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(:
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