"Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven"
If there is one thing that I have learned in my mission it is about sacrifice. I know that as we sacrifice ourselves, our time, etc. Heavenly Father blesses us beyond measure. Even though my mission is difficult I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I have had to be a missionary nad to give up my time. I promise you as you turn yourself to the Lord and be His servant everything will work out! The Lord loves us and is watching over us. These are the last days! Let us be prepared for when the Savoir comes again, spiritually nad physically.
I had a good week! I had a few health issues but overall I feel better! Missionary work takes it all out of ya!! LOL! I talked to my mission President on Tuesday night and have an interview with him on thursday. he gave me some really good advice and he wants me to try and not stress so much and put my trust in the Lord....easier said than done :)
I got my hair cut!! I got it cut pretty short. It hits my shoulders. I like it! Amanda sent me some color so I wont have gross regrowth anymore!! YAYAYA!!!! Go amannda! LOL! I will send pics soon!
Speaking of getting hair done-My comp. got her hair done at the salon nad it turned out SO TERRIBLE!!! It was like a gray color. She wanted blonde. She looked like a witch. Amanda----she seriously was like ""I NEED your sister!!""" LOL!!
DAVE----THANKS SO much for the bug shields HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! WE laughed for a good 10 minutes....pics to come ;)
It is so HOT here....i sweat more than I have in my entire life!! SO GROSS!!! Its the humidity. You walk outside and are wet. I dont even wear any dark colors cause it shows the sweat too bad!
I have no time to write....I'm sorry.....I will mis the bus if I take any longer. Oh ya!!! We are now FULL time bike sisters. I will never have a car in Galveston. there is an emergency car but we never use it.
I love you!!! Have a good week!!!!!
Hermana Richards
Monday, June 14, 2010
I hate Rashiem!!
"If you want something you have never had you must be willing to something you have never done before"
I love being a missionary!!! Seriously though!! It at times is super tough because you are tired and hot but Heavenly Father makes it all worth it. I know that this is the only true church on the earth today. That this is the only way in which we can return to live with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and our families forever. It has never been so clear to me as it has now being here. Following God's commandments and being a worthy member of the Church is way more important than ANYTHING else on the earth. Satan just likes to trick us into thinking that it isn't. I have seen miracles happen and I hav had to call angels down to change people. But this is the Lords work. I love the Lord!! Keep the faith!
Transfer calls were yesterday morning and I am not getting transferred. Hermana Bird and I are staying together and we are super excited about it!!
Rasheim....special soul....he was the guy that did my CT scan and my IV. It took him 30 minutes to find a vain in my arm and once he got the iv in he had to move it around in my arm to get it in the vain! It hurt so bad!! Needless to say I have a bruse the size of a baseball on my arm that is bright purple. He was NOT my fav! \
The mosquitos are CRAZY here!! I have about 30 bites all over my arms and legs. We soak ourselves down in bug spray everyday and still they swirm around and attack you. People say that we havent seen anything yet. :( great!
I went on exchanges for the first time on Wed(where you go to another area with another missionary). I ahd to be senoir comp cause the girl I had was new in the mission. I had to teach the entire lessons all day and understand all that was being said! Heavenly Father blessed me so much! It turned out to be a good day with a lot of success. I was glad to return to my BF Hermana Bird and to Galveston though!! Who knew I would miss her so much!
We were fed Menudo(cow stomach or something) on Tuesday. I wanted to kill myself. IT smelt like wet dog!! GROSSSSS!!!!!
We totally got he bootleg copy of EFY 2010!! You do not know the importance of that sentence till you are a missionary!
I am super excited to hear that Rick and the boys are getting baptized!! I cried!! I am here teaching people and the ones I love back at home are being blessed also! CONGRATS!! :)
I dont have any time left :( I love you all so much!! I am sending a cd thing home(to grandmas) MOM---you have to watch it then send it to my sisters or put it on facebook....you will know hwat I mean when you get it ;)
I LOVE YOU!!!
HERMANA RICHARDS
I love being a missionary!!! Seriously though!! It at times is super tough because you are tired and hot but Heavenly Father makes it all worth it. I know that this is the only true church on the earth today. That this is the only way in which we can return to live with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and our families forever. It has never been so clear to me as it has now being here. Following God's commandments and being a worthy member of the Church is way more important than ANYTHING else on the earth. Satan just likes to trick us into thinking that it isn't. I have seen miracles happen and I hav had to call angels down to change people. But this is the Lords work. I love the Lord!! Keep the faith!
Transfer calls were yesterday morning and I am not getting transferred. Hermana Bird and I are staying together and we are super excited about it!!
Rasheim....special soul....he was the guy that did my CT scan and my IV. It took him 30 minutes to find a vain in my arm and once he got the iv in he had to move it around in my arm to get it in the vain! It hurt so bad!! Needless to say I have a bruse the size of a baseball on my arm that is bright purple. He was NOT my fav! \
The mosquitos are CRAZY here!! I have about 30 bites all over my arms and legs. We soak ourselves down in bug spray everyday and still they swirm around and attack you. People say that we havent seen anything yet. :( great!
I went on exchanges for the first time on Wed(where you go to another area with another missionary). I ahd to be senoir comp cause the girl I had was new in the mission. I had to teach the entire lessons all day and understand all that was being said! Heavenly Father blessed me so much! It turned out to be a good day with a lot of success. I was glad to return to my BF Hermana Bird and to Galveston though!! Who knew I would miss her so much!
We were fed Menudo(cow stomach or something) on Tuesday. I wanted to kill myself. IT smelt like wet dog!! GROSSSSS!!!!!
We totally got he bootleg copy of EFY 2010!! You do not know the importance of that sentence till you are a missionary!
I am super excited to hear that Rick and the boys are getting baptized!! I cried!! I am here teaching people and the ones I love back at home are being blessed also! CONGRATS!! :)
I dont have any time left :( I love you all so much!! I am sending a cd thing home(to grandmas) MOM---you have to watch it then send it to my sisters or put it on facebook....you will know hwat I mean when you get it ;)
I LOVE YOU!!!
HERMANA RICHARDS
Happy Birthday Mommy!!!
"It shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say" D&C 100:6
This scripture has a story that goes along with it this week. I will include it later in my email. I just have felt an amazing influence of the Spirit guiding me and directing me. In this one specific lesson it wasn't me teaching. My words were His words. I cannot even describe to you the feeling and the guidance I felt. The Lord really does qualify those that are weak to be His strong servants. I feel so blessed for the mercy of Heavenly Father. He is watching out for us and He is mindful of our struggles. And He can make our dreams come true. You just have to begin to believe-exercise your faith, walk a little into darkness. And great shall be your reward and His blessings will be poured down upon you! I love the Lord!
The story I am talking about is an invesitgator we are teaching. Her name is Mary-Beth. She was taught by the sisters here on the island back when the Hermanas covered English and Spanish. Her husband is a less active member. So when I first got to Galveston she had just gotten back from living in California because her husband Randi was put into the hospital(in Galveston). He was in the hosptial for 60 days struggling for his life--i think it was liver failure. Well, in this time I got introduced to her and we would go over to give her messages of peace and hope. Randi died 2 weeks ago. On the night he died I woke up in the middle of the night at 12:30 and immediately thought "CALL MARY BETH" I thought NO that is crazy! I cant do that it is the middle of the night, Well, the spirit then told me again CALL HER! Well, I was too stubborn and said no I am not going to embarass myself and call her so late. I couldn't fall asleep for a long time after that. I woke up to a text from Mary Beth saying that Randi passed away at 12:30 last night. I couldn't believe it. I felt super bad because I didnt call her when I felt like I needed to.......So we have been teaching Mary beth for about a week and a half. I LOVE her!!! She is amazing. She is English speaking so I can actually really be involved with her teaching. Whenever we teach her the spirit is always there so strong. she is truly amazing. Last night we taught her the Plan of Salvation. I began to talk about the pre-mortal life. And for some reason I talked baout how before this life we knew the challenges we were going to have to face and we still agreed to come here to earth. I stopped and just looked at her and she said to me, "Why havent I been told this before? I feel like I just learned something that changed my life. I know that this is true. Everything now makes sense to me. The reason Randi died, the reason my life has been so hard. I know that this is the true church of God. I am going to get baptized. And I want to change my life forever so that I can live wiht my Heavenly Father again like I did before this life." I sat there in awe, and thought---"I NEVER teach that in a lesson...." my heart was pounding and I felt the spirit so strong.She said the prayer for the first time and cried. Thanking Heavenly Father for this knowledge. I cried also. I LOVE HER SO MUCH!!!! I sat there and the spirit confirmed to me that she is one of the reasons I am here on a mission. I am supposed to be teaching her. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father! He let me be his mouthpiece. I love the Lord!!!
Funny story-------We went to an investigators house cause they wanted us to help them make papusas(an El salvador food) SO after an hour nad a half of standing in a boiling hot kitchen we sit dow nadn begin to eat....now in the words of my companion.............
"""" But some of our investigators called us over because she was making papusas...the best hispanic food EVER! So we went over and learned how to make them. Then while we were making it, Vanessa, the daughter, starts freaking out because "the show" is on...the Latin Beauty Pageant. ...Well....the papusas were done and of course the whole family is sitting around watching the pageant. I am trying to eat my papusas and try to strike up conversation or something. SOMETHING to get away from the sly peaks that I've been making at the television to see who these gorgeous women are, where they are from...trying not to hear while they are introducing the competitors...and then in my last attempt and in desperation I finally look at my companion, good Hermana Richards...her eyes are GLUED to the TV and shoving down the gorgeous and delicious papusas...and in that minute I knew...why struggle...this is it...so I gave up and started watching and shovling down my own delishness...we left before we found out the winners...but dont you worry my favorite at least made it to the top 4....haha...."""""""""
Ok.....i promise I am a good missionary. But when I was sweating like a cow for hours and I was dying of course I am going to watch the TV that is like 2 feet away from me. I was so done. LOLOL!!!!
We had a fun activity in the church where we all played volleyball. I sent some pictures :) I lvoe the branch here!!!
We went to sonic to get drinks when we were dying and when the worker asked my companion what size she wanted she said "HUGE" ....it made me think of you mom.....biggie diet coke LOL
I have no time left!! Dang! I love you guys. good luck moving!!!!
Sarah
This scripture has a story that goes along with it this week. I will include it later in my email. I just have felt an amazing influence of the Spirit guiding me and directing me. In this one specific lesson it wasn't me teaching. My words were His words. I cannot even describe to you the feeling and the guidance I felt. The Lord really does qualify those that are weak to be His strong servants. I feel so blessed for the mercy of Heavenly Father. He is watching out for us and He is mindful of our struggles. And He can make our dreams come true. You just have to begin to believe-exercise your faith, walk a little into darkness. And great shall be your reward and His blessings will be poured down upon you! I love the Lord!
The story I am talking about is an invesitgator we are teaching. Her name is Mary-Beth. She was taught by the sisters here on the island back when the Hermanas covered English and Spanish. Her husband is a less active member. So when I first got to Galveston she had just gotten back from living in California because her husband Randi was put into the hospital(in Galveston). He was in the hosptial for 60 days struggling for his life--i think it was liver failure. Well, in this time I got introduced to her and we would go over to give her messages of peace and hope. Randi died 2 weeks ago. On the night he died I woke up in the middle of the night at 12:30 and immediately thought "CALL MARY BETH" I thought NO that is crazy! I cant do that it is the middle of the night, Well, the spirit then told me again CALL HER! Well, I was too stubborn and said no I am not going to embarass myself and call her so late. I couldn't fall asleep for a long time after that. I woke up to a text from Mary Beth saying that Randi passed away at 12:30 last night. I couldn't believe it. I felt super bad because I didnt call her when I felt like I needed to.......So we have been teaching Mary beth for about a week and a half. I LOVE her!!! She is amazing. She is English speaking so I can actually really be involved with her teaching. Whenever we teach her the spirit is always there so strong. she is truly amazing. Last night we taught her the Plan of Salvation. I began to talk about the pre-mortal life. And for some reason I talked baout how before this life we knew the challenges we were going to have to face and we still agreed to come here to earth. I stopped and just looked at her and she said to me, "Why havent I been told this before? I feel like I just learned something that changed my life. I know that this is true. Everything now makes sense to me. The reason Randi died, the reason my life has been so hard. I know that this is the true church of God. I am going to get baptized. And I want to change my life forever so that I can live wiht my Heavenly Father again like I did before this life." I sat there in awe, and thought---"I NEVER teach that in a lesson...." my heart was pounding and I felt the spirit so strong.She said the prayer for the first time and cried. Thanking Heavenly Father for this knowledge. I cried also. I LOVE HER SO MUCH!!!! I sat there and the spirit confirmed to me that she is one of the reasons I am here on a mission. I am supposed to be teaching her. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father! He let me be his mouthpiece. I love the Lord!!!
Funny story-------We went to an investigators house cause they wanted us to help them make papusas(an El salvador food) SO after an hour nad a half of standing in a boiling hot kitchen we sit dow nadn begin to eat....now in the words of my companion.............
"""" But some of our investigators called us over because she was making papusas...the best hispanic food EVER! So we went over and learned how to make them. Then while we were making it, Vanessa, the daughter, starts freaking out because "the show" is on...the Latin Beauty Pageant. ...Well....the papusas were done and of course the whole family is sitting around watching the pageant. I am trying to eat my papusas and try to strike up conversation or something. SOMETHING to get away from the sly peaks that I've been making at the television to see who these gorgeous women are, where they are from...trying not to hear while they are introducing the competitors...and then in my last attempt and in desperation I finally look at my companion, good Hermana Richards...her eyes are GLUED to the TV and shoving down the gorgeous and delicious papusas...and in that minute I knew...why struggle...this is it...so I gave up and started watching and shovling down my own delishness...we left before we found out the winners...but dont you worry my favorite at least made it to the top 4....haha...."""""""""
Ok.....i promise I am a good missionary. But when I was sweating like a cow for hours and I was dying of course I am going to watch the TV that is like 2 feet away from me. I was so done. LOLOL!!!!
We had a fun activity in the church where we all played volleyball. I sent some pictures :) I lvoe the branch here!!!
We went to sonic to get drinks when we were dying and when the worker asked my companion what size she wanted she said "HUGE" ....it made me think of you mom.....biggie diet coke LOL
I have no time left!! Dang! I love you guys. good luck moving!!!!
Sarah
Me....like bikes?
"When one door closes another opens but oftentimes we are too busy looking behind that we forget to look ahead"
I recently read a talk by Elder Ballard "Learning Leasons of the Past". He talks about learning from your past experiences and ancestors. This quote I think talks about looking toward the future with faith. Don't concentrate on the mistakes or challenges you had but focus on the path that is ahead of you, the great things that are to come and the wonderful blessings that will arise when following the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every situtation of change involves some form of nervousness and wonder if you did the right thing....dont worry about it! Take the opportunities that you have right now and have fun! Learn new things, meet new people, strengthen your faith. Dont dwell on the past. The future is as bright as your faith.
My week was so great!! I really have learned to love my bike....no but seriously. Its hot but I love my bike. I feel so much more like a missionary then before.
We totally learned how to cook Hispanic food. We made arroz, arroz con leche, and corn tortillas(the text pic was of me making tortillas). A member got heard of the fact that my companion cant cook. She burns everything(even one of those oven pizzas----BURNED!!! HAHA! I was like 'Hermana Bird.....what is that smell?' She forgot she was cooking it :) sweetheart)) So Hermana Medina taught us how to cook. It was super fun! I mostly loved learning the tortillas. So once we were done cooking we ate a huge feast. Super fun! ..........................but wait we leave their house to go to an appt. We usually eat with this member but we called her the day before and told her we wouldnt be eating but we still wanted to share a message. Well, she didnt get it. We walk in and she has a huge lunch made for us! I thought I was going to die---2 feasts in like 1 hour! Not 5 minutes earlier was I polishing off my arroz con leche(a dessert thing). I choaked down the food. Hermana Bird and I had to go home for a little bit because we felt so sick! HAHA!
We made tie-die(sp?) shirts yesterday for a district activity. Way fun!! I had to figure it out and teach everyone cause no one was getting it. I ended up getting die all over my hands and everyone keeps asking me what happened to my hands.....RAINBOW!
We had a crazy rainstorm on Friday night. We were on our bikes and it was like 8pm and it starts pouring-oh perfect-so we ride to a member who luckily lets us in. We then at 8:45 ride home in the rain and end up getting soaking wet. I dont mind the rain no biggie. BUT there was the craziest lightening and thounder storm-like I have NEVER experienced something like this before. I have never been scared of a storm. I was so scared. It sounded like a person was standing outside my window with cymbols(sp?) and banging them against each other every minute. It felt like it was day time with how bright the lightning was. We then get a call at midnight from my district leader telling us that a tornado touched down on Ballover isand(small island that I went to once on the ferry) and that Galveston had a tornado warning. Cool. They instruct us to say away from windows and such. Well of course my bed is pushed up against the window. So we push me and my comps beds together. It took forever to fall back asleep. All I could think about was the movie Twister. Nothing happened but it was a super crazy storm(mom....dont get freaked out. I am fine. Do not wig out on this story. I know you thought about how I am going to die or something...;) LOL! And hurricane season doesnt start till June1st!
APX guys are selling security all over the island-I run into them like every hour. LOL! All the sudden there were tons of Utah plates and people honking at us like crazy!
I got a crazy migrane Sunday night. LAME! The Elders came and gave me a blessing. SO sweet! I feel fine now. I have my appt. with the doc tomorrow to get my ultrasound. Hopefully we figure out whats up. I will call sister saylin as soon as I am done to update her.
I am happy to hear everyone is doing good. I LOVED the story Amanda told me about Ashlyn saying she missed me.....:( I miss them.
CONGRATS Jamie on the new baby boy! I am super happy for you all. LOVED the pictures:)
Some insights from my comps email to her family of our week.....she is SO funny
""""Lets talk about the wonderful members that are in the branch out here. After a wonderful dinner appointment with a member we were about to head out the door and back to our appartnment when a call was heard from the cute little member, "hey, do you want a ride home?" So we scream back so anthusiastically so as not to be misunderstood, "we would LOVE it!" However come to find out that their car is tiny...so then we began to doubt...do they remember that we are on bikes? what are they going to do? With in seconds out comes running Hermana with a LONG telephone cord...Hermano (not a member) then gathers all of his strength and throws the bikes up onto the top of the little car...Hermana then runs around frantically trying to hold the cord so that Hermano could tie then on...it was such a sight...but they are such sweeties to give us and the bikes a memorable ride home...because you bet I was worried about whether the bikes were going to tumble down from the roof of the car...
THe dogs are not the only thing wanting a piece of us. I have to say a word on the bugs and the no windshield factor...I cannot count on both of my hands and my companion's the number of bugs that fly into our faces everyday...like really. I feel like I get a mouthful of misquitos, flys, bees, and other wonderful creatures of God. Without a windshield to save our lives from these wonderfully talented flyers, you can bet that they come flying right into our clean mouths while panting to make it to an appointment on time. You get side swiped while looking to see if your companion is close behind. You get bashed in the cheek while trying to bike up to the stranger that is walking just the next street up. Without warning they come buzzing into you eyeballs with only seconds to try to save you from this imminant danger. No one ever speaks of this danger that lurks everywhere and most definilty can be found lurking behind every corner..."""
I love Hermana Bird. And yes Maygen---people ask us all the time if we are sisters.
Thanks for everything. I love you!!!
-Hermana Richards
I recently read a talk by Elder Ballard "Learning Leasons of the Past". He talks about learning from your past experiences and ancestors. This quote I think talks about looking toward the future with faith. Don't concentrate on the mistakes or challenges you had but focus on the path that is ahead of you, the great things that are to come and the wonderful blessings that will arise when following the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every situtation of change involves some form of nervousness and wonder if you did the right thing....dont worry about it! Take the opportunities that you have right now and have fun! Learn new things, meet new people, strengthen your faith. Dont dwell on the past. The future is as bright as your faith.
My week was so great!! I really have learned to love my bike....no but seriously. Its hot but I love my bike. I feel so much more like a missionary then before.
We totally learned how to cook Hispanic food. We made arroz, arroz con leche, and corn tortillas(the text pic was of me making tortillas). A member got heard of the fact that my companion cant cook. She burns everything(even one of those oven pizzas----BURNED!!! HAHA! I was like 'Hermana Bird.....what is that smell?' She forgot she was cooking it :) sweetheart)) So Hermana Medina taught us how to cook. It was super fun! I mostly loved learning the tortillas. So once we were done cooking we ate a huge feast. Super fun! ..........................but wait we leave their house to go to an appt. We usually eat with this member but we called her the day before and told her we wouldnt be eating but we still wanted to share a message. Well, she didnt get it. We walk in and she has a huge lunch made for us! I thought I was going to die---2 feasts in like 1 hour! Not 5 minutes earlier was I polishing off my arroz con leche(a dessert thing). I choaked down the food. Hermana Bird and I had to go home for a little bit because we felt so sick! HAHA!
We made tie-die(sp?) shirts yesterday for a district activity. Way fun!! I had to figure it out and teach everyone cause no one was getting it. I ended up getting die all over my hands and everyone keeps asking me what happened to my hands.....RAINBOW!
We had a crazy rainstorm on Friday night. We were on our bikes and it was like 8pm and it starts pouring-oh perfect-so we ride to a member who luckily lets us in. We then at 8:45 ride home in the rain and end up getting soaking wet. I dont mind the rain no biggie. BUT there was the craziest lightening and thounder storm-like I have NEVER experienced something like this before. I have never been scared of a storm. I was so scared. It sounded like a person was standing outside my window with cymbols(sp?) and banging them against each other every minute. It felt like it was day time with how bright the lightning was. We then get a call at midnight from my district leader telling us that a tornado touched down on Ballover isand(small island that I went to once on the ferry) and that Galveston had a tornado warning. Cool. They instruct us to say away from windows and such. Well of course my bed is pushed up against the window. So we push me and my comps beds together. It took forever to fall back asleep. All I could think about was the movie Twister. Nothing happened but it was a super crazy storm(mom....dont get freaked out. I am fine. Do not wig out on this story. I know you thought about how I am going to die or something...;) LOL! And hurricane season doesnt start till June1st!
APX guys are selling security all over the island-I run into them like every hour. LOL! All the sudden there were tons of Utah plates and people honking at us like crazy!
I got a crazy migrane Sunday night. LAME! The Elders came and gave me a blessing. SO sweet! I feel fine now. I have my appt. with the doc tomorrow to get my ultrasound. Hopefully we figure out whats up. I will call sister saylin as soon as I am done to update her.
I am happy to hear everyone is doing good. I LOVED the story Amanda told me about Ashlyn saying she missed me.....:( I miss them.
CONGRATS Jamie on the new baby boy! I am super happy for you all. LOVED the pictures:)
Some insights from my comps email to her family of our week.....she is SO funny
""""Lets talk about the wonderful members that are in the branch out here. After a wonderful dinner appointment with a member we were about to head out the door and back to our appartnment when a call was heard from the cute little member, "hey, do you want a ride home?" So we scream back so anthusiastically so as not to be misunderstood, "we would LOVE it!" However come to find out that their car is tiny...so then we began to doubt...do they remember that we are on bikes? what are they going to do? With in seconds out comes running Hermana with a LONG telephone cord...Hermano (not a member) then gathers all of his strength and throws the bikes up onto the top of the little car...Hermana then runs around frantically trying to hold the cord so that Hermano could tie then on...it was such a sight...but they are such sweeties to give us and the bikes a memorable ride home...because you bet I was worried about whether the bikes were going to tumble down from the roof of the car...
THe dogs are not the only thing wanting a piece of us. I have to say a word on the bugs and the no windshield factor...I cannot count on both of my hands and my companion's the number of bugs that fly into our faces everyday...like really. I feel like I get a mouthful of misquitos, flys, bees, and other wonderful creatures of God. Without a windshield to save our lives from these wonderfully talented flyers, you can bet that they come flying right into our clean mouths while panting to make it to an appointment on time. You get side swiped while looking to see if your companion is close behind. You get bashed in the cheek while trying to bike up to the stranger that is walking just the next street up. Without warning they come buzzing into you eyeballs with only seconds to try to save you from this imminant danger. No one ever speaks of this danger that lurks everywhere and most definilty can be found lurking behind every corner..."""
I love Hermana Bird. And yes Maygen---people ask us all the time if we are sisters.
Thanks for everything. I love you!!!
-Hermana Richards
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