04. 28. 2014

Hello again! 

Wow that last week went by even faster then the first! This week has been wonderful, I have felt added love come into my heart which was an answer to my prayers. I can honestly say that I LOVE the people around me. I love these Texans, it doesn't matter what they say to me, I love them.

I got to go to Montgomery this week on exchanges. Oh and get this. So Sister Bowden (the sister who I went on exchanges with) was in my same YSA ward when I was living in Orem! How crazy is that???? We were so happy when we saw each other for the first time last transfer and even happier that we got to be serving with each other for a day. The Lord truly has a plan for all His children. So Montgomery is really different than The Woodlands. One of the people we met put it best "Oh you serve in The Woodlands? well welcome to the back woods!" It is country. When you think Texas bumpkins you are thinking about Montgomery. I absolutely was in Heaven. The people are SO kind and SO humble. We did a lot of finding that day and even though most of the people weren't very interested in learning more they let us talk to them like we were best friends and also say a prayer with them. It was a great experience for me and really gave me some insight of how I can love the people here in The Woodlands even more. 

A few weeks ago Sister Fullmer and I pondered on the question "If the Savior was knocking on doors what would He say these people?" At first I was like He wouldn't have to say anything, they would just let Him in. But the more I pondered that the more I realized that that isn't necessarily true. There are many people that Christ is just waiting for them to let Him in. So as I pondered the question more and more I came to the conclusion that if the Savior were knocking on doors He would love them. He would ask them more about them, He would try to get to know them, build a relationship. Then of course He would teach them and try to help them. As a representative of Jesus Christ that is what I am sent here to do. It isn't about numbers, it is about serving others. Jefferey R Holland said it best "If you can't teach them, love them. Then maybe you can teach them later." That is what the Savior does. He does that for each of us. He loves us no matter what we do and then when we finally turn to Him, He teaches us and helps us. I pray that we will not wait to turn to him until our time of need but that we will turn to Him daily and let Him teach us no matter our circumstance. 

This is the last week of the transfer. We find out on Sunday if one of us is getting transferred or not. I can't believe it is already here. I don't want the change, I love my area and I love Sister Fullmer so much, it will be hard if things get moved around but I know for fact that The Lord knows way way way way better then me so I can trust Him completely. After all, this is His work.

The exciting news is CHON IS GETTING BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!!!! Oh I cry when I think about it. I am just so happy because Chon is so happy. The spirit that is in the room when we meet with her now is just incredible, I can't describe it properly. The best word honestly is love. There is just a love in the room. I can feel the love the Heavenly Father has for Chon, for Sister Fullmer and for me. He loves us all so much and is so proud of us when we choose to come closer to Him. 

The saying just keeps going through my head "If it is true than what else matters?" I know that this is Jesus Christ's gospel and that it is the only way back home to our Heavenly Father and yes nothing else matters. 

I love you all so much! 

XOXOXOXO 

04. 21. 2014

Happy Easter everyone!

This Easter was special for me. I am sure you have seen the new "Because of Him" video by now and if not you need to look it up. Sister Fullmer and I saw it last Tuesday and have been using it in our teaching. It is a very powerful video, short and simple and spirit filled. My favorite. It gave me a chance to really focus in on what I know and what I have Because of Jesus Christ. As I focused on that all week, this last Easter Sunday meant even more to me.

Because of Him we are cleansed from sin. We can have guilt and burdens removed. We can live with our families together forever. Death has no sting. We will live again. Life has a purpose. The list goes on and on and on. Everything I have that I hold dear to my heart is because of Him. Because of Him the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. Because of Him I can be a missionary and share the good news with others. What joy I have because of Him.

This week a special experience happened with our investigator Michelle. We invited Michelle to be baptized this coming Saturday. Well during our weekly planning we were looking at that goal and invitation and we just didn't feel right about it. We didn't understand because we felt so strongly about that invitation before. We decided to just text Michelle as ask her if she has even given any thought to baptism. While we were waiting for her reply we prayed for some direction and clarity of course. Right when we finished the prayer we got a reply back from Michelle that said "April 26th is too soon. When is the next one?" WHAT??? You read that right. She asked when the next baptism was! We told her May 17th and asked her if she would pray and prepare herself to be baptized that day. She said Yes. Of course she said yes. Because of our Savior Jesus Christ, Michelle now knows that she is a daughter of God, that this life has a purpose, that she can have joy and comfort in any circumstance. Because of Him, Michelle has hope.

That is the line that stuck out to me from the video the most. Because of Him, despair becomes hope. Hope changes everything. It is the hope that makes all the faith, the diligence, the patience, the long-suffering, and the kindness worth it. It is the hope that brings joy in any circumstance. It is the hope knowing that this life is not the end, that it is the time to prepare to meet God. It is the hope that pushes us forward each and everyday. Hope is the message I get to share as a missionary. There is hope! and with that hope comes an everlasting joy! The world will never be able to satisfy and give you hope like the gospel of Jesus Christ can. How grateful I am to my Savior Jesus Christ and to my Heavenly Father for sending Him and giving the world hope.

I hope you know how much I love each and everyone of you. Mother's Day can't come soon enough.

xoxo

Sister Niedert

04. 14. 2014

This week! Wow! This week is truly best described by a scripture

 

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behonld I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." -Alma 37:7

 

I have loved this scripture ever since Bishop Anderson taught by sunday school class years ago. It has brought me comfort in difficult times and has brought me great joy in others, especailly now. As a missionary this scripture has become even more applicable. I am just a girl who is trying with all her heart to share her knowledge of truth. How more simple and small does it get then that? But just like the scripture says that is how great things are brought to pass. That is becasue of the Spirit. The Spirit can work miracles and I can testify to that.

 

So this week my small and simple things were obedience and talking to everyone I saw. I am trying very hard to be exactly obedient, like so obedient I think it makes Sister Fullmer sick haha but I have seen a difference and so I keep doing it. We also talk to everyone we see. It is promised to us by our mission president that the more people we talk to the more people we teach. These two simple small acts have made a huge difference this week.

 

First off our investigator Michelle, she said she would be baptized! It was a soft invitation so we asked her if when she found out that what we had been teaching her was true if she would be baptized. She said yes! Michelle has been being prepared to hear the truth long before we ever came to her and taught her. We set a date for April 26th, yes I know... SOON! We felt very strongly that that was the date we needed to extend to Michelle so we did what we were told and we will continue to follow the Spirit and do our part to help Michelle come to know the joys that come when you live Jesus Christ's gospel.

 

The other great thing is we found 8 new investigators this week. Yes you read that right, 8!! The people in The Woodlands really do want to know truth, they go to church to find it but they just don't know that complete truth can be found in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. There are many ready for us to tell them just that. The Lord has prepared many. We found a family of 4 to teach. The Carillo Family, they are a sweet humble family from Mexico. We helped them into their home with their groceries. We talked to them briefly and then said a prayer with them. We will be meeting again with them on Friday. We can not wait to be able to share with them that families are meant to be together forever and can be through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Those are just two examples of the great things that have happened. We were able to teach 29 lessons this week. We were let into many peoples homes, given numbers to call and make return appointments, and even feed dinner by members who have become less active. The work to do here is plenty! The lesson to learn is that The Lord needs us to do the simple things, take courage and do all that you can. This missionary work going forth is not just for full time missionaries, it is for us all. This is the last time that we are going to work in the Lord's vineyard and Jesus Christ is right by our side laboring with us. (Jacob 5:72)  With our small efforts and His great power, miracles happen and more and more come to the knoweledge of the great plan of happiness.  

 

OH and by the way there is only one example of doing a small and simple act that does not bring about great things, that is eating crawfish. First off you have to rip off the tail, and then peel the crust (what do you call it? the shell?) off and then you have to squeeze out the meet. and then you eat it. Yikes. I can be honest with y'all, I had to sort of fib to everyone else, I did not like it. It took all by stamina to get those four crawfish I ate in my tummy. You should have seen everyone else though, they LOVE crawfish. They were eating pounds and pounds and pounds and pounds. Yikes, Yikes, Yikes. I honestly think it is because the whole time I was ripping these tails off of these things and then putting the weird meat into my mouth I couldn't help but think of catching these things at Veyo in the river. ugggg. But I am proud to say that I tried them and I am proud to say I will never eat them again.

 

I love being a missionary. I love knowing truth, and especially the truth that I get to be with my own family together forever. I love you al so much.

 

xoxo

Sister Niedert

04. 07. 2014

Hello y'all!

So this week was great but let's be honest, the best part was General Conference!!! We are so blessed!!! I was able to watch all of the sessions and I couldn't be more grateful. I received so many answers to prayers I had for me and for my investigators. My testimony grew ten times watching. Those men are truly called of God, I won't ever deny it. We are so lucky to know that. The thing that sets up apart from all other churches is the fact that we have God's priesthood authority. It isn't our faith, for lots of people have faith in Jesus. It isn't our good works, for lots of people serve. It isn't even our prayers, for many prayers are said each and every day. It is that we have God's authority. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have the priesthood and because of this worthy members are able to act in His name. Because we of this priesthood power we have prophets who can lead and guide us back to our Heavenly Father. The whole Plan of Happiness was revealed through prophets. Because of priesthood authority we have The Book of Mormon. The list goes on and on and on and on. How grateful I am that The Holy Ghost was told me the truth and that I can firmly say I know who I am and I know God's plan.

So many wonderful warnings, and teachings were given to us this weekend. I encourage us all to study them so that we can more firmly stand against the evils of this world.

My time is short today so I will share one experience that was faith building to me. Yesterday Sister Fullmer and I were praying and asking where we should go and where the Lord needs us to be. As Sister Fullmer was saying the prayer a sister's name who is less-active in the ward and going through a really rough divorce came to my mind. It came to my mind strong and I knew we needed to go. So we went. Right as we pulled up to her house though, we saw her backing up out of her driveway and leaving. I was so confused. I just knew we needed to be there. Right when I was about to doubt my own abilities to understand the Spirit, Jane, this sisters daughter, came to my mind. So we got out of the car and knocked on the door hoping that Jane would be home and that the spirit would guide us to what she might need. Of course Jane was home and answered the door. We talked for a minute and she shared with us that she was a little stressed. Instantly Sister Reeves talk from Saturday morning came to my mind and she taught us that reading the Book of Mormon is what can take the stress away, not add to it. I shared that with her and bore my testimony of how I have seen it happen in my life. Sister Fullmer added her testimony as well. We left and both of us knew exactly why we were sent here, because it just happened.

How grateful I am for the miracle of the still small voice of the Holy Ghost and that I, just plain old Ryanne Niedert, can be worthy of His guidance and promptings.

The missionary work is moving right along. We have another appointment with Michelle, who I will have to tell you about next time, and another appointment with Chon. Chon is still progressing towards her baptismal date, what a special day that will be.

I love you all very much. I think of you often and can feel your prayers lifting me up. Thank you. Never take for granted the opportunities we have to keep the commandments, they are only there to bless us.

xoxo

Sister Niedert