Miracles in California, Sister Ripplinger's Weekly Letter, October 22, 2012

Dear friends and family,

This week was absolutely INSANE!!!!!!! There were definitely
challenges and obstacles to over come, but amazing things
happened!!!!!!

We picked up a new investivator  named Ericka and started meeting with
her on Monday night. She is absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!!! The first night
we met, she was telling us how badly she wants to change her life, how
she wants to leave the past behind, and move forward. We taught about
the Atonement and committed her to baptism on November 17th!!!!! =)
She has such a sincere desire to do good and when we taught her about
repentance, she said that she wants to go meet a friend for lunch that
she hasn't talked to in a long time and make things right, she wanted
specific scriptures to read from the Book of Mormon about faith and
repentance, she said she had heard that we don't drink coffee and
asked if it was true (then immediately said that she would never drink
coffee again). Before we could even ask when we could come back, she
asked US when we could come back. We met with her several times this
week and she is absolutely on fire! I have to share a few things she's
said that make me love her. =) So after we taught one night, she looks
right at me and asks, "Wait! Does this mean that I have to marry a
Mormon?" I smiled and responded, "You're gonna WANT to!" She got big
eyes and said, "You are RIGHT! Anyone else is going to make me SIN!!"
hahahaha I got the biggest kick out of that! Then she said that she
feels so good inside and she wants to stand on top of a building and
yell to the whole world that they should repent so that they can feel
as good as she does! This week she went to the store and bought church
clothes for herself, her 7 year old son (Dylan), and her 9 month old
baby (Alana), she bought her own set of scriptures (Bible, Book of
Mormon, D&C,etc) and had her name engraven on them, she came to the
big Relief Society activity on Saturday and met several of the RS
ladies, we went to lunch with her and she asked if she was allowed to
drink soda (she wants to be exactly obedient), and so many other
things. She is just incredible. I know that the Lord led her to us and
prepared her to receive the Gospel. I am so eternally grateful that I
was able to be there when she first started on the path. At church
yesterday, I introduced Dylan to the elders and he had a big grin on
his face. He said to them, "Someday I'm going to me a boy missionary
like you guys!!" Well, if Ericka didn't do it already, Dylan just made
my heart want to burst with happiness. The other night when we were
teaching them the first lesson at a member's home, Dylan walked over
to her and said, "Mom, the Book of Mormon is true! You should pray so
you can know that, too!" =) I love them!!!!!

Pat is the man that recently lost his wife. We've taught the Plan of
Salvation and gone over Christ's Atonement. He's healing slowly and
his faith is increasing. He's been reading the pamphlets we leave and
his eyes are starting to light up. He still doesn't want to pray and Iwhat he's supposed to say. I took a sheet of paper and wrote on it
like a letter, the top saying "Dear Heavenly Father..." the next lines
were "Thank you for ____" and "please help me with___", then closed in
the name of Christ. We went back a few days later and he has kept that
little paper with him everywhere he goes. He told me that he takes it
with him everyday when he goes to his wife's grave and he prays. That
makes him feel better. That absolutely melted my heart. He's a good
man looking for hope!

The missionaries have been teaching Muang for months now. (She's from
Laos). This week, we were preparing her for baptism. She is a good,
good lady and I'm so proud of her! She was baptized on Saturday. That
baptism was really special. We asked a member of the ward named Kia to
baptize her. He's Tongan and he's getting ready to be sealed to his
wife in the temple in a few months. We were praying about asking him
and Muan wanted him to, so we went ahead and asked him to baptize her.
He was thrilled! The family told us that he was practicing all week.
=) That melted my heart. At the baptism, when they were both dressesd
in white in the font, and he rose his hand to the square, I felt the
Spirit really strongly. The next day in Sacrament meeting Kia spoke
and he talked about baptizing Muang. He said that it was the most
powerful spiritual experience of his life.

Scott and Cindy Tate were also baptized on Saturday! They've also been
meeting with missionaries for a while. He quit smoking and they had to
work through a few things, but they made it! They were both beaming at
their baptism. Last week I came in just in time for a really intense
lesson and I felt like that immediately brought me close to them.

Melody and Gabrielle are the two sisters that came to church for the ry first time last week! This week they made leaps and bounds of
progress. Bishop Wylie has been absolutely wonderful in fellowshipping
and loving them. He has been over to their house with his son to help
them with yard work. Those two should get baptized soon. One afternoon
when we stopped by to visit, we were out in the yard with all of their
flowers and I thought about that Primary song about faith. =) I
couldn't resist and so I sang the song. Melody teared up and said that
she'd never felt like she had friends before. I can tell that several
people in the ward love her all ready and I'm so grateful for the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm so excited for them to finally have that
in their lives. She said that she feels really peaceful when she prays
and she knows that God is there. Aww.. I love that!

So, I guess the smaller news is that transfers happen tomorrow and I
am going to Loomis!!!!!! I get a new companion that has been out about
six months and we're going to be in an area that is on fire and has a
lot of investigators. I'm really excited to meet everyone there and
get to work. President Weston is going to let me come back for
Ericka's baptism (I'm SUPER grateful for that!!!!!) and maybe a few of
the others if they get baptized while I'm in California. I've loved
the people here and I'm grateful for the experiences that I've had
already. I'm ready to work my heart away and to love like crazy!

This week, I have really relied on a motto that I learned while I was
in Israel with Brother Lund. "Take your love to your loved ones, and
your frustrations to the Lord." I've pourded my heart out in prayer
and I know that the Savior's Atonement really can give us strength and
heal us. We just need to turn to him, forget ourselves, and go to
work. This is the work of Salvation! I love my Father in Heaven and I
am so grateful that He has given me this time to be a missionary. I
LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!!!

Love,
Sister Heather Ripplinger

8583 Watt Avenue
Antelope, California
95843-9117

Sister Ripplinger's Weekly Email Letter, October 15, 2012

My dear friends and family,

I LOVE CALIFORNIA!!!!!!!!!! This week has been AMAZING!!!!!!!

I was placed in a trio for the time being and transfers are next week.
I think I have been with the best two sister missionaries in
California. Sister Rupp and Sister Mitchell are AMAZING!!!! They are
easy going, mellow, hardworking, and diligent missionaries. I LOVE
THEM!!!!!! I feel so incredibly blessed to be with them. I know
they've been working really hard in this area. The people here are SO
humble. I've met several of the ward members and investigators and I
LOVE them soooo much already!!!!!

My first day in California, I was assigned with these two sisters and
we went right to work. I didn't unpack my things for a few days and I
still haven't been to the grocery store! I LOVE the fact that there is
so much work here!!!!!! In the last two years, they've had 20
baptisms. I feel like there is a lot to do and I know that people are
being prepared.

One investigator has been meeting with missionaries for a LONG time,
coming to church, and being awesome, but hasn't been baptized yet. I
met her and immediately LOVED her. This week we taught the Word of
Wisdom and Law of Chastity and she's doing really well. She is from
Laos and I just felt like she's super ready for the gospel. She's
getting baptized this Saturday at 3:00 pm!!!!!

Another couple has been meeting with missionaries for a while and the
woman feels reallly strong. I can tell that she's gaining a strong
testimony. The husband is working on overcoming smoking. He's gone a
few weeks without it and he's going through packs of gum like it's
going out of style, but he's hanging in there. Both the husband and
wife are scheduled to be baptized this Saturday at 5:00 pm! Last night
we had an intense lesson about the Law of Chastity and it took a
totally different turn than I was expecting. Their son is gay and the
mom was kind of offended by the part about marriage between a man and
a woman because of her son. We had to be really careful about being
senstive to the subject. I could feel the Spirit and by the time we
left, I felt like things were ok. We're going to visit them tonight
and plan to see them every night this week. I realize how difficult it
is for someone to stop smoking and to take on a whole new lifestyle.
It's HARD! And I admire these people sooooo much!

This week we started teaching two sisters that have lived in the same
house since they were born. Their mother passed away last year and
they've stayed there the whole time. These sisters are in their 60's
probably. They are INCREDIBLE!!!!! Yesterday, they came to church for
the first time in their entire lives!!!!!! It was so amazing to see
them sitting in the congregation at church, listening intently and
taking it all in. When I look at Gabrielle, I see her as a leader in
Young Womens. I see so much potential in here.

Another man, in his 60's lost his wife a few months ago. She was a
less active member of the Church, and he'd never had anything to do
with religion. This week we were tracting and found him at his house.
He is SOOOO humble and prepared. Yesterday, we went to teach him the
Plan of Salvation and the Spirit was SOOOOO strong. That was the first
time that I've seen someone so prepared to listen and truly needed
healing. He was totally receptive to everything and he said that he
feels something peaceful when we come. It was absolutely INCREDIBLE.
It is amazing how the Lord prepares people.

The ward is absolutely GREAT! We've had several members present in
lessons and they contribute SO much to the lessons. They share
personal experiences and their testimonies. I feel so much strength
here. The Bishop is phenominal and I absolutely admire him so much.

Yesterday, church was insane. We had about 10 investigators and other
people we are meeting with at Sacrament meeting, and we were busy
introducing them to members and making sure everyone felt welcome and
had a place to sit. I LOVED IT. I absolutely LOVED it.

I recognize that Heavenly Father's plan really, truly is PERFECT. I am
busy studying for investigators during my personal study time. If I
hadn't been in Nauvoo for six months and had the situations that I
did, I know that I would not be ready for the work here. Because I had
so much time to study and prepare, I learned the scriptures better and
I am able to use them in teaching. But I know that came from my time
in Nauvoo. Since I've been in California, it has been GO, go, GO. I am
so grateful that people are prepared and I'm so grateful for the
people here, my good companions, and to be a missionary. I absolutely
LOVE this work and I love this area.

I know without a doubt that Heavnenly Father's plan really is perfect.
He knows us perfectly and if we will submit our will to His will, we
will be blessed beyond our comprehension. I know that He hears our
prayers. He loves us perfectly. We need to do evereything within our
power to become who He intends for us to become by listening to the
promptings of the Spirit.

This is the Lord's work and this is His kingdom on the earth. I know
that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the all mankind, and
especially that He is my Savior. Without Him, I am nothing. I LOVE
BEING A MISSIONARY. I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA. I am so grateful
for my family at home and for my family in Nauvoo. I would not be here
today if it weren't for my dear friends and family. I LOVE YOU!

Love,
Sister Heather Ripplinger

P.S. The picture is of President and Sister Weston. I LOVE, love, love them

Sister Ripplinger's Weekly Letter, October 1, 2012

Sent: Monday, October 1, 2012 10:47 AM
Subject: ♥ Farewell Nauvoo ♥

My dear friends and family,

Starting next week, here is my new mission home address:

Sister Heather Ripplinger

8583 Watt Avenue

Antelope, California

95843-9117

I'll let you know when I am assigned to a specific city! 

This week, I have been thoroughly enjoying the spirit of Nauvoo and have been soaking up these precious experiences. On Tuesday, Sister Christensen and I went to the Nauvoo Groves for our personal and companionship study. Yesterday, we were assigned to serve in Carthage Jail for the afternoon. We had a little bit of time when it was slow, so we went up to the Martyrdom Room. I sat right next to the window that Joseph Smith fell from and read D&C 135. It is absolutely incredible to be in the very place that I am reading about.  Sometimes reality hits me and I can't believe that I am in NAUVOO... I'm in the very places that Joseph Smith-the PROPHET was!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!! 

I was in the VC and a lady walked in that I really felt like I needed to talk with. I briefly spoke with her when she walked in, but she kept going because she wanted to look around. I just kinda shrugged to myself and waited patiently. =) A few minutes later, she walked back over to me and asked if she could ask me a few questions. She felt really peaceful around Nauvoo, she loved that we had a big statue of Christ in our building, and she wanted to know about that big, white building on the hill. I smiled and we started talking. I love to use the temple pamphlet because it has pictures of the different rooms in the temple. The Nauvoo Temple has several different rooms and they are labeled in the pamphlet as Creation, Garden, World, and Celestial Rooms. As I looked into this lady's eyes, I could see that she was seeking more knowledge than just the history of Nauvoo. So I explained how the temple is symbolic, or that everything represents something. I basically taught the Plan of Salvation for about 30 minutes, right there in the Visitor's Center. I placed great emphasis in the fact that everything in temple points us to Christ.  When we finished with the picture of the Celestial room, she looked at me with bright, shining eyes and said, "My dear, I came here wanting to know more than just the history of this town. I wanted to know what you guys were all about. I have to tell you that I am pleased beyond measure with what I've found. I believe everything that you believe. I know that I existed before I came here, I know that families are crucial in God's plan, and I know that we can return to God's presence if we follow Christ. You people truly are trying to follow Christ. Now tell me, what is this book that you all read? The Book of M....what is it?" I smiled and briefly explained what the Book of Mormon is. She was just glowing and asked where she could find a copy of it. I explained that there are missionaries all over the world and that two missionaries could come to her home, bring her a copy of the Book of Mormon, and explain more about what we believe. She looked at me, a little hesitant, and asked if she could maybe just get a copy from a library or something. My heart panicked a little, "Oh no!!! I NEED to get the missionaries to her! She is prepared!!!!" Then the Spirit pushed me. I responded, "You could borrow one from a library. However, I feel very strongly that you will want your own copy. These missionaries are young people, like me, that want to talk with you more about Christ's Church on the earth." I felt this deep sense of urgency when I spoke and looked into her eyes. She looked right into my eyes and responded, "Ok, I feel like this is important, too. When can they come to my house?" This truly is the Lord's work. 

Sister Zibetti and I were on exchanges together this week and went to teach one of the senior couples. We were walking along the sidewalk, when I looked over and thought, "Oh hey! Look! There is a huge snake!" All the sudden, I jumped three feet in the air and yelled to Sister Zibetti, "AH!!! There's a HUGE snake!!!!" We bolted like lightning back to the car and one of the senior elders came out to save us. hahaha He took a lawn mower and was rolling over the snake. The HUGE, big, fat, ugly snake coiled up and started striking at the lawn mower. That is the first snake I've seen in Nauvoo and oh goodness, I am so grateful! It was HUGE!!!!!!

At this point in time, we are going back through the Pageant referrals that we couldn't contact earlier. I had a miracle happen that was really neat. This one card for a Kelsey had been called several times. When I dialed it, I realized that I wasn't going to be able to contact her. So I immediately called the member's number. Corinne answers and tells me that Kelsey is actually right next to her, and Kelsey's phone only gets texts. I spoke with Kelsey right there and it turns out that she had JUST moved to college and would LOVE to have missionaries come visit her. Her parents had not approved her going to church when she was living at home. So as soon as she turned 18, she moved out, and now she wants to have missionaries come!!!! Woohoo!!!

I was also able to serve in the Heber C. Kimball home this week with Sister Call. I LOVE THAT WOMAN. I really kinda felt like I had died and gone to heaven. We sat out on that lovely porch together and enjoyed a little breeze, the beautiful trees that are changing colors, and just talked and talked all day long. We took a few tours, but for the most part, I think Heavenly Father let me have that beautiful experience before I leave Nauvoo. Sister and Elder Call went to Israel, Egypt, and Jordan two years ago, so I LOVED talking with her about those experiences. I feel so incredibly blessed to have been able to visit those places and to have someone else that has experiences those same things. =) Thus, I am just a really happy sister missionary. 

One man that didn't seem particularly fond of Mormons came up to me in the Visitor's Center and asked if I was one of them Mormons. When I said that I was, he asked if I was also going to Brigham Young (referring to BYU). I smiled and said that I was. He chuckled under his breath and said, "Ya, I thought so. You're just like I thought. One of them Mormons that go to Brigham Young. Well, ya know what? If you Mormons knew anything about your prophets, you'd know that all of them, except Joseph, went to the University of Utah. You ever thought of that? It's the school of your prophets! So why don't ya go there???" I smiled and replied, "Well, I'm never going to be a prophet, myself, so I'll stick with BYU." He muttered under his breath and walked away. I guess he isn't a big fan of BYU. =) Oh well! haha I LOVE BYU!!!!!!!

The General Relief Society Broadcast was AMAZING!!!!!! My prayers have been very specific this summer and during the last few weeks, I've been praying for specific things from General Conference. In the RS meeting alone, I have already received several answers to prayer. What is neat is that a lot of the answers came from things that the Spirit taught me, and some were word for word what they said. The leaders of the Church truly are inspired and servants of the Lord. They are pure and good, so the Spirit can work through them to teach us. I am SOOOOOOO excited for General Conference!!!! It's crazy to think that in April, I was in the Conference Center as part of a missionary choir. I will NEVER forget that experience. Now I'm in NAUVOO!!!!!!!! This has gotta be the good life. =)

This is my last email from Nauvoo, the BEAUTIFUL. With a grateful heart, I look back at what I have learned and experienced here. I have learned many things.

Next week, I will be in CALIFORNIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =D We get to go to the temple with President and Sister Gilliland one more time right before we leave, then we leave Nauvoo early Tuesday morning for the airport!!! I've been praying to have missionary opportunities while I travel, so I'll be excited to report what happens! =D My hearts is bursting with rapturous joy as I think about hopping into an airplane again and adventuring into the unknown. I have no idea who my companion will be, or if I'll be in a trio for a little while. I don't know what the face looks like that will be greeting me at the airport in CA. I don't know how many interstates will be looping around each other or how many cows might be in the field. =D haha I feel so full of faith and I really am so excited!!!!!!!  I'm just excited to meet the people and get to work!!! I have been praying for these people all summer and I already feel a deep sense of love for them. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father is sending me to California. Here we go!!!!! =D

♥ Farewell, Nauvoo! ♥

Love,

Sister Heather Ripplinger

Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!!!!!

Sister Ripplinger's Weekly Letter, October 10, 2012

Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 2:37 PM
Subject: CALIFORNIA!!!!

My dear friends and family,

 

I am in CALIFORNIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it feels GOOD!!!!! =D I already LOVE it here. LOVE IT.

 

The last week in Nauvoo was wonderful. I was in the Visitor's Center one morning and two men walked in. One was a member of the Church and the other was a Korean man that was riding his bike across the United States. He's lived in Los Angelas for a few years now. This member somehow ran into this biker and felt really strongly about bringing him to the VC. They came in and watched the Joseph Smith movie and afterwards, the member immediately asked if we had a Korean Book of Mormon. We sure did!!! As I was walking up the stairs from the storage area, I felt really strongly to ask him if he had met missionaries before. I handed him the Book of Mormon and asked. He said that several years ago, in South Korea, missionaries had taught him English!!! He anxiously agreed to meet with missionaries in L.A.!!!!!! It was a quick and really amazing miracle!!!

 

Saying good-bye to my Nauvoo sisters and my dear Sister Christensen was really difficult. I have really come to love them. We were able to attend a temple session and eat dinner at President Gilliland's house all together before we left. It was such a great blessing to be able to go to the temple one more time. President Gilliland gave us Priesthood blessings before we left and I am truly looking forward to what lies ahead.

 

So Tuesday morning, we packed up the vans at 7:30 am and drove to St. Louis. None of the other sisters were going to fly with me, so I was on my own. I hugged the last sisters good bye and had tears streaming down my face. They walked away together and I closed my eyes, said a prayer for strength to jump in with both feet, then opened my eyes. I had been praying that Heavenly Father would place people in my path in the airport or on the planes. I looked around and tried to listen to the Spirit. I sat down and pulled out my Book of Mormon. Immediately, this man sitting across from me looks up and asks if I'm ok. I smiled and wiped away the tears quickly. Rodrigo's flights had been changed last minute, and had just barely been switched to my flight to Dallas, Texas. He is from Mexico and was just in the US on business. We started talking and before I knew what was happening, he wrote down his home address and said he wanted missionaries in Mexico to stop at his home and teach his family. He has two little kids and he's seen missioanries before, but they've never stopped to teach him before. I gave him a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and I saw him reading it on the flight. =)

 

On the plane, I sat down and started talking with my neighbor. His father had just passed away and Mario was returning from the funeral!!!!! We started talking about where his dad is now and we read from Alma 40. He was soaking it up. He wanted to know all about the Book of Mormon and I was able to teach the Plan of Salvation to this young man that had just lost his dad!!! Before I could offer, he asked if he could take the Book of Mormon and read more. His flight had also been switched last minute because flight schedules were off. MIRACLE!!!!

 

I had to switch gates at the airport to take my next flight to Sacramento. For some reason, my boarding pass did not include the gate number and I was going to have to find a digital screen to find my gate. As I walked toward the information desk, the man standing in front of me asked about the Sacramento flight. He helped me find the right place and I know he was sent by Heavenly Father to help me get where I was supposed to be on time.

 

There was also a nice member on that flight and as soon as I walked into the plane, he popped up out of his seat and yelled, "SISTER!!!!" He had a huge grin and was so excited to see a MISSIONARY!!! =) It made my day!  haha

 

So....I was kindly escorted by this member named Scott and he walked me out toward the luggage pick up area. And there....standing with a glow around them... was my President and Sister Weston and their little daughter, Lizzie. =) I immediately felt their love and I love them. They were SO good to me!!!! I honestly felt right at home and so loved. We went to dinner and then they dropped me off with some sisters in the area for the night. I don't have my companion assignment yet, but I will shortly. I am SO excited to be here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

This email is kinda quick, but know that I'm doing GREAT and I am so ready to get to work! I feel so grateful that Heavenly Father answered my prayers and let me find a few people that were prepared on my way to California. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!!

 

Love,

Sister Heather Ripplinger