Back in the saddle!

Hey Mom and Den!

Well things here are awesome!  I had to give a talk Sunday (found out Saturday night) so little time to prepare but I think it went well.  But wished it could have been a little bit longer because one of the speakers wasn't there as she ended up going into labor.  So I guess that's a pretty good excuse for not speaking in church.  Anyways... I got to see Sis. Futi and the kids.  They are doing great.  It was really good to see them.  And I got to see a few member of the Glenrose Ward the other night (The Clarks and the Hainesworths) so that made for a good weekend.  The work is going good.  It's funny just kind of picking up where I left off here, but it's nice.  I was surprised at just how many members remember me because they don't seem to remember Elder Smith and he was in this ward longer than I was.  Kinda funny...but like I said, it's good to be back.  And our address is:

2004 E. 34th
Spokane, WA  99203

The knee is doing good.  Biking really hurts, but that's how we have to get around for now until next month when we can get bus passes.  Ummm...trying to think of other things going on but my mind is blank right now.  OH!  Almost forgot our awesome experience of the week!  We saw some major blessings!  As we went tracting, we found a wonderful lady named Abby.  Abby is from Ethiopia and she has talked to the missionaries before in her country and she loves what they do there.  When we knocked on her door, she let us right in and we began to teach her about the restored gospel and how it blesses our families.  Abby is a mother of a two-year-old little girl.  We told her about the Book of Mormon and her face lit up with excitement as we shared how prophets wrote it in Ancient America and how it is another testament of Jesus Christ.  She asked if we had a church service she could attend and also when we would come back.  So we are going back tonight.  Unfortunately, she has to work on Sundays but we are going to ask her if she will ask for Sundays off so that she can come to church.  So that is just some of the good things that are going on here.

I love you guys and miss you tons!

Love, Elder Lance Ririe

Spokane/Lincoln Heights Part2!

Hey Mom and Den,

Transferred again, but back to Spokane (Lincoln Heights Ward).  That is the ward I was in before I was transferred here to Wenatchee.  Caught me by definite surprise!  I thought for sure I'd be here a while and not back to Spokane, but I know there is a reason for it.  Just what that reason is, I don't know.  My companion is going to be Elder Warnick (?sp).  I think he's newer.  I haven't heard of him before, so it'll be good I guess.  I called Sis. Futi to let her know and the whole family was way stoked!  But I know there are more reasons to go back than just them, though it will be really great to see them again.  But I really am sad to leave Wenatchee.  It was just starting to grow on me and everything.  And I haven't been able to tell Brother and Sister Haley about the news yet, but I'm really sad to leave them.  They are such a good family and I know that Sister Haley will make a great member of the church someday, but until then she's just one of the best people I've ever met.

So, that's the news.  I'm pretty sure its the same address for the missionaries that it was before...at least I think so.

Anyways...I love you guys and can't wait to hear what's been going on with you guys.  And I loved the package with the cinnamon rolls and the monkeys.  And the pictures were good too!

I love you guys tons and miss you even more!

Love,
Elder Lance Ririe

The Best Two Years!!!! And a little "trunky"

Hey Mom and Den,

Well, we are still struggling on finding more people to teach, but the Haley's are doing great!  The friendships you make with some of the families out here are just so awesome.  They remind me alot of the experience with Sis. Futi, except I don't get fed nearly as much!  But it's just so great being able to be around good people and being able to serve them.

I did get my letter and one of the packages, as well as the pics from the lake.  Geeeze...you guys go off and do all this fun stuff without me!  Bummer!!!  hahaha  Not really, cause I'd rather be here anyways cause I really love it here.  Wenatchee is growing on me, but I still like Spokane better.  Its kinda funny cause I can reflect on all the great people I've been able to meet that have changed my life and that wouldn't have happened if I hadn't done this. I'm so happy that I decided to serve a mission!!!

Well, not much else to say cause we're still struggling on finding people to teach, but we're working hard.

Oh...and on football...HUGE bummer!  I had to hear about it all weekend!  So my hope is that BYU redeems themselves this week, but it sounds like it'll be a rough game.  And I'm not really surprised that BYU stuck with Nelson cause he's got the experience and its usually better to err on the side of experience than have the new guy get too anxious and try to force a big play and have it blow up. 

Well, love you all and miss ya tons!!!

Love,
Elder Lance Ririe

Labor Day~

Hey Mom and Den,

Well, this week was alright.  I hate holiday weekends as a missionary.  You have to go out and work and either nobody is home or having family parties that you can't go to, most of which out here have involved football games - which was kinda fun to hear that BYU beat Washington.  The Lewis' are HUGE Washington fans, so that made for some fun trash talking this weekend. 

Unfortunately, not anyone new to teach this week.  Still working with the Haleys, but they were out of town...stupid holiday.  But as for everything else, it's great!  Sister Lewis showed me the email that you sent here.  I'd hoped you guys liked the video.  I thought it was one of my best yet.  I'm hoping we have some more good things happen out here, but I guess I just gotta do what I can to make them happen. 

I miss you guys a ton!  I can't wait to hear how things are back home this week!

Miss ya'll tons!  Love ya!

Elder Lance Ririe