Elder Cody Ridley: Oct. 3, 2011

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Oct. 3, 2011

Oct. 3,2011
Mom,
What a wonderful weekend filled with the spirit of testimonies and song! I had a great week with that has helped me to understand a new vision I have in my life and the things I can do with the help of the Lord and all his servants. First of I wanted to say how excited the coast of Colombia is to be receiving a temple here in Barranquilla. Mom, remember me telling you that that's been a big goal here for us in the mission and I am now here to witness the commotion and the hope for a stronger future here in Colombia. When President Thomas S Monson stated the temples, and when I heard Colombia Barranquilla my mind when awwwwwwwwww! I could not focus on anything else. I did not remember hearing the other temples declared. The chapel went in a little shock too, but with a silent cheer. My thought on all this just gets me emotional to know I am here in the moment when it was called. It is special to me. I will be making plans to come back for the dedication in two years after my mission. It takes about three year's right? This conference was great because I finally understood it haha. I believe I took 8 pages of notes in my journal. I find it more and more simple the work I do to simply love the people and serve them will be my biggest goal, but my greatest strength after I fulfill my time here. I know this message we share as missionaries is a message of love, light, and hope. I find it more and more each day a privilege to be here and know that there is always one more day in the mission and one more day less we can say. Your quote from Elder Bennet about seeking divine intervention daily with the choice.......prayer, scripture study, service and acts of charity by love. My choices I make are more delicate and precious to me now and this includes my thoughts I make because they will always make the outcome. If I think of bad I will do bad, but if I think good I will do good. This is a simple thing I have been practicing and I can say that I am mastering it more and more and I know it's possible. I loved the priesthood session and what Dieter F Uchtdorf explained to us about how we suffer because we don't act, but if we serve it will change that. I feel I have suffered in a way, because my mission has been about how I can be a better missionary, but I didn't realize that until this past weekend and really all my desires are to, simple serve and love the people is my goal. This mission has helped me to open my eyes and work in the way of the Lord. Last thing I liked was by our prophet about the promises of the lord are real in the good and in the bad. He also used my mission scripture in 1 peter 3:15, so I was happy about that. Simply I was grateful for this weekend and the opportunity I had to sit thirty minutes before and prepare with the music provided by the choir. The hymns are becoming the voice of my heart more and more each day. Anyway, the only thing that sadden my weekend, is none of our investigators attended, but our new converts did and they sat with Elder Lopez and I. All in all, I am happy :) I am glad to hear that life is changing with new things. The news about Maddie, I can't think about it, but tell her congratulations. I received an e-mail from Erik today and he is in Africa in the MTC already!? I am going to respond to him and Skyler next week. I want to share will all you my plan I have for this future....
My Plan
-repent daily
-relation with the spirit
-service
-time
*all this will strengthen my testimony
I love you mom and tell the family I love them too. My companion says hello too :) Speak soon
Elder Ridley

Ps- I saw the photo of your new haircut and you look younger...I even share the two photos I have of you with
people from the ward and investigators and they say that your newer photos you look younger haha.
- I don't think I need much more than what I have. I am actually trying to get rid of some of my things. I have given always some clothes already and such, but really, what I miss is candies from the states.
-Any more news about the seminary information issue?
-One more thing....I was thinking about what you mentioned mom about the plans for when we are all together again. That will be in the upcoming year around Christmas, but i gave it a though because you said you wanted to start making plans. I think it would be great to have a Christmas in New York :) it's my idea, but give it a thought

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Testimony of Skyler-older brother

My Testimony,

All that I have come to know to be true about the purpose of our existence and the reality of God has been something I have had to personally experience. For much of my life I was taught correct principles by my parents and they with words and by their example invited me to abide by these principles. It is now that I have grown older that I know that the principles and values they taught me are principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These principles are not just things we do but who we become. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. He is our Savior who loves and forgives. He gave his life for us. There truly is no greater testament of his love than the price he paid in behalf of all of us. I came to know him as I lived and served in England. He and our Father in Heaven are mindful of all that we experience. No matter our choices their arms of love and mercy are never closed. They are open and extended always towards us. To receive their help and answers we must and can act in faith. Prayer is real. Our heartfelt desires, concerns, and questions are heard by God and he answers. I know that God answers prayers. I read the Book of Mormon I felt its power and truth and then prayed to have God confirm its truth to me. It was peace in my mind and in my heart at this moment when I prayed that I knew the truth of the Book of Mormon is true. Joseph Smith was a righteous man and a prophet of God. He was visited by God and his son Jesus Christ. They appeared to him to usher in the time when all the truth that was once taught by Christ and his Apostles to be restored to the earth. I know this event took place. It makes sense. God is not a God of confusion. Division, anger, and contention are not of God. Christ has one true Church that Church is the Church which bears his name in these latter-days: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There is a living prophet. His name is Thomas Monson. He was called by God to receive revelation and direction from him. He like prophets of old has been chosen to bring unity to the body of believers. I love the Lord and know all of us can be happy if we walk in his steps. I know that we are never alone because He lives! All this I share in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Mom's Testimony

I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I know He lives and that He died for each of us that we may one day return to the presence of our Father in Heaven. He has provided us the way through the great plan of happiness-a plan that gives us guidance and direction for our lives here on earth that if we follow, will bring us peace and happiness here, and the greatest joy for eternity.
I know that the Heavens are still open today and the Lord does hear and answers our prayers and righteous desires. I know that he has given us living Prophets and Apostles for our day who receive revelation and direction for God's children on the earth right now. Guidance and direction that when we heed, helps us to find that greatest peace and happiness in our lives. I know that the revelations and directions from Prophets and Apostles of old were preserved so that we today would have the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ to both the Jews of his days and Gentiles that his Apostles were commanded to take it to. I know that after his crucifixion, Christ had "other sheep not of this fold" to which he went and visited. Those "other sheep" lived here in America, brought out of Jerusalem by the power of God to preserve his people. Those people were called Nephites and Lamenites whom he visited after his crucifixion to call Apostles among them and to teach them his doctrines. Those doctrines are found in the Book of Mormon which witnesses that Jesus lived and left his gospel in it's purity to be preserved for these Latter-days. I know that the Book of Mormon was preserved thousands of years to be brought forth in God's time and to testify as a second witness of His son's life and teachings. I know the Book of Mormon holds God's gospel and that within it's pages are the answers to questions that many are searching for, but know not where to find it. I know that God restored His Prophets to these Latter-days beginning with the boy Joseph Smith and through him also restored His gospel and all the rights to exercise it through His priesthood. I know that today His Prophet on earth is Thomas S. Monson and he, like Jesus Christ, has 12 living Apostles to help in building God's kingdom here on earth.
How do I know all these things? Just like you can come to know such truths- by seeking to know them through humble prayer. I know that God answers prayers today just as He did Noah, Abraham, Issac or Lehi, Nephi and Alma for He is no respecter of persons. I have read the Bible, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price each multiple times, and continue to study, ponder and pray about the doctrines and teachings in each of them. I have had the spirit, Christ's gift to each of us, bear witness to me that they are true. I have asked God and received answers to my questions, just as you might, if you do so with a sincere heart and with real intent to come to know these truths for yourself. If you don't know about God's gospel that has been restored in it's fullness in these Latter-days, ask Him to help you find it. I know He will, for he loves His children and it is His work and His glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of each of us so that we might one day return to live with Him again. I know I am child of God and will live with Him again as an eternal family.
In the name of Jesus Christ-Amen

Elder Cody Nathaniel Ridley

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Oct. 3, 2011

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