Week Fifty-eight:  Double White Wash/I Feel at Home Here [September 3, 2018]

Hi Everyone! 

This has been one crazy week! 

Monday I finished my time in Lompoc. We were actually able to have a lesson with someone we found not that long ago. I did have one of the hardest moments of my mission thus far. As most of you know I am a big Marvel fan. We heard his kids watching a movie and with Avengers: Infinity War recently out I was worried it was that. Turns out it was Thor: Ragnarok which I have wanted to see for quite some time. It was hard to stay focused on the lesson when I knew I could overhear what was going on if I tried to listen to that. Temptation is very real I learned, but God won't tempt us more than we can bear, even if it makes us want to cry inside . Anyways we were also able to visit a less-active brother and he said he would try to come back to church! We also felt prompted to knock one door at the end of the evening and it turned out to be a member who is not on the ward list. She was also open to us coming back which is a huge plus. 

Tuesday I was able to see all of my previous companions who are still out (Elders Olacsi and Mills are training too, Elder Baker's new, and final area is Oxnard where the trainers meeting is, and I saw Elder Jarman as he was headed to Simi Valley) I also got to meet my trainee Elder Kennedy. So far we get along pretty well and have quite a few similar interests.

My time in Ventura was nice (that will make more sense in a bit). The first part of when you white-wash is always slow but we had some miracles. One of the doors we knocked on I had Elder Kennedy lead the approach. She said she would like to hear our message so we shared a brief restoration. She accepted a Book of Mormon and said we could come back. 

Now for where things get interesting. Friday morning we got a text from President Nakken that said "Elder Riches can you call me when you are avaliable this morning?" For some reason every time President sends a text like this it makes missionaries think that something is wrong or you're in trouble. We called back and he asked me if I had enjoyed my time in Atascadero. I told him that I did and he went on to explain that there was an awkward situation with the sister missionaries in Paso Robles and he wanted to know if we could switch places with them. We were happy to comply, especially me since Paso Robles is by Templeton and Atascadero which are some of my favorite areas! We cleaned the apartment with some help from the zone leaders and packed (again). Saturday we made the switch and took the long drive north. Another reason I'm happy for this move is my favorite member family (the Bergmanns) is up north and I should be able to see them at some point. 

Even though it's quite a bit warmer up here I feel much more at home. This will be my fifth transfer in this zone and I live in the same complex that I had when I was in Templeton. Things are looking up. Keep us in your prayers that all will go well this upcoming week! 

Have a great week! 

Elder Jason Riches

Elder Riches (Trainer) with Elder Kennedy