I am being prepared for Utah

Hello Family! 

I hope you all are doing really good! It sounds like your week was crazy. Ky Ky!! What are you thinking little lady? I hope you are feeling better. :) I love you little lady. I will pray for you so that you can feel better. (1/25/2014 -- Kylee was playing around with some tiny magnets that held up pictures on a decorative magnetic board.  She wanted to see if she could get them to connect with each other with her tooth in between! Her brother Tanner had been successful doing this with larger magnets on each side of his cheek a few months earlier. Kylee and Mom had watched this and thought, pretty cool!!!  So....!!!  Well... she got bumped somehow by her niece, Kinley while attempting this and the magnets jumped and somehow down her throat they went. To say the least, not much fun! We had to take a trip to the hospital. Had a procedure done to try to retrieve the magnets which was unsuccessful. Then a weeks worth of X-rays to track the magnets path through her system.  I'm sure you have figured out the end of this story! We all learned that magnets can be VERY dangerous and they are not something you play around with.)

This week was good. I can't believe how cold it got though. I could say that Heavenly Father has been preparing me in different ways to go home but especially with the cold. We had icicles on our car and ice on the stairs. I was a bit in shock and freezing. It is okay though, hermana draper gave me an extra coat and scarf so I survived. That exchange was so special. We saw so many miracles. I felt the spirit so strong throughout the day. We had a really special lesson with a recent convert. We were talking about the plan of salvation and the family history. The spirit was so strong and the hermana told us about how she felt that she needed to do the work for her mother and aunt. I know that those people are waiting for the work to be done.

At the end of the night we had a lesson and we watched a movie about Finding faith in Christ. At the end, we invited them to do a reading, praying and going to church challenge. The little eight year old girl, her name was Ashley, asked at the end if we would teach her how to pray. She said I can't do the challenge if I don't know how to pray. As she said the last prayer, I couldn't help but start crying. I just pretty much lost it in the car after. Hermana Draper asked me if I was okay. I was but it is just a hard thing because in a short time, I won't be able to just go into people's homes to teach them about Jesus Christ. I won't have this calling. It is bitter sweet. That exchange was one of my favorite ones. 

I know this Gospel is true. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us. Well, I hope you all have a better week. I am grateful for your love and prayers. Please keep them up. I hope you all know how much I love each one of you and how grateful I am for you all in my life. Sorry this email is kind of short. I am having a really hard time focusing. Remember who you are and to whom you belong to.

Off Finding the Tens of Thousands

Love you! Hermana Rife

The Ice!  So...Cold!!! 

And...If you know Kynsie at all, you know she hates the COLD!  :)

On exchanges with Hermana Draper

(I think they are trying to show off the Ice on their car!)

According to news reports, they are experiencing a portion of this "arctic chill" that we've heard about.  When I heard about it on the news,,,the thought came to me... maybe Heavenly Father is helping Kynsie prepare to get ready to come home...this will help make it easier for Kynsie to want to come home a little bit!  :)  So..When I saw the title that she had put with her email...it made me smile. 

Mia, Leah and Kynsie at Primary

"We taught their class.  Cuties! "

I was looking at the Houston Texas Mission Blog this past week and found a few more pictures of our cute missionary that we didn't have so I thought I would add them to this post.

Eating at a "Back to Basics" training of some sort.  Hermana Hill is on the left with Kynsie next to her on the right.

Some sweet sister missionaries  :)

Kynsie at a specialized training session

Waller. Waller. Waller. (Her email this week was a day late because of MLK Day! :) )

Hello Family,

Another week has passed by so quick. To Answer your question. I would love to sing in the Choir with Kylee. You can sign me up. One more detail. Hermana Hill's Parents as well as Hermana Crandall's Parents have asked me to let them know when I return so they my attend when I speak. Do you know what time it will be at as well as the Address? Sorry to be a bother. I just want to let them know. Thanks for finding out for me.

We had two other really great lessons with the sanchez family this week. This week, Jesus their dad was there so that was also great. We were able to explain the restoration and then the plan of salvation. The spirit was very strong both times. I feel really good about them. They told us that they are very grateful that we are coming. They always ask us...when are you coming again. I feel like we can say whatever day and they are okay with it. They are a really special family. We thought they were going to come to church but then they texted us on Sunday morning and told us that they wouldn't be able to make it. It kind of made me sad but then when Presidente Bayles asked us about them, we told him and he said well at least they are thinking about coming. Normally you don't even get any communication. I am glad he helped us see it in a positive way. He is a really good man. We had two other guys who we invited to church show up so that was great.

This week seems like a blur. We are on exchanges right now. I am in Canyon Lakes, it is part of the old Bear Creek ward. I am with Hermana Koch. She is really sweet. hmmm Let me think. We also had interviews this week. Let me just say that was a bit interesting :) but good.

I feel like all the lessons we have been having have been really great quality. It has been really special because I feel like we are teaching with the spirit more and working in more unity. Speaking of the Book of Mormon, I am sort of behind still. I am in Alma 55, I think. I know I need to catch up a little bit but I am not two far behind.

I am feeling the Lord's hand in my life. I know that he is with me. I am grateful for the chance I have to serve in this area of Waller. Thank you for your letters. I am glad you survived the Klondike. It has been really nice weather here sooo not looking forward to the cold. I love you all a lot. Stay Strong. Remember who you are and two to whom you belong too.

Off Finding the Tens of Thousands,

Hermana Rife

Us at Interviews - January 2014

Kynsie with Hermana Durham

"Us with matching clothes...We didn't plan that and we are color coordinating.  :)"

"My Kindness Shall Not Depart from Thee"

Hello Family, I hope you all had a great week. It sounds like it was very busy but I am glad you are feeling better.

This week went by a lot faster than last week. I think you probably got my letters by now but after Tuesday I felt a lot better. We went to mission leadership council on tuesday and I was able to talk to President Pingree. He gave me some really good counsel and helped me know what I should do. He promised me that as I continued to be obedient and worked hard until the end that I would find a fullness of Joy. It has only been a week but I feel like I have learned a lot this week. It is hard to express everything but I feel very good and I guess that I will have to explain some things later on.

Something that I have learned in each of my areas is that although we get moved to different areas and different places. The work is still the same, and the gospel still blesses people daily as they accept it. There are still miracles wherever we are sent. It is a neat blessing.

Sanchez Family: We went to a lesson with this family that we began teaching. They are really great. Our president of our branch is a teacher and taught Leslie, one of their daughters. Their family really likes president bayles and have respect for him. We read out of Moroni 10 and talked about faith and trials. It was a beautiful lesson and the spirit was very strong throughout the whole thing. At the end Leslie and Diego said prayers and Graciela was crying. We invited them to come to church. They didn't come but Alan came to Volleyball on Friday and we are going to go over today. I feel like the spirit helped them really feel that this gospel and Jesus Christ are going to help them through these things.

Jose: We met Jose last week. His daughter's name is April (14) and she has been coming to church. He told us of a question he has about the after life and we told him that we would come back and teach him about the plan of salvation. He agreed. We returned this last week and we ended up talking about the book of mormon. He is very serious and a little bit grumpy but it is super funny. I think he does it cause it confuses us. When we really don't get it, then he cracks a little smile and says he is kidding. :) I have a lot of love for this rather sarcastic man already. He has a really good heart and you can feel it. He takes care of all his children and is divorced. He just wants the best for them and works really hard to provide for their needs. I think he really enjoys us coming over and for us answering all his questions. He is like very manly. Like Dirty hands and clothes and a hard worker. When we finished our lesson we knelt down and asked him to say the prayer. He fought it at first but we said one and then He said a prayer. It was so neat to see him how he prayed in front of three women. Men who are prideful wouldn't do it but he has a soft heart despite his rough look and personality. I don't know of many things that are better than the first prayers that people say in front of us when they have never prayed out loud or in front of people before. It was so humbling to watch as he took off his hat and as he began his simple but heartfelt prayer. He told us on friday when we talked to him that he has been reading the book of mormon and praying. He is a really special guy.

Stephanie: Last week I emailed stephanie to tell her that I was in Waller cause her parents live close by here. She called me on wednesday and told me that she wanted to come and see us this weekend. On saturday, she, hannah and Kalier came out to Waller and we had a picnic and talked about the plan of salvation. It was such a great lesson. The spirit was very strong. She told me that she had been reading the Book of Mormon quite a bit. Hermana Durham asked her about Baptism and she explained to us that she had been baptized. When we explained to her again the authority, she understood and told us that she would pray about it. She said that makes complete sense, I just didn't quite understand that before. She expressed how she had felt a lot of peace as she has been reading and praying and when she went to church. She doesn't want to listen to the English Missionaries. She told us how she thought that when we were trying to do a switch over lesson with her and then all a sudden I left that we were just trying to pass her off to someone else cause we didn't want to help her. Poor thing, It isn't like that at all and if we could we would still keep teaching her but she will do better with the English Missionaries because they know the ward. We have tried so many times to pass her over and to get appointments set with them and whenever they are there, she cancels and then ends up talking with us. Her daughter knows a few members so we are going to try to maybe set up a FHE with them and then try to get the English Sisters to get in there. I felt so bad that we didn't explain it good enough and that she felt like that. I really feel like it is for a reason that we received that referral and not the english sisters in the first place. I am so grateful that I have been able to get to know her. She is so special and prepared. She is so sweet, she made us dinner and brought it to us for Sunday.  It was very tasty. I feel like I always want to do things for her and then when I do...she just does something back for us. It is like a charity war. :) but it is really out of love but still. haha

On Saturday night, we had a branch activity, No investigators came which was sad but some members came. We watched Ephraim's Rescue. It was a very touching movie. On sunday, I felt that in a way that we were going and doing a rescue. We went with Hno y Hna Ramierez to visit some less actives and non members who were in need of blessings and some spiritual nutrition. When Hno Ramierez was giving the blessings, the spirit was so strong. Both of the people were very sick and it was special to see how everyone is in need of rescuing. We were able to be a part of uplifting those who were in great need of upliftment. It was very humbling and special. I can't express how much I have felt the Love of my Savior and Heavenly Father through my mission and my life. As I look back on my life, even in the hardest times, they were there...even though sometimes I wasn't letting them in, there they waited for me to open my heart and life to let them in. I have listened to the song "My Kindness shall not Depart from Thee" many times this week. It has comforted me and uplifted me. In my opinion, it would be hard for anyone to ever deny the Love of God after seeing so many miracles and feeling the blessings that God and Christ have waiting for us. They have manifested these blessings and their love over and over again this week and throughout my mission. I am so grateful to be able to spread this wonderful gospel but to be living it too. We are all going through our own conversion process. It is the same though, even though we are at different places in our life. We have to learn to rely on Christ and His Atonement. It is up to us though how much we will rely and trust in Him and Heavenly Father.

I am so glad to be here. I feel grateful for the chance I have to serve in Waller because it is helping me stay depending on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Thank you for all your love and support. I appreciated your letters. I hope you know that I am good. I love you lots. Remember who you are and to whom you belong to.

Off finding the 10s of 1,000s

Hermana Rife

A Beautiful Sunrise in Waller

"A little bit of a rainy day in Waller

but still Beautiful!"

Hermana Durham and the Hockley Scene

Hannah, Stephanie and Kynsie

"This is the sicko crawdad we found!"

She told us in her email that she will explain the story in a personal letter to Tyler that we will get in the mail later this week.  

Can't wait to read all about it!!!  :)

"WELCOME TO WALLER, Hermana Rife...Welcome to Waller." (Email from Monday, January 6, 2014)

Hello Family,

How are you all doing other than tired? If I could choose a main point of your last email it would be complete exhaustion. I think that you all need to start following the missionary schedule. It is amazing what it can do for you. Its easy...Go to bed at 10:30 and get up at 6:30. It will give you a good eight hours :) I never thought I would be counseling my parents on the "early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise" ;) Even though ya'll are tired I think that you have accomplished some great things. The house looks great. Very different from what I knew but it looks great! I am also glad to hear ya'll enjoyed bringing in the new year. We tried to wake up but it didn't work. The alarm went off at 11:57 and Hermana Durham mumbled, happy new year and we let it ring and ring until it finally went off. To say the least...You aren't the only one who is feeling this horribly tired hit. :) Even though I am tired...The mission life is still beautiful and I am enjoying it.

Monday, I was in a bit of shock. it was hard to say goodbye to a few people but I knew that it was for a reason. Stephanie and Alicia started crying which made me feel horrible and then JoAna was pretty upset as well but they will be okay. The new hermanas that will teach them have a lot of good things to teach them. It was draining as always saying goodbye to people who you have come to love so much and appreciate. President Pingree called me tuesday morning and explained what he had felt and why he was transferring me. He asked me about my concerns and we talked a little bit. I started crying on the phone with him. I felt bad because I know the Lords will is better than mine and I know that He knows what's best but that didn't mean that it was going to be easy. President Pingree is so sweet and he talked with me a little about what I was feeling.He confirmed what I felt when I got the call about getting transferred that it was the right thing. I am so glad he did because the change ended up being very different from what I expected and a bit hard. After he talked to me, it became a trust in the Lord type of situation. It is still like that but I feel good about what happened. He told me how he felt really weird about transferring me my last transfer but that He really felt I needed to come to Waller. He told me that I would be companions with Hermana Durham who was in my zone and we did an exchange together. She is great and that I would continue to serve as the sister training leader in my zone until the end of my mission. I am grateful for that chance that I have to continue serving in this position.

To tell you a little about Waller. It is the area touching Bear Creek so it is still in my same zone. It covers 3 cities and it is in the middle of no where. :) I think there are more cows here then people but there are still people to teach. It is super country and dirty and completely different from any of my other areas. Especially Bear Creek. Bear Creek 2 is one of the most established Spanish wards in our mission and Waller is a branch and if I counted correctly yesterday, I think there were about 26 people including children. There were 7 sisters in our Relief Society. It is a bit different from Bear Creek to say the least. 

The first day was really hard. We got back from transfers after driving about an hour from the mission office. We ate some lunch at this gas station/lunch bbq place and then we planned a bit. As I we knelt down to pray, it was my turn, I tried to say a prayer and was trying to hold back tears. I didn't want hermana durham to think that I didn't want to serve with her because it wasn't that at all. As I prayed, I just felt so much peace and just felt like even though this was really hard...it was going to be okay and going to be for a reason. It has been an adjustment and I feel like this last week has been the slowest week of my mission but I feel like I have been just loved up and down and that Waller has a lot of good and important things that need to happen during this time that I am here. 

The second day we were here we did service and we were scooping up horse manure. yep. You got that right. Ali told me, you are such a city girl, this is how you scoop it. :) When we were leaving I told hermana durham....Hermana I have Horse Manure in my shoe. Hermana Durham Just looked at me and said..Welcome to Waller Hermana Rife, Welcome to Waller. That has been our saying whenever something that would only happen here happens. :) It has made things more enjoyable. 

We see English Members here and they are so nice. We met the Lemons and Smuins and They are just the best. Sister Lemon told me you will have to tell your family, that we have adopted you and that we might just keep ya here. :) They were both the biggest blessings and made me know that everything was going to be okay. We have been seeing lots of little miracles here. We feel like there is going to be a big miracle that happens and we are excited and looking for this special family. I really like Hermana Durham. She is super cute and today is actually her birthday. She is from California and has about 9 months on the mission. Her brother is on a mission right now too. She really likes to eat my food that I cook so it makes me feel like i am sort of a good cook. Or maybe she is just good at faking. :) Both could work. haha I am excited for what I have to learn from her this transfer. 

Well here is my address:

Hermana Kynsie Rife
P.O. Box 1113
Waller, Texas 77484

-My Address..Yup. We are so redneck here...we have a po box instead of an address. :)

for whoever wants to finish out strong in the writing :) I hope someone does...:D I love you all a lot. I know that this work is true and that Heavenly Father has a perfect plan. I know he loves each of his Children and it is for a reason that He puts us where we are and who we are with for a reason. I am so grateful for the chance I have to be a missionary and to represent our Savior Jesus Christ and spread the Good News to whoever will listen. I love this work. I hope you all have a great week. Thanks for the email and pictures. I loved them!

Remember Who you are, and to Whom you belong to.
Off finding the tens of thousands

Your texan who is becoming more texan and country by the minute,
Hermana Rife

The Alvarez's

"We skyped from their house at Christmas.  They are so sweet.  :)"

"Us last night at the Smuins' house"

"My new sweatshirt that I got for 2 bucks! 

So comfy and warm.

ps...It is colder here than in my other areas.

I would call this shirt...save the deers.  It is for anti hunters.  :)"

Hermana Durham and the scenery of Waller!

My address...

for whoever wants to finish out strong in the writing :) I hope someone does...:D

Hermana Kynsie Rife

P.O. Box 1113

Waller, Texas 77484

Yup!  We are so redneck here...we have a po box instead of an address.  :)