I am in the Estaca Cañoto (week 18)

November 25, 2013
Hey family and friends!

Are you guys ready for some CRAZY NEWS?!!! Okay, way fast. I went to Burger King for the first time in 4 months and it was SO GOOD! Steakhouse Burgers are so great. But I got a stomach infection from it, so diarrhea for 5 days wasnt a good return. Hahaha dont worry. The medications are working. I was able to work! And I went to a supermarket and bought a ton of healthy food and didnt get to keep any of it. Lets find out why!!!

So my dear sweet companion, Elder Chavez, went home and we knew that was coming. I was told Tuesday night I would stay in Nuevo Mundo. Cool. But I got a phone call Wednesday morning and I GOT TRANSFERRED! They gave me about 30 minutes to pack and get to the mission office to move. Ï was blindsided, have no pictures of my ward members because I didnt think I would go, and yeah. I was most sad that I had to leave my BBQ sauce and Peanut Butter there because there wasnt room. Ill rebuy it this week. 

So where am I now? I am in the Estaca Cañoto, in Barrio Trompillo. Its about 10 minutes closer to the Central Santa Cruz and its a total opposite of it. Its so close to the mission president that he lives in the stake, and we are in the same district of the assistants. Crazy! Get ready for more crazies. We have 9 missionaries in the ward! We had 10, but one got sent to her mission in Venezuela. So we have 3 more visa waiters, including my comp, and we have HERMANAS! Which means, Christmas musicians, please email some 4 handed piano pieces and or piano vocal duets either in Spanish, or with a translation! The Hnas can sing and play piano! its 5 elders and 4 hnas! Our ward only has 250 or so active members, but a ton of less actives. We have a supermarket in our area and SO MUCH MORE! Im so happy. My companion is Elder Gomez. He is from La Paz, and he is AWESOME! He is 25 years old and super humble. We are best friends and I just thank you all for your prayers on my behalf this past week. Im so happy. Theres asphalt in my area, people drive cars, people have iPads! ITs CRAZYYYY!!! We take bucket showers, too, but thats fine! Ill deal with it! People are more closed minded and its harder to bring investigators, but thats fine. Ill deal with it. I love where I am. Im so HAPPYYY!!!!

This past week as I visited my new ward members, everyone complimented me on my name. I laughed many times because they said I smiled a ton, where as in my head I was DYING because its hotter as heck here and diarrhea too really makes it hard to walk a ton. But they love my name! thanks Grandpa Richard! And also, my spanish just improved SO MUCH these past few months! Everyone was amazed. I only have 4 months in the mission. I couldnt help but be filled with gratitude for my savior and his blessings and gifts he has given me in my life. I was born with the gift of tongues. I fell in love with the French language and learned quickly in high school. Even though Spanish was difficult, I know the Lord gave me this gtift to help others become converted to the gospel. As you celebrate your blessings during Thanksgiving this week, I invite you ponder upon the invitation that this hymn brings: ¨Because I have been given much, I too must give. Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see. Who has the need of help from me?¨ Sometimes we are so self critical we forget to see the gifts that highlight our individuality. It is so important to pray to know what these gifts are, or, if we are able to, we can read our Patriarchal Blessings to read what those blessings are. And we must forgtet that while some gifts were given to us, some we had to work to attain. Either way, we are counseled just as Timothy was when the Apostle Paul wrote ¨Neglect not the gift that is in thee.¨AS you prepare to go shopping this Fridayt, I hope each of you will remember your gifts and use them to serve others.

Thank you all for your love and support. Yes, the mission is the craziest thing Ive ever done. This morning I spent 2 hours hand washing my clothes and my hands were so dry from the detergent and water and stuff on my hands. But I cant help but smile because this is the life of me, a 19 year old California boy here in Bolivia!

It is my hope that the angels will surround each of you this week and that you will continue to remember the blessings of life.

Con amor,

Elder Risueño

Love you all!

First picture is of the BK that gave me diarrhea till easters.

Second is of Hna Berta Acosta and her sister Hna Cristina. The one on the left, Hna Cristina, is super sick but super nice! I love them!

Third one is of me walking through a CRAZY rain storm to visit some members before Elder Chavez and I left. I started walking and avoiding the puddles, but once I slipped into a puddle, I walked straight through them hahaha.

4th and 5th ones are of the 10 missionaries in the ward doing service. My comp is the short one on teh way far left with the shirt that says surf shirt or somenthing like that. Hes super dark and his shirt is too.

Life isnt easy, but with God its possible (week 17)

 November 18, 2013

Hey family!!!

This week was awesome!!

Mom and pops, thanks for the tree and ornaments! You guys are great!!

Bremmer family, I love you guys so much! I tried to keep the package till Christmas, but my companions wanted it and it was GREATTT! The Hot Cheetos were gone too soon, but it was great. Thank you for your sacrifice. 

Im so glad Mom and Dad got their own Christmas package this week. I love you guys. 

Grandma Dawn had some questions today:

I live in a house with two other missionaries. 

I eat at a members house everyday for lunch, and some bread for dinner. We can shop at a supermarket, but Ive never gone. We will go today in hopes for better health for me. Its out of our zone, so its kind of difficult to go. About 20 minutes away.

We are going to BURGER KING today in Central Santa Cruz. About 30 minutes away. 

So you ready for some spiritualness?!!

SANTA CRUZ IS GETTING A TEMPLE!! Thats right. Its been in talks for a year, and this week the church bought 25 lotes to construct the temple! So exciting. I cant wait.

I finished training, and my companion is going home to meet my sister. I am so happy. I cant help but think why I, and so many other young people are serving missions. I think its because we want to change the world and we are willing to do whatever it takes to help someone. We are willing to go through trials and everything just to help someone in need.

Mom sent me this in a letter. Its a quote that says ¨Great leaders emerge from those who learn to change themselves first. Only then are these people worth listening too.¨ This author is speaking of tone. Of an ability of self goverfnment to help others. ¨These people inspire others just by establishing a connection with them. They have something other people want. Its a tone, a feeling. It is the product of self government.¨ People can doubt young adults like us, but by interacting with many different people, we learn this self governemtn and we live it. 

I love the hymn As Zions Youth in Latter days. Zion is a place of people who are pure in heart.

1. 3. Thru test and trial we'll have our fears,
   But we will not despair.
   We're here to serve a righteous cause;
   Truth gives us strength to dare.
   We'll love, and learn, and overcome;
   We'll sing a joyful song,
   As Zion's youth in latter days,
   Triumphant, pure, and strong.

This week I invite you to meditate and ponder upon someone who may need some extra happiness in their life. Once you find that person, pray for a way for you and the missionaries to serve this person, even with cookies! I promise yhou that not only will you feel the strong spirit of Christ in your life, but your fiend will never forget the kind service given byh those young people!

I end with my testimony of another missionary in a training video for us missionaries:

There is a point in everyones life where you have to have God because you have nothing else. Our job as missionaries is to make sure that when that point comes that they KNOW that God is right there. Life isnt easy, but with God its possible. And its not just possible, its fulfilling.¨ I bear you my testimony that its true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Con amor, 

Elder Risueño

Change the world. Just a step at a time (Week 16)

November 11, 2013
Dearest family and friends,

So I just read Ellyns email from last week and how I love that she and I are practically the same person! I have been so excited for Christmas and have been singing all day long and other people think Im trunky to call home, but I just want to sing!! The heat is killing me as well, but I just smile and wave! Our investigators seemed to disappear, too, and I have a scripture from Mosiah 2 to share with you! I just love my sister!!!

Onto the crazies before the spirituality:

Monday I counted 25 bug bites around my body. I use repellent, but I guess my fan was on my face only so not only have I been getting sick a lot, but the bugs were attacking my hot body. hahah you know what I mean.

We killed another rat and I freaked out yet again. Some pictures to share with you. 

And the best of all the best, I ate cow nipple yesterday for lunch. Yup. And it was kind of good. Hhahahahah I love the mission!!! 

I get so excited each week because I hear of so many more mission calls! Thanks for keeping me updated family. I love the work of the Lord. This week, while many of our investigators stopped talking to us, we had a baptism. Dulce is an 8 year old who is just so sweet! Hahah pun. Her family is part member, but she just loves the gospel. I got to confirm her on Sunday and I just want to tell you all that the gift of tongues is real. Its not creepy. Its a gift God gives to people who need His help to preach the gospel. And I have improved so much the past twelve weeks. I love the Lord and his tender mercies.

As I was waiting for my companion to change after the baptism, I walked into the room and saw that people were just chilling and talking when the Spirit should have been present and entering their hearts after that moment! So I simply got up, and asked if I could sing a song. This is what I sang from the Childrens Songbook of the church:

My life is a gift. My life has a plan. MY life has a purpose, in heaven it began. My choice was to come to this lovely home on Earth and seek for Gods light to direct me from birth. I will follow Gods plan for me, holding fast to his word and his love. I will work and I will pray. I will always walk in his way. And I will be happy on Earth and in my home above.

How short, and sweet are these lyrics to help us know our purpose on this great Earth. In Mosiah, a prophet and King named Benjamin offered the following advice that I echo myself. 

I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual, and if they hold out faithful to the end, they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of neverending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true.

Each day this week, I invite each of you to consider the blessings youve received from keeping Gods commandments. And when prompted, I invite you to share your feelings regarding these blessings with someone in need of your love. I promise you that as you do this, not only will your love for the Savior grow, but the person with whom you share your testimony will feel an inreased sense of gratitude for the blessings of God.

Happy Veterans Day, Happy thanksgiving, and Happy Christmas! 

I know the Lord loves each of you. I know he wants you to talk to Him each day. This is my last week as a new missionary, and after this week, I will be just another missionary trying to change the world. You all can do the same. Change the world. Just a step at a time. 

Con amor, 

Elder Risueño

Pictures:  Rats. and me. I hate them. 

Another is of a picture from the Powers family. I love this and am so grateful for it. 

The next few are from the baptism I had! Grandpas tie was with me both days because it was an important day. :)

another one is my love for anti monkey butt powder. For future missionaries that go to hot areas with food that gives you diarrhea, this thing is a must have! THANKS MOM!

Arise and Shine! (Week 15)

Hey family and friends!

This week was just so awesome, I about peed myself with the fun things that happened. First off, I saw a rat get killed! Actually I screamed and hid, but I moved the trashbag so we could kill the darn thing! Hahahhaha Pictures of course!

Another thing, I got to see my MTC friends after 2 months! What the heck?! Really?! 2 months! and guess what?! They are all having the same problems. My friend Elder Wilkinson, in the photo, has been to the hospital more times than most people should and its hard! The mission is hard! But we all just laugh and love it! We may not have iPads here to use like the missionaries in the US, but man we use sand to communicate and we love it! Oh, we got cell phones a month ago! Every companionship! Super rare and crazy. I about died. Thats how far behind Bolivia is.
This week we also had exchanges. I went with the Zone Leader to his area and it was awesome. I just felt the Spirit and even though I was worried about my weaknesses, I was just led by the Spirit and learned a ton. Who knew how great the Lord would be with me. I was just so grateful to learn. 

My companion leaves to go home in 2 weeks, and even though its sad, he gets to go to HONDURAS to see Ellyn so Im actually quite excited. hahaha. 

Halloween here was really calm. A few kids went up to a man and said FELIZ NOCHE DE HALLOWEEN and he just was super confused to which the Mom replied in Spanish, Just give them candy. Love it! 

This week was also Todos Santos, which is day of the dead where people party and remember their family members that have died and go to their graves. So no one was home, it was pouring rain, and I felt badly that they didnt know of the Plan of Salvation. As I was walking in the pouring rain and just enjoying missionary life, I thought of the scripture that says ¨Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth that thy light may be a standard unto the nations.¨ How awesome! In the rain, I just wanted to shine and help these people! Our investigators have problems. But we are working super hard. We are looking at baptizing a 9 year old this Saturday! Her name is Dulce, how perfect! What a light she is to me.

This week, I just want to leave you all with the lyrics to this sing:
How can I keep this gift to myelf, when I can lift somebody else? I am a witness of His miracles and His mercy. I put my future in His hands, knowing hes made me all I am. When I put my faith in Him, the truth begins to speak. His power is real. It moves me until I will not be still.¨

My dear family and friends, this week I ask each of you to not be still. To be a light to someone else. To serve them. To share with them your testimony. The Lord has blessed each of us in so many ways! I am just so happy to be a missionary and to be here in Bolivia. I love you all and pray the Lord to protect you.
Elder Risueño

P.S. Elder Chavez and I found the mustaches and the food is what we just had for lunch! Meat and rice! So perfect. I am changing so much! But I did have pasta this week. Love to you all!

I love my mission (Week 14)

Family and friends!

This week has been crazy as usual. First off, Happy HALLOWEEN! Here in Bolivia, people do stuff if they want, but Todos Santos (day of the dead) is more important so Ill have some stuff to share with you this week as I live through my first Halloween here. Honestly, I might dress up, but there isnt too much on this side of town going on.

A few crazy stories to make yall smile:
We have rats here. One lived in my bag for a bit, and then it escaped. Another elder killed another one, but I did NOT want a picture with the thing. Time to clean the house!

So Ive decided that pasteurized milk is too main stream so I buy my milk straight from the cow! A man comes in a carriage with milk for me to buy every morning! I only buy it a few times a week and LOVE IT! Its more of the experience. 

During my first Zone Conference, my awesome Mission President shared his love for my companion who goes home in 3 weeks. Pres Willard shared how humble Elder Chavez was and how awesome of a missionary I will be because of my training. Well, I went to put my arm around Elder Chavez and instead I ELBOWED HIM IN THE FACE! My Mission Mom was right behind us and she was dying of laughter with us. Totes an RJ moment. 

I totally had a near death experience! It was awesome. So I was walking into my pensionistas home and was behind my companion. I closed the gate and had walked maybe 6 steps when I heard a CRACK and WABAM! part of their tree fell to the ground. I kind of laughed it off because it seemed pretty light, but it probably would have killed me or stopped me from playing piano. Both of those are on the same level.

Speaking of hands, I want to share with you my love for the Saviors hands. But first, story. So last year I had the amazing oppòrtunity to work during the holiday season and I enjoyed every minute of the hustle and bustle. I also got to help put together a Christmas musical program for my church and both of those experiences will forever be imprinted in my mind. This year, and next, will be different. In my area, there isnt a mall. There wont be a music program. But there will be service. This season, I get to be like my Savior, Jesus Christ. I get to serve others as a way of gratitude for my blessings in life.

A song called His Hands shares the following message about the Savior:

His hands would serve his whole life through

Showing man what hands might do
Giving, ever giving, endlessly.

Each day was filled with selflessness

And Ill not rest till I make up my hands what they could be

Till these hands become like those from Galilee.

The song focuses on how the Lord served and worked miracles with his hands. He healed the sick, raised the dead, comforted the weary. But he also clasped his hands in agony when he was suffering for our sins. He used his hands out of love, and when those he loved pierced his hands, he still loved them and served them.

This week was rough. Our investigators need someone to love them before they will make the commitment to be baptized. Man, am I learning patience like my sister. But, I am using my hands to hold scriptures and to hold their hands while I bring them closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ.

The next two months, I invite each of you reading this to think of your hands: What are you doing with them? Are you using them to lift others, or to lift yourself? When the Savior was on the Earth, he taught a young man who had kept all of the commandments of the God. This keen young man asked the Lord what more he lacked. The Savior responded: ¨If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast and give to the poor and thou shalt have treasure in heaven. Come and follow me.¨ This man, having many posessions, went away sad because he wouldnt give what he had. (Matthew 19:19 to 21) Now, this isnt a speech to get you to give all of your money to people who have no money. Rather, this is an invitation to give up something more precious: Your time. And to give to people who are poor in spirit. You know people in your life who need that love. If you dont, pray for the Lord to tell you who needs your help. I promise you that if you serve others, this will be a Christmas to never forget. Dont sell your material possessions, sell your time of watching TV or going on Facebook and do something for someone who has nothing.

I bear my testimony of the reality of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love my mission and love each and every one of you. I also know that I can send letters now! I have addresses and will make it to the post office once a month to get them to you. The picture attached is the tree that almost killed me, and the house I eat at every day. I love you all!
Con amor,
Elder Risueño

Happy 3 Months to me! (Week 13)

My dearest family and loving friends,

Well this week has been one to remember:

A cockroach in the house walked on my feet and I squealed and about peed my pants...A dog peed on my leg while I was writing down an appointment...I stepped in about a foot of mud and totally soaked my shoe...

I almost ruined Moms DELICIOUS brownie mix because I forgot to put butter on the pan before... and have made many other cooking mistakes.

But isnt it the best?! Arent missions the most awesome things in the world?!

This week, I wanted to share with you my testimony about our tales that each of us has to tell. Let me elaborate:

This week we have found some different and blessed people.

Antoinela is about 95 years old, cant walk, cant really move, she just talks to us with few words and tells us she has pains in her body and wants to walk. She is suffering.

Lorenza Rojas is a wife of a sweet husband who is terribly sick. He cant go to church because he pees in his pants and doesnt really know it. Hna Rojas is old, and has served the Lord her entire life, but when she needed the help, the ward didnt come to help. She is suffering.

Julian had a terrible accident two months ago and lost his wife in a car accident. He himself cant walk and he doesnt know why God would cause him this much pain when he has done all he can to be a good person. He is suffering.

As a missionary, I have dealt with some small sufferings of investigators not coming to church, not wanting to change. And after about 6 weeks of not having any investigator progress, we had 7 people come to church with us. We have a lot of work to do, and after waiting, the Lord has provided. That reminds me of a great verse of a hymn:

Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? 

Tis not so, all is right!

Why should we think to earn a great reward

If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins, fresh courage take

Our God will never us forsake!
And soon we´ll have this tale to tell:
All is well! All is well!

I know that through patience during our trials, we can find silver linings to share with other who are suffering. In my life, I have had trials and I never knew I would share them with people each day of the mission.

I am sure that each of you has trials too. We all have them each day of the week. But what are we doing to share our experiences of hope with others? So many people dont know where to go to find solace. But we have the knowledge that they need to make it through the day.

This past week, I received a great talk from my friend Alyssa Whalen that had this quote from Bruce D Porter:

Trials may come, and we may not understand everything that happens to us or around us. But if we humbly, quietly trust in the Lord, He will give us strength and guidance in every challenge we face. When our only desire is to please Him, we will be blessed.

For this week, I ask each of you to pray to find someone who needs your light. Who needs your hope. Let the Lord guide you to them, and share with them the great blessings that come from the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.

The prophet Nephi, in the Book of Mormon, said the following during a trial of his:

My God hath been my support, he hath led me through mine afflictions and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

How I hope the best for each of you this week and pray the Lord will guide you in every step.

Con amor,
Elder Risueño

P.S. Take a look at my scriptures case, my lovely shoes after the mud attacked, and Happy birthday, mom! and happy 3 months to me! 

Gotta love being RJ Risueño (Week 12)

My dearest family and friends,

Well this week was crazy as usual! 

For the best part... I LOST MY CREDIT CARD! So awesome. Not. I was so excited about getting my scripture covers made that my credit card went somewhere. Gotta love being RJ Risueño. Hahahaha. Dont worry, the church gives me money. I just felt it was perfect timing because my moms birthday is this week! Oh, and for the 10,000 other people with birthdays this week--Momma Wilson, Momma Stowell, and Aunt Ruthe, and Uncle Mike and Aunt Denise--Happy Birthday. 

Another funny duddy: Its really common for people to buy American shirts to wear here and they have no idea what they say. A lady in my ward was wearing a shirt that had glitters and said WORK THAT. Yup. I about died. So embarrassing for her. I love Bolivians. 

Also, my pensionista has a dog thats big and scary and they call him Bruce Willis, which in Spanish is Bruce Weelee. Its do die for. 

On to the other stuff:

My heart hurts and rejoices for another guardian angel that will be with me as I work as a missionary. Almost every month of my mission, I have experienced a death of a loved one. Grandpa, Linda, and now Pilar Casillas. As much as it hurts, I received a laminated photo of a painting of missionaries walking with angels by their side. Cathy Powers, you are such a great person. Thank you.

One of our investigators, Carlos, is a great man. But Carlos is an addict. We taught him the Word of Wisdom and he promised to stop drinking, but we found him drunk and it hurt to see him like that. He was sad, depressed, and his family is in shambles. Family, addictions arent worth it. If you have an addiction, its time to come to Christ. If you feel like there is no way out, there is. 

One of my favorite songs that Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings is called ¨Softly and Tenderly¨and here are some of the lyrics:

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,

Calling for you and for me.

Still are the waters he´s waiting and watching.

Watching for you and for me.

´´Come home! Come home!

Ye who are weary, come home.´´

Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,

Calling, ¨Oh sinner, come home!¨

I invite each of you to listen to this beautiful song and think about the changes you can make in your life to come to your Savior. How I wish that Carlos would do the same for his sweet family.

In the Book of Mormon, council is given regarding coming to Christ by a prophet named Jacob: ¨Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of day, harden not your hearts.¨

To those who feel like they cant do it, you can. The Atonement reaches so many capacities. I have felt its love in my life. Whether you have an addiction, or whether you have just fallen off the path, the time is now to get back into the Savior´s footsteps. 

I offer my solemn testimony of the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. The road to happiness isnt easy, but its sure. I love being a representative of my Savior Jesus Christ and I love each and every one of you. Thank you for your letters and your prayers. I know the Savior loves you.

I offer this testimony in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Con mucho amor,

Elder Risueño