Elder Field Returns Home!!!!

And just like that, he is home!!

Elder Field Will Forever Remember These Last 2 Years. Peace Out Cali, It's Been Fun!

Wow 2 years are over already.... I can't believe that we are here alreadyt.... In some ways 2 years has flown by and in others it felt like it has crawled. But in all reality 2 years is 2 years. Time is time. It passes like it always does. But it's all about how you perceive it.

Before I go any further let me tell you of a really cool miracle I found out about this week. Do any of you remember a Daniel Robinson from my last area? The guy who drank so much freaking beer our first lesson?? Well guess what. He actually is getting baptized this coming Saturday! To be 100% honest I didn't have the greatest expectations for him getting baptized and neither did my companion, but we both just decided to give him the best shit we could give and look at him now. He has given up drinking, smoking, and all his drug problems, that an I'm pretty sure he was dealing drugs. Haha so he gave it all up. So that's super exciting! Guys people can change. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real! So, cool I was able to be a part of his changing his life. Missions are the coolest thing ever. 

This week was good, filled with a bunch of trying to get all the assignments I have been assigned to do done haha. All while trying to teach Preach and baptize ya know? ;) I'm organizing a musical number for some conference tomorrow, I was asked to teach in zone conference, I am helping the Zone leaders and the sister training leaders out with tech problems regarding power points and videos, helping with making a video for the Zone this last week, writing my talk for my homecoming (which by the way is super messed up that I have to write it on my mission, it's messing with my mind 😂😂😂) and getting family history started for the new converts, making sure they are in good hands before I leave. Setting up appointments for Erik down in San Mateo with his missionaries. It's just been crazy haha! But it's better than it being slow for the last little bit. It's good though, I love it! 

Man, I guess this is the part of the email where I get to reflect on the past 2 years...... I will first start of by saying, if there is anyone reading this that is pondering about a mission. Do it. No ifs ands or buts. Just do it. You will not regret it. It’s hard, it's difficult, but it's amazing. I guess I will just end with my testimony. I know this is all true. It's all real, it's all so very very real. The Book of Mormon is real! You can find out for yourself! Read and pray. Go to the guy with all the answers. He will tell you what's true and what's not. Joseph Smith is and was a prophet. He saw what he said he saw! I know that he saw God the father and God the son at 14 years old! That's the same age as my little brother! And I know it's true because I read and prayed about the book of Mormon, and the experience I had while in Carthage jail, the feeling I felt was super strong and I know it was God telling me it’s true. I will add my testimony to the one elder Holland bore on 2009 of the October General conference. 

"Now, I did not sail with the brother of Jared in crossing an ocean, settling in a new world. I did not hear King Benjamin speak his angelically delivered sermon. I did not proselyte with Alma and Amulek nor witness the fiery death of innocent believers. I was not among the Nephite crowd who touched the wounds of the resurrected Lord, nor did I weep with Mormon and Moroni over the destruction of an entire civilization. But my testimony of this record and the peace it brings to the human heart is as binding and unequivocal as was theirs. Like them, “[I] give [my name] unto the world, to witness unto the world that which [I] have seen.” And like them, “[I] lie not, God bearing witness of it.”

                I ask that my testimony of the Book of Mormon and all that it implies, given today under my own oath and office, be recorded by men on earth and angels in heaven. I hope I have a few years left in my “last days,” but whether I do or do not, I want it absolutely clear when I stand before the judgment bar of God that I declared to the world, in the most straightforward language I could summon, that the Book of Mormon is true, that it came forth the way Joseph said it came forth and was given to bring happiness and hope to the faithful in the travail of the latter days."

And I leave you those closing words in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Peace out Cali, it's been real. I leave those I love that I have labored for to you. I will be back! Love ya! 

The closing of this chapter of my life is sad, but I'm excited for the next. Who wants to join me? 

God is Good,

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

Elder Field Gets A 30 Minute Long Sermon About How He Is Going To Hell

Hey friends and family!

Haha yeah....... Let me tell you this story before I say anything else. I was reading a really awesome talk one day while eating dinner. (We didn't have a dinner that night.) It was called Becoming a Consecrated Missionary. I was all pumped. I like to read it when I need some good motivation. Well, I was super pumped, ready to go, we picked a street and wen to go tract it all out. We knocked a few doors. There was this one house that had this really cool rock path way up to the door. I was so pumped. We knocked on the door and he let us right in! Gave us water and then gave me a 30 min sermon about why I'm going to hell and how we worship a false Jesus, and how every Mormon will NOT enter into the kingdom of heaven....... yeah....... that was rough hahaha we just finished the sermon. I wished him a great day and told him he was a beautiful child of God and then we left, BUT we went outside now that all of our finding time taken up. While walking to the car we found a really awesome Spanish referral for the Spanish elders so all in all we found a new gator just not for us

Anyway, this week was pretty good. Just a lot of finding and trying to get back into the new normal with only 1 companion again. It was amazing how quickly we got used to 3 people. So, we are getting back in the swing of things. but we are still doing some teaching. We had some sad things happen this week. Steve Meza who was super promising dropped us this week D: doesn't want to learn. That and James Voorhees we had to drop..... it made me sooooo sad!!! D:D:D: But hopefully in the future he will be ready to progress. But we are just trying to get out and find a bunch of people. 

The Minnier's are still doing amazing. Working on their family history right now!!! So excited! Joe is doing the same. We are going to get them to the temple as soon as their records show up. :D WOOOOOOO!!!

I guess the time has come to let everyone know..... Yes, I'm coming home in 2 weeks. So, if you’re my friend and you want to come hear me speak in church, I will be speaking June 17th at 408 W 1300 N, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062 (I don't know the time..... haha... hopefully I will find that out soon) But that is one of the reasons I'm trying to get out there and give it my all and why my emails are lame and short now.... I really have loved my mission. I’m so incredibly sad that it's coming to a close.... but I know my missionary service doesn't end in the field. It will continue back home. God is so good, and I have learned so many valuable lessons. I have learned how to work. And to find joy in the little things. But I know it's not over yet. And I'm going to keep working as hard as I can until the last minute. :D I love you all!!! Have a wonderful week!!

God is Good,

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

Elder Field Has Now Memorized The Paw Patrol Theme Song

Hey friends and family! 

No, Elder Field has not been a naughty missionary. Whenever we go to a family's home and the have little kids, they always seem to be watching Paw-Patrol. Especially the Minnier's son Cody. He loves that show. So sometimes while we are visiting them and teaching them a lesson Paw-Patrol is on in the backround. So needless to say, I know all the characters and their theme song. So, you could kinda say I'm a pretty big fan now. ;)

Anyway, this week was a good week. We had a lot of good lessons along with some good finding opportunities. We weren't able to teach Joe this week. He was up in Montana visiting some family, but he is back now and we are excited to get to work with him. We were able to go see the Minnier's a few times and explained our plan to get them to the temple as quick as possible. Steve said he really wants to see what they look like in the inside. So, when we told him he would get that chance he was pretty excited. So, we have them started on family history. Looking for some good names to take to the temple. 

We had a lesson with our new investigator Steve Meza! Turns out, he is actually pretty solid!! I'm super pumped. He wants to come to church more and learn more about God and Jesus Christ. He has no religious background what so ever so it's cool cuz we are starting from the ground up. We talked about prayer and our relationship with Heavenly Father. He is really digging it and Is having some cool experience with prayer. I'm happy for him!

So sad news..... I will be losing one of my companions...... Elder Koelliker will be heading home. He has had some struggles. I love him to death and I wish him the best! 

Anyway, that's all from me this week!! Love you all and wish you all a wonderful week!

Here is a photo of us right here right now because I forgot to take pictures this week :]

God is Good,

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

A diagram I wrote up for an investigator

Elder Field Is Still Here Knocking Doors!

As you can see I can't really think of a more creative subject line. so that will have to do for this week! Anyway, we were able to see some freaking awesome things this week! FIRST OFF!!!

STEVE AND CHRISTANA MINNIER AND JOE CHANDLER ALL GOT BAPTIZED THIS SATURDAY AND WERE CONFIRMED YESTERDAY!!!! Oh man I love them all so much! They are all so good!! The baptism was amazing, the spirit was so strong, and there were a ton of members there to support them. It just was fantastic.  The week prior to the baptism was horribly hectic...... lessons canceling, many times thinking "man I don't know if they are going to make it to Saturday", but alas it all worked out and now they are officially members of the church! And they are all so happy!!! We had a chance to talk to them a little bit after they were baptized, and they were all just so happy.  They all were glowing with the radiance of a new soul committed to follow Christ. It was so good. Anyway, we aren’t done yet with them. Next stop is the temple and we are going to start preparing them to take ancestor names to the temple!!!! :D

The rest of the week was good, we were crazy busy as always. We were able to finish our first "family mission plan" experience. I don't remember if I told yall this but, we are going around to members of the ward creating family mission plans.  We did one with the Trevino family, who actually were taught and baptized by a couple of really good missionary friends. But we sat down with them and they were so enthusiastic about the entire thing!! They loved it and came up with some really solid ideas for a mission statement along with some really good ideas for a plan. I'm so pumped to go visit other members of the ward. I just hope they are excited as the Trevinos were! :D

Other than that, we were able to pick up a few new investigators this week. One named Steve M. and the other named Louis. So hopefully we can start meeting g with them regularly, because we are running low on the investigator department hahah.... I guess that's a good problem to have right now. :D But I'm pumped to get back out there and knock a bunch of doors. It’s strange but at the beginning of the mission I hated knocking doors, but now it's almost therapeutic. Whenever I'm feeling down or I'm just not up to do missionary work that day, I always ask my companions if we could knock doors for like 30 mins and afterward I feel great and am ready to get back to it. It's awesome!

Anyway, I think that's all for me! I love you all and wish you the best of weeks! God is real, Jesus loves you, Joseph Smith was and Is a prophet, and the Book of Mormon is the work of God and is the actual historic account of the people who once inhabited this land. And I'm every so grateful for their stories.  

God is Good,

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

Elder Field Is Still Going

So, I had my Skype call yesterday, and I really have no motivation to email haha. I know I didn't talk to friends on that call but hey, I hope you all understand, I love you all lots! We had a great week though! We had some awesome lessons with our investigators. Joe chandler and Steve and Christana Minnier all passed their interview and they will be baptized this week! Really excited about that. But if you want more of an update y’all can email me haha!  I would be more than happy to provide. I just don't want to type it all up right now haha. Love you all lots.   Talk to you next week! 

God is Good

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

Elder Field Is "GOING THE DISTANCE!"

Now with that subject line I realize you can draw 2 different references from it. Just so you all know it's not from the Hercules movie, but it's absolutely the one from the band Cake. :D 

Friends and family this week was a wonderful week! A very long and stressful week, but a good week none the less. We got Transfer docs yesterday! I will be staying here in woodland while getting another companion. D: goodbye zebra companionship. It was wonderful while I had it! We could contact ANYONE! Except those that spoke Punjabi........ surprisingly there are a lot of people who speak that here in woodland..... crazy..... Anyway, back on topic! My new companion is Elder McGladrie! And I actually just got a phone call while typing this from the mission president and found out I will be receiving an additional companion!! Hahaha Elder Field will be in a trio this transfer!!! His name is Elder Kalicher? I think that's how you spell it? I'm not sure. I have never met him before, but this was a last-minute change, so this should be fun. What I thought was going to be a relaxing p-day is now going to be spent trying to make our apartment a 3-man apartment. It's gonna be a tighter fit but I think we can do it :D maybe..... hahah...... 

Anyway, this week was a great week! We were able to reset Steve and Christana Minnie's baptism date for the 19th! They are going good! Steve is still pushing through is problems but is doing super awesome. He just wants to get baptized so bad! Man, that guy is awesome! So, they are doing great.

We had a lesson with Trayvone! It was a great lesson on baptism! He even accepted a baptismal date which is super awesome! He is getting baptized in August. It's a little far out but he definitely needs that time to really learn and study. We aren't sure how much he is retaining. So, we are going to take teaching super slow. He is a way cool kid who is just looking to change his life. He has had some hard circumstances growing up. But the one thing I know will help is the gospel. It's a gospel of change! It truly is!! I have seen so many people change while on my mission. For the better!!! I love this gospel for that fact alone. It seems to be the only thing that can bring lasting change and happiness for all time and eternity. Man, everyone needs the gospel.

Joe Chandler’s baptismal date needs to be pushed back so we are also pushing his back to the 19th of May! so we are shooting for 3 baptisms on the 19th! I really think they can all do it! I'm so proud of all of them and how much they have grown since I have first met them it’s so cool!!!

Emma is....... *Sigh* being a 16-year-old girl..... haha she just is fighting the spirit so hard.... she doesn't want to admit that she has felt the holy ghost and received answers. But we are still working with her. I'm praying my guts out lately for some sort of direction with her. We just can't seem to find anything that clicks...... but hopefully the new elders will bring in some good perspectives and fresh ideas! We will see! They both are in their first year of their missions so hopefully we got some great new insights! 

Anyway, I think that's about it for us. We have been just working hard and trying to find more and more people to teach. That and work with our members in helping them become more missionary minded. We came up with an idea! We are going to help every family in the ward come up with a family mission plan!! To start off we are visiting them and sharing a super powerful spiritual message and then having them come up with a Mission statement for their family mission plan. So, because I didn't want to ask anyone to do something I wouldn't do. I created my own mission statement for my member missionary work. It's -

Riley, Lovest Thou Me? Feed my Sheep

Now I’m not sure if it's an official statement, but I like the phrase. It comes out of John 21. Go check it out. It's my FAVORITE chapter in the 4 gospels. Along with checking out that chapter, go read "The First Great Commandment" by Jeffrey R. Holland. It will change your life friends, I promise :D

Anyway, I'm still coming up with the plans for my mission plan but it's a work in progress. I have ideas just not concrete things. 

But I think that's all from me! I love you all! I love being a missionary! Even though I'm entering this last transfer I'm super excited just to give it my all, and not look back. I will try to email every week but if I don't send a mass email it's because I'm lame and really didn't want to. But I will try to send something!! even if it's a dorky picture or video hahaha. Which I might have one this week, so we will see! The gospel is true!!!! The Book of Mormon IS THE WORD OF GOD! And Joseph Smith IS a prophet. Had a run in with a guy who tried to contend me on the Joseph Smith's validity of being a prophet. Man. He is. No one can convince me otherwise. I know what I felt. I know the feeling I felt while reading the Book of Mormon. I know the feeling I felt while I sat in Carthage Jail as a kid. I know the joy this church brings. I know that this is all real!!! I say it all the time but the biggest blessing that has come to me on my mission has been the fact that I have realized how real this all is. It's not just stories, or things that are made up. Guys, God is real. Jesus really did die for us. Heaven is real, which means Satan is for real. This world is a battle for our hearts. It's my prayer that we give them to god and follow his divine plan for us. I know these things are true. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen.

God is Good,

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

Elder Field Is Shocked It's Already May!

Man..... It's May already?? Well, almost May, tomorrow is May, but still! Where did the month of April go? Wow!  Anyway, I don’t have too much to report, we have some good things going on though let me tell ya! 

(I'm going to put a warning this is going to be a short one) 

Anyway, we had awesome lessons with Emma and Joe! They both are making awesome progress. We had a church tour with Joe and it was awesome!! He told us he is absolutely going to get baptized! He asked us to be his witnesses and he is going to have his brother, who is a member, to baptize him. So, we are getting ready for him! We are super pumped! 

Emma had a great experience at her last lesson! We brought a member. His name is Brother Stone! And wow. I decided I want to be just like Brother Stone when I grow up. He presented everything in such a way that she was able to grasp. We found out she is actually scared of what happens after baptism. She also said that she wants to be baptized! So, we are going to work with her to get to that point. 

We found a crazy kid named Trayvone. Contacted us through is window while we were knocking on his neighbor’s door. So, we were talked to him and taught him a lesson and he wants to know more! He is crazy, but we love him to death! We asked if he had been baptized and was like, "No..... Man.... That's important huh?" We said, "Yeah man we can help you that!" He said he was down. Haha so we are going to work with him. 

I think that's all for this week. It was a good week, we did a ton of door knocking and we are still working hard, we are going to go hard this last week of the transfer.

I love you all! 

God is Good,

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

Elder Field Isn't Done Changing Yet!

Wow, this week, so many amazing things happened. We had MLC and lessons with our awesome investigators! Set a baptismal date for one of our investigators who I totally thought we were gonna drop. #BlessingsOfBringingAMemberToLessons, I Gave a talk in church with 2 days’ notice. #LifeOfAMissionary and Elder Field realized that he still has a long road ahead of him. There still is a lot of things I need to change about myself. Anywho! Enough introduction, let's jump into the story, shall we? 

This week was wonderful! We had a few lessons with Steve and Christana before they took off to San Jose for the weekend. But we were able to sit down with them and share about temples and families. And all the amazing things that happen in the temple and how they can be sealed as a family! They loved it of course and accepted each thing we taught them about. They even talked about getting sealed. They really want to do that. The lessons were difficult of course because Cody, the Tasmania Devil, was out and about. And boy was he on one, but even though he was bouncing off the walls, the spirit was strong, and they enjoyed the message. We have to move their baptismal date back because Steve hasn't quite quit his habit yet, but!!!! He is making huge progress and we are proud of him. We are going over tonight to make a plan with him on how he is going to kick it. We feel good that by May 5th he can have it kicked. ;) That's when his new date will be :D missions are so stinking cool!

I was able to do an exchange with Elder Hiening. He is from Paraguay. Speaks good English. But it was super fun. He is brand new. First transfer. We knocked a ton of doors, talked to a ton of people, had some great lessons. And guess what????? We ate some amazing food! Did you know that Elder Hiening, before his mission, was a chef! At a Japanese restaurant! So, he cooked me a really fancy lunch haha. He asked me what I had at the apartment for lunch and I said...... "Uhhhmmmm chicken and some rice...... Not a lot of options." He then responded, "I can work with that." He then proceeded to make the best dang chicken and rice I have ever tasted. It was awesome. He like looked at the spices we had in the apartment and sighed and said, "Not much to work with but.... I will see what I can do." He did well. Let me tell you. I have a picture of the meal. He even plated it really fancy haha. He is an awesome guy. It was a super fun exchange! We found a new investigator named Enes! Cool story for just a quick second. We knocked on her door and started to talk to her and she said, "Oh sorry I don't live here I'm just visiting my son while my apartment is being renovated." We quickly asked if there was a time we could drop by her place and she said yes!!!! We briefly mentioned what we would be sharing and gave her a pamphlet with a discover.mormon.org website card in it. We asked her to check out the pamphlet and that we could discuss it on Monday at 7! She happily accepted! Well about an hour later, we get this text from the referral center missionaries saying that they had a referral for us! We got all pumped and asked who it was and guess what! It was Enes! She had gone online and actually checked out the pamphlet and website and ordered a Bible and Book of Mormon! So that was pretty cool! She actually did what we asked her to do. That's rare! haha ;) so hopefully things turn out well!

We were able to have a lesson with Emma this week as well. Our good old logical heavy metal 16-year-old didn't quite understand why Jesus Christ was a thing. So, we were able to explain the laws of justice and mercy and man!!! The spirit was so strong!!!!! We bore some awesome testimony about the two laws only being fulfilled by a mediator! The two laws of justice and mercy was the thing that really helped me develop a testimony of the savior. It made sense why we needed him. I was so happy to be able to share what made my testimony real with her. And she understood. The lesson as going super well and then we mentioned baptism as one of the steps to paying the Savior back, because we are now in debt to him. She didn't like the baptism thing........ so, we hit a road block there, but we have some ideas to get around that. Hopefully we can set a new baptismal date with her. I’m praying my guts out that she is reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. That's the way she can know this is all true. It's the way she can know if we are actually representatives of the lord Jesus Christ. It boils down to, is the Book of Mormon true. :D she will get it soon. I just know it.

We had a lesson with Joe yesterday as well. I don't know if I have ever mentioned Joe before. I didn't really think he would progress because he was being really stubborn. He is the brother of a member in the ward who is really solid. We started teaching him after we had dinner with him and his brother. Joe is a cool guy, super nice, loves the lord. But he is just very set in his ways. So, we have had multiple lessons with him and he wasn't progressing. So, this last lesson was kind of a last ditch effort before we dropped him. We brought our ward mission leader. And WOW. Brother Henneke is a stud!!!! He walked in, built an instance connection with the guy, and basically challenged him to be baptized. There was a little bit of resistance due to some questions Joe had, we were able to answer them, and he accepted a baptismal date!!!!!!!! For May 12th!!!! LIKE WHAT?!?!??!? I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST GOING TO BE A FUN "LETS SEE WHERE YOUR AT SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH YOU" lesson but we left with him wanting to be baptized. man...... crazy stuff...... the lord really showed me. Not that I didn't have the faith that Joe could change. I just didn't think It would happen so soon. Lord proved me wrong. The lords timing is a strange thing isn't it. hahah.

So I gave a talk in church..... it was awful..... I did horrible....... man..... it was so scattered brained..... but I think I got to point across..... man..... it was ...... woof...... not one of my finer moments..... I blame it on the fact that I had a 2 days’ notice and wasn't able to refine it......... hahah... anyway I made some people laugh and I bore testimony of the restoration, so I did my job as a missionary ;)

We had MLC this week.... and man. I had a really big realization. I already knew I wasn't anywhere close to being the type of leader/teacher as the savior was. But I realized how bad I want to be like him. I know I will never reach it in this life (which by the way is the most frustrating thing in my mind because I'm hard on myself hahaha) but we had a really cool section at MLC we're we took apart the type of servant leader the savior was. How he dealt with situation, certain attributes that he had that we need to develop. And boy, there's a lot that I'm missing. But I'm really going to try hard to develop as many as I can before I got home. I most definitely have changed since being out here.... but there is such a long road ahead of me. :D Good thing The lord is on my side. ;) He can guide me through how I can be better. I just need to be careful about asking him. Because he shows me ALL the areas I need to improve let me tell ya. hahah.

Anywho, I think that's all from me! I Love you all! I wish you the best! I know that the God loves us! Joseph Smith was a prophet! And the Book of Mormon is true! I know it! And I can't deny it! So, I will keep telling people until I'm blue in the face! I love you all!!

God is Good,

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

Lunch with Elder Hiening!

My companion and I! :D

Missionary Leadership Council   4/21/18

Elder Field Meets A Millionaire.....At Least He Claims

Hey family and "Dear associates in the work of the Lord" (just felt like I needed to use that President Monson quote there) This week was a good week. We did a lot of finding with little success, but we still were out there doing the Lord’s work trying to find those who are ready. We will receive the blessings that come sooner or later ;) I can feel we are close to finding this perfect investigator. Just got to find them. Our investigators are doing super good. We had to push Steve and Christana's baptismal date back a week. We just felt like we were rushing to get them baptized on that date. So, we decided it would just be better to push it back :) plus it gives us more time to help Steve. They are such good people. We actually were quite afraid they had dropped us this week. We went almost 5 days without communication and they canceled like 2 lessons. So, we were starting to panic. Because we usually text them about once a day and have like a good conversation with them. But turns out they were just going through a hard time. But they are good now. Totally understand the baptismal interview questions and they believe everything and they are working through all their problems. They are sooooo goooooood. I love those guys. No other run in with their son cody. Man, that kid is a fireball. I can only describe him as Sonic the Hedgehog (hopefully you know who that is) hyped up on crack or something. Because wow. What a kid. But I think I might go buy something today that might help. You want to know how to get to a kid’s heart when you are a missionary???

Stickers.

Stickers makes you the coolest missionary in the world I have applied this practice before with great success. We shall see if that is something he will like :D #PawPatrolStickersHereICome #PowerRangerStickers? #Absolutely

Anyway, Emma is still Emma. We were able to have a lesson yesterday. She really opened up this week. Which actually shocked us a little bit. We found out she doesn't quite understand why Jesus Christ was a thing. She also just doesn't quite want it bad enough. She keeps saying she hasn't gotten an answer. But like I said before I think she has and she just hasn't recognized it or doesn't want to recognize it. But I also feel that if she really hasn't gotten an answer it's because she doesn't want it bad enough. The Lord asks us our all. He asks us to deny ourselves of all ungodliness and follow him. To give everything up. She said she is afraid she will lose her personality if she joins the church that she will become a mindless drone. Or a sheep. Ultimately when I needed answers, or I needed something from God I personally have to be willing to do WHATEVER it takes to get an answer before God will give me one. And I kinda feel like it needs to be the same with Emma. We told her that God isn't going to ask us to give up our personality, but we have to be willing to give it away in order to follow god. He won't ask us to do that though. I don't know if that makes sense, but it makes sense in my brain so yeah. :D She is still doing well. Just got to help her see the importance of Jesus Christ.

We did some service at a homeless shelter. And man, we found the coolest of potential investigators. Her name is Isabell. She is a volunteer who volunteers EVERYDAY at the homeless shelter. She helps cook and clean and just do things there. While her husband is at work and her kids are at school she goes and volunteers at the homeless shelter. We signed up to go every Thursday. She was so cool and so kind. She asked a ton of questions. We didn't invite her to meet with us yet. We are gonna let the friendship build before we extend an invitation. She was super cool and super kind. So ready. So prepared! We are excited to see where that goes!!!!!

Wow this email is going to be a lengthy one but let me explain Ernesto. Oh man what a guy. So, we were walking down the street. It was a rough day, not gonna lie, we faced a lot of rejection, but we were walking down the street and he was staring at a car in his driveway. We asked him how he day was. And then he just stared at us and then said, "Not good my friends, I have wrecked 2 cars in the past 2 days." He then went on to just vent to us about how his week was and then he paused and said, "Do you want to come in and share your message with me?" We jumped on the opportunity and went inside with him. Met his 3 kids. But then he just went off about how he wasn't happy! That he had millions of dollars in the bank, he has traveled the world, he was born into a rich family and has worked to get his own fortune, and how he had a collection of Rolex watches, and he had art that is thousands of dollars so on and so forth. But that he wasn't happy at all. In fact, he was pretty miserable. So, he said he if we have something that would help he was willing to hear anything we had to tell him. So, we talked really briefly about God and his belief in them. He answered really briefly. It was such a strange experience. Man, this guy, I'm not sure how true it all is. But if it is man. I would not want to be in his shoes. He expressed he just doesn't see the point of life anymore. So, we explained what our purpose was and how he can find relief. He agreed to let us come over and meet with him more. He seemed genuinely excited to meet with us again and said he liked us a lot. We think he may have been drinking a little bit beforehand, but I felt some sincerity from him. After we shared that message he gave us a tour of his house. It was a nice house. Not like WOW THIS IS Amazing, but not a small house by any means. He showed us a Darth Vader mask he bought. It was pretty cool. I absolutely took a picture with it on. Hopefully I can get the picture from my companion before I send this email off. ;) it was fun. Ernesto is also in the picture. What a guy. Boy does he have a potty mouth, and slightly racist hahahahah!!!

 I got to go on exchanges with the AP's this week. And I got to go with Elder Harris! My old companion! Oh man it was so good. He is such a stud. It was good to catch up with him and makes plans for hanging out in the future and just talking about missionary work and how we have changed just in the past few months since we have been companions. It feels like yesterday I was companions with him. But then I realized I have been through 3 companions and almost 5 transfers since I have been with him haha. Crazy how time flies. But we did a ton of door knocking. Found a new investigator named Komal! She is way cool. College student. She is from India and she intently listened to the message of the restoration and loved it. But later in the week she sent us a text explaining how busy she was in this part of her life that how she would love to give time to spirituality and religion, but she is just too busy.

Man..... That is such a common answer we get. "Man, I would love to! But I'm just too busy right now." It makes me so sad. Because if only they knew that this would help them in their temporal things just as much as it would help them spiritually they would jump on this opportunity. But alas, we try to explain that, and they still think they are too busy. If I ever utter those words in the future that I'm too busy for a calling, too busy to go and minister to someone, too busy to take time to "be still and know that [He] is God", May God strike me down. I have truly realized the importance of all this. Friends.....This gospel, the book, Joseph Smith, the translation, the priesthood, Angels, Miracles, the gifts of the spirit, the savior suffering for you and for me...... It's all real. All of it. I plead, or to use a more scriptural term, I Exhort you, all who read these emails, to take some time..... ponder about these things. Really find out for yourself, do you know these are true? Is this a reality? Or is it just another story that people tell? Find out for yourself. Read the Book of Mormon, pray about it. Seek God. He is your Heavenly Father. And he loves so much. He will answer you. I promise :) Hopefully we have that kind of relationship that you can trust me ;)

I testify that I know that God is real and so Good, I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that Joseph Smith saw what he said he saw. Not a doubt in my mind that he did. I remember those feelings I had when I as at Carthage Jail. I also remembers those feelings I have while reading the Book of Mormon. I know that the Savior lives. He knows and loves us. He died for me and for you. He is the Savior for the world. And he wants to help us! We just need to ask and then work for it. ;) I love you all and I leave this with you in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

 God is Good,

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

We were knocking doors and look what we found. Yes, that is a live bird chilling in the corner. Scared the crap out of me. 

Elder Field Doesn't Really Know What Happened This Week But It Was Cool

Wow!! Friends and family what a week!!! Like.... WOW..... so many miracles..... Idk where to begin!!! I'm doing amazing! The area is amazing! God is amazing! Missionary work is amazing! Woodland is...... Hot..... but also, amazing! And I'm just enjoying life! Man okay. I'm going to shut up and explain what happened this week!

Alright well it all started with Wed. Wed was the amazing day.  So, we have an investigating family named the Minniers. They are so solid. Steve, Christana (pronounced chris-anna like Anna from Frozen)  and their little son Cody who is 3. Well for starters, Cody is the most ill-behaved child I have ever met. So, lessons with him are exhausting. But I love him anyway. The reason I explain Cody as such is the lessons with this family are rather difficult when Cody is a little more rambunctious than usual. And he was unfortunately. But we had planned to teach them the Word of Wisdom. Both of them have Word of Wisdom issues but want to quit even before we talked about this. But we started talking about it and boy..... it was tough to teach...... toys were being thrown, I got punch a couple of times, there was a stuffed Pluto (from Disney) that pegged me in the face 3 times during the lesson. It was not geared up to be the best of lessons. But anyway, we kept at it and after praying really hard for something to happen Cody just...... wandered into the back room and didn't come back out..... like....... gone...... poof!...... So, my companion and I took that as an opportunity to hit them with some doctrinal fire! We did so and OH MAN! The spirit was so strong! We were so bold! We invited them to throw away their coffee and to hand over their cigarettes and that if they did they would have an added measure of strength added to them trying to quit. AND THEY DID IT!! STEVE JUST THREW US HIS FULL CARTON THAT BE BOUGHT 1O MINS BEFORE. I could have screamed and cried with joy when he did that. We watched them dump their coffee down the sink it was beautiful. They are so ready. After this amazing experience the spirit was too strong to not extend a baptismal date. So again, being bold, we invited them to be baptized on the 21st of April. Yeah that's like 2 weeks away but we both felt good about it, so we extended it to them AND GUESS WHAT!! THEY ACCEPTED IT!!! And they are pumped to get baptized!!! They came to church this week. They had attended General Conference the week before. They are just on the fast track to baptism and everything is going to strong..... man I love those guys...... so many miracles. Now I know what you’re wondering? What happened to Cody?? He just went to bed...... a hahaha he was tired I guess and just laid down and went to bed. Man...... the spirit is awesome. First, shutting the mouths of lions that are about to eat Daniel and then he is tiring out 3-year olds. Man. God truly is a God of miracles. 

Miracle 2, we had a lesson with Emma. She is a 16-year-old. And oh man... ... how do I explain Emma........ So, she is 16 wears black all the time, likes heavy metal, and is super logical it's scary. She uses big words that I don't understand sometimes........ okay most of the time. I'm a simple man what can I say? Anyway, my wonderful companion elder Baumgarten told me that they were struggling to make progress with Emma. Even though she has a baptismal date for the 28th she is super combative when she feels like she disagrees with something....... the only way I can describe her is she is just...... a punk.... hahaha I love her to death though. We get along well. But anyhow the lesson we had planned was just to read out of the Book of Mormon with her. We went in and BAM! She hits us with some questions about the choosing of a new prophet and how she thinks we do it wrong and how (And I quote) "Couldn't possibly be a divine process". Now another thing about Emma. From the minute I saw her I knew she knows the church is true. Without a doubt in my mind. She knows it’s true. She just doesn't realize it yet. She hasn't gotten that confirmation from the Holy Ghost about the Book of Mormon. But she knows. I don't know how I know that. I just know. Anyway. She hits us with his question and we "discuss" about it. The reason I put in in quotation marks is basically we explained how it worked and she just continually told us we were wrong. ANYWAY. We solved that concern and then she threw another question at us. And then another. And another. Finally, There came a point in the conversation that we got it to the point that what the question she was really asking was, "Was Joseph Smith a Prophet?" Ultimately everything we do is based off the fact that Joseph Smith was a prophet. So, she can get that answer by????????? Drum roll please!! Reading and praying about the Book of Mormon!! After talking about that for a little bit, I took a different route. I just decided to listen. And to look into her eyes. To really see how God sees her. While she was talking I just kept being felt with such a love for this child of God sitting in front of me. Finally, after my companion beautifully taught about how we can get an answer, I felt a strong impression to talk about the pre requisites to getting an answer. A sincere heart and real intent. The sincere heart part was easy. But the real intent part was the tricky one. One thing led to another and we had control of the situation. We shared Alma 22. About King Lamoni’s father and what he was willing to do to get an answer. We told her that if she wants an answer that bad she has to be willing to give EVERYTHING UP. We explained how God wouldn't ask her to do so. BUT was she willing to give it all up to know God? She understood it. But then was confused on why God would make us show him we want an answer. Her statement was, "Doesn't God already know I want it bad enough?" We said yes, he does. We then went to when Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Issac and how Abraham was asked to give all to follow God's commandments. But then at the last second, he was stopped by an angel. She asked, "Well why do we have to prove it to God?" We told her sometimes the Lord wants to make sure we will do it. He knows all things, but maybe there is more to the fact he made Abraham do what he did. Maybe he was trying to prove it to Abraham. My companion then stated, "Maybe God is trying to get Emma to prove it to Emma." 

This is the point where the spirit did a mic drop and boy was it powerful. 

All while we were just looking at Emma in the eyes. She then said, "Well what do I need to give up to get an answer then?" We told her to ask God. He would tell her. She nodded and said, "That makes logical sense I suppose." MAN, WHAT A LESSON. I have such a strong testimony of being bold and just really looking at people in the eyes. Who ever said the eyes are the windows to the soul was so true! 

Anyway, sorry this one was so long just to explain 2 lessons. I felt like I jipped you all out of an email last week, so this is me making up. The rest of the week was awesome. We had 8 investigators at church, so that was cool. And we picked up 3 really solid new investigators, so that was nice. We are busy busy in Woodland. And I love it. Even if I walk through the door at night and want to fall asleep immediately, I wouldn't change it for the world. I'm going to finish sprinting. And I know with the help of God many more miracles will follow. God is so so Good. I have also learned the importance of high expectations. If you assume you’re not going to make a difference you won’t. But if you have high expectations and plan to make a difference you will. It's all a mind game. The Book of Mormon is true. Joseph Smith is a prophet. We have a modern-day prophet by the name of Russell M. Nelson. I have a testimony of the power of the hymns. And I love my savior. He knows us and loves s and has made it possible for us to CHANGE! It just requires a little bit of repentance. But it's possible. Anyone can change. 

I love you all!! Have a wonderful week!

God is Good!

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

Elder Field Got A Bloody Nose While Knocking Doors....But We Picked Up A New Investigator From It!!

Hey family!! 

This is probably going to be a short one because I'm super distracted. Man, but woodland. What a place. I desperately miss my good old Eureka though..... like a lot ...... but alas the Lord has other plans for me. But I think I'm starting to like it here. The area has a ton of potential, and I'm excited to get going. 

Anyway! It was a fantastic Conference! Like wow! So many fantastic changes that will seriously help the church membership! I'm low-key kinda bummed about the home teaching thing. I wanted to be the best dang home teacher on the planet, but now I will be the best minister on the planet! 

So funny story of the week. While knocking some doors. My face just decided to release all of the blood in my body through both nostrils.  While bleeding all over the place and all over my shirt (rip white shirt) we were thinking about how we take care of this. So, we went and knocked on a member’s door, no answer, so we took a risk and assumed that if someone knocked on my door and were bleeding I would help them out. So, we knocked on some random persons door and what do you know they answered and we guess what! We picked them up as a new investigator! So, I will assume God made my nose bleed on purpose. So, woo! That was pretty fun. They said they would read the Book of Mormon and pray about it!!

I think that's all for now! Sorry it's lame and short. I'm trying to get to know the zone, so sorry it's short. I love you all and I hope to hear from you! Make sure you take the Prophet’s council to study the talks!!! I have already started and wow it's pretty stinking cool! Love you all lots!  

God is Good,

Cheers! 

Elder Field Is Going To Miss Eureka

Hey Friends and Family!

Well, I have sad news today.... Elder Field is being transferred..... I'm actually pretty sad about it I have really grown to love the people of the Humboldt Ysa branch!! I have made a ton of friends. I think that just naturally happens when the branch is about 15 people strong! ;) I have made some lifelong friends up here that I will for sure keep in contact with. Man..... I just can't believe that my time up here is done....Feels like yesterday I got transferred up here. But before I talk about the things I have learned while serving up here let me tell ya where I'm going!

I'm going to Woodland California! I'm going to be serving in the Woodland First Ward.  Woodland is just north west of Sacramento if yall know where Sacramento is :D My new companion is (and I'm going to slaughter the spelling) Elder Baumgarten.  He actually is a Spanish elder! So that means I'm officially in a zebra companionship! (That's just when an English elder and a Spanish elder are companions!) Hopefully that means I will be able to pick up a little more Spanish before my time is up. Guys..... It's crazy to think that Woodland might be my last area (this was also another reason I was sad about transferring) Man time..... Where did it go?

Anyway, things I have learned while serving up in the north ;)

I have learned that even if someone is kinda weird, they are still a human with a ton of potential. Especially if you see them as God sees them. And they can become a pretty amazing friend. 

I realized how important each function of the church is to the overall wellbeing of a unit. The church organization is so inspired and is a well-oiled machine if run properly. 

I realized the importance of home teaching. Even though it never really happened while in the branch, I finally can see the importance of it.

I learned that you truly can have a strong connection to your Heavenly Father through prayer. Prayer is always something I never really understood. I'm still trying to figure out how to really talk to my Heavenly Gather instead of just saying prayers. But I feel like for once in my life, I really was talking to a living breathing being. Who loves me. 

The importance of daily repentance. To be honest I figured this one out in my first area, but it was just reaffirmed to me while serving here. Especially if you want to progress in life or in your own personal growth.  Either physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Repentance is always necessary. That's how we change. That’s how we let God help. He will show us the areas we need to improve. 

I have learned I am terribly unathletic, but I have the power to change that haha. And boy do I have some goals when I come home :D

I have learned that this life is a battle. A legit battle. It's a battle for our hearts. Between good and evil, who is going to win our heart. The cool thing is we have a huge part in that battle. After all, we do have our agency and in large part it’s just a choice we need to make. Are ya gonna follow God, or are you gonna shun him?

I have learned when you know the church is true. You can't pick and choose which commandments you are gonna live. If the Book of Mormon is true.  All of the things we are commanded to do, come from God. Our loving Heavenly Father. You are either all in or all out. You may receive partial blessings for following only a few commandments, BUT to truly be able to receive all that the father has is by doing all that he asks us to do.

Anyway, that's just a few things I have learned. And I hope to keep learning a ton from each area I serve in and each person I meet. Anyway, let's talk about some exciting things that have happened!

DIANA GOT BAPTIZED!!! YAY!! Hahaha after a long journey Diana has become an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and she loves it. I will make sure to send some photos. The baptism went super smooth. We had a cool moment. She actually was pretty sick before the baptism. It lasted like a full week before the baptism. So, a day before her baptism we offered a blessing. She was pretty hesitant because she didn't want to get us sick. But we promised we wouldn't get sick and that this blessing would help. She was a little skeptical if it would, but she agreed and let us come over and do it. And guess what!! Just like we promised, the next morning she woke up feeling super great! She sent us a text the moment she woke up and assessed how she was feeling. She was so happy and appreciative and said, "Wow those blessing things work. They really do work. I'm getting a blessing every time I'm sick." The priesthood is pretty cool. Anyway, Saturday she was baptized and Sunday I had the opportunity to confirm her a member. I will never not be humbled by an experience like that. The fact the Lord has us, puny weak humans, confer the constant companionship of a God to someone will always blow my mind. And I'm super grateful for that experience. God is so good :D

We just did a ton of knocking doors and saying goodbye. It's been a good area. Probably the most pretty area I have served in. Redwoods on one side and the ocean on the other???? Doesn't get much better than that. If I was going move anywhere in Cali (which I doubt I will ever move out here *knocks on wood*) It would be up here in the northern part of Cali. 

I think that's all I have to say this week. I’m going to miss everyone up here. But I know more adventures await me and I'm excited to see what happens!! I love you all!! I'm going to go madly pack and then prepare for about a 4-hour drive! WOO! I love driving!!! Have a good one!! I know the church is true. The Book of Mormon is too! And I love being a missionary!!!

God is Good,

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

Okay here is a whole slew of photos I'm going on attempt to explain them all:

1. District Squad

2. The sisters blew a tire on the freeway so we stopped to help. Yes, I'm the one who has the hunch changing the tire while they took a photo haha

3. District squad again

4. The Agapinans from the Mckinleyville ward (the reason a few photos are of people in scout uniform is because I had to catch some of them at a court of honor haha)

5. Logan Bailey. Probably one of the greatest friends I have made up here. Man, I'm gonna miss that kid. 

6. Brother Fjirsted. What stud (Everyone I stand by I tower over.....)

7. Logan again haha

8.The Daines. Super awesome hipster couple who make some DANG GOOD COOKIES. And are awesome. Love those guys.

9. Whitney Dawes, Kaelani Jones, and Saili Miranda Good peeps

10. Diana and Asher! No, my arm isn't that long haha the picture makes it look like I have my arm around both of them

11. Whitney, Kaelani and Saili again

12.The branch presidency and our investigator Jay! He is the young guy by me. To the left is President Chris Johnson, then Casey Jones (who is a total goober) and the myself Jay and Mike Willis who is the most joyful man you will ever meet

13. Kelly Hamblin. Haha she is weirdo. She worked at Disney and that's all she would talk about.

14. Domani Ralphs. This girl single handedly gave me such a hard time for the whole time I served in the branch. Hence the reason we are doing the weird face

15.Caitlin Rednar Just someone from the branch haha.  I don't have a funny description of her

16. Diana's baptism! 

Elder Field Meets A Really Drunk Dude.....

Hey family and friends! We had a pretty good week this week. Wasn't to eventful but we did meet some crazy people when tracting. I love knocking doors now a days just because of the crazies you get to meet. That and it's just fun. Like I get to spend hours at a time with a companion whom I love dearly, and we get to just hang out and try to talk to people about Jesus. Yes, there are rude ones but ultimately you just let it roll off ya. That and hey, persecution for the sake of Jesus Christ are just security for your blessings in heaven.

Anyway, this week we did some prep work for this coming week and Diana's baptism. She was gone for spring break (as was 7/8 of Arcata) so we weren't able to meet with her, but we got times and dates for the baptism and also for lessons this week. She is still looking super solid for Saturday! She is super excited! 

Other than that, we just did a bunch of finding.  With little success. We did find 2 investigators who seem pretty promising.  One of them is named Maria there other one is named Amber. They both told us to come back after spring break was over, so we will see if they are truly interested. 

That was...... pretty much it...... I know...... We didn't have any lessons. Well we did have a lesson with Daniel. He is doing super awesome. We taught him the Word of Wisdom and he was kind of wary about it, but he said he would give it a try and pray about it. His sincerity blows me away. I was about to write him off as not interested but Elder Serassio and I kept feeling we should just keep going back. And low and behold. He now has a baptismal date and he came to church this week! So that's exciting!!!! He is doing good.

Fun story this week. We were tracting on Tuesday night and boy people were...... strange..... we met a guy who was drinking. He opened the door and said, "Oh your knocking on everyone's door huh?" Then slammed the door. We laughed about it and walked up stairs. All of a sudden he opens the door and starts playing this Hardcore Screamo music..... It was nuts.....like it was saying "Praise Satan" hahaha like what?!?!? We laughed about it. Someone upstairs opened the door and asked what was going on. We explained the situation and she laughed about it and was super kind and even listened to our message because of it. So, thank you angry drunk dude. 

That's all from me this week! I love you all and wish you the best of weeks! We find out transfers this week! I will let ya know where I'm going!! Love you!!! GET PUMPED FOR CONFERENCE FRIENDS!!!! IT'S GONNA BE AWESOME!!!

God is Good,

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

Hey, I forgot to tell you all a story!! Here is an excerpt from a letter I sent to President! I forgot to include it into my weekly. I am too lazy to re-write it but here it is copy and pasted from the very email I sent to President! It was a special one and I wanted to share it with all yall!

So, the Hermanas have an investigating family who seems pretty cool. They have a son who is 18 who said he would be interested in some activities that the branch would be doing. We sent him an invite to a game of basketball we would be playing. He said, "I'm not very athletic but I will come!" I assured him that I wasn't either and he came! Well he showed up, and we were both right, we were both garbage at basketball :D So we sat out of a game or 2..... or 3....... okay we really didn't play any basketball that night, but I had such an awesome conversation with this kid named Noah. He is a SUPER SHY kid. So, I just decided to talk to him for the rest of the night. Turns out he is super in to photography! Well my mom is as well as my sister, so we were able to talk photography and cameras and what he wants to do with it, then we got on the topic of video games! And guess what president!! I played a lot of video games back home. I know shocker right. Probably contributed to the fact I'm not that athletic anywho! We talked about all of the games he was playing, gave him some recommendations of what he should play (don't worry I promise gospel related stuff is coming) We then got on the topic of music and guess what president!! WE LIKED THE SAME KIND OF MUSIC! This was awesome, it just seemed we had everything in common. I had such a strong feeling that I knew this kid....... He reminded me so much of...... ME........ We became fast friends. We quickly got on the topic of religion and what he believes. Turns out his dad is Jehovah’s Witness and how his mom is another Christian denomination. So, him being part Jehovah’s Witness I had TONS of questions for him and what not. We talked about what their services were like and their basic beliefs. He had only been to a few services, so he explained them and then told me what HE really believed, like what his beliefs on God were. That was pretty cool. He told me the things he knew were true were, that God lives, That Jesus is his savior and that there is a heaven. That's all he knew.  Then he asked what our beliefs were and what our services were like! BINGO! Then the missionary work began.We offered him a tour, so we took him on a tour of the building and talked all about services and basic beliefs. He just kept commenting, "Yeah, I like that." Showed him the font, the chapel, the primary room, the Family history center, all the photos of the prophets and apostles. But the coolest part was when we stopped at a picture of the first vision. He asked what it was. So, I got to explain what it was and that God the father and Jesus Christ came and visited this young boy. I got to hardcore bare my testimony of the reality of Joseph's Smith's vision. President, if there is one thing in this world That I KNOW. It's that Joseph Smith was a prophet. He did see God. I KNOW it. I had the spirit confirm it to me when I was in Carthage jail. The spirit was so strong. I was only 14-15 at the time. But I knew that where I was standing was a place where a prophet of the lord gave his life in the service of his savior. No one can shake me of that conviction. I got to share the first vision with a kid I barely knew who I had developed such a love for within minutes of meeting him. He made mention of how he wanted friends. Good friends. That's something I so desperately wanted at his age. and I just wanted to hug him and tell him I would be his friend and that there are 14 MILLION other people who wanted to be his friend and love him and support him and help him reach his full potential. President I think I found one of the reasons I came to this mission. I was sent to this mission to meet Noah.He isn't even our investigator, but I was meant to meet him. We had an amazing chat about what the Book of Mormon was. I asked him if he had ever actually listened to the sisters, he said he didn't really pay much attention but that he would definitely start paying more attention and that he would read the Book of Mormon. I told him if he had questions he was free to ask me or the sisters. I even asked if I could follow up with him and he accepted and said he would love that. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who gave me that chance to meet Noah. I have no clue if he will join, I have no clue if he will even remember me. But I know that I was meant to meet him. I have a feeling I met a pre-earth buddy this week. I just hope I said what was needed. because boy. I felt so much love for this kid. God is so Good. So so good!

Elder Field Loves Eureka. (Still)

 Hey friends and family! I went for a less risky subject line ;) my mom will appreciate it ;) Anyway I really do love Eureka, and just the mission in general. It has been such a blessing to me. I have learned so much and grown a lot since coming up here. Anyway, let's dive into this week!

Kaelani got baptized this Saturday!!!! Man, what a beautiful experience. Super stressful and we had some complications with who was going to preside and conduct and our pianist not showing...... but...... even after all that, she has been baptized and was confirmed a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints the next day. The spirit was so strong. It has been cool to ponder about how much Kaelani has benefited from the gospel. She has grown and changed a ton since when we first met her. She is a lot more confident and just overall happier. It truly was a humbling experience. She has asked me to baptize her. Wow! I will never forget that day. The lord has used me and my companion as instruments in helping her find the true and living gospel. I am so grateful for that experience and will treasure it always. Now the next step for Kaelani is the temple! So wish us luck! we are going to get her to do baptisms for the dead :D

That was the big highlight of the week. The rest of the week was spent preparing for the baptism and trying to find people and trying to visit as many of our investigators as possible before they all head out of town for the spring break! hahaha Arcata is going to become a ghost town again :D yay........ Just got to mean we got to work extra hard to find those who are ready to receive the gospel. Look out you lonely YSA we are coming to find you! 

Uhhhhh yeah...... I think this maybe it for my email. Short one I know...... OH! Yall remember Daniel Robinson???? The guy who invited us in and then proceeded to drink through the entire lesson???? WE GOT BACK IN CONTACT WITH HIM! And guess what?!?! We set a baptismal date with him!! He said he wants to change his life :D So we his baptismal date is in May so we have some time to work on some things. so that was pretty exciting. So, pray for Daniel that he can overcome all of his vices! :D

Funny story of the week. We knocked on this one dudes door later in the evening and he came to the door, wow, higher than I kite man. Bloodshot eyes like he had been smoking for a long while just blazed beyond belief. Well he came to the door and we asked him if he wanted to hear a message about Jesus Christ's ministry in the Americas and his eyes got all big and he yelled really loud "JESUS CAME TO AMERICA???? D*** I NEED TO HEAR THIS S***" so we proceeded to talk to him and teach him about the restoration and the Book of Mormon. He was pretty enthralled. but said he wasn't interested. Ahahah his name was Jerome. Good old Jerome. 

Anyway, I think that’s it. I love you all and wish you the best of weeks! God is real and he loves all of you. 

God is Good,

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

Elder Field Knocks On A Door And Is Received By A Man With A Knife!

Okay so just to put my mom's nerves to ease as she read that subject line I will explain quickly right now what that means. We knocked on a dude’s door and he came wielding a large kitchen knife then sheepishly put it down and explained,  "Oh, uh, yeah I thought you were my roommate’s friends, it was supposed to be a joke, I did not mean to intentionally threaten you with a knife, oh man, I feel, stupid, I'm so sorry, anyway *laughs nervously* yall are Mormons?" 

Anyway! My week was great and the experience I explained above was the 2nd highlight of the week. Hahaha it was a slower week. We did a lot of finding but didn't see much come from it. Which is okay because hard work always pays off. In fact, It did on Sunday. While going about church (We had 3 investigators there.  Jay, Diana, and Kaelani) Diana walked up to us after we had finished third hour and informed us she is getting baptized on the 24th of March! Like. What. Yeah, she is super excited about it and even has picked out a day she is going to tell her parents about it. So, there will be nothing holding her back! We are super excited and super blessed to be a part of that. In fact, both of us will be at her baptism. It's before transfers. The lord has been awesome. And has blessed us much. 

We were able to pick Jay up as an investigator, he is a referral from President Johnson. (Branch President) We taught him the first lesson and he was super cool. Seemed to accept it and believe.  We invited him to read the Book of Mormon as usual. We are hoping to extend a baptismal date to him this week so wish us luck! 

I don't have any cool thing or story to tell...... Sorry I'm a lameo..... But overall, I'm doing good. Zone is doing good. Life is good. And you already know it, God is Good!

Have an awesome week!

Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field

Elder Field Won't Have To Eat Sardines!

There is a story about sardines I will tell a little bit later. Anyway, this week was pretty fantastic.  We put in a lot of work and we're able to see some cool miri'curl's (shout out to USA curling team. The only reason I know is we were joking about curling with a member. Then he texted us in the middle of the week with the news) We did a ton of tracting and were able to find a couple of people who invited us back. They seem pretty cool and solid, hopefully I will report next week with an awesome amount lessons :) 

We had lessons with Kaelani and Diana(kind of) this week. Kaelani's lesson went great and we are still on track for the 10th of March. We are going to have her baptismal interview this weekend which we are pumped about. And Diana, well she is Diana. It's getting harder and harder to meet with her. We went to have a meeting with her this week and she couldn't make it because she lost her keys on campus, so we went over and helped her look for them. We found them. But meanwhile we walk in on a rally that they were having to remove the stature in the Arcata square..... Idk fam...... I'm sick of everyone getting offended by everything but it's whatever. Tried to talk to a few of them, but they weren't having it. So that was our "lesson" with Diana. A haha basically just reminder her to read from the Book of Mormon. But yeah. Life goes on. We are gonna meet with her this week hopefully to establish something to work towards.

We did tons of tracting this week. Found a few cool people who want us back so hopefully those go well. The best thing about knocking doors is you’re never quite sure what's gonna be on the other side. For example, we knocked a door where an old man who couldn't speak very well just stared at us and mumbled. Or another time a girl came to the door with so many piercings in the face that I could barely keep a straight face, or the time we knocked on a door and got called white supremacists. Or what about the time we knocked on a door and the dude was so high that he could barely talk. Knocking doors man. It's a blast. Yall should try it sometimes. 

So, the sardines story. So, with our zone focus for battle of the belt we decided that you were allowed to do companionship throw downs. Which basically a public exclamation during district meeting that you are going to do better than a companionship in the district..........  So basically it is a bet..... I know we are terrible but whoever wins the throw down gets 5 extra points and what not. Well to do a demonstration we threw down with the sisters and said we would find more investigators than them. Well they wanted to spice it up a bit and said losers have to eat sardines. Well long story short, after a tremendous battle the last day the sisters called us said they didn't want to eat sardines and they didn't want us to eat sardines and that this was a horrible idea and they promised never to do it again haha, but if we tied no one would have to eat sardines. So, we planned to tie and all is well. But I will tell you. It was tempting to just get one more than them...... So tempting...... 

Anyway, this week was a great one. Realized I still have a lot of things I need to change and work on before my time is up. So, I'm going to work my hardest to get those things changed. God is real, he knows and loves all of us, the Book of Mormon is true. It's there to help us remember everything God had done for us. Jesus Christ is the Messiah. And Joseph Smith saw what he said he saw. Have an awesome week! 

God is Good,
Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field