Week 94 - That's not Fair (8/13/2018)

Well this week has been a really good week. Another week that has flown by for sure. Last week Monday was really nice. Had a good activity and had some good lessons that night. We had Family Home Evening with a family and we talked about burying our bad habits and it was pretty cool seeing the little kids get involved in it and having everyone bury a bad habit. We had an appointment with a Spanish guy that was referred to us by some Sisters in the SLC Mission and he wasn't there so I talked with the guy that answered and it was funny the story he gave me. He told me his friend moved out like 2 hours ago. I was like, yea right. So I called and talked with the guy and he told me that he forgot our appointment and left for the night. Pretty funny. We tried some other people and had some good success there. Came home and got a call for a quick exchange to do with the Assistants. So we changed our plans so that could be made possible. 

Tuesday we went through the routine and everything and we made the drive to meet with the assistants. We exchanged and the Elder I was with had a ton of packages so we made a mail run and delivered all the packages. Came home and unloaded his stuff and we went to the parade that they were having in town to kick off Fair week. We walked a long the parade and met some pretty cool people as we talked and walked. We then had dinner back at our place and went to the Fair. It was pretty full of people, but still relatively small compared to what everyone was saying it would be. We walked around and met a lot of people which was really cool. Came home that night and we got a text saying we can't go the Fair. That sucked! It was fun while it lasted haha.

Wednesday we had a District Council and it was really good. Had lunch, contacted, sang, did some more contacting and made the drive to exchange back. Had some good car conversation. Re-exchanged and drove back to Jerome. Stopped in Wendell to give some copies of the Book of Mormon then went to Jerome. Had dinner and it was a miracle the time that we went to dinner. We had dinner and we were out and as we were leaving, we saw someone that we've been trying to work with!! It was such a cool miracle!! We had some other appointments that night which were phenomenal. 

Thursday, we started out with a bunch of service which was nice, but we both got sick with something after our lunch. It was terrible. We crashed and just completely out of it. We eventually started to feel better and got to work, but wow we were hurting. We had some good attempts at visiting people that night, but didn't have much of luck with things we planned.

Friday was a good day. We felt better and we took off for Shoshone for their District Council and it was really good. We did another exchange and I stayed in Jerome with one of the Elders from Shoshone. We made our way back just in time for our shift at the food pantry which is always fun. Had a comp study and it was good. Dropped the Spanish Elders off at their dinner and made our way to ours. Got their late, but it worked out for everyone. We then had a really good appointment with someone that we are working with and as we taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, you could totally feel the spirit there!! It was awesome!!! We tried some people after that to end the night and it was good.

Saturday we got up and had a correlation meeting. We then tried some people and it was really good too. We then drove back to Shoshone to re-exchange. Came back and we did Weekly Planning. It was a good planning session. Had a member invite us over for dinner last minute which was really cool. And it was really good too. We then went to an appointment way out there and it was a really good appointment as well. It fluctuated every now and again. Came back and had another visit in town which was good. 

Sunday was a spiritually filled day. We had a Member of the Seventy and his wife along with our Mission President and his wife, speak to our Stake here in Jerome!! It was really cool!! They talked a lot about listening to the Spirit and how we can receive revelation for ourselves and in our lives!! It was really cool. We tried some things and had some studies. Went and had an awesome dinner which is always great. Went and tried some people and met a whole family that lives on one lane. Pretty cool!! Closed the night with a part member family which was cool talking with them and getting to know them as well. 

Things are great here in the mission field. I love the work and the Gospel and I know it's true!! I'm excited to continue working here for the remaining time that I have left. It's going to be fun!! I love you all and I hope you all have a great week!!

Elder Ruesch

Week 93 - The Unexpected (8/6/2018)

 So this was a week full of surprises!! It's always fun when weeks like that happen. Last Monday we had a crazy Preparation Day. We went into Twin and we got stuck there. But my companion bought some Cowboy boots. He's assimilating into the culture really well. Had some good sports and then out we went to work. Everything that we had planned, of course didn't happen, but that's because we had some things come up. Pretty nice.

Tuesday we got to go to Boise for Mission Leadership Council and it was nice being back in my first area (considering the fact that I covered everything in Boise). It was a long meeting and it was cool seeing all the old familiar faces of missionaries. We made our way back and had a great lesson that night with one of our Recent Converts which was awesome! We also waited with an Elder cause his companion was doing a Baptismal Interview. 

Wednesday was a jam packed day. We had one of our District Council meetings which was great. Had a lunch and then we went and sang for a bit. Then the rest of that day was planning out things for interviews and exchanges with other missionaries. Had a dinner and it was bombtastic. Then we hauled over to Wendell to go give a Baptismal Interview. It was pretty nice, Elder Tauanu'u gave his first baptismal interview. We then helped the Elders out with moving hand lines to close the night. We were practically swimming. Luckily they gave us some old clothes to wear for the service otherwise our proselyting clothes would've been soaked. 

Thursday was a hectic day. We woke up and right at 9 we left to go help out with this huge event the food pantry was doing. It was crazy with all the unloading and handing out food we did. We had to do an exchange cause my companion needed to go with one of the other Elders to Boise for a doctors appointment. So I stayed with his companion for that time. We did some good hard work and boy was it crazy!! We did some tracting and it was fun. Met some really nice people. They finally made it back and we went and had dinner. Then tried some people. We got a referral for a Spanish Speaker which I have been waiting to receive and we tried finding where he lived and couldn't find it, so we called and set up an appointment for tonight! The Sister Missionaries from the Salt Lake City Mission that referred him to us, are going to join in with us in a Skype call in the lesson. It'll be so cool!

Friday was just another busy day. We had another District Council and interviews. We were supposed to be interviewed in Shoshone, but it got to jam packed so we were going to be interviewed in Jerome after everyone else. We went to Jerome and made it just in time to our shift at the food pantry. It was a good shift and we went to the church for interviews and they were behind so, we did some planning and then my companion had his interview then I had mine right after. We had dinner right after that and we then closed the night seeing someone that we are teaching. It was a really good lesson and the spirit was definitely there as we shared what she needed. She is so prepared!!

Saturday was a long day. Since we didn't weekly plan, we got stuck doing that on Saturday over a prolonged period of time. We started at 12 cause we had some things planned that morning and we didn't finish until dinner time. Things came up that we needed to go and do and we got stuck doing those things. Funny story. We had received a box of copies of The Book of Mormon. We took it with us to District Council on Friday and it was gone. So we called around and found out that the farthest companionship from us, took it. Lucky enough they were on exchanges and they were going to re-exchange back that afternoon. The Sisters met us and we got a box. They told us it was an unopened box of English Copies. We were like sweet and they took the open box. We get back to Jerome and we find out it's Spanish... We gave them a call and met them in Twin and got the box back from them. Probably doesn't make the most sense right now, but that's as good as it'll get for know. We had a good dinner that evening and then we had a surprise Birthday Party for one of the Elders!! IT was pretty fun!!

Sunday was a long day!! 7:30-3:00 for church. Gets tiring. It was a good day though. Just don't remember much between all the church meetings and trying to stay awake. 

This week has been pretty dang unexpecting. It came to a fast close for sure. I love what I do, but I do miss home. Soon, I'll be back. It scares me to think about it. I hit my 22 month mark yesterday and it's pretty insane. I love you all and I do miss you all. Hope you enjoy your week!!

Elder Ruesch

Week 92 - All the Little Things (7/30/2018)

So this past week has been full of amazing miracles, both big and small!! I've loved it!! Last Monday we had a great lesson with one of the families that we are working with and the husband was set to be baptized this weekend and he was!! It was amazing!! Just now have to wait a year so the family can be sealed in the temple (united for all of eternity)!! 

Tuesday was just jam packed! We had two lessons right off the bat to go to that morning. Both of which were really good. We then had a lunch with one of the members that came with us to our appointment before lunch. We darted to the church building for the man that I mentioned earlier, for his baptismal interview! It was awesome!! We planned his baptismal service and got it all arranged! We then got caught up in some things that we had to do, but it was all right. Had some people cancel on us cause of things they forgot were happening that day. Tried some things out and we tracted. Door knocking. Haven't done that in awhile. 

Wednesday was a good day. We were on exchanges and I was with a new missionary. It was pretty cool being with him. He was just so on to things about the work being brand new. We had a District Council that morning. Grabbed lunch and then went tracting. What a perfect way to break in a new missionary. Met some people that weren't interested which is always a sad thing. Had some service then we went back into studies. Cool little miracle here. We got a text from our dinner asking if it was going to be 4 of us. The Spanish Elders told us that they didn't have a dinner so we explained the situation to them and they told us to all come and that they planned on having 4 missionaries!! That was a cool miracle for all of us. After dinner we moved a car and went contacting. Made some awesome contacts and got in touch with someone that went on a vacation but is back. Re-exchanged and we shared about our days and it was pretty cool.

Thursday was a good day, but not at first. Woke up and I was just dead. Literally out of it. I haven't been having the best sleep for quite awhile. Made it through the routine and all that fun stuff. Went and helped move a fridge and clean under it. Put it back and went and changed to start our weekly planning. Got called away to do some things which postponed our weekly planning session. Got things done and had a great lunch with the man we helped move the fridge for. Went to the church and started our weekly planning. It went pretty well. Had to help out missionaries get places and to get things. Cool miracle there. As we were wrapping up our weekly planning, we were looking for a video to share for a discussion we were going to have that Sunday at church. We were watching and watching when the Elders came in and asked if we could take them to get something from one of their members. We asked if they could wait a bit and we watched the video and it wasn't the one we were feeling. So we loaded another, then another and then we said after this one, we'll go. That was the video we felt we should use and we left to take the Elders to get what they needed. We got there and as we pull in and park, two more cars pull in and it was the members!! Perfect timing or a coincidence? I think not! Came back into town and finished off our studies and tried some people. Had a great appointment to end the night which was awesome!

Friday was also a good day. District Council, to lunch, and then to service. Tried some people then had our studies. Had a pizza dinner which is always appreciated. Had a great appointment afterwards with the lady we contacted on Wednesday that came back from vacation. It was such a beautiful spirit that was in the home! You could not deny the feelings that were there!!

Saturday was a blessed day!! Had to do some early morning errands and then we got prepped for the baptism we were going to have. It was such a beautiful spirit that was there!! It was a small turn out, but a huge spirit that was in the room. It was awesome!! We then did some inviting to a ward party that was going to be that night and we went and invited! We invited a lot of people and one of the places we went and invited, we ended up being there for quite a long time outside that we were beat from the heat! After all the inviting we did some studies and then saw another baptism and then went to the ward party. Had a lot of people there and talked to quite a few people. It was pretty cool.

Sunday was also a really good day. Had meetings from 8-3:30. Had some surprises there!! One of the people that we were teaching disappeared for quite a long time, but he returned!! He came back!! It was awesome to see him just walk into church and stay all three hours!! Also, one of our recent converts challenged us to a 90 Day Book of Mormon reading challenge. That'll be fun. We did some studies and drove around the Spanish Missionaries. Had our dinner, drove them back, and then tried some people. Had really good visits. We even got to give a blessing which was really cool. It was definitely a good day!!

This week has been awesome and I have loved every minute of it!! Time is flying! I can't believe it!! I love you all and I hope you all have a great week!!

Elder Ruesch

Week 91 - The Grind (7/23/2018)

Wow... this week has flown by again.... Last week on Monday was pretty dang cool! We went on a hike to Ketchum and it was beautiful! Breath Taking scenery!! Got home a little late, but we made it back to Jerome. It's a long drive!! Had a good night with a good lesson and some good contacting! 

Tuesday, was a little day of panic. We were trying to figure out plans for an appointment that we had later that day and it was a struggle of trying to find a family that could be there with us. We tried so many and we couldn't find anyone. We prayed about it and we were led to text one more family. Within minutes they responded to us!! It was a miracle and a huge blessing!! We got plans all set and we went to work. We decided to bike and it was a good bike ride. It was pretty fun! Had a great lesson that night with one of our Recent Converts and dang she continues to amaze us!! It's awesome!! Oh we also got transfers and I will admit, I was in panic cause I heard that there was going to be 6 Spanish Visa Waiters coming in. I didn't want to be transferred. The Lord kept me in Jerome though and hopefully I'll finish my mission here. 

Wednesday was quite a day as well. We had to push some things back because we had to do some errands and some things but it all worked out. Had some great time trying to contact some people and things like that. We went and sang at an old folk home which was fun. We then went and got some goodbye shakes which was pretty fun. We then went contacting and did some inviting to the Stake Pioneer Celebration and it was fun going out and inviting. The best part of the day thought was at night when we came back to the church building to update our records. One of the families that we are working with, GOT MARRIED!!! It was so awesome to see that!! We were pretty stoked!!

Thursday was the great miraculous transfer day!! We had some more errands to do that morning so we missed out on our weekly planning. Luckily we did it Friday. We went to Twin for Transfers and it was great seeing familiar faces and seeing all the missionaries. We came back pretty late and we just went to work! We tried contacting so many people and finding that it was ridiculous. We got to work though. We had a good lesson that evening with someone and it was amazing to see him change a bit. It was really neat!

Friday is when we started our weekly planning. We got part way through it and in between helping out missionaries with things. We went and did some service at the Food Pantry which is always really fun. We then came back and did some helping out with missionaries and getting phone calls. Did some study and we left and had dinner. We then went and tried contacting some people and had some luck here and there... Did some service for a family and that was pretty fun.

Saturday was a good day. I loved it. We got ready and we went to the church and tried to do some studies. As we were in our studies, the Spanish Elders asked for our help with their baptism. We helped them out and we tried to figure out some things. We would go back and forth in helping them out. We went back to our studies and they came in and asked if I could be on standby to play the piano and they also dropped that Harold Posadas and Miguel Marin were there! I got so excited that I booked it to see my former companions!! It was a huge miracle for me!! I missed serving with those two!! Talked with them and got some photos and we took off to go try people. Correlated with our Ward Mission Leader, went and tried some more people. Finally caught someone that we've been trying to meet with. Helped out the Spanish Elders again cause one of them locked their phone in a room that we only have a key for. We then did some more errands and then had the pioneer day celebration. They called upon us to serve food and it was some really good food! Loved it all!! It was a good event.

Sunday came and it was gone too quickly. Got up and left around 8 to go drop some things off then went to the church to plan and wait for our meetings. We were there from 8:15-3:20. Long day. Saw Harold and Miguel again which was cool!! Had another correlation meeting with another one of our Ward Mission Leaders and it was so cool to see how ready he is to work. Had an appointment at 4 and then dinner right after. One of the boys at dinner knew how to speak Spanish and we had a really good conversation. We were the only ones he knew what we talked about and it was so fun!! We did some planning for our week and for a discussion that we will have with one of our wards next week about missionary work. It was pretty cool. Got a lot of planning in with our Bishop and his counselors. 

It was a really good week this week and it flew by. Time for sure is definitely running low for me. It scares me at times. Well I love you all and a special Happy Birthday to my Mom today!! I love you all and I miss you all!! Take care and enjoy your week!!

Elder Ruesch 

Week 90 - It's Getting Hot Outside (7/16/2018)

Mowing a lawn

Well this week has been way too eventful!! Started out really good this past week with all the things we had on Monday!! Great Preparation Day as always! Had some good sports and we played this game called silly ball. Baseball with a tennis ball and a tennis racket and you run the opposite way. Had some really great contacts and we even performed some service for a family. Best part of the day was when we took our car into Ford to get it fixed!!!!................ And they told us they couldn't fix it cause the guy that can, quit! They told us our best luck would be in Burley! Well a trip to Burley here we go!

Tuesday we had a quick service project and we tried some people before we made the drive to Burley. Got there safe and sound and gave Ford our car. Took them awhile on the car, but they came back and told us that our Turbo was very well damaged and a whole bunch of other things that they fixed. So they were going to overnight the part and have it ready for us on Wednesday. By a miracle, we caught a ride with another set of Elders that were down in the area dropping stuff off to take us to Twin and we caught a ride with the Spanish Elders back into Jerome. Replanned our day, jumped on back and away we went! Had an awesome appointment with one of our families which was fantastic!! We then biked to the church for a correlation meeting and we then got a ride to go see someone. Didn't catch them home so we got dropped off at a gas station and we biked to see visit a referral. Met the family and wow can they talk. I think we only said like 20 words the entire time.

Fence we helped set up

Wednesday was a good day. Had a District Council meeting in Jerome which was good. We then had a good lunch. Then we made a quick call to the Ford dealership to see what progress they've made. Part didn't arrive yet so we went to our next appointment which was singing for the old folks. Really good time there. We got dropped off at the house and we figured things out, called Ford, and rearranged our schedule for things. Got picked up for a baptismal interview. Had dinner. And then went biking and visited with some families.

Thursday. What a day that was. We started our weekly planning and stopped halfway to unload a food truck. Got it all unloaded and we were tired and sore. Our arms hurt! We then finished our weekly planning session and got a hold of Ford to see what was up with our car. They told us that it was finished and we asked if they could send someone to come and pick us up in Jerome and bring us to Burley. They sent someone for us and we waited for them. Did a little studying and weekly planned some more. They came and got us and took us to Burley. Had a good conversation with the driver. Got our car and made the drive back to Jerome. Got their just in time to pick up dinner and then head to our 7:00. Had a good lesson and after that we started to review everything and then we got told our tire pressure was low so we went and got some air in it. Car probs

Cool photo I saw at the Ford dealership

Friday was another good day. Went to Shoshone for another District Council Meeting and we exchanged and I went to Gooding. That place is pretty small. Had some really good productive things that night which was awesome!! Had a really good appointment to close the night with!

Saturday we did some contacting and that was pretty fun. Then we drove to Wendell to exchange back. It was cool hearing how Elder Tauanu'u exchange went. We then did a little blitz with the Wendell Elders and that was really fun too! Came back to Jerome and we did some things and tried some people and appointments which was hectic and fun. Good night to say the least.

Sunday. Came and it went.. Had a lot of church and a lot of meetings. I was super tired. Helped one of the members push a car out of his driveway. Had our studies. Dinner. Went to an appointment and the guy wasn't there. We tried to catch some other people and the first one we tried we were able to catch them. It was super good timing too. Had a really good conversation with them. We then saw another guy which was awesome and we finished the night with one of our Bishop's talking about the work and what we could do to help out the ward.

Really good week this week! Also got a letter in the mail from the mission... I about cried when I got the letter. They were just reminding me that I go home soon. It's so weird to think that I go home soon. I still got time, but not a lot of time left. It's weird... Well, I love you all and I miss you all!! Hope you have a great week!!

Elder Ruesch

Week 89 - Firework (7/9/2018)

Elder Cooke, Elder Saunders, and myself

Well another week come and gone. I can't believe how fast time flew. It was insane!! On Monday we had a good playing some volleyball. We then had some really great appointments that night that were just stellar!! Ran into a familiar face at one of our appointments and it was pretty cool!! 

Tuesday we had a meeting that lasted a good while. Saw some familiar faces which was pretty cool. Made it back to our area just in time for our dinner appointment. We then went to one of our appointments, but they weren't there. Did some other things and we went on Exchanges!! Got to be with Elder Blaisdell again and it was awesome!!

Really good drink

Wednesday was a hot day. We had a Ward Breakfast that morning and it was really good pancakes. We then had the rest of our day after a council meeting and some service to get to work. It was super hot cause we didn't have A/C... Our car is out of wack and doesn't work anymore. It still drives and it hasn't broken down yet. Fingers crossed! We did a lot of finding and ended up with nothing. People were probably out partying or something. Don't know why... We did have a really good appointment though which was awesome! This lady that we taught is so amazing!! She has a strong testimony about a lot of the things we taught and had all sorts of good questions! It was amazing as we testified of the Book of Mormon and God's plan for us, how much the spirit was there!! Saw some fireworks go off and it was pretty cool.

Elder Blaisdell and I

Thursday we re-exchanged and Elder Tauanu'u and I had our famous weekly planning session. He got home and he wasn't feeling good at all. He looked terrible. We stayed in until he started feeling better. He felt better and we went to our appointment that we had and wow it was awesome. This man that we are teaching just absorbs everything that we teach! Best part is how he answers questions!! It was amazing! From there we tried seeing people and finding some new people, but it's in the works haha.

Cool Sunset

Friday...It came and it went... We got up and we had another exchanged planned for that day so we went to Shoshone and had another Council with the other District and we exchanged up there. I came back to Jerome with another Elder and we made it back just in time for our service at the food pantry. Wow that place was jammed pack with people. We got to work and we were helping people out left and right. It was crazy good. We then went back home to drop off the Elders things and we got a phone call from some lady looking for some hands to load a truck. We made some phone calls and tried getting some help and we were able to have the Elders over in Wendell come help us out. Luckily they hadn't left Jerome from when they helped us cover the shift with us at the food pantry. We helped her pack and load her U-haul and we had a good time with it. We got a hold of some missionaries in Twin and sent them her way. Pretty good. We then had a bombtastic dinner. One of our Bishops invited us out to a family BBQ and wow the food was so good!! After that we tried some people that we've been trying to find and we caught them all home! It was a huge miracle!! It was a great day!

Cool Sunset

Banana Pancakes!

Saturday, we tried some other names before we re-exchanged, but nothing to our luck. Drove back to Shoshone and exchanged back. Made it just in time for one of our appointments. Had a good appointment and we went home to unload Elder Tauanu'us things and we got a text from one of our members if we could come help him out with some service. We agreed and he warned us that we'd be crawling under a porch, we still went through with it. We crawled under his porch and cleaned under it and then we helped install some crossbeams cause the original didn't feel to safe. It was quite an experience. Came out super tired. We then had a correlation meeting and then we took off toe get ourselves ready for the day again. Tried some finding and contacting after a companionship study. We then closed the night with a good appointment. 

Cool photo of a tree
after service

Sunday, we both woke up tired and sore. It wasn't the best feeling. Went to church and had long meetings like normal. Went home and had a snack and a quick study together. Went back to the church and I gave a Baptismal Interview in Spanish. It was pretty cool. Cool part about that is that we caught the lady I gave the interview for, at Wal-Mart today! Pretty cool!! We then did some contacting and met some really cool people. Had a quick dinner and then went out to one of our appointments. Had a good appointment, but at the same time, rather different. Came back and stopped by to visit someone really quick. We then closed the night at one of our Bishops house talking about the work in the area. He took us on a tour of his barn and it is pretty cool!! I loved it!

This week came and went. Too quick. A lot of fireworks going off this week too so that may have played a little bit into the lack of sleep as we kept hearing them go off throughout the night. Well... I love you all and I miss you all!! Hope you have a great week!!!

Elder Ruesch

Week 88 - Oh it is Wonderful (7/2/2018)

Baptism

Well....This week has flown by... It seems like that quote time flies when you are having fun, actually does exist in real life. Last week was pretty neat, it's almost all a blur, but luckily, it isn't (if that makes any sense). I guess I'll start off with our Preparation Day last week. We had a good activity of playing some hockey and it was fun. We then got to work that night as we were prepping things and getting ready for the baptism that we were going to have. Had a great visit with this one family and I'm so grateful that I can play the piano. They had this nice old piano and the subject of piano may have been brought up and so they asked if I could play. Needless to say I did and...wow. The spirit was there. It didn't matter how old that piano was or even how bad out of tune it was, the Spirit was strongly there. They asked me to play a few hymns (church songs) and I gladly did throwing in a little bit of my heart into it. It was really neat. 

Interviews

Tuesday was quite a day. We had an appointment early that morning and we took off one end of our area. We then came back and grabbed a quick lunch then had interviews with our mission president. Had a really good interview with him. Made me happy to hear that I can actually still teach people in Spanish if I find them. That was really awesome to hear. After that we drove to Glenns Ferry to do an exchange with the Assistants and I went up to Boise with one of them. What a drive. Got up there and immediately got to work. It was really neat. It scared me when he told me we were going on Splits. I kinda freaked out cause I did not know his area at all. Luckily he made it easy for me. I ended up going with the Ward Mission Leader. Had a good night with some really great visits. 

Floor Hockey

Wednesday we got up and had a District Council (I'll explain later). Really good seeing a District come together and really discuss what the needs are of the District. We then ran some errands and made our way back to Glenns Ferry to exchange. We then made our way back to Jerome. Had a really night the rest of that night and it was pretty great. We were getting all ready for the Baptism and figuring things out. Turns out, Missionary Work is a lot of planning (haha more like stress). Luckily we got plans all out and we were set for tomorrow. 

The gift I was given

Thursday, what a beautiful day. We got through our weekly planning session and it was really good with all the plans that we made. It was very well needed. We then had a quick break and got to work for a bit. We then made our way back to the church building to get prepared for the Baptism. It was such a Spiritual Experience. Did some run throughs of the songs that I would be playing on the piano. It was pretty nerve wrecking. But we made it through. It was wow breath taking. The Spirit was so strongly there it was incredible, I really don't have words that I could put to it. After the Baptism was over a girl came up to me after the Baptism and asked if I was Elder Ruesch. I of course just said yea that's me. Turns out she served in the Rancho Cucamonga Mission and was pretty close to my Stake!! She served in the Hesperia Stake and did some work with the YSA!! It was pretty cool talking to her and the coolest part was that she knew someone that I knew!! It was awesome!! As we were leaving the Baptism, we asked the girl that got baptized if she had thought of anyone to confirm her and give the Gift of the Holy Ghost. She took me off guard when she had asked if I could do it. I said yes a little surprised though, but like I said, I just couldn't find words. Probably because I can't English...

Me and the Sunset

Friday was quite an interesting day. Went to Shoshone for another District Council and it was awesome!! Came back after that and did some service at the food pantry. It was funny, started talking to a Peruvian in Spanish and he had no idea what I was saying. It was pretty funny, but a little difficult to get on the same page being that we know different Spanish... We then had some studies and got to work. Had a good contact with a guy and we may be doing some service there. We then had dinner which was pretty good. We then had some good time to go out contacting people. Sadly didn't catch who we were looking for at home. But, it's the life.

Saturday was a pretty neat day. Had some good early meetings and we even got to do some service for a member. Demolition, my kind of thing. We then got down to business and went on a finding spree hoping to find someone home. Sadly, didn't find anyone. Next time though. And then we did! There was someone that we tried getting a hold of and it turns out, his phone got shut off so he could never get a hold of us. As we talked on the porch he was hoping that we would come by. Good timing that we did. We then made our way to the church to do some studies and had some thighs rescheduled. Then made our way out to dinner. Had a really good dinner and I think right as soon as word gets out that I can play piano, I may be used a lot. Our dinner just so happened to be the Choir Director and she kinda put my skills to the test. Had me sight read a lot of broad way and musical songs. Which I was okay with. Helps, I need the practice. After all that we drove out to the middle of nowhere to contact some families and we caught one of them home which was nice, but the rest were out of town. Worked our way back into town and had some good contacts to close the night. Pretty fun.

My watch glowing

Sunday was a great and wonderful day. Woke up and had an early meeting. We then had church from 9-2. Really spiritual. Also got to confirm our now new member a member of the church and it was so amazing. Words just can't really express what I want to say. She's so awesome and I know that she'll do great things. Had all this church and we were exhausted. This girl also gave the both of us a gift with a letter and it was so amazing. I love getting that feeling that there is a reason for why you're somewhere. I just love getting that feeling. As long as I don't get transferred out of here...again. After that we had a good time contacting people and it was fun. Had an appointment and it went well. Made our way back to our dinner and it was really good. We then tried some names then had our studies. Then concluded with another meeting. Really good night and it was fun.

So there is a little cliff hanger that I left and that is because our teaching tool just got updated. Preach My Gospel, which is basically a guide that was intended to help missionaries learn how to teach and all this other stuff, got updated and it is no longer just for missionaries. It is also for every member of the Church. It is so awesome and we've been challenged to read it everyday. It is awesome seeing all the changes that are in it. It is really remarkable. If you have the time, I'd encourage you to read it. It's amazing seeing what advice it gives all members of the church. I know I've learned a lot already. This week was just awesome and I'm excited for the ones that are ahead of me!! I love you all and I miss you all!! Take Care!!

Elder Ruesch