April 14, 2014

Hey Mom,

So on Tuesday we had Zone Training in Kosovo again and got some VERY exciting news about Macedonia!!! President Ford has applied for two more elders and two more sisters, to bring the total of missionaries serving here to ten. He also wants to open another city here, maybe Bitola?? These two goals he said will definitely be accomplished by the end of the year.

One night this week we had a lesson with Benjamin, and for the first time I successfully made a joke in Macedonian and made him laugh. Progress!

We taught him that night about the law of chastity, which was the first time I'd ever taught that in-field. I had one of those "my life is weird" moments. Taking a hike along some cobblestone streets in a long skirt to sit outside at a cafe, drinking fruit tea and trying to talk about sexual purity in Macedonian. 

Did I tell you I now drink, and enjoy, tea? Yep, I guess I'm a real Eastern European now. (ha) People always offer it when you go to their house and sometimes it tastes awesome! I guess I just never knew you have to let it sit for a while before you drink it... 

We ran into the Jehovah's Witnesses again when we were out one day. They keep trying to convert us. It's like a scene from Arrested Development or some other dry comedy show. I told Sister Schofield that next time we have to try and convert them because they aren't allowed to be the best missionaries in Skopje.

Yesterday was election day here so we all had to stay in our apartments for the night in case of protesting or something. There have been a few riots since we've been here, but none that I've personally seen. We watched "17 Miracles", which was a pretty good movie. 

I'm hoping it was because of elections that none of the investigators who I called the night before and said they would come actually came. On the up-side, phone conversations have gotten a LOT better since when I first got here. Benjamin and Natasha came, which was good enough for me.

Everything is in bloom here. Flowers everywhere, normally the colors of the flag, and everything else is green. Riding the double decker yesterday branches kept hitting the windows where we were sitting. I really love Macedonian people. They're not super friendly but are so nice once you talk to them. 

Branch President Swineford's son, who is eight, is getting baptized later today. And Benjamin's baptism is this Saturday. So we have at least three baptisms this month since Vladimir from Bitola is getting baptized soon as well. That means the church has to book the pool a whole lot, plus pay for refreshments from the hotel, which is a lot of money. White harvest problems.

Well, I don't really know what else to tell you about so I guess I'll just close with a testimony. I know that I'm out here doing the work of the Lord. I know that God loves all of us, and just because I didn't know this place existed until a few months ago doesn't mean God hasn't been with the people here their entire lives. God is our Heavenly Father and knows us all personally. He wants us all to feel loved. He is so patient and forgiving. I am so grateful for the power of the Atonement because I will never be a perfect missionary. I know that when we put our trust in God and exercise faith in Jesus Christ in prayer, He will help us to overcome anything. I know now that true happiness can be attained only through obedience to God's law. God wants so much for us to be happy. That is our purpose in life. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love,

Sister Riddle

Doctrine and Covenants 64: 22, "...I, the Lord, will not hold any guilty that shall go with an open heart up to the land of Zion; for I, the Lord, require the hearts of the children of men."