Flash Floods of Blessings and Rain!‏

This week was crazy! We had a lot of incredible things happen and a lot of challenges to go with them. Do you know how hard it is to be a missionary in the pouring rain with a foot and an opposite arm that can't get wet?  But what is a missionary day without a challenge right??? 

 

This week we saw Sweety almost every single day.  She is so cute! On Tuesday, we finished teaching her about baptism and repentance and she was very into it.  She answered all of the questions and was really excited to read in the Book of Mormon.  At the end she started to ask a question and then she stopped.  Then she asked her sister Ricilla in marshallese and they both started laughing really hard.  We asked what happened and Ricilla said, "She said that she wants to get baptized today. Right now." We told her we still had to teach her a few things but that her baptism was really close and showed her on the calender May 30.  She said, "That is wayyy too far away."  We told her we could make her a countdown chain and she said she would just rip off all the papers so she could get baptized.  It was so cute! We settled with us bringing stickers with us. (: She is so funny!  She had her interview and everything.  She is so excited to get baptized this saturday(: 

 

This week we also went to see the James family.  We just talked to the mom, because they were in a rush.  But she told us a really cool story. She told us that earlier in the day, her son was playing with his cousin and his cousin mentioned something about hell.  Her son said, "There isn't a hell. there is 3 levels in heaven. Don't you know the plan??"  It was SOOO cool.  He isn't even a member yet and he is going to be a fabulous missionary one day!  I love them soo much!!!\

 

We also had a crazy experience happen! We got a referral last week, and had some time so we went to meet them.  We knocked on the door and a girl answered.  She looked really confused/scared.  We asked for Allen and she called to him. He came and said, "I think you are looking for her."  We started talking to the girl, her name is Maria.  She told us that the night before she was talking to the missionaries in Hawaii who taught her.  She told them that she was going to move to Iowa in 2 days because she couldn't find the missionaries in Springdale. Then the missionaries told her, They will find you. I promise." The next day, we knocked on her door.   She was so shocked that we came. That was such a cool reminder to me that God leads us to where we need to be.  Even if it is for a different reason than we thought.  Maria cancelled her plane ticket to move and is staying in Springdale.  What a miracle. 

 

We had a CRAZY thing happen this week.  We got another referral, went to visit. We met Wajlok and she was very interested.  She was super open to learning and had great desires to follow Christ.  We were confirming our appointment with her and she said, "My boyfriend kicked me out and i have no idea where i am going to move. You can't come today."  We did all we could to try to go and help her, but she said she already was out of the house.  We still haven't heard from her, and i don't know if we will...but i know that God is taking care of her and all will be well. 

 

SURPRISE. We had a baptism this week.  It was CRAZY!  Natasha decided to be baptized.  It was such a cool thing.  We have been teaching her for awhile.  She is so cute.  She called us and asked us all about her baptism and what would  happen.  We got everything set up and it was a wonderful day.  She was so happy and glowing.  She was beyond excited to be able to be a member.  We asked her what she remembered and felt at church on Sunday and she said, "the water was freezing. But i feel good." At church when she was confirmed, i felt the Holy Ghost so strongly.  It was a really cool moment. 

This week we also  had interviews. MOST AMAZING PART OF MY WEEK.  I love talking to President Shumway.  He is the best.  I received some really personal council from him.  I know he is called of God to be my mission president, because He helped me with so many things in the short 10 minute interview.  He explained to me that i was a champion and that he was very proud of me for overcoming my trials. but then he talked to me about the new mission president.  He said, "Sister Ritter, you've given me your all and your hardest work. I want you to give President Loveland more." 

 

Then i had another interview with Sister Shumway.  She told me that i had a trial and that i learned alot from it.  She said, "you made it past that trial and that part of your mission, now you have a new mission. Do you know what that is?"  We talked about different things that i could do and then she gave me some extremely specific details of what my "new" mission was.  It was a really spiritual time with her.  

 

I love President and Sister Shumway so much.  I love talking to them and getting to receive help and advice from them.

 

This week we saw so many "flash floods" of miracles.  I know that as i keep working hard, i will continue to receive the blessings that come from obedience.  I love the gospel so much and i will always and forever love being a missionary. 

 

Much love, 

Sister Ritter 

 

Pictures;

1) The beautiful Natasha on her baptism day.  Wanna  hear a really cool thing about Natasha? We share a birthday!!(: WHOO(: 

 

 

Nine Months Testimony

I'd like to bare my testimony on the past month.  I've been through a lot with my surgery, but I have learned a lot too. 

 

I know that God never leaves us.  I know He is here every second of everyday watching out for us.  He protects us and knows our hearts, fears, and desires.

 

I know that everything happens for a reason.  I know that God's plan is best for us.  It may not be what we want or expect, but it is the best.  I didn't want a surgery on my mission, but I am grateful I did.  Because of my surgery, I've had multiple huge spiritual experiences that have changed my life.

 

I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers.  I've never prayed so hard as I have to be able to stay on my mission, I wanted it so bad.  But all the things that kept happening made it seem impossible for me to stay, but I am here.  I know that wouldn't be possible without God.  I know that God does perform miracles still today.

 

Finally, I know I am in the exact place I need to be.  I know I am supposed to be a missionary.  I know I have more work to do.

 

I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church here on earth today.  I k now that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, called to restore the Gospel.  I know the Book of Mormon is true and can bless our lives in countless ways.

 

I say all of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Week of Guams

Dear Fam and Friends:

 

This week was definitely a crazy one.

 

On Monday night, we got some absolutely crazy news.  The Oklahoma Tulsa mission will be closing on July 1.  Yup. Closing.  I cannot believe it.  I am super sad.  I love the OTM.  The Only True Mission.  President Shumway called us and told us the news. He said that we would be in the history of the OTM and that he wanted us to end really strong and break records so that the OTM could be remembered for the incredible miracles that were performed here and also to be remembered as the hardest working mission!(: So we are working on goals that help us to beat records and so far, we aren't doing bad.  This week is to find 3 new investigators.  I know we can do it.  It is going to be amazing to see the success we have as we are diligent and as we close the OTM.  So you are probably wondering what mission I will be in??? The new mission that is opening is the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. President Shumway then told us all about what it means to open a mission.  He said, "Opening a mission is a great position of trust, and you, elders and sisters are here during this incredible time."  It was HUGE news.  So now...when I get home and people say, 'what mission did you serve in?' Well....I served in 2! I am excited to open a new mission, but really sad that the OTM is coming to an end.

 

We got a new investigator this week named Sweety!  She is adorable.  She is 9 years old and she wants to get baptized.  She read in between our visits from the Book of Mormon and she had great questions.  She loves the scriptures and she loves coming to church.  She has truly been prepared by the Lord and she will be a great example to her family.  She set her baptism date for May 30, so we are really excited for that!(:

 

I met the first person in my life who didn't know what a Mormon was!!!! I was so excited.  We were knocking on a door looking for a less active member.  This man  named Eric answered and we started to talk to him.  He said he doesn't go to a church, he wants to know about God, and he has never heard of Mormons.  I was so shocked.  He doesn't hate us!!!!(: He is very open to learning.  It was such a miracle.  I hope we get to go back and share the gospel with him soon(:

 

So this week we had some pretty crazy things happen. 

 

1) During the night, we had a crazy storm!! It was way crazy.  I couldn't sleep in the slightest.  We woke up anddddd  our hallway was flooded!! WHOOOO(: So we ran to get infusions and came home to clean it up.  This is gonna be a party!  All the Elders live on the 2 or 3 floor, so they didn't have the same problem we did. 

 

2) The elders in another area texted me and asked how my foot was  healing.  Then they sent a text that said, "If you were Jesus, that wouldn't have happened. Read Matthew 4:6 and replace the word stone with bookshelf."  So I did, it made me laugh SOOOO hard. It was way funny!!!!! Brightened my day(:

 

Also this week. Everyone decided to give us Guams (Marshallese dresses) Those things are the most comfy things on this planet. We got to wear them to church! And all the ladies kept telling us , "emman." That means good!(:  We rock the Guams.  (;

 

So I have decided this week that a christlike attribute that I DO NOT have is patience.  We had many trials this week were I got upset really quickly, and stressed over really lame things.  I learned that its okay.  Plans never go as planned as a missionary, but we just have to breathe, smile, move on, and get back to work.  I am really trying to work on patience because I need it. I know that by working on patience, my patience will be tried, but I know I can do it.  Patience will help me to happily endure the trials of missionary life.

 

I still love being a missionary. 

 

Love you all(:

 

Love,

Sister Ritter

 

pictures:

1) My first Guam(:

2) I have been out for 9 months. Half way. I am really sad.  I can't even believe my mission is half over.  (Yes.This picture is me hooked up to the IV in the infusion center(; )

3) Me and Sister Burrows rockin the second Guams!!

 

 

 

Goodbye Sister Booms!

Dear Family:

 

This week was CRAZY.  It was actually a really hard week for me. 

 

Transfers were on Thursday and I  had to say goodbye to Sister  Booms.  That was an incredibly hard thing to do for me after all the things that we have been through here in Springdale. It was really hard to give her a hug and watch her drive away.  I really miss her. I still do. She is always going to be one of my best friends.  She has taught me so much and has helped me out more than ever.  I love her so much.  I am really sad that we are so far away from each other, but hey we still have 6 months of opportunities to serve by each other again.  And even if we don't.....well, she lives in Utah. So that won't be a problem. 

 

So now, It is Sister Burrows and I rocking out Springdale Marshallese.  We had some pretty crazy things happen this week.

 

We have had this investigator for awhile and she didn't ever let us come over.  Then one day she called and we set an appointment and went over.  The lesson went really well and we invited her to church.  She said she would for sure be there.  So Sunday  morning we get a call and she was at the church 4 hours early.  She said she would come back when church started.  Close to the time church started, she called us and said, "I am sorry. Plans have changed.  I am in Canada with my mom."  That was probably the most crazy thing I  have ever heard.  It made me really sad that she didn't come to church, but also even more sad that she lied to us.  And I KNOW that is a lie...because you can't get to Canada from Arkansas in that amount of time.  I get really sad when people make up crazy excuses instead of just tell us the truth.  But hey, at least we can laugh about it now. Right?

 

We also got a new investigator this week.  It was awesome.  We went to visit Ann so she could teach us Marshallese and we walked in the door and she said, "Meet Jessica. She wants to be baptized."  So we taught her the Restoration.  She loved it. And she said she would be baptized.  We invited her to church and she was more than happy to come. Well, she didn't.

 

Lately we are having this problem of no one keeping commitments.  It is extremely hard for me.  I know that my job is to invite the spirit, teach, and invite.  And it is up to them to act.  I know I am supposed to be learning something right now.  I don't know exactly what yet, but I know that this is just another lesson I am supposed to learn. 

 

As I have been thinking this week about all the trials and rough times I have had on my mission.  It is always for my benefit and for me to learn something.  Sometimes I know why right away, but others I still haven't figured out.  That is how our entire life is.  Our entire life is full of tiny moments and experiences to teach us things.  I have learned more on my mission than I have throughout any time of my life and I look forward to continue to learn more.  I love being a missionary!  I love it here in Springdale!(:  I  am happy(:

 

I hope you all have a great week!(:

 

Love and Miss you all so much!

 

Love,

Sister Ritter

 

pictures:

1) Me and sister Booms and the "Hannah Montana wall"

2) Goodbye Kaboom!  I love you so much!(:  See you soon(:

3)Welcome to Springdale Sister Burrows.

 

 

Bowling and Birthdays

I'm not really sure what to write about this week. So lets see what i can think up(:

 

Monday: I took Sister Booms bowling for her birthday (since we were apartment bound on her birthday) She killed the Elders by like 50 points every game. She rocked it. 

 

Oh...something crazy happened. So. We have this adorable investigator named Lili(: She is 14 and she is so prepared, she loves the Book of Mormon and she wants to be baptized. Well, She hasn't been home and hasn't kept appointments for awhile.  So we went to her house and her aunt said, "She moved. She didn't want to live here anymore. We don't know her address, just the street." We Sister Booms and i got the street name and the next day we found it.  We had this plan. Knock on every single door until we find Lili, plus it is a great way to talk to everyone else on that street. Due to other situations, we have to find  her before June 1, because then she is leaving to Hawaii.  So we knock on 2 doors, no luck.  We were thinking, "We are going to knock on at least 50 doors  before we find her."  On the 3 door, we found her.  She lives there, but unfortunately she wasn't home.  It was so crazy.  I didn't think it would be that easy.  But hey, The Lord knows where these people are, we just have to act. (:  I was so happy to find her house.  Unfortunately, we haven't been able to contact her yet, but you better believe we knock on her door EVERY single day.  I love her so much.  I pray that we will be able to talk to her this week. 

 

Thursday i got my stitches out and found out i should be able to start walking soon. That is a plus! 

 

Saturday, we went to a BBQ with some of the members of the branch.  It was way fun!!! I love all the people here so much!!! We had to leave early though, because it was transfer calls. I was really nervous, not for myself to leave because i knew with all my medical stuff it wouldn't happen, but Sister Booms means so much to me.  We have been through crazy things together and we just have such a tight friendship.  I really was nervous that if i did get a new companion i wouldn't know them well and they wouldn't help me as much as Sister Booms, or understand everything that has happened. I was really nervous.  We got the call. and my dearest  Sister Booms is leaving me.  She is going to train a brand new missionary in Missouri.  We cried forever. ): I was crushed. But then they told me who my companion was. I know her.  She was my roommate in the MTC(:  She is super sweet.  I love her.  And this is my first time being Senior Companion!(: Whoo whoo(:(: 

 

Sunday the branch threw a going away party for Sister Booms. We cried some more. It is going to be a really hard goodbye.  

 

That is basically our week. The work is kind of slowing down here, so we are doing everything we can to pick it back up.  I am excited that i can finally work again and not have to be the "crippled companion." 

 

I love being a missionary.  I love the Gospel.  And i love all of you. 

 

Have a fabulous week!(: 

 

Love,

Sister Ritter