Salutations, everyone!

Our main investigator, Tabetha, dropped us on Friday, this last week.  It was very abrupt and unexpected, and I was very attached to her...she was my "first" real investigator.  The day before she dropped us, I'd invited her to be baptized and she said yes.  We set up a baptismal date for June and it was a fantastic lesson.  Then right before we left, we told her she'd need to get married before her baptism or not live together with her fiancé.  We didn't provide her with a reason why, and looking back, I realize that we probably should have waited to tell her until next time or worded it differently.  The next morning, she texted us and told us she wasn't interested in us coming over anymore.  It was devastating to realize I had just lost Tabetha because of something I'd done/not done and now I won't get the chance to go back and explain or fix our mistake.

This is the Lord's work though, and I think He was preparing me to handle this loss because we had zone conference last Wednesday and a point one of the AP's emphasized, was "letting go" of people in our Area Book.  Elder Danielson capitalized on how refusing to let investigators go means a lack of faith.  He assured us, assured me, that God is always mindful of and teaching these people, and that I am not denying someone a chance at salvation if I delete them.  All I can do right now is have faith that Tabetha will find her way back to the gospel somehow in the future and give the matter to God.

Although I had this new faith, I was still having a hard time that day, so Heavenly Father blessed us with the experience of finding Mike that evening.  In addition to Tabetha dropping us, our appointments canceled and we walked back and forth, all afternoon/evening, to follow up with people but all of our plans fell through.  In the evening, we tracted this complex we'd tracted before.  It was hot and dark and I was tired and getting discouraged.  Then we knocked on this one door, and a girl answers.  She runs to get her Dad and he introduces himself as Mike.  He has four daughters and we didn't meet his wife but I saw her in the background.  When we were talking with Mike, I felt a good and peaceful feeling wash over me.  I don't know if it was because of the stark contrast of me feeling down all day and then being comforted by the Holy Ghost but the peace we felt with Mike was probably the strongest I've ever felt with any of the people I've met so far.  #miraclesandblessings.  I saw that there are people out here ready to hear the gospel.  The work continues forward and I won't witness the blessings if I don't let go of the past and move on.

During companion study, we were discussing how we can help the people we teach be more aware of the Spirit.  We looked up many scriptures about the Holy Ghost.  One of those verses was John 14:26-27, and it's a scripture that I've read and heard a million times before, but this time, it was like I was rediscovering it for the first time.  The particular phrase, "let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid," really hit me.  I consciously felt the Holy Ghost touch my heart and comfort me.  That verse was a very strong answer to my prayers and an assurance to not be afraid that my mistakes and weaknesses might drive people away from the gospel in the future, like Tabetha.  I am so thankful for my God who is aware of me and comforts me when I am discouraged and knows exactly what I need to be at peace with the present and move on.

And moving on, is exactly what the work is doing!  In addition to meeting Mike, the STL's gave us a referral, Latisha, who has moved into our ward boundaries and has a baptismal date set already.  The Elders and us, plus a member, helped Latisha move into her new apartment on Thursday, and we are going to have our first lesson with her on Tuesday.  At the beginning of this transfer, we set a goal for one baptism and we've cycled through finding and losing four different candidates before finding Latisha.  With this transfer already halfway over, I was certain that we probably wouldn't find someone ready for baptism in time but we just might meet our goal!  God truly blesses us, each and every day.  We just need to exercise our faith in Him and not let the past trouble our present and future.

I hope y'all are doing well!  (There are so many marriage announcements lately!)

Lots of love,

Sister Ririe

Picture 1:  Sisters at zone conference

 Picture 2:  Zone conference

 Picture 3:  Smoothie King
(angel food!)

 Picture 4:  Riddle:  Elder Larsen's grandmother and my aunt are cousins.  That makes us??