September 28, 2011

Dear Family,

So we had a sick experience last monday at the temple with an investigator, her name is Marilee. She is so incredible, so faithful. She has always had a strong faith in God and in the Bible. She originally had a baptismal date for the middle of September she fell out of contact with us for a couple weeks. Last week though we saw her and she told us about how she had a concern with the plan of salvation. She has always felt that there could only be a heaven and a hell, and nothing in between (Im not gonna lie, that seems so sad to me, I know that God loves every single one of us because we are his children, he would never want us to suffer.) Anyways, so we took her to the temple visitors center and watching finding faith in christ, then we went and taught her the plan of salvation again. We talked about how much the Lord loves us, how he sent his son to provide a way for us to return, we talked about how he would never want to lose a single one of us, how merciful he is and his plan for us is. After we shared all of this we asked her what she thought, the spirit was so strong she said, pienso que este es real y...voy a bautisarme. October 9th Marilee is going to be baptized she has a true testimony that this is the gospel of jesus christ, that God loves her and has a plan for her, she knows that through baptism she can live with her father in heaven again and with her family forever.

Oh how merciful the Lord is, how giving and loving he is. I cannot get over it, I think a lot about why I came out here on a mission, it was to give back to God what he gave me and the ironic thing is, I find that I cant do this work without his help. I will forever owe him, because without him I am nothing. He is always giving, always providing the way for me to progress, to be better, to do his will, I am so humbled by him. Its so crazy to me to think about how blessed I have been since I have come out here. I have gained such a greater perspective on my life, on the things that I want, the person that I hope to become. I am truly blessed. I love you all so much.



Cubo,
RR

ps..some pictures....temple, Me and Mysha, my MTC district, Hermana Balsley y Yo (we got free pizza one night)

Sept. 19, 2011

Aloha Family,

Let me just start off by saying, man I miss Hawaii! I woke up three days ago to go running and it was 49 degrees outside....I mean really, already, its only September...how I pray this winter goes fast haha. I made it through my first transfer and am stoked that I get to stay here in the city for at least another 6 weeks. It is just so sweet to be living where I live, so close to WashingtonDC and to the heart of Arlington, I really love it. So this past week, we have been working really hard, trying to find solid investigators. Its hard because so many people are willing to listen to us(Si, pasense, quiero eschuchar las palabras de Dios, quiero escuchar), but when it comes to actually acting and coming to church or praying they lose interest. That's so sad to see because they have the answer right in front of them, all they have to do is pray, or read, or come to church, make a small commitment, try it out and...they just don't want to do it. It has really made me think super hard about how important it is to progress in this life, to work hard, to know the truth and to have a purpose. Life is so easy to get caught up in, the things that are unimportant are made out to be "so vital" by the worlds standard. When we take a step back though and think about what is most important, it is not work, the beach, having a nice body, being better than other people, partying..The important things are the gospel, the relationships in our lives (families and friends), the person that we become. Life is more than the world, more than the vain, repetitious things, we are human, so its hard to see it, but there is so much more joy and happiness to come. Now is our time to prepare ourselves, to learn and to grow and to better ourselves, we cant take the good things forgranted. I am so grateful for this new perspective that I have gained out here. I am starting to know who I want to be and who I need to be. I love the people out here, I love speaking spanish, I love knocking random doors of different people and just learning something every time, I love silly people, I love being exhausted because I haven't napped in months, I love that somehow I am still waking up at 6:30 in the morning, I love how blessed I have been, I love this gospel, I love Jesus Christ so much its almost silly. And I love you all.

Cubo
RR

September 12, 2011

Family-

This week has been a really long week haha. So yesterday we were suppose to have a baptism of this couple, Luis and Carmen, we have been teaching them since the second week I got out here. They are so incredible, however, they just werent ready. It is interesting, one thing that I think I have learned this week is that there is huge difference in having faith and acting on your faith. You have to have them both, have faith, read the scriptures and then keep the commandments, go to church be willing to have not just your heart open to the gospel, but follow it. I have faith that they will get baptized, its just a matter of them truly committing. On the other hand though, Sunday (their date to be baptized) we went out and tracted for about 3 hours and found 8 new investigators...so sick. It just goes to show that there are people out here in this world that want to know more, they are willing, they just need to be found. Another thing that I have really been pondering lately is the concept of Eternal life...its such a huge concept, but I dont know, it amazes me. My perspective of life has changed so much in the last 4 months and my reasons for doing things have changed too. I think I have come to see that the person I become here and the skills I attain they are coming with me in the end. This life is so much more than being a great surfer, having a great body, being really good at watching tv, or mountain biking or skateboarding...those things, I dont think they will mean that much in the end. I think it is the knowledge you attain, the love that you have for others, the strength that you have, those are the things that I feel like are more worth developing...granted I still want to have a great body and be really good at bodysurfing and I enjoy all of those things haha. I guess I am just saying that I have come to see that there is so much more than this, this life is just a small part in the plan. When I explain this life I think of the word "prueba" or trial in spanish. This life is a trial, a test, to see what we are going to do and if we do well, do all that we can, become our best selves, become closer to our Savior, we are going to be able to experience the most unattainable joy, a joy that here we cant even imagine, the best high ever(gullp). I just know there is so much more and I know that I want to do all I can now to always progress, to become who I am supposed to be. I ponder a lot about who I want to see up there in the "los cielos" with me and you know it is all of you. The thought of a single one of you not there makes me sick. I picture it now, its just like hawaii, with hukilau and pounders as my backyard and a golf course as the front yard and a nice little cheap beach house...and all of you there with me, my family, my friends, everyone I love or have come to love...I want you all to be there. I just know that now we have to do all that we can so we can all live in Hawaii together for eternity haha:)
I love you all and am missing you all.

Im about to get out on my bike and tur it up out hurr in Virginia haha
Run dem' streets.

Cubo,
RR

September 6, 2011

This week...lets see, I don't even really know where to begin. So we have an incredible new investigator, her name is Ana. She is the sweetest woman ever. She never lies and is like the only investigator I have ever encountered that actually calls us to tell us she needs to cancel or move an appointment back (the other investigators just don't show up or don't answer the door haha). Anyways we taught her the first lesson on Saturday night and the spirit was there so strong. We were sharing with her the story of Joseph Smith and as I started to talk about how he prayed, I shared the first vision. As I was saying it, she started reciting the first vision when Joseph saw Moroni...how incredible, she knew the words of Joseph smith, they had touched her heart, she is ready. She then said that the verse in James 1:5 is a scripture she had been looking for, for a while. It is so amazing, she is looking for the exact same thing Joseph was looking for, the exact same thing every person in this world is looking for, for the truth. She now knows how she can receive an answer, how she can find the answer. It is so humbling to be apart of this great work, cause truly that is all I am, a part of it. The Lord has a plan, he knows who needs what and how they are going to get it, all I can do is try to be as obedient, focused, faithful and willing so that he can mold me into the tool that he needs to do the work. Its interesting to think about this, but I had a thought that hit me the other day, right now, I am exactly where I need to and am supposed to be in my life. How crazy is that, to know, to know that the Lord has set aside this year and a half for me to be right here in Virginia. Its so funny cause sometimes, I think if I had it my way, I know I would be in Hawaii, but somehow, I ended up here, somehow, through it all, I made it out on a mission (even when I wasn't so stoked to do it). The Lord allowed me to find a way around myself and my thoughts and got me on this mission. I am humbled. I love you all so much. Thank you for being my family and my friends, you are all so dear and important to me.
Cubo,
RR

ps..Shelbs, shelbby, shelbster! I need your address..porfavor. te quiero mucho

August 29, 2011

Well....its been an exciting week out hurrr in Virginia haha. First an earthquake then the hurricane. So the earthquake hit on Wednseday (I think). We were just sitting in the apartment and all of a sudden the whole building started shaking...Me and Hermana Balsley were saying, 'is this really happening', yeah it did. It wasnt serious at all where we are, but I did hear it put a crack in the Washington Monument just 5 miles down the road. So then, later the next day, we get a call from president saying that there is going to be a hurricane comming our way and we needed to get a 72 hour kits ready. We went to the store and apperently everyone in Virginia had already been, there was no water..the store had been raided haha. Saturday afternoon, the hurricane was supposed to hit. That morning we went out working and found a lot of people(because everyone was home). Then at about 4, it started pouring and there were some heavy winds, but really it wasnt bad here at all, so we just kept going as if it were a normal day. We were super blessed that day to find a lot and get a lot of lessons. So in all everything is good. Uhm, something I have been thinking a lot about lately is how important it is to have faith, and to humble ourselves. We went to a home Saturday night and someone asked if we had ever seen a literal miracle. I had to think for a minute and I told him of one. And as unexplainable and incredible it was, he still was like 'no I mean like seas parting or water into wine type miracles'. All I could think was man, open your eyes, there are so many miracles everyday. Its just a matter of allowing yourself to see them, to feel them, to open your heart and your eyes. I remember being out in hawaii and looking at the sky and knowing that that was a miracle. I think it is kind of silly to ask God to show you a miracle when he already has shown us so many. I mean we are here, on an earth, breathing, living, learning. That is all a miracle. How great God is. I am finding myself more and more humbled everyday to know that everything I have and everything I can do is through him. Without him, we are nothing. I just hope that I can do my best, that I can be meek enough, humble, peaceful, loving , obedient enough so that he can mold me into what he needs me to be. I know that through him I am able to be here, to be happy, to have a family, to learn, grow, to speak spanish haha, through him all is possible. Through him we find true happiness, peace and love. If we can all just humble ourselves, be kinder, be more giving, less focused on ourselves and more on helping others,more loving. Loving you all, missing you.

Cubo
RR

ps... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!!! you are da' best in the entire world.

August 22, 2011

Another week has come and gone...it is so crazy how quickly time goes by out here...haha, there were so many sick things that happened this week. So many miracles everyday. Im sure I have told you all this before, but I am so humbled by every person I meet out here. Every person inspires me to be better, whether it be that they were just really kind or they shut the door in our face, I just want to be better. I have been really trying my best to just become the person that I like, to just be simpler, nicer, patient, all of it. To be kinder, more loving, more giving, more patient, more faithful. Life is so much more fun and better when you are loving others and not thinking about yourself. I cant believe sometimes how selfish I have been in my life, so focused on what would make me happier, what would make me look better...when really it had nothing to do with me! I just am so grateful to know that there is so more, having an eternal perspective really changes everything you do. Anyways, I wanna tell you all about a sweet lesson we had on Sunday. We are teaching this girl Mari. She is so faithful, so intune with the spirit. So yeah, we were teaching her the first lesson and I was talking to her about the Jesus Christ's life on earth. I told her how he was baptized and read with her from Mathew 3:14-18(i think)...in the last verse of that chapter the heavens open and Jesus recieves the Holy ghost and then God says behold this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. I told Mari that I know that when everyone of us are baptized or follow the example of Jesus Chirst, God says that about each of us, because we are his children and he loves us. You could just feel the spirit in the room and she was stoked when she heard it. Its super interesting cause its one of those things where I said it, but it came totally not from me, it came from the spirit. And after it was said it rocked me. It hit me so hard last night, that God is our loving heavenly father. He created each and everyone of us. He love us unconditionally, he crys when we cry and he worries over the same stuff we do, and he wants us to be happy. He wants the best for us and he has a plan for us. I know that. I know that families can be together forever. I know that this gospel is true. I know that we have all been given so much and blessed so much, and I am grateful forever for that. It is interesting how for so long I felt like I shouldnt have to sacrifice my wants for anyone or anything, momma, out here, I am so willing to sacrifice hawaii, friends, home, because I know that I have been blessed. I know that Jesus Christ died for me, for all of us, and I know that not a single person should go on living this life without being able to feel the peace that comes from having faith in him. That is why I am here..although hard at times, it is so much greater than me and I am growing more than I have in a long time. haha. Loving you all, missing you all.
Cubo,
RR

ps...I may have accidently bought a cheap guitar out here :) shorry, I needed it so bad haha and let me tell you this much, it has brought so much joy, en verdad. Love everyone of you. Ashley-enjoy utah-be good. David-same to you..love you(need your email). Katie-enjoy being home with mom. Boofy y Seth- be safe in africa. Matty- happy birthday. Lindsay- get buck. Mom- you already know everything:) I love you more than words can tell and miss you siempre. SHELBY WOOD!!! i lost your address :( email it to me rapido por favor, mi amor. love ju

August 15, 2011

Hey,

I dont even know where to start haha. There has been so much that has happened. I have been speaking a lot more spanish and meeting a lot of incredible people. There are people from all over the world here in Arlington, and everyone here commutes to DC for work. The Hispanics we teach are from all over too, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexica, El Salvador (KANELLE), Guatemala, Puerto Rico, the DR, Argentina...thats all that I can remember for now, but yeah we teach and meet people from everywhere. Uh, so right now we are teaching this man Luis and his wife carmen. He is from Mexico and she is from Peru. They are legit, during lessons, whenever she has a question about the Libro de Mormon, he will sit there and testify that it is a true book, that completes the Bible. Yesterday we were teaching them and talked about covenants, Luis goes to his room and brings back a letter he wrote to God..he wrote it in a contract format, he wrote it this month last year. He wouldnt tell us what was in it but said that He wanted to fulfill the contract. He is so faithful and so humble. We took them to a Baptism last night too, it was the first baptism Ive seen since katie got baptized I think, I dont think I understood the importance of people being baptized truly, until last night. Baptism is that step that brings people closer to Christ and allows them to always have that guidance. Last night I was pondering a lot about it, its so incredible, we have it so easy. Christ did everything that we couldnt do. All we have to do, is follow him, have faith, be baptized, try our best. Anything that we are unable to do, he makes up the rest. We are so lucky to have someone who loves us so much. Another thing I have been thinking about is how lucky I am to be meeting the people I meet. With every person, I find myself wanting to be better. In 3 Nefi, when Jesus Christ comes to the Americas, angels minister to the people and Christ says that these people, the lamanites have more faith so they are able to see more miracles than the Jews. The people that I am teaching have this faith, they are humble and ready to learn. I am so blessed to be apart of this. I love you all so much and miss you.
Cubo,
RR

ps...Matty, happy birthday, hope your face gets better. Lindsay, go to waiamea and think of me...Caroline and Seth, good luck with Affrica...David, call Heylee...Ashley be good in utah...Katie.., yeah, love you haha. And momma, you da best

August 8, 2011

Dear Family,

So here it is, I am in Arlington, VA out searching for Hispanics trying to teach them the gospel. haha. My companion is awesome. We have so much in common, she likes to surf and we have some similiar life experiences. Her name is Hermana Balsley, from Hollister California. She has been out in the mission for just over a year. Its so sick, we get along super well. This has been quite an adventure. The first night here we stayed with the mission president at his house and he took us to see the Temple and the Lincoln monument. It was all so cool, the temple here is beautiful. Its kind of surreal that im here in the DC area. Anyways, so me and Hermana Balsley are kind of white washing this area, we just go out and knock doors, like crazy. Its so awesome. We work super hard and it is so rewarding when people are like yeah, come back and teach more. The Hispanic people are incredible, they are so humble and so in touch with the spirit. We have had some really sick lessons, its so amazing how the spirit works, its like even though I dont know what is being said a lot of the time, when the spirit is there, I can feel it and the investigators feel it too. Its the universal language. So cool story, we have been praying to find a family, and Saturday night we were going to visit a less active member, we had a GPS but we got lost haha. So we got out and started knocking, we knocked every door and they were all white. Then I saw a 7/11 and I said lets go tract in there. So we did. It was about 8:55, we were standing in the parking lot for like 20 seconds and this car pulls up...its a hispanic family! We talked to them for a little bit (by we I mean i bore my testimony and Hermana Balsley talked). We asked if they would like to hear more and the father said yes. He gave us his address, number, name. So stoked. The milagro of the day. Oh and than after that, we were trying to get home but we ended up getting lost, out by the pentagon and the capital haha..so silly...just a little joy ride. Yeah, so things are going good, just working, looking for people, teaching. Its so crazy the stoke that comes from the gospel. Its like when you have the spirit with you, everything is just good, no matter how many doors are shut in your face, life is still good. The spanish is coming, its slow, but its coming...sometimes i have no idea what is being said haha, its all good though, I can bear my testimony and pray like a PRO. Ive been thinking a lot lately about how I ended up being out here, today I found my answer. I was reading in Moses 5 about Adan. There is a part where an angel appears to him and asks him why he is offering sacrifices to the Lord. Adan humbly responds, i know not save the Lord commanded me. A veces in life, we dont know why we are doing the things we are doing, but as long as we are obedient, and have hope, the Lord will bless us. He guides us always. He loves us so much, and only wants what is best for us, which is for us to be eternally happy, how sweet is that. All we have to do is have hope and follow him. In Moses 6, the Lord says to Enoch, Walk with me. That is all it takes to be humble and to walk with him.
I love you all so much.
Cubo,
RR

ps pictures next time maybe

August 2, 2011

Welp, here we go. I leave tomorrow at 10 am. Heading to DC, a straight flight. I should be there at about 4 pm. Im not gonna lie, Im really nervous, I wish my spanish was better, I wish I was better but I just have to have faith. The MTC has been really good. Hard at times but for the most part really good. I was so blessed here, to be able to learn and grow. Ive been pondering a lot lately DC 4. In verse two it talks about serving with all your heart might mind and strength. Ive been trying to decide what that means to me and I have come to this conclusion: serving with all my heart means to love the people, to devote my love to them and to the savior, to give all that i can to those I teach and to the members in the ward and to become selfless, to charity and to be diligent. Might is to work, to focus myself, push myself even when i feel tired and feel as though i cant go on. Mind is to be thinking about the work, to not let things distract me from the people, right now, nothing is more important than what I am doing now, no person, no place, just doing the Lords work. Strength is to continue walking, to continue knocking. I hope that I can be what the Lord needs me to be. I know what is expected of me, I know what I expect. All i can do now is live up to that which is expected. I love you all so much. I will be calling you tomorrow and i cant wait to talk to you. Hope all is well.
Cubo
RR

Shelby- you are my hero, just so you know. I lost your address but I have a letter for you. I will send it to you from DC i guess. Love you.
KC Barnes- email me maybe if you want to, I need to hear from my favorite cousin
Granny Jo and Papa- I love you both, hope all is well, thinking of you.

July 26, 2011

Hola,

A lot has happened this week. We had an amazing talk by an emeritus seventy member and his sweet wife spoke. She bore testimony of how much she loves the book of mormon and how it is an essential tool to life. I honestly can say that I am in love with the scriptures. Its been a new development but I love reading, haha, I love the scriptures.

Something that hit me this week was in Mathew, Jesus is eating with the sick and the sinners and the scribes are saying, why is he sitting with the sick and the sinners...then Jesus says, they that are whole need not a physician but they that are sick basically saying he has come to help those that are in need and are willing to humble themselves and come to him. He truly is my savior, the savior of the world. All it takes is for us to humble ourselves and come to him and he always, always forgives. He has so much love, so much compassion, and faith. I strive everyday to become more like him. Another cool thing that I read was in Mark 10:29-30...I have moments where I miss Hawaii still. When I came across this I knew that I was were I needed to be. I have been given so much, the Lord has blessed my life incredibly and so it is my responisbility to give what I can back, to share with those that are in need. I just am grateful for this gospel in my life, Im grateful for the knowledge that I ahve been given.

Okay, other stuff that happened this week: flight plans are here, I leave august 3 at 10am for DC. So i will be calling home at 7 am california time, keep your cell phone on you; last night at 2 am we got evacuated from our dorm because the fire alarm went off haha, it was the silliest mayhem you'd ever see. All kinds of sisters running around in their robes and garments in panic bahaha, so silly. I just went on the grass and slept, 15 minutes later, we got let back in. Uhm, that is about all the excitement I have for you. Things are just sort of winding up here at the MTC, im trying to learn as much as I can and be as efficient as I can. Im nervous to get to DC, the real stuff begins, Im excited to teach in spanish, I know that me learning this language has been a miracle, I mean 7 weeks ago I knew nothing and now I can teach and talk to people in spanish. I cant wait for the adventures in DC. I love you all and miss you all too. Nonie, happy birthday, I love you, I think of you a lot and hope you know what an example you are for me.

Cubo,
RR