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