Dec. 19, 2011
Ridley Family,
I have so much I am ready to tell you all about what’s happened. The thing is from the 20th to the 31st I can call the family, I think it would be better on Christmas day like normal. I don’t know why, but the office make everything more complicated than it needs to be. I don’t know mom if you received my e-mail about Skype and calling home.....? It was in Spanish so you would have needed to translate it. The time difference isn’t three hours its two hours. I think that should be a good time.....at 4 my time and at 2 your time. I really don’t have a whole time to write today, but I am excited to see you all and talk to you all. I figured that I wouldn’t get to be able to talk to a lot of the family so it’s fine. So I will be calling at 2 your time 4 my time. This week I am having an activity with "papa noel" presidente Gaviria haha. I think we are going to play soccer or something, but one of the first activities I have done in the whole year I have been here. I will tell you more about everything that has happened with me the last few weeks on Sunday. Today we only have till three o'clock for preparation day and the next Monday too. I love you all and speak soon.
Elder Ridley
Elder Cody Nathaniel Ridley
Barranquilla, Colombia
Monday, December 19, 2011
Dec.12, 2011
Mom,
I have great news and a lot of information that I want to write in the little time that I have. First off all I did today for my p-day is prepare for the following week. I went shopping to buy some food and I bought food to cook something for my companion and I because we had nothing. After that I had to do a little cleaning and I washed my clothes. This transfer was really weird because I left a day earlier than normal because I needed to fly in a plane. I don’t know if you all know, but when I travel from city to city it is usually in plan. It depends, I go by bus sometimes too. Anyways I went to the office for one night and slept in the house where the elders sleep from the mission office. I got to see elder Maughan, we didn’t talk much because he was busy doing other things, but it was good to just see him and how he has been doing. The next morning I went to the bus station, at that point I still had no clue where I was going and who my companion was going to be. I don’t understand, but it’s always I secret or something. My new area is in Ciudadela, Barranquilla. My zone is called "El Carmen". My companion is named Elder Martinez and he is from Bucaramanga, Colombia. I am not training a new Elder. The Zone Leaders from Monteria thought that’s why I left one day earlier was to train a new elder, but I am not. My companion has his last transfer with me. So in six week I have to know the area really well and the members and the investigators because he will be gone in 6 weeks. I feel that this transfer will be good for both of us.....we have already started off really well this past week. YES I RECEIVED YOUR THREE BOXES OF CHRISTMAS. I had to open a lot of the gifts that were food because I wouldn’t have had space in my bags to leave from Monteria. I will send some photos next week to show you what I have opened up so far. I Loved the reeses and the starbursts!
I am sad to hear about Grammy, but I am glad to hear that the situation is taken care of and that you and dad have less stress now. I have so many people that I have written letters to I just need to take the time to figure out to send them. I will try to do it this transfer. I will need to take out a lot of money to do it, so tell dad so he won’t question me about the money. I feel I am learning how to control what I spend and be better at being cautious. The mission does a lot of things.
I was glad for the little time I had to write to Breanne and Erik. Erik tells me he can’t wait to be able to talk again like old times. It’s been a change for sure to have my new best friends be people I hardly know, but as a companion we grow in ways a lot different than I would with my friends normally. Not completely different, but just the situation.
Elder Martinez has shared a lot of things with me he still wants to accomplish on the mission with his goals for this transfer and I hope I can help him with all that. You will get to meet him in a few more weeks. He understands English, but speaks only a little.
Mom I am grateful for your understanding of my situations and how you always are trying to brighten my week and keep me on track of what I am doing. I can say as a missionary we don’t know everything. Even though at times people come to me with their life and I have to help them. I had an experience in Monteria about three weeks back that reminds me of simply those types of situations. It was in the morning of a Sunday and my companion and I Elder Camarena went to pick up or walk by to invite our investigators to go to church. As we were walking, there was a group of people who were drunk...this is in the morning too.. Anyways I walked by and one of them grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. At this point I was shocked and a little scared not knowing what to do because he would not let go and he wasn’t normal. The man had his head against my head and told me something. Whenever someone’s drunk they usually never lie and they tell the truth, but he told me he wanted to stop drinking. I was just wanting to leave and go get out of there, but I took a stand and I with one word I said "Jesus-cristo" or Jesus Christ with surety and clarity. It was the first thing that came to my mind and when I said it I knew that’s all I needed to do. As he let go of my hand I felt different...it impacted me to the point that I felt a strength I hadn’t felt in a long time. I felt compassion for the man. I felt a hurting inside and I felt a love from both sides. I felt if from Jesus Christ and from this man. I am coming to understand more and more the power of the atonement and the power it has to do many things. It’s the drive that I have now and the love that I have for my savior for all that I will do from that point on. I don’t know Why I didn’t tell you all this when I experienced it, but today I felt it was the right time.
I am so grateful for all that I have been able to do up to this point and I will strive to be better and do better from here on out to search for those types of moments. The thing is I haven’t been searching for them. I am going to LOOK UP more and see those moments and recognize what really is happening. Mom, thanks for everything. Tell the family hi and that I pray for them every night and many times for personal needs. Keep in touch.
Until next week.
Elder Ridley
I have great news and a lot of information that I want to write in the little time that I have. First off all I did today for my p-day is prepare for the following week. I went shopping to buy some food and I bought food to cook something for my companion and I because we had nothing. After that I had to do a little cleaning and I washed my clothes. This transfer was really weird because I left a day earlier than normal because I needed to fly in a plane. I don’t know if you all know, but when I travel from city to city it is usually in plan. It depends, I go by bus sometimes too. Anyways I went to the office for one night and slept in the house where the elders sleep from the mission office. I got to see elder Maughan, we didn’t talk much because he was busy doing other things, but it was good to just see him and how he has been doing. The next morning I went to the bus station, at that point I still had no clue where I was going and who my companion was going to be. I don’t understand, but it’s always I secret or something. My new area is in Ciudadela, Barranquilla. My zone is called "El Carmen". My companion is named Elder Martinez and he is from Bucaramanga, Colombia. I am not training a new Elder. The Zone Leaders from Monteria thought that’s why I left one day earlier was to train a new elder, but I am not. My companion has his last transfer with me. So in six week I have to know the area really well and the members and the investigators because he will be gone in 6 weeks. I feel that this transfer will be good for both of us.....we have already started off really well this past week. YES I RECEIVED YOUR THREE BOXES OF CHRISTMAS. I had to open a lot of the gifts that were food because I wouldn’t have had space in my bags to leave from Monteria. I will send some photos next week to show you what I have opened up so far. I Loved the reeses and the starbursts!
I am sad to hear about Grammy, but I am glad to hear that the situation is taken care of and that you and dad have less stress now. I have so many people that I have written letters to I just need to take the time to figure out to send them. I will try to do it this transfer. I will need to take out a lot of money to do it, so tell dad so he won’t question me about the money. I feel I am learning how to control what I spend and be better at being cautious. The mission does a lot of things.
I was glad for the little time I had to write to Breanne and Erik. Erik tells me he can’t wait to be able to talk again like old times. It’s been a change for sure to have my new best friends be people I hardly know, but as a companion we grow in ways a lot different than I would with my friends normally. Not completely different, but just the situation.
Elder Martinez has shared a lot of things with me he still wants to accomplish on the mission with his goals for this transfer and I hope I can help him with all that. You will get to meet him in a few more weeks. He understands English, but speaks only a little.
Mom I am grateful for your understanding of my situations and how you always are trying to brighten my week and keep me on track of what I am doing. I can say as a missionary we don’t know everything. Even though at times people come to me with their life and I have to help them. I had an experience in Monteria about three weeks back that reminds me of simply those types of situations. It was in the morning of a Sunday and my companion and I Elder Camarena went to pick up or walk by to invite our investigators to go to church. As we were walking, there was a group of people who were drunk...this is in the morning too.. Anyways I walked by and one of them grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. At this point I was shocked and a little scared not knowing what to do because he would not let go and he wasn’t normal. The man had his head against my head and told me something. Whenever someone’s drunk they usually never lie and they tell the truth, but he told me he wanted to stop drinking. I was just wanting to leave and go get out of there, but I took a stand and I with one word I said "Jesus-cristo" or Jesus Christ with surety and clarity. It was the first thing that came to my mind and when I said it I knew that’s all I needed to do. As he let go of my hand I felt different...it impacted me to the point that I felt a strength I hadn’t felt in a long time. I felt compassion for the man. I felt a hurting inside and I felt a love from both sides. I felt if from Jesus Christ and from this man. I am coming to understand more and more the power of the atonement and the power it has to do many things. It’s the drive that I have now and the love that I have for my savior for all that I will do from that point on. I don’t know Why I didn’t tell you all this when I experienced it, but today I felt it was the right time.
I am so grateful for all that I have been able to do up to this point and I will strive to be better and do better from here on out to search for those types of moments. The thing is I haven’t been searching for them. I am going to LOOK UP more and see those moments and recognize what really is happening. Mom, thanks for everything. Tell the family hi and that I pray for them every night and many times for personal needs. Keep in touch.
Until next week.
Elder Ridley
Monday, December 5, 2011
Dec. 5 2011
¡Buenas Familia!
I am a lot better this week than from the last week....the only thing is I am just really tired hahaha. Today was a great p-day. My Preparation day was going to the store to buy my companion some new shoes because the shoes run out quickly in this mission. Afterwards we went to get some food and we bought Pizza! It’s been a while since I had that haha. I usually eat rice with a little piece of meat. The pizza was pepperoni and we drank a sprite soda. I have pictures for you like you asked mom and I hope you and the family enjoy. The Photos are in the mall in Monteria. They have a lot of American stores at this mall and I took a picture by a giant Christmas tree. Even though it’s really hot here and the weather is the same all year around its still Christmas time and so there are decoration here in Monteria and in the main streets they have Christmas lights and on some houses. It’s nothing like the states though, but it’s something and so its gets me in the Christmas spirit more, but its Christmas for me daily as I ponder Christ always.
The other night on Sunday or yesterday we were able to go to the church at night and watch the Christmas Devotional and hear the talks, view the video of Christ birth and listen to the music from the tabernacle Choir. I am seriously in love with the tabernacle choir. I think it’s because the people here have no talents to sing the hymns, but it’s the intention that counts.
Reading you e-mail mom, I was able to ponder what you wrote about Skyler and what he was able to learn on his mission to apply the atonement more and how that was a value and strength which helped him a lot. I know The Atonement can help me. The thing is noticing what you lack and what you need to improve to repent of what is lacking in our life. For me, I am trying to fix all that my heavenly needs me to, to be a good "missionary". As I ponder a lot, I am no different from before I left, I am not the same person that God called. I have changed a lot. The thing I want to figure out, is what is the reason HE sent me here to be, because he called me to be who I am. All this time I have wanted to be one of the best missionaries, but it doesn’t fit me at this time, I understand I need to be who the Lord sent me to be. I am still trying to figure a lot out and I am working diligently. I feel that one day with the things I know and with the things that I get to do more each day in this wonderful work, that I will understand why.
I know I have slacked a little with the information of my companion and pictures and the work. The thing is it’s been up and down every week. I have seen results of consistency. The thing is I can’t wait to explain things in a few more weeks with Skype. I will prepare a lot better this time to talk more. Be patient with my English I might choke. I can’t tell you right now that I don’t have that much confident to speak in English. My Spanish isn’t perfect, but I use it every day and so I am use to speaking Spanish.
I know Ryan had written me the last week with a lot of questions. The thing is the mission is perfect, but it isn’t corrupt. President Gaviria is a very good President and his wife and he try to do all that they can to help us fulfill our purpose. I at times can look at the negative really easily and think of what can be improved with others, but that’s not always what should be done. The Lord knows and he will one day put everything in its place, but we’re in a state of learning and growing all of us and I can’t forget that. I am in a stage of finding out why I am here what the Lord expects of me and to find my "Character" as a missionary. I do Love being a missionary and I love trying to find joy in things and trying to change and help others change. I get the opportunity tomorrow to leave my home here in Monteria and train a new Elder. It’s what the Zone Leaders told me I will be doing this new transfer. Yep already the transfers are here on Wednesday and so I am leaving tomorrow on a plane to Barranquilla. I don’t have all the information, but I will make sure you get it all this week. I am kind of in a blank mode with everything haha. All I know is that I am going tomorrow one day before because that’s usually what the new trainers have to do every transfer. I have the same feeling of when I was in the MTC as the district leader, not knowing what will happen, but as I trust the Lord the things just come to me. I will remember to be steadfast and firm in what I know to try and help my new companion with all that he will need to know. I still feel like I am learning is the things haha. I have Faith that it will be a great transfer. Tell Everyone Hello. I love them and can’t wait to speak soon.
Elder Ridley
I am a lot better this week than from the last week....the only thing is I am just really tired hahaha. Today was a great p-day. My Preparation day was going to the store to buy my companion some new shoes because the shoes run out quickly in this mission. Afterwards we went to get some food and we bought Pizza! It’s been a while since I had that haha. I usually eat rice with a little piece of meat. The pizza was pepperoni and we drank a sprite soda. I have pictures for you like you asked mom and I hope you and the family enjoy. The Photos are in the mall in Monteria. They have a lot of American stores at this mall and I took a picture by a giant Christmas tree. Even though it’s really hot here and the weather is the same all year around its still Christmas time and so there are decoration here in Monteria and in the main streets they have Christmas lights and on some houses. It’s nothing like the states though, but it’s something and so its gets me in the Christmas spirit more, but its Christmas for me daily as I ponder Christ always.
The other night on Sunday or yesterday we were able to go to the church at night and watch the Christmas Devotional and hear the talks, view the video of Christ birth and listen to the music from the tabernacle Choir. I am seriously in love with the tabernacle choir. I think it’s because the people here have no talents to sing the hymns, but it’s the intention that counts.
Reading you e-mail mom, I was able to ponder what you wrote about Skyler and what he was able to learn on his mission to apply the atonement more and how that was a value and strength which helped him a lot. I know The Atonement can help me. The thing is noticing what you lack and what you need to improve to repent of what is lacking in our life. For me, I am trying to fix all that my heavenly needs me to, to be a good "missionary". As I ponder a lot, I am no different from before I left, I am not the same person that God called. I have changed a lot. The thing I want to figure out, is what is the reason HE sent me here to be, because he called me to be who I am. All this time I have wanted to be one of the best missionaries, but it doesn’t fit me at this time, I understand I need to be who the Lord sent me to be. I am still trying to figure a lot out and I am working diligently. I feel that one day with the things I know and with the things that I get to do more each day in this wonderful work, that I will understand why.
I know I have slacked a little with the information of my companion and pictures and the work. The thing is it’s been up and down every week. I have seen results of consistency. The thing is I can’t wait to explain things in a few more weeks with Skype. I will prepare a lot better this time to talk more. Be patient with my English I might choke. I can’t tell you right now that I don’t have that much confident to speak in English. My Spanish isn’t perfect, but I use it every day and so I am use to speaking Spanish.
I know Ryan had written me the last week with a lot of questions. The thing is the mission is perfect, but it isn’t corrupt. President Gaviria is a very good President and his wife and he try to do all that they can to help us fulfill our purpose. I at times can look at the negative really easily and think of what can be improved with others, but that’s not always what should be done. The Lord knows and he will one day put everything in its place, but we’re in a state of learning and growing all of us and I can’t forget that. I am in a stage of finding out why I am here what the Lord expects of me and to find my "Character" as a missionary. I do Love being a missionary and I love trying to find joy in things and trying to change and help others change. I get the opportunity tomorrow to leave my home here in Monteria and train a new Elder. It’s what the Zone Leaders told me I will be doing this new transfer. Yep already the transfers are here on Wednesday and so I am leaving tomorrow on a plane to Barranquilla. I don’t have all the information, but I will make sure you get it all this week. I am kind of in a blank mode with everything haha. All I know is that I am going tomorrow one day before because that’s usually what the new trainers have to do every transfer. I have the same feeling of when I was in the MTC as the district leader, not knowing what will happen, but as I trust the Lord the things just come to me. I will remember to be steadfast and firm in what I know to try and help my new companion with all that he will need to know. I still feel like I am learning is the things haha. I have Faith that it will be a great transfer. Tell Everyone Hello. I love them and can’t wait to speak soon.
Elder Ridley
Nov. 28, 2011
Family,
I want you to know my week was rough haha, but not what you think. It was rough because for three days I had fever. I tried to work one day with a fever because I didn’t have permission to go to the house and rest. It started on Thursday and ended today on Tuesday. I believe it took me a lot longer to get over it because I didn’t just stop and rest until it got better. Only one day I stayed in the house all day and that was on Friday. It wasn’t the best thing in the world. I was on my bed all day, but sweating because my one little fan I have doesn’t do anything. I was just really uncomfortable haha.
The reason why I am writing today is because yesterday we had a zone conference with the president and the two zones from Monteria. It started off with all the new correction we are going to do and then it went to all the things we are not doing and what we need to do better. At times that’s what I feel like about the Zone conferences. They are always changing things around and it never stays the same and its always telling us what we are not doing. I know that change is good, but depends on what’s changing. I am excited more because finally president Gaviria said that he wants the mission to focus more on the things from preach my gospel. When he said that I thought to myself that I thought that’s what we already were doing, but supposedly not. What had taken place from when the old president Rowndey left the mission and president Gaviria came in the mission, has changed a lot. When President Gaviria came he took all the rules from the mission that President Rowndey had and changed them. Now slowly he is bringing them back, because the missionaries can’t seem to understand how important that obedience is at all times. When I think of disobedience I think of ingratitude, but of ingratitude for Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us and all that he represents. Anyway President Gaviria had trust in the missionaries to do the right thing, but now he says he is going to be stricter with things and he is going to follow up more with us on how our progression is coming along and the things that we are doing in our areas. I don’t know how to explain what I learned this week in the conference, but my understanding of the Atonement increased so much. I understand as a missionary it’s so much more important than any other topic that we study because it involves the savior. I have come to understand that in order to because as his servant I need to learn how he is and not from information, but from what I do as a person. The reflection of what I do to apply the principles of the gospel and become like my savior will help me to complete what he wants done in the moment as if he were there with us or as if I were "him". I had never really thought of it in that way before. All the time when the people say that it’s not my mission and that it’s His mission and always talking about the spirit is most important. I believe that section 93 of the Doctrine and Covenants explains it all. I don’t think we can comprehend everything about the atonement and its power in everything, and we never will. It’s becoming a tool in my life more and more and I know as a continue to use the atonement it will help me to become more of the missionary every day, the Lord wants me to be and do. Even though I feel my mission had been rough for me I don’t doubt my faith...I will always look to the savior because I have never felt unhappy when I center myself in him. I know you all care so much and want me to have a great mission. I am beginning to realize just how important all of it really is. I don’t know who sent me the paragraph with Spanish in it, but Shayna yes I remember that night exactly and how funny it was....I don’t think I have laughed like that in a long, long time. Hey Shayna I don’t know what you will choose, but It would be really neat if you went to BYUI. Hey Ashley :) how’s it going with the baby? I know I don’t ask much about how it’s going in California and such, but I can’t wait to see baby number three! I love you all. Have a good week.
Elder Ridley
I want you to know my week was rough haha, but not what you think. It was rough because for three days I had fever. I tried to work one day with a fever because I didn’t have permission to go to the house and rest. It started on Thursday and ended today on Tuesday. I believe it took me a lot longer to get over it because I didn’t just stop and rest until it got better. Only one day I stayed in the house all day and that was on Friday. It wasn’t the best thing in the world. I was on my bed all day, but sweating because my one little fan I have doesn’t do anything. I was just really uncomfortable haha.
The reason why I am writing today is because yesterday we had a zone conference with the president and the two zones from Monteria. It started off with all the new correction we are going to do and then it went to all the things we are not doing and what we need to do better. At times that’s what I feel like about the Zone conferences. They are always changing things around and it never stays the same and its always telling us what we are not doing. I know that change is good, but depends on what’s changing. I am excited more because finally president Gaviria said that he wants the mission to focus more on the things from preach my gospel. When he said that I thought to myself that I thought that’s what we already were doing, but supposedly not. What had taken place from when the old president Rowndey left the mission and president Gaviria came in the mission, has changed a lot. When President Gaviria came he took all the rules from the mission that President Rowndey had and changed them. Now slowly he is bringing them back, because the missionaries can’t seem to understand how important that obedience is at all times. When I think of disobedience I think of ingratitude, but of ingratitude for Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us and all that he represents. Anyway President Gaviria had trust in the missionaries to do the right thing, but now he says he is going to be stricter with things and he is going to follow up more with us on how our progression is coming along and the things that we are doing in our areas. I don’t know how to explain what I learned this week in the conference, but my understanding of the Atonement increased so much. I understand as a missionary it’s so much more important than any other topic that we study because it involves the savior. I have come to understand that in order to because as his servant I need to learn how he is and not from information, but from what I do as a person. The reflection of what I do to apply the principles of the gospel and become like my savior will help me to complete what he wants done in the moment as if he were there with us or as if I were "him". I had never really thought of it in that way before. All the time when the people say that it’s not my mission and that it’s His mission and always talking about the spirit is most important. I believe that section 93 of the Doctrine and Covenants explains it all. I don’t think we can comprehend everything about the atonement and its power in everything, and we never will. It’s becoming a tool in my life more and more and I know as a continue to use the atonement it will help me to become more of the missionary every day, the Lord wants me to be and do. Even though I feel my mission had been rough for me I don’t doubt my faith...I will always look to the savior because I have never felt unhappy when I center myself in him. I know you all care so much and want me to have a great mission. I am beginning to realize just how important all of it really is. I don’t know who sent me the paragraph with Spanish in it, but Shayna yes I remember that night exactly and how funny it was....I don’t think I have laughed like that in a long, long time. Hey Shayna I don’t know what you will choose, but It would be really neat if you went to BYUI. Hey Ashley :) how’s it going with the baby? I know I don’t ask much about how it’s going in California and such, but I can’t wait to see baby number three! I love you all. Have a good week.
Elder Ridley
Monday, November 14, 2011
Nov. 15, 2011
Mom,
Wow! Look at those pictures! haha
I am so glad to have the time I have to write to you and tell you simply.....I am doing fine :) and I love you mom. This week was a big change in my mission and the thing is I don’t know why? haha. It was something little, I know that. I have a little bit more hope in things and I know it will help me to finish the week that’s coming. This past week was great! It was the first time I have seen results of something. This past week we had 9 less active members that we have been teaching return the church...after one month of visiting them. This makes me happy to have more excitement to work harder and builds my testimony too. I am excited to have the time to talk on Christmas and explain a lot more about the mission and such that I didn’t know about before.
I haven’t gotten letters from home. I think I explained that the mission doesn’t send them to me anymore. They stay in the office until we have zone conferences or until we have meeting where the missionary can travel to get the cards or packages to me. I get something about everyone month. If you don’t want to write to me every week you don’t need to. Just send when you can really. It cost money. Can’t believe I am thinking like that haha, but really it’s a lot. I have your package, but it’s in Barranquilla in the mission office. They call me when it arrives. I have written cards for one year and will send a bunch in a week or two when i can go into the main part of town and send them. I know i am behind on writing to Brianne and Elder Kennedy so I will try to do that when i can, something small. Bueno...necesito irme. Chow chowwwwww!!!!!
te amo mucho
Ãlder Ridley
Ps- I want to know the names of the two sons names of the Pomar family. He wrote me card and wants me to write to his sons. Thanks.
Wow! Look at those pictures! haha
I am so glad to have the time I have to write to you and tell you simply.....I am doing fine :) and I love you mom. This week was a big change in my mission and the thing is I don’t know why? haha. It was something little, I know that. I have a little bit more hope in things and I know it will help me to finish the week that’s coming. This past week was great! It was the first time I have seen results of something. This past week we had 9 less active members that we have been teaching return the church...after one month of visiting them. This makes me happy to have more excitement to work harder and builds my testimony too. I am excited to have the time to talk on Christmas and explain a lot more about the mission and such that I didn’t know about before.
I haven’t gotten letters from home. I think I explained that the mission doesn’t send them to me anymore. They stay in the office until we have zone conferences or until we have meeting where the missionary can travel to get the cards or packages to me. I get something about everyone month. If you don’t want to write to me every week you don’t need to. Just send when you can really. It cost money. Can’t believe I am thinking like that haha, but really it’s a lot. I have your package, but it’s in Barranquilla in the mission office. They call me when it arrives. I have written cards for one year and will send a bunch in a week or two when i can go into the main part of town and send them. I know i am behind on writing to Brianne and Elder Kennedy so I will try to do that when i can, something small. Bueno...necesito irme. Chow chowwwwww!!!!!
te amo mucho
Ãlder Ridley
Ps- I want to know the names of the two sons names of the Pomar family. He wrote me card and wants me to write to his sons. Thanks.
Nov. 7, 2011
Mom,
Wow great to see all the new photos! I can say that it makes me smile to see them. I know mom that you don’t like Halloween all that much, but I am sure it was great to have the family participate in all the activities. I had myself pondered a little bit the night of Halloween, as the kids and adults here in Colombia dressed up too! Haha I wasn’t all sure how the holidays are here, but it’s a tradition here too. The music here isn’t creepy or anything like that (to imagine what the music is like- just imagine Mexican music). They didn’t play any scary music, but they dressed up and asked for candy in the street. Some of the houses had decorations, but very few. Anyways, I was thinking back about a year ago when I was at Knots scary farm with the Dowden’s and Elder Kennedy. In that moment it seemed like yesterday, but yet a lot of time has passed. I also got to thinking about how much things have changed with holidays and such, but what I remember is the time with my family on the holidays. After working 3 three hours in the night, I cooked rice with chili :).... It was the first time I have cooked rice in my life! I was proud of myself. I will send photos later of it. All the visits we had, got canceled because everyone was outside asking for treats, but we still passed by anyway. I like the picture of you and dad supporting BYU. Were those your outfits? Ryan and Brooke have a pup! Will it grow much or stay the same? How old is it?
I have so much to write today that I want to tell you which has been on my mind. First off mom, I want to thank you for sharing with me your thoughts because it has given me insight to what I can do to have more faith and more confidence in the Lord to help me. I believe I know a lot of things, but in reality have not been applying what I know. So much is needing to get done in one day and its seems to be always the same routine for me day in and day out. Lessons, lesson with members, references, contacts all that and goals we want to complete in the week. I can say that at times we have reached our goals, but more time we have not reached our goals, we are always a little short. I am trying to work well with my companion and yes be his best friend and serve him when I can. I am growing better relationships with the members here in Mogambo because I have more time here. The thing that I feel is a struggle, is the language in total. I am always trying to let you know how well the work is or how I am feeling, but then again I don’t want to tell you what I am struggling with. Something that I have been reminded of from Elder Smith, from my district in the MTC, is what our president Watkins told all of us; we will never speak fluid in the mission. I feel at times there is a wall between members and investigators at times. When I arrived here I felt not included in a lot of things. I can tell you I felt distant from the spirit, because for six months I didn’t understand anything in the church meeting of in the scriptures. I tried to read in Spanish and so forth. I had so many expectation of the mission before and now it’s changed to something totally different. I have a year in the mission and everything is so much harder than I imagined. For example I would like to continue explaining more of what I am feeling, but I have five minutes to write to you or I will be disobedient with the one hour on the computer. I spent thirty minutes having to do all the little things that the mission tells me to do...to send information, print out all the papers and so forth. I am only a missionary and I have no role in leadership and it is so much. I can’t imagine what it’s like for others to have other positions. Really I don’t know what to say......I feel stressed, less than happy, I don’t know.
Elder Ridley
I love you all so much.
Wow great to see all the new photos! I can say that it makes me smile to see them. I know mom that you don’t like Halloween all that much, but I am sure it was great to have the family participate in all the activities. I had myself pondered a little bit the night of Halloween, as the kids and adults here in Colombia dressed up too! Haha I wasn’t all sure how the holidays are here, but it’s a tradition here too. The music here isn’t creepy or anything like that (to imagine what the music is like- just imagine Mexican music). They didn’t play any scary music, but they dressed up and asked for candy in the street. Some of the houses had decorations, but very few. Anyways, I was thinking back about a year ago when I was at Knots scary farm with the Dowden’s and Elder Kennedy. In that moment it seemed like yesterday, but yet a lot of time has passed. I also got to thinking about how much things have changed with holidays and such, but what I remember is the time with my family on the holidays. After working 3 three hours in the night, I cooked rice with chili :).... It was the first time I have cooked rice in my life! I was proud of myself. I will send photos later of it. All the visits we had, got canceled because everyone was outside asking for treats, but we still passed by anyway. I like the picture of you and dad supporting BYU. Were those your outfits? Ryan and Brooke have a pup! Will it grow much or stay the same? How old is it?
I have so much to write today that I want to tell you which has been on my mind. First off mom, I want to thank you for sharing with me your thoughts because it has given me insight to what I can do to have more faith and more confidence in the Lord to help me. I believe I know a lot of things, but in reality have not been applying what I know. So much is needing to get done in one day and its seems to be always the same routine for me day in and day out. Lessons, lesson with members, references, contacts all that and goals we want to complete in the week. I can say that at times we have reached our goals, but more time we have not reached our goals, we are always a little short. I am trying to work well with my companion and yes be his best friend and serve him when I can. I am growing better relationships with the members here in Mogambo because I have more time here. The thing that I feel is a struggle, is the language in total. I am always trying to let you know how well the work is or how I am feeling, but then again I don’t want to tell you what I am struggling with. Something that I have been reminded of from Elder Smith, from my district in the MTC, is what our president Watkins told all of us; we will never speak fluid in the mission. I feel at times there is a wall between members and investigators at times. When I arrived here I felt not included in a lot of things. I can tell you I felt distant from the spirit, because for six months I didn’t understand anything in the church meeting of in the scriptures. I tried to read in Spanish and so forth. I had so many expectation of the mission before and now it’s changed to something totally different. I have a year in the mission and everything is so much harder than I imagined. For example I would like to continue explaining more of what I am feeling, but I have five minutes to write to you or I will be disobedient with the one hour on the computer. I spent thirty minutes having to do all the little things that the mission tells me to do...to send information, print out all the papers and so forth. I am only a missionary and I have no role in leadership and it is so much. I can’t imagine what it’s like for others to have other positions. Really I don’t know what to say......I feel stressed, less than happy, I don’t know.
Elder Ridley
I love you all so much.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Oct. 31, 2011
Mom,
Happy Halloween to everyone! I am not much in the Halloween spirit today haha, it’s the same for me every day :) I am excited to get to work today though in my area. I didn’t tell you because I forgot, but this week we had transfers. The good thing is, it is the same for me. I am still with Elder Lopez and we are still working in the same area. The only difference is we have a new roommate that lives with us. We live with the Zone leaders and our new zone leader that came in is from my group from the MTC (Elder Smith from Utah) I am excited that he is here and hopefully we will get a time to work together one day. I am looking forward to this transfer and feel that I will make a big progression that I have been wanting to make for a while with a lot of things. The work has been moving slow with members helping out, but we keep fighting and teaching to let the people know the importance of the gospel and how it will make the difference in the end. This week we didn’t get to do much because of the transfers and such. So that made the work a little slow, but this week is going to be great- I know it! Although my companion and I have another 6 weeks together, we had a talk the other day during planning session and we talked about things we can do to take a level up in the work, because what we have been doing isn’t working so well. I will admit that my companion has been in the church for only three years, but during the three months together he has taught me much that even a member of the church like myself, hasn’t come to understand. What the mission does to make the young men truly understand more of the way things are and the true purpose of all things in this life. I am looking forward to the next six weeks and I will let you know more about what we have planned and more about the new investigators soon. I hope you can understand I try my best to get you all the information, but at times things just pass by and I don’t get the time to do things. There is a priority that I have and what I have come to understand about my time to be here in Colombia. The time to work is short, but I have a long time afterwards to tell you the details of what came about with my experiences in Colombia. I have a year almost in the mission and it has taken me a year to truly understand a lot of what the mission is and especially the mission Barrenquilla. I expected the mission to be a perfect thing, but it isn’t and that put me back a lot. I can’t make a perfect decision every day and especially with the Spanish that I need to use every day. One missionary told me that its impossible to have a perfect lesson with an investigator and that helped me out a lot. I am having a good time here in Colombia even though I have to face ten different problems every day and sometimes every hour of the day to complete my objective here as a missionary. It’s not easy, but if it were the same problems everyday it would be boring. I am excited to have the next year or so to amplify more of what I have learned and to tell you how they get resolved. My act of faith will increase a lot, because I studied today and it talks about the power we have as we act more from the faith that we have. Anyways I have to get going because its 6:00 here in Colombia. Have a great night with chile and rice! I think I might do the same ;) there is always rice here, and I bought chile at the super market today haha. My companion and I have treats also for the little kids in the streets haha. You all take care this evening and this week and know I love you all.
Elder Ridley
Happy Halloween to everyone! I am not much in the Halloween spirit today haha, it’s the same for me every day :) I am excited to get to work today though in my area. I didn’t tell you because I forgot, but this week we had transfers. The good thing is, it is the same for me. I am still with Elder Lopez and we are still working in the same area. The only difference is we have a new roommate that lives with us. We live with the Zone leaders and our new zone leader that came in is from my group from the MTC (Elder Smith from Utah) I am excited that he is here and hopefully we will get a time to work together one day. I am looking forward to this transfer and feel that I will make a big progression that I have been wanting to make for a while with a lot of things. The work has been moving slow with members helping out, but we keep fighting and teaching to let the people know the importance of the gospel and how it will make the difference in the end. This week we didn’t get to do much because of the transfers and such. So that made the work a little slow, but this week is going to be great- I know it! Although my companion and I have another 6 weeks together, we had a talk the other day during planning session and we talked about things we can do to take a level up in the work, because what we have been doing isn’t working so well. I will admit that my companion has been in the church for only three years, but during the three months together he has taught me much that even a member of the church like myself, hasn’t come to understand. What the mission does to make the young men truly understand more of the way things are and the true purpose of all things in this life. I am looking forward to the next six weeks and I will let you know more about what we have planned and more about the new investigators soon. I hope you can understand I try my best to get you all the information, but at times things just pass by and I don’t get the time to do things. There is a priority that I have and what I have come to understand about my time to be here in Colombia. The time to work is short, but I have a long time afterwards to tell you the details of what came about with my experiences in Colombia. I have a year almost in the mission and it has taken me a year to truly understand a lot of what the mission is and especially the mission Barrenquilla. I expected the mission to be a perfect thing, but it isn’t and that put me back a lot. I can’t make a perfect decision every day and especially with the Spanish that I need to use every day. One missionary told me that its impossible to have a perfect lesson with an investigator and that helped me out a lot. I am having a good time here in Colombia even though I have to face ten different problems every day and sometimes every hour of the day to complete my objective here as a missionary. It’s not easy, but if it were the same problems everyday it would be boring. I am excited to have the next year or so to amplify more of what I have learned and to tell you how they get resolved. My act of faith will increase a lot, because I studied today and it talks about the power we have as we act more from the faith that we have. Anyways I have to get going because its 6:00 here in Colombia. Have a great night with chile and rice! I think I might do the same ;) there is always rice here, and I bought chile at the super market today haha. My companion and I have treats also for the little kids in the streets haha. You all take care this evening and this week and know I love you all.
Elder Ridley
Monday, October 24, 2011
Oct. 24, 2011
Mom,
It’s really good to hear from you and to understand more how everything is moving along. My mind is not thinking about Thanksgiving haha! Here, there are holidays practically every week! Finally starting up with school again- that's great news! Don’t worry about the time of things, just enjoy learning and gaining experiences then try to apply it to what you already know and it will be a blessing in the future.
Ryan seems to be progressing in his degree and moving in a great direction with his family. I know his service to the youth in the Step-up program is greatly needed and a huge help and blessing to the young men that are involved with the program. Tell him that I enjoyed seeing recent pictures of him with Brandon and Mathew at the wedding. Ryan hasn’t changed, but I can tell that you mom and dad have different looks.
I don’t know where time is going for me! I feel I want to do a lot better than what I am doing and that I need more time for things that I want to get done. There is no way that you can leave from the mission not having learned patience or knowledge etc....at some time we are going to understand and it will all click. That’s the hope I have for myself and others as I teach others . As for myself ,the hope I have for all my goals is that they will get completed and get done in time, I just need to have patience.
Tell Shayna congratulations for the senior superlatives....I wish I could have a moment to see her and to tell her that I love her and miss what makes my day many times, is her smile. I need to smile a lot more under the sun of Monteria, but at times it’s difficult to raise my head and look into the sun. At night when its cooler I love it because I have more desires to do a lot more, but then also I am so tired from walking from place to place in the day that it’s the same throughout the day. It is on my mind to do so and when I notice that I am not, I react to change many times, but it’s not constant.
I can believe that Ashley and Paul are going to be having a girl again. If they had a boy it would change everything hahaha! Paul is intending to learn Spanish through the program of Rosetta stone, ¡Que chevre! I would love to give him some advice, but tell him if he has question that he can ask me. My Spanish isn’t perfect yet. I believe I understand the grammar very well, but my temp to use it in my speech is different. I got told by I a member the other day that I need to talk faster....I thought to myself for a bit and didn’t say anything, but I remember being a little upset. I know I have a calling from the Lord and a special one to be able to have the gift of tongues. Sometimes I don’t know if I should say something or not, but I wanted to say that my calling is between me and the Lord, but I didn’t. At times I wonder if I am firm like I used to be, to say yes or no to what’s right and wrong. The gift I have of discernment I know I have, but I haven’t used it like I have before to tell people the correct way. I have hesitated in the past, with myself personally, with missionaries, members and investigators because I don’t want them to be angry with me. I don’t know if it’s because I am more aware of what I do these days, but I am coming to understand that there is mercy and justice to things. I feel I have been very merciful, but I haven’t given a lot of justice. If I want things to change I need to do it or say it, because it won’t get done if not, but do it with love is the key.
Throughout my time here I can say I have been more about what I need to be, but in reality I was prepared to do this a long time ago and I know what is the truth and I am going to testify of that. I may not be the smartest to know the scriptures or my Spanish isn’t the best, but I do have my testimony and I do have the spirit and I want to share my light with others. I am grateful for the gospel and for being brought up in it. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon and how it’s been helping understand everything that I know up to now in my lifeI know the reason is because I have parents who taught me its principles within that book that are the words of life. Ever since I was a youth reading that book has told me that I have an eternal destiny and my parents stood behind me to push me along that path. Reading that book has testified to me by the whisperings of the spirit to my heart and even deeper to my soul, its truth.
Everything is well and I am doing my best to be all that has been ask of me. I love you Mom. Tell the family I love them to and that they are in my thoughts. I pray for you all in my daily prayers. Speak soon.
Elder Ridley
Ps- I received the e-mail from Elder Kenny (I’ll write back next week)
It’s really good to hear from you and to understand more how everything is moving along. My mind is not thinking about Thanksgiving haha! Here, there are holidays practically every week! Finally starting up with school again- that's great news! Don’t worry about the time of things, just enjoy learning and gaining experiences then try to apply it to what you already know and it will be a blessing in the future.
Ryan seems to be progressing in his degree and moving in a great direction with his family. I know his service to the youth in the Step-up program is greatly needed and a huge help and blessing to the young men that are involved with the program. Tell him that I enjoyed seeing recent pictures of him with Brandon and Mathew at the wedding. Ryan hasn’t changed, but I can tell that you mom and dad have different looks.
I don’t know where time is going for me! I feel I want to do a lot better than what I am doing and that I need more time for things that I want to get done. There is no way that you can leave from the mission not having learned patience or knowledge etc....at some time we are going to understand and it will all click. That’s the hope I have for myself and others as I teach others . As for myself ,the hope I have for all my goals is that they will get completed and get done in time, I just need to have patience.
Tell Shayna congratulations for the senior superlatives....I wish I could have a moment to see her and to tell her that I love her and miss what makes my day many times, is her smile. I need to smile a lot more under the sun of Monteria, but at times it’s difficult to raise my head and look into the sun. At night when its cooler I love it because I have more desires to do a lot more, but then also I am so tired from walking from place to place in the day that it’s the same throughout the day. It is on my mind to do so and when I notice that I am not, I react to change many times, but it’s not constant.
I can believe that Ashley and Paul are going to be having a girl again. If they had a boy it would change everything hahaha! Paul is intending to learn Spanish through the program of Rosetta stone, ¡Que chevre! I would love to give him some advice, but tell him if he has question that he can ask me. My Spanish isn’t perfect yet. I believe I understand the grammar very well, but my temp to use it in my speech is different. I got told by I a member the other day that I need to talk faster....I thought to myself for a bit and didn’t say anything, but I remember being a little upset. I know I have a calling from the Lord and a special one to be able to have the gift of tongues. Sometimes I don’t know if I should say something or not, but I wanted to say that my calling is between me and the Lord, but I didn’t. At times I wonder if I am firm like I used to be, to say yes or no to what’s right and wrong. The gift I have of discernment I know I have, but I haven’t used it like I have before to tell people the correct way. I have hesitated in the past, with myself personally, with missionaries, members and investigators because I don’t want them to be angry with me. I don’t know if it’s because I am more aware of what I do these days, but I am coming to understand that there is mercy and justice to things. I feel I have been very merciful, but I haven’t given a lot of justice. If I want things to change I need to do it or say it, because it won’t get done if not, but do it with love is the key.
Throughout my time here I can say I have been more about what I need to be, but in reality I was prepared to do this a long time ago and I know what is the truth and I am going to testify of that. I may not be the smartest to know the scriptures or my Spanish isn’t the best, but I do have my testimony and I do have the spirit and I want to share my light with others. I am grateful for the gospel and for being brought up in it. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon and how it’s been helping understand everything that I know up to now in my lifeI know the reason is because I have parents who taught me its principles within that book that are the words of life. Ever since I was a youth reading that book has told me that I have an eternal destiny and my parents stood behind me to push me along that path. Reading that book has testified to me by the whisperings of the spirit to my heart and even deeper to my soul, its truth.
Everything is well and I am doing my best to be all that has been ask of me. I love you Mom. Tell the family I love them to and that they are in my thoughts. I pray for you all in my daily prayers. Speak soon.
Elder Ridley
Ps- I received the e-mail from Elder Kenny (I’ll write back next week)
Friday, October 21, 2011
Oct. 18, 2011
Skyler,
I too really enjoy reading your e-mails to me. I have a few that I have printed and kept because they motivate me to improve. I am greatful for your love,example and your desires to simply be an example of Christ. That's a big part in being a part of this great work, is being an example to others. It begins with your family. For me at this moment in time it is in the house with the missionaries I live with. I know I can't serve others if I don't serve the people I serve with. I am always lookig for opportunities like you had the other day to serve. I love it when I can and I feel like I am doing my job as I do little acts of kindness. The other day I contacted a lady in the street and she had a bag full of food I believe, but after I presented myself I asked if I could help her carry her bags. She was hesitant thinking I wanted to take her things hahaha....She said no, but I felt good afterwards, even though I wasn't abled to help her. I love how simple you put it into terms of what we need to do as missionaries. Thats what I am trying to do is find the best possible way to put what I learn into paterns and practice. I am not fully there all the way. My best friend at the moment, my companion Elder Lopez, has helped me with understanding how he has delt with the mission and what he has applied and whats most important. I dont feel we can always do everything that is given in Preach my Gospel. I would like to say that I can be the best missionary. Although those are my desires....Jesus Christ was the perfect missionary and perfect leader. I have a whole lifetime to become as he is, but we need to start from step one everyday. To help others understand the importance of the baptism, the atonement, the sacrament and by helping them see how it changes them they will see and feel the difference. Thats when they won't fall away....also the importance to prepare ourselves to partake of the devine power of the sacrament.
I have goals that I have planned and I want to complete in my time here. I shared it with mom. Did she share it with you? There are four things. I feel if I complete those things I will be a happy missionary and a successful one. You talked about how you forget the little things at hand because your so busy doing other taskes. I remember a returned missionry telling me that the Lord will bless you for the desires of your heart and I know it's true. Skyer your are doing what is neccessary in your life and time. That's all that we need to do. We may not be able to do everything in the day, but I know if we have the desires to do it, some time in the future it will come and God will be the source of it. So whatever you are desiring most it will come. I love you Skyler and I hope I can hear from you soon again.
Elder Ridley
I too really enjoy reading your e-mails to me. I have a few that I have printed and kept because they motivate me to improve. I am greatful for your love,example and your desires to simply be an example of Christ. That's a big part in being a part of this great work, is being an example to others. It begins with your family. For me at this moment in time it is in the house with the missionaries I live with. I know I can't serve others if I don't serve the people I serve with. I am always lookig for opportunities like you had the other day to serve. I love it when I can and I feel like I am doing my job as I do little acts of kindness. The other day I contacted a lady in the street and she had a bag full of food I believe, but after I presented myself I asked if I could help her carry her bags. She was hesitant thinking I wanted to take her things hahaha....She said no, but I felt good afterwards, even though I wasn't abled to help her. I love how simple you put it into terms of what we need to do as missionaries. Thats what I am trying to do is find the best possible way to put what I learn into paterns and practice. I am not fully there all the way. My best friend at the moment, my companion Elder Lopez, has helped me with understanding how he has delt with the mission and what he has applied and whats most important. I dont feel we can always do everything that is given in Preach my Gospel. I would like to say that I can be the best missionary. Although those are my desires....Jesus Christ was the perfect missionary and perfect leader. I have a whole lifetime to become as he is, but we need to start from step one everyday. To help others understand the importance of the baptism, the atonement, the sacrament and by helping them see how it changes them they will see and feel the difference. Thats when they won't fall away....also the importance to prepare ourselves to partake of the devine power of the sacrament.
I have goals that I have planned and I want to complete in my time here. I shared it with mom. Did she share it with you? There are four things. I feel if I complete those things I will be a happy missionary and a successful one. You talked about how you forget the little things at hand because your so busy doing other taskes. I remember a returned missionry telling me that the Lord will bless you for the desires of your heart and I know it's true. Skyer your are doing what is neccessary in your life and time. That's all that we need to do. We may not be able to do everything in the day, but I know if we have the desires to do it, some time in the future it will come and God will be the source of it. So whatever you are desiring most it will come. I love you Skyler and I hope I can hear from you soon again.
Elder Ridley
Monday, October 10, 2011
Oct. 10,2011
Dad,
I am glad to hear from you and simply know you’re doing better. When I heard about your accident mom explained it to me like it was nothing big. I know you all didn’t want to worry me so much. I am glad you’re doing better physically. What have you been doing all this time with the recovery? With Brother Hoyt do you have special exercises?
I am doing fine here in Monteria. My companion and I are low with investigators these day and we have intentions to use more help with the ward member to help us to do more in the work to help us with the processes of the work in Mogambo. This past Sunday we had stake priesthood session and it was about the work and what we can do to help with the youth to prepare to leave for a mission and understand more that it isn’t an obligation but rather a commandant of God because we are holders of the Priesthood. One of the things they talked about is having the youth have more opportunities with the missionaries. So I am excited to start that and focus more on how I can help the future generation in their service. I am excited to go home at night tonight and read from the Ensign...because it is about the book of Mormon and when I skimmed it for the five minutes I had it looked very interesting. I am going to use your scripture sometime this week in 2Nephi 33. I too know the Book of Mormon is true and has correct principles that will help families and others to understand the gospel more fully. I know that as we seek to understand it every day we will grow a stronger testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am learning something new every day and grateful that I get to talk to people I don’t know about the gospel and share my testimony. I feel stronger and stronger the spirit in my day. It’s more important to me, its companionship the Holy Ghost. Dad I love you. Take care of yourself.
Elder Ridley
I am glad to hear from you and simply know you’re doing better. When I heard about your accident mom explained it to me like it was nothing big. I know you all didn’t want to worry me so much. I am glad you’re doing better physically. What have you been doing all this time with the recovery? With Brother Hoyt do you have special exercises?
I am doing fine here in Monteria. My companion and I are low with investigators these day and we have intentions to use more help with the ward member to help us to do more in the work to help us with the processes of the work in Mogambo. This past Sunday we had stake priesthood session and it was about the work and what we can do to help with the youth to prepare to leave for a mission and understand more that it isn’t an obligation but rather a commandant of God because we are holders of the Priesthood. One of the things they talked about is having the youth have more opportunities with the missionaries. So I am excited to start that and focus more on how I can help the future generation in their service. I am excited to go home at night tonight and read from the Ensign...because it is about the book of Mormon and when I skimmed it for the five minutes I had it looked very interesting. I am going to use your scripture sometime this week in 2Nephi 33. I too know the Book of Mormon is true and has correct principles that will help families and others to understand the gospel more fully. I know that as we seek to understand it every day we will grow a stronger testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am learning something new every day and grateful that I get to talk to people I don’t know about the gospel and share my testimony. I feel stronger and stronger the spirit in my day. It’s more important to me, its companionship the Holy Ghost. Dad I love you. Take care of yourself.
Elder Ridley
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Oct. 3, 2011
Oct. 3,2011
Mom,
What a wonderful weekend filled with the spirit of testimonies and song! I had a great week with that has helped me to understand a new vision I have in my life and the things I can do with the help of the Lord and all his servants. First of I wanted to say how excited the coast of Colombia is to be receiving a temple here in Barranquilla. Mom, remember me telling you that that's been a big goal here for us in the mission and I am now here to witness the commotion and the hope for a stronger future here in Colombia. When President Thomas S Monson stated the temples, and when I heard Colombia Barranquilla my mind when awwwwwwwwww! I could not focus on anything else. I did not remember hearing the other temples declared. The chapel went in a little shock too, but with a silent cheer. My thought on all this just gets me emotional to know I am here in the moment when it was called. It is special to me. I will be making plans to come back for the dedication in two years after my mission. It takes about three year's right? This conference was great because I finally understood it haha. I believe I took 8 pages of notes in my journal. I find it more and more simple the work I do to simply love the people and serve them will be my biggest goal, but my greatest strength after I fulfill my time here. I know this message we share as missionaries is a message of love, light, and hope. I find it more and more each day a privilege to be here and know that there is always one more day in the mission and one more day less we can say. Your quote from Elder Bennet about seeking divine intervention daily with the choice.......prayer, scripture study, service and acts of charity by love. My choices I make are more delicate and precious to me now and this includes my thoughts I make because they will always make the outcome. If I think of bad I will do bad, but if I think good I will do good. This is a simple thing I have been practicing and I can say that I am mastering it more and more and I know it's possible. I loved the priesthood session and what Dieter F Uchtdorf explained to us about how we suffer because we don't act, but if we serve it will change that. I feel I have suffered in a way, because my mission has been about how I can be a better missionary, but I didn't realize that until this past weekend and really all my desires are to, simple serve and love the people is my goal. This mission has helped me to open my eyes and work in the way of the Lord. Last thing I liked was by our prophet about the promises of the lord are real in the good and in the bad. He also used my mission scripture in 1 peter 3:15, so I was happy about that. Simply I was grateful for this weekend and the opportunity I had to sit thirty minutes before and prepare with the music provided by the choir. The hymns are becoming the voice of my heart more and more each day. Anyway, the only thing that sadden my weekend, is none of our investigators attended, but our new converts did and they sat with Elder Lopez and I. All in all, I am happy :) I am glad to hear that life is changing with new things. The news about Maddie, I can't think about it, but tell her congratulations. I received an e-mail from Erik today and he is in Africa in the MTC already!? I am going to respond to him and Skyler next week. I want to share will all you my plan I have for this future....
My Plan
-repent daily
-relation with the spirit
-service
-time
*all this will strengthen my testimony
I love you mom and tell the family I love them too. My companion says hello too :) Speak soon
Elder Ridley
Ps- I saw the photo of your new haircut and you look younger...I even share the two photos I have of you with
people from the ward and investigators and they say that your newer photos you look younger haha.
- I don't think I need much more than what I have. I am actually trying to get rid of some of my things. I have given always some clothes already and such, but really, what I miss is candies from the states.
-Any more news about the seminary information issue?
-One more thing....I was thinking about what you mentioned mom about the plans for when we are all together again. That will be in the upcoming year around Christmas, but i gave it a though because you said you wanted to start making plans. I think it would be great to have a Christmas in New York :) it's my idea, but give it a thought
Mom,
What a wonderful weekend filled with the spirit of testimonies and song! I had a great week with that has helped me to understand a new vision I have in my life and the things I can do with the help of the Lord and all his servants. First of I wanted to say how excited the coast of Colombia is to be receiving a temple here in Barranquilla. Mom, remember me telling you that that's been a big goal here for us in the mission and I am now here to witness the commotion and the hope for a stronger future here in Colombia. When President Thomas S Monson stated the temples, and when I heard Colombia Barranquilla my mind when awwwwwwwwww! I could not focus on anything else. I did not remember hearing the other temples declared. The chapel went in a little shock too, but with a silent cheer. My thought on all this just gets me emotional to know I am here in the moment when it was called. It is special to me. I will be making plans to come back for the dedication in two years after my mission. It takes about three year's right? This conference was great because I finally understood it haha. I believe I took 8 pages of notes in my journal. I find it more and more simple the work I do to simply love the people and serve them will be my biggest goal, but my greatest strength after I fulfill my time here. I know this message we share as missionaries is a message of love, light, and hope. I find it more and more each day a privilege to be here and know that there is always one more day in the mission and one more day less we can say. Your quote from Elder Bennet about seeking divine intervention daily with the choice.......prayer, scripture study, service and acts of charity by love. My choices I make are more delicate and precious to me now and this includes my thoughts I make because they will always make the outcome. If I think of bad I will do bad, but if I think good I will do good. This is a simple thing I have been practicing and I can say that I am mastering it more and more and I know it's possible. I loved the priesthood session and what Dieter F Uchtdorf explained to us about how we suffer because we don't act, but if we serve it will change that. I feel I have suffered in a way, because my mission has been about how I can be a better missionary, but I didn't realize that until this past weekend and really all my desires are to, simple serve and love the people is my goal. This mission has helped me to open my eyes and work in the way of the Lord. Last thing I liked was by our prophet about the promises of the lord are real in the good and in the bad. He also used my mission scripture in 1 peter 3:15, so I was happy about that. Simply I was grateful for this weekend and the opportunity I had to sit thirty minutes before and prepare with the music provided by the choir. The hymns are becoming the voice of my heart more and more each day. Anyway, the only thing that sadden my weekend, is none of our investigators attended, but our new converts did and they sat with Elder Lopez and I. All in all, I am happy :) I am glad to hear that life is changing with new things. The news about Maddie, I can't think about it, but tell her congratulations. I received an e-mail from Erik today and he is in Africa in the MTC already!? I am going to respond to him and Skyler next week. I want to share will all you my plan I have for this future....
My Plan
-repent daily
-relation with the spirit
-service
-time
*all this will strengthen my testimony
I love you mom and tell the family I love them too. My companion says hello too :) Speak soon
Elder Ridley
Ps- I saw the photo of your new haircut and you look younger...I even share the two photos I have of you with
people from the ward and investigators and they say that your newer photos you look younger haha.
- I don't think I need much more than what I have. I am actually trying to get rid of some of my things. I have given always some clothes already and such, but really, what I miss is candies from the states.
-Any more news about the seminary information issue?
-One more thing....I was thinking about what you mentioned mom about the plans for when we are all together again. That will be in the upcoming year around Christmas, but i gave it a though because you said you wanted to start making plans. I think it would be great to have a Christmas in New York :) it's my idea, but give it a thought
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sept. 19,2011
Mom,
All well here in Colombia, Monteria. Give all my love to the rest of the family after you read this. Sounds like this week went well for you all and that had taken place. I am sure mom that your quote that you read about celestial marriage was from the ensign. Am I right? I haven't read much because its all about marriage and really not on my mind right now, but this month's ensign had to deal a lot with the covenants and that is on my mind. I have come to learn a lot of the importance of the covenants we make, but had not fully taken to heart or received a pure testimony of that. I had the knowledge but didn't know how to apply it, because I thought I was all well, but the mission has helped me realize my faults I have! I am grateful for that because now I can apply what I know of the atonement in my life to reach the potential my father wants for me. In reality, I am living for my savior and his work and I do that by making those covenants, those promise that we will complete them. The great thing to learn about those covenants is the power of the spirit within those covenants we make. The thing that's interesting to me is the spirit of promise. This spirit that we can always recieve in our lives when we are worthy will testify to our heavenly Father of the things we did with our covenants. Not only will it testify, but it will seal all the acts we have done(I believe on the day of the judgement). How much desires I have to seal those covenants. My question is when will they be sealed? I know we need to complete all those covenants here in this life....but when do we recieve that we have completed them? My thought is on judgment day. I have been studying a lot lately with the temples in Doctrine in Covenants because we are teaching one of our new converts Maria Diaz and her family the importance of the house of the Lord. So much I learn in the hour that I have in the morning, I don't think it's a lot at times, but that one new thing every day is something I treasure. I feel a lot with my attitude has changed a lot and I am glad because I am really coming to love my time here and all that Colombia has given me. I believe there is a scripture I would like to share about this in John 15:8-21(specifically 17-21). The people have given me and the members, and other elders. My mission is special because its here for me in Colombia. All the changes and experiences are here in Colombia. Something great I am learning is how much it doesn't matter how much doctrine we teach and know or how well of a teacher we are, but how we help people, how we help people solve their problems are the missionaries they remember and all the small things we try to do to help them. There is simply so much to be said about the missionary work, the things that don't happen. I am so grateful that I am learning charity.....it's not perfect still, but I am working on it. There is so much drama that is involved with Elders, callings, what the president does and doesn't do. There is something new changing in the mission every day. All I need to say is "Elders that's the mission". I try not to get so involved, but then again I should worry more about how I can improve the mission, I do not think I am at that point yet though. I have my head in how I can change the ward the area I am serving in or simply the salvation of the one person I am teaching at the moment. I know what I have to teach them or bear my testimony. This past Sunday I had the opportunity to speak in the sacrament meeting, hasn't been the first time, but more like the 5th time haha. I spoke on agency and the importance we have to choose to follow our savior with that agency. I spoke with simple words, so that the members could understand and bore my testimony, it was great :) The two baptism we had this past Saturday too was a neat experience and I have photos to show, but next week when I have time. It's just a great day when we see our investigators in the fount. To think back to where they were and where they are at... We ask Enaisa Diaz if she saw her progression. That's what we do is help people to understand that the Gospel can do that for them and help them recognize the blessing they receive and that is the changes that come into their lives. Mom Thanks for your e-mails truly. I am excited for the general conference that coming up soon I will be preparing myself to hear what they have and what I can take from it and invite my investigators to come and join me and perfect their life. Thanks for all the love.
Elder Ridley
PS- About the transfers, nobody in my house that I live with was changed and actually in my zone nobody was transferred. I would like to send e-mails to a lot of my friends If I can next week? That would mean I would not write a lot about this week or what happens. Or that I won't write a lot the family. Know that i love you mom and tell the family I love them too.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Sept. 12, 2011
9-12-11
Mom,
As always my week is productive with doing a lot of things, but I have had better weeks before. So this weekend was a kick back day. I was wondering what you all might have been doing. For me this weekend wasn’t a holiday weekend at all. There was a lot of talk though this past week about the United Sates and the world trade center. What is a HC Sunday?? This upcoming week we have two baptisms. Well I hope! We didn’t receive our notice that we are being transferred or not, but in our area next week there should be two baptisms. One is a little girl named Ana de la Rosa. My companion and I didn’t know why she hadn’t gotten baptized when she was eight because her family is members. We found out that the bishop didn’t give her permission to get baptized and that she needed preparation!!!! So, this past we have passed by to teach her everyday to help her get ready for this Saturday. The other baptism is one of our investigators named Enaisa Diaz. Remember me mentioning her? Well my companion and I have been praying and talking about her situation, all that she has going on and what has taken place in her life. Her son got shot/died and her mom has Alzheimer’s and now her brother has cancer. All this has taken place in her life and she has done a lot to push through all of it up to now. So, we invited her to receive the blessing of baptism and the gospel in her life for this coming up Saturday with the little girl Ana. She told us she would pray about it and when she told us that I knew she was ready because she understood how important it is to receive the confirmation in all our decisions. The reason we didn’t do this earlier was because my companion and I were thinking about the future and thinking ahead of what we thought might happen. Would she be able to endure what is taking place and complete the gospel. The thing is, this whole transfer, Elder Lopez and I have been passing by trying to strengthen her and we ourselves finally felt that she is ready after about three months of teaching her. I feel this is the first time that I have actually had to do a lot of praying and pondering over one of our investigators. I am excited for this coming up weekend! :) Sister Diaz is going to have all her family in town too, so I get to meet them all. She knows all about you and all of the family because I showed her the photos that you send me :) So that’s what I look forward to this coming up week with me.
In response to your question about speaking and teaching to the people, I am finding it a lot easier these days to be a missionary in general. I still have questions in Spanish everyday of how should I say this or that, but I understand completely and simply talk when it’s needed or when I feel prompted to say something. A lot of the people here don’t think I speak that much because at times I don’t say much. I don’t know if I am shy or if I have changed to not talk a lot. Or, simply understand that words are special. I have come to understand how the words we use affect a lot of things. I use my voice when is necessary. I know I f haven’t spoken a lot about the elders that I live with, in fact, I haven’t taken all that much photos with them either. I will start today to take pictures of where I live and such, so I can share with all you what my life here is like. You can say I feel a little Mexican at times haha. It’s practically the same style. The Elders I live with live a lot differently then I would and that’s all I will say.
I like your spiritual thought you share with me mom because that’s just what I was wanting to share with you a little bit. Every day it is blistering hot here and we walk all day in the sun and at times have lessons outside in the sun. When I am walking a never look up and I notice that. I try to see what I can do on this street or with the people I see. The thing that has been on my mind a lot lately is that I always pictured my mission to be something perfect. I feel like Christ was the perfect missionary and that I can’t reach to that point at times and feel I need to be there by the end of my mission. I have come to the conclusion that I’ll come back with two or three new talents or abilities or overcome two or three things I struggled with in my life prior to the mission. If that only, than I would be satisfied. At times I push too hard and don’t complete anything or think too much and don’t complete anything. I want to say that I won’t be perfect when I returned, but I will have changed habits. Any ways thanks or the e-mail today and will let you know how the transfers go and the baptism go this week.
Elder Ridley
PS- my seminary recordes are in Cartagena.
Also I have fungus/hongo on my hands or on my fingers and I don’t know how I got it, but ya--- hahaha.
Mom,
As always my week is productive with doing a lot of things, but I have had better weeks before. So this weekend was a kick back day. I was wondering what you all might have been doing. For me this weekend wasn’t a holiday weekend at all. There was a lot of talk though this past week about the United Sates and the world trade center. What is a HC Sunday?? This upcoming week we have two baptisms. Well I hope! We didn’t receive our notice that we are being transferred or not, but in our area next week there should be two baptisms. One is a little girl named Ana de la Rosa. My companion and I didn’t know why she hadn’t gotten baptized when she was eight because her family is members. We found out that the bishop didn’t give her permission to get baptized and that she needed preparation!!!! So, this past we have passed by to teach her everyday to help her get ready for this Saturday. The other baptism is one of our investigators named Enaisa Diaz. Remember me mentioning her? Well my companion and I have been praying and talking about her situation, all that she has going on and what has taken place in her life. Her son got shot/died and her mom has Alzheimer’s and now her brother has cancer. All this has taken place in her life and she has done a lot to push through all of it up to now. So, we invited her to receive the blessing of baptism and the gospel in her life for this coming up Saturday with the little girl Ana. She told us she would pray about it and when she told us that I knew she was ready because she understood how important it is to receive the confirmation in all our decisions. The reason we didn’t do this earlier was because my companion and I were thinking about the future and thinking ahead of what we thought might happen. Would she be able to endure what is taking place and complete the gospel. The thing is, this whole transfer, Elder Lopez and I have been passing by trying to strengthen her and we ourselves finally felt that she is ready after about three months of teaching her. I feel this is the first time that I have actually had to do a lot of praying and pondering over one of our investigators. I am excited for this coming up weekend! :) Sister Diaz is going to have all her family in town too, so I get to meet them all. She knows all about you and all of the family because I showed her the photos that you send me :) So that’s what I look forward to this coming up week with me.
In response to your question about speaking and teaching to the people, I am finding it a lot easier these days to be a missionary in general. I still have questions in Spanish everyday of how should I say this or that, but I understand completely and simply talk when it’s needed or when I feel prompted to say something. A lot of the people here don’t think I speak that much because at times I don’t say much. I don’t know if I am shy or if I have changed to not talk a lot. Or, simply understand that words are special. I have come to understand how the words we use affect a lot of things. I use my voice when is necessary. I know I f haven’t spoken a lot about the elders that I live with, in fact, I haven’t taken all that much photos with them either. I will start today to take pictures of where I live and such, so I can share with all you what my life here is like. You can say I feel a little Mexican at times haha. It’s practically the same style. The Elders I live with live a lot differently then I would and that’s all I will say.
I like your spiritual thought you share with me mom because that’s just what I was wanting to share with you a little bit. Every day it is blistering hot here and we walk all day in the sun and at times have lessons outside in the sun. When I am walking a never look up and I notice that. I try to see what I can do on this street or with the people I see. The thing that has been on my mind a lot lately is that I always pictured my mission to be something perfect. I feel like Christ was the perfect missionary and that I can’t reach to that point at times and feel I need to be there by the end of my mission. I have come to the conclusion that I’ll come back with two or three new talents or abilities or overcome two or three things I struggled with in my life prior to the mission. If that only, than I would be satisfied. At times I push too hard and don’t complete anything or think too much and don’t complete anything. I want to say that I won’t be perfect when I returned, but I will have changed habits. Any ways thanks or the e-mail today and will let you know how the transfers go and the baptism go this week.
Elder Ridley
PS- my seminary recordes are in Cartagena.
Also I have fungus/hongo on my hands or on my fingers and I don’t know how I got it, but ya--- hahaha.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Sept. 5, 2011
Mom,
I know how you are feeling about the time and that its going by really quickly. I feel the same way, but yet I don't know what to say this point. I am not even at the peak of my mission. I have a lot of things that should be required of me in the near future. The transfers are coming up this coming up week(next Tuesday) and I don't know what will happen. I would like to stay here a little bit longer, but my companion and the zone leaders I feel are thinking differently and thing that they are going to take the four missionaries in Mogambo ward and only put two missionaries in the ward. That means that my companion and I would both leave, but we are not for sure and we will find out the following week. The baptism was great. A few members showed up, but it's the same members that always show up!! haha. We actually had four people get baptized on Saturday, but from other missionaries. Elder Lopez baptized Maria Diaz and after she told Elder Lopez and I thanks with here soft voice. Sometimes I wonder what we really do to help people convert themselves. I feel at times I hardly do anything, but simply follow what I have been given and told, living by the spirit and things begin to happen and get done. Some other times I have no idea what needs o get done, but we try anyways with my companions and sometimes we fail and sometimes we succeed. I can be honest and say that my time here has been tuff, but I see the value that I have to keep pushing myself because something good will come up in the future. I havent had much time to write today because I need to fill out all these things and send them to the office through internet today because it the week before transfers and so we have to get all that done. i only had about twenty minutes to send the photos and my e-mail. Speak soon love you
Elder Ridley
Ps- the letter to the Gutierrez family is understandable :) They will understand. Thanks for doing that.
Mama!!
Fotos recientes (recent photos). The are some from my past area and some of the photos that I have taken here. Actually with the river and all is what I took today for p-day. I haven't really been using my camera lately. The first picture that I have is of Elder Jorge and the other Elder Is Elder Lopez. Enjoy :)
I know how you are feeling about the time and that its going by really quickly. I feel the same way, but yet I don't know what to say this point. I am not even at the peak of my mission. I have a lot of things that should be required of me in the near future. The transfers are coming up this coming up week(next Tuesday) and I don't know what will happen. I would like to stay here a little bit longer, but my companion and the zone leaders I feel are thinking differently and thing that they are going to take the four missionaries in Mogambo ward and only put two missionaries in the ward. That means that my companion and I would both leave, but we are not for sure and we will find out the following week. The baptism was great. A few members showed up, but it's the same members that always show up!! haha. We actually had four people get baptized on Saturday, but from other missionaries. Elder Lopez baptized Maria Diaz and after she told Elder Lopez and I thanks with here soft voice. Sometimes I wonder what we really do to help people convert themselves. I feel at times I hardly do anything, but simply follow what I have been given and told, living by the spirit and things begin to happen and get done. Some other times I have no idea what needs o get done, but we try anyways with my companions and sometimes we fail and sometimes we succeed. I can be honest and say that my time here has been tuff, but I see the value that I have to keep pushing myself because something good will come up in the future. I havent had much time to write today because I need to fill out all these things and send them to the office through internet today because it the week before transfers and so we have to get all that done. i only had about twenty minutes to send the photos and my e-mail. Speak soon love you
Elder Ridley
Ps- the letter to the Gutierrez family is understandable :) They will understand. Thanks for doing that.
Mama!!
Fotos recientes (recent photos). The are some from my past area and some of the photos that I have taken here. Actually with the river and all is what I took today for p-day. I haven't really been using my camera lately. The first picture that I have is of Elder Jorge and the other Elder Is Elder Lopez. Enjoy :)
Monday, August 29, 2011
August 29. 2011
Mom and Family,
I wanted to share with you the things that I was wanting to share with you this past week, yet didn't get to finish. First thing is....We will be holding a baptism this Saturday for one of our investigators! Her name is Maria Diaz, no it is not Ena Diaz, but a different person. I am excited because I feel like it's the first time that we have officially had time to set it up and plan the baptism service and announce it out at church. Usually it's a guessing game with some of our investigators the week of, but ends up always working out, but this week we have finished all, but one of the commandments and I believe it is abstain and honor the law of the country. Maris Diaz has 40 years and she is very excited to enter into the gospel and the covenant with Heavenly Father. She has two kids and is divorced. Her kid's names are Mauricio who has 12 years and Juan who has 6 years. We have plans for Mauricio to join his mom that same day on 3 of September. He has told us he is sure, but we are going to have some help from the zone leaders to have a lesson with him and hopefully have more confidence in the things that he has come to know and understand. He is a great young man who has a mom that has set a great example for both her kids. He loves Basketball and loves to read. He has read everything that we asked him to read from the Book of Mormon. So the plans this week and what we have in our agenda for this week Elder Lopez and I is to get that all set up and planned for our other investigators to attend and the members and to have a spiritual meeting.
One thing that I was wanting to talk and ask you and all the other returned missionaries in the family is how the wards worked in their missions and also how the ward in the Murrieta Hills ward is doing? I forget how well organized it was at times and how many things got accomplished and how much I didn't pay attention to those things earlier, but how I wish I could understand more and how it truly does work. Right now we are changing completely how we work to the other direction with members and the Elders working together, but the thing is its difficult because the members depend on us a lot and now the member have to take a little bit more responsibility to their calling and the missionary work. I am wanting to help with all I can to get it started, but there is a limit I have in what I can and can't do haha. Not because of the language just with what I have seen the church at a high point and what Is see the church in a stage of progression. One thing that I notice here is they skip the basic principals or the fundamentals of things to help the work in progression....for example references' to the missionaries. I believe in total my time here I have received less than 10. The numbers of the mission in baptisms is 80% from contacts of the missionaries and 20% references'. Another thing that I see the importance in is visiting teaching and how if it doesn't get done the members don't get that spiritual fulfillment every month. All this deals with one word and is to work, but not only that, but do it in the lords way. The difficult part is when members have the knowledge of the purpose of a calling or even leaders that don't know their responsibilities, but yet I know I have had experiences in all that as a youth. I want to share my experiences with them, but there is a limit to what I can say and not say. I hope you understand me in all this????? The thing is I respect them to find out from personal experiences or correct them. I know that through my youth I had experiences and these experiences were to help me complete a mission, but at the same time I don't want to cross the line. At times, I am really firm with my decisions' to do things and to not do things. I am really serious it seems like these days and I want to know if I was super serious before my mission???? Sometimes I am so focused I forget to smile and to say hi to people and to wave and to just have a smile on my face haha. Even though I walk under the blazing sun for 8 hours a day!!! Amway this is a little of what's been on my mind a lot of how I can create a Zion here for the people of coast of Colombia so they can one day have a temple and enjoy the blessing of greater covenants and so forth. A lit that I read this week was in D& C 97 I believe about the establishment of Zion and the blessing of that. I believe that the stake of Murrieta has done that, but I can say here in Colombia the coast thy haven't, but that's why I am here to help them accomplish that. There is a lot of work left to do and that's why we should never stop. This work is more important than anything in this world and not a lot of people know it! They need to know it. I know that the missionaries don't visit often, but they need people to teach. Now that you all have a routine again. Add something else in the routine to invite the missionaries over and teach and even give a reference to them, because sometime the missionaries don't know how to ask. Anyways I am out of time. I invite you all to continue in gospel daily.
Love you all.
Elder Ridley
I wanted to share with you the things that I was wanting to share with you this past week, yet didn't get to finish. First thing is....We will be holding a baptism this Saturday for one of our investigators! Her name is Maria Diaz, no it is not Ena Diaz, but a different person. I am excited because I feel like it's the first time that we have officially had time to set it up and plan the baptism service and announce it out at church. Usually it's a guessing game with some of our investigators the week of, but ends up always working out, but this week we have finished all, but one of the commandments and I believe it is abstain and honor the law of the country. Maris Diaz has 40 years and she is very excited to enter into the gospel and the covenant with Heavenly Father. She has two kids and is divorced. Her kid's names are Mauricio who has 12 years and Juan who has 6 years. We have plans for Mauricio to join his mom that same day on 3 of September. He has told us he is sure, but we are going to have some help from the zone leaders to have a lesson with him and hopefully have more confidence in the things that he has come to know and understand. He is a great young man who has a mom that has set a great example for both her kids. He loves Basketball and loves to read. He has read everything that we asked him to read from the Book of Mormon. So the plans this week and what we have in our agenda for this week Elder Lopez and I is to get that all set up and planned for our other investigators to attend and the members and to have a spiritual meeting.
One thing that I was wanting to talk and ask you and all the other returned missionaries in the family is how the wards worked in their missions and also how the ward in the Murrieta Hills ward is doing? I forget how well organized it was at times and how many things got accomplished and how much I didn't pay attention to those things earlier, but how I wish I could understand more and how it truly does work. Right now we are changing completely how we work to the other direction with members and the Elders working together, but the thing is its difficult because the members depend on us a lot and now the member have to take a little bit more responsibility to their calling and the missionary work. I am wanting to help with all I can to get it started, but there is a limit I have in what I can and can't do haha. Not because of the language just with what I have seen the church at a high point and what Is see the church in a stage of progression. One thing that I notice here is they skip the basic principals or the fundamentals of things to help the work in progression....for example references' to the missionaries. I believe in total my time here I have received less than 10. The numbers of the mission in baptisms is 80% from contacts of the missionaries and 20% references'. Another thing that I see the importance in is visiting teaching and how if it doesn't get done the members don't get that spiritual fulfillment every month. All this deals with one word and is to work, but not only that, but do it in the lords way. The difficult part is when members have the knowledge of the purpose of a calling or even leaders that don't know their responsibilities, but yet I know I have had experiences in all that as a youth. I want to share my experiences with them, but there is a limit to what I can say and not say. I hope you understand me in all this????? The thing is I respect them to find out from personal experiences or correct them. I know that through my youth I had experiences and these experiences were to help me complete a mission, but at the same time I don't want to cross the line. At times, I am really firm with my decisions' to do things and to not do things. I am really serious it seems like these days and I want to know if I was super serious before my mission???? Sometimes I am so focused I forget to smile and to say hi to people and to wave and to just have a smile on my face haha. Even though I walk under the blazing sun for 8 hours a day!!! Amway this is a little of what's been on my mind a lot of how I can create a Zion here for the people of coast of Colombia so they can one day have a temple and enjoy the blessing of greater covenants and so forth. A lit that I read this week was in D& C 97 I believe about the establishment of Zion and the blessing of that. I believe that the stake of Murrieta has done that, but I can say here in Colombia the coast thy haven't, but that's why I am here to help them accomplish that. There is a lot of work left to do and that's why we should never stop. This work is more important than anything in this world and not a lot of people know it! They need to know it. I know that the missionaries don't visit often, but they need people to teach. Now that you all have a routine again. Add something else in the routine to invite the missionaries over and teach and even give a reference to them, because sometime the missionaries don't know how to ask. Anyways I am out of time. I invite you all to continue in gospel daily.
Love you all.
Elder Ridley
Monday, August 22, 2011
Aug. 22, 2011
¡Hola! Mi Familia
I wanted to reply quickly to what you had written me. First off, I did receive your package. Yes, all the items I received, thank you for that. The scriptures you haven't sent, I don't want you to send to me because I have no way to send them. I can't talk with past members or investigators of my old areas. I can only communicate with them through the mission mail called "POUCH" nothing more. I have the address of the family Gutierrez. Just send it to them with a little note saying from the Ridley Family. If you want you can go on online and type it in English then have the internet translate your note. That's an idea, but really all you need to do is send it their way and it should be fine. I have the e-mail of the Hermana if you want to talk with them..... reginarios@hotmail.com.
About the seminary records, I didn't have any idea what they were doing. They wanted to see them, and I said ok, but after they said that I would need to transfer them back and that it's super easy, but they didn't know how and now it's been over a month to try and do that. Thanks though for checking that out. Yes just let me know.
Cartegena, Colombia
Barrio el Prado
Conjunto Residencial los tamarindos
Bloque 1 apt 201
Many things are in process with the mission. This week we had a conference in the stake center all day in Monteria. One of the things that is really a problem is the distance between the member and the missionaries spiritually. I admit that I am at fault with that too because I have not been applying it, but this conference helped me to realized more the importance again, because I knew the importance at one point, but a lot changed when I got here and I am slowly applying what I can when I can. The idea is to have more references and by doing that we need to pass by the member house. Not only pass by but also teach them the importance of the gospel is to them and how they can help others receive those blessings. Then that leads to a NEW INVESTIGATOR :) So this I will be in my plans to do weekly. One way that easy to do this in the states is because the families eat meals and dinners with the missionaries. Here they changed to having lunch with the missionaries because it's easier, but even still the families are not all there and the mom cooks us food and leaves to do other chores. They are more busy here than ever and I don't understand! All I know is I am going to do my part to teach and share my testimony when I can. We also watch an amazing video from Jeffery R Holland speaking to the missionaries. We watched it with all my zone. The amazing thing is I was in the MTC when he gave it. It was so powerful then and even powerful in a small church in Colombia with my Latino Elders :) It brought back so many memories of what I have experienced in 9 almost 10 months. I have more still to go and I am so excited for what I am going to accomplish for the Lord. Not only here, but also what plans I have for the future. You talked a lot about the things in the future mom and how we will look back on our lives and see the bad mistakes. I am more grateful for those moments because its got gave me to overcome and I know I can with my Savior. I am more excited than ever to see how my life has been , but more how I have changed and what I have become. I know what I will become because it is told to us if we do "right" in our lives. The time is going by fast here in Colombia and yes, I do at times wonder if I will complete all that is required of me with the time I have left. I do know that if I focus on the little things such as what I need to complete in the day, week and then month than si I will have completed things for the Lord in that time period. Right now, the little town of Monteria is in a progression but I am enjoying my time here and yes it is very different from Cartegna and Grandma knows best. The people here are like family to everyone and they are more humbled. No Ena Diaz didn't get baptized. She has many difficulties in trying to attend church because her mom has Alzheimer's and can't attend every Domingo and so we are trying to work with that so she can be firm after here baptism to attend church. Some things that I was wanting to write for a long time and ask and share is.....I want to know how eveyone is doing with their covenants? How is it (baptism/temple)? I have seen more of the importance of the covenants we make with our Father in heaven and at time we forget and I want to ask how is it going? I have come to the understanding more of this and thought about how it is more important to fulfill the covenants of my parents. The covenant that you both, mom and dad made in the D.C. Temple over thirty years ago. I want to promise you all that I will complete that and will make sure that your family is eternal. At times I feel like I am praying for so many things beyond myself and also during the week I wonder where I am at and I find myself forgetting who I am. I Know I can lose myself even more, more as time goes on..... I would like that you explain to everyone that write me from now on until the end of my mission and this includes all my family as well to call me Elder Ridley and not my other given name. I love it here and I love Spanish because it has helped me learn the gospel all over again by simple basic words. I want you to know to mom that I love you and am grateful for what you do for me. Tell everyone I said hello and to stay busy with things to do, but also complete the little things such as reading daily and praying and preparing for the Sunday/sacrament. With all the love of a Elder
Elder Ridley
I wanted to reply quickly to what you had written me. First off, I did receive your package. Yes, all the items I received, thank you for that. The scriptures you haven't sent, I don't want you to send to me because I have no way to send them. I can't talk with past members or investigators of my old areas. I can only communicate with them through the mission mail called "POUCH" nothing more. I have the address of the family Gutierrez. Just send it to them with a little note saying from the Ridley Family. If you want you can go on online and type it in English then have the internet translate your note. That's an idea, but really all you need to do is send it their way and it should be fine. I have the e-mail of the Hermana if you want to talk with them..... reginarios@hotmail.com.
About the seminary records, I didn't have any idea what they were doing. They wanted to see them, and I said ok, but after they said that I would need to transfer them back and that it's super easy, but they didn't know how and now it's been over a month to try and do that. Thanks though for checking that out. Yes just let me know.
Cartegena, Colombia
Barrio el Prado
Conjunto Residencial los tamarindos
Bloque 1 apt 201
Many things are in process with the mission. This week we had a conference in the stake center all day in Monteria. One of the things that is really a problem is the distance between the member and the missionaries spiritually. I admit that I am at fault with that too because I have not been applying it, but this conference helped me to realized more the importance again, because I knew the importance at one point, but a lot changed when I got here and I am slowly applying what I can when I can. The idea is to have more references and by doing that we need to pass by the member house. Not only pass by but also teach them the importance of the gospel is to them and how they can help others receive those blessings. Then that leads to a NEW INVESTIGATOR :) So this I will be in my plans to do weekly. One way that easy to do this in the states is because the families eat meals and dinners with the missionaries. Here they changed to having lunch with the missionaries because it's easier, but even still the families are not all there and the mom cooks us food and leaves to do other chores. They are more busy here than ever and I don't understand! All I know is I am going to do my part to teach and share my testimony when I can. We also watch an amazing video from Jeffery R Holland speaking to the missionaries. We watched it with all my zone. The amazing thing is I was in the MTC when he gave it. It was so powerful then and even powerful in a small church in Colombia with my Latino Elders :) It brought back so many memories of what I have experienced in 9 almost 10 months. I have more still to go and I am so excited for what I am going to accomplish for the Lord. Not only here, but also what plans I have for the future. You talked a lot about the things in the future mom and how we will look back on our lives and see the bad mistakes. I am more grateful for those moments because its got gave me to overcome and I know I can with my Savior. I am more excited than ever to see how my life has been , but more how I have changed and what I have become. I know what I will become because it is told to us if we do "right" in our lives. The time is going by fast here in Colombia and yes, I do at times wonder if I will complete all that is required of me with the time I have left. I do know that if I focus on the little things such as what I need to complete in the day, week and then month than si I will have completed things for the Lord in that time period. Right now, the little town of Monteria is in a progression but I am enjoying my time here and yes it is very different from Cartegna and Grandma knows best. The people here are like family to everyone and they are more humbled. No Ena Diaz didn't get baptized. She has many difficulties in trying to attend church because her mom has Alzheimer's and can't attend every Domingo and so we are trying to work with that so she can be firm after here baptism to attend church. Some things that I was wanting to write for a long time and ask and share is.....I want to know how eveyone is doing with their covenants? How is it (baptism/temple)? I have seen more of the importance of the covenants we make with our Father in heaven and at time we forget and I want to ask how is it going? I have come to the understanding more of this and thought about how it is more important to fulfill the covenants of my parents. The covenant that you both, mom and dad made in the D.C. Temple over thirty years ago. I want to promise you all that I will complete that and will make sure that your family is eternal. At times I feel like I am praying for so many things beyond myself and also during the week I wonder where I am at and I find myself forgetting who I am. I Know I can lose myself even more, more as time goes on..... I would like that you explain to everyone that write me from now on until the end of my mission and this includes all my family as well to call me Elder Ridley and not my other given name. I love it here and I love Spanish because it has helped me learn the gospel all over again by simple basic words. I want you to know to mom that I love you and am grateful for what you do for me. Tell everyone I said hello and to stay busy with things to do, but also complete the little things such as reading daily and praying and preparing for the Sunday/sacrament. With all the love of a Elder
Elder Ridley
Monday, August 15, 2011
8-15-11
Mom,
My week was fast, but rough. I now have two weeks in my new area, but this past week I had to direct my area. This was the highlight of my week. I was getting lost, but learning my area. I had to find the investigators and where they live but with only one week in the area, it's a bit hard. My area that I am working in is small, but it has a ton of houses and all the streets look the same to me. I had three days with a missionary named Elder Rubio from Ecuador. My companion had to go to a meeting for three days in Barranquilla with all the leaders from the mission to get some training. The thing is, is that usually the new missionary that comes to this area in Monteria, Mongombo should be the leader of the district, but I didn't get called to be one and so they called my companion Elder Lopez. He has one year and six months and it's his first opportunity to be a district leader. He has shared with me the things that he wants to do with the district and told me what happened with the meeting in Barranquilla with President Gaviria and so forth. There are a few things that have changed, due to guidelines and rules. It seems to me that they are always changing and there is something new we have to implement in the work. Because President Gaviria is new, he has recognized his mistakes and now is trying to fix some things to better the mission, but it's not easy. The more time I have here the more I feel I have more responsibility to get things done and see now how really the work is going and how it should be. I like it here in Monteria, Mongambo because its filled with nothing haha. I have straight time to focus on the simple things such as writing in my journal nightly and the folder for our area, study more fervently in preach my gospel and the scriptures. In Cartegena it was difficult for me. A lot of commotion and things going on in that city. I like my ward here and seem like they could use some help, but yet I feel they do a lot more of the work of missionaries than in Pie de la Popa. I have so much on my mind with things that I need to get done this week and tomorrow, even tonight as we work for three hours. Tonight can make a big difference with one of the investigators that Elder Lopez and I have named Ena Diaz. She has a date to be baptized this coming up Saturday, but it's not a for sure. She has all the things necessary to get baptized except a few more principles, but something that my companion and I feel that she needs a little more time. Ena Diaz has to take care of her sick mom always and so it hard to get her to attend things and such or listen to us. She does have a testimony of the things we have taught her and she's read from the Book of Mormon. The thing is what will happen after her baptism and we don't know. I have only past by her house about three times with my companion so a lot of it is his decision and what he has seen in her progression and such. I know I didn't tell you about the upcoming baptism and such so I figured I should start that haha. When I arrived in my new area there was a lot needing to be done with organizing things and finding more time to get things done and do it in less time. I love the section in preach my gospel where it talks about organizing your time and that's the thing I am trying to do in the time here in Mongombo. So what I have done with my companion is we reorganized the area book and have started to use it because it wasn't getting used before and also we are practicing our lessons and how we can improve them, but share it with clarity and to the needs of the people. There is a way of teaching here in this mission, almost like a tradition about the difference of our church and other churches and it made me reflect when I my companion responded about how the difference between us and other is prophets and apostles. During a lesson in my first week this happened and this lesson wasn't bad, but I couldn't teach well. the reason was because I couldn't testify to his words and the thing I know that's the difference between us and others is that we have the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and that's the difference and will make the difference in changing the peoples lives that we serve. After the lesson I asked him if we could talk and we sat down and I explained to him in the most simple clear words with question upon what we do and how it's done. It all leads to the Gospel and that's the difference and will make the difference to changes the lives of others not that we have prophets and apostles. How clear it is to me that the gospel changes lives and that's what we need to share not that are true is restored in the same manner as Jesus Christ established here on the earth to convince people to join and then get less active because they haven't figured out how to live the Gospel. So, that was one thing that we are working on. My companion understood and told me that it was something that happens her in the mission and that it's a basic way of teach, and I feel I had gotten into that to myself when I first got here, but Elder Jorge reminded me of the true intention of why I am here and how it should be done. I was reading in the Liahona this week on the topic of the one and true living church and that how it is so true because we have the fullness of the Gospel and the power to do the work of the lord here on the earth, but the last thing that stuck out to me is how we have true testimonies. This was a talk from one of the apostles and he explain about the articles of faith and how that is the testimony of the church and the thing is the members live it not just say it and how the world today doesn't have that true burning testimony of their beliefs. Anyways I was grateful to share some things of what went on this week and to hear about your week and things with the Family. I can't believe summer is already over and how once again things are changing, but for me it's practically the same. I love you mom and tell everyone hello for me.
Elder Ridley
My week was fast, but rough. I now have two weeks in my new area, but this past week I had to direct my area. This was the highlight of my week. I was getting lost, but learning my area. I had to find the investigators and where they live but with only one week in the area, it's a bit hard. My area that I am working in is small, but it has a ton of houses and all the streets look the same to me. I had three days with a missionary named Elder Rubio from Ecuador. My companion had to go to a meeting for three days in Barranquilla with all the leaders from the mission to get some training. The thing is, is that usually the new missionary that comes to this area in Monteria, Mongombo should be the leader of the district, but I didn't get called to be one and so they called my companion Elder Lopez. He has one year and six months and it's his first opportunity to be a district leader. He has shared with me the things that he wants to do with the district and told me what happened with the meeting in Barranquilla with President Gaviria and so forth. There are a few things that have changed, due to guidelines and rules. It seems to me that they are always changing and there is something new we have to implement in the work. Because President Gaviria is new, he has recognized his mistakes and now is trying to fix some things to better the mission, but it's not easy. The more time I have here the more I feel I have more responsibility to get things done and see now how really the work is going and how it should be. I like it here in Monteria, Mongambo because its filled with nothing haha. I have straight time to focus on the simple things such as writing in my journal nightly and the folder for our area, study more fervently in preach my gospel and the scriptures. In Cartegena it was difficult for me. A lot of commotion and things going on in that city. I like my ward here and seem like they could use some help, but yet I feel they do a lot more of the work of missionaries than in Pie de la Popa. I have so much on my mind with things that I need to get done this week and tomorrow, even tonight as we work for three hours. Tonight can make a big difference with one of the investigators that Elder Lopez and I have named Ena Diaz. She has a date to be baptized this coming up Saturday, but it's not a for sure. She has all the things necessary to get baptized except a few more principles, but something that my companion and I feel that she needs a little more time. Ena Diaz has to take care of her sick mom always and so it hard to get her to attend things and such or listen to us. She does have a testimony of the things we have taught her and she's read from the Book of Mormon. The thing is what will happen after her baptism and we don't know. I have only past by her house about three times with my companion so a lot of it is his decision and what he has seen in her progression and such. I know I didn't tell you about the upcoming baptism and such so I figured I should start that haha. When I arrived in my new area there was a lot needing to be done with organizing things and finding more time to get things done and do it in less time. I love the section in preach my gospel where it talks about organizing your time and that's the thing I am trying to do in the time here in Mongombo. So what I have done with my companion is we reorganized the area book and have started to use it because it wasn't getting used before and also we are practicing our lessons and how we can improve them, but share it with clarity and to the needs of the people. There is a way of teaching here in this mission, almost like a tradition about the difference of our church and other churches and it made me reflect when I my companion responded about how the difference between us and other is prophets and apostles. During a lesson in my first week this happened and this lesson wasn't bad, but I couldn't teach well. the reason was because I couldn't testify to his words and the thing I know that's the difference between us and others is that we have the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and that's the difference and will make the difference in changing the peoples lives that we serve. After the lesson I asked him if we could talk and we sat down and I explained to him in the most simple clear words with question upon what we do and how it's done. It all leads to the Gospel and that's the difference and will make the difference to changes the lives of others not that we have prophets and apostles. How clear it is to me that the gospel changes lives and that's what we need to share not that are true is restored in the same manner as Jesus Christ established here on the earth to convince people to join and then get less active because they haven't figured out how to live the Gospel. So, that was one thing that we are working on. My companion understood and told me that it was something that happens her in the mission and that it's a basic way of teach, and I feel I had gotten into that to myself when I first got here, but Elder Jorge reminded me of the true intention of why I am here and how it should be done. I was reading in the Liahona this week on the topic of the one and true living church and that how it is so true because we have the fullness of the Gospel and the power to do the work of the lord here on the earth, but the last thing that stuck out to me is how we have true testimonies. This was a talk from one of the apostles and he explain about the articles of faith and how that is the testimony of the church and the thing is the members live it not just say it and how the world today doesn't have that true burning testimony of their beliefs. Anyways I was grateful to share some things of what went on this week and to hear about your week and things with the Family. I can't believe summer is already over and how once again things are changing, but for me it's practically the same. I love you mom and tell everyone hello for me.
Elder Ridley
Monday, August 8, 2011
Aug. 8, 2011
Family,
I am well and excited to be working in my new area. I did get transferred to a new part of Colombia and it is called Monteria. It's the farthest I could possibly go away from the mission office haha and also the hottest in all the mission. I go from a really popular place in Cartegena, with lots of Americans that travel and a lot of things to visit, to a place they call a pueblo (a group of people). The best thing they have here is a big river, but it's completely brown water. I love it here! It's really calm and the people are really friendly and receptive. I feel it's a great place for me to be at this time in this mission.
I have a new companion named Elder Lopez from Chile. That's a little bit about my changes haha. I am senior companion yes, but my companion is the District leader. He has a year and 6 months in the mission and it's his first position as a leader "leader". All of us are leaders in this work and he understands that, and has asked me to help him with all that I can do. He has only three years in the church. He gotbaptized a year or so in the church before his mission. Our first lesson we had together was amazing and this week we invited 6 people to get baptized on the third of September.
I don't know what has changed in me this transfer this week, but the lessons just were so fluent. I do like your e-mails a lot to get to know what all is happening. I really at times I do live a spiritual life all the time and study not just during my study time, but every day. I am learning something new every day in reality and that include in Spanish and with people and with the work of the Lord. At times I do just like to read instead of try to teach and explain all the time. I feel like there is a lot changes every week with all you. This week changes a lot now that Ashley is having a new baby. When she has the baby, I will have a year and six month in the mission. During all that time, a lot will change even more. I feel like my life is changing but in a way that I never thought I would need to do or how I am experiencing it ( in a little city in Colombia). Like I have said before I love the word such as a mission and what it does for a young man. It has changed everything that I thought I could be, but even greater. I am working really hard to get back where I was at in my other area, back to square one and I took the things that I have learned from one area and I am applying more and more as I progress in this great work. I encourage you to do the same and find those things that will put you a step ahead of where you were at last year or even last week. The thing that has changed in me from where I was with a lot of fear has changed a lot and I have more trust in the things I can do with the Lord. I know this isn't all what you wanted to hear from me today, but I was doing other things all day like "cleaning the house" almost all day and my "clothes". I need to get other things done first so I can prepare for the next week. So, I didn't have all the time I needed to write only thirty minutes. I haven't forgotten to write more next week of what's been happening, but I will explain more next week with more time. I love you all! Have a great rest of the week and enjoy all the new things that will be coming up ahead and the things that you could experience. Speak soon.
Elder Ridley
Thursday, August 4, 2011
August 3 2011
Mom,
I am so busy I forgot to tell you that we have transfers and I am leaving Cartegena. I am leaving to MONGAMBO , Monteria. It's one of the farthest places from the main mission in Barrenquilla. I hear it's the hottest place in the mission too. Let's just say it's a lot different from where I have been serving in. Also, Elder Jorge and I had a baptism this week. Her name is Mary Monsalve. I know I have spoken a lot about here. I know you will have a lot of questions for me this next week and so I will try to prepare the best way I can next week. I till haven't shared some things that I have been wanting to share for the last few weeks now. I have a list of things so I will try my best next week. One big long e-mail next week. Tell everyone I said hello and that my life will change even more now that I am leaving my area to a new one haha. I love you mom.
Elder Ridley
Querido Elder Ridley, Cody Nathaniel, en este cambio que comienza usted trabajarÃĄ en el area Mogambo de la zona Monteria 1. Su compaÃąero serÃĄ Elder LÃģpez, Diego Yaroslao Toro. Su asignaciÃģn serÃĄ CompaÃąero Mayor. Esperamos que tengan mucho exito en su area, el SeÃąor los necesita!!! Cualquier duda con respecto a los cambios llamen a sus Lideres de Zona (ellos estarÃĄn, hoy Martes, desde las 2:00 p.m. hasta las 3:00 p.m. en sus casas).
Dear Elder Ridley, Cody Nathaniel at this change starts you will work in Mogambo area of zone 1 Monteria. Your teammate will be Elder LÃģpez, Diego Yaroslao Bull. Your assignment will be greater partner. We hope to have much success in your area, the Lord needs you! Any questions regarding changes call their leaders from area (they will be, today Tuesday, from 2: 00 p.m. to 3: 00 p.m. in their homes).
Ryan,
Hey. You explained the chapter well enough that I won't need to look it up haha, but I will anyways because I have a lot of time because I am in the mission office all day today and nothing else. I won't lie I am not perfect I can say that I have held back at times. The thing that I have seen since my time here is my attitude. It's always up and down, but I have seen in the past few week go up and I am more excited to do things rather that study, study, study. I have felt more of a desire to study since my time here and less work but now, I am ready to put the things I am learning into faith and not hold back what I have come out to do. I know I have had only 8 months here, but I can see the difference from where I was at to now. I am grateful for all the times you and the family have spent to encourage me to do better because really that's all I want. Thanks for everything. Love you
Elder Ridley
Skyler,
I was not able to write last week, but I know that your birthday has come and gone, but I wanted to say Happy Birthday! I heard about all the great activities you have had this past week with all your buddies from the mission, President and sister Bullock. I also wanted to tell you that your last week's e-mail is the only one that I have printed out and kept, because....It has made a big influence on me to focus on what you have told me to do. The one thing that stuck out to me that you said is use the fear to motivate me. That is basically doing everything I am uncomfortable to do or can't do. Doesn't mean I won't do it, but it won't be done in the smoothest way haha. Yesterday I had a meeting with my district, and we watched a video from the district 2 about their experiences in the mission and there was one missionary that shared that when he pushed a little harder or stretched just a little more, is when the blessings came. It wasn't in the smoothes way or the way that he planned it or would have done it, but that it got done. The other thing that you mentioned was ask god if you should do something. I am going to practice working on the simple miracles or the simple truths to complete the work that I have been set out to do and that I am going to do it by making patterns of things that I need to get done and no exceptions. Thanks again for your brief comments and message to help me understand better. I take everything to heart when people give me advice. That might be something bad or not, but I always think of how it will affect someone else and if it will in a better way. I pray for the Lord to help in doing that. If not I don't consider it. I feel this will help me to help others and so I am going to commit to you that I would do it. Keep it touch how the rest of the summer goes. I know your busy, keep up with what you have set right now in your schedule and know there is an Elder in COLOMBIA that cherishes his brother. Love you
Elder Ridley
I am so busy I forgot to tell you that we have transfers and I am leaving Cartegena. I am leaving to MONGAMBO , Monteria. It's one of the farthest places from the main mission in Barrenquilla. I hear it's the hottest place in the mission too. Let's just say it's a lot different from where I have been serving in. Also, Elder Jorge and I had a baptism this week. Her name is Mary Monsalve. I know I have spoken a lot about here. I know you will have a lot of questions for me this next week and so I will try to prepare the best way I can next week. I till haven't shared some things that I have been wanting to share for the last few weeks now. I have a list of things so I will try my best next week. One big long e-mail next week. Tell everyone I said hello and that my life will change even more now that I am leaving my area to a new one haha. I love you mom.
Elder Ridley
Querido Elder Ridley, Cody Nathaniel, en este cambio que comienza usted trabajarÃĄ en el area Mogambo de la zona Monteria 1. Su compaÃąero serÃĄ Elder LÃģpez, Diego Yaroslao Toro. Su asignaciÃģn serÃĄ CompaÃąero Mayor. Esperamos que tengan mucho exito en su area, el SeÃąor los necesita!!! Cualquier duda con respecto a los cambios llamen a sus Lideres de Zona (ellos estarÃĄn, hoy Martes, desde las 2:00 p.m. hasta las 3:00 p.m. en sus casas).
Dear Elder Ridley, Cody Nathaniel at this change starts you will work in Mogambo area of zone 1 Monteria. Your teammate will be Elder LÃģpez, Diego Yaroslao Bull. Your assignment will be greater partner. We hope to have much success in your area, the Lord needs you! Any questions regarding changes call their leaders from area (they will be, today Tuesday, from 2: 00 p.m. to 3: 00 p.m. in their homes).
Ryan,
Hey. You explained the chapter well enough that I won't need to look it up haha, but I will anyways because I have a lot of time because I am in the mission office all day today and nothing else. I won't lie I am not perfect I can say that I have held back at times. The thing that I have seen since my time here is my attitude. It's always up and down, but I have seen in the past few week go up and I am more excited to do things rather that study, study, study. I have felt more of a desire to study since my time here and less work but now, I am ready to put the things I am learning into faith and not hold back what I have come out to do. I know I have had only 8 months here, but I can see the difference from where I was at to now. I am grateful for all the times you and the family have spent to encourage me to do better because really that's all I want. Thanks for everything. Love you
Elder Ridley
Skyler,
I was not able to write last week, but I know that your birthday has come and gone, but I wanted to say Happy Birthday! I heard about all the great activities you have had this past week with all your buddies from the mission, President and sister Bullock. I also wanted to tell you that your last week's e-mail is the only one that I have printed out and kept, because....It has made a big influence on me to focus on what you have told me to do. The one thing that stuck out to me that you said is use the fear to motivate me. That is basically doing everything I am uncomfortable to do or can't do. Doesn't mean I won't do it, but it won't be done in the smoothest way haha. Yesterday I had a meeting with my district, and we watched a video from the district 2 about their experiences in the mission and there was one missionary that shared that when he pushed a little harder or stretched just a little more, is when the blessings came. It wasn't in the smoothes way or the way that he planned it or would have done it, but that it got done. The other thing that you mentioned was ask god if you should do something. I am going to practice working on the simple miracles or the simple truths to complete the work that I have been set out to do and that I am going to do it by making patterns of things that I need to get done and no exceptions. Thanks again for your brief comments and message to help me understand better. I take everything to heart when people give me advice. That might be something bad or not, but I always think of how it will affect someone else and if it will in a better way. I pray for the Lord to help in doing that. If not I don't consider it. I feel this will help me to help others and so I am going to commit to you that I would do it. Keep it touch how the rest of the summer goes. I know your busy, keep up with what you have set right now in your schedule and know there is an Elder in COLOMBIA that cherishes his brother. Love you
Elder Ridley
Thursday, July 28, 2011
July 25, 2011
Ryan,
Thank you for the 5 minutes you took this morning to write me. I do appreciate it sincerily. Somethings you have written might just have changed my mission for the Lord. I dont have a lot to share, but basically how I recognize how many great people we are surrounded by in our lives and how blessed for those examples. The Poineers modern, and from the past, have changed a lot for you as you have studied and reflected on it this past week and now I have reflected back on that a little bit too. Also I like what you said about giving talks because it gives us a boost. I see that here on the mission as I have had to give many talks during sacrament meeting. It always makes me study a lot more than I would so as to "know" what to do or say. I trust you to know when the right time is to share my thoughts with the youth that you have to take care of. That shows me right there that you desire more that just a simple class, but to make it a mission. There are many missions we can do after our full time mission. I see that more and more and I am preparing for that day when I get to do more whith the things I gain and learn here in Colombia. I know my mission is in Spanish, but I like your quote "Walay Mahay" means "No Regrets" in Spanish " No remordimiento" its almost like saying no remorse. I like yours and I think I will steal your idea and use a little Phillippines/Filipina in my mission haha. Ryan thanks for your time you took to write me. Love you. Tell Brooke Hello and that working with Ashley with Weddings is a good idea. Have a good week.
Elder Ridley
Thank you for the 5 minutes you took this morning to write me. I do appreciate it sincerily. Somethings you have written might just have changed my mission for the Lord. I dont have a lot to share, but basically how I recognize how many great people we are surrounded by in our lives and how blessed for those examples. The Poineers modern, and from the past, have changed a lot for you as you have studied and reflected on it this past week and now I have reflected back on that a little bit too. Also I like what you said about giving talks because it gives us a boost. I see that here on the mission as I have had to give many talks during sacrament meeting. It always makes me study a lot more than I would so as to "know" what to do or say. I trust you to know when the right time is to share my thoughts with the youth that you have to take care of. That shows me right there that you desire more that just a simple class, but to make it a mission. There are many missions we can do after our full time mission. I see that more and more and I am preparing for that day when I get to do more whith the things I gain and learn here in Colombia. I know my mission is in Spanish, but I like your quote "Walay Mahay" means "No Regrets" in Spanish " No remordimiento" its almost like saying no remorse. I like yours and I think I will steal your idea and use a little Phillippines/Filipina in my mission haha. Ryan thanks for your time you took to write me. Love you. Tell Brooke Hello and that working with Ashley with Weddings is a good idea. Have a good week.
Elder Ridley
Monday, July 25, 2011
Caught on line together 7/24/11
Today I was sending Cody his email a bit late and shortly after I sent it I got this right back...
Cody: Hey Mom! I love you!
Then me: Are you there now?
Cody: Yes, I'm sending our information to the President. Hey I won't have time later to come back later in the afternoon so I am going to try to write right now to the four e-mails I recieved from Skyler, Ashley, Ryan, and you. I am going to go play tennis today :)
Me: Thats great! Write others first like I said earlier. Dad sends you his love too and wants you to know that you are in his prayers and also he puts your name in at the Temple :)
Cody later: I will write to others first, but real quick to answer your questions from your e-mail. I am getting letters from home, but I haven't got any in awhile. OF COURSE :) I look foward to everything that gets sent my way. I havent recieved your package yet, but I will let you know. Elder Jorge got your e-mail. I printed out for him. He understood all, but a few words. His English is really good. In the house at night he talks with me in English to practice, but during the day I always speak in Spanish. Remember I told you I was sending you letters soon?? Well I still have them and I have decided around Christmas time I will send all of them in one package. Is that fine? I have a lot for the family and my friends. You might need to figure out how to send them all once you get them all. Sorry about not mentioning about the scriptures. I have Spanish Scriptures mom. I have had Spanish Scritures since day one in the MTC and here in Colombia. I sent the ones that you and dad baught for me home because I received a set of Scriptures in the MTC. I have a picture of me reading my set of Spanish scriptures that I sent you a while back. I do about the same thing as ryan with referring back and forth with English to Spanish. Did you read my PS(note) from last weeks e-mail about my information in Seminary? Tell me once thats all settled pleased.
Mom,
I didn't get to everyone. I only wrote Ryan and Ashley. I think it's difficult for me to write when I get a lot of e-mails. I was excited to write a whole lot today, of things I had written and planned to tell you, but I have not time left. Tell Skyler I will get to his e-mail next week. Always his letters give me a peaceful feeling afterwards. He always gives me something I need to hear or he just knows what I am going through. Please tell him thank you for his sincere desires for me to be successful when he himself has other things he could be doing. I am greatful for everyone that is helping me with understanding more of the things I have yet come to understand. Mom your right about my afflictions being swallowed up in the Joy of Christ. I will tell you that it happened this week and that you already were knowing. Thanks mom, love you
Elder Ridley
Cody: Hey Mom! I love you!
Then me: Are you there now?
Cody: Yes, I'm sending our information to the President. Hey I won't have time later to come back later in the afternoon so I am going to try to write right now to the four e-mails I recieved from Skyler, Ashley, Ryan, and you. I am going to go play tennis today :)
Me: Thats great! Write others first like I said earlier. Dad sends you his love too and wants you to know that you are in his prayers and also he puts your name in at the Temple :)
Cody later: I will write to others first, but real quick to answer your questions from your e-mail. I am getting letters from home, but I haven't got any in awhile. OF COURSE :) I look foward to everything that gets sent my way. I havent recieved your package yet, but I will let you know. Elder Jorge got your e-mail. I printed out for him. He understood all, but a few words. His English is really good. In the house at night he talks with me in English to practice, but during the day I always speak in Spanish. Remember I told you I was sending you letters soon?? Well I still have them and I have decided around Christmas time I will send all of them in one package. Is that fine? I have a lot for the family and my friends. You might need to figure out how to send them all once you get them all. Sorry about not mentioning about the scriptures. I have Spanish Scriptures mom. I have had Spanish Scritures since day one in the MTC and here in Colombia. I sent the ones that you and dad baught for me home because I received a set of Scriptures in the MTC. I have a picture of me reading my set of Spanish scriptures that I sent you a while back. I do about the same thing as ryan with referring back and forth with English to Spanish. Did you read my PS(note) from last weeks e-mail about my information in Seminary? Tell me once thats all settled pleased.
Mom,
I didn't get to everyone. I only wrote Ryan and Ashley. I think it's difficult for me to write when I get a lot of e-mails. I was excited to write a whole lot today, of things I had written and planned to tell you, but I have not time left. Tell Skyler I will get to his e-mail next week. Always his letters give me a peaceful feeling afterwards. He always gives me something I need to hear or he just knows what I am going through. Please tell him thank you for his sincere desires for me to be successful when he himself has other things he could be doing. I am greatful for everyone that is helping me with understanding more of the things I have yet come to understand. Mom your right about my afflictions being swallowed up in the Joy of Christ. I will tell you that it happened this week and that you already were knowing. Thanks mom, love you
Elder Ridley
Saturday, July 23, 2011
July 18,2011
MoM and Family,
Reading your thoughts about the funeral and the way it was shared,made me ponder about the words. You said that there was a talk given about the Plan of Salvation as if Brother Johnson was sharing his truths of the Pre-Existence. I wouldn't doubt one second that he knew his purpose and he lived it.
I got the time to write Ryan, but he didn't let me know how his first week went. Have you heard anything? I would like to know. Oh wow, Brent just got home!? It is true what he shared about studying chapter 3 in Preach My Gospel, because it teaches the correct principles. I am going to be honest it was something I had to learn. I knew the doctrine, but not in order and not in Spanish all the way at this point. That was what makes the difference because you have to teach it in a way to be understood by investigators. Reading just the Book of Mormon is a great way to prepare for a mission because it is the key to everything we believe and "know". Without the Book of Mormon, there would be no Restored Gospel. This is why the Book of Mormon is so powerful. It's something I could use more when I contact. I use more of the pamphlets, but I switch off with different things also. The thing about the internet, is it like a blog thing? I want to know more please. The points to the parents for the youth about walking side by side with them as they learn and do, is really important and not done perfect always. But, with the Lord and the Gospel at our side, it makes it easier. Wow how great I feel for the future to one day have those experiences with the family that I will have. It's something that you and dad have done for all your Children.
Your talk of the Temples and such was great because this Sunday we had a class on this and about marriage. It's not something I think about a lot, but I am preparing now and I understand a little more about this topic and how it is more than just marriage. Marriage is totally different because in the temple it's a covenant. That's what makes the difference and that's what helps for the future when we do have struggles that this promise is everlasting. We fight for it to be everlasting and don't give up when we have hard times in our lives. The blessing that comes from it, is that we have the peace in this life and the knowledge that families are forever. I am excited too, to be able to one day enter the temple again and feel that presence and to learn the deeper doctrines of God.
There is a lot of things that we need to do better like you said with praying more, reading more, fasting more, finding more patterns in our lives and having more desires to do better. This is something that I am working on right now. I'm learning the patterns of things and how I do things well. I'm also trying to establish things, but then when I do have it, its not finished, but I need to maintain it and try to better it.
I feel like this week just flew by and that I had just written you. I am grateful though for the opportunity to express some things that I have been writing down to talk about. The first thing is that I would like to say is that I have made mistakes on my mission and that I am working on trying to improve. There is a great scripture about this in D &C 84:106. Taking things from what you see in the examples of others and doing more with what you gained from them. Ya mom, I know I don't have a lot of spiritual experiences and a lot of that has to do with where I am at physically/ locally and spiritually. I am completely humbled to say I don't know what to do at times and the spirit is just not there. I know when the spirit is there and not, but I haven't had that many spiritual experiences. I didn't come out on the missionas a missionary and I still feel like I am not at that point yet. That I have so many things I still need to learn, at times I have a lot of fear. The thingI know is that fear the opposite of faith and that fear can take all your faith away at times. I am always trying and testing the strength of my faith. Strength isn't something you have but something you learn, and you learn more by faith.I have learned so much more when I put my faith in my savior. I have realized that this week and it's something that I can do better today. I have a testimony of the purpose of our Heavenly Father and that makes a great difference in my life. Mom I ask you not to worry about what I write. To be honest it is the least of my concerns when it comes down to everything. I don't think of things to try to have experiences to tell you, but I tell you what is truly testifying to me right now and at this moment with the spirit. I always write things down in a notebook throughout the day, but I end up never sharing it because I feel I need to say something different. I am constantly trying......
I hope the best for you all this week. Love you
Elder Ridley
Reading your thoughts about the funeral and the way it was shared,made me ponder about the words. You said that there was a talk given about the Plan of Salvation as if Brother Johnson was sharing his truths of the Pre-Existence. I wouldn't doubt one second that he knew his purpose and he lived it.
I got the time to write Ryan, but he didn't let me know how his first week went. Have you heard anything? I would like to know. Oh wow, Brent just got home!? It is true what he shared about studying chapter 3 in Preach My Gospel, because it teaches the correct principles. I am going to be honest it was something I had to learn. I knew the doctrine, but not in order and not in Spanish all the way at this point. That was what makes the difference because you have to teach it in a way to be understood by investigators. Reading just the Book of Mormon is a great way to prepare for a mission because it is the key to everything we believe and "know". Without the Book of Mormon, there would be no Restored Gospel. This is why the Book of Mormon is so powerful. It's something I could use more when I contact. I use more of the pamphlets, but I switch off with different things also. The thing about the internet, is it like a blog thing? I want to know more please. The points to the parents for the youth about walking side by side with them as they learn and do, is really important and not done perfect always. But, with the Lord and the Gospel at our side, it makes it easier. Wow how great I feel for the future to one day have those experiences with the family that I will have. It's something that you and dad have done for all your Children.
Your talk of the Temples and such was great because this Sunday we had a class on this and about marriage. It's not something I think about a lot, but I am preparing now and I understand a little more about this topic and how it is more than just marriage. Marriage is totally different because in the temple it's a covenant. That's what makes the difference and that's what helps for the future when we do have struggles that this promise is everlasting. We fight for it to be everlasting and don't give up when we have hard times in our lives. The blessing that comes from it, is that we have the peace in this life and the knowledge that families are forever. I am excited too, to be able to one day enter the temple again and feel that presence and to learn the deeper doctrines of God.
There is a lot of things that we need to do better like you said with praying more, reading more, fasting more, finding more patterns in our lives and having more desires to do better. This is something that I am working on right now. I'm learning the patterns of things and how I do things well. I'm also trying to establish things, but then when I do have it, its not finished, but I need to maintain it and try to better it.
I feel like this week just flew by and that I had just written you. I am grateful though for the opportunity to express some things that I have been writing down to talk about. The first thing is that I would like to say is that I have made mistakes on my mission and that I am working on trying to improve. There is a great scripture about this in D &C 84:106. Taking things from what you see in the examples of others and doing more with what you gained from them. Ya mom, I know I don't have a lot of spiritual experiences and a lot of that has to do with where I am at physically/ locally and spiritually. I am completely humbled to say I don't know what to do at times and the spirit is just not there. I know when the spirit is there and not, but I haven't had that many spiritual experiences. I didn't come out on the missionas a missionary and I still feel like I am not at that point yet. That I have so many things I still need to learn, at times I have a lot of fear. The thingI know is that fear the opposite of faith and that fear can take all your faith away at times. I am always trying and testing the strength of my faith. Strength isn't something you have but something you learn, and you learn more by faith.I have learned so much more when I put my faith in my savior. I have realized that this week and it's something that I can do better today. I have a testimony of the purpose of our Heavenly Father and that makes a great difference in my life. Mom I ask you not to worry about what I write. To be honest it is the least of my concerns when it comes down to everything. I don't think of things to try to have experiences to tell you, but I tell you what is truly testifying to me right now and at this moment with the spirit. I always write things down in a notebook throughout the day, but I end up never sharing it because I feel I need to say something different. I am constantly trying......
I hope the best for you all this week. Love you
Elder Ridley
Monday, July 11, 2011
July 11, 2011
Mom,
Once again, I do not have time to write a lot. All day today Elder Jorge and I had spent the day with the assistance to the president because they are staying in our house for a few days and arrived this afternoon. I also promised Ryan I would write Ryan a few things for his boys that he has to teach in the step up program.
First off I want you to know how the work is going with Elder Jorge and myself and it is going well! I feel great in this moment because the work is going smoothly. We have three investigators with baptismal dates. One of the investigators that we are focusing on right now is.... Marily Monsalve and she has 26 years. She is an investigator that was a struggle for Elder Castillo and I. She has progressed so much within the last few weeks here with Elder Jorge and I. She attends the church and institute every week and she is reading and completing all the commitments. She now finally accepted a date for her baptism. The thing that has helped is planning to teach her what she has needed to learn. This past week we had a service project at her house to clean her backyard for her and that went well. Investigators need two things, help physically and spiritually. There are things that Elder Jorge has taught me within the last few weeks and has helped me see things that have changed my mission.
If you could send him a letter mom that would be great (he is Latino, but he understands English). We are doing so well together and that is because we have an understanding of the work and have humility. I just hope that there are things that I have helped him with too. I feel like I have. For example, about two Sundays back Elder Jorge and I, were late for sacrament meeting and missed the sacrament for the first time. Every Sunday we have to walk thirty minutes to the church. This was the first Sunday we had been late. After church, He wanted to take the sacrament and asked the bishop if we could and he said yes, but I told him I am not going to take it. I am coming to an understanding of how important it is to prepare physically and spiritually for the sacrament. This week I didn't prepare and take the consideration to be on time to prepare to take the sacrament and that next week it will be even more important for me to be there and participate in that divine power that it has for us if we take it correctly.
The thing that happens here which I have noticed, is when people are late they ask to take the sacrament after the real sacrament meeting and that, I feel, is abusing the priesthood and it's a misunderstanding of the value of this ordinance. As I explained this to my beloved companion, he eventually understood and I feel this has helped us to prepare better for Sundays even more. This Sunday we partook in that power and I felt so good afterwards.
I am so grateful for the things that come from understanding the gospel truly. The Lord has so many blessing to give, but many times people do not consider the entire steps necessary to complete the commandment of God to receive those gifts, those powers of heaven. When we need those gifts or Powers, we need to prepare to receive them because they will pass by if you don't fully seek and prepare to obtain them. I am working on accepting the things of Colombia and trying to work as best I can in the situation that I am in. I know one day that all will be restored to how it really should be and how God has it to be intended. I am working on having more confidence in the things I know and to express them when I feel prompted to, but I have to do it with the lord on my side and that is what makes the difference when I ask and pray for his help to guide me in those moments. There are many things, which I am working on, and I am amazed at all that I complete at times. I am grateful for the word such as a "mission," and what it is doing to my life and others. This morning we were in an internet cafe and someone was talking about me and I could hear them talking about how I was a "gringo" I paused for a moment and looked over and there were two women. They started to laugh and I told them that I understood. They started to ask us questions about the missionaries and we explained to them our purpose. The thing that stuck out to me is they said, "You're serving a real mission. They noticed us not as youth, but as something else and I could see that they were not just seeing men, but their heavenly father and we expressed our feeling of the work that we are about. I am grateful for it. I am grateful for you all and I love you all so much. Keep enjoying the time off and keep me up dated with the little things that pass by or the special moments that I might not even see if I were with you all in this time, but that you would share with me in other moments if I were actually with you all. Mom thanks for your e-mails always. Cuidense :) Adios
Elder Ridley
Once again, I do not have time to write a lot. All day today Elder Jorge and I had spent the day with the assistance to the president because they are staying in our house for a few days and arrived this afternoon. I also promised Ryan I would write Ryan a few things for his boys that he has to teach in the step up program.
First off I want you to know how the work is going with Elder Jorge and myself and it is going well! I feel great in this moment because the work is going smoothly. We have three investigators with baptismal dates. One of the investigators that we are focusing on right now is.... Marily Monsalve and she has 26 years. She is an investigator that was a struggle for Elder Castillo and I. She has progressed so much within the last few weeks here with Elder Jorge and I. She attends the church and institute every week and she is reading and completing all the commitments. She now finally accepted a date for her baptism. The thing that has helped is planning to teach her what she has needed to learn. This past week we had a service project at her house to clean her backyard for her and that went well. Investigators need two things, help physically and spiritually. There are things that Elder Jorge has taught me within the last few weeks and has helped me see things that have changed my mission.
If you could send him a letter mom that would be great (he is Latino, but he understands English). We are doing so well together and that is because we have an understanding of the work and have humility. I just hope that there are things that I have helped him with too. I feel like I have. For example, about two Sundays back Elder Jorge and I, were late for sacrament meeting and missed the sacrament for the first time. Every Sunday we have to walk thirty minutes to the church. This was the first Sunday we had been late. After church, He wanted to take the sacrament and asked the bishop if we could and he said yes, but I told him I am not going to take it. I am coming to an understanding of how important it is to prepare physically and spiritually for the sacrament. This week I didn't prepare and take the consideration to be on time to prepare to take the sacrament and that next week it will be even more important for me to be there and participate in that divine power that it has for us if we take it correctly.
The thing that happens here which I have noticed, is when people are late they ask to take the sacrament after the real sacrament meeting and that, I feel, is abusing the priesthood and it's a misunderstanding of the value of this ordinance. As I explained this to my beloved companion, he eventually understood and I feel this has helped us to prepare better for Sundays even more. This Sunday we partook in that power and I felt so good afterwards.
I am so grateful for the things that come from understanding the gospel truly. The Lord has so many blessing to give, but many times people do not consider the entire steps necessary to complete the commandment of God to receive those gifts, those powers of heaven. When we need those gifts or Powers, we need to prepare to receive them because they will pass by if you don't fully seek and prepare to obtain them. I am working on accepting the things of Colombia and trying to work as best I can in the situation that I am in. I know one day that all will be restored to how it really should be and how God has it to be intended. I am working on having more confidence in the things I know and to express them when I feel prompted to, but I have to do it with the lord on my side and that is what makes the difference when I ask and pray for his help to guide me in those moments. There are many things, which I am working on, and I am amazed at all that I complete at times. I am grateful for the word such as a "mission," and what it is doing to my life and others. This morning we were in an internet cafe and someone was talking about me and I could hear them talking about how I was a "gringo" I paused for a moment and looked over and there were two women. They started to laugh and I told them that I understood. They started to ask us questions about the missionaries and we explained to them our purpose. The thing that stuck out to me is they said, "You're serving a real mission. They noticed us not as youth, but as something else and I could see that they were not just seeing men, but their heavenly father and we expressed our feeling of the work that we are about. I am grateful for it. I am grateful for you all and I love you all so much. Keep enjoying the time off and keep me up dated with the little things that pass by or the special moments that I might not even see if I were with you all in this time, but that you would share with me in other moments if I were actually with you all. Mom thanks for your e-mails always. Cuidense :) Adios
Elder Ridley
In Loving Memory of Brother Dick Johnson
This past weekend a dear, dear family friend was taken in a car accident. Elder Ridley was quite close to Brother Dick Johnson and sent us this message to send to the family.
Ps- for the Johnson family
Hermana(sister) Johnson,
I know that my words are short, but I want to express my love of your father/husband Dick Johnson. I have heard the news and have shed my own tears for him as I read the news. The things is....brother Johnson has been for me like a grandpa to me. I do not know if you all know, but my grandpa Poulton died years back and He and I were very close. As I would come to church every Sunday, your dad/husband made me feel like his own grandchild. He would talk with me about sports, school, and my family. I was grateful for how he cared for me and I consider him to be a person who influenced my life in a big way, but by simple terms. I believe I told Sister Johnson this before I left on my mission, but I viewed him like my grandpa. Know that I am grateful for you all and that you were to him. I will be thinking of you all this week and I want all you to know that he was someone special to me. Take care and feel the love of the savior this week.
Ps- for the Johnson family
Hermana(sister) Johnson,
I know that my words are short, but I want to express my love of your father/husband Dick Johnson. I have heard the news and have shed my own tears for him as I read the news. The things is....brother Johnson has been for me like a grandpa to me. I do not know if you all know, but my grandpa Poulton died years back and He and I were very close. As I would come to church every Sunday, your dad/husband made me feel like his own grandchild. He would talk with me about sports, school, and my family. I was grateful for how he cared for me and I consider him to be a person who influenced my life in a big way, but by simple terms. I believe I told Sister Johnson this before I left on my mission, but I viewed him like my grandpa. Know that I am grateful for you all and that you were to him. I will be thinking of you all this week and I want all you to know that he was someone special to me. Take care and feel the love of the savior this week.
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