First week in new area

 So this week was slow since elder Iverson and myself are  new to the area. On Tuesday night we met with our ward mission leader and talked about the area and the work that as been going on. Wednesday we were walking around our area and we decided to try a member that lives by us since the ward is divided because we have another set of missionaries.  We went to see this member and  we knocked on the door and the person said that they don't live here. We were about to walk away but she asked us if we wanted to come in since it was down pooring. when we were walking it wasn't raining at all! Elder Iverson and myself knew that the lord wanted us to talk to these people.  We went into their house and started talking and they told us that they have seen missionaries around but didn't know what we do and stuff. We explained what we did and talked to them so more. We asked them for their names and they are Alex and Miara, She told us that miara's last name is the same as mine. Miara told us that she could have a baby at any moment, so I told her that i have the first aid merit  badge so bring it on! She said i would just need you to call 911! Her husband said  no if it goes down we are having them help us with this baby HAHA. Before we left their house we blessed it and they saiid we could come back anytime. Later that night we got a call from the zone leaders and they said they have a referral for us. We stopped by the referrals house and she left us in and told us that her father was a member of our church but she never talked to him about our church and she wants to know about it. We asked her to be baptized of july 5th and she said she would love that!!  We met with her again and talked about the Restoration of the Gospel with her.  on Saturday we had a appointment with Beth she is a investigator that the other elders before us found. Well thats all for this week. 

Love Elder Ruiz

Transfers. Last week in Parker and back to Arvada!

 So I got transferred.....Back to ARVADA!!! I am so stoked to be back here. So a recap of my final week in Parker. On Monday  we went to see the Edwards and talked to them about the Holy Ghost, The conversation went really well the kids had alot of questions and now they  understand more about the holy ghost. Tuesday we went  to see the Snells and read scriptures with them. Wednesday we tried some less actives. Thursday   We met with Cameron Dale and talked about Baptism and asked her to pray and ask if baptism is right for her. Friday all our appointments cancelled. Saturday we went to see some member before our transfer meeting. We found out that Elder Clough is going to finish his mission in the Parker ward and Im getting transferred  back to Arvada But im going to be in the 4th ward not the 2nd ward where i started out. So im in the same stake as Elder Harrington and Elder Neeley!   Sunday we went  to church and had lunch at the Snell's house. As we were driving we got a alert on our phone saying there is a tornado and to take shelter  but we were driving so we just ignored it and continued on our way to the Snells. We got to their house and they  told us that a tornado touched down on a golf course right next to their neighborhood.  We took some pictures with them and they gave me their contact info and told me to keep in touch. We visited the Greenups and the Steers as  well. Well thats all for this week I will let you know how this week goes with Elder Iverson.

Love Elder Ruiz

Another Busy Week May 12th Email Home

Hey Everybody!
 

 My week this week was a good week. On Monday night we  went to the Edwards  house and taught their kids about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  On Tuesday  We went to the Scovill house and taught  their grandchildren. One of their grandchildren Cameron is unbaptized. She is a really cool little kid who wants to learn more and wants to get baptized.  We talked about the Plan of salvation and it went pretty well.  Wednesday we went to sister Metlace's house and talked to her about some of the commandments , Sister Metlace is Less active. On Thursday we saw sister Armstrong and her daughter Hannah, We talked about the plan of salvation. Hannah had alot of questions and wanted to know some things about the plan so thats why we talked about it.  Friday we saw the Greenup's We had dinner with them and talked about the commandments. When we sat down to eat he said that he would offer the prayer and he said " Sweet Baby Jesus" from  talladega nights. He said i kidding guys i would say a prayer like that. That by far was the best night of the week! on Saturday we met with Jeremy Dale , he is one of the Scovill's grandson's . We talked to him about coming back to church and activities, He said he  is Agnostic but he was baptized when he was 8.  We feel he is at that point in life when you just don't really know what you believe.  He talked to him about the Restoration and asked him to read the book of Mormom and he said he would, so hopefully he starts reading it and comes to the realization that its true. Sunday we went to church and after church the Snells invited us over for lunch. We has lunch  then went to the Edwards house to Skype home for Mothers day! Well thats all for this week ,  hope all the Mothers back home had a great Mothers Day !

love Elder Ruiz

May 5th

Hey everybody! How's it going?

 On Tuesday we went to the Snell's house and read with them. Every week they set goals for them selfs and they want us to keep them accountable to the goals they set. So this week they didn’t read as much as they wanted to so we read with them on Tuesday night. Later on that night we went to the Scoville's house and taught their grandchildren Cameron and  Zander. They are 10 and 8 years old and  want to learn more about the church! Cameron wanted to be baptized a few months ago but lost interest , but right now she is really  wanting  to join the church. Wednesday we had  no appointments. We went on visits with a few of the members in our ward to see less active people.Thursdaywe went to see Janice Metlace, She is a less active member we have been working with. We went over some of the commandments. Friday we went to the Greenups and talked about  how work was going for brother Greenup and helped them with some computer problems. Saturday we had breakfast at the Stake presidents house and talked about how the work is going in everyone's area. We did a lot of service for people with the Dove Valley Elders in our District. We had lunch at a members house and helped her with some stuff as well. Later That night we went to see the Merrones and talked to them and see how they felt about us teaching the kids as well as them and they said...... YES!  So when they come back from utah this week we are going to start teaching the kids. Sunday  the Snell's Came to church again  and we had appointments with some member's in the ward. Well thats all i have for this week .

Love Elder Ruiz

P.S I’m going to Arvada for a baptism in the next 2 weeks or so. Do you remember me talking about Nilli? the lady I was teaching for 4 months while I was there? She is getting baptized soon!

Transfers: Staying put for another 6 weeks!

​Hey Everybody!

So this last week was fun ! On tuesday we went to see some less active people. They werent happy to see us but we were happy to see them.  Wednesday we went to the Lyons home to read scriptures with brother Lyons. I yawned when i read a scripture and he went into the kitchen and got 9 volt batteries and said every time any of us yawns the person that yawned has to but the 9v battery to their tongue! lets just say my tongue was feeling weird for a little bit.  On Thursday we went to the Snell's house for a lesson and talked about some of the commandments. Friday  we helped the Lyons move some stuff in their house so they can put their house on the market. Saturday night we had transfer meeting and we found out that me and my companion are staying together for another 6 weeks! Sunday we went  to church and sat next to the Snells. Sister Snell came to church and stayed all three hours! After church we went to to go see a couple of members and then went to the Marrone's house to see them and check  up on them and see how things are going and set up a time to go to their house on Saturdayfor a lesson. Well thats all for this week , hope you guys have a great week!  pictures  from last week and transfer meeting!

Love Elder Ruiz

Hey everyone!

 So this  week was pretty fun. On Tuesday we went to go see sister Austin, a elderly lady in our ward. We stopped by to visit her and her daughter and son were there so we got to know them a little more. They invited us over on Saturday for lunch.  On Wednesday  we met Janice Metlace, a convert of about 1 year. she has been missing alot of church lately and we wanted to see if things were ok and they were, she was just out of town alot with work. On Thursday we went to go see the Ramos Family and taught them the restoration and talked about baptism since their Daughter is getting baptized of Saturday.  They wanted her to understand it more and why not have the missionaries come over and talk about it! On Friday we Planned and Taught the phlen's, a family in our ward. We go over and teach their kids, they want them to have a better understanding of the church and stuff. Saturday morning we helped someone in our ward move and after that we went to the Ramos Baptism.  Later that night we Taught the Marrone Family. We talked about the Restoration. Our lesson went really well, they said they will get baptized when they know the things we told them are true. They are a amazing family, the father john is the only hold up but he is slowly gaining a testimony of the book of Mormon!  On Sunday We to church and didnt see sister Snell, so we asked brother snell and he said that she woke up late and didnt want to come. So guess what elder Clough and I did? We left church, walked home in the snow to get our car and drove over to their house and talked to sister Snell.  We told her that their family goal was to make it to the temple by next Easter and missing church isnt going to help her get to the temple. We told her that we left church  and walked in the snow to come talk to her because we love her and her family and want the best for their family. After church we went to the Nate Steers house with Josh lyons and made cookies for a elderly lady in our ward. When we got back to Nate's house his mom said that Nate is going to go to Mormon Formal and we (elder Clough and I ) are going to ask her for Nate!  I want you to stop and thing about this for a little bit, what would you think if missionaries in your ward came to your house to teach you a lesson but really the lesson was asking your daughter to Mormon formal?  We had sister Steers call the parents first so they knew what was going on so things wouldn't be awkward. The Cool thing is, the Girl said yes to him!!  you can always count on the Missionaries to get the job done. Well thats all for this week, hope to hear back from you guys soon!

Love Elder Ruiz

"This week has been the best..."

 Hey Everyone!
  So This week was by far the best since coming to Parker! We got three new
 investigators this week!  One Is a missionaries girlsfriend. The family of
 the missionary has been helping us out alot with her and we had a lesson at
 their house .  She wants to be Baptized but we  all think she
 wants to be baptized for him and not for herself. We are going over to the
 Justice home to watch conference with them and their sons Girlfriend. The
 other investigators are a Family that has been coming to church for a few
 weeks and we had dinner at the Bishops house with them last night and had a
 lesson with them. Their kids have told them that they want to be Baptized!
 how cool is that? The parents want to learn a little more about the church
 before allowing their kids to be baptized. We went to Red Robbin to relax
 for lunch and have a good time and one of the managers paid for all of our
 meals! He told us that The past manager was mormon and he would always pay
 for the missionaries meals when they came in. He told us he is just keeping
 the tradition alive and told us to keep up the good work. Well thats all
 for this week, thanks for all the Birthday wishes! Ill talk to you guys
 next week.

 Love Elder Ruiz

A letter from a sweet member

I has been a while since I have sent you a note.  Elder Ruiz stopped by yesterday to visit as he felt he would get a transfer notice last night.  I saw him at church today and he did get transferred.  He will be going to the Parker area.  It is South and East of here.  Still in the Denver Metro area.   Maybe he has already let you know all this but I wanted to say something too. 

 

Josie, it has been such a pleasure to get to know your son over the almost 5 months he has served in our ward.  He is a wonderful young man and has such a special spirit about him when he and his companion stop by our home to visit now and again.  We have loved spending time with him.  He isn't just a missionary serving in our ward but more like extended family since you know Camille and her family.  We have enjoyed watching him grow and gain more confidence in himself over time and  loving serving his mission.  I will miss seeing him each Sunday and during the week.  I want you to know that Dave and I know he is ready to carry on and can meet the challenges that come his way.  He will be a great leader and example to those he is around.  We have grown to love this young man of yours.  We do hope that he will be assigned back in our Stake before the end of his mission so we can see him again.   When he was at our house yesterday I gave him a hug before he left.  It was from both me and you to him.  I told him I will keep reading his letters home that are posted on his blog to keep up with what he is doing. 

 

I am thankful for the contact with your family.  Take care and know your Elder is doing well and is happy. 

 

Love to you and your family.

Karen  

Parker!

Hey Everyone ! How's it going?

  Well today was transfer day and i got moved to Parker Colorado. So Last week we pretty good, we taught Nilli in a members home. The Lesson with Nilli went pretty well, she had alot of questions and we tried our best to answer them to the best of our ability.  We saw Jennifer Haberl and talked  to here about faith and repentence. She feels that she has to repent because she talks bad about her mom. we went on exchanges and we saw the Kubics. Brother Kubic forgot that we set something up with him for, but we still talked to him for a bit. at night we
found out that i was getting transferred, we told Nilli that night and shewas very sad. Brother Kubic came to church! He told me that i was a big help in him coming back to church. He hasnt been to church in 29 years! He said he is going to start going to church so we can go to the temple. Bishop Larson Asked me to share my testimony at the end of sacrament meeting and Ill admit, i cried a little.  Well thats all for this week, sorry There isnt more.


Love Elder Ruiz

Nilli is coming around

 Hey Everyone! whats up ?

 On Tuesday we saw brother Harrown and talked to him a little bit and got
  to understand what his religious background was. He told us that he wants
 his kids to be baptized in the church! how cool is that??  later that day
we saw Nilli Merchant and  answered  some more of her questions. Nilli's
on Brandon is slowly coming around, which is very good.Wednesday we saw
some less active members and talked to them about coming back to church and
 seeing the blessing of coming to church. On Thursday  We had Dinner with
 Nilli and talked to her son Brandon some more and we think he is close to
 opening up and willing to take the lessons. Friday we saw a less active
member named Angie and she is a very nice lady. She said that things have
 settled down with work and her and her husband who isnt a member are going
to start coming to church again. Saturday we saw some members and sunday we
went around trying to find some less active members and other people. Well
 thats all for this week. hope to hear from you guys soon.  the picture was
after the 5K

Love Elder Ruiz

Another week in the mission field

Hey everyone hows it going?

 So this week was pretty good. so im going to just start from Wednesday
 since all the other days were in last weeks email. Wednesday we went to the
 temple and later on that day we saw jarold and talked to him about the
 atonement  and it went pretty well he opened up a little more than usual.
 Thursday we went to Nilli's house and read with her some more in the book
 of Mormon. She is still trying to get a testimony of it. we decided to
 share with her the  Mormon message "you know enough"  Neil A. Anderson.
 later  on that night we saw the Trues. We talked about some of the
 commandments, Brother True is willing to follow the commandments which is
 really good. Friday we went around searching for  less active members in
 our ward. Saturday we started off the day Helping Brother Lara with
 restoration work on his 53 Apache.  then went to search for more less
 actives. Sunday was a very slow day. Well thats all for this week. today we
 are hiking table top mountain... should be fun!

 Love Elder Ruiz

Hey Everyone!
 This week was good!  so I forgot my planner from last week so im going off
 of what i remember.... here we go! so we went on exchanges and had
 alot of fun!  I was with our district leader Elder Clark. He wrestled in
 high school as well, so for our work out we wrestled in the morning.... I
 lost 3 out of the 5 matched we had. We saw Nilli merchant and  we talked
 about the commandments so more. it went really well. Later on that day we
 went to see a less active family the Graves, We talked to them about
 reading and praying and the importance of church. we talked  to
 some less actives in our area. we got canceled on alot! but its
 all good it happens.  and we had a driving ban for  half of
 the day because the roads were really bad.We shoveled peoples walks pretty
 much all day. I broke an 88 year old mans shovel so when we were able to
 drive again we went  to the store and i got him a new one.  we went
 around visiting the elderly in our ward and shoveling their driveways. We
 found out who was getting transferred that night and me and my comp are
 staying together for another 6 weeks. So it looks like im going to start my
 "sister Mission" in Arvada !  as you all know was the superbowl. We
 went around TRYING  to see people in our ward. lets just say we got alot of
 food when we went over to their houses. So Elder Houldridge and i  this
 transfer got a total of 110 lessons!!  how cool is that?? we worked so
 hard. Well thats all for this week.

 Love Elder Ruiz

A Busy Week

Hey everyone !! hows it going?? 

So on Tuesday we went to see Nilli Merchant and talked to her and answered some of her questions that she had, she has alot of great questions ! Wednesday we had a zone meeting to start out the day. We saw sister Maximoff and talked to her about going to thew temple and finding her a ride from the members in our ward. Thursday  we saw  Jennifer Haberal  and talked to her about coming back to church. She told us that when she gets up to go to church she always finds a way to stay home, she told us she always stops herself and doesn't know why.  after seeing her we went to Nilli's house again and talked about the plan of salvation more. it went really well. We ended our night by seeing Eli Brackett a recent convert of a few months and talked to him about  his trip to his dads. We talked about coming to church and told him we can get him a ride if he needs one. Friday we went to see Jarold and we took a priest from our ward with us....  he wasn't the best person to bring a priest to.  We had a fun lesson though. Saturday we had dinner at Nilli's house She invited her friend Mark Jackman over. ( he is the person that got her interested in meeting with us.) We broke the rules a little, we stayed over for 2 hours but we talked about her concerns and mark helped out alot. we pretty much went over lessons 1-3 in about 30 minutes without even knowing. Sunday was pretty good. I had to give  a talk in church  on how to receive personal revelation. We saw some less actives in our area and then finished the night off  by going to jennifer haberal's house and giving her a blessing. All this week we went around in our time we didn't have appointments and looked for all our less active members in our ward. Thats all for the week. love all of you guys!!

Love Elder Ruiz

Happy New Year!

Hey everyone!! how's it going ?  

This week was a decent week. On Tuesday we went to go see a former investigator named Peggy, she is a interesting person but very nice. We talked to her for a long time...( she likes to talk)  Wednesday we had a 100 taco party  for the Zone. The Conelys hosted it. We ended up eating 187 tacos.....  the top 4 missionaries had 27,23,23,17. a sister ate 17 tacos.. WOW!!  WE went to sister Maximoffs house and talked to her about for a little before heading over to Nilli Merchants house. We talked to Nilli about the plan of salvation  and after we put her on date to be baptized on the 25 of January. She is preparing herself and I know she is ready for this. Thursday we went to see Renea Kubic. She looks like she is doing alot better since having surgery. We talked to her about the importance of reading the scriptures . We told her to continue to pray  before we left. Friday we  went to Rubi and Bato's house and talked to them for awhile.  Bato showed us his double and triple platinum records!!  We talked to their family about church and  its importance. we also talked to them about the scriptures and printed out a talk from general conference in Spanish and gave it to him. Saturdaywe tried to see people but we decided to go shovel peoples driveways. We went to all the elderly people in our ward and did that. Sister Mooring saw us outside and came out and said " what are you doing???"  and I told her we were shoveling her driveway and she said  smiling " is it because im old" ..... I stopped myself from saying something dumb. I told her she does look a day over 56...... she is 84. she tells me that I know how to make a lady smile.... looks like I still got it guys!!!! haha. Sunday we had church at 9 so we came a little early and helped shovel the sidewalks of the church and other things. Guess who got to teach primary yesterday ??? haha  we got to Teach the 11 year old class..... Super fun, The kids love me here like they do back home its so cool!!  We went in early yesterday because it was pretty cold so no one wanted to open their doors... makes sense.  Thats all for this week. love you all !!

-Elder Ruiz