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

Week Fifty-seven:  A Week of Miracles/A New Area and A Very New Companion [August 27, 2018]

Hi Everyone! 

My last week in Lompoc was pretty miracle filled. Monday night we went by an old potential and he ended up letting us in and telling us he only had ten minutes. We ended up staying for an hour and taught him the plan of salvation, and gave him a Book of Mormon. He was pretty open and told us we could come back. Our appointment is tonight so pray that all goes well there.

We've also done a ton of tracting and we've been able to find quite a few people, two of which actually talked with us for a good while, but one seems much more interested than the other. 

The first one was named John (I think) His front yard is covered in statues, as is the inside of his house. I don't know that I've ever seen so many statues in one place before. Also instead of normal lights he had blue ones, which messed with me once we walked back outside. He used to be from Idaho so he has talked with missionaries before. He shared with us some of his interpretation of scripture (mostly Revelation) and talked about the second coming. He knows what the scriptures say pretty well, but his interpretation of them is pretty off. An interesting thing that happened though is that shortly after he let us in his door bell rang. It ended up being two of his neighbors across the street. Both were pretty young (the girl maybe 19 and the boy 12?), but we found out the girl actually went to BYU Provo for school and she isn't a member! We thought she was going to be super solid and that a baptism was on the horizon, but when we tried by her house and asked her she told us that she wasn't really interested and had already heard most of what we believe 

The other person we talked with seems more solid. His name is Alden. We initially were going for a restoration lesson, but we ended up talking about the first two points more as well as prayer and how Heavenly Father blesses us in our afflictions. 

We were able to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to Mayra who we have taught once before. While we were talking about baptism we invited her to be baptized and she said yes! The only problem is she told us her husband isn't open to her coming to church so that will put a hindrance on things. Keep her in your prayers that her husband's heart will soften. 

The Friday before transfers President Nakken and the Assistants call people to tell them if they're in leadership. I haven't received a call except for the times when Elder Hansen got the call he was training and Elder Kopaunik got his zone leader call. Other than that Friday's have been pretty silent...until now. I got the call that I will be training this next transfer. It's also weird because I'm the same age (thirteen months) as Elder Hansen was when he trained me!

We met a guy named Boo (yes, that is his name). He has looked into different religions before, but wants solid evidence as to what is true. We talked with him about faith and referred to Alma's analogy of faith being a seed (he was gardening), but then he turned it on us and asked us if we would start praying to Allah to see if that might be true. Let's just say our response of no made him think we are closed minded. He said we could come back, but warned us he has lots of questions. 

When I first got my call saying that I would be serving in the California Ventura mission I was curious as to what it would look like. I wound up looking at lots of pictures and videos of Ventura, but so far they haven't been very helpful until now because... 

I'm going to Ventura! While I'm happy to be there I'm kinda sad that I didn't get to spend more time here. I've met lots of good people here, plus I'm not super thrilled about whitewashing into an area again, but it should be fine. President also lives close (if not in my area) so I may end up seeing the Nakkens more. 

I'll send some pictures later. Wish me luck as I go into this new week!

Elder Jason Riches

Elder Riches with Brother Gustilo

Elder Riches with The Heath Family

Elder Riches with the Hardings

Elder Riches with The Johnsons  (We found out at dinner her and I are related.  She's my 6th cousin, he's my 8th cousin twice removed.

Elder Riches with the Martins

Week Fifty-six:  Elder Whiting [August 20, 2018]

Hi Everyone! 

This week has been great! Here's what happened. 

On Tuesday we had our zone conference with Elder Whiting from the Seventy. It was really good and I learned a lot about personal revelation, prayers, being more focused on others and what the Book of Mormon means to me and how to use it effectively. It was also fun because at lunch Elder and Sister Whiting came to our table and sat with us which was cool because that's the second time the visiting general authority sat at the same table I was at. The first was Elder Wakolo my first transfer. 

President and Sister Nakken with Elder Scott and Sister Jeri Whiting.

Santa Barbara Zone Conference with Elder and Sister Whiting.

Not much happened this week with the main people we've worked with, but we were able to talk to a few new people who seem interested. The first one, Cassandra, we met a while ago and gave her a pamphlet. She read it and enjoyed it. She's also looking for a church that can also offer something for her kids! The next person is Tony, who we've talked with a few times, but never had a lesson. He told us he would try and make it to church too. The last one was with a couple named Chris and Kat who we tracted into. He used to live by a LDS church in the Phillipines and asked us for a Book of Mormon. She also knows our bishop since he's her dentist. They too said they would come to church, but none of these people came. Still they all seem really open to learning more. 

We had three lessons (arguably one or even two). We met with a member and answered some questions she had in her Book of Mormon reading. We also met with a guy named Josh who just tried to Bible bash with us. You know it's not good when one of the first things they do is read from the King Follett sermon. Anyway we just tried to invite him to read from the Book of Mormon the whole time. The main lesson was with Francisco. We read 1 Nephi 8 on Lehi's dream and discussed what it means and applied it to the gospel of Jesus Christ (faith, repentance, baptisim, the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end). It went really well and he's going to ask his friend if she's interested in taking the lessons too (she has before). 

We had a bit of surprise service this week. We saw a lady pulling weeds and offered to help. She laughed at first since we were in our nice clothes, but when we told her we would change she said sure. We drove back home and quickly changed and then drove back. As we were talking with her we found out that she knows and has worked with some members of the ward. She said she wasn't really interested in learning more right now, but she was really grateful. 

Saturday I went on exchanges with Elder Gallagher, who I've served around a few times but never have really gotten to know. When we were walking around in the morning we found Jason St. so I got a picture by that. We also met with a member in a care center and had two lessons. The first was with Peter who doesn't have much religious background, but he accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon and said he would read it. The other lesson was with a guy named Jason (nice name) and we taught him the plan of salvation and he shared with us some of his life experiences. 

Funny story yesterday. The teachers asked us if we could bless the bread. When we pulled back the sheet to break the bread there wasn't any. There was a little bit of panic, but fortunately there was some in the kitchen. 

That's all for now. Have an awesome week! 

Elder Jason Riches

Week Fifty-five:  Fall Through [August 13,2018]

Hi Everyone! 

This week has been pretty interesting. We had 8 appointments but only one actually happened. Aside from that though. The week was good. 

The one appointment  we did have was interesting. It was with a recent convert who has pretty much lost his testimony. It sounded like he was exposed to anti, which is sad. 

I went on an exchange with Elder Jones. Most of the day was going by people (with not much happening). We had one guy that tried to Bible bash with us which is always a joy *sarcasm*.

 We went to go see one of the widows in the ward and it turned out that she had some family visiting from Utah. Because of this we were able to go inside to visit and we were able to come back the next day for some service and dinner. 

Saturday we went to Santa Maria to see the baptism of someone named Lindzey who Elder Fenn taught while he was there. I love the Spirit that is always felt at baptisms even though I don't know who the people are. You can always feel the love of our Heavenly Father. 

Yesterday we we met a guy that invited us in his home and gave us some pretty good food. He wasn't interested but he was very nice. 

Sorry this email is shorter than usual. Not a ton of stuff happened. It's crazy how fast the time is going here! It doesn't feel like I've been here for 5 weeks!

Have an awesome week! 

Elder Jason Riches

Week Fifty-four:  The Work Is Hastening [August 6, 2018]

Hi Everyone! 

We had a pretty cool experience this week. As we were walking around to get from place to place, we walked by this one house and said hi to the person that was outside. We realized that the house belonged to someone who we've been trying to get in contact with. His name is Francisco and he's super cool. We got to know him a bit and he said that he still has a desire to be baptized! We also met with him on Wednesday and talked about the small and simple things (praying, reading the scriptures, and coming to church) which went well. 

One day as Elder Fenn and I were going by some people he had to use the restroom. I figured we would go by one or two more people that were just across the street and then leave. I then felt that we should just head out now. It didn't make much sense, but we started walking back to the car. As we did we were able to talk with someone who was sitting outside. We talked to her a bit and found out that she had talked with missionaries previously and believed what was shared! We're pretty excited to meet with her again soon. 

Yesterday we went to go by Paul (the one who usually hid from missionaries). He told us it wasn't a good time, but he said he still wanted us to come back again. We said yes and then went to see someone else. As we were walking back we realized that we didn't get a set time. He was still outside and we asked him when would work. He told us and then asked if we could pray with him. He opened up about some of the struggles he and his family are going through. We said a prayer with him and then shared Mosiah 24:14 (And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.) which he really liked. 

Aside from that we have been able to find some new people who have said they would like to know more. 

Hope everyone has a great week!

Elder Jason Riches 

Week Fifty-three:  A Year, Already? [July 30, 2018]

Hi Everyone! 

I hit my year mark this last Thursday (July 26) It's crazy how fast the time has gone. It doesn't feel like I've been out a year. I don't think the feeling has really set in just yet. Anyway on with my week. 

Things have been picking up in this area. We were able to teach Debbie, who was previously being taught, the plan of salvation. It sounds like her husband was the one that missionaries talked with most, but he works out of town so she has a bit more of a chance to investigate herself. 

We taught someone named Crystal the restoration...mostly. As we were about to share the promise of the Book of Mormon and commit her to read it some people from the house said that they needed her help with something so we didn't get to finish . We also met with someone named Mayra and shared the plan of salvation with her. 

Thursday (my year mark) We had our interviews with President and he told me that I've come a long way over the year (which I don't see as much). We celebrated my year mark with the zone leaders by going to Subway for lunch. 

When we were going by some people on our list we met Hans Anderson, who let us in his house and we were able to talk to him for a bit. He seems like he could have a good amount of potential since he's already read the Book of Mormon and doesn't know how it could have come forth by any other means except by God. He also explained why he believes people from the middle east came to America a long time ago (interesting stuff). He did explain why he wouldn't join the church (for example he said he would have to change his name to Jack. I'll let you figure it out). 

When we were going by someone else yesterday we talked to a guy named Paul. He said he usually hides from us, but this time he decided to talk. We shared some of our beliefs with him and he said that he's actually curious to know more now! 

That's basically my week. Things are starting to pick up here and I think good things are on the horizon! 

Have a fantastic week as always! 

Elder Jason Riches

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