.  

 

aelop men im emman!

bar lo eok!

 

Pictures: 

1)Crazy quote that fit our day perfect.

2)Ritter! Party of 1. Yup. That is a plate for ONE meal for ONE person here in the Marshallese branch. GAH!

3) Hello little fishy(: Good to see you on my plate(: