Elder Field Realizes.....Crabs Are Just Giant Aquatic Spiders!

Hey friends and family, 

I hope you like the subject line ;) I was talking with a few missionaries one day after district meeting and one of them said that and now I haven't been able to look at crabs quite the same..... Haha anyhow 

My week was really awesome this week! We saw a lot of really cool things happen! We found some new investigators, my companion and myself are just having a ton of fun. And life is just good, extremely stressful but good :) Let's dive into the week, shall we? 

This week we had a few lessons we didn't have one with the Grindle or the Busby family, due to their schedules being crazy, but we were able to go visit with the Grindle family just to see how they were doing. We didn't teach a lesson but we got to know them a little better which was nice. 

So, because of that we did a lot of finding this week. We contacted a bunch of people, we knocked a bunch of doors I got really freaking sun burned. But it's all good I kinda enjoy people looking at me and saying "boy, you caught some sun" and I look at them and say "yeah, been out working in the sun all day" and I just sport it like a badge of honor, even though my collar rubs up against it. Yeouch! But it's all good! Blessings on blessings

We picked up a new investigating family. The family relationships are a little confusing because there are 5 generations living in the same house..... The house belongs to Linda and Paul Watson. They have 2 daughters. 1 lives with them, and the one that lives with them has a little girl. Then Linda's mom lives with them, and Linda's grandma lives with them.... It's nuts..... But it was a referral from a member who is friends with Linda’s daughter. So, we went over with her and gave the Linda's granddaughter (you following?) ;) a blessing. This little girl is 3 but she has had a bunch of surgery on her hips. I'm not sure what's wrong but she is about to go back into surgery again. It was a super spiritual experience. It is in the top 10 most spiritual experiences while I have been on my mission. It was soooooo good. 

(So Elder Field wrote another half of an email but when he went to send it.... Didn't send, sent this email to his drafts and deleted half of the email..... And I didn't know till mama Field contacted me wondering where my email was.... Such a good mom :) So, here is a condensed version) 

We picked up a new investigator who wants to be baptized! Woo! Hard work pays off. It was a call we got in the middle of church, his name is Jon, pray for him!

Zone leading is still an interesting new experience. I think I'm getting the hang of it. 

The zone is doing good. We came up with some awesome ideas to work with the stake better. Which is super cool. I will explain some other time. 

Life is good, just really stressful all the time. 

Anyway, sorry for the shorted email. Love you all! 

God is real and he knows you! Personally. And he loves you for who you are. 

L8r gator!

-Elder Riley Field

Elder Field Is Teaching Families!!

Hey family and friends! 

Hope all or you had a wonderful week! We had some cool things happen, I'm still not sure what I'm doing with this whole zone leader thing but I'm just kinda winging it as I go.... It's quite a change from normal missionary life. Like we still go hard and work all day and stuff but I just have more things to worry about. :) 

Anyway, let's just dive in. 

Tuesday, was a pretty tough day. We finally took our car in to get it fixed. (Mind you this is the 2nd we have had to do it in a 2-week time frame) We had some body damage from the previous transfer that I was not a part of. Apparently, Elder Harris and his last companion had a moving van back into them. So, we took it I to the shop in Fairfield which is the next city over. We had the AP's bring us a temporary car. But later that day we found out it was having some problems too.... So, we just took it really easy in that car. Haha our luck with cars lately has been rough. So, we were scheduled to get our car back on Friday. We had 2 lessons fall through which was lame, so we went out and did some contacting. Met some really nice people. We met the mother of one of the other missionaries’’ investigators which was cool. Apparently, she had been pretty standoffish towards the missionaries but she was nice to us and actually asked us a bunch if questions. So, I hope that helped the other missionaries :) who knows

Wednesday, we made a video for the mission. I don't know if I have ever explained it to any of y’all but when I was tech elder the AP's and us decided we wanted to do a video series for the mission, where older more experienced missionaries could share what they have learned (assigned by president of course) regarding certain missionary skills. Well, my companion and I got asked to do one of these videos so we made the video on Wednesday about how to begin teaching an investigator. So that was fun. We also had a lesson with a family we picked up. They are the Grindle family. Mike (dad) Liney (mom) Joseph (10) and Emily (2) and we taught them the plan of salvation. It was so good! They actually had a bunch of questions on baptism. Which was pretty dope! After the lesson, we were heading out when the mom stopped us and asked us to stay for a bit longer so she could answer some questions. She told us she feels lost and just wants to find some direction in her life. We talked about the scriptures and prophets and how they help us find direction. After we talked she seemed super interested in read the Book of Mormon. So that's exciting! We invited them to church but they were hesitant so we offered a church tour the next day and they accepted! It was an awesome lesson :) 

The next day we had interviews with president and then had our church tour!! It went super well! We had 3 members show up to help us with the tour. 1 of them brought their kids to play with Joseph and Emily! It was so good! The members made the difference. Their testimony really helped out! Mike and Liney seemed super happy and looked considerably at ease than before we started. :) They said they wouldn't be able to make it this week, but next week for sure. So, we are pumped about that!! Please pray for the mom and dad! We really hope we will see them at church and they will want to be baptized! Joseph the son would get baptized right now if he could. He is the one kind of spear heading everything but we want to make sure he has support from the family. And we would really like to see the whole family enter the waters of baptism together! 

So, on Saturday we had the first event of Vacaville rising! We made the story of one night we were all asleep and someone forgot to lock the horses up and they all ran away. Or were stolen. Idk haha. So, the whole day Saturday the zone went without cars (unless their dinner was far away) but we saw a lot of really cool things happen. When you’re out of your car walking, the Lord places people in your path. And boy did he! We found a new investigator and we really promising potentials. The zone saw some cool things :) The Spanish picked up 2 new investigators, the sisters found some potentials, and over all just a really good time. :) It was really warm but the heat can't stop us :) 

Other than that, we had a lesson with the Busbys this week. (another family we are teaching) It's a family of 3. Marc the dad. Laena the mom, and Ethan the son who is 10. And he asked me to teach him guitar. That was cool! So, I now have a guitar student guys! Haha but they are super solid. Marc the dad is a little hesitant. But he asked us a bunch if questions about the books of Abraham and Moses, and bunch of other stuff that we usually wait to teach people about. But these are questions he has had for a while and no one has answered and he was started to get frustrated. After he asked the questions it felt like the spirit told us, don't hold back anything, tell him everything. So, we gave him the most straight up answer we have ever given haha it was dope. The spirit was super strong. And he seemed put at ease about it all. From it we found out some concerns of his. One being he doesn't believe in Jesus Christ. Yet.;) but it was really productive. 

Anyway, that's all folks. Hope you all are doing amazing! I love and miss you all. The gospel is true. Joseph Smith was and is a prophet, and Jesus Christ is the savior and redeemer of the world, the Book of Mormon is in reality the word of God and it was written for us in our day. God loves us! And he wants the best for us. Turn to him and you will direction. I love you all and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. 

-Elder Riley Field

Our investigators we practice on in comp study. 

A marine gnome :) 

When elder Field is pretending to be the rich young ruler... Lol... 

Elder Field Has No Clue What He Is Doing

Yeah that sums up my zone leader experience thus far....... Between the bazillion meetings we have had with stake and ward representatives, coming up with something for the zone to focus in on and have fun with, and getting used to a brand-new area.... It's a little crazy..... But I'm slowly getting the hang of it. I keep forgetting we are the zone leaders though. There are times where Elder Harris looks and me and says, "hey we should let everyone know that there is a meeting with stake leaders tomorrow. The zone needs to come." And then I respond with, "don't the zone leaders do that?" And then stupidity follows.... 

 Haha I'm enjoying it though 

I really am adjusting well ;) just seems like I'm making no progress at all, but I am I just am not really good at measuring personal progress. And my companion is freaking awesome, I love that kid! Elder Harris is so freaking good. Fun fact, he follow up trained my greenie Elder Siebach haha so that's awesome. He is a super good leader and teacher and it's been cool to learn and bounce ideas off him. 

(Picture compliments of DiDi Rasmussen)

So, before I dive into the week we really didn't get to teach any lessons.... The area..... Is lacking in investigators...... Again..... Haha SO! Along with getting used to zone leader responsibilities we will be doing A LOT of finding. 

Anyway, this week was Nuts, Elder Reese got to the church where we do transfers early and set everything up. When my new companion Elder Harris showed up we loaded everything up and took off. I actually got to see Elder Jones one last time (he finished his mission) he showed up with his mom and dad at transfers so I got to meet his parents and say good bye. He was so awesome. 

Anyway, we got into Vacaville that afternoon and un packed my stuff, talked to Elder Harris about the area, met a couple of the ward leaders whose names I don't remember which is unfortunate, I will get them down soon hopefully. We went and started finding Tuesday evening. We found a potential in our area book that looked promising and we went and taught them. Elder Harris and his last companion found them and taught them one lesson. So, we went over and followed up with then. They are so cool. It's a family of 4. Mike the father, Lenae the mom, Joseph, and a little girl whose name I don't know. We taught them about scripture study and we are planning to go over and teach the plan of salvation this week. So good things have started already :) 

Wednesday, we went out and tried to find all day..... That was pretty much it. Talked to a ton of people and visited less actives, members, and potentials investigator, and former investigators alike. We didn't have too much success but we talked to some cool people. 

Thursday, we had MLC (missionary leadership council) in Santa Rosa where we go and talk about what the vision is for this transfer and what not. He gave us some amazing advice and council on how to be a good effective leader. I'm going to start implementing all of it. :) good stuff. That lasted from 9am to 4pm so long meeting, but really good none the less. 

Friday, we planned our zone focus. IT'S SO GOOD. WE CAME UP WITH A REAL-LIFE VIDEO GAME FOR THE ZONE. there are levels and everything. You level up by doing feats of obedience, contacts, lessons and member work. It's so cool the whole zone is pumped about it. We even made side quests and random events that will happen through the week. And there will be a final boss at the end of the transfer they will need to defeat and it’s just soooooo good. Ha-ha I will let yam know how it goes ;) 

Funny story of the week! We were pulling our car into our spot and we hear loud music coming for down the street and I see flashing lights. We walk over and there is a car playing what sounds to be Tran Siberian orchestra Christmas music and the car was "dancing". The doors were the kind of doors that opened up and they were waving and there were lights on the car going to the beat of the music. I was laughing so hard. We took a video and I wish I could Send it but it's too big in size. I made the comment if that was the new feature of the tesla's and my companion lost it. It was so good. Haha. 

That was pretty much our week, we had an awesome meeting with the stake presidency. Church was good too. Had a really weird guy walk into church..... He was 100% crazy. Spouting off weird comments and punched himself in the face. Yeah...... Weird..... Anyway, that was my week. It's been a week of learning and growing. I'm really hoping I can keep learning and growing this much. It's really cool. 

Anyway, I love you all so much! Hope you all have an awesome week! 

-Elder Riley Field

No pictures this week..... Forgot to take some...... Next week though... 

Elder Field Is (Actually) Getting Transferred This Time!

Guys! After a glorious 6 months in good old Rincon Valley I'm getting transferred I'm actually really sad about that..... I have really enjoyed serving here and getting to know everyone in the area. The people I have met and have been able to meet and teach are friends I will keep forever! But the lord needs me somewhere else I guess. 

With the transfer that also means I am no longer tech Elder or as my mom likes to call me Elder IT...... I actually have really enjoyed being tech Elder. I have really loved working with the technology. It's been fun to problem solve and help run the mission :D but I have been reassigned.

I am going to Vacaville!! and along with going to Vacaville I also have been assigned zone leader of the Vacaville zone....... yeah...... I'm really nervous. Now instead of tech problems I will be helping missionaries with people problems...... I'm not sure how useful I will be at that. But president and the lord says I'm the guy for the job so whatever they say goes ya know?

Anyway, let's dive into my week, shall we?

This week was pretty normal. It was just a lot of prepping for transfer day. We did a lot of finding though. With little success, we weren't able to find anyone new to teach. :/ we were pretty bummed about that but on the other hand we updated all the mission computers to the latest version of Microsoft office and helped President create the transfer docs! So that's cool I guess ;)

We had a lesson with Morgan our newest investigator! we taught the plan of salvation and she loved it. She said it was such a new take on the afterlife and she really enjoyed it :D She hasn't read the book of Mormon yet but she said she is going to start reading! I really hope she does! 

We said goodbye to the Rowlands and had dinner with them. They are doing good. I really hope Brother Rowland starts progressing. I think I will keep praying for him for the rest of the mission. He is so cool!!! 

That's pretty much it for my week. Kinda short email but I do have a bunch of pictures of the families I said good bye to this week. That was really hard by the way.... sad..... I will miss all of them..... you get really close to the members here. I will miss them all tons!

Anyway, I love you all! I hope you all have a wonderful week!!!

-Elder Riley Field

The Platt family

The Van Cleave family

The Coon family

The Binghams

 The Kitchen family/ The Halls

 Me wielding a light Saber that the Van Cleaves had XD

A shot glass Hermana Foster bought for me to go into my collection

Elder Field Is Proud To Be An American

Elder Field is proud to be an American
Where at least he knows he’s free
And he won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to him

So, he will proudly stand up
Next to you and defend her still today
Cause there ain't no doubt he loves this land
God bless the USA!!

Woah sorry about that...... I just started to type is proud to be and American and suddenly my American took over and typed out the entire song chorus...... but I think I'm back to normal hopefully. ;)

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! I really love this country! a lot. And it's cool that the Book of Mormon predicted the colonization of America, so freaking cool. Go read 1 Nephi 13 and you will see what I mean. So cool!

Guys..... I cannot believe it has been another transfer already.... this week is the last week of the transfer and that means transfer docs comes out this Saturday. And you know what that means! That’s right! My life is going to get really crazy here again. Haha no rest for the wicked am I right? errrrr Righteous? Idk the scriptures tell me one way and Cage the Elephant tells me another. ;)

This week was pretty much filled with the same stuff as last week. We finished up the last 3 zone conferences. Saw all my mission friends who finish their missions this transfer (or as we missionaries say DIE) give their departing testimonies which made me really sad. I have made some really close friends while on the mission. It's really cool. I'm excited to see who I stay in contact with. I have a few that I know I will stay in contact with so I'm not too worried haha. :D Elder Jones my previous companion dies this transfer as does Hermana Foster and sister Jeffrey if any of you remember those names. I have mentioned them in previous emails haha :D made me sad but that's just the life of a missionary. Oh well! 

We actually didn't have any lessons this week D: which is really sad. We did do a bunch of finding on the days we had time but we weren't too successful. But hopefully this week we get back into the swing of things not that zone conferences are over. We are going to meet with Morgan, Brother Rowland, Gabriel, and hopefully a new investigator we were referred to. We will see how that works out! Wish us luck!

Funny story of this week. Elder Reese and I were driving to go grab some dinner one night, and I asked him a simple question. I'm sure I have most likely asked all of you this question.....

"Elder Reese, where would you go in a zombie apocalypse?"

his response killed me

"Costco, there is plenty of food and guns and ammo and the zombies wouldn't be able to get in without a Costco membership card."

Needless to say, I was giggling so hard I had to pull the car over.

Anyway, sorry this is such a short email I'm not really sure what else to email about. not too eventful. we put out some tech fires I guess. I learned how to use a sound board in less than 5 mins? President played volleyball with me and some others last p-day? President made fun of me a lot over the course of zone conferences....... Well..... he does that all the time ;) I have a very strange relationship with my mission president. We are constantly making fun of each other in front of everyone. (Don't worry president and I have discussed our little battle of wits and we seem to be on the same page) and the best part is his wife gets in on it too. Usually Sister Wrights teasing isn’t directed at me but at President. But occasionally she will throw a jab at me haha. Sister Wright is my deep doctrine friend. If I have a question about the gospel she always has the answer it's amazing. Haha I have the coolest mission president/mission mom in the world. Nobody can beat them!

Anyway, that's all for this week! sorry I don't have much to report on. This week we have a lot of finding planned so hopefully I can find some good stories to report to you guys next week! Love you all! Happy 4th!!!! Launch a Ground Bloom into the neighbor’s yard for me! ;) ;) ;) Yes, that happened one year. 4th of July at the Field's is a party.

Love you guys!

-Elder Riley Field

1. Sound board and set up at the final zone conference 

2. The squad was wearing floral ties! (Ignore my Alf alfa hair.....)

3. So I'm trying to increase intake of water. So, I bought a gallon of water I carry around with me now to force myself to drink 1 of those a day..... well I had a crazy idea this morning. My parents sent me a bunch of Gatorade mix for my half way mark......... it had instructions to mix 1 gallon of it...... :)

4. The best drawing ever done by my little sister Alivia! isn't she so cool! :)