November 12, 2012

Sorry this weeks email might be a little short because we don't have much time! Today we rode our bikes out to bu dai! That is on the coast by where I am. It was pretty sweet we got to see the ocean and go to a huge fish market! You guys would probably think they are pretty gross :D I have surprised myself lately at how used to the food I am. I actually enjoy eating things that 7 months ago I would not have thought twice about even trying it.

This week was a pretty good week, just like every other week is as a missionary! This week while contacting some people I ran into this guy.  He reminded me of something important! He said when we rode up with big smiles on our faces he felt the spirit strongly. It made me realize how much just a smile can do. When we are happy and have the spirit with us just a simple smile can lift up those around us more than we know! Just like you were saying mom, decide to be happy, it makes us healthy and make those around us happy as well! I am so grateful I had this opportunity to be a tool in the Lord's hand and find one of His lost sheep. There is no work like missionary work! The gospel is true! I am sorry I feel like every week my emails are too short, but we gotta go! Love you mom! Have a good week!     -Elder Ripley

November 5, 2012

This was week was great! It was halloween! They don't really celebrate        halloween here. Maybe a tiny bit like candy is cheaper at convenience stores but   they definitely don't trick or treat. How was halloween back home?  This week for our english class we had a halloween party! It just so happens that halloween was on wednesday, same day as our english class, and it just so happens that every 6 weeks (The last week of every move call) We have a little party for our english class! So we had a halloween party! It was fun we just played some games that you would play at a fall festival and what not and had a spiritual share.  If only every family knew what they could become through the gospel, Eternal! Love you family! Have an awesome week!

       -Elder Ripley

It really is that simple! All they have to do is read the Book of Mormon and pray about and they can get an answer straight from God about whether or not it is true! I am sometimes amazed when I hear people reject this invite! After reading the Book of Mormon, who wouldn't want to know that it is true!? 

 I have had plenty of times on my mission where I want to think that I have reason to complain or be angry but then I think, wow, I am a servant of my Lord Jesus Christ and have the opportunity to give it all to Him for two years, and He is always by my side, I couldn't possibly be in a better place doing better things. I absolutely love being a missionary! Thanks for helping me to remember how happy we can be if we just choose to be and learn from our experiences.

I have had plenty of times where I am tired or discouraged from getting rejected and I think for a moment, would my Dad stop working right now? No he would work 10 times harder. So that's what I do. Just like my Dad taught me. When the going gets rough, the rough get going! Your encouragement lifts me up more than you know!With God by oursides we can do anything! Love you dad, Have an awesome week.       -Elder Ripley  

October 29, 2012

Hello jia ting! (family) How was your week? This whole disneyland trip sounds like it is going to be pretty sweet I am jealous I will be missing it! You will have to take some good pictures and send me some! I can just see the kids being excited to take a link off the chain each day. Tell them thank you for the letters and pictures! They are some good lookin kids :D Love them. 

Sounds like the baptism was nice! You need to help her understand that when Christ performed the atonement he suffered for the sins of all children that sin in innocence and before the age of accountability! So children do not have the need for baptism! (Moroni 8) 

 You can accept the friend requests I get on facebook by the way. Some people in my ward may take pictures and what not and you can see them! 

It is amazing to see the changes the atonement brings into the lives of others. There is no greater happiness and joy than that which comes from applying the atonement in our lives daily and weekly by taking the sacrament. This last conference there were a few talks given that talked about how to have more sacred experiences during sacrament. They were great! Look them up!