Best week ever! (3/3 email)

Hi everyone!

As the title suggests, it's been a really good week! The highlight definitely being the opportunity to attend the temple. I have missed it so much! Obviously I do not go into details because of how sacred and special the temple is, but I will tell you that the feelings I felt there were indescribable. The best way to describe it for me is I felt like my heart was so full it would explode! Haha! Sounds a bit extreme, but it is literally the best feeling in the world, and I encourage all of you who are able, to get to the temple! Don't take it for granted!!

Thursday was the day we got to go to Preston, and it was an amazing day. We not only went to the temple, but we gathered together with half of the mission (approx. 100 missionaries) and had training and were spiritually fed. I just LOVE gathering together with the other missionaries! There is such a strength and power when we come together as servants of the Lord.

I was lucky enough to be a part of a musical item which was put together by the talented Elder Chong. We sung 'Come Thou Fount' and it was a very beautiful arrangement. Elder Chong wanted some solo parts, and he assigned me to sing the very last line of the song! No pressure! But as you know, I just love singing, especially church songs because of the spirit I feel when I sing. Sometimes its so overwhelming that it brings me to tears, but luckily I kept myself composed haha! It was the best day ever and it will continue to strengthen me as I remember and apply the things I learnt.

We went out finding in the park this week, and Sister Tolman and I were walking along and talking about the time we met this Mexican lady in that exact spot we were at, and how she was super friendly and we wished we could see her again... and then we bumped into her! Coincidence? I think not! ;) Her name is Carolina, and we had a nice chat with her. She said she would love to have us round for a meal (real mexican!!) so we are super excited... she just has to check with her husband and will get back to us J

We went round to the home of a former investigator, and she let us in. She is an older lady, and loves to have the missionaries around, but said 'you'll never convert me!' She's right of course, it's the spirit that does the converting ;) Anyways, she invited us in, her friend was over and they were both having a bit of a smoke and drink... which wasn't the nicest environment to be in, but we had a really good chat about God and they want us to come back. We stunk so bad after that appointment! Haha!

Saturday was our 4hr finding. We went out to Biddulph to find more people to teach! We got to meet some great people, taught some lessons, and will go back to see them when we're in the area. No official new investigators, but a few potentials J Sister Tolman and I know that miracles always happen on 4hr finding day, and it was hard to see a huge miracle that happened... but the miracle came later on. We finally got to teach Zane again, and we had a great lesson with him. He has been MIA for a while and we thought that he had changed his mind about everything... but he told us that he has been praying and studying and he know understands what it really means to be baptised... that it's not just a one time event, but a covenant to follow God forever. This was the best thing he could have said, and we challenged him to pray about a date for baptism! 

It's easy to get discouraged as a missionary. Sometimes you work hard all day, all week and don't get to see the fruits of your labours, but when you finally do see them, how sweet it is! This week I was so grateful for the support and praise we recieved which helped lift us up. President gave us a call to tell us how much he appreciates us and that he can see how united we are as a companionship! It made our day! Also at church, a member came up to us and told us that they thought we were the best missionaries they've met! What a compliment!

We attended the missionary fireside on Sunday night, and it was amazing! The testimonies of the new converts were inspiring (and hilarious!) The funniest quote of the evening was this "I felt this feeling in the pit of my stomach... at first I thought it was gas, but I then realised it was the spirit!" Hahaha!

But to end on a more spiritual note, here is a scripture I came across that I just love. The words are so beautiful:

"...Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my Love." (D&C 6:20)

This week I have felt encircled in the arms of the Lord's love. I want all of you to feel the same way. The promise is there in that scripture... keep the commandments and you will feel it too!

Love always, Sister Riley xoxo

At the temple

Closer (it was very windy ok)

Lily Poulton with the picture she drew for us

I don't think Its gonna snow... (24/2 email)

Hi everyone! I'm so happy! P-days are the best! (don't get me wrong, I love doing missionary work, but it is soooo nice to have some much needed relaxing time :P)

We did a lot of finding this week. Congleton is very hilly so my legs got a good workout! ;) It is ridiculous how quick the week goes! And If I didn't have my planner in front of me, I struggle to remember what even happened!

Sascha came to church again on Sunday! and she stayed for all the meetings! It was so good! Sister Tolman and I will be teaching seminary this Wednesday night and she wants to come along to that too! She is the best!!!

Also yesterday at church, Bro Poulton came up to us and asked us to teach half his class (last minute!!) but we're missionaries, so of course we said yes! It went quite well, considering we had 5 mins to prepare haha! At the end of the class a big spider crawled into the room and the girls were freaking out! I tried to act all tough and said I would get rid of it (but we all know how terrified I am of spiders!) I don't know why I said I would, but it had something to do with the fact I'm Australian and all the brits think that we see huge spiders every day and it doesn't faze us... anyways I grabbed a cup and a bit of card and did what I've seen Luke do a few times back home... I was super scared but I did it and let it outside!! 

Friday night the Relief Society sisters had a meal at a Chinese restaurant, and our investigator Wendie came along. We had a great time, even though the main course came out 5 mins before Sis Tolman and I had to leave... so we shovelled it down then ran home... not a good idea... haha. But Wendie had a great time, and she and Sister Boswell get along really well, so that is exciting!

The week had a surprise ending! We had another movie night at the Moss' home with Paul, and guess who came along... ZANE! We haven't had contact with him in weeks, so it was so good that he is back in the picture! God answers prayers!!

We have a new district leader, and he has been giving us a scripture to read each day, which I've been loving cos as much as I love studying in the morning, sometimes I struggle with what I should study... anyways... I'll share with you some of my thoughts:

In Enos, as I read verses 12 and 13, It struck me how important it is to have righteous, unselfish desires. God promised Enos that he would be blessed with the desires of his heart. Now if God promised me this, I bet I would ask for something for myself! But not Enos, what does he ask for? For God to bless the future generations and to preserve the records so that they can be saved! What an example he is to us! It really made me think about the things that I ask God for, and how I need to put others before myself. That is what Christ did, and this is the way to true happiness. If we are always thinking of ourselves, we will never be truly happy.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful week, and really take some time to ponder the scriptures. There are so many lessons to be learned!

Love you all so much 

xoxox Sister Riley

The monkeys are very violent here

One of the old buildings in Sandbach

A dead badger

Transfer week (17/2 email)

It's that time again! Transfers! Sister Tolman and I were so anxious to find out what was happening! We really wanted to stay together, because things are going so well! And we were thrilled to find out that we are staying together for another transfer here in Congleton! It's gonna be the best!

We got to teach Wendy 3 times this week! It's a miracle! Normally she is so busy and we have only been seeing her once a fortnight! But she's had some time off and it's been brilliant! She is finally progressing! We can see now why that is... the key is visiting her often... when its only every now and then, she forgets what she's been taught and doesn't keep commitments, but this week, she's been reading and praying, and even considering baptism! It is so good!

Our investigator Besy, is very had to catch at a good time because she has a newborn baby, but we managed to have a quick lesson with her this week while her baby was having a nap :) She is so good! She accepted a Book of Mormon and said she will read and pray. She really wants to know if it's true!

Zane has dropped off the face of the earth. He is going through a rough time and we haven't had contact with him in a few weeks... it's so sad... I hope that he will have a desire to get in contact with us soon.

Friday night we taught Sasha again. I love that girl! We taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Faith, Repentance, Baptism...) She understands everything and said she would be baptised when she knows it is true! She came to church on Sunday with her dad, and I am so excited for her!

We haven't seen Emily this week cos she's been busy, but we have an appointment with her tonight!

Saturday we went out to Holmes Chapel again to see Edward. We have been a few times now and haven't been able to see him, but I will not give up because he is so good!! We got there just in time, he was pulling out of his driveway! We asked him if he'd had the chance to read the Book of Mormon, and he said he and his wife had been reading from it! He said we can come back another time to chat about it, so hopefully we can come at a good time!!

This week in my personal study I was reading from Alma chapter 37. A verse that really stood out to me was verse 46. "...Do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way.." The more I teach about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more I realise how easy the way is. Faith, repentance, baptism, holy ghost and enduring to the end. That's it. No terms and conditions, no surprises, no extra costs. If we follow this recipe we WILL make it back to God. Referring back to the scripture, I think that many of us can get so caught up in everyday things that we become spiritually slothful. We can be really busy doing all kinds of great things, but forget to read our scriptures or say our prayers. All of a sudden life can become complicated, and that is not how it's meant to be. God has a plan for his children, and it is not complicated at all. It is easy. Just as the story in the Bible with the serpent on the stick. The people were told if they simply looked at it, they would live. But because of the easiness of the task, many did not and perished! It seems unbelievable that they didn't look, but I think it is exactly the same today! As we look to Christ, we will live! (eternally) Let us not be slothful because of the easiness of the way!

I hope you are all doing well! write down something you are grateful for each day, and you will see how blessed you really are!

Love from Sister Riley xoxo

Another week in rainy Congleton (10/2 email)

I don't want to be a negative nelly, but this week wasn't the best. I know that there is a reason why we don't always have good weeks. We have to go through the rain to appreciate the sunshine (figuratively and in my case literally! haha) We worked hard but weren't able to see many fruits of our labours... but an important lesson I've learnt is that success is not defined by the numbers! You are a successful missionary when you are working hard and trying your best at all times!

However, the week ended on a massive high! Our golden investigator Emily came to church!!! Her dad came with her for the sacrament part, and then she stayed for the whole 3hrs! That is amazing! She is amazing! She had so many great questions and just finds it all so fascinating! I love her! I think her dad enjoyed church too, so I am just ridiculously excited to visit them this week!

Transfers are coming up next week!! I really don't want to leave Congleton or be split from Sister Tolman because things are just so good! It wouldn't surprise me at all if we got split up though cos thats normally how it goes... just when things are going well, President mixes things up haha! (I love him!)

We had tea at the Keebles this week; they are a cute little family that live in an area called Mow Cop that we have never worked in... so we are planning to go out there this week! I know that we will see miracles!

Well sorry it's short this week! I hope you are all doing well! I challenge you all to share your testimony with someone this week! Have the courage to open your mouth! We are promised that as we do this the Holy Ghost will help us know what to say! It's scary for the first few seconds but I promise you miracles will happen as you take a leap of faith!

xoxo Sister Riley

Sister Tolman and me

Congleton is nicknamed 'Bear Town' There are bear themed things everywhere!

Newborn Lamb at the Biddulph's farm

Week of miracles! (3/2 email)

Oh my goodness! I can't even put into words how blessed I feel! This week has been amazing! Sister Tolman and I have seen so many miracles :)

The week started off a bit rough... 2 days of waking up before 6 to get to places...  Sister Tolman failed her driving test and got head lice to top it all off! Our investigators weren't getting back to us and it was horrible! The bad luck didn't last very long, the rest of the week was full of miracles!

Sister Tolman and I were working in Sandbach for the day, and we decided to go round to see a Potential Investigator. We went round to the house (what we thought was the house) and a young boy answered the door... we asked if his parents were home and he said no, but that his sister was really interested in that kind of thing... so we met his sister... her name is Emily and she is amazing! She invited us in and said, "so..tell me all about your religion!" :O She's only 16! This kinda thing never happens! After we explained to her about the restoration and the Book of Mormon, she asks if she can buy one from us!! We laughed and said no... but you can have one for freeeee! haha! After we left, Sister Tolman and I were jumping up and down and hugging each other for joy. lol.

Ok, so here's the best bit. We set an appointment to see her 2 days later. I was on exchange with Sister Campbell, and we used the map to find her address. However, when we got to the right address I was soooo confused! It wasn't Emily's house! It was the right address of the pIace we had planned to go see, but not where Emily lived!! I started stressing out cos I had no idea where she lived then! We walked up and down the street but it wasn't any of those houses :/ So we said a prayer, and I felt that we had to go out to the main road and look for a sign to jog my memory. So we did, and I saw a sign that I recognised! It was the street across the road! So we ran all the way to Emily's house! She greets us at the door with her Book of Mormon in hand and a huge smile on her face! MIRACLE!!! she had read 3 chapters and had lots of questions. We are seeing her again tonight and I am beyond excited!!!

I don't have much time to go into detail about the other great things that happened this week, but I feel so blessed!! We have 13 investigators!!! (may need to drop some cos we haven't heard from them in a while, but I just never want to give up on people!!) 

We got to teach Besy, the Albanian lady who walked into church one Sunday, and it was sooo good! She really wants to believe the things we taught her, and will come to church soon :)

We taught Sasha again, and we watched the restoration video. The spirit was strong. We are making good progress with her! She is coming to church next week! She said her first prayer after that lesson and it was so sweet! Listening to investigators say their first prayer is one of the most spiritual things I've been a part of! Their prayers are so sincere and straight from the heart... I just love it!

Last night we took Zane to the missionary fireside. It was so good! The chapel was chockers! He really enjoyed it. We're unsure about what date he will be baptised. He still needs a testimony first, but his desire is strong, and I know he'll get there soon!

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! It is the best thing in the whole world! In 'Preach My Gospel' it says at the beginning: "More happiness awaits you than you have ever experienced as you labor among his children." And it is SO TRUE! I am so happy! You wanna know why? Cos this is the Lord's work! I am set appart as a representative of Jesus Christ, and I can feel the love that He has for all his children! It is overwhelming some times! It is exhausting! But somehow I still have the energy I need to get up and do it all again every day!

I love you all so much! Life is hard! But as we pray to God and ask for help, I PROMISE he will lift your burdens! I feel like the term "endure to the end" makes it seem like a huge horrible task, but it doesn't have to be! It should be called "enjoy to the end" cos that's what God wants us to do! "Men are that they might have joy!" So stop whatever you are worrying about and smile! Life is good!

xoxo Sister Riley

Happy Australia Day! (27/1 email)

Yesterday was the coldest Australia Day ever! I hope you all enjoyed the sunshine! Even though it was pouring rain, I had sunshine in my soul ;) At church I greeted everyone with a "Happy Australia Day!" They thought it was pretty funny, but I was for reals!

I can't believe how quick time is going! This week flew by! 

Our investigator Zane is progressing really well! He will be baptised next month :) We have this couple in our ward, the Meeses, and they are the BEST! Seriously! They are ward missionaries and they just 'get it'. We went round to their house during the week, and Bro Meese was asking us about all our investigators. And he wants to have them over for tea and make friends with them all and he had all these great ideas to fellowship them. This is exactly the kind of support we need! It is SO important for our investigators to make friends at church.

On Saturday, we went out into Holmes Chapel to visit the people we met last week. No-one was home. Just as we were walking down the country lane back into the town, It started to get very dark. We were freaking out! We started running cos a storm was coming. It bucketed down! We were saturated! Pelted with hail! We had to laugh, otherwise we probably would have cried, lol.

Lily Poulton was baptised that night. The chapel was so full! So many friends and family came and it was such a great night. We will follow up with Sister Poulton about what her friends thought and see if we can get some referrals.

I love serving with Sis Tolman, we get along really well, and she is so positive, I love it! We are seeing miracles here in Congleton! Slowly but surely, big things are happening! It all starts with building the members' trust, then getting them to work with us... united and equal. We are the teachers, they are the finders! Well that's how it's supposed to be! I hope that is how it is in the Paralowie Ward! I love you all so much!

xoxo Sister Riley

Sister Tolman and me

Our breakfast on Australia Day

British phonebox in Holmes Chapel

Miracles! (20/1 email)

Why hello there!

What a week it's been! Last P-day was so good... you know what the best thing is... when you get everything done super quick and you can have a nap!!! bliss!

We went to this milkshake place in town, and it's the best! You can pick any chocolate and they make a milkshake out of it :) I chose Cadbury Creme egg, oh yeah!

We were out one night knocking doors and all that jazz, and literally no-one was even remotely interested. I was getting very disouraged. I turned to Sis Tolman and told her how I was feeling. I didn't understand why we weren't able to find anyone when we were trying so hard. We said a prayer, and went back to knocking... and you know what... we didn;t find anyone, but I felt so much better! I learnt something so important that night! The antidote to discouragement is WORK! even if you don't find anyone, you will feel good because you are doing the Lord's work!

We did a lot of finding this week, and we were blessed to find a lady named Carol who was very nice and said we could come back, so I'm looking forward to that.

I went on exchange with Sister Wagner to Wrexham in Wales. Sister Wagner looks exactly like Elaine from Seinfeld! I found this highly amusing, and pleaded with her to push someone and say "get out!" but she wouldn't :(  Anyways, I had an amazing exchange! Wrexham is the best! so many people stopped and listened to us, and we had some amazing lessons :)

Now it's time for the miracles!
We got a text during the week from Sis Boswell asking if we could come round to teach Samuel's girlfriend Sasha! Of course we said yes... and nearly fell off our chairs! So we got to teach her and it was so good!! she said she would read the BOM and pray and I am soooo excited!

Saturday was 4hr finding, and we went out to Holmes chapel. We planned to go out to the farms to see if the man we found a few weeks ago was home, cos he was amazing! Unfortunately he wasn't home, so we knocked some doors in a newly established estate... and we found a new investigator! Her name is Jane, and she has 3 kids. She believes in God and was interested in hearing about how the Gospel blesses families :) So we will go back next week!

On Sunday we taught the lesson in Relief Society. It was lesson 2 from the manual, and it went really well. The Spirit was so strong as we testified of Christ and the Atonement, and there weren't many dry eyes in the room. After church there was another miracle. A lady who lives next to the church, just walked in and was asking us questions! She wants to learn more so we will teach her this week!

Sunday night we watched 'Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration' at the Mosses home. Zane and Paul came and we all felt the spirit. Zane wants to be baptised asap, but we still haven't been able to teach him! I know that he will be baptised! I am so excited for him!

So I am feeling so pumped for this week! The Lord has blessed us for our hard work, and I am so grateful :) Stay tuned for more miracles!

xoxo Sister Riley