Week Fifty-two:  White-Wash [July 23, 2018]

Hi Everyone! 

This week has been pretty interesting. For starters I'm no longer in the San Louis Obispo zone/stake, which is where I've been since the end of January. I am back in the Santa Barbara zone which has been fun. 

Tuesday was transfer day. I said goodbye to a bunch of the missionaries that are going home (there were a lot including three of my companions) and then I came to my new area here in Lompoc with Elder Fenn. Both of us whitewashed in meaning that we're both new to the area. It's the first time this has happened to me and it's a pretty unusual feeling. 

This whole week has been trying by people here and there and trying to get to know everyone in the ward and people who were being taught. We were able to meet a fair amount of the active members and we were able to teach the restoration to the Shields family who are semi-active. We also met a guy named Waldo who was open to us coming and sharing a message with him. There are a few other people that were already on the list of people who we were able to set up appointments with so hopefully I'll have a little more to write about next week. 

One other fun thing that happened was the stake Pioneer day celebration. I got to see a few people from when I served in the Santa Barbara ward and I was happy that most of them remembered me. We also had the opportunity to share our testimonies in church yesterday. 

I don't really know what else to say. Keep us in your prayers and pray that this area will be able to flourish. 

Have an awesome week! 

Elder Jason Riches

Some more pictures from last week. 

1. The Felys (most of them) 

2. The Van Den Eikhofs

3. The McGinnises

4. Atascadero City Hall