Welcome to Indiana!

3/6/2013

I got your letters today! It's good to hear from you guys. Its been crazy here getting settled. Just a bit of info first - My preparation day is Mondays. So this upcoming Monday I will be sending an email and some pics.  Also, I'm in a town called Fishers and I'm in the Fishers 1st Ward - very small area and a very hard area because it just got split and me and my comp are starting from scratch!  So these first couple of days have been rough! An empty area book and no ward roster, but we've started to make some progress. We have 2 potential investigators and that's it. We've put in about 30 hours or so. The members of the ward are very nice though, and we we are being fed.  I gave a blessing today and taught 2 lessons to member families.  Trust me it has gotten better from 2 days ago.  I love this mission, its teaching me so much and draining me in every way possible. I go to bed with no regrets of the day and wake up with a will to work.  My comp is awesome! As soon as he is done training me he leaves for home. I'm not sure what the Lord has planned for me but I'm working to find out. Oh! and a new rule was announced - we can email friends!!!!...I love the Gospel.....I love you all. 

Elder Rider


3/18/2013

"I'm doing awesome. Its been the greatest six days of my life . My first companion is awesome. His name is Elder Mortenson , he leaves after hes done training me !! haha And I have thought about that , Why would the Lord put me here. After all Its one of the hardest areas and its brand new. We started with no referrals no area book or ward roster so the first two days were very hard . But I've loved every second of it. The comfort I feel from getting on my knees and praying to my Heavenly Father for guidance is amazing . To walk and talk with people and have an instant love for them is unreal . We are so blessed to have this Gospel in our lives which makes missionary work that much more important. We now have a new investigator  and two potentials and a couple former's  The area is starting to blow up as we recognize the Lords hand in it. I feel your guys prayers everyday and of your love for me. I've never felt so close to those im so far away from. Heavenly Father is real , And Jesus is the Christ. And through Faith all things are made possible,...My comp said , " Why am I training you , you seem to know this stuff like you've been doing it forever." haha I humbled myself and said " I don't do anything, " The Spirit does. He teaches me ." If we have the Faith of a mustard seed , how much is made possible. My P day is on Mondays! . I love you soo much and miss you all. I pray for you day and night. Two nights ago I actually fell asleep while praying. I guess i was tired hahah ..."

Love Your Son , Elder Rider

 Tracking Elder Rider's flight to Indiana. 

 Elder Mortenson - First Companion and Trainer

3/25/2013

This week was a week of Faith testing and building. Full of disappointments and discouragement. It took a lot of searching and prayer to get back to being filled with the pure love of Christ for those who close their doors on you. And then my comp Elder Mortensen got sick for two days. So we weren't able to go anywhere haha. But as I studied and learned of Christs love for me and my purpose as a missionary. I found it easier to bear those burdens until you are able to drop them at our Saviors feet when we trust in him and have faith that through him all things are made possible. No I'm not sick I'm doing great, Spiritually , Mentally , Physically exhausted but am growing from it. Its amazing I read a scripture the other day . " Let men rise up out of the dust and have faith that the chains can break and rise up " Something to that effect and then " Put childish things away and become men" I'm starting to understand why I'm here and am recognizing the wonderful blessings from it...

Elder Rider

Picture sent to Elder Rider's parents from a member family's home in Indiana during a dinner appointment. Elder Rider was on exchange with another missionary- Elder Combs. 

"We were delighted to have Elder Combs and Elder Rider in our home to share a meal with us this evening.  Elder Rider is on an exchange with Elder Combs today while Elder Rider's companion is on an exchange with Elder Fausett.

Thank you for your missionaries!

Frank & Lexi Merrill
Indianapolis Second Ward "

The MTC Experience

First Letter from the MTC

" I am writing first because we are not able to use computers for a week, and there are so many missionaries. I have only been here one day and my Testimony is growing. It has been a very hard, long day but the Spirit is here. D&C 42:6  - I have been called to a work. It is great in the eyes of the Lord and is ever so needed. My companions are great! They are 6'6" and 6'7". They are really strong spirits. 




I will send pictures and an email when I can. I love and miss you guys. Be safe and put your heart and trust in your Heavenly Father. He loves you and all his children....."

MTC District

 Excited to Serve!

Assigned 2  very very tall companions! 

Arizona friends reunited!

A message to all...!

The Farewell - Days of Special Moments

On Sunday, February 24, 2013 Kendall gave his "Farewell" talk at Church  in his Mesa AZ home ward. It was a wonderful talk. The spirit was really strong. His talk was on missionary work and shared part of Pres. Monson's talk on "Seeing People not as the are but as they may become." He spoke on how we are all Heavenly Father's children and that "People can Change!" This was a special moment!

There were several special  friends from the area who came to support Kendall and wish him good luck! Another Special moment!

On Monday, February 25, 2013 family and friends met for the last time before being set apart as a full-time missionary at The Cheesecake Factory!  Good food and great company - it was a great time and another special moment.

On Tuesday, February 26, 2013 Kendall was set apart as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by President Bert Whimpey and assisted by Kendall's father.

Congratulations Elder Rider!

 This was a special moment. After Elder Rider was set apart Pres. Whimpey asked Elder Rider to share his testimony with his family - this was to be the first testimony he bore as a full-time missionary. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. This was truly a personal and sacred special moment!!

On Wednesday, February 27, 2013 Elder Rider left his home and family in Arizona and headed to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo UT.  Everyone felt reassured and at peace looking in to each other's eyes and saying goodbye for two years. Yep, you guessed it, another special moment.

Elder Rider - He's on his way!