Elder Riley Schneiter: February 12, 2018

Week 16 and my 2nd Companion!

Hey Everyone, just want you all to know that I love and appreciate each and every one of you! Anyway, it's been a couple weeks, so I'll get you caught up!

My final week with Elder Dixon was a great one! We did a lot of contacting and had some wonderful lessons with Michelle and Valerie Jacox!!!! Finally!!!!! Valerie also made it to church which was super awesome! The 3rd ward Sisters also had a baptism for a 10 year old named Daulton Peterson and it was such a wonderful experience. Elder Dixon got to be in his confirmation circle but I wasn't able to because "You look Asian!" so that was nice. Also, Daulton's grandma told the sisters that I have a "Sexy smile" that kind of has me concerned, but oh well haha

On Friday, we had Elder Dixon's departing interview at the mission home in Granite Bay. I have to say that that is definitely the nicest home I've been in so far in California. Also, while we were there, I was waiting with Sister Ward, President Ward's wife, and she was talking to some guy on the phone and she had me tell him about the Book of Mormon. She ended up sending him a Book of Mormon. She is so awesome and such a great missionary! Then later that night we had correlation meeting with Brother West and he got us DQ which was nice. On Sunday, we tracted, went and visited some families so Elder Dixon could say goodbye to them, had a wonderful visit with Sister Betancé. We concluded our final night of proselyting by visiting the Patterson's! Elder Dixon was the best trainer I could've asked for and he truly taught me how to BE a MISSIONARY!

On Tuesday, I met Elder Colton and he is pretty cool. He is from Vernal, Utah and he's been out for 20 months. He is very different from Elder Dixon, but he is a great guy and a solid missionary. We have both bonded over our love of baseball so that has been nice.

Wednesday, we had a wonderful lesson with Michelle and talked about the baptism and interview so that was good. We mowed and edged the Bishop's lawn after that so that was awesome to be able to do some service. We got some In-n-Out and contacted the rest of the day. Thursday, we had a couple good lessons and had a great visit with Mike Vernott who is a LA in the ward who is moving to Utah so that was great. We had dinner and contacted for the rest of the evening.

Friday was an awesome day I have to say though. We were weekly planning and I made a call to some Elders in the Sacramento mission to help us out with one of our investigators who is moving and I called them and he said, "Hello this is Elder Malangsang and Elder Ludlow." And I just started going crazy and laughing and then I said "What is up Taylor?" and Taylor was just like, "Riley! What are you doing!?" and I explained it all and we talked for a second so it was pretty awesome to be able to talk to my cousin, Taylor. Also, we had a great first lesson and were able to pick up a new investigator named Andrew Gomez and he is awesome! We had a wonderful lesson and dinner with Michelle at the Dufort's home and we were able to call in Elder Dixon for that so that was neat.

Saturday, we had another 2 good lessons with a couple referrals. We were also blessed to find 2 new investigators named Mike Williams and Kevin Fonda. Sunday was super awesome! We had 4 investigators to church, one of them being Will Comalander! As well, Steve Thinger, who is a less active came to church and brought a friend which was awesome! We talked about meeting with her so hopefully that will work out! We also had a great visit with Gabriela Betancé!

Overall, these past two weeks have been full of some ups and downs and plenty of challenges, but they have been two of the greatest weeks of my life. I am just eternally grateful for this opportunity that I have to serve my Father in Heaven and to represent my Savior Jesus Christ. It is hard, but it is so worth it, and I want to make sure I make this time which I have been given worth it! Love you all and hope and pray you have a wonderful week!

Love, Elder Schneiter