Sister Ripplinger's Letter, Do What is Right, June 18, 2013

My dear family and friends,

The first picture is of David at his baptism!!!!! SO EXCITING!!!!

Sister Newell is absolutely WONDERFUL. I LOVE Sister Newell. We frequently ride bikes to our different shifts and find a lot of joy in that. haha We are figuring out which skirts work well with biking and which ones don't do so well. I have this one skirt that has a bunch of layers and is white. It totally got stuck in the wheels and Sister Newell had to help me get loose. hahaha She's a champ and we have so much fun together, while working hard to reach our goals.

Usually, I sit down with my planner and report all of the things that happened during the week...but this morning, we went to the temple and I totally forgot my planner. Without that planner, I am pretty much useless. So I am just going to share a few thoughts about things that I've been working on and experiencing!

One neat miracle that happened last night while we were in the Referral Center... I had one more referral card to call on and was kind of hesitant to call. But I dialed the number and spoke with the dad of the family. We talked for just a few minutes and he accepted to have missionaries come to their home and teach them!!!! I said something different than I have ever said before (the Spirit directed it) and he was willing to be taught! It is absolutely amazing how the Lord knows our hearts and what we need to hear.

That is something that I want to emphasize in this email. Heavenly Father knows our hearts perfectly. He knows what we need, what we want, and what is best for us in the eternal vision of our existence. He knows where we need to grow and how to help us progress. He hears our prayers and is answering them. I have been keeping a journal of what I pray for and then keeping record of when and how the prayers are answered. It is absolutely amazing to watch the pattern.  My testimony is growing stronger and stronger of prayer. When we understand our relationship with Heavenly Father, prayer becomes instinctive.

On Sunday, we had the opportunity to serve in Carthage Jail and Sister Newell and I got to take a nap while the other sisters drove. As I was kicking back my seat to take a nap, Elder Holland's voice came on and one phrase stood out to me that I wrote down before I went unconscious. "Resist all temptation." I thought it was interesting how we can't always REMOVE temptations, but we can RESIST them. I've been focusing on that quote this week. haha It's amazing how the Lord allows us to be tested and we can stand strong. When we really put up a fight and do our very best, miracles happen. Sister Newell and I have had a lot of incredible miracles lately because of the enabling power of the Atonement.

I absolutely LOVE being a missionary. These are days that I will treasure and cherish for the rest of eternity. The opportunities and experiences are so unique and precious. I LOVE serving the Lord. Always turn to the Savior and trust Him. Do what is right because it is the right thing to do.

Love,
Sister Heather Ripplinger